"Master Yu, the old servant is saying something he shouldn't. There are rules inside the palace, and you must never confront Master Jinghua. Although the emperor favors you, it's easy to avoid an open sword but difficult to guard against a hidden arrow. This Master Jinghua presents one face openly but hides another in secret, firmly holding the emperor's heart. If you continue to provoke the emperor like this, you will eventually lose his favor. If the emperor allows you to leave the palace, that would be fine. But if you fall into the hands of Master Jinghua, it won't end well. Those outside the palace think about survival, while those inside the palace must ponder how to thrive. The inside of the palace is much more complicated than the outside. Master, you should think carefully about it." Steward Shun nagged again, looking at Tang Yu's indifferent face and sighing helplessly.

People outside the palace think about survival, while those inside the palace have to think about how to live well. The palace is much more complicated than the outside world. He knows this truth all too well. But after all, he is a man, once a ruler of a nation, and he has loved women.

He is not a good emperor, he does not wish to restore the country. He is not a good husband, as he gave away his newlywed wife on their wedding night to someone else. He is not a good descendant, for he lost the empire that his ancestors fought for. However, he cannot die, and even if he does, he cannot die as a captive. He must die in the palace of the enemy country.

"Young Master, that Prince Jinghua is truly too arrogant. He even dared to take away the soup that His Majesty specifically ordered." The small palace maid who went to fetch snacks carried the snacks to the table, complaining to Tang Yu.

"Just a bowl of tonic soup, that's all he wants. If he wants it, he can take it." Tang Yu didn't really care, now that he was being open-minded, he was still the elegant and suave Tang Yu.

"That was personally ordered by His Majesty, using blood swallows brought from Nankang. It has been brewing since last night. If you were to inform His Majesty, he certainly wouldn't spare Young Master Jinghua lightly." The little palace maid spoke, unaware of the slight pause in Tang Yu's body. She had long been unable to tolerate Young Master Jinghua's domineering behavior in the palace, especially after the imperial physician's departure, he became even more brazen.

"Lin Guang, what did you say to the young master? Be careful, disaster comes from the mouth," Steward Shun walked in and whispered a reminder.

"The maidservant speaks only the truth, but, young master, you've just entered the palace and you're already being bullied like this. What will happen in the future?" Lin Guang said, unwilling to let it go, as if deeply aggrieved.

"You little wretch, if you continue speaking nonsense, I will tear your mouth apart! If any harm comes to the young master because of you, what will we do?!" Shun Gonggong frightened the young maid called Lin Guang, and she quickly ran out in fear.

"Lin Guang just said that the blood swallow he brought back was taken from the palace in Nankang? Tang Yu sat at the table, expressionless. The blood swallow from the Nankang palace was personally obtained by Yun'er as a birthday gift for him. He was reluctant to drink it and kept it as a collection. But it seems that Song Jiang is quite bold, using it to make nourishing soup instead."

"Yes. Your Majesty knows that the Blood Swallow of Nankang is the best for replenishing the body, so you specially instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare it," Shun the eunuch answered honestly, thinking that this would surely impress the distinguished Master Yu. Once Master Yu pledged allegiance to Your Majesty, the days of us servants would undoubtedly become better.

"I understand," Tang Yu said calmly, without any expression on his face. He picked up the snack on the table and chewed it slowly and deliberately.

Tang Yu lifted his hand, and only then did the servant Shun notice the injury on his hand. On the exposed section of his arm, there were all sorts of scratches, and it was likely that his body was also covered in injuries. Shun moved aside, unable to help but frown. No wonder he refused assistance when changing clothes. It turned out it was because of this.

"Sir, the people from the Imperial Physician's Office have brought the medicine." A young palace maid pushed open the door and entered, performing the proper etiquette. Tang Yu looked up at her, his face filled with confusion. Wasn't she just Lin Guang? Why did something feel a bit off?

"Master, this is Lin Guang's older sister, Yao Guang," Shun Gonggong explained.

Tang Yu nodded in agreement, no wonder he didn't look like himself.

"Xiao Gonggong, you've worked hard. Thank you for coming personally." Shun Gonggong quickly took it over, complimenting him a few more times, and gave him two small silver pieces. Only then did Xiao Gonggong smile happily.

"The young master is truly modest. This was personally ordered by His Majesty, so how could I dare to be negligent? His Majesty said that he wants to see the young master drink it before I can leave." The eunuch discreetly accepted the silver and happily replied.

"What kind of medicine is this?" Tang Yu wrinkled his brow as he smelled the unpleasant herbal concoction.

"Master, this is the medicine for treating wind-cold."

Tang Yu's face turned ugly as he stared at the murky medicine. In the past, whenever he fell ill, Yun'er would always be by his side, comforting him and saying that the medicine wasn't bitter. But now, everyone around him was a stranger, and there was no one to speak to him in this manner. Taking a deep breath, Tang Yu accepted the medicine and drank it all in one gulp.

Upon seeing the bottom of the medicinal soup, the young eunuch hurriedly took his leave to report back.

"Don't keep hovering around me, go and do whatever you need to do!" Tang Yu stood up and entered the inner room, instructing others not to follow. He sat alone on the bed. It was only the beginning of the day, but he felt like there was nothing left for him to do. Whatever, he lay back down on the bed. Perhaps the medicine had a slight sedative effect, as he quickly fell asleep.

"Did he drink the medicine?" Sitting at the head of the imperial hospital, Song Jiang looked down at the trembling little eunuch.

"Your Majesty, this servant saw him drink it." The young eunuch replied, too scared to even lift his head under Song Jiang's intimidating presence. Who would have imagined that the capricious Emperor would neglect state affairs and personally come to the imperial physician's clinic to inquire whether a male lover had finished his medicine."

"Alright, make sure his medicine is delivered on time and don't be careless." Song Jiang gave his instructions as he stood up and left the imperial hospital. He gazed at the layers of palaces within the palace walls, looking in one direction. That direction happened to be where Tang Yu resided, in the Qing Feng Pavilion.

"Your Majesty, if you want to see Lord Yu, why don't you just go and visit him directly?" Jiang Gonggong, who had watched Song Jiang grow up since childhood, immediately saw through his thoughts.

"If it were really that simple, it would be great." Casting a glance at Jiang Gonggong, Song Jiang raised his foot and walked towards the study chamber. Tang Yu no longer valued him, having seen him this morning as well. He should be content with that.

The palace is different from other places, the harem is treacherous. Jiangua has suffered grievances and he will not let them fall on Tang Yu anymore. He still feels somewhat indebted to Jiangua, but the strong support behind him still makes him somewhat wary.

Jiang Gonggong watched as Song Jianglin's expression grew increasingly solemn. He quietly chose to follow along, and before reaching the imperial study, he saw a graceful green figure ahead. Song Jianglin did not wish to meet him at that moment, so he turned his head. Inside the palace, the only noble concubine was glaring at him, her eyes filled with hostility. Song Jianglin turned his head again and met Jinghua's gaze. Compared to that woman, he actually preferred Jinghua a bit more.

"See Your Majesty." Jinghua paid her respects, gracefully half-kneeling in front of Song Jiang, her face exuding a charming charm.

"Get up." Song Jiang said calmly.

"Your Majesty, Jinghua has prepared a meal at the Qinghe Hall and specifically came to invite Your Majesty to dine there."

As Song Jiang looked up at the sky, he realized it was already time for lunch. He said to Huazhong, "Let's go!"