Had anyone else tried this tactic, Shen Yangge would have suspected ulterior motives.
But the one speaking to him was Xue Pingyuan, a straightforward, honest man. He could not help finding it amusing, and by the end, he chose not to undermine him.
He merely glanced at the somewhat dazed Xue Qian and sighed. "That isn't up to me. It depends on the master of the Eastern Palace."
Xue Pingyuan was too embarrassed to say much more. He opened his mouth, then finally said, "Sorry for the trouble. I'll go explain everything to His Highness now. It's just... I can't take Qian with me. I hope you'll look after him, Lord Divine Dragon."
"All right."
Hearing this, Xue Pingyuan said a few words to Xue Qian, then cupped his hands and bowed to Shen Yangge before taking his leave.
With Xue Pingyuan gone, only the two of them remained in the side hall, staring at each other. Afflicted with gu poison, Xue Qian looked different from how Shen Yangge remembered him. He had become somewhat childlike, blinking as he stared fixedly at Shen Yangge.
Shen Yangge did not know what to do with him either. He simply ordered the servants to bring some pastries and had him sit in a chair to eat them slowly.
Xue Qian was very obedient. He did not shout or make a fuss. When Xue Pingyuan left, he only glanced after him a few more times before soon lapsing into a daze.
He remained quiet and well behaved, with almost the intelligence of a three- or four-year-old child. This surprised Shen Yangge somewhat. His condition had not been this severe the last time they met, had it?
Just what kind of gu poison had he been afflicted with?
Thinking this over, Shen Yangge walked toward