Chapter 1075

Chapter 142: Leaving the Palace

He walked to the small courtyard and bellowed, "Get out, everyone inside!"

There was no response from the courtyard.

He frowned, raised his hand, and was about to strike.

But just as he lifted his hand, the gate of the small courtyard slowly opened.

A woman dressed in a simple, plain-colored dress walked out.

She was tall and slender, with delicate features, and a faint hint of sadness in her eyes, which naturally stirred a feeling of pity in anyone who saw her.

The woman walked directly in front of him, bowed slightly, and said, "Greetings, Prime Minister."

The Prime Minister nodded slightly. "You are Chu Ruobing?"

The woman nodded. "That is correct."

The Prime Minister glanced at the woman, then said, "His Majesty requests your presence in the Imperial Study!"

Upon hearing this, the woman's brows furrowed slightly. "Since His Majesty requests it, I shall naturally go. However..."

She glanced at the small courtyard and added, "May I first return to my room to tidy up?"

The Prime Minister sneered. "Tidy up? Tidy up what? Do you intend to take something with you?"

The woman shook her head. "No, I merely wish to change into clean clothes."

Hearing this, the Prime Minister's expression softened slightly. "You have a quarter of an hour. If you exceed the time, I will have my men search the place!"

The woman nodded, then turned and walked back into the room.

The Prime Minister stood outside the courtyard, his face rather grim.

He had never imagined that His Majesty would be taken with such a woman.

It was one thing to be smitten, but to dote on her so much...

Recently, His Majesty came here almost every day to accompany this woman.

This couldn't help but stir a hint of jealousy in his heart.

One must know, His Majesty rarely summoned his court officials.

But now, for the sake of a woman, His Majesty was even neglecting state affairs.

How could he tolerate this?

A quarter of an hour passed quickly.

The woman emerged from the room, now dressed in a fresh, plain-colored dress.

Seeing this, the Prime Minister let out a cold snort, then turned and walked towards the Imperial Study.

The woman followed behind the Prime Minister, heading towards the Imperial Study.

Throughout the journey, the Prime Minister's face remained grim.

The woman also said nothing, simply following silently.

Soon, the two arrived outside the Imperial Study.

The Prime Minister stopped, glanced back at the woman, and said, "Go in!"

The woman nodded, then pushed open the door of the Imperial Study and entered.

Inside the Imperial Study, His Majesty sat on the dragon throne, looking somewhat fatigued.

The woman walked before His Majesty, bowed slightly, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

His Majesty raised his head, glanced at the woman, and said, "Be seated!"

The woman nodded, then walked to a chair nearby and sat down.

His Majesty looked at the woman and said gravely, "I summoned you because I wish to ask you something."

The woman looked up at His Majesty. "Please ask, Your Majesty."

His Majesty said, "I have heard that you possess medical skills?"

Upon hearing this, the woman's expression subtly changed. "I know a little," she replied.

His Majesty's brows slightly furrowed upon hearing this. "'A little'? Does that mean you understand?"

The woman hesitated for a moment, then said, "To answer Your Majesty, I do indeed possess some medical knowledge."

Hearing this, a look of delight appeared on His Majesty's face. "That's good!"

He rose from the dragon throne and walked before the woman. "I have been feeling unwell recently. I wonder if Miss Chu could examine me?"

Upon hearing this, the woman's expression changed once more. "If Your Majesty is unwell, you should naturally summon the imperial physicians for treatment. I merely possess a slight understanding of medicine; I dare not presumptuously diagnose Your Majesty's condition."

His Majesty's face darkened upon hearing this. "What? Do you not trust me?"

The woman quickly shook her head. "No, I dare not."

His Majesty said, "If that is the case, then examine me!"

Upon hearing this, the woman hesitated, then said, "Your Majesty, for me to examine you, you would need to remove your upper garments."

Hearing this, His Majesty's expression changed again. "Remove my upper garments?"

The woman nodded. "Yes."

His Majesty looked at the woman and said gravely, "What is the meaning of this?"

The woman explained, "Your Majesty's dragon body is extraordinary. For me to properly diagnose, I need to carefully observe Your Majesty's pulse and physical condition."

His Majesty fell silent for a moment, then said, "Very well! I shall trust you this once!"

He raised his hand, about to remove his upper garment.

The woman quickly said, "Your Majesty, this place is not convenient. Perhaps we should go to the inner chambers?"

Hearing this, His Majesty glanced around and said, "That works too!"

He stood up and walked towards the inner chambers.

The woman followed behind him, also walking towards the inner chambers.

In the inner chambers, His Majesty removed his upper garments, revealing his strong upper body.

The woman walked before His Majesty, extended her hand, and placed it on his wrist.

His Majesty looked at the woman, his expression somewhat complex.

The woman carefully examined His Majesty's pulse, her expression growing solemn.

A moment later, the woman withdrew her hand, her face a little pale.

His Majesty looked at the woman and asked gravely, "How is it?"

The woman looked up at His Majesty, hesitated, then said, "Your Majesty, your body is somewhat weak."

His Majesty's face darkened upon hearing this. "Weak? My health has always been excellent!"

The woman shook her head. "No, Your Majesty's dragon body is not merely weak, but... you have been poisoned."

Upon hearing this, His Majesty's expression changed once more. "Poisoned?"

The woman nodded. "Yes."

His Majesty said gravely, "What kind of poison?"

The woman explained, "This poison is called 'Soul-Sapping Powder.' It is colorless and odorless. Prolonged consumption can weaken the body, and eventually, one will waste away and die."

Upon hearing this, His Majesty's face turned extremely grim.

He had never imagined he would be poisoned.

He looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Is there an antidote for this poison?"

The woman shook her head. "There is no antidote for this poison."

Upon hearing this, His Majesty's face turned extremely pale.

No antidote?

Didn't that mean he wouldn't live much longer?

He looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Miss Chu, are you deceiving me?"

The woman shook her head. "I would not dare to deceive Your Majesty."

Hearing this, His Majesty fell silent.

He had never imagined he would die by the hand of a woman.

He looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Then, how much longer do I have to live?"

The woman replied gravely, "To answer Your Majesty, if left unchecked, Your Majesty has, at most, half a year left to live."

Half a year?

Upon hearing this, His Majesty's face grew even paler.

He looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Miss Chu, do you have a way to detoxify me?"

The woman shook her head. "I am unable to help."

Upon hearing this, a hint of despair appeared in His Majesty's eyes.

He had never imagined he would die from poison.

He looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Miss Chu, could you tell me who administered the poison?"

The woman shook her head. "I do not know."

Upon hearing this, His Majesty's face turned extremely grim.

He had never imagined he would be poisoned, and what's more, the poisoner remained unknown.

He looked at the woman and said gravely, "Then, Miss Chu, could I ask you to keep this a secret for me?"

The woman nodded. "I shall certainly keep it secret."

Hearing this, His Majesty's expression softened slightly.

He looked at the woman and said gravely, "Miss Chu, could you do something for me?"

The woman looked up at His Majesty. "Please speak, Your Majesty."

His Majesty said gravely, "I wish to ask Miss Chu to help me find out who administered the poison."

Upon hearing this, the woman's expression subtly changed. "Your Majesty, I am merely a commoner; how could I possibly find the poisoner?"

His Majesty said, "I will send people to assist you."

The woman hesitated, then said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. I fear..."

His Majesty interrupted the woman, saying gravely, "Miss Chu, do you know what grave danger my empire will face if we do not uncover the poisoner?"

Upon hearing this, the woman's expression grew very serious.

His Majesty continued, "I know that this matter is indeed difficult for you. However, I have no other choice."

The woman fell silent.

She knew His Majesty was right.

If the poisoner could not be found, His Majesty's empire would indeed be in danger.

She looked up at His Majesty and said gravely, "Your Majesty, I will do my best."

Upon hearing this, a look of delight appeared on His Majesty's face. "That's good!"

He looked at the woman and said gravely, "Miss Chu, I will send people to assist you. Whatever you need, just tell me, and I will do my best to provide it."

The woman nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

His Majesty said, "Miss Chu, you must proceed cautiously with this matter. Do not alert the enemy."

The woman nodded. "I understand."

His Majesty said, "Very well, you may leave now!"

The woman nodded, then stood up and walked out of the inner chambers.

His Majesty watched the woman's retreating figure, a complex expression in his eyes.

He had never imagined he would be poisoned.

And what's more, the poisoner remained unknown.

He looked towards the outside of the inner chambers, a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.

No matter what, he would find the poisoner!

The woman walked out of the inner chambers, then headed towards the outside of the Imperial Study.

The Prime Minister stood outside the Imperial Study, his face rather grim.

Seeing the woman emerge, he quickly stepped forward and said gravely, "Did His Majesty trouble you?"

The woman shook her head. "No."

Hearing this, the Prime Minister's expression softened slightly.

He looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Did His Majesty ask you to stay?"

The woman nodded. "Yes."

Hearing this, the Prime Minister's face darkened once more. "His Majesty asked you to stay because he wants you to attend to him?"

The woman shook her head. "No."

Hearing this, the Prime Minister's expression softened slightly.

He looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Then what did His Majesty ask you to stay for?"

The woman hesitated, then said, "His Majesty asked me to help find the poisoner."

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister's expression changed once more. "The poisoner?"

The woman nodded. "Yes."

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister's face turned extremely grim.

He had never imagined His Majesty would be poisoned.

He looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Did His Majesty tell you what kind of poison it is?"

The woman shook her head. "No."

Hearing this, the Prime Minister's expression softened slightly.

He looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Then did His Majesty tell you who the poisoner is?"

The woman shook her head. "No."

Hearing this, the Prime Minister's expression softened slightly.

He looked at the woman and said gravely, "Miss Chu, you must proceed cautiously with this matter. Do not alert the enemy."

The woman nodded. "I understand."

The Prime Minister said, "Very well, you may leave now!"

The woman nodded, then turned and walked towards the small courtyard.

The Prime Minister watched the woman's retreating figure, his expression somewhat complex.

He had never imagined His Majesty would be poisoned.

And what's more, the poisoner remained unknown.

He looked towards the small courtyard, a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.

No matter what, he would find the poisoner!

Upon returning to the small courtyard, the woman saw Chun'er and Xia'er waiting in the yard.

Seeing the woman return, Chun'er quickly stepped forward and asked gravely, "Miss, did His Majesty trouble you?"

The woman shook her head. "No."

Hearing this, Chun'er's expression softened slightly.

She looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Miss, did His Majesty ask you to stay?"

The woman nodded. "Yes."

Hearing this, Chun'er's face darkened once more. "His Majesty asked you to stay because he wants you to attend to him?"

The woman shook her head. "No."

Hearing this, Chun'er's expression softened slightly.

She looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Then what did His Majesty ask you to stay for?"

The woman hesitated, then said, "His Majesty asked me to help find the poisoner."

Upon hearing this, Chun'er's expression changed once more. "The poisoner?"

The woman nodded. "Yes."

Upon hearing this, Chun'er's face turned extremely grim.

She had never imagined His Majesty would be poisoned.

She looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Miss, did His Majesty tell you what kind of poison it is?"

The woman shook her head. "No."

Hearing this, Chun'er's expression softened slightly.

She looked at the woman and asked gravely, "Then did His Majesty tell you who the poisoner is?"

The woman shook her head. "No."

Hearing this, Chun'er's expression softened slightly.

She looked at the woman and said gravely, "Miss, you must proceed cautiously with this matter. Do not alert the enemy."

The woman nodded. "I understand."

Chun'er said, "Very well, Miss, please go in and rest!"

The woman nodded, then turned and walked into the room.

Chun'er watched the woman's retreating figure, her expression somewhat complex.

She had never imagined His Majesty would be poisoned.

And what's more, the poisoner remained unknown.

She looked towards the room, a hint of murderous intent in her eyes.

No matter what, she would find the poisoner!