Searching for a saviour for the person who wants him to be dead.

"Go call your master," Officer Jiang said in a domineering manner. The young servant trembled and ran inside to call the manager in charge of the Capital Branch of Duyi Pharmacy. 

An old man appeared and greeted, "How may I help you, sir?" he asked, his words stable and his body calm and composed. 

"Can we talk privately?" Prince Ming disguised as a noble, asked. 

"Sure, come with me." The old man nodded and led him inside. 

On his way, he witnessed many patients sleeping in several beds, women dressed in a peculiar uniform served them. He could not help but steal glances of the poor people lying there. 

"These girls were rescued from bandits and the slave markets." The old man said and continued, "Master Duyi had them set free, but they stayed, since they have no family or place to live." 

"This Master Duyi of yours seems to be quite generous." Prince Ming commented. 

"I have lived to this day, I have met all sorts of people, but she is the most generous one, indeed." The old man raised his head, filled with pride for the master he served. 

As soon as they reached a room, they both sat down. It seemed like a place for private appointments, and special requests. The old man served him a warm cup of tea and asked, "What troubles you?" 

"I am deeply troubled, as my mother is gravely ill and has only a year to live. I would like to arrange a personal appointment with your Master Duyi," Prince Ming requested, his mother's face flashing before his eyes, His heart was filled with biterness but then he remembered his sibling, who loved her despite not being her real son.

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't assist you with that," the old man replied, looking helpless.

"Why not? I know you offer such a service, even though she never makes a public appearance. Having her stamped prescription would ease my worries. I can't trust anyone but her!" Prince Ming spoke, puzzled.

"We received a message three days ago that Master Duyi will no longer accept any medical cases," the old man explained with a heavy sigh.

"Why?" Zhao Ming asked, astonished, his heart sinking as he feared the worst – that she might have passed away or fallen seriously ill.

"We don't have detailed information. I hope you understand that all our instructions come from our superior, Li Quan," the old man tried to reassure him.

"Li Quan?" Zhao Ming murmured.

"Yes, only he has likely been in contact with our master," the old man informed, providing Zhao Ming with at least a name connected to the Poison Master.

"Sir, you see, our physicians are highly trained, and they follow the 'Three Volumes of Medicinal Art,' which was compiled by Master Duyi. It contains information on rare diseases and unusual illnesses, their symptoms, and their treatments. I can assure you that our finest physicians can treat your mother. Please have faith in them," the old man tried to persuade him.

"No, there's no need. Let it be then," Zhao Ming said, standing up. His disappointment was evident, and his countenance turned cold. He turned and left, leaving a pouch of pearls on the cushions.

"Sir..." The old man stared at the two pearls that had fallen in disbelief and called out to him, but the prince did not stop.

.....

- Palace of Benevolence -

"Greetings, Your Highness..." Four palace maids bent their knees in a show of courtesy as Prince Ming entered.

Dressed in his black imperial robe adorned with a phoenix embroidered in golden thread along the borders of his sleeves, his silver and gold ornaments accentuated his noble status and distinguished lineage. However, he gave no response to the maids, proceeding directly to the inner chambers of the palace where the Empress had confined herself for over a month.

Two maids stood guard at the entrance to the inner chambers, which remained tightly closed to keep out any chilling drafts. Prince Ming raised his hand to silence them, preventing further noise that might alert those inside. His eyes rested on the metallic rings hanging before the wooden door, and though it went unnoticed by others, his gaze betrayed his inner turmoil.

Just as he was about to take another step forward, he froze upon hearing familiar voices from within.

"Mother, don't worry; you'll get better," Princess Meng's cheerful voice resonated, though beneath it lay an unmistakable pain that tugged at his heart.

"Yes, Mother, don't be too sad. I'll visit you more often," Princess Lin chimed in with her soft, childlike tone. At just six years old, she brought a touch of mischief to the otherwise lonely palace, filling the air with her laughter. Hearing such words from her was both astounding and heart-wrenching.

Zhao Ming's head hung low, his carefully composed façade crumbling under the weight of despair, a struggle to keep himself together.

The two palace maids, sensing the atmosphere's heaviness, avoided raising their eyes, as witnessing the high and noble prince's emotional breakdown would be an unimaginable act of disrespect.

"Mother, Meng, and Lin will organize a grand prayer ceremony for you. Please don't lose hope. It won't be long before you feel younger than all of us here," Prince Xiwu said, forcing a genuine-sounding laugh.

"Children, that's very kind of you all... Okay... I will listen and hold on as long as I can for you. But you don't have to trouble yourselves too much," his mother's feeble voice, barely audible, reached his ears, sending a shiver down his spine. It was the first time he had heard her voice since his return from his last expedition.

"Won't you go inside?" Suddenly, a familiar, carefree voice came from behind. He turned to find his brother, Prince Jing, standing with his hands casually resting at his back. Despite his small and slim stature, he exuded an air of arrogance and pride.

....

- Heavenly Jade Princess Mansion -

(Grand Imperial Princess Shu was conferred with the title of Heavenly Jade Princess, upgrading her rank and prestige)

"Mama Li told me that it was you who poked the Grand Empress Dowager. Have you lost your mind?" The elderly princess coughed as she scolded Princess Xuan Cheng, who knelt before her.

Despite being chastised by her grandmother, Xuan Cheng displayed no signs of remorse or guilt. What she had done was a source of pride for her, and there was no reason for her to feel otherwise. It stood as her greatest accomplishment in life, an achievement beyond compare. Moreover, she needed no external validation to celebrate her triumph.

"Grandmother, you hold the highest rank among women, just one rank below your mother. I feel nothing but joy. You can scold me all you want. I am happy to hear that," she replied with a chuckle.

"Aye...look at this mischievous child. You're usually so docile, and now you're so cheeky," her grandmother scolded, wagging a finger at her, before addressing her old maid.

"Your Majesty, please don't upset yourself. Stay calm. Princess Cheng did the right thing. Not only have you regained your prestige, but you've gained even more. Your sister will surely envy you for having such a good granddaughter," Mama Li said, patting the old princess gently, speaking on Xuan Cheng's behalf.

"You're both ganging up on me!" the old princess grumbled, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Your Highness, don't be sad. Her Majesty, your grandmother, is elated. It's just that she's a bit shy to celebrate openly. I'm sure her heart is bursting with joy, and she's probably dancing a jig," Mama Li assured Xuan Cheng, silently suggesting that it was time to leave.

"As if..." the old princess muttered, turning her face away in frustration.

"I don't want to talk to you people. Leave me alone," she announced, her voice laden with irritation.

"Your granddaughter will take her leave. May Grandmother be 'angry' to her heart's content," Xuan Cheng said as she got up and left, her laughter echoing through the room. She emphasized the word 'angry' with irony, which was her way of saying 'happy.'

"You...come back again, and I'll skin you alive!" her grandmother threatened, turning her upper body to shout.

"Your Majesty, let her be. It's been a long time since Her Highness was this happy, smiling from ear to ear and jumping around," Mama Li reassured the old princess.

"You don't understand. My mother probably didn't get a wink of sleep when she received those items. She must have pressured the Emperor into taking action. I'm afraid he will hold a grudge against me. If not me, he'll likely punish my beloved Cheng'er when she returns to the Capital City. Even if he doesn't, my son will discipline her when he learns of her audacious move. I'm worried about her. I won't live past this night. Her uncertain future troubles me. If only I had married her off when she turned fifteen, she might have had a child or more to rely on," the old princess shared her concerns, the lively atmosphere taking a gloomy turn.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. As long as I live, I will take care of her," Mama Li promised, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

"You won't understand. My daughter has never truly heeded you, and she hardly respects you while I'm alive. She might not even acknowledge you when I'm gone," the old princess retorted, her anger clear.

"Her Highness has managed this mansion since she was very young. She is more than capable of taking care of herself. You're overthinking," Mama Li attempted to ease her worries.

"You don't understand. I know that it wasn't my son who sent the allowances that have sustained the grandeur of my mansion. Even if I don't know how she managed it all, I can sense it's something extraordinary." the old princess mentioned.

"She's a rebellious child. You don't know! People with her mindset and ideals don't lead easy lives. I wish she had been a clueless and delicate child, ignorant and unassuming so that nobody would bother her and leave her in peace. She's just an intelligent fool, making hasty decisions that could negatively impact her life. And the people from the Imperial Palace will undoubtedly leave no stone unturned in making her life as miserable as mine was." she added. 

"I only hope that when she returns, her father will marry her off to a commoner or a low-ranking officer, giving her a chance to regain control," The old princess revealed her thoughts before closing her eyes and slowly drifting into sleep.