The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

"Jing Bufan hates the powerful and wealthy, that's why he refuses to treat me. Isn't Pei Shiyuan the same way?"

"Your subject will accompany you, and you may use my ceremonial regalia. Let's see if that Jing Bufan dares to resist. He calls himself a divine physician, what a hypocrite!" Xiao Jingxu straightened his back and said angrily.

"No need, I'll go myself." The Empress sighed, wondering when the Crown Prince would ever grow up.

The next day, the Duke's mansion was quiet, with only the chirping of a few birds in the trees.

The old lady got up early and specifically instructed everyone in the mansion to be quiet.

Last night, Jing Bufan treated Yuan'er's illness, and now the entire Linfeng Residence is still asleep.

She wouldn't allow anyone to disturb her.

"Madam, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."

When Granny Zheng came to report, the old lady was drinking tea and quickly got up.

Jing Bufan was handed over by Yuan'er after he kidnapped the Crown Prince.

The Empress arrived so quickly; could it be that Yuan'er left some clues that have been discovered, and she's here to interrogate him?

"Granny Zheng, go and greet the Emperor." The old lady straightened her clothes, her expression dignified.

"No need, I am traveling incognito."

As they were speaking, the Empress stepped in.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress." The old lady bowed.

The Empress, dressed in plain clothes, came alone, followed only by a maid. Her face still wore that gentle smile: "No need for formalities. I have come incognito, only wishing to ask Jing Bufan to treat my illness."

"Jing Bufan?" The old lady asked with a puzzled expression.

Without evidence, the Empress would never admit that Jing Bufan was in the Duke's mansion.

"Elder sister, please stop pretending to be confused. The Crown Prince sought out Jing Bufan before, but Jing Bufan, fearing the powerful and wealthy, refused to treat me and kept stalling. Yuan'er asked the Crown Prince to hand over Jing Bufan. If he's willing to treat Yuan'er, he can't refuse me anymore, can he?"

"Cough cough cough."

The Empress felt like coughing after talking for a while.

The Duchess of Pei was a few years older than her. Back then, when the Duke of Pei followed the Emperor in his campaigns, they used to address each other as sisters.

Shock flashed in the old lady's eyes. The Empress was always dignified and virtuous; to say such things without any evidence suggested she was anxious due to a long illness. But without proof, she wouldn't admit it.

"Your Highness, are you sure Jing Bufan is with Yuan'er?"

"Yes, Yuan'er and Jing'er have known each other since childhood. Even though Yuan'er used some methods this time, Jing'er and I will not hold it against her," the Empress said gently.

The old lady blinked. The Empress probably had no evidence and was trying to appeal to emotions.

Since the Empress was already addressing her as a sister, she softened her tone and said, "Your Majesty, Yuan'er has been suffering from illness and is still asleep. I'll send someone to fetch him so you can ask him directly. I'm old and don't know many things."

The old lady wanted to buy time, so she sent someone to tell Pei Shiyuan to hide Jing Bufan well so that the Empress wouldn't find out.

If there's no evidence, just insist you've never seen it.

If it's discovered, it will confirm that Yuan'er kidnapped the Crown Prince. The Empress says she won't hold it against him, but she'll settle the score later.

Strangely, Jing Bufan was willing to treat Yuan'er's illness, but refused to treat the Empress.

The Empress is a kind and gentle person, and it's unlikely that she would cause Jing Bufan such a big problem, unless she was angry that the Crown Prince arrested him. That must be the case.

In fact, she had to thank Luo Qingyan for persuading Jing Bufan.

It seems that Jing Bufan likes her quite a bit.

He is truly a lucky star for Yuan'er and the Duke's mansion.

"Yuan'er has been ill for a long time, I should go and see him." The Empress stood up; she wanted to go see him herself and not hide Jing Bufan away.

The old lady hurriedly stood up and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

The Empress has always been a person of strict etiquette and would never have dared to trespass on her residence. She must be suffering from illness.

Jing Bufan is the same. Why doesn't he treat the Empress's illness? Even if you dislike those who are powerful and influential, you have to consider the person.

The empress is renowned for her virtue; he should distinguish her from those nobles who oppress the people.

When the two arrived at Linfeng Residence, Luo Qingyan had already helped Pei Shiyuan finish washing up and was preparing breakfast.

The servants wanted to report, but the Empress stopped them.

Pei Shiyuan sat in a wheelchair, his face even paler than before.

"Your Highness, please have some!"

Luo Qingyan ladled out half a bowl of white porridge, scooped up a spoonful, and fed it to Pei Shiyuan.

Pei Shiyuan gently shook his head.

Luo Qingyan sat down dejectedly. She saw that Pei Shiyuan's condition had worsened, his pulse was weak, and he didn't even want to eat. But Jing Bufan insisted that it was a good omen. She wondered what the old man was up to.

"Yuan'er, Her Majesty the Empress has come to see you," the old lady said gently, glancing into the room. Fortunately, Jing Bufan was not there.

Pei Shiyuan half-raised his eyelids, looking utterly powerless: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

Like the old lady, Pei Shiyuan was somewhat surprised that the empress, who was always dignified and proper, had come to visit him in person.

The Empress looked at Pei Shiyuan, who seemed to be in even worse condition than during the palace banquet.

Was it not him who forced the Crown Prince to hand over Jing Bufan?

Or perhaps Jing Bufan, like others, refused to treat Pei Shiyuan?

But her intuition told her that it was Pei Shiyuan who kidnapped the Crown Prince and demanded Jing Bufan; there was no mistake.

"Yuan'er, you may rise." The Empress's eyes were full of sympathy. "I have come to ask you for help in treating my illness by borrowing Jing Bufan's medicine."

"Cough cough cough."

Pei Shiyuan was confident that he had not left any clues. The Empress was so certain that he was the one who did it, which was simply because Jing Bufan had just been mentioned at the palace banquet, the Crown Prince was kidnapped, and he was seriously ill. It was most likely that it was him.

There was no other way; he couldn't wait any longer if he didn't find Jing Bufan.

"I am also looking for Jing Bufan, but it seems I will not be able to wait for the divine doctor. Your Majesty is blessed and will surely be able to find Jing Bufan again."

The empress's face was gentle, but her fingers were tightly gripping her sleeves, indicating that she was very angry.

Pei Shiyuan refused to hand over Jing Bufan simply because he was afraid of being held accountable.

"Yuan'er, rest and recover. I have other matters to attend to, but I will come to see you when I have time."

The Empress maintained a dignified demeanor, but inwardly she was furious. Upon returning, she would send people to search the Duke's mansion thoroughly, determined not to fail to find Jing Bufan.

She has already set aside her dignity as an empress and gone to seek medical help; what's wrong with that?

Pei Shiyuan has basically ruled out the Empress as the murderer, but the fact that Jing Bufan treated him cannot be spread, lest it alert the culprit, and also for Jing Bufan's safety.

"Respectfully seeing off Her Majesty the Empress."

A group of people said in unison.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Jing Bufan came in carrying roast chicken and wine.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats. Pei Shiyuan rubbed his forehead; the fact that Jing Bufan had treated him couldn't be kept a secret any longer.

"Jing Bufan?" The Empress recognized him at a glance.

Everyone was discouraged.

Jing Bufan looked up, then immediately turned and left.

"Stop!" the Empress roared.

Jing Bufan turned around and immediately ran to Luo Qingyan's side, muttering, "Girl, tell me, is she a bad person or a good person?"

"This." Luo Qingyan looked at Pei Shiyuan.

Pei Shiyuan nodded: "The Empress's virtuous reputation is widespread."

The empress was only guilty of giving birth to an incompetent crown prince and failing to control the concubines in the harem. Otherwise, she was fine. Her illness was caused by years of suffering.

"That's a good person," Luo Qingyan whispered.

"The old man will heal you." Jing Bufan spoke like a child, but he was very clear-headed. He was already caught in this whirlpool, so he decided to get to the bottom of things first.

Perhaps it can help the people of Nanshan and their families seek justice back then.

"Thank you, divine physician." The Empress nodded.

Seeing the Empress's devout attitude, Luo Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief; as long as she came for treatment, that was fine.

"If you don't become empress, this illness will heal itself."