Chapter 179: Prevention

4: Liu Sichun's Struggle"Second brother, times have changed. With only this much money, we naturally need to be careful and calculate our expenses." Liu Sichun frowned slightly and patiently explained...Chapter 179: Prevention

"Your Highness."

Li Chen looked up, only to find Zhao Rui holding a bowl of medicinal soup and walking over.

"It's getting late, Your Highness. There is still much state business to attend to, but your health comes first. Please rest early."

Zhao Rui held the bowl of soup to Li Chen and said softly, “This is a tonic I boiled for you with truffles and walnuts. It’s very nourishing for the brain. Please have it while it’s hot.”

Li Chen took the medicine, casually setting it aside, and smiled, "It's so late, you're not asleep yet"

Zhao Rui whispered, "Today I saw my parents, and my heart is filled with gratitude for Your Highness's magnanimity. I had planned to thank you after Your Highness rested, but after waiting and waiting, You Highness was always busy, so I couldn't help but come and see."

"In that case, it seems to be my fault."

Li Chen pulled Zhao Rui into his arms and said with a smile, "How do you plan to repay this palace"

Zhao Rui blushed and whispered, "That...that's the medicine, isn't it"

"That's not enough."

Li Chen said, "Moreover, this palace spent the night reading imperial edicts and drinking tea all evening. My stomach is full of water and I can't even drink anything else."

"Why not express thanks with something else"

Zhao Rui pursed her lips and trembled, saying: "Then, then how should the concubine thank Your Highness"

Li Chen leaned into Zhao Rui's ear and whispered something, his eyebrows dancing with excitement.

Zhao Rui's ears visibly flushed, the redness spreading to her cheeks. Her crystal-clear eyes sparkled with allure, radiating a captivating charm.

"Your Majesty," Zhao Rui said, blushing from Li Chen's words, "Such a preposterous suggestion! How did you come up with it"

"No... this concubine cannot endure it."

The more Zhao Rui pretended to be shy and reluctant, the more determined Li Chen became.

He coaxed, "Rest assured, this palace guarantees it will be unlike anything you've seen before. If it truly doesn't work out, this palace won't force you, alright"

Seeing that Li Chen had pushed the matter to this point, Zhao Rui knew she couldn't refuse any longer.

She racked her brains, thinking about her father's future being entirely in Li Chen's hands. She didn't dare offend him.

Besides, if Li Chen insisted, with all those previous experiences, I would definitely not be able to stand up to him.

"Well...then, this concubine will go bathe first." Zhao Rui whispered.

Li Chen was overjoyed and said, "Go ahead first. This palace will be there soon."

Biting her lip, Zhao Rui made up her mind to finish her bath quickly. Otherwise, if the prince caught up to her, he would certainly insist on washing together... Zhao Rui, who still held conservative views, couldn't accept such a thing.

After a slight bow, Zhao Rui got up and bid farewell, running away like she was escaping.

After Zhao Rui left, a faint smile gradually disappeared from Li Chen's face, and he said softly, "Come here."

A Jinyiwei stood respectfully at the door.

"Go get Zhang Hezhi."

A moment later, Zhang Hezhi, who had obviously fallen asleep but was hurriedly called up, rushed over.

"Your Highness," Zhang Hezhi said respectfully.

"Take this bowl of medicine and have it checked to see if there's anything wrong with it." Li Chen said calmly.

Zhang Hezhi bowed respectfully, then carefully picked up the bowl of medicinal soup sent by Zhao Rui. He first sniffed it, then used a silver needle to test for poison. After confirming there was no problem, he apologized to Li Chen before pouring out a small amount and personally taking a sip.

This scene even left Li Chen somewhat dumbfounded.

This Crane, actually personally tasted the poison.

After a moment, Zhang Hezhi said, “Your Highness, currently there seems to be no problem. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of chronic poisons or strange toxins that would not show results from an immediate examination. This humble minister needs to take them back and investigate further.”

"Take it." Li Chen said.

Zhang Hezhi was overjoyed and knelt down, saying: “Your humble servant thanks Your Highness.” that Zhao Xuanji still respects Dantang Jing as a person rather than the position of Minister of the Ministry of Officials.This sentence was also Zhao Xuanji's reply to the widely renowned "Mr."Only...