Chapter 56: Charles V Is Poisoned

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Chapter 56: Charles V Is Poisoned

“What’s wrong?” Taya asked anxiously.

“I must have gotten caught up in some conspiracy,” Ye Tian muttered, deep in thought. “The key is, I have no idea how deep I’m in, and I might even end up as a scapegoat.”

“Then,” Mina said nervously, “let’s leave together.”

“I can’t go, and I don’t want to,” Ye Tian replied, a smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t worry, if I want to leave, no one could stop me.”

“Is it really that serious?” Taya asked, her tone grave.

“Yes,” Ye Tian nodded.

“But we can’t leave right now either,” Taya said in a low voice. “You don’t need to worry about us. Focus on your training. In the next couple of days, I’ll find a way to get you all out,” Ye Tian said.

“Understood.” Taya nodded. Since Ye Tian spoke with such confidence, staying any longer would only drag him down. They hadn’t even seen the extent of Ye Tian’s abilities yet, but if he said he could leave, then he certainly could.

“I’m going back now. Remember to focus on your training, don’t rush for quick results, or you’ll risk falling into madness,” Ye Tian reminded them earnestly.

“Don’t worry, I understand,” Taya reassured him, knowing Ye Tian feared they’d suffer backlash from reckless cultivation.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be off,” Ye Tian said, rising to his feet.

“Stay a little longer!” Taya said reluctantly.

“When things here are settled, I’ll come find you,” Ye Tian replied, ruffling Mina’s hair. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“Lora, you’re the strongest of them. I’m counting on you,” Ye Tian said to the girl who’d been silent the whole time. She nodded, “I’ll go check on Alansa.” With that, she headed into the inner room.

Ye Tian didn’t even need to look for her—he could already hear Alansa’s pig-like screams. She was doing it on purpose, knowing Ye Tian hadn’t left yet.

“Alright, alright!” Ye Tian said as he entered, seeing Lora applying medicine to Alansa’s pale, soft backside.

“Get out!” Lora quickly pulled the blanket over. “I thought you were done!” Ye Tian complained.

“It hurts so much!” Alansa shouted in protest.

“That’s what you get for slacking off in your training!” Ye Tian admonished.

“I did not!” Alansa retorted stubbornly.

“Fine, I’ll call Taya over and confront you face to face!” Ye Tian replied.

“Alright, alright, you’re always so clever!” Alansa grumbled. “Why don’t you ever go bald!”

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“Hey!” Ye Tian gave her two pats through the blanket, making Alansa yell again.

“Heh, I’m off. Remember to train hard!” Ye Tian said, taking the medicine box from Lora’s hand and setting it aside. “Bye!”

“Gail! You bald-headed corpse!” Alansa shouted angrily.

Ye Tian ignored her, leaving with Lora. “Help Alansa with her medicine later,” he told the girls who came to see him off.

By the time Ye Tian returned to the palace, it was already night. To his surprise, Li Ji wasn’t there.

“Maybe she’s still busy,” Lora said. “Wait, I’ll go ask. We’ll talk later.” With that, she left Ye Tian in the bedroom and went out.

“I’m exhausted!” Ye Tian flopped onto the bed, unwilling to move. “Right, there are still so many things I haven’t prepared.” He glanced at the table cluttered with herbs—indeed, there was still much to be done.

As Ye Tian forced himself to get up, Lora rushed back in.

“Get up, bathe, and change. His Majesty has invited you to dinner.”

“You can’t be serious!” Ye Tian wailed.

“Stop whining, get up!” Lora leapt onto Ye Tian’s back. “Get up, get up!”

“Alright, alright!” With a beautiful woman sitting on his back, Ye Tian felt his body reacting and quickly agreed. “I’ll bathe myself, and you’re not allowed in,” he said.

“As if I care to watch you!” Lora pouted. “You really are a strange man.”

“How so?” Ye Tian asked, puzzled.

“I can sense your body’s reaction, but you always manage to restrain yourself. Why is that?”

“Because you don’t like it,” Ye Tian said.

“What about Christina?” Lora pressed.

“Because I don’t like her,” Ye Tian replied, rolling his eyes. “Enough, get down or I’ll really eat you!”

“Looking forward to it!” Lora giggled and obediently got off. “Now go shower.”

Dinner was in the usual hall, with the same few people as always. The princess didn’t come; she always took her meals in her room. As always, the queen greeted Ye Tian with a murderous glare.

“Sit,” Charles V nodded.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ye Tian bowed.

“There’s nothing much today. First, thank you. Second, your new residence is ready and you can move in tomorrow,” Charles V said.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ye Tian replied, rising.

Charles V raised a hand, bidding Ye Tian sit. “You refused a title, but I’d like to appoint you as the palace physician. What do you think?”

Ye Tian was startled—why was this old fox so determined to keep him close?

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At that moment, a server brought in a platter of charcoal-grilled whole beef. Ye Tian watched as Charles V picked up a small bottle and poured a little into his own bowl. “Care to try? This is a special spice, perfect for sauce,” Charles V offered.

“Thank you.” An attendant handed the bottle to Ye Tian. As he poured a little out, his expression changed. Damn, wasn’t this datura?

“What’s wrong?” Charles V asked, dipping a slice of beef into the powder. “It’s delicious,” he said, popping it into his mouth and chewing.

“Heh, interesting,” Ye Tian said, pushing the datura powder aside and continuing to eat. He had to admit, the beef—charred outside, tender inside—was indeed delicious.

Back in his room, Ye Tian lay down while Lora closed the door and approached him.

“Gail, what’s the matter?” she asked.

“You know that datura—the spice reserved for His Majesty—do you know who supplies it?” Ye Tian inquired.

“I think it’s the Bratis family. Old Bratis discovered it by chance, and now it’s used exclusively by the royal family,” Lora recalled. “By the way, why doesn’t anyone else eat it?” Ye Tian asked.

“The two princes are allergic—they break out in hives if they eat it. The princess loves it, but as for the queen, she says it’s too fragrant and she dislikes it,” Lora said after a moment’s thought.

“Heh, interesting,” Ye Tian smiled.

“What is it?” Lora pressed.

“I’ve been wondering how the princess got poisoned. Now I understand.”

“What did you figure out?” Lora asked.

“I’m not telling you!” Ye Tian suddenly grinned.

“Go to hell!” Lora snapped.

“The emperor’s been poisoned, and before long, he’ll be just like the princess,” Ye Tian remarked, his voice low.

Lora turned to rush out. “Come back—are you trying to get yourself killed?” Ye Tian grabbed her arm. “Now that I know, do you really think that old fox will die?”

“Save him, please save him!” Lora pleaded, clutching Ye Tian’s arm.

“I will. The old man is lucky to have such a filial daughter,” Ye Tian sighed. “Now, let’s arrange a time. I want to have a good talk with him.”