A string of bead necklaces, how many can there be? If it’s prayer beads, then one hundred and eight beads. Song Ci wouldn’t carry them every day. In fact, if Qing Ming didn’t actively fasten them for her, she might not have taken them herself to play with, because she thought they were fake, costing ten yuan a strand.

In the end, there was a real reason for the disdain. Look, if it weren’t for disdain, she might be lying in bed waiting to die now?

The heroine halo, utterly impressive.

"Lady, your body has always been meticulously cared for, and when such filthy things approach, it’s akin to letting innumerable... innumerable viruses invade your body. It truly is like a mountain collapsing, so severe illness is inevitable."

Just like someone who stays in a sterile room for years; once exposed, they experience all sorts of discomfort, and Empress Dowager Wang is in that situation.

The most respected woman under the heavens, with all her food, clothes, and essentials being exquisite and refined. Everything undergoes rigorous inspection, and the screen is surely no exception. But who would have thought that it was a mineral with radiation?

Even now, without precise instruments for testing, Song Ci actually couldn’t be entirely certain about the radiation, only relying on various coincidences.

"Master, you must carefully ponder the nursing formula for Mother," Emperor Chu looked at Buhui and said.

Buhui nodded, "Nursing is fine, but the persistent cough needs to be treated first, or else if it turns into consumption, it would be a big trouble."

"Thank you, Master."

By now, the matter had nothing to do with Song Ci, and having played this round of word game, she showed signs of weariness on her face and excused herself.

"Although the mineral has been moved, for the sake of safety, may I ask the Emperor to relocate somewhere else to speak? This side palace should be sprinkled with vinegar and wine," Song Ci reminded.

Emperor Chu smiled in agreement, asking someone to escort Song Ci back to Empress Dowager Wang and said, "Mother still doesn’t know that the sickness was caused by that screen, Madam..."

"Don’t worry, I will only chat with Lady about the outside gossip and trivial family matters," Song Ci immediately expressed.

Only then did Emperor Chu feel relieved.

...

After Song Ci left, the imperial physician Lu and Buhui sought another place to finalize the cough remedy, while Emperor Chu strolled slowly to the outside of Cining Palace with Song Zhiyuan.

Seeing Emperor Chu suppressing his anger, Song Zhiyuan said, "Anger harms the heart, I hope you take care of the dragon body. If anything happens to you, given the current situation without a Crown Prince established, I’m afraid the court will be unstable."

Emperor Chu snorted heavily, "Perhaps they are eager for that."

"That’s just your angry words."

Emperor Chu’s handsome face became stern, "Isn’t it? By next spring, at the latest, these people won’t be able to wait any longer, pushing me to establish a Crown Prince, securing the nation."

Song Zhiyuan remained silent for a long while before speaking, "You’ve been on the throne for more than twenty years. The Eastern Palace has always been vacant, which isn’t quite right."

"Are you saying it’s time to establish one?"

Song Zhiyuan glanced at him and advised, "You are the Emperor."

So don’t set traps for me.

"You’re the Prime Minister. With Prime Minister Fan in mourning, you’re the sole authority."

Song Zhiyuan chuckled, "Sole authority? The affairs are increasingly busy, leaving me no time to tease my little one at home. Maybe you should increase my stipend?"

Emperor Chu was amused, pointing at him jokingly, leaning his arms on the railing, "Everyone cares only for their own interests, which is why they pressure me. Only you, only you."

Song Zhiyuan’s eyebrows slightly moved, as he looked into the distance too, "Establishing a Crown Prince can be postponed for now, but with this situation at hand, what do you plan to do?"

Though it’s uncertain if the mineral truly has issues, leaving Prince Min temporarily unhandled, if there is a problem, wouldn’t that be akin to releasing a tiger back to the mountains?

Emperor Chu’s smile faded, "Naturally, it means Prince Min has to bear some grievances."