Though she had some complaints, compelled by the delicious food, Divine Physician Li still patiently explained: “This type of insect is extremely tiny. Once it enters the human body, it can coexist with the person, lying dormant for a period before attacking the five vital organs, causing unbearable agony. Those who control these insects generally possess medicine that can alleviate the pain—taking it at intervals can temporarily pacify these insects…”

Luo Sheng’s face was covered in frost as she said coldly: “In other words, the person who swallows the insects becomes a puppet controlled by that individual?”

Imperial Noble Consort Xiao truly had such ruthless methods!

“More or less.” Divine Physician Li glanced at Xiu Yue, seeing her expression remain calm, and was slightly surprised.

“Do you have a way to draw out the insects Xiu Gu has swallowed?” Luo Sheng asked somewhat anxiously.

She had guessed that Imperial Noble Consort Xiao might give Xiu Yue slow-acting poison, which wouldn’t be difficult to resolve with the divine physician present, but she hadn’t expected it to be insects.

Just thinking about those living insects entering one’s body made Luo Sheng shudder, and she grew even more furious at Imperial Noble Consort Xiao’s sinister methods.

Divine Physician Li pondered for a moment before saying: “There is indeed a method—”

Luo Sheng’s eyes lit up: “Divine Physician—”

Divine Physician Li waved his hand: “You need not understand the specifics; even if I explained, you wouldn’t comprehend.”

Luo Sheng gracefully bowed: “Then I must trouble you.”

Divine Physician Li stroked his snow-white beard, saying in a measured tone: “It’s just about these three meals a day—”

Luo Sheng immediately said: “I’ll have Xiu Gu prepare all three meals a day for you.”

Divine Physician Li nodded: “Take her back first. This old man will study it for a few days.”

Luo Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and brought Xiu Yue back to the tavern.

Hong Dou and Kou’er were having a snowball fight, with snowballs flying everywhere. Even the snowman they had just built couldn’t escape—its carrot nose had been knocked askew.

Luo Sheng and Xiu Yue entered the house one after the other.

“The divine physician said the insects attack people in cycles. The next time Imperial Noble Consort Xiao summons you to the palace, she should make things clear to you, using this to coerce you into keeping secrets. When that happens, show signs of an attack to make Imperial Noble Consort Xiao think everything is under her control, lest she devise other schemes…”

Xiu Yue listened to Luo Sheng’s instructions, nodding continuously.

Luo Sheng held Xiu Yue’s hand and said softly: “You’ve suffered.”

Xiu Yue smiled: “Please don’t say that. Being able to share your worries makes this servant happier than anything.”

During those years of hiding and fleeing, she had been nothing more than a walking corpse. Only after meeting the princess had she truly come back to life.

If she could live striving and die freely, that was far better than being a walking corpse.

“Go rest for a while.” Luo Sheng smiled.

Xiu Yue quietly withdrew.

Luo Sheng walked to the window, watching Hong Dou and Kou’er chase each other in the courtyard, throwing snowballs.

The two young maids wore carefree smiles on their faces.

She sighed softly. Thinking of Imperial Noble Consort Xiao, her eyes grew heavy.

Imperial Noble Consort Xiao’s actions were chilling, but as for retaliating, now was not the time.

As a human being, one should maintain certain boundaries. She still couldn’t bring herself to strike at someone carrying a child.

Fortunately, she could eliminate the root of the problem. Taking down the person sitting on the dragon throne would be the greatest punishment for Imperial Noble Consort Xiao.

Luo Sheng gently turned the gold-inlaid seven-treasure bracelet on her wrist, pressing her lips tightly together.

She should find an opportunity to retrieve what was related to the bracelet.

“Miss, someone from the Princess Mansion sent word that Princess Changle will be coming over shortly.” Hong Dou ran in to report.

Having just played in the snow, the little maid’s breathing was somewhat rapid, her cheeks rosy like spirited wildflowers in spring.

Luo Sheng couldn’t help but curve her lips: “Understood.”

Unexpectedly, after receiving the message from the Princess Mansion, Luo Sheng waited and waited but Princess Changle never arrived.

“Kou’er, quietly have someone go find out what happened.”

Kou’er nodded and went out through the tavern’s back door, beckoning to a small beggar by the wall.

The little beggar nimbly ran over and asked in a small voice: “Boss, what are your orders?”

Kou’er’s mouth twitched.

She had told them countless times not to call her “Boss,” but these fools just wouldn’t listen. If Hong Dou heard, she’d call her the Beggar Gang Leader again.

Business was more important.

After consoling herself, Kou’er said with a cold face: “Go find out what’s happening at the Princess Mansion.”

“Right away.” The little beggar quickly ran off.

These ubiquitous and inconspicuous little beggars were undoubtedly excellent helpers for gathering information. Luo Sheng only waited two quarters of an hour before Kou’er returned with her report.

“Miss, I’ve found out. On her way here, Princess Changle encountered Su Yao and snatched him back to the Princess Mansion…”

Luo Sheng listened silently, her expression subtle.

Princess Changle had snatched Su Yao back to the Princess Mansion, and hearing this, she inexplicably felt somewhat pleased…

Kou’er was still speaking animatedly when Hong Dou suddenly interjected: “Wasn’t Princess Changle coming to see our miss? How could she only care about snatching someone after seeing Su Yao? Isn’t this valuing romance over friendship?”

Kou’er thought about it and agreed. Since it was just the three of them anyway, she chimed in: “That’s right. It seems Princess Changle’s friendship with our miss isn’t that strong after all.”

As for the depth of their friendship, Luo Sheng offered no comment.

That was the friendship between Princess Changle and Miss Luo, while all she felt was pressure and scrutiny.

After the two little maids discussed this for a while, Hong Dou suddenly asked: “Miss, does this mean Princess Changle isn’t coming?”

Luo Sheng thought briefly and nodded: “She probably won’t come.”

Su Yao was no ordinary person. With Princess Changle bringing him back to the Princess Mansion, there was bound to be more excitement to follow. She likely wouldn’t be able to make it to the tavern.

Hearing Luo Sheng’s words, Hong Dou’s eyes lit up: “Miss, since Princess Changle isn’t coming, then the glutinous rice and red date cake you prepared… why don’t we eat it?”

Seeing both maids looking at her eagerly, Luo Sheng smiled: “Go ahead and eat.”

Hong Dou and Kou’er cheered and rushed toward the kitchen.

Compared to the warmth of Youjian Tavern, the atmosphere in the Princess Mansion was much more tense.

Princess Changle extended her snow-white foot and stepped on Su Yao’s instep, saying with a half-smile: “Compiler Su, Scholar Su, do you really think this princess cannot do anything to you? Ha, actually this princess’s patience isn’t that abundant.”

As she spoke, she drew even closer to Su Yao, leaning near his ear with her fragrant breath: “You surely haven’t forgotten Little Princess’s fate, have you?”

Su Yao’s face remained calm: “This subject doesn’t understand Your Highness’s words. Could it be that Little Princess’s disappearance is related to Your Highness?”

Princess Changle locked eyes with Su Yao, then suddenly reached out and pushed him into a chair.

The wide chair made him appear somewhat frail—precisely the type Princess Changle favored.

Su Yao said indifferently: “Does Your Highness intend to force me? Your Highness should not forget that this subject is, after all, a student of the Son of Heaven.”

“Hehe.” Princess Changle laughed lightly, looking down at the slender man sitting in the chair. After quite a while, she parted her vermilion lips: “Su Yao, you needn’t treat this princess as a fool either. Tell me, why have you repeatedly tried to sow discord between this princess and A’Sheng?”

Su Yao’s eyes contracted, and his consistently detached expression finally showed change.

Princess Changle curved her lips, laughing softly: “Su Yao, actually we are the same kind of people.”