Madam, please listen to my explanation.

Chapter 75 I Do Not Agree to This Marriage
Zhao Jingqian was so angry he was practically fuming. He gripped the edge of the chair tightly, but ultimately did not confront his mother directly.

What is he here for?
Ever since he averted a bloodbath, this fellow has been spending his days idly in the brothel.

The only two times I heard news of him, it was when he was having a secret rendezvous with his betrothed concubine!

Wait a minute, thinking about it this way, he suddenly wanted to see the other person.

"Didn't you hear what the Empress Dowager said? Go and inform her immediately!"

A moment later, Xu Jinhuan entered the palace.

He still did not kneel, but merely cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the mother and son seated high on the platform:
"Xu Jinhuan greets Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

Zhao Jingqian: "Mr. Xu has arrived. What brings you to see me so suddenly?"

Xu Jinhuan took out two small boxes from his sleeve, and instantly, the aroma of medicine filled the air.

"Your Majesty, the resentment of the Blood Pill has been dispelled. To avoid further delaying the treatment, I delivered the pill immediately."

The other one was a gift for the Empress Dowager to help her calm her nerves and get some sleep.

Zhao Jingqian's breathing began to become heavy.

Even though he pretended not to care, he still couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart when the pill was actually delivered to him.

Although the Xuan Turtle is said to be incredibly miraculous and highly effective, it is ultimately a slow and gradual process.

If this pill is truly as Elder Ning said, it can not only instantly cure one's incurable ailment, but also directly transform one's body, allowing one to embark on the path of cultivation.
Even he would find it hard not to be moved.

"Alright, Xu Qing, bring it here quickly!"

Xu Jinhuan tossed the two medicine boxes aside, and as if they had eyes, they flew into Zhao Jingqian and Li Yuwei's hands on their own.

He couldn't wait to open the lid, and in an instant, the rich aroma of the medicine was more than ten times stronger than before.
The entire palace was tinged with a hazy crimson hue. Zhao Jingqian gazed at the pill he had longed for day and night in his palm, its surface rippling as if it would shatter instantly with the slightest pressure.

Xu Jinhuan caught a fleeting glimpse of greed in the emperor's eyes.

He didn't know how Ning Caixie had touted the efficacy of this blood pill.

Aside from the fact that it contains a poison that chills the marrow, this thing is indeed a great tonic.

As for the cold poison hidden within, it was well concealed by the master's wife using strange methods.

Even his own master, a contemporary master of alchemy, couldn't see through the clues, so why should he be afraid of a few mere imperial physicians?
Zhuang Yuning sat to one side with her head bowed, occasionally stealing glances at each other, her eyes filled with tender affection.

Xu Jinhuan was speechless.

Although she had planned to visit Zhao Jingqian and the Empress Dowager early in the morning, she really didn't expect to run into her here.

However, seeing the undisguised look in her eyes, he knew she had misunderstood again.
Wake up, kid!
The emperor summons you to the palace, but he doesn't notify me first!
His purpose in offering the medicine was simply to reduce the number of deaths among the people of Kyoto.

Of course, you also need to muddy the water along the way.

After all, the 'fees' charged by that old turtle in Xiefang Garden for treating people are not low.

While he appeared to be living a life of leisure at the Iris Pavilion, he had actually been secretly building an intelligence network that spanned the entire Great Yan.

With the help of such a miraculous creature as the raven, many seemingly impossible operations become extremely simple.

He has been keeping a close watch on all the major and minor events that have happened in Kyoto recently.

He knew that every day, many able-bodied men were "mysteriously disappearing" in order to build that damned temple.
However, the slow-acting poison, Cold Marrow, does not cause the host to die immediately.

As long as this guy's condition improves, it's reasonable to at least reduce the amount of food he feeds that old turtle.

"Minister Xu has made great contributions to alchemy. I truly do not know how to thank you!"

Xu Jinhuan shook his head expressionlessly:
"There's no need for that. As citizens of Great Yan, this is simply our duty."

Zhao Jingqian almost fainted from exhaustion.

Others might be tolerating you, a ungrateful and fatherless creature, but you still know you're a citizen of the Great Yan?

If it weren't for his continued fear of the Imperial Advisor and the Empress Dowager, he would have been sent to meet the King of Hell long ago!
However, now that he had obtained the elixir, Xu Jinhuan was practically no longer of any use to him.
"Minister Xu, you've come at the perfect time. I was just discussing the matter of taking concubines and marrying wives with the Empress Dowager."

A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day, much less without a crown prince. Now that I have obtained this elixir, I am overjoyed!
"I intend to hold the wedding tomorrow. What does Minister Xu think?" Xu Jinhuan glanced at Zhuang Yuning's hopeful eyes and said without changing his expression:
"As it should be."

At that moment, Zhuang Yuning could hardly believe her ears.

Zhao Jingqian laughed so hard he almost fell over, and his gaze towards Xu Jinhuan even carried a hint of mockery:
"With Xu Qing's words, I am relieved!"

Jin Yu, why don't you thank Mr. Xu?

Zhuang Yuning stood up stiffly, as if she had suddenly lost all her strength.

She stared intently at the man who had promised to break off the engagement for her, biting her lower lip tightly until it bled, but she still couldn't utter a single word.

It was just one day off.
Why did that damned emperor have to choose today of all days!

"gentlemen."

His tone was a mix of anger and resentment, but he couldn't bring himself to say the second half of his sentence.

Are you truly willing to marry him?
"Oh? Your Majesty, you actually intend to marry Master Zhuang?"

Zhao Jingqian's smile immediately froze on his face.

Still playing dumb!

"Excellent! Master Zhuang's talent and learning are renowned throughout the capital, and his appearance is also outstanding; he greatly pleases me."

"I do not agree to this marriage."

Xu Jinhuan's words were startling, and in an instant, the entire palace fell silent.

Zhuang Yuning suddenly raised her head, her eyes shining once again.

Sir, isn't this a bit too direct?
"Xu Jinhuan, do you know what you're saying!"

Xu Jinhuan sneered and did not answer His Majesty the Emperor's question.

Her eyes were fixed on the Empress Dowager.

Their eyes met, and Li Yuwei was momentarily lost in thought, but quickly regained her composure:

"Godson, you must not be rude to the teacher."

Zhao Jingqian turned his head in astonishment:
"Mother!"

"Since Mr. Xu does not agree to this marriage, let's just drop it and not mention it again."

Zhao Jingqian stood up angrily!
His right hand was clenched tightly, and his voice trembled slightly:

"Mr. Xu, please give me an explanation."

"Does Your Majesty know what the most crucial 'medicine' in this Blood Pill is?"
"It is the blood of Princess Ruoxi, the White Tiger of Li Yan."

Xu Jinhuan spread his hands and began to spout nonsense with a straight face:

"Once His Majesty takes the next pill, he will inherit Princess Ruoxi's physique."

This bloodline, to her, was a deadly poison, but once given to His Majesty, it became a ladder to the sixth rank, or even higher.

I have examined Master Zhuang's birth chart; it is characterized by the Seven Killings star shining upon his destiny and the Broken Army star entangled within him.

You must understand that when two tigers fight, one will surely be injured.

fart!

Zhao Jingqian cursed inwardly, his face turning pale with anger.

If it weren't for that earlier note, he might have believed it.

He didn't believe a single word the other party was saying!
Li Yuwei noticed her son's unusual behavior, frowned, and said coldly:
"Godson, the master will not harm you. Do as he says."

"Your subject... understands!"

(End of this chapter)