Chapter 272: Having Taken the Juezi Soup Medicine

"Lord Chi, do you know where I delivered these items for you?"

Until evening, Chi Zhongshan could not regain his composure upon hearing the news.

"Are you now a third‑rank official?"

"Hmm."

"Is it truly a sub‑third‑rank high official?"

"Hmm."

Chi Nan Yi had lost count of how many times she had answered; she rubbed her sleepy eyes, yawned, and turned toward the room.

"Wait…"

"Maternal grandfather, I have court duties tomorrow; I have no time to chat here until dawn." She pursed her lips: "The old man always puts on a pure‑heart, ascetic front, yet he's still a bureaucrat fanatic."

The moment she entered the room, she sensed a familiar aura.

She walked to the table by herself and poured a cup of tea.

"Why are you up at midnight, not sleeping, and coming to me all day?"

Mo Junyan stepped behind her, gently looped his arm around her waist, and said softly, "This Prince never expected the Emperor to be so clear‑headed this time."

"The Emperor may have always been clear‑headed; you just haven't seen it clearly."

"What do you mean?"

Chi Nan Yi whispered a few words into his ear, causing Mo Junyan to startle.

"Really?"

"Absolutely certain. When I last took the Emperor's pulse I sensed something amiss; today I examined his pulse again and can conclude that the Emperor had long ago taken the Juezi Soup medicine."

Mo Junyan furrowed his brows, his eyes flickering with shifting emotions.

Chi Nan Yi turned, her cool hand lightly resting on his shoulder: "Ah Junyan, perhaps you've always misunderstood the Emperor."

"After my mother consort passed away, the Emperor indeed fell gravely ill; since then no princes have been born in the palace, and the Emperor has not selected any concubines."

"Just this alone shows the Emperor's deep affection for your mother consort."

"Yet that does not change the fact that my mother consort died a tragic death because of him."

"How have you become like Qing Shan? You don't even know whom you should resent or blame."

"I…"

"The Emperor granted me permission to investigate the case together, which gives me the chance to slay my enemies with my own hands; I must accept this favor."

"Hmm."

"Prince, would you be willing to help me?"

Mo Junyan looked at her, sighed softly, pulled her into his arms, and gently stroked her hair: "The old man knows I won't let you face danger alone. Once you begin the investigation, I will protect you on all sides. Those who use me need not claim my affection; as expected, he's still that scheming old fox."

"Ah Junyan, perhaps you haven't noticed: the way you interact with the Emperor is more like an ordinary father‑son relationship, not like that of a royal child."

"Perhaps!" He rested his chin on Chi Nan Yi's crown, whispering, "This Prince only hopes these matters end quickly; only then can I marry you sooner."

Chi Nan Yi blushed at his words, reached out to push him, and said, "Speak properly! You old scoundrel."

"How could This Prince be old? I'm only a few years older than you; how can I be old?"

Chi Nan Yi, too lazy to argue, slipped out of his embrace and headed straight for the inner chambers: "I have court duties tomorrow! The Emperor has just appointed a woman as an official, and I have no idea what turmoil tomorrow's court will bring. I must rest early so I can spar with scholars on the podium tomorrow. Prince, feel free."

Mo Junyan gave a faint smile.

"Tomorrow, this Prince will accompany you."

Early the next day, a Chi Family carriage delivered her to the palace gate.

As she stepped down from the carriage, everyone's gaze at the gate fixed on her.

"So this is the sub‑third‑rank Imperial Physician Commander personally appointed by the Emperor?"

"Certainly. Didn't you see the insignia on the carriage? Moreover, aside from the Chi Family, which other household would use such a lavish carriage?"

"Isn't Southern First Young Master a man? How could he be the Chi Family's miss?"

"Hey, hey, hey, stop it, he's coming."

When they saw Chi Nan Yi enter the palace gate, everyone fell silent.

Not to mention her official rank, the Chi Family alone is not one they can afford to offend.

Grand Preceptor Qin stepped down from the carriage and happened to see Chi Nan Yi's silhouette.

"Hmph, I have no idea what method she used to get the Emperor to appoint a woman as an official; it's a disgrace!" He turned to the guard beside him: "Did you inform the Censorate?"

"Lord, rest assured! The elders of the Censorate said they will submit a report today, demanding the Emperor rescind the appointment."

"Hmm."

At that moment, a carriage blocked his path.

Grand Preceptor Qin's brows furrowed, and the opposite carriage's curtain was lifted.

"Yo, isn't that Grand Preceptor Qin? Long time no see."

Grand Preceptor Qin saw the newcomer, his brows tightened, and he gritted his teeth: "Chi Zhongshan."

"Long time no see; how did Grand Preceptor Qin become so aged? If the carriage hadn't borne the Qin family sign, we would have passed each other without recognizing you."

"Hmph, you're still as cunning and eloquent as ever."

"Is that so?" Chi Zhongshan smiled lightly: "My grand‑niece has now entered the court as an official; I ask Grand Preceptor Qin to look after her. By the way, I heard your household's 'dog son' caused trouble outside, which explains why Grand Preceptor Qin looks so aged—because of worries over his children."

"Dog son…"

"I've never heard anyone refer to another's son as a dog son."

"That's plainly a naked mockery."

Grand Preceptor Qin clenched his fists, gritted his teeth and whispered, "Chi Zhongshan, don't become complacent. Your grand‑niece's path to office may not be so smooth; I pray she can hold this position firmly."

"Then there's no need for Grand Preceptor Qin to worry; my grand‑niece still has this old bone of mine to support her."

The two had been mortal enemies before; now that they meet, their jealousy is even more pronounced, and if it weren't for the time for attending court, Grand Tutor Qin would surely have a good quarrel with him.

The atmosphere in the court was very strange.

Chi Nan Yi stood out prominently in the crowd; the ministers all kept a respectful distance from her, only Xie Yuwei stood by her side and said softly, "It's truly novel to see you here."

"I feel the same; I never imagined that one day I would serve in the same court as Lord Xie."

The two chatted as if no one were there; everyone knew that during the recent Liangzhou epidemic, Southern First Young Master had greatly helped Xie Yuwei, so their close relationship was considered normal.

And what about Prince Li, seated in a wheelchair at the front?

He stared fiercely, his gaze coldly fixed on the direction of Lord Xie and Chi Nan Yi, as if he were about to devour them.

Could it be that the two have offended Prince Li?

How could they be so thoughtless as to offend this venerable ancestor?

Mo Junyan's hands gripped the sides of the wheelchair tightly, his brows furrowed.

Sensing his gaze, Chi Nan Yi gave him a smile.

"Miss Chi, Prince Li doesn't seem to want the two of us to say much."

Chi Nan Yi gave a faint smile, "No problem; Mo Junyan isn't the petty type."

Isn't that so?

Xie Yuwei turned his head and gave him a look, his eyes carrying a hint of provocation.

Mo Junyan clenched his fists, murmuring in a deep voice, "Seeking death."

The voice was low, yet the surrounding officials heard it clearly.