Chapter 678: Mischievous

Bai Li Hu ordered the little eunuch to summon the imperial physician, but the physician hadn't arrived yet, and the news quickly spread throughout the Purple Forbidden Palace.

Using an imperial physician—what does that mean?

The King is strong-boned and sinewy; he's never needed an imperial physician—just not going out to pretend to be one would already be fine.

The Imperial Consort and the Eldest Princess also got wind of the King's matter; they usually eat the produce of the Field Base and Ranch Base, and are very healthy. Summoning an imperial physician is quite unfamiliar and rare in the Purple Forbidden Palace.

Zhao Bao heard the news and went in person; the Imperial Consort and the two Eldest Princesses were gathered around, learning that Seventh Prince had eaten two large pieces of the biscuits the King sent yesterday morning, which was hard to describe.

"…It should be food stagnation. Those are compressed snacks; one piece keeps an adult full all day, let alone the young Seventh Prince… This is all because Tong Chen didn't explain clearly. Seventh Prince should be fine; once the imperial physician comes and prescribes a digestive soup, he'll be okay."

Si Pangzi was at a loss for words; he hauled the prone Lao Qi, whom he had pressed onto the bed, back up. With food stagnation, what's the point of lying down? Walk around—it'll help digestion.

He ignored Zhao Bao, led Lao Qi out the door, and said, "Come on, let's go settle the score with your good third brother!"

The Noble Imperial Consort looked worried, afraid they'd start fighting and wanting to go see, but Ning Guo forcibly dragged her away. "Auntie, just stay out of it—each is harder to handle than the last; it'd be better if they just fought."

The Imperial Consort snapped at her: "What nonsense—all three are your brothers." In her eyes, the King is just a child, let alone these two who are even younger than the King.

Ning Guo said: "That's right, all three are my brothers, but only His Majesty is blood‑related to Auntie. If they were to fight, His Majesty would surely not lose, so Auntie has nothing to worry about. Let's head back to eat—we're all hungry~"

Her words successfully made even Chang Chun laugh…… "You know how to comfort people."

Imperial Consort: ……

Mischievous.

Si Pangzi dragged the trotting Lao Qi all the way to the Orchid Terrace Hall; the King was restless… practicing calligraphy.

The effects of the cold wave in the Northern Border were subsiding, but this cold wave's scope was truly huge—even Youzhou, which had been developing well these past years, suffered significant losses, with someone dying in every village and town under its jurisdiction because of it.

Thanks to the King's introduced crops and infrastructure, Youzhou has basically turned things around these past years; by that reckoning, Liangzhou and Bingzhou must have suffered even greater losses, not to mention the grasslands and deserts.

No further news has come from the northern grasslands; if large numbers of livestock freeze to death, border unrest would be inevitable.

It's not that the King lacks optimism; history tells us that after such a disaster, all the grasslands can do is launch a southern raid to recoup losses.

During Emperor Ningde's reign, the Great Jin's military strength had been declining year by year—weak troops, thin horses—and when faced with such a heavenly disaster, he would shed a bit of blood to pacify the various grassland tribes. He would also barely prop up his crumbling dignity, calling it a "reward".

The grassland tribes could scrape by, at most harassing the border; secretly they'd come in small numbers to Youzhou to capture slaves, and in autumn to raid autumn grain. This harassment continued unabated until the King enfeoffed Youzhou.

Now that the realm has a new master, expecting the King to "reward" the grasslands with silver and grain because of the cold wave is basically a daydream.

The King is still borrowing to unify the realm, and with spring approaching, the provisions for the campaign against Bai Li Qi are still insufficient! A large‑scale war could drag a nation's finances into ruin—let alone his empty treasury, which hasn't even been dragged down yet but is already beginning to collapse.

Getting back to the point, the grasslands' post‑cold‑wave moves are like another boot lingering in the King's mind—if they're coming, let them come soon; the earlier they strike back, the sooner we can rest. If they linger without action, the King worries they're brewing something bigger.

For example, they've also teamed up with several rebel kings to the south.

That morning at court, someone also brought this up; officials' advice could only be to have a few passes stay on guard. After court, the King successfully worked himself into anxiety, pacing the Orchid Terrace Hall over and over, "……The agony of waiting is unbearable~ I even want to take the initiative and strike first in the grasslands!"

Xie Yuan: "……Do we have provisions?"

"Hum! ╭(╯^╰)╮" After they finished humming, they kept turning.

Seeing how idle he was, Xie Yuan thought, if he idles any longer he'll start stirring up trouble.

"Practicing calligraphy best calms the mind; Your Majesty, why not pick up those two hundred characters and continue?" Anyway, you don't even review memorials.

The King halted instantly, drew back his outstretched leg, and stood straight. "I am now very calm!"

Xie Yuan turned a deaf ear, "I'll come tomorrow to collect."

He stood up, straightened his sleeves, and said, "I take my leave."

King: ……