Chapter 85.2 – Smelly Fragrant (2)
“Second sister got poisoned? Second mother, don’t worry, I’ll go have a look.” Du Xiao Li finished saying this and came to the bedside. Looking at the deeply asleep Du Ke Xin, she pretended to take her pulse. After a while she retracted her hand and asked, “This really is the poison king’s smelly fragrant.”

“En, en, Imperial Physician Hu also said this.” Zhong Mei Qing said, “Xiao Li, can you concoct an antidote?”

“This antidote, I’ve never concoct before. Although towards the poison king’s poison, I have somewhat studied before, but this poison, I haven’t studied yet. But should be able to concoct an antidote, just need to spend some time.” Du Xiao Li said.

“Spend some time? How long does this need to take?” Zhong Mei Qing asked.

“Second mother, you also know that I’m rather busy at the moment. This antidote, no matter what, still needs three to four days for it to be ready.” Du Xiao Li contemplated for a moment and conservatively said.

“Four to five days?! Why does it need to take that long? This won’t negatively affect your second sister, right?” Zhong Mei Qing cried out.

(T/N: At first I thought my eyes was messing with me but nope, original chinese really does say three-four days at top, then four-five in next line……..the author gets amnesia between the lines quite often, I’m used to it already.)

“Second mother don’t worry, as long as one take the antidote within seven days of getting poisoned, all will be fine.” Du Xiao Li said, “During this time, you don’t need to be anxious either, just give second sister a slice of ginseng to put in her mouth.”

“Is it really okay like this?” Zhong Mei Qing worryingly asked.

“Second mother, if you don’t trust me, you can also ask for someone else.” Du Xiao Li angrily said.

Zhong Mei Qing didn’t expect that Du Xiao Li would actually put up an attitude with her, and wanted to lash out at her, but recalling Imperial Physician Hu’s words, saying that only Du Xiao Li is able to save Du Ke Xin, she swallowed her anger back down. “How can I not trust you! Even that Eastern Li third princess was saved, so our Xin’er will definitely be fine too. Four five days it is!”

“Since second mother trusts me, all is good.” Du Xiao Li said, “However, I have something I need to say first. This smelly fragrant, presumably Imperial Physician Hu also explained, its antidote, incomparably smelly. Moreover, after taking it, the body will stink for quite some time. When time comes, and I have second sister saved, don’t say that I didn’t concoct the antidote right.”

Zhong Mei Qing had indeed heard Imperial Physician Hu say this before. Although she was unwilling to see Du Ke Xin stink, but compared to being unconscious, or even losing her life, this still can be tolerated! Moreover, Du Xiao Li knew that this antidote was smelly, indicating that she knew this antidote. Then, saving Du Ke Xin shouldn’t be a problem.

“You just need to worry about making the antidote.”

“En, then I’ll go back and research this antidote first.” Du Xiao Li said as she got up.

“Alright. Xiao Cui, send third miss back!” Zhong Mei Qing quickly ordered the servant girl.

“Third miss, please.” Xiao Cui went forward and bowed to Du Xiao Li.

Du Xiao Li curtsied at Zhong Mei Qing, then turned and left.

When she returned to the Jade Bamboo Courtyard, Xia Yuan went forward to greet her. Seeing Xiao Cui still not leaving, she asked, “Miss, how’s second miss’s situation?”

“Just got poisoned by the smelly fragrance, I need to make the antidote for her. If there’s nothing urgent over at Sui Yuan, then no need to call for me.”

Hearing Du Xiao Li say this, Xiao Cui finally went back to report to Zhong Mei Qing.

Seeing Xiao Cui leave, Xia Yuan said, “Miss, she left.”

Du Xiao Li turned around and swept at glance at the departing Xiao Cui, saying to Xia Yuan: “Finally able to relax, need to properly rest up this afternoon. Then, later tonight, go looking for my old fox father to discuss some things. You all go take care of your own matters.”

Concocting the smelly fragrance was merely something that only takes an hour. However, she doesn’t intend to finish it this soon for Du Ke Xin, just let her sleep for a few more days.

Originally, she planned on using the remaining time in the afternoon to practice her inner martial arts, but Fu Wan San had Feng Xue Lou’s account books brought over, insisting on letting Du Xiao Li examine them.

Since the account books were already brought over, she thus spent two hours looking over the account books for the last three months. When she finished, Xia Yuan told her that Du Yun Han had returned, and was in the study taking care of work. She thus had the account books handed to Ying Ge, letting her send them back to Feng Xue Lou. Afterwards, she headed to Du Yun Han’s study alone.

Outside Du Yun Han’s study, Chang Feng was standing guard. Seeing Du Xiao Li, he let her wait a moment, while he went in to report, before finally letting Du Xiao Li go in.

“Xiao Li, do you need something from father?” Du Yun Han put down the brush in hand and looked to Du Xiao Li.

Du Xiao Li looked to the memorandums placed on the desk, recalling previously hearing the rumor, how ordinary matters were usually all directly given to Du Yun Han to take care of. Never thought that this was actually true. She furrowed her brows, looking to Du Yun Han and asking, “Father, you’re helping the Emperor handle the memorandums?”

“These are all some not too important memorandums from the cabinet ministers.” Du Yun Han replied.

“Father, how come these memorandums are sent here?”

“For a long time, the Prime Minister has always helped the Emperor take care of some daily affairs, and only the remaining memorandums are sent to the Emperor.” Du Yun Han replied.

Hearing Du Yun Han’s words, Du Xiao Li was shocked. This kind of thing was actually passed down from the past!

Presumably the Emperor that started this must be an incompetent Emperor, thus would let this kind of country governing affair land in someone else’s hand.

(T/N: Prime Minister daddy has a lot of work //insert shock pikachu face)

But Han Ming Ze, based on their past interactions, simply didn’t seem to be the kind that would willingly let someone else come govern his own country! His ambitions and aspirations were all plainly displayed in that pair of astute eyes of his.

Moreover, Han Ming Yi was already full of outstanding merits and contributions, and had quite a bit of power in had too, in addition to the power in Du Yun Han’s hand, if the two families were to then connect by marriage, then what kind of situation would that be? Would someone like Han Ming Ze let this kind of situation appear?

The more Du Xiao Li thought, the more anxious she got. It’s not that she was forced to be paranoid, but rather, since ancient times, Emperors have always been paranoid and distrusting. Even if it was one’s own brother, they probably still can’t truly be at ease, right?

(T/N: Aren’t brothers like number one on most emperor’s people to be suspicious of list, isn’t this like basic history, or common sense really……..)

“Father……”

Du Yun Han saw Du Xiao Li’s complexion turning somewhat unsightly and asked in concern, “Daughter, what’s wrong?”

“Father, how can others be allowed to peacefully sleep next to the couch*! It’s probably best you hand the memorandum reading duty back to the Emperor.” Du Xiao Li worryingly looked to Du Yun Han.

(*T/N: The imperial throne is pretty much like a cushioned golden couch.)

“I’d also considered this matter before, just never had the chance to have this ‘hand scalding sweet potato’ handed over, that’s all.” Du Yun Han sighed.

“Father, you also know that this is a hand scalding sweet potato. This although is something Prime Ministers of the past would do, but this current Emperor isn’t the same as the Emperor of the past. He won’t allow this situation to exist.” Du Xiao Li said, “Quickly find an excuse to have this power handed over.”

“Your father, I, also have this intention, but still need a reasonable excuse at least.” Du Yun Han said.

“If father also thinks this, then how about using the matter of the competition between the countries this time.” Du Xiao Li analyzed the situation, “If my guess is right, the Emperor also wants to have this power retracted back.”

“But if it’s just this, then what about after the competition?” Du Yun Han looked to Du Xiao Li and asked.