[Hehe, it's a drug that makes him impotent! Since he bullied you, I thought I'd let him taste a bit of what you went through~] The system's voice was teasing.
Zhong Li's face stiffened—So that's why Jiang Yan looked so strange. I thought Zhao Hong had actually lost his mind. Then another thought occurred to him: if he could cure Zhao Hong, he might win the Jiang family's trust and bring Ying Zheng one step closer to the throne.
"Your Majesty, may this servant inquire about the Prince's condition?" Zhong Li asked cautiously.
Jiang Yan opened her eyes, her tone flat.
"He's ruined."
Zhong Li nearly laughed—her bluntness was startling. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke again:
"This servant knows of a potent remedy that might restore the Prince."
Jiang Yan sat up immediately, eyes gleaming.
"Speak!"
"A strong medicinal formula could help him recover."
"No! Strong medicine carries side effects!" she refused instantly.
"Your Majesty, have you considered what will happen if the Emperor learns the Prince can neither father children nor stand upright?" Zhong Li pressed urgently.
Jiang Yan clenched her jaw, still unwilling. Zhong Li added quietly:
"This medicine has no serious side effects—it may only make the Prince more… vigorous in certain matters."
A flicker of interest crossed her eyes.
"But if he still can't produce an heir, rumors will spread. That would be deceiving the throne!"
Zhong Li kowtowed suddenly, his forehead touching the floor.
"The Jiang family has many sons. When the time comes… you understand."
Jiang Yan trembled slightly but didn't agree immediately.
"You will return to the palace with me first. This matter requires further discussion with the Jiang family."
"Your Majesty, this servant has one more request—I wish to bring someone with me."
"As you wish."
Unseen above them, Ying Zheng withdrew silently from the rooftop. Earlier, he had instructed a hidden guard to switch the medicine and secretly added his own ingredient—one that induced hallucinations when overused, untraceable by palace physicians.
Zhong Li copied the formula provided by the system and handed it to Jiang Yan. Watching her leave, he breathed a sigh of relief—he had achieved his goal of returning to the palace, though he knew he'd face scorn for drawing so much attention today.
Footsteps sounded outside the door. Zhong Li held his breath—What now?
Ying Zheng pushed the door open and saw him red-faced and tense.
"Trying to suffocate yourself?"
"Your Highness?" Zhong Li blinked in confusion.
"I'm here to take you away," Ying Zheng said, his tone awkward.
"Take me where?"
"Just this morning you begged me to help you escape. Have you grown comfortable as Prince Huan's pet and changed your mind?" Ying Zheng's words were deliberately mocking.
"No! This servant is returning to the palace with the Empress. I'm not leaving."
Ying Zheng stared at him.
"You approached me just to gain the Empress's favor?" Inwardly, he resolved to eliminate Zhong Li if he showed even a hint of deception.
"I am loyal to you, Your Highness!" Zhong Li protested desperately, lowering his voice.
"But I've been forced to take a royal drug. I'll be controlled for the rest of my life. No one cares whether I live or die…"
Ying Zheng's expression shifted almost imperceptibly, but his guard remained up.
"Regardless of what you've taken, I made a promise. You're coming with me."
"Your Highness, my reputation is ruined. By staying close to the Empress, I can serve as your eyes and ears inside." Zhong Li paused.
"If you don't trust me, you can use drugs to control me as well."
"Is that how you begged Zhao Hong for medicine too?" Ying Zheng pressed.
"He forced me!" Zhong Li insisted, his heart racing.
Ying Zheng asked no further questions. He walked to the door.
"You're certain you won't leave?"
"Yes."
As Ying Zheng disappeared into the darkness, Zhong Li smiled bitterly. This scene hadn't occurred in the original novel—his changes had altered the story. The original Zhong Li had climbed to power by flattering his superiors, only to be killed for his arrogance. He couldn't afford to follow that path.
[Host! Your physical restoration value increased significantly today!] the system announced excitedly.
Zhong Li raised an eyebrow.
"How much? Last time it was only 3 millimeters."
[+1 centimeter!]
"Wow, so generous today. Is the sun rising from the west?"
[You helped the protagonist avoid major trouble. The system judged it a significant contribution—the reward reflects that.]
"I've really been through a lot."
Jiang Yan remained at Prince Huan's residence for two days, waiting until Zhao Hong woke before preparing to leave. Zhao Hong initially objected, but fell silent when he learned of his condition:
"Mother, keep a close eye on Gu Yu. He's clever. If he disobeys, withhold his antidote for a few days. Teach him a lesson."
"Don't worry. I know how to handle this."
Outside the residence, a crowd had gathered—news of Zhao Hong's impotence had spread throughout the capital, and now rumors of a cure had everyone curious.
"They're coming out!" The crowd fell silent.
Jiang Yan emerged first, followed by Li Xia, and then… Zhong Li, dressed in eunuch robes?
"Isn't that the 'Concubine Gu' who wore red the other day? Why is he in eunuch clothing?"
"He's a eunuch? And Zhao Hong still favored him?"
The whispers reached Zhong Li's ears. His face tightened, but he didn't react—Jiang Yan was watching him closely. This was a deliberate humiliation, a reminder that his survival depended entirely on her.
"See a prince and fail to bow? Have you forgotten palace decorum?" Zhao Qi pushed through the crowd, looking down at him mockingly.
Zhong Li bit his lip and bowed reluctantly.
"This servant Zhong Li pays respect to Your Highness, the Prince of Cheng."
"Heh, so you're a eunuch. How was serving Zhao Hong?" Zhao Qi's taunt drew laughter from the crowd.
Clenching his fists, Zhong Li replied calmly:
"This servant is incomplete. I felt nothing."
"Are you implying Zhao Hong has been deficient for a while?" Zhao Qi exclaimed dramatically.
Jiang Yan cut in sharply, fearing the conversation would derail:
"Enough! My son is perfectly healthy. If you're so curious, ask him yourself in the palace! Do not slander your elder brother here!"
"But Mother, wouldn't it be more convincing coming from him?" Zhao Qi grinned.
After a moment's silence, Jiang Yan turned to Zhong Li.
"You answer."
Damn them all, Zhong Li cursed inwardly, but outwardly he remained respectful:
"This servant attended His Highness every night. Standing too long made my back sore; sitting too long made my legs numb."—It was true. Watching Zhao Hong's hallucinatory "performances" each night had been both tiresome and absurd.
Jiang Yan nodded in satisfaction.
"Everyone heard? My son is in excellent health."
"This eunuch has no shame! He should be beaten to death! What if he seduces someone else?" someone shouted.
"This servant will not betray Her Majesty. She knows why," Zhong Li said, turning toward Jiang Yan.
Her face darkened, and she turned to board her carriage.
As Zhong Li passed Zhao Qi, he whispered softly:
"Your Highness, Zhao Hong isn't cured. He's truly ruined. If you plan to move against him, do it soon."
Zhao Qi's expression shifted dramatically. Once the crowd dispersed, he ordered his guard:
"Investigate Zhong Li's background. Thoroughly."
"Understood," the guard replied, though clearly confused.