Early in the morning, at the Imperial Medical Academy, Dong Lin personally brought a bowl of tea to the Medical Director.

“My lord has worked through the night – please have some tea to refresh yourself,” he said respectfully.

Medical Director Cai grunted, put down a thick stack of medical cases, and pressed his forehead.

“My lord, Zhou Maochun and his people have entered the capital,” Dong Lin couldn’t help saying. “But Zhou Maochun was taken away by someone, this…”

Medical Director Cai’s expression remained unchanged.

“If he’s taken away, so be it. What of it?” he said lightly. “It’s like someone fearing death – can they stop the King of Hell?”

Dong Lin’s worry didn’t diminish.

“But if even Director Fang dares to do this, doesn’t that mean Zhou Maochun’s matter isn’t so serious…” he said quietly.

Medical Director Cai picked up the tea and blew on it gently.

“He’s not the only director at court,” he said.

Dong Lin breathed a sigh of relief – so it wasn’t just a few impeachment memorials.

“No wonder His Majesty was so angry, ordering Zhou Maochun directly to prison without even seeing him,” he said happily, bringing over a hot towel.

Medical Director Cai grunted with an expression of “now you know,” accepting the towel to gently massage his eyes.

“It’s just a pity that Fang Baiqing’s courage is so great, daring to defy His Majesty’s edict openly while complying superficially,” Dong Lin said indignantly.

“No rush. Retribution comes when the time is right. After dealing with Zhou Maochun, none of them can escape,” Medical Director Cai said, putting down the towel. “When the time comes, naturally someone will remember them. It’s not for us small people from the Imperial Medical Academy to worry about. We just fulfill our medical duties in our positions – as for other matters, those great lords will worry about them.”

At this moment, in a residence in an alley next to the Six Ministries’ offices, two maidservants were bringing in food.

The table in the room was already full of dishes, and Zhou Maochun was chewing on a chicken claw.

“Enough, enough. I’m a person, not a pig,” he said to the maidservants still arranging dishes.

Just as he finished speaking, the door curtain was lifted again, and a servant pushed a wheelchair in.

“This is Director Fang’s thoughtfulness,” the elderly man in the wheelchair smiled.

Zhou Maochun didn’t look up, seeming unsurprised by this person’s appearance, and picked up a bowl of tea.

“Old Physician An, please don’t mock me,” someone else said.

Following Old Physician An was a tall, middle-aged man who, though dressed in casual clothes, still couldn’t hide his dignity.

“You two stop flattering each other,” Zhou Maochun finally put down his tea.

A maidservant immediately brought a silk handkerchief for Zhou Maochun to wipe his hands.

Director Fang and Old Physician An sat down nearby.

“Little An, how did you come?” Zhou Maochun asked, glancing at Director Fang. “I wondered who could move the incorruptible Director Fang to defy imperial orders.”

“Even the incorruptible are human, and humans have feelings. Director Fang’s filial piety in requesting Master Zhou to examine his father is only natural – surely His Majesty wouldn’t blame him for this,” Old Physician An said with a smile.

Zhou Maochun looked at them.

“Can you eat this?” he suddenly pointed at the food on the table and asked.

Old Physician An smiled and said he’d already eaten, while Director Fang remained silent, his brow slightly furrowed.

“My lord, have you written what you need to write?” he asked.

“Write what?” Zhou Maochun also asked.

Director Fang’s frown deepened.

“My lord, you were surely framed in this matter. Quickly clarify things to His Majesty – I’ll find an opportunity to present it to him,” he said.

“Framed?” Zhou Maochun shook his head. “No framing.”

Director Fang paused.

“Then it wasn’t your doing either – it must have been that Qianjin Hall’s Miss Qi or something. Why take the blame for them? Just explain clearly to His Majesty,” he said hurriedly.

Old Physician An also paused.

“So it really was Miss Qi who did it?” he asked, then couldn’t help asking after hesitating, “How did she do it?”

Everyone now knew Zhou Maochun was impeached for making sport with military generals and acting recklessly at the border, but the specifics of this reckless behavior weren’t known.

Zhou Maochun rolled his eyes and just drank tea without responding.

“Discussing this isn’t important now,” Director Fang shook his head, somewhat anxious. “Master Zhou, I can’t protect you for many days. The key is still His Majesty – you must quickly explain to him.”

Here, Old Physician An hesitated for a moment, then actually tried to get up from his wheelchair.

The attending servants didn’t understand.

“Help me stand up,” Old Physician An said.

Two servants quickly supported him on both sides.

Zhou Maochun and Director Fang were both puzzled, watching him.

Old Physician An stood steady and bowed formally to Zhou Maochun.

It was actually to perform a grand salute – both Zhou Maochun and Director Fang were surprised.

“Master Zhou, I’m somewhat ashamed to say this, but I must,” Old Physician An said solemnly. “Please believe that what Miss Qi did was no jest.”

Zhou Maochun and Director Fang looked at him in shock.

“Uncle An!” Director Fang stood up, shouting incredulously.

What was he saying! Was he asking Zhou Maochun not to blame Miss Qi?

My heavens!

He thought Old Physician An had come for Zhou Maochun’s sake, but he’d actually come for Miss Qi!

And to say such things in front of Zhou Maochun – simply, simply unbelievable.

Was this still the Old Physician An he knew?

Zhou Maochun also looked at Old Physician An, his expression changing from shock to amusement, then to mockery.

“Really now!” he said, pushing the teacup before him heavily, then pointing at the table full of food. “I thought I finally had someone who cared about me, but it turns out this affection that made me happy all night is still that girl’s doing! This is simply too heartbreaking!”

Director Fang frowned, his expression changing as he pondered. Old Physician An looked somewhat complex, lowering his head as if not daring to look at Zhou Maochun.

“Master Zhou, this junior doesn’t mean that. It’s just that,” he raised his head, his expression firm, looking at Zhou Maochun. “Miss Qi is truly rare – this junior cannot bear to…”

Zhou Maochun laughed and waved his hand.

“Enough, you needn’t say more. Thank you for thinking so much of my daughter – this father is truly delighted,” he smiled.

This statement caused another shock.

“Daugh… daughter?” Old Physician An stammered.

“Yes, she’s my adopted daughter,” Zhou Maochun smiled, picking up his tea again. “So you needn’t worry. I won’t push all blame onto her to save myself. As the saying goes, ‘One day a teacher, lifelong a father.’ Even tigers don’t eat their cubs – am I worse than a beast?”

Old Physician An still seemed unable to process this and was personally helped to sit by Director Fang.

“In that case, if my lord faces trouble, Miss Qi certainly won’t escape either. My lord saving himself now is saving Miss Qi – so please quickly write a memorial to clarify things to His Majesty,” Director Fang said earnestly.

Zhou Maochun snorted, stroking his beard.

“Anyone can write – I just won’t,” he said, adding, “We just won’t.”

Director Fang stood up anxiously.

“My lord, if you don’t write, many others really will,” he said. “You must know that with the three garrisons’ poor resistance to enemies, His Majesty is furious and will surely punish someone. Many officials seeking to avoid responsibility will grasp at any opportunity – with your situation arising now, they’ll certainly hold on tight and make even small matters into big ones.”

Old Physician An also nodded gravely.

Zhou Maochun’s expression remained unchanged as he grinned.

“Then they’re asking for trouble,” he said.

What?

Who’s asking for trouble?

Director Fang and Old Physician An didn’t understand for a moment.

Near noon, A’Ru still hadn’t returned with news. Chen Shi hadn’t returned either. Qi Yue sat restlessly with no appetite when Chen Shi returned.

“Aunt-in-law, how did it go?” Qi Yue hurried to ask.

“Change clothes now – come with me to the palace,” Chen Shi said.

Wow! Qi Yue was completely shocked – indeed, Chen Shi was not to be underestimated. Entering the palace was as simple as having a meal.

A’Ru hadn’t returned, so A’Hao frantically searched for clothes. All their clothing and jewelry had been left at the Yongqing residence, and the few garments they’d brought looked even more worn after the journey to the northern desert. Fortunately, the clothes and jewelry Chen Shi had prepared last time were still there.

This palace visit was much more hurried than the last – no bathing or incense burning, just hair arrangement and changing clothes before getting into the carriage.

The carriage wasn’t the specialized palace vehicle from last time either, just Chen Shi’s own carriage.

But none of this mattered – the fact that one could enter the palace at will overshadowed any external formalities.

After inspection, the carriage entered the palace gates. Chen Shi didn’t invite her to view the scenery as last time, and Qi Yue had no mood for sightseeing.

“What should I say when I meet the Emperor…” she couldn’t help asking.

Chen Shi also looked somewhat nervous.

“We’ll see if we can even meet him,” she said.

Qi Yue paused.

“Aren’t we going to see the Emperor?” she asked in surprise.

Chen Shi’s hands on her knees couldn’t help but clench.

“The Emperor isn’t so easy to see,” she said.

Especially this bratty emperor!

“We’re going to see Concubine Dong,” she said.

Concubine Dong? Qi Yue also breathed a slight sigh of relief – as long as it wasn’t another palace tour.

“Can this lady help?” she couldn’t help asking quietly.

Chen Shi exhaled, her clenched hands on her knees relaxing somewhat.

“Do you remember that edict allowing your divorce last time?” she turned to look at Qi Yue.

Qi Yue’s eyes brightened.

“It was this lady…” she said with realization.

Of course – that memorial last time. She naturally wouldn’t think the noble Emperor would personally write an edict for a small person like her – someone must have sought help from someone.

“Then I didn’t bring anything – this is too impolite,” Qi Yue said, regretting not bringing the jewelry the old Marchioness had given her.

Chen Shi shook her head.

“It’s nothing – not impolite,” she said.

The carriage stopped.

“Madam, please exit and change to a sedan chair,” came the respectful voice of a eunuch from outside.

They had reached the inner palace gate.

For their carriage to travel directly to the inner palace gate was already an extremely rare privilege.

Qi Yue got out first, then helped Chen Shi.

This time there was only one sedan chair before them.

Was this because the status of the person they were visiting was different?

The late Empress’s palace was also higher in rank than a concubine’s, so last time Qi Yue had been honored to ride in a sedan chair. But this time, only Chen Shi could enjoy such treatment.

Chen Shi got into the sedan chair and instructed Qi Yue to walk beside her. Two eunuchs lifted the sedan chair, and the group slowly proceeded along the narrow corridor deeper into the palace.