“What are you so nervous about?” The Empress’s voice was icy.
Her sharp gaze fixed directly on Xiao Cui.
Xiao Cui trembled, immediately dropping to her knees in fright, not daring to lift her head. “This servant… this servant isn’t nervous.”
Now Emperor Yong’s gaze also fell upon her.
First came anger in his heart, followed by a chilling fear.
How could he have been so careless, leaving someone suspicious by An’er’s side!
Emperor Yong instinctively held Yong Cheng’an tighter.
Seeing that Emperor Yong and the Empress had noticed Xiao Cui, Yong Cheng’an’s fake crying instantly stopped.
Even though it was fake crying, he had still cried quite hard, his eyes red from the effort.
He looked utterly pitiful.
Emperor Yong didn’t need evidence to suspect someone. He simply ordered, “Take her away!”
Yong Cheng’an could guess what “take her away” meant without it being said—nothing more than harsh interrogation and torture.
He happily wiggled his feet, his little toes unconsciously swaying left and right.
A smile also appeared on his chubby little face.
Aww! The baby is so adorable!
Bai Quan screamed internally, an involuntary auntie-like smile spreading across her face.
Yong Cheng’an’s invisible ears twitched, sensing this strange gaze.
He tilted his head back to look at Bai Quan.
His little body squirmed in Emperor Yong’s arms, almost arching out.
Seeing him look over, Bai Quan flushed with excitement.
She really wanted to pinch his little cheeks!
Unfortunately, this was the Crown Prince. Pinching his face would be an offense.
Bai Quan felt regretful.
Yong Cheng’an’s little body was arched like a bow, his head tilted back.
This was so obvious that Emperor Yong naturally noticed.
He chuckled, bouncing Yong Cheng’an gently. “An’er, do you like Minister Bai?”
Yong Cheng’an babbled in response, yes, yes.
He was curious.
And the way this Imperial Physician Bai looked at him was just too strange.
“Minister Bai was the one who cured An’er’s fever this time. From now on, Minister Bai will be your personal imperial physician.”
After what had just happened, Emperor Yong felt even more that appointing Bai Quan as Yong Cheng’an’s personal physician was an absolutely correct decision.
Look, how well Minister Bai understands An’er.
Her medical skills are superb. I believe that under Imperial Physician Bai’s care, An’er’s health will be no different from that of a normal person.
“It is my honor to be entrusted with caring for His Highness the Crown Prince’s health,” Bai Quan said with a smile.
Emperor Yong played with Yong Cheng’an for a while before leaving to attend to state affairs.
These past few days, with Yong Cheng’an ill, he hadn’t been in the mood to handle other matters.
A lot of government affairs had piled up.
Moreover, now that An’er was awake, it was time to deal with those restless individuals.
Yong Cheng’an catching a cold and developing a fever had infuriated Emperor Yong.
The mastermind not only covered An’er’s head with a blanket, trying to smother him, but also, as an extra precaution, opened the window.
Were they planning for An’er to be exposed to the cold wind even if he managed to struggle free from the blanket?
How truly malicious!
Hmph, he hadn’t acted against them earlier not because he lacked evidence, but because he was waiting for An’er to wake up so he could free his hands to deal with them properly!
Emperor Yong was determined to severely reprimand the court officials, making them dare not lay a hand on the Crown Prince again.
Over these past few days, Emperor Yong had not only identified those who plotted against Yong Cheng’an but also uncovered many other crimes committed by various noble families.
In the court, Chen Fu read their names one by one.
“Zhang Han.”
“Xu Shao.”
“…”
Those whose names were called exchanged glances, a sense of foreboding rising in their hearts.
His Majesty was likely about to make a move regarding this attempt on the Crown Prince.
Yet these individuals remained unperturbed, their expressions calm and composed.
Since only two families had taken direct action, the others were at most guilty of knowing but not reporting, watching as their colleagues targeted the Crown Prince.
Moreover, they were all from prominent families. If the emperor tried to punish so many at once, it would likely fail to gain public support.
Little did they know that Emperor Yong was determined to act decisively this time.
He flung the evidence he had long gathered onto the floor of the Golden Luan Hall.
“Open your eyes wide and see for yourselves! These are my loyal ministers! The fine officials of Dayong!”
“Plotting against the Crown Prince, embezzling from the state treasury, oppressing the people, selling official positions—have I wronged you in any of these charges?”
Emperor Yong’s voice suddenly rose, and he slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne.
These families were deeply intertwined and repeatedly violated Dayong’s laws. Did they truly believe the court could not function without them?
Those whose names were called were stunned. This was completely unlike the emperor’s usual way of handling matters!
Why did it sound as if he intended to punish them severely?
Immediately afterward, Emperor Yong announced their punishments: some would have their properties confiscated, others would be exiled.
The two families involved in plotting against the Crown Prince would be executed to the ninth degree!
“Your Majesty, have mercy! Spare us, Your Majesty!”
Only then did they finally feel fear, but it was already too late.
Emperor Yong dealt with them swiftly and decisively.
The remaining ministers dared not utter a word.
Exchanging glances, they realized the emperor had long planned to take action against the prominent families. The Crown Prince’s incident had merely served as the catalyst.
The entire court marveled at the emperor’s ruthless methods, even risking the Crown Prince to achieve his goals.
Little did they know that Emperor Yong’s rage was truly ignited for the sake of his son.
In the past, Emperor Yong had always believed that “water too clear breeds no fish.” Although the prominent families had their flaws, they were useful.
As long as they did not go too far, he turned a blind eye.
But this time, they had crossed the line by targeting Yong Cheng’an.
It was precisely Yong Cheng’an’s cold that made Emperor Yong realize just how rampant the prominent families in Dayong had become.
He did not want to leave behind a chaotic court for An’er.
Coincidentally, the imperial examinations were scheduled for next spring, and there were plenty of talented individuals.
Emperor Yong was not afraid of them.
Yong Cheng’an remained completely unaware of the storm he had inadvertently triggered in the court.
At that moment, his mind was reeling with shock.
After being appointed as the sixth-rank court physician, Bai Quan came daily to check his pulse.
Just moments ago, while Bai Quan was performing the routine check, he took advantage of the maids and eunuchs not being nearby to gently pinch Yong Cheng’an’s cheek and whisper, “The little one’s health is still a bit weak. If only he lived in modern times.”
He would definitely have nursed him back to robust health!
Hearing this, Yong Cheng’an unconsciously widened his eyes.
He didn’t even mind Bai Quan secretly pinching his cheek.
Bai Quan was also a transmigrator!
Did he know that this world was merely a book?
Yong Cheng’an stared intently at Bai Quan, hoping he would say more.
But Qiushuang arrived.
Bai Quan immediately fell silent and withdrew his hand properly.
“Miss Qiushuang.”
“Imperial Physician Bai, how is His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Qiushuang asked.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is in good health.”
“However, as the weather grows colder, he must not be exposed to the wind.”
Bai Quan was still deeply concerned about his little one.
“Naturally.” Qiushuang nodded and escorted the reluctant Bai Quan out.
Yong Cheng’an let out a few incoherent sounds, wishing he could speak immediately to make Bai Quan stay.
He stretched out his hand in a pleading gesture.
But Qiushuang, who had returned, unceremoniously tucked him back into his little blanket.
She carefully smoothed the edges of the blanket, ensuring not a single gap remained.
Yong Cheng’an: “…”