The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 846 - 846 388 Extra Clingy (Second Update)_3

Chapter 846: 388 Extra Clingy (Second Update)_3 Chapter 846: 388 Extra Clingy (Second Update)_3 But Xiao Liulang was no longer the naive youth he once was; he had developed his own thoughts, his own strategies, and even the cunning necessary for an official.

He lowered his gaze and sighed, “Originally, there was no antidote. However, Jiaojiao once made pills that specifically counteract drugs of confusion. I think they might be somewhat effective.”

“Is that true?” the Emperor’s eyes lit up instantly.

Xiao Liulang said, “I’ll go get them for Your Majesty to try. Jiaojiao’s medicines are very safe; they won’t harm the body even if they don’t work.”

The Emperor said with joy, “If it really works, I’ll remember your merit.”

Xiao Liulang said, “The medicine was made by Jiaojiao; the merit is hers, not your humble subject’s.”

Despite his words, the Emperor took note of the merits of both individuals.

He had wronged the Empress Dowager Zhuang for many years, and had forgotten some things himself, possibly recalling everything once he took the medicine.

Furthermore, there seemed to be a barrier between him and Empress Dowager Zhuang that prevented him from moving forward, which he suspected was the effect of the black pills.

If Xiao Liulang knew what he was thinking, he would surely tell him, That’s just your obstinacy as a son, Your Majesty!

Xiao Liulang soon brought the pills; there were three in total.

In fact, they were meant for Gu Chenglin’s hair growth and had no side effects.

The Emperor, a middle-aged man, also suffered a bit from hair loss, so taking Hair Growth Pills could be good for him.

Xiao Liulang handed the Hair Growth Pills to the Emperor and said without any change in expression, “One pill should be enough, by reason. If the effect isn’t sufficient, take another.”

His implication was clear: three pills were more than enough.

“Will it really work?” the Emperor asked.

“Your Majesty must have faith in Jiaojiao’s medical skills,” Xiao Liulang replied.

“That’s also true,” the Emperor paused, then as something occurred to him, he asked, “What if one takes too much? Will the effect double, or will it be counterproductive?”

Xiao Liulang looked deeply at the Emperor and said, “The effect will double, and you might become…”

“Become what?” the Emperor asked anxiously.

“Especially clingy.”

“Ah…”

The Emperor was scared.

He certainly didn’t want that; as the sovereign of the nation, the supreme ruler, how could he act so indignantly?

One pill.

One pill was enough!

Suddenly feeling a need to relieve himself, the Emperor put the bottle of pills on the table in the main chamber and went to the Greeting Room.

The old Sacrificial Official sneaked out of the kitchen; Zhuang Jinse had come over today to play cards in the next room, and he was making Brown Sugar Glutinous Rice Cakes for her.

He asked, “Is there really an Antidote?”

Xiao Liulang said, “It’s fake, they’re Hair Growth Pills.”

The old Sacrificial Official: “…”

When the Emperor came out of the Greeting Room, the old Sacrificial Official had already returned to the kitchen to cook. The Emperor intended to bring the antidote back to the palace, but unexpectedly, Empress Dowager Zhuang came over from playing cards in the next room.

The mother and son bumped into one another unexpectedly at the doorway.

The Emperor grew anxious, “Mother…”

Empress Dowager Zhuang didn’t even glance at him, snorted through her nose, and walked past him.

“Your Majesty, are you returning to the palace?” Eunuch Wei asked.

The Emperor hesitated and then said, “No, I will… I will stay here for dinner, and later return to the palace with the Empress Mother.”

With the Emperor deciding to stay for dinner, no one dared say anything.

That day, the young males of the household were not around; Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun had gone to practice their arts, and Xiaoshun went to play at Xu Zhuzhu’s house.

At the dinner table, there were only Empress Dowager Zhuang, the Emperor, the Yao Family, the old Sacrificial Official, Xiao Liulang, and Gu Jiao who had “woken up from a nap.”

The pill provided by Gu Jiao was a bit big and couldn’t be swallowed, so it had to be mixed with water to drink.

Before the meal, the Emperor handed the medicine bottle to Eunuch Wei.

Eunuch Wei brought over a bowl of dark medicinal juice, and the Emperor, holding back the unpleasant smell, gritted his teeth and finished it in one gulp.

The Emperor complained, “Why is it so bitter? How many did you put in?”

Eunuch Wei was puzzled, “Weren’t there only three in total?”

The Emperor’s face changed, “You… you put all of them in?”

Eunuch Wei was even more shocked, “You instructed this servant to put them all in.”

The Emperor had no recollection of that!

Eunuch Wei wasn’t lying; he did ask, and the Emperor did indeed respond with a grunt of acknowledgment, but at the time, the Emperor was preoccupied with thoughts of Empress Dowager Zhuang and had not heard clearly what Eunuch Wei had said.

Recalling Xiao Liulang’s words about the medicine making one “especially clingy,” the Emperor felt terribly unwell.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” Eunuch Wei asked with concern.

The Emperor took a deep breath, “It’s nothing, I am the supreme ruler, I won’t do anything disgraceful… I can endure this… I am quite rational…”

After the meal, it was time for Empress Dowager Zhuang to return to the palace, and she got up to leave.

The Emperor clutched his chest.

Had the medicine taken effect? Why did he suddenly feel the urge to chase after her?

“Your Majesty?”

It’s over, his heartbeat was so fast!

“Your Majesty?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang, assisted by Eunuch Qin, boarded the carriage.

No, he couldn’t chase after her!

The medicine’s effect was too intense; who knew what he might say once he caught up!

The Emperor held back with all his might!

Eunuch Qin lowered the curtains for Empress Dowager Zhuang, took away the step, and sat outside on the carriage.

The carriage wheels began to turn slowly.

The Emperor’s heart tightened, and he suddenly reached out toward the departing carriage, “Mother! Don’t you want your little, Hong, Hong anymore!”

The people inside the room spouted their tea—

Well, should they tell His Majesty that the medicine was fake…