Chapter 222: Can Cure

Suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart, the Emperor whispered, "The second brother is right; in that case, Lord Li, aren't you going to act quickly?"

"Yes, your humble servant will go at once."

"Thank you, Emperor, for the reward."

With the reward doubled, Chi Nan Yi was, of course, pleased.

She now has no shortage of silver, but who would mind having too much silver?

Chi Nan Yi cast a grateful glance at Mo Junyan, whose smile deepened; the Emperor saw it clearly, feeling a dull ache in his chest.

He still clung to the fantasy that the second brother might one day rise again and inherit his throne, but now it seemed… the second brother was utterly hopeless.

After all, who could accept a new emperor with a cut‑sleeve habit?

He turned to Xie Yuwei and said, "Alright, you go down first! I still have some matters to ask Southern First Young Master."

"Yes."

After Xie Yuwei left, the Emperor's expression softened, and he whispered, "I know you and Prince Li are old acquaintances; since your medical skill is superb, might you be able to heal Prince Li's leg?"

Chi Nan Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, instinctively turning her head to look at Mo Junyan.

Before she could move, the Emperor shouted, "Look at me! Do not look at him!"

"Father Emperor, why are you making it so hard for her?"

Mo Junyan's tone remained calm, his expression indifferent, as if he cared little about whether his own legs could recover; seeing him act so self‑destructively, the Emperor glared at him fiercely.

Seizing the moment, Chi Nan Yi glanced swiftly at Mo Junyan, who gave a barely audible nod; understanding, she looked up at the Emperor and nodded, "It can be cured."

"Really?"

"Indeed."

Hearing her say that, the Emperor's eyes brightened, and even his voice trembled slightly, "Really? It can really be cured?"

"It can, but it's a bit tricky."

"How so?"

"First, it requires extremely rare medicinal ingredients; second, it needs years of conditioning, yet even now the ingredients are hard to procure."

"Rare ingredients…" the Emperor pondered briefly, "I recall the Qin family's medicinal trade is vast. Bring someone; summon Grand Tutor Qin into the palace."

Grand Tutor Qin is the current Empress's father.

Hearing that, Chi Nan Yi's lips curled slightly.

The Emperor truly knows the ropes; just when he was worried about accessing the Qin family, he hurriedly presented this golden opportunity. If she hadn't known Mo Junyan's feigned limp was so convincing, she would have thought the Emperor was doing it on purpose.

If the Empress had been the mastermind behind that incident years ago, the Qin family would certainly have been involved.

Years have passed, and to find clues one must start with these people.

Mo Junyan looked at the mischievous smile at her lips, a hint of indulgent affection flashing in his eyes.

That little imp, his mind works so fast.

In less than half a incense stick's time, Grand Tutor Qin arrived at the Imperial Study.

Clad in a purple silk court robe, though nearing his sixties, his temples dusted with frost, his gait was steady, his spirit radiant, showing no sign of age.

"Old servant, may I have audience with the Emperor? May my Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years."

"Rise, dear minister."

Grand Tutor Qin slowly rose, bowing toward Mo Junyan's direction, "May I have audience with Prince Li."

Mo Junyan lifted his finger slightly, acknowledging the salute.

He has always been arrogant in court, and Grand Tutor Qin was unsurprised; his gaze fell on Chi Nan Yi, without a word.

"Dear minister, I have summoned you today for some medicinal ingredients."

"Your Majesty, just give the order; the Qin family will spare no effort."

The Emperor turned to Chi Nan Yi, his tone softening slightly, "Divine Doctor, write down the names of the required ingredients and hand them to Grand Tutor Qin."

Grand Tutor Qin had been by the Emperor's side for years, rarely hearing him speak in such a tone to others.

Who, indeed, is this person called Divine Doctor?

A probing, veiled gaze fell on her, but Chi Nan Yi pretended not to see.

After listing the ingredient sheet, she handed it to Grand Tutor Qin.

"Sorry to trouble you, Grand Tutor Qin."

"Divine Doctor, you are courteous."

Grand Tutor Qin stared at the ingredients above, his brows knitting tightly.

Five‑hundred‑year‑old ginseng, hundred‑year‑old huangjing, Tian Shan snow lotus…

Scattered over ten or so other varieties.

All of which are unseen on the market.

Five‑hundred‑year‑old ginseng… is a legendary herb.

Grand Tutor Qin wiped the sweat from his forehead and said softly, "Your Majesty, these ingredients are indeed exceedingly rare and extremely scarce; I can only do my utmost to locate them."

The Emperor smiled and nodded, "Very well, hearing those words from you puts my mind at ease. If you can procure all the ingredients listed, you will become a hero of Daqi and a benefactor of Prince Li."

Grand Tutor Qin felt a sharp shock within.

Benefactor of Prince Li…

His gaze swept over Prince Li's legs, and he understood.

These ingredients must be for treating Prince Li's leg.

Hero of Daqi…

Could it be that the Emperor still harbors thoughts of letting Prince Li inherit the throne?

His heart already roiled with turbulent waves, yet his face remained as calm as a still well; after a few replies he left the Imperial Study, but did not exit the palace, instead hurrying back toward the Empress's Palace.

Chi Nan Yi and Mo Junyan rode together in a carriage and left the palace.

On the carriage, Chi Nan Yi sat in the main seat, Mo Junyan half‑leaned and sat beside her, his gaze constantly fixed on her.

"What are you looking at me for?"

Mo Junyan extended his hand, his slender fingers gently lifted the mask from her face, his eyes filled with affectionate color.

"It's been several days; let This Prince have a good look."

Chi Nan Yi glanced at him, and whispered, "Prince, you know it's been several days without meeting, and you haven't come looking for me; I thought Prince had been frightened by my maternal grandfather."

"Chi Lao still cannot scare me, but…" he said, his fingers rubbing Chi Nan Yi's mask, softly, "It's just that what Chi Lao said that day was not without reason; the court is turbulent, the world is not at peace. I have no ambition to vie for the throne, but the struggle for the throne is inevitable, and in the end it becomes a question of who is the butcher and who the meat. Therefore, I cannot fail to make early plans." When he finished, he smiled and said, "Moreover, only by completing these matters early can I marry you into the household."

"So… Prince, what have you been busy with lately?"

"I have been in the camp these past few days, training the soldiers." He looked at Chi Nan Yi and said softly, "Was today's incident intentional?"

"Hmm." Chi Nan Yi, not wanting to hide anything, continued, "By a chance encounter I obtained some information: the incident back then involving the Bai family and the Situ Family should be related to the Empress. Since the Empress is a member of the Qin family, Grand Master Qin could not have been unaware of it. Moreover, the Crown Prince is the Empress's adopted son, so the Empress and the Qin family naturally wish for him to ascend the throne. Now they know your leg may recover, and they also know I can heal it; they might act again. Then I can settle both old and new accounts at once. Moreover, your mother‑consort's death is also inevitably linked to the Empress."

Mo Junyan looked at her, his eyes full of brightness.

"This Prince originally thought I was the only one walking this path; now that I can walk it with you, this Prince is fortunate three lifetimes."