Pulled in deep by Coercion

The Forbidden City.

Head Eunuch Zhou, stood by the Emperor as the Imperial Physician checked his pulse. His back was soaked with cold sweat, as he waited patiently for the some news. The Imperial Physician wasn't excluded from the fright in the air. He was sweating hard on his forehead, as he concentrated.

The only one looking calm was the Emperor himself, who had his eyes closed, as he sat in his study.

Even after the physician had finished reading his pulse, his eyes remained closed as if he was asleep. Eunuch Zhou dared not make a sound, as he mouthed to the physician who shook his head in return.

Though Eunuch Zhou had hoped for better, he knew this was to be expected. He signaled for the Imperial Physician to take his leave quietly, and quickly returned to his master's side.

"See, was there any need calling them? didn't the results still remain the same?" The deep, oppressive voice of the Emperor echoed in the spacious study.

"Your Highness, you must watch out for the health of your dragon body."

"Humph" The Emperor scoffed frightening poor Eunuch Zhou.

He knew what was going on with his body, he was sure of it. This sort of thing couldn't be helped.

On the other hand, Eunuch Zhou felt wronged, he had only wanted to help his master, how could he sit still while his master's health deteriorated? Though he didn't know what the root cause of the illness was, he could only do all he could to help his master keep this matter under wraps. If word were to get out, it wouldn't be good.

He only had good intentions, only good intentions!

He couldn't help but feel it was strange his master has always been healthy, rarely got sick. Now, whenever he asked the imperial physicians, they would say the same thing; no sign of poisoning, nothing seemed to be wrong at all, each could only conclude that it was probably because the Emperor was getting old. At the thought of this Eunuch Zhou couldn't help both chase away forbidden thoughts.

Back at the crown prince's manor.

Although Zhang ZhengYang was shocked by the news his brother brought him, he smiled, "Things only get more interesting the deeper you dig"

"Tch, means you've never heard of the saying curiosity kills the cat." Zhao Xing mumbled, catching Zhang ZengYang's attention.

"That reminds me" He said taking out a few books from his side. "Here these are for you"

Zhao Xing stared at him puzzled before taking them from his hands."What are these?" she asked as she opened one, scrolling through.

"This…is the Emperor's health record?" Her eyes opened wide as she thought of all the fantasies she had about Emperors being so powerful. "How do you even steal these things?"

"See if it could help you. With your task."

??

Didn't she tell him she couldn't do it?

Never mind. She knew that he wouldn't take a no for an answer, she could only try. And if she really couldn't then, she'd just tell him, if he got mad, maybe he could let her go? He won't kill her, right? Like it's not her fault anyway, he should find his master if he had any problems.

Zhao Xing shrugged and took the record books with her, "So, am I able to take stuff with me back to my world?"

The prince took a sip of his tea nonchalantly, "Um." He replied.

Zhao Xing clacked her tongue, as her eyes wandered around the treasure filled study.

"Feel free to try whatever's on your mind" Zhang ZhengYang's voice brought her back to reality.

Pfft. The ninth prince held his laughter when he saw Zhao Xing's expression, as if she was exposed.

The girl glared at him, and turned to the Crown Prince, her face blushed, "W...what are you talking about? Do you think I'm such an uncultured person?"

"What is grand tutor talking about? I meant for you to do whatever was on your mind in regards to the plan."

"H...ha? I…of course…I'll look into it carefully" Zhao Xing face turned beet red, but she quickly made up an excuse.

This time the ninth prince couldn't take it anymore, and burst into laughter. "Haha…Grand Tutor, as from today you are this prince friend. We need some more entertainment in Yang ge's house!"

Zhao Xing felt like she was being mocked at, and without thinking twice, she kicked him from under the table.

"Eh? Miss Grand tutor is so fierce!" he evaded the kick as he jumped up.

"Who is fierce?" Zhao Xing said pointing at him, as she stood up to get ready for a fight.

"Ah! I'm fierce, it's me, ah!" who would have thought Zhao Xing would grab his ear the moment she had the chance.

"I'm wrong, I'm wrong, Beauty Grand tutor!"

"I'm surnamed Zhao, next time you talk to me, you think twice."

"Beauty Zhao, I was wrong!"

Poor Zhang ZheHan couldn't take the pain, his ears were the most sensitive! He was a martial artist but he couldn't harm a girl!

He could only turn to his brother with pleading eyes. But the later didn't even bat an eye. He continued playing chess, comfortably drinking tea as if all the commotion happening didn't exist.

He only spat three cruel words: "Making friends randomly"

Meaning it was his fault, if all this was happening.

He calmed down as a brilliant idea came to his mind. "Valliant Zhao, I have some fine jade back at my place…I promise next time I'll get it for you."

Hearing the word 'jade', Zhao Xing's hands loosened, Zhang YeHan took the opportunity to escape. Who didn't want to be rich in life? The person who doesn't like money should go have a checkup.

Zhao Xing coughed, "I didn't let you go because of that…"

The ninth prince hurriedly responded, "of course, it's just me, I wanted grand tutor to take a look at it, really, like a 'first meeting' gift."

Zhao Xing nodded, her countenance was much better now. She was even happy.

She turned to the crown prince, "So, do I have any other tasks apart from this one?"

"Finish this task first, we'll talk about other things later."

Tch, like she had thought, he wouldn't let her go so easily. The smiling fox was so cunning.

The worst thing was she couldn't get rid of him, every night she'd be automatically sent here like it was the law. If she didn't help, it was as good as not helping herself. She'd better just succumb to her fate, and live her life freely, at least he did say she could go back to her normal life once all this was over. The earlier she finished her task, the earlier she could have her life back.