"It was stolen from a friend's house, Your Majesty."
"Oh?" Xuanyuan Yi raised an eyebrow. "I truly didn't know that families who had served as officials for generations would hide rare herbs in their homes."
"Those are just ordinary herbs, Your Majesty wouldn't possibly know about them." Su Qianmo said, placing the tray before Xuanyuan Yi. "If Your Majesty likes them, I can have some sent over later."
"Heh, your character is quite unique," Xuanyuan Yi remarked, then asked, "Do you know why I summoned you to the Imperial Study today?"
"This humble subject does not know."
"Do you know?" Xuanyuan Yi asked.
"Replying to Your Majesty, this humble subject truly does not know."
"Do you know why I asked you to come here?"
"No."
Su Qianmo's replies were crisp and direct, leaving no room for ambiguity, which made Xuanyuan Yi chuckle.
"Then tell me, why were you in the Imperial Garden? And why were you wearing such strange clothes?"
"This question is actually quite simple. It's because I like that kind of feeling." Su Qianmo stated with a look of righteous indignation.
"Then tell me, what kind of feeling do you like?"
"I like..."
Just as Su Qianmo was about to answer, a palace maid handed over a bowl of medicinal soup. "Replying to Your Majesty, the little mistress has a cold poison in her body. She must drink this medicine every two to three days. If the poison is not removed, her life could be in danger!"
"Cold poison?"
Hearing the little palace maid's words, Xuanyuan Yi couldn't help but feel concerned. "Do you have a way to cure the cold poison?"
"There is a way, but it requires... requires..."
"Requires what?" Xuanyuan Yi pressed urgently.
"It requires the fresh blood of a man."
"A man's fresh blood?"
Xuanyuan Yi froze, a look of confusion on his face.
Su Qianmo, seeing Xuanyuan Yi's perplexed gaze, inwardly chuckled. "Yes, fresh blood from a man."
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Yi immediately frowned and asked, "Then what man's blood do you need? Could it be..."
A beautiful face flashed in Xuanyuan Yi's mind.
Could this woman be disguised as a man?
Xuanyuan Yi narrowed his eyes.
"Yes."
"Tell me, how much blood do you need?"
"Ten drops, perhaps," Su Qianmo said casually.
Xuanyuan Yi remained silent for a few seconds, then said, "Alright, ten drops. I will give you ten bottles of blood."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"However..." Xuanyuan Yi's tone shifted. "I heard you are an old acquaintance of Prince Su. You wouldn't happen to like Prince Su, would you?"
"This humble subject dare not!" Su Qianmo denied repeatedly.
"Then why were you entering and exiting the Imperial Garden wearing the attire of Prince Su's manor?"
"That..." Su Qianmo gritted her teeth and, bracing herself, continued to spin a tale. "My master is skilled in disguise. So... he gave me a different face."
"Oh?"
Xuanyuan Yi looked at Su Qianmo with great interest.
He hadn't known that there was anyone in this world who could disguise themselves as a man, let alone possess such mastery of disguise.
"This matter is between you and me. Do not let it leak out. If it does, I guarantee your life will be forfeit!"
"This humble subject understands!" Su Qianmo nodded, then said, "Your Majesty, your tea has gone cold!"
"Heh, has it?"
Xuanyuan Yi glanced at the teacup before him and smiled. "I recall your tea-making skills are excellent. I love the tea you brew the most."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's praise."
"By the way, what is your name?"
"This humble subject is Su Qianmo!"
"Su Qianmo... A good name!"
Xuanyuan Yi smiled and then said, "Right, I heard that Prime Minister Su's condition has not improved in the past few days. Do you have any solutions?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, this humble subject has found some solutions, but..."
"But what?" Xuanyuan Yi asked eagerly.
"But this humble subject requires Your Majesty's cooperation."
A cunning smile flickered across Su Qianmo's lips. She knew that Xuanyuan Yi was a clever man. As long as she revealed a little information, he would surely guess the reason for her request for help.
Xuanyuan Yi pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "I am willing to lend you a hand."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Su Qianmo said, and then asked, "May this humble subject ask, why are you so curious about this matter? Is it perhaps because I am a woman?"
"Hahaha!" Xuanyuan Yi burst into laughter. "You are indeed remarkably intelligent."
"Your Majesty is too kind."
"However, your guess is not entirely wrong!" Xuanyuan Yi paused, then continued, "In truth, I noticed your strangeness long ago. I even suspected you were an impostor, but I never found any evidence, which is why I never exposed you. But rest assured, I will keep your secret. I will absolutely not let anyone else know."
"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty!"
Su Qianmo breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Xuanyuan Yi hadn't seen through her lie. If she had been exposed, it would have been troublesome!
Xuanyuan Yi looked at her ordinary face and felt a strange sensation. "I have heard about Prime Minister Su's illness."
Su Qianmo was startled. "Your Majesty already knows?"
"Yes, I summoned you today specifically to tell you something."
"What is it?"
Su Qianmo's expression suddenly became tense. Had Xuanyuan Yi discovered her identity and intended to punish her?
"Regarding Prime Minister Su's condition, I have already instructed the imperial physicians to treat him as quickly as possible. I hope you will not delay."
"Yes!" Su Qianmo nodded. "Then this humble subject will take her leave."
"Wait!"
"Does Your Majesty have further instructions?" Su Qianmo asked.
"No, you may go."
Xuanyuan Yi seemed to be in good spirits.
"This humble subject takes her leave."
Su Qianmo retreated. The moment she closed the door, a cold smile curved her lips.
Xuanyuan Yi, even if I don't kill you now, one day, you won't survive!
"Knock, knock, knock..."
In the early morning, as sunlight streamed through the window and into the room, a knock on the door disturbed Xuanyuan Yi's slumber.
He rubbed his drowsy eyes and opened them, looking at Qingyi, who stood by the bed and bowed respectfully. "What is it?"
Qingyi's forehead was beaded with sweat. He said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress has sent someone to request Your Majesty to move to Cining Palace. She says she wishes to discuss the details of the New Year's celebration with you."
"The Empress?" Xuanyuan Yi frowned.
"Yes."
"I understand. You may go."
"Yes."
Qingyi withdrew.
Xuanyuan Yi sat up and tidied his disheveled robes.
He had drunk too much last night and had some sobering soup upon returning to his chambers, but he still felt groggy.
It seemed he had truly gotten drunk.
Xuanyuan Yi shook his head, then lifted the tent curtain and exited his chambers.
Inside Cining Palace, a fragrant aroma wafted through the air.
Xuanyuan Yi took a deep breath, and the expression on his face softened considerably.
"Your humble son pays his respects to Mother!"
"Rise quickly."
The Empress Dowager's voice carried a hint of fatigue. Xuanyuan Yi noticed this and asked with concern, "Is Mother in good health recently?"
"This old one is well," the Empress Dowager smiled.
"Since Mother is in good health, why would she suddenly fall ill?"