After being thoroughly violated, he ran away with the enemy emperor's child.

And then there's the palace; he has to sneak into the palace no matter what.

Aci is in the Yongdu Imperial Palace.

With this thought in mind, he rode even faster, heading straight for Kyoto after leaving the city.

Although the horse beneath him was fast, it was far slower than Ta Xue. Even if he didn't sleep or rest, it would still take him four days to travel from here to the capital.

Furthermore, even if he could endure it, the horse couldn't.

He could only get a new horse in the next city and continue the relay to reach the capital as quickly as possible.

He rode very fast, and soon left the city far behind. Behind him, the pursuing lieutenant stared at his back with suspicion in his eyes.

But he was just a nobody after all. After a moment of contemplation, the lieutenant turned his horse around and returned to the city.

Meanwhile, in Yongdu, at the imperial palace.

Xue Wu was taking a stroll in the Imperial Garden when she suddenly heard the voices of two palace maids talking from behind the artificial hill.

"Have you noticed that His Majesty seems to have gained some weight these past few days?"

"I noticed that too, but it seems that he has only gained a little weight; His Majesty's appearance is still as handsome as ever."

"Yes, yes, His Majesty is the most handsome man I have ever seen. He also has a good temper. I really envy the future Empress."

"Who isn't? It's just a pity His Majesty doesn't think much of us, otherwise..."

The two sighed softly, then resumed their gossip: "Speaking of which, His Majesty suddenly fell seriously ill a while ago. I heard from the guards stationed in the Qianhe Palace that..."

After carefully glancing around and making sure no one was eavesdropping, she continued, "I heard His Majesty isn't even in the Qianhe Palace!"

"what?"

Another palace maid was visibly shocked. "If His Majesty isn't in Qianhe Palace, where could he be?"

"His Majesty and the Prince have such a good relationship, surely the Prince wouldn't harm His Majesty?"

"Who knows?"

She muttered to herself, "The imperial family is the most ruthless place. Many things are not obvious on the surface, but who knows what might happen in secret."

"Too."

The two whispered among themselves, then went on to gossip, and as they parted, they bumped into Xue Wu, who was not far away.

Their faces changed, and their voices trembled as they cried, "Divine...divine healer..."

Xue Wu smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, I won't tell anyone."

"Thank you, thank you, miracle doctor."

The two women bent down and hurriedly ran away. Xue Wu watched their retreating figures and shook her head with amusement.

After walking around the Imperial Garden twice, he headed towards the Qianhe Hall.

If you have nothing else to do, it would be good to take His Majesty's pulse.

Qianhe Hall.

Today, Chu Junci is wearing a light blue robe and a jade ring at his waist.

Her hair was half-tied up and secured with a carved jade hairpin.

He was reviewing memorials, and on the table sat another jade pendant. But now, the pendant, a symbol of his noble status, was broken in two. Chu Junci should have thrown it away, but…

After a while, he put down the memorial and gently rubbed it with his fingertips.

Things that are already broken shouldn't be left with him.

He let out a breath and pushed the jade pendant to the corner of the table.

At the same time, a guard from the Qianhe Palace entered the hall: "Your Majesty, the Divine Physician requests an audience."

"Summon him." Looking up, he saw the divine physician's arched eyebrows.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

No need for formalities.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After straightening up, Xue Wu smiled and said, "Having nothing to do, I thought I'd come and check His Majesty's pulse to ensure his safety."

"Thank you for your help, Dr. Physician."

"It is the duty of an ordinary citizen."

Xue Wu placed her fingertips on Chu Junci's pulse, then withdrew her hand after a moment: "His Majesty's health has greatly improved."

"If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to write down that prescription tomorrow."

"At that time, Your Majesty, please take care of your health and avoid overexertion."

"I know."

Listening to the divine physician's instructions, Chu Junci nodded secretly: "One month later, the divine physician can leave the palace and find his own place."

"Of course, the promise made to the miracle doctor still stands."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xue Wu smiled and waited for his junior brother's reply. If his junior brother's poison was not cured, he would ask His Majesty for the snow lotus after the matter was accomplished.

Of course, it was only one or two petals; he dared not be greedy for more.

If my junior brother's poison is cured, that would be the best outcome.

He stayed in the village for more than ten years, and never saw his junior brother again after his master passed away.

Even though they occasionally exchanged letters, his junior brother didn't know his whereabouts, and his information about his junior brother was still stuck two years ago.

At that time, my junior brother had just seized the throne and become the new emperor of Zhao Kingdom.

To avoid suspicion, he stopped sending him messages.

Time flies, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye; it's like a fleeting moment...

He was filled with emotion when he suddenly noticed a shiny object on the table.

He glanced to the side and froze on the spot.

He recognized the jade pendant; he had seen it several times in the past few years.

If he wasn't mistaken, that jade pendant—

It was his junior brother's personal jade pendant, and it also symbolized his imperial status.

but……

Why was the jade pendant found in the Qianhe Hall? And why was it broken in two?

Doubt arose in Xue Wu's mind, but he restrained himself from showing any unusual expression.

His tone remained as calm as ever, and he asked casually, "How did Your Majesty's jade pendant break?"

"Accident."

He tossed the jade pendant into a corner and dismissed the guest, asking, "Does the divine physician have anything else to say?"

"This humble subject will depart now."

"Um."

After Xue Wu left, Chu Junci picked up the jade pendant again, looked at it for a few moments, and then threw it out the window.

He shouldn't keep things that are broken.

At the entrance of Qianhe Palace, Xue Wu stood with a somber face, the image of the broken jade pendant flashing through her mind once again.

He couldn't be mistaken; that jade belonged to his junior brother. The strange thing was... why was it on His Majesty?

Is it...

An impossible guess arose, and he was suddenly startled. Combined with the gossip from the palace maids, his heart beat even faster.

Could it be...?

That mysterious guy is actually my junior brother?!

Xue Wu was shocked, but he also felt that he shouldn't make such unfounded accusations. It was all just his guess and there was no evidence to support it.

But if it really involves my junior brother, what are his thoughts?

He paced around anxiously, not knowing what to do.

Previously, he could write prescriptions for His Majesty without any burden, but now...

After having doubts, he was made to personally eliminate his junior brother...

How could he do that?

The jade pendant was my junior brother's personal possession. The fact that Your Majesty possesses it can only mean that my junior brother is deeply in love with Your Majesty. Perhaps he is unaware of Your Majesty's current situation. If he knew...

He already felt guilty towards his junior brother, and now this...

However, he was entrusted by His Majesty, and for a time, Xue Wu was caught in a dilemma.

Xue Wu looked conflicted, torn between his junior brother and His Majesty. He frowned and paced back and forth in frustration.

He pondered for a whole day, until it got dark, but still couldn't reach a conclusion.

It wasn't until the next day that he arrived at the Qianhe Palace, his eyes dark and swollen. "Your Majesty..."

Upon seeing him, Chu Junci was taken aback: "Divine Doctor...didn't you get enough rest yesterday?"

"Yes."

Xue Wu nodded, then knelt down: "Your Majesty, I have something to say."