Su Xiaoqi roughly organized her understanding of Yu Jing.
It seemed like everyone had always said how much she resembled her.
But no one had told her where Yu Jing had gone.
Of the three Yu sisters, the eldest had married the great scholar Mr. Gu and was now living a semi-reclusive life in Mianzhou City.
She had written a letter two days prior, mentioning she might return to the capital after the New Year.
The second sister, Yu Wan, was Du Yiyi's mother and the current wife of the Minister.
She was in the capital at the moment, and Su Xiaoqi often paid her respects when she visited Du Yiyi.
When she received anything good, she would send a portion to her.
The two families were very close.
Furthermore, with Madam Du's help, Su Xiaoqi had integrated into the circle of official ladies in the capital at the fastest pace.
Su Xiaoqi desperately wanted to ask about the story between the Emperor and Yu Jing.
But she couldn't bring herself to ask.
If she were to learn of royal secrets, wouldn't that be courting death?
The Eldest Princess, however, was very anxious. She had been waiting for Su Xiaoqi to ask her.
But this young girl remained silent, leaving her no choice.
She decided to initiate the conversation. Just then, the medicine was ready.
Both of them put the matter aside and attended to the medicinal soup.
The Eldest Princess personally tested the medicine for Emperor Xingzhao, and Su Xiaoqi watched her with surprise.
The Eldest Princess smiled gently, "I trust you, Xiaoqi."
After drinking the medicine, Emperor Xingzhao looked at Su Xiaoqi again.
The more he looked, the more she resembled Yu Jing. He couldn't help but fall into a daze again:
"Jing'er, have you finally returned? No, you are not Jing'er. Jing'er shouldn't be this young."
Su Xiaoqi wished she could cover her face at that moment.
Why was this person so persistent?
She suddenly regretted adding a quarter of the spiritual medicine to the soup.
According to the plot in the book, Emperor Xingzhao was to pass away soon. This time, she didn't want to alter this necessary plot point.
But she also didn't want him to die right now.
Shen Yun's plan might require him to live a little longer.
Indeed, spiritual medicine was spiritual medicine.
After drinking the bowl of soup mixed with the spiritual medicine, Emperor Xingzhao's spirits immediately lifted. His previous weakness improved, and he was able to sit up and even walk a few steps in the hall.
This was the best his health had been in more than half a year.
His imperial countenance immediately brightened, and he declared his intention to richly reward the Eldest Princess and Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi instinctively wanted to refuse, as she now only wished to stay away from the Emperor.
But the Eldest Princess stopped her and winked at her.
This meant her father had many treasures, and any one of them was priceless.
It was definitely a profitable exchange.
Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but smile shyly at the Eldest Princess's playful demeanor.
This smile almost made Emperor Xingzhao, who was staring at her, lose his composure again.
Su Xiaoqi left the main hall with the Eldest Princess after leaving the prescription and carefully explaining how to decoct it.
As soon as they stepped outside, they saw Shen Yun emerging from a side pavilion.
"Husband..." Su Xiaoqi walked over and, using the cover of her wide sleeves, quietly tugged at Shen Yun's hand.
Shen Yun squeezed her hand back.
The Eldest Princess smiled from the side.
Shen Yun quickly bowed to her, "Thank you, Your Highness the Eldest Princess, for speaking on my behalf to His Majesty."
Otherwise, under normal circumstances, Shen Yun would not have been able to enter the palace without being summoned by the Emperor.
Even if he could enter, he would not have the right to remain by the palace gates.
The Eldest Princess smiled, saying it was nothing, but that Xiaoqi had also helped her greatly.
Shen Yun then understood that the Emperor's illness had likely improved.
The three walked together towards the palace gates. Just as they were about to board their respective carriages, Eunuch Feng, accompanied by Xiao Dengzi, hurried after them.
He was there to deliver rewards to the Eldest Princess and Su Xiaoqi.
Both of them received ten bolts of Shu brocade, a measure of fine pearls, and a jade Ruyi scepter.
These were truly generous rewards.
Su Xiaoqi felt that her actions didn't quite warrant these rewards.
After thinking it over, she attributed it to her resemblance to Yu Jing.
Her good mood instantly vanished, and she let out a heavy sigh.
Shen Yun noticed and, with keen perception, sensed that something was amiss with Su Xiaoqi.
Recalling some rumors he had heard before, his mind stirred, and he asked, "Did His Majesty mention the third young lady Yu?"
Su Xiaoqi blinked her eyes. After a moment, she suddenly smiled. That's right, if it was difficult to ask the Eldest Princess about past events, she could ask Shen Yun.
She nodded, "Yes, he did mention her."
Shen Yun looked at Su Xiaoqi quietly. "So, what do you wish to know?"
Su Xiaoqi blinked her eyes and tilted her head, looking at Shen Yun. "How did you know I wanted to know?"
Shen Yun chuckled, "My dear wife, next time you plan to scheme against me, can you refrain from blinking your eyes? It's too obvious."
His understanding of Su Xiaoqi was second only to his understanding of himself.
She didn't need to say a word; a single subtle expression was enough for him to understand her thoughts.
Just like now.
Su Xiaoqi's expression when she rejoined him was one of deep disappointment, clearly indicating that something she desired was out of reach.
His first thought went to the past events between Emperor Xingzhao and the third young lady of the Duke Yu's mansion, which Mr. Gu had told him about.
And Su Xiaoqi happened to bear a striking resemblance to the third young lady Yu.
This was why he could see through her at a glance.
This understanding was merely his accurate grasp of information.
Su Xiaoqi patted Shen Yun's arm, not allowing him to keep her in suspense.
"Was there a past story between the Emperor and the third young lady Yu?"
Shen Yun shook his head and deliberately lowered his voice, "To be precise, it was the Emperor's unrequited affection. The third young lady Yu never harbored feelings for the Emperor.
She loved the Crown Prince of Northern Chu, who was a hostage in Daliang at the time.
To escape him, she eloped with the Crown Prince of Northern Chu to the northern lands and has never returned to the capital since."
Shen Yun, as a man, couldn't elaborate on much gossip and had nothing to add. He simply recounted the events between Emperor Xingzhao and the third young lady Yu.
However, Su Xiaoqi quietly pieced together a love triangle in her mind: you love me, I love him, and he loves me too.
But no matter how this drama unfolded, Emperor Xingzhao was the most superfluous figure.
At least, according to Shen Yun's account, the Crown Prince of Northern Chu was only a few years older than the third young lady Yu.
While Emperor Xingzhao was at least fifteen years older than the third young lady Yu.
Moreover, with the third young lady Yu being exceptionally beautiful, how could the lecherous Emperor Xingzhao not be tempted?
After listening, Su Xiaoqi's dislike for Emperor Xingzhao grew even stronger.
At the same time, she deeply regretted using spiritual medicine to extend his life.
Because of his selfish desires, he had caused the third young lady Yu to be so frightened that she dared not return home.
She hadn't even returned when the old Duke passed away.
This was because as soon as she appeared, she would face the fate of being imprisoned in the imperial palace by Emperor Xingzhao.
Now, perhaps only after he died would she dare to return for a visit.
Such a person was not worth saving.
Even her spatial dimension felt that Su Xiaoqi should not have saved Emperor Xingzhao.
Consequently, it did not reward her with spiritual power points as it usually did after she used spiritual medicine to save someone.
This left her with only two spiritual medicines and ninety spiritual power points.
Su Xiaoqi hesitated for a moment and decided to tell Shen Yun about her extending Emperor Xingzhao's life for a period.
"Husband, the Emperor probably won't die around the New Year. How are your plans progressing? Will there be any obstruction?"
Su Xiaoqi had saved Emperor Xingzhao at that time purely due to the Eldest Princess's emotional state.
She hadn't thought it through carefully.
Thinking about it now, she felt a great deal of regret.
She was afraid that her impulsive actions might interfere with Shen Yun's plans.
Shen Yun raised an eyebrow, "My wife's medical skills are extraordinary. I have already considered this. If His Majesty is treated by my wife, naturally he will not... It will not be a problem."
Su Xiaoqi's heart relaxed, and then, with a touch of disbelief, she bit her lip and asked, "Really?"
Seeing her like this, Shen Yun couldn't help but feel playful.
"Oh dear, it's a bit difficult, and it will probably require great effort. My wife, you'll have to comfort me properly..." As he spoke, Shen Yun pounced on Su Xiaoqi.