Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 614: Chapter Three Hundred and Nine: It Doesn’t Matter

Ever since the Eighth Prince took the pill Zhao Yao gave him, Yu Hai had been constantly worried about the prince’s health. He always wanted to ask the Imperial Physician or a doctor to check his master’s pulse but didn’t dare to speak up again. The last time he cautiously suggested the same, the Eighth Prince punished him by making him kneel in the courtyard for three whole hours.

The Eighth Prince also warned Yu Hai that if he mentioned it again, he would no longer be needed in his service. So, even though Yu Hai was deeply worried, he didn’t dare to remind the prince to see a doctor.

In the following days, Yu Hai secretly observed the Eighth Prince’s condition. He noticed that the prince did not show any symptoms of discomfort, which reassured him slightly, but he still remained vigilant. Additionally, he observed that the prince’s appetite seemed to have improved; he could eat more than before without experiencing any stomach discomfort. Furthermore, the prince’s sleep had also improved.

Although the Eighth Prince was young, he always had trouble sleeping, often experiencing insomnia. Or if he did fall asleep, he would frequently wake up in the middle of the night, sometimes unable to fall back asleep afterward. He seldom enjoyed an unbroken night of sleep. However, after taking the Great Replenishing Pill that Zhao Yao gave him—a name Zhao Yao came up with himself—his sleep suddenly improved, and he could sleep soundly until dawn.

Yu Hai noticed that the prince’s complexion had improved significantly, and only then did his worries completely dissipate. At that point, he fully believed that the Great Replenishing Pill Zhao Yao gave the Eighth Prince was indeed a tonic, not something harmful to his body.

Realizing that he had once again harbored malicious suspicions about the prince, Yu Hai felt a deep sense of shame.

The Eighth Prince naturally noticed Yu Hai’s behavior over the past few days but said nothing about it.

Since Yu Hai suggested calling the Imperial Physician to check the prince’s pulse, the Eighth Prince had not paid any attention to him, even though he continued serving the prince diligently.

Yu Hai also knew he had angered the prince. The prince ignored him, and he didn’t dare speak, only serving the prince silently and cautiously.

When Zhao Yao came to visit the Eighth Prince, he noticed the peculiar atmosphere between the prince and Yu Hai, guessing what might have happened, but he said nothing, pretending not to know.

On the day before the Eighth Prince’s birthday, Zhao Yao rushed to the prince’s residence to scrounge for food and lodging. Of course, he didn’t come empty-handed; he brought birthday gifts from Lady Liang and Yu Meiren for the prince.

Lady Liang and the others, as usual, made clothes and shoes for the prince by hand.

"Eighth Brother, since you’re living outside the palace now, Mother can’t make longevity noodles for you, so I’ll make them for you tomorrow morning instead."

The Eighth Prince, who was drinking tea, was so shocked by Zhao Yao’s words that he almost spat out his tea.

"You’re going to make longevity noodles for me?"

Zhao Yao grinned, revealing a row of white teeth as he smiled at the prince, "A surprise, isn’t it? An unexpected surprise?"

The Eighth Prince smiled helplessly, "It’s certainly a surprise! And very unexpected!"

Zhao Yao patted his chest, assuring the prince, "Eighth Brother, don’t worry, I know how to make longevity noodles, and I promise they will be cooked through!"

The Eighth Prince looked at Zhao Yao suspiciously, "Tenth Brother, you really know how to make longevity noodles?"

Seeing the disbelief on the prince’s face, Zhao Yao gestured towards Tong Xi and said to his brother, "I specially learned from Mother, if you don’t believe it, you can ask Tong Xi."

The Eighth Prince looked to Tong Xi for confirmation.

Tong Xi respectfully said to the prince, "Master, my lord didn’t lie to you. He has been learning how to make longevity noodles from Her Highness these past few days. Although he didn’t cook them through at first, he can do it now."

"Of course, the longevity noodles I make won’t be as delicious as Mother’s, but there’s no other choice. Mother can’t leave the palace to make them for you, so I had to step in."

"You specifically learned how to make longevity noodles from Lady Liang?"

"Yes, I learned for several days."

"Did you hurt yourself?" The Eighth Prince quickly pulled Zhao Yao’s hands in front of him, carefully inspecting them. Seeing that Zhao Yao’s hands were unharmed, he felt relieved.

"Eighth Brother, I didn’t hurt myself, I just accidentally scalded myself a few times, but it’s nothing now." Zhao Yao said proudly, "I learned how to cook noodles in just a few days, so I must have a knack for cooking."

The prince’s eyes reddened slightly, and he playfully patted Zhao Yao’s hands.

"Who told you to learn how to make longevity noodles? Don’t you know the kitchen is dangerous? What if you got hurt or burned?"

"Eighth Brother, you’re underestimating me." Zhao Yao retorted indignantly, "I’m not so clumsy that I’d hurt or burn myself."

The prince joked, "You didn’t turn the kitchen upside down? Didn’t you cause a ruckus?"

"No, Eighth Brother, what kind of person do you think I am? How could I turn the kitchen upside down?"

The prince didn’t believe Zhao Yao and turned to Tong Xi to ask, "Is what your master said true or false?"

"Replying to the prince, my lord speaks the truth." Tong Xi, who initially worried that Zhao Yao would make a mess in the kitchen, was surprised by his calm and skillful performance. "Her Highness even praised him for his good work."

The prince, shocked, exclaimed, "Tenth Brother, you’re full of surprises."

Zhao Yao proudly tilted his chin, "I told you, I have a talent for cooking."

The prince applauded enthusiastically, "I never expected my Tenth Brother to be so impressive!"

"Eighth Brother, just wait for me to make you the longevity noodles tomorrow morning."

"Alright, I’ll be waiting." The Eighth Prince smiled, "It’s an honor to eat longevity noodles made by my Tenth Brother personally!"

Zhao Yao crossed his arms, boasting, "Of course."

The prince playfully stood and bowed to Zhao Yao, "Then I’ll thank you, Your Highness."

Zhao Yao waved it off, "It’s nothing, you don’t need to give such a big bow." After speaking, he noticed the prince’s usually pale and bloodless face had gained some color, and said with delight, "Eighth Brother, your complexion has improved a lot, it seems my Great Replenishing Pill is really effective."

"Very effective, I’ve noticed my health has significantly improved recently." The Eighth Prince said gratefully, "All thanks to your Great Replenishing Pill." Now he could sleep peacefully through the night and wake up refreshed, a first in over a decade.

"That’s good to hear." Zhao Yao felt happy at the prince’s improved condition, "Eighth Brother, I think one Great Replenishing Pill isn’t enough. I’ll ask my uncle to get more, so you can eat a few more and fully restore your health."

The prince’s voice choked up slightly, "Okay."

He didn’t express his gratitude to Zhao Yao because he knew his brother didn’t require it. Saying thank you might even upset him, as there was no need for such formalities between them.

"It seems the medicine from the Miao Border is indeed useful." In the future, his uncle and others should keep an eye on the medicines and herbs from that region, as they might be of significant benefit.

As they were talking, Yu Hai brought tea and snacks. The snacks were Zhao Yao’s favorites.

"Yu Hai understands me well." Zhao Yao said, picking up a piece and happily eating it.

Yu Hai felt even more ashamed upon hearing Zhao Yao’s words. He hesitated for a moment before suddenly kneeling before Zhao Yao to confess, "Your Highness, I was wrong to misjudge your intentions toward the prince." Saying this, he repeatedly slapped his own face.

Zhao Yao, startled by Yu Hai’s sudden self-punishment, paused before stopping him, "Yu Hai, I don’t blame you. Besides, you were thinking of my brother’s well-being."

Seeing Zhao Yao unblaming, Yu Hai felt even more remorseful.

"Your Highness, I..."

Zhao Yao interrupted, "I know you were considering my brother’s health, so I don’t blame you at all. Don’t dwell on it." He signaled to Tong Xi, who immediately understood, stepped forward to help Yu Hai up, and led him out.

"Eighth Brother, Yu Hai was just concerned about you... don’t blame him."

The Eighth Prince said coldly, "He can doubt anyone else, but not you." If not for Yu Hai’s long-standing loyalty, the prince would have dismissed him the first time he harbored malicious thoughts towards Zhao Yao.

"Eighth Brother, if I don’t blame him, you shouldn’t either." Zhao Yao defended Yu Hai, "Yu Hai has always served you diligently, he may not have achievements but certainly has credits."

"Fine, for your sake, I won’t blame him."

"Thank you, Eighth Brother."

"Why are you thanking him for me?" The prince took a piece of pastry and fed it to Zhao Yao, "Eat your snacks."

Thinking about how the Eighth Prince would soon be busy with wedding matters, Zhao Yao teased slyly, "Heh heh heh, Eighth Brother, you’re getting married soon."

The prince, amused by Zhao Yao’s cheeky expression, laughed, "What’s so special about my getting married soon?"

"Then I’ll have an eighth sister-in-law soon, and there will be a nephew too," Zhao Yao said with a bright smile, "If the little one looks like you, he’ll be adorable, and I’ll play with him every day."

The prince’s eyes flashed with depth hearing this.

"So, that’s your plan."

"Eighth Brother, don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you take care of him then."

"The way you say it makes me uneasy." The prince replied, "I’m afraid you’ll spoil my child."

"How could that be, Eighth Brother I’ll tell you..." Zhao Yao then rambled on about how he’d play with his future nephew.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study, the emperor’s face turned stormy upon reading the secret message from Hidden Guard A.

"Can that medicine really mitigate the poison?"

Hidden Guard A respectfully answered, "It can alleviate, but not detoxify."

The emperor pondered, "How much can it mitigate?"

Hidden Guard A replied, "It can delay the onset by half a year or a year."

Upon hearing this, the emperor’s expression lightened considerably.

A delay of half a year or even a year wasn’t problematic.