Chapter 259: The Prime Minister is Sick

The Empress had no harem, so the Imperial Palace was quite spacious. The Silver Armor Guards had their own dedicated training grounds here.

Lou Yan and Song Junzhan went there together. They each selected a weapon that suited them, took their stances, and without another word, began to fight.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Blades flashed and swords crossed, sending sparks flying.

A moment later, the two separated. They both held back, not dealing any fatal blows. Killing each other was out of the question, but they had to fight to vent their frustrations.

After a couple of breaths, they charged at each other again.

The battle raged for a full hour, until Song Junzhan was completely exhausted and the effects of the alcohol had worn off entirely.

Lou Yan calmly sheathed his blade. "Thank you for going easy on me."

Song Junzhan was a man of letters, his martial arts no match for Lou Yan’s. Defeat was inevitable. Lasting a full hour against him was already an impressive feat.

Lou Yan won, but he wasn’t particularly happy. Song Junzhan lost, but he didn’t feel dejected either.

They both knew in their hearts that the outcome of this fight decided nothing. It was merely to vent the frustration bottled up inside them.

The true power to decide had always rested with the Empress.

That was why it was just a bout to blow off steam. There were no accusations, not even a single mention of the intimacy with the Empress.

Once Song Junzhan had caught his breath, Lou Yan spoke. "Those two from tonight... what does the Prime Minister intend to do with them?"

Song Junzhan gave a light cough to soothe his throat. "Lock them up under heavy guard. We can’t give them any chance to appear before Her Majesty again."

He then explained, "Her Majesty has no intention of starting a war at the moment, so we cannot kill them. That would give the two nations an excuse to fight. But they aren’t important enough for Her Majesty to care about, so as long as they’re kept alive, it’s fine."

Lou Yan’s gaze turned cold. "And how can the Prime Minister guarantee they won’t appear before Her Majesty again?"

Song Junzhan admitted frankly, "I can’t. But isn’t that why Lord Lou is here? You and I are destined to be rivals, but on this matter, our goal should be the same."

Lou Yan said no more and turned to leave.

Song Junzhan walked off in the other direction. Only after he had left the training grounds did he lean slowly against a wall.

Lou Yan hadn’t used lethal force, but he hadn’t held back either. For a civil servant like him, the fight was a true ordeal. He wasn’t even sure if he could attend court normally tomorrow.

’But I’ve been working nonstop for over two years without a single day of rest. Her Majesty probably won’t blame me for taking one day off, will she?’

「The next day」

The Prime Minister’s failure to attend court sent shockwaves through the imperial court.

The Empress could afford to miss a session, but the court couldn’t go a single day without the Prime Minister.

Many officials rushed to the Prime Minister’s Mansion to inquire, but none were allowed past the gate. The steward only told them that the Prime Minister was unwell today and needed to rest.

The Prime Minister was unwell? Was that really such a surprise?

The Prime Minister’s health had never been good. When they first met him, he was constantly holding a bowl of medicine. His condition improved after the Empress ascended the throne, and though he no longer drank it daily, he never stopped his regimen of restorative medicinal meals. He would persist in his duties even when he had a cold or a cough, coming in rain or shine. Why would he be bedridden from simply being "unwell" this time?

Had he come down with some serious illness?

Seeing several officials come to the Empress to request an Imperial Physician, Lou Yan’s face grew so dark it looked like it could drip water. The terrified officials quickened their pace as they left.

In the end, the Empress decided to show some concern for her subject and personally visit the Prime Minister with an Imperial Physician in tow.

Lou Yan instinctively started to follow, but Xiao Li stopped him with a raised hand. "You don’t need to come."

Lou Yan’s feet felt rooted to the spot as he could only watch Xiao Li leave.

’It’s just as they say: as long as your rival isn’t dead, you haven’t truly won.’

’But the one person he absolutely could not kill was Song Junzhan!’

Hong Yue and Lan Yue exchanged a look and quickly covered their mouths.

They wanted to laugh but didn’t dare, fearing retaliation. This Mr. Lou looked so very scary.

A fox never wins through brute force. Intelligence and charm are its true trademarks.

Cen An, unable to wake the Empress and crushed by the pressure from both the woman he loved and his good friend, had become a recluse and started wandering the world.

The highest-ranking person in the Imperial Hospital now was the old man, Ning Chong. However, Xiao Li knew what was really wrong with Song Junzhan, so she didn’t bring Ning Chong. Instead, she found a young Imperial Physician who had been personally mentored by Cen An.

With the Empress gracing them with her presence, the Prime Minister’s Mansion naturally had to throw open its gates to welcome her.

Manager Jiang, the head steward of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, personally came to the entrance to greet her.

"This humble one welcomes Your Majesty on behalf of the Prime Minister."

A tall youth standing to the side also bowed, his face beaming. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Xiao Li’s gaze fell upon him. After studying him for a few moments, she called out uncertainly, "Ziyue?"

It was no wonder Xiao Li was surprised. The person before her was like a completely different man from the Ziyue she knew. The old Ziyue had been a half-grown teenager, but he was still just a child.

He used to have sallow hair, a small and skinny frame, an immature face, and even a few small freckles.

He used to be half a head shorter than Xiao Li, but now he was more than half a head taller.

He had shot up in height, but he wasn’t lanky like a bamboo pole. Instead, he looked healthy and strong. His features had matured, and the little spots on his face were gone.

His features were well-defined, with thick brows and bright, star-like eyes. His skin wasn’t pale, but a light, wheat-like tan.

He wasn’t stunningly handsome, but he was a fine-looking young man nonetheless.

Sunny, healthy, tall, and handsome—he was the epitome of a high school jock.

Especially when he grinned at Xiao Li, his big, bright eyes looked both pure and endearingly silly.

’He looks even more like him!’

Manager Jiang laughed. "Just now, Ziyue made a bet with this humble one that Your Majesty would certainly not recognize him."

Xiao Li smiled. "I really didn’t. Boys certainly do change a lot as they grow up. If Ziyue were to walk down the street now, I wonder how many young maidens he would charm."

"Have you saved up enough money to find a wife yet? If not, I can add to it for you."

Ziyue blushed instantly at the teasing. "Sister Empress, that was all in the past! I’m not in a hurry to find a wife anymore..."

"Hahaha..."

Xiao Li beamed. ’No wonder adults love bringing up children’s embarrassing stories—teasing them is just too much fun.’

Xiao Li’s good mood lasted all the way from the entrance until she saw Song Junzhan.

Song Junzhan was getting out of bed, his face a little pale. When he saw Xiao Li arrive, he forced a smile and was about to bow.

"Your Majesty..."

Xiao Li rushed to support him. "You’re unwell. What are you doing out of bed?"

Song Junzhan replied, "Your Majesty has graced me with your presence. It is already a crime that this subject could not greet you at the gate. How could I remain lying in bed?"

Xiao Li looked at his bloodless lips and his pale complexion. ’This may be the fox’s ploy, but the sickness is real.’ "That’s enough, don’t strain yourself."

"Ziyue, come help your Young Master back to bed."

Ziyue was more than eager. "As you command!"

Song Junzhan didn’t even have a chance to speak before Ziyue manhandled him back into bed in a few swift movements. A seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy has no concept of gentleness.

Ziyue: ’Sister Empress gave an order. Mission must be accomplished.’

Song Junzhan: ’...This child, Ziyue... I’ve raised him for nothing.’