"Her Majesty the Empress is unwell, I've come to express my concern."
Xiao Ye, neither arrogant nor impatient, smiled faintly at Marquis Lin'an. "Does Your Lordship also come to care for His Majesty's health?"
Marquis Lin'an nodded with a solemn expression, avoiding conversation with Xiao Ye.
After all, even astute individuals like the Grand Tutor had been defeated by Xiao Ye.
He was not skilled in negotiation, and a few words from Xiao Ye would easily put him at a disadvantage.
Seeing Marquis Lin'an remain silent, Xiao Ye did not linger in the Dragon Hall.
He had done what he needed to, and the Empress had been left with a deep impression.
The system, observing Xiao Ye's frequent appearances, could only hope that Mu Qinglan's progress bar would fill up!
For so many days in the illusion, Xiao Ye had not voluntarily left.
The patriarch of the Crimson Ghost was by their side, yet it was unknown who he was impersonating.
The system noticed Marquis Lin'an staring at Xiao Ye's retreating figure, detecting the insidious cunning in his eyes. "Host, I feel the Crimson Ghost patriarch is definitely around you, either the Grand Tutor or Marquis Lin'an."
The Crimson Ghost patriarch could access Mu Qinglan's deepest memories of reincarnation, but the system felt the Grand Tutor and Marquis Lin'an harbored too much hostility towards Xiao Ye.
To prevent Xiao Ye from escaping the illusion, the Crimson Ghost patriarch must be within it.
The system's highlight flickered, it declared confidently.
Xiao Ye paused, saying casually, "What if he isn't playing a significant role?"
The system froze.
The Crimson Ghost patriarch might not be playing a significant role in the illusion, because once Mu Qinglan discovered any discrepancies in her memories, the entire reincarnation illusion would shatter.
Seeing Xiao Ye's calm demeanor, the system hesitantly asked, "Has the Host discovered who the Crimson Ghost patriarch is?"
No matter how well the Crimson Ghost patriarch hid, there would be flaws.
He stood by the door, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
The system received no answer.
After Xiao Ye left, the Empress, frowning, looked at the physician brought by Marquis Lin'an.
Having already been examined by Xiao Ye, she had no interest in another check-up.
The Empress said listlessly, "All the imperial physicians in the palace cannot cure me. Why has Marquis Lin'an brought a physician?"
Marquis Lin'an replied respectfully, "This is a divine physician from the common folk, whom I specifically sought for you..."
This divine physician wore coarse cloth, appearing unremarkable.
However, he was composed, saying to the Empress, "This commoner pays his respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
The Empress, with a pale face, waved her hand. She suddenly remembered something. "How about this prescription?"
She casually handed Xiao Ye's prescription to the physician.
Upon seeing the prescription, the physician's eyes widened. "A good prescription, a good prescription! It can nourish the body and dispel all ailments."
Hearing this, the Empress smiled with satisfaction, appearing to be in good spirits.
Marquis Lin'an pleaded for the physician to examine Mu Qinglan, bowing his head respectfully.
Before the Empress could speak, the physician's expression shifted slightly.
It was a gust of wind from outside that carried a fragrance to the physician's nostrils.
"Orchid? Does Your Majesty have these flowers on your windowsill?"
The Empress noticed the physician's panicked expression and frowned. "Chancellor Xiao sent these. Is there something wrong with the flowers?"
She remembered Xiao Ye sending the flowers to please the Empress.
The physician received a glance from Marquis Lin'an. His purpose for entering the palace today was not truly to cure the Empress.
Following Marquis Lin'an's plan, he exclaimed, "If one smells these flowers too much, toxins will enter the body, causing shortness of breath and weakness, endangering your life!"
"These flowers are poisonous?"
The Empress, clad in a dragon robe of imperial yellow, leaned against a pillar, her imposing aura exceedingly terrifying.
The physician felt a heavy pressure, his body trembling uncontrollably. "Yes, these flowers are extremely rare. Long-term inhalation of their fragrance can deplete a person's vitality!"
Seeing the Empress's face suddenly turn grim, Marquis Lin'an beside her exclaimed in anger, "That damnable Xiao Ye, how dare he plot to harm Her Majesty the Empress!"
The Empress's expression became somewhat stiff, her aura growing even more terrifying.
When Xiao Ye had taken her pulse, she had actually felt a touch of kindness.
The Empress tore the prescription to shreds, her icy rage barely contained. "So you wish for me to die so badly!"
And yet, you put on a show of caring for me!
Utterly hypocritical!
She hadn't expected Chancellor Xiao to harbor such malicious intent even when sending flowers.
It seemed he had long sensed that she was no longer willing to tolerate him!
The Empress's face turned pale and cold, her killing intent reaching its peak at this moment.
"Marquis Lin'an, you have these flowers thrown out. I need to rest properly."
The last few words were spoken through gritted teeth. She couldn't let Xiao Ye disrupt the banquet for the foreign visitors.
Mu Qinglan wanted to recover quickly.
Marquis Lin'an and his retinue immediately obeyed. That day, all the flowers cherished by the Empress were destroyed.
Just as the softness in the Empress's heart had vanished entirely.
The Empress summoned the palace's imperial physicians and then prescribed medication for her condition.
The foreign visit would take place in a few days.
As the sovereign of a nation, she had to attend the banquet!
The entire Mu Dynasty was adorned under the direction of Marquis Lin'an and others.
The Empress did not attend court or meet Xiao Ye, citing her illness.
Countless ministers arrived at the banquet, dressed in their finest to welcome the visiting prince.
The visiting prince, accompanied by guards, appeared exceptionally jovial. "Traveling a great distance to the Mu Dynasty, you truly value etiquette. This land is a spectacle!"
Xiao Ye remained somewhat detached, calmly standing behind the ministers.
However, the prince surprisingly recognized Xiao Ye and pointed at him, laughing, "You must be Chancellor Xiao, right?"
"The Prince has heard of me?"
Xiao Ye looked at him with a curious expression. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The Prince laughed heartily, "Chancellor Xiao is a great villain. I heard about you the moment I entered the dynasty!"
The surrounding ministers froze, surprised that the Prince would call Xiao Ye a villain to his face.
Although everyone in their dynasty knew of Xiao Ye's ambition, no one dared to say it aloud.
Whether this Prince was foolish or simply didn't take Xiao Ye seriously was unclear!
Xiao Ye's gaze fell upon the Prince, and he seemed unfazed. "Villain or not, Your Highness need not believe the rumors from the outside."
Seeing Xiao Ye's uninteresting reaction, the Prince lost interest in further conversation.
"Where is the Empress? When will your Empress appear?"
He sat down next to Xiao Ye, and his attendant, Xiao Si, couldn't help but frown.
This foreign prince lacked any decorum, appearing overly presumptuous.
The surrounding ministers hesitated, unsure if Mu Qinglan would appear.
After all, she had been absent from court due to her illness.
Countless eyes fixed on Xiao Ye, urging him to answer the foreign prince.
Xiao Ye accepted the tea poured by his attendant, Xiao Si, glancing at the Prince. Just as he was about to speak.
The foreign prince suddenly became excited, "Your Empress has appeared!"
Everyone present was startled.
Under the escort of the Grand Tutor, an Empress in an imperial yellow dragon robe, exuding dominance and majesty, walked in.
She wore a crown, her gaze calmly surveying the banquet hall.
"I am delighted by the personal visit of Your Highness. Are you satisfied with this banquet held in your honor?"