Volume Two, Chapter 26

"A maid with looks..." Pan Yong looked troubled.

"Don't tell me that all the good-looking maids in this estate were..."

"Just find an obedient one. Does it matter whether she's been taken by me or not?"

"Hmph... As you wish. Just make sure you don't ruin my plans." As Consort Pan spoke, she looked up at the sky. "I must return to the palace. I used the excuse that something happened at my family home to come out. It won't be good if His Majesty suspects anything. I leave the boy inside to you; send someone sharp to wait on him. After all, once a man is served comfortably, he's very easy to dismiss."

"Understood! Rest assured, Your Ladyship, I know how to arrange it." Pan Yong bent his back and smiled obsequiously. "But what if this stubborn bookworm refuses a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit..."

"Hmph! Then he can just disappear from His Majesty's side along with that bitch. Back to the palace!"

The weather was dark and humid, as if holding back a storm.

Outside the Prime Minister's Residence, His Majesty's imperial carriage and guards waited at the gates. Inside the Prime Minister's Residence, candle lamps were lit one by one.

Young Master's bedchamber was quiet. Yesterday's remaining candle had not yet been replaced, and instead of burning incense, only ashes remained in the burner. The bed curtains hung low, and the person on the bed clearly had not yet risen.

Wei Chenmu stood by the side of the bed holding a bowl of thick, dark medicinal soup. The soup was gradually growing cold, yet he could not step forward and could only wait close by, all because His Majesty was currently sitting right before Young Master's bed.

It was exceedingly rare for