I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 417 Completely baffled

"Let's talk this out properly." Gu Qing's gaze swept over the plum blossom darts, and she was so frightened that she stammered.

Chen Xing glared: "Speak quickly!"

"Yes, yes, yes..." Gu Qing broke out in a cold sweat. "A young friend gave it to me. This old man is just keeping it safe. This old man doesn't know what's inside."

"Is the young friend you're talking about the scholar who gave you the brocade pouch and the array diagram?" Chu Liuzheng held the small bottle and shook it at him, smiling innocently.

Gu Qing's pupils contracted slightly, and he felt once again that this little girl was strange. How could she guess so accurately?

His small eyes darted around, taking in everyone present and finding that none of them were someone to be trifled with.

The fat old man slumped his shoulders, let out a deep sigh, and finally admitted it.

He recounted the whole story, and added at the end, "Alas! It's not easy for an old man like me to make a living. I had no choice but to resort to this drastic measure, just to earn a little money to get by."

After looking him over, the crowd thought to themselves how shameless he was to say such a thing.

Xiao Jingfan ordered his men to take Gu Qing away and to keep an eye on her to prevent her from escaping.

Feng Jing found a shady spot and opened the bottle.

Instantly, a fragrance reminiscent of orchids and lotuses wafted out, invigorating the spirit and relieving much of the fatigue.

“It’s powder from the Heavenly Lotus Fruit.” Feng Jing confirmed instantly and immediately sealed the bottle tightly. “The taste is exactly the same as described in the ancient books.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was delighted.

Xiao Jingfan, in particular, unconsciously tightened his grip on Chu Liuzheng's hand, his palm trembling slightly.

With the Heavenly Lotus Fruit present, Prince Rui is saved.

Chu Liuzheng glanced at their clasped hands, pursed his lips, and felt a little complicated.

[Even a tyrant can be afraid; he really is a living person after all.]

Xiao Jingfan: "..."

Is he dead?

Even the most excited feelings were dampened by this thought. Xiao Jingfan looked at Feng Jing, and before he could speak, Feng Jing said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, with the Heavenly Lotus Fruit, I guarantee that Prince Rui will live."

After saying that, he hurriedly grabbed the bottle and ran away.

Chen Xing moved closer to Chu Liuzheng and asked, "Sister, where is the little prince?"

She almost forgot that Chu Liuzheng had another piece of information she wanted to reveal.

“In Zizhu City.” Chu Liuzheng looked at everyone. “Zheng Qianqian said that there is a Wang Family Village ten miles outside the east gate of Zizhu City. The village head is a remnant of the Yong Dynasty. The young imperial grandson is raised on the village and is publicly known as the youngest son of Master Wang.”

Chen Xing blinked: "Sister, Zheng Qianqian even told you this?"

"Hmm," Chu Liuzheng said calmly, "Maybe my appearance makes people want to confide in me."

[Second Junior Brother, I had no choice. Consider this compensation for my emotional distress. Thank you so much!]

Xiao Jingfan chuckled.

If Zheng Qianqian knew how much blame this woman had shifted onto him, he would probably be so angry he'd crawl out of the ground.

Chu Liuzheng suddenly remembered that she could actually use Zheng Qianqian to leak some things.

[As the saying goes, "Wildfire cannot burn it all; the spring breeze brings it back to life." Although Yin Lanci is dead, the remnants of the Yong Dynasty are still around. Perhaps I should provide the tyrant with some more intelligence and wipe out the several major forces secretly cultivated by these remnants of the Yong Dynasty in one fell swoop?]

[Second Brother, don't worry. Considering how many burdens you've taken for me, every year during Qingming Festival... uh, no, as soon as I remember, I'll definitely burn paper money for you!]

She opened the system, pulled up the relevant gossip, quickly drafted a prepared statement, and only then did she turn to look at the emperor. Unexpectedly, she met his focused yet encouraging gaze. Wait a minute! Encouragement?

Chu Liuzheng wondered if he was seeing things.

Xiao Jingfan softened his voice as if afraid of startling her, and asked, "What do you want to say?"

Chu Liuzheng shuddered, successfully startled.

[Fun Frog! Has the Tyrant been possessed by something evil?]

Xiao Jingfan: "..."

He instantly regained his expression and ground his teeth, as if he wanted to bite someone.

【Oh, that's normal now.】

Chu Liuzheng breathed a sigh of relief, looked around, and whispered, "Your Majesty, this servant has something important to report."

Everyone craned their necks and pricked up their ears, wondering what they were whispering about!

Xiao Jingfan coughed lightly and glanced at everyone. The message was clear: Go do what you're supposed to do, don't just stand around.

Everyone: "..."

Xiao Jingfan thought for a moment and decided it would be better to discuss such an important matter back in the tent. So, ignoring the group who were dawdling and didn't want to leave, and wanted to stay and watch the show, he pulled Chu Liuzheng back to the main tent.

Watching the two walk away hand in hand, Chen Xing sighed, "Sigh! No more excitement to watch."

Lü Fei sighed, "Alas! The matter hasn't been reported yet."

Huang Qian also sighed, "Alas! There's no hope for my niece in the palace."

Xiao Da sighed, "Alas! We weren't the first to find the intelligence again."

The soldiers sighed inwardly: "Why hasn't the general left yet?"
*
Back in his tent, Chu Liuzheng was still in disbelief.

[I was just saying it casually, and the tyrant believed me without asking any questions. Is this still the suspicious and irritable tyrant he is?]

She sat down on the edge of the bed, rested her chin on her hands, and stared down at the tips of her shoes.

[The tyrant said he would reward those who had contributed after returning to the capital. Doctor Feng saved Prince Rui's life with my medicine, and I also provided the intelligence that led to the Heavenly Lotus Fruit; I'm definitely credited for saving Prince Rui. I also saved Lord Jiang and Lord Zhang, so that counts as a contribution too. And then there's Zheng Qianqian, Yin Lanci…]

She silently calculated in her mind and suddenly realized that all her merits, big and small, added up to enough to get her, a mere palace maid, out of the palace. If this had happened two months ago, she would have been so excited she'd roll around on her bed and scream with joy. But now…

She raised her right hand in front of her eyes.

Her ten fingers were slender and flawless. No matter if it was a scratch, cut, or cut, Dr. Feng's skillful hands could not find a single scar.

My fingers curled slightly, and the cool touch seemed to linger in my palm, as if I were holding a piece of jade that wasn't quite smooth.

That's the emperor! If she's taken a liking to the emperor, can she really leave the palace?
【Ughhhhhh!!! So annoying!!!】

Chu Liuzheng flopped onto the bed, pulled the blanket over his head, squirmed a few times, then squirmed a few more times, kicking his legs outside the blanket.

[Damn it! What on earth did this tyrant see in me?!]

I'm completely baffled, the solution, the solution...

Ten days later, after Feng Jing and Jiang Yao's all-night efforts, they finally succeeded in expelling the Gu worms from Prince Rui's body. With careful recuperation, Prince Rui's body will gradually recover. Thanks to the medicinal effects of the Heavenly Lotus Fruit, after a full recovery, although Prince Rui's body will still not be as strong as an ordinary person, he will no longer be so weak and afraid of the cold that he cannot even leave the house in winter.

Emperor Xiao Jingfan was overjoyed and rewarded Feng Jing handsomely, even having the sudden idea to arrange a marriage for him.

Feng Jing was very willing, but he was worried that Doctor Qin would not be happy. After some hesitation, he decided to give up and wait until he had Doctor Qin's consent before asking the emperor for a marriage decree.

(End of this chapter)