Liu Yucheng had not wanted to tell him the truth, but faced with the man's doubts, he could only steel himself and answer, "Chief Steward Tie, we're worried about this ourselves. My father was perfectly fine, then he suddenly disappeared."
Tie Zheng burst out laughing. When his laughter faded, his expression grew even more menacing. "Liu Yucheng, you really do lie through your teeth. His Highness has invited you to the Prince's Residence time and again to treat him, yet you and your father keep putting him off. Busy today, too busy tomorrow, then a broken leg as an excuse. And now you're playing at disappearing? Do you take me for a three-year-old, so easily fooled? Does your Divine Farmer Society hold even His Highness in contempt?"
Liu Yucheng said fearfully, "Chief Steward Tie, this humble commoner means nothing of the sort, much less dares to look down on His Highness. Everything I've said is true. There isn't a single lie in it."
Tie Zheng sneered. "Whether it's a lie, I don't know. But the Empress Dowager is unwell today, and His Highness recommended Mr. Liu to her. She is waiting at Benevolence Garden right now. Weigh the consequences yourselves before deciding whether to go."
Liu Yucheng broke into a cold sweat. Never could he have imagined that the Empress Dowager would seek them out for treatment at such a time. Unfortunately, his father had vanished at precisely this critical moment. Although Liu Yucheng had studied medicine at his father's side since childhood, he still lacked the courage to treat the reigning Empress Dowager.
Tie Zheng said, "His Majesty has always been most devoted to his mother. If he learns that you dared refuse to go, heh... your Divine Farmer Society can weigh the consequences for itself." He abruptly turned