Chapter 50: The Palace’s Secret

Chapter 50: The Palace’s Secret

Laura was momentarily stunned, but then she gracefully walked up to Ye Tian and settled herself on his lap, gently wrapping her arms around his neck. Smiling, she asked, "Do you want to take a look?"

"No, I’ve already seen it just now," Ye Tian replied, pursing his lips.

"Really?" Laura drew out a hand and tugged at her collar, letting a bit of her skin show. "You don’t like them big? Or do you prefer them small?" she asked with a mischievous smile.

"I like them big," Ye Tian answered truthfully. "But I’m curious—how can a girl who’s never been with a man act so boldly?"

"What do you mean?" Laura didn’t quite understand.

"I mean, you’re still a virgin, so how can you behave like a courtesan?" Ye Tian explained.

Laura was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing as she embraced Ye Tian. "You can tell?" Ye Tian quickly ducked his head, worried he might suffocate otherwise.

"You smell sweet, like a young girl," Ye Tian said.

"Maybe you’re mistaken," Laura retorted, trying to get off him.

"Is that so?" Ye Tian pulled her close, burying his head in her bosom, then gently shook his head. Laura’s cheeks flushed instantly.

"Blushing!" Ye Tian teased.

"No, I’m not," Laura said, a little flustered, trying to wriggle free. Suddenly, she stiffened as she felt a hand slide down her back.

"Still denying it?" Ye Tian gently set Laura down. "Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet; you shouldn’t exert yourself. Don’t get into any fights with others these days, or your wound might reopen," Ye Tian advised.

"So concerned about me? Have you fallen for me?" Laura reverted to her playful self as soon as her feet touched the ground, teasing Ye Tian.

"Don’t rush, I’ll deal with you when you’ve recovered. Now, can you tell me what happened that night?" Ye Tian countered bluntly.

"Boring," Laura said with a pout. "What do you want to know?"

"What can you tell me?" Ye Tian asked with a smile.

"Interesting. Chatting with you never feels dull."

"Thank you."

"A group of people came. One of them was a mid-level Swordmaster," Laura said calmly. "The rest were high-level Swordmasters."

"What’s your rank?" Ye Tian suddenly asked.

"Peak Swordmaster," Laura replied.

"No way," Ye Tian was startled. Laura seemed formidable, but he hadn’t expected her to be on the verge of becoming a Sword Saint.

"Surprised? Don’t worry, my rank has some water in it—I’m not as strong as you."

"Water?" Ye Tian didn’t understand.

"How should I put it? With the Sacred Sword, I’m at the peak of Swordmaster. Without it, I’m just a regular Swordmaster."

"That’s impressive," Ye Tian exclaimed.

"Of course. There are only a few Sacred Swords across the continent. The one I hold is the undisputed treasure of the Leyton Empire."

"Then why would Charles V entrust such an important treasure to you?" Ye Tian wondered.

"Probably because I’m his daughter," Laura said calmly.

"Ahem!" Ye Tian coughed. "What did you say?"

"I’m his illegitimate daughter. Actually, there are several of us," Laura replied in an offhand manner, as if it were insignificant.

"So you’re a princess?" Ye Tian felt his jaw drop.

"No. We’re tools, a group created by him specifically to protect him," Laura said quietly. "We’re his hidden guards, lurking in the shadows."

"No wonder," Ye Tian recalled that there weren’t many palace guards, but there were plenty of maids, especially around Charles V, who always had a few with him.

"Are you angry?" Laura gently lifted Ye Tian’s chin. This boy always made her heart flutter, because he could get angry over things others considered trivial.

"No," Ye Tian replied calmly. "Why tell me all this?"

"Weren’t you the one who asked?" Laura released Ye Tian and sat on the nearby table. "What do you think of Lady Li?"

"She’s a good girl," Ye Tian replied.

"Take her away," Laura said quietly.

"Pfft!" Ye Tian almost choked. "That... that..."

"Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to marry her, just to take her far away from here, forever," Laura said softly.

"What about you?" Ye Tian asked.

"I’m just a dead person. Death is where I belong," Laura replied.

"Everyone has a reason to live. Don’t speak of death so lightly," Ye Tian said seriously.

"I know. Now, can you tell me what you saw in that barrel of water?"

"A plot. The princess was poisoned," Ye Tian replied.

"I see," Laura touched her lips. "Who could have poisoned her?"

"Sorry, that’s not my concern. Healing is my duty, solving cases isn’t. Find someone specialized for that. Now, I need to rest. Please go, and don’t disturb me," Ye Tian said, shooing Laura off the table. Honestly, a girl sitting on the table—what does that look like?

"Then I’ll take my leave, Lord Gehr," Laura slipped back into her maid persona, respectfully saying, "I’ll call you for dinner, will that be alright?"

"Fine, fine, just go!" Ye Tian pushed Laura out the door. This woman always tries to set traps for him; best to keep his distance.

"Wish you a pleasant rest, good afternoon!" Before Laura finished, Ye Tian slammed the door shut. After tidying up the table, Ye Tian returned to his bed to meditate.

That evening, while Ye Tian was still quietly cultivating, the door opened and Lady Li entered. "Lord Gehr, His Majesty invites you to dine together," she said. Ye Tian slowly opened his eyes. "Oh, Lady Li."

"His Majesty wants you to join him for dinner," Lady Li said, pouting.

"Alright," Ye Tian got up.

"Are you skilled in both magic and martial arts?" Lady Li asked.

"What’s that?" Ye Tian replied.

"Never mind, forget I asked," Lady Li said, leading the way.

For the first time, Ye Tian saw the entire family of Charles V. Aside from the princess still recuperating, four people sat at the table: Charles V, the Empress, the prince Ye Tian had met before, and one unfamiliar face.

The stranger wore full armor, exuding a strong aura of bloodshed—clearly not someone to be trifled with.

"Sit," Charles V pointed to the seat beside him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ye Tian said, taking the seat without ceremony.

"Lord Gehr, it’s a pleasure to dine with you," the eldest prince said with a smile. "Oh, just call me Rudy."

"Prince Rudy, I’m pleased to dine with you as well," Ye Tian replied, smiling.

"This is my mother, whom you’ve met, and this is my younger brother, Prince Dilufi. He’s been guarding the border and rarely comes home," Rudy explained.

Ye Tian glanced at the young man radiating murderous intent—no wonder.

"Thank you for saving my sister, Raycina," Dilufi said gruffly, clearly not one for words.

"Healing is a doctor’s duty; there’s no need for thanks," Ye Tian replied with a smile.

"Hmph," the Empress snorted.

Ye Tian smiled, not retorting. Making the Empress look bad in front of her family would be asking for trouble.

"By the way, Lord Gehr, how long until the princess fully recovers?" Charles V asked, cutting into his steak.

"She’ll be out of bed in about seven days, but full recovery will take roughly half a year," Ye Tian mused.

"Half a year? That’s too long. Is there any way to speed up her recovery?" Charles V inquired.

"There isn’t," Ye Tian answered honestly.

"Aren’t you a doctor? Isn’t your job to heal? How can you not have a way?" the Empress challenged.

"Illness comes like a mountain but goes like spun silk. A tall building is built brick by brick, but to destroy it you only need to cut its supporting pillars. It’s not the same," Ye Tian explained.

"Then please continue treating the princess diligently these next few days. If you need anything, just ask—I’ll make sure your needs are met," Charles V said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ye Tian replied.