Xuexue said bluntly, "Reward."

The Emperor didn’t react immediately: "Ah? Madam Situ, what did you say?"

Xuexue reminded him: "The Emperor issued an Imperial Edict saying whoever cures the Empress Dowager’s illness will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold. Has the Emperor forgotten?"

Only then did the Emperor suddenly come to realize and nodded, saying, "Indeed, there is such a matter."

Xuexue’s mind was set on the reward; otherwise, why would she go through so much trouble to enter the Imperial Palace? She certainly wasn’t in the habit of doing good deeds for free, so she asked again, "The Emperor, what about the reward for this subject?" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The Emperor glanced at the sleeping Empress Dowager on the bed and said, "The Empress Dowager hasn’t woken up yet. Once she is fully recovered, I will not short-change you on this reward."

Xuexue laughed and said, "Very well. The Emperor’s word is worth a thousand gold pieces, and as a gentleman, surely he wouldn’t deprive this subject of these ten thousand taels of gold."

For the sake of gold, who cares about his character? It’s best to compliment him first; after all, praising someone costs nothing.

Moreover, the whole Capital was buzzing about Situtu Xueer taking up the Imperial Edict; everyone was watching her closely, so presumably, the Emperor wouldn’t dare to renege.

The Emperor said, "As long as Madam Situ’s expertise is up to par and she cures the Empress Dowager’s illness, I will certainly keep my promise."

Xuexue smiled and said, "Very good, Your Majesty. This subject takes her leave."

After speaking, she didn’t even glance at the Fourth Prince next to the Emperor, turned around, and followed Eunuch Li out.

The Fourth Prince hadn’t noticed that Xuexue was nearby when he first entered; it was only after the Old Palace Maid mentioned it that he realized she was in the Empress Dowager’s chamber. He never dreamed that Situtu Xueer could also have medical expertise. An ordinary Nong family girl, how could she know so much?

Not only could she do business, but she also knew martial arts, which was surprising enough. Even more astonishing was her medical skill. Watching Xuexue’s back, he fell deep in thought.

"Imperial Son, Imperial Son, what are you thinking about, so absorbed?" the Emperor called a few times, but the Fourth Prince didn’t respond, feeling peculiar.

The Fourth Prince snapped back to reality and quickly said, "Your son was just thinking, Miss Situ is truly an extraordinary young lady. She has drifted among commoners for over ten years, yet knows more than the noble daughters of the Capital."

The Emperor nodded approvingly: "Perhaps it’s that children from poor families mature early. She used to live with her foster mother, and if she didn’t work, she’d go hungry. When a person is poor, they come up with all sorts of ways. Besides, without learning many skills, how could she survive until now? Miss Situ has indeed tasted bitterness before enjoying sweetness."

The Fourth Prince was still skeptical. Among the village girls he had seen, none were as remarkable as Xuexue, who even stole business from the Hundred Flowers Tower, which was so frustrating that it forced Hundred Flowers Tower to change its trade to selling illegal salt. The girls just sat at the door for show, letting others mistake the Hundred Flowers Tower for its former self, just with poor business and no guests.

The Empress Dowager was sleeping soundly, and the Imperial Physicians said she was doing well. The Emperor stayed here with nothing to do, so he instructed the eunuchs and palace maids to take good care of the Empress Dowager and report to him immediately if anything happened. After giving these orders, he left with the servants.

Fengyang Palace.

The Empress was having a meal, and when she heard the Fourth Prince was coming, she immediately had the palace maids add chopsticks and bowls.

"Empress Mother, it’s been rare to see the Second Prince in the Imperial Palace lately. Could it be he knows I’ve recovered my eyesight and decided to retreat?" the Fourth Prince asked while eating.

The Empress frowned, indeed, the Second Prince hadn’t been visiting as frequently as before, so she nodded and said, "Perhaps he has his affairs."

Fourth Prince: "Did Empress Mother mention to him that I’ve recovered my eyesight?"