After that day, everyone who secretly had dangerous thoughts seemed to have cold water poured on their heads. The tragic fate of Hu Chen and his 137 relatives scared them so much they couldn't sleep, and they didn't dare to think anything bad again.
Every morning when the officials went to court, they saw Hu Chen's miserable corpse hanging on the road they walked through. The timid ones didn't even dare lift their heads, and most of them began to memorize the new laws of the Plumera Kingdom day and night, afraid that they might break one and end up punished just like him, their bodies hanging for public display.
Many officials who came from Marigold City remembered how, when Elara had just arrived there, she killed corrupt officials like Gao Qiong and others and displayed their heads in the city center.
Hearing this made the other officials fear Elara and the new legal system even more. They started working more cautiously and seriously, not daring to cross the line even a little.
Inside the imperial palace,
After finishing her duties, Elara finally left the court hall.
Oswyn followed behind her. For once, he didn't grab her or touch her directly, but instead followed her quietly, occasionally stealing glances at her.
Elara finally turned around helplessly and looked at him. "What are you doing?"
He smiled, walked closer with his tall and lean figure, then took out something that looked like a candy or cake and held it near her lips.
"Eat this. I made it myself. It helps relieve stress and calms the body. It's your favorite flavor."
Elara looked at the sweet-smelling medicine he held near her lips, and without thinking, opened her mouth and ate it... it really did taste good.
Seeing her eat it and no longer look angry, Oswyn couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward and hugged her, holding her close, leaning down and rubbing his face gently into her neck, and whispered:
"When you get angry, it's scary... but also kind of attractive in a strange way."
Elara didn't push him away. She rolled her eyes in her mind. Scary and attractive? How could someone describe anger like that?
Oswyn couldn't see her expression and kept nuzzling into her neck like a spoiled cat. "But still, try not to get so angry anymore. It's bad for your health. You already scared everyone today. I don't think they'll dare to do anything wrong again."
Elara chewed the sweet medicine and didn't put too much hope in human nature. But after today's warning, things should be peaceful for a while. "Let's hope so."
Then she remembered something and pulled a thin pair of gloves from her sleeve, pushed Oswyn away slightly, and handed them to him.
"These gloves are called Shadow Hands... or you can rename them if you want. When you make medicine or touch harmful substances, wear these. They protect against fire, freezing, and all kinds of poison or corrosion. No matter what you handle, your hands will be fine."
Elara had chosen the Shadow Hands specially for Oswyn. Since he was always making medicine, these were perfect for him.
She also had a Lie Detector for Kristof and an Auto Scanner made for Mathias.
She just hadn't found the time to give them out since she returned.
Oswyn took the Shadow Hands. They were as thin as a cicada's wings and felt like a second skin when worn. Very comfortable and fitting.
He looked at the gloves on his hands, and joy filled his face. His bright almond-shaped eyes looked at Elara. His voice lifted with excitement. "You remembered to bring me a gift."
Elara gave a soft "mm" and Oswyn couldn't hold back anymore. He hugged her again, buried his face in her neck, and smiled happily. "I'll always wear them. Thank you, my queen. I love them."
While holding her and expressing his joy, he slowly started kissing her neck and collarbone. His voice turned husky and sticky with emotion.
"Elara..." He really, really liked her...
Elara felt ticklish from what he was doing and pushed him away. "Enough. Come with me. I need to see someone."
She pulled his hand and led him toward Ning Shou Palace, which was for the former emperor behind her living quarters.
"Okay. Who are we seeing?" Oswyn was still smiling, his tall figure following obediently.
"The former emperor."
Elara said the words calmly.
Oswyn suddenly froze, even his steps stopped.
"Ah... the former emperor... Is that your mother or father?" Oswyn became nervous. Was she taking him to meet her parents? But he was still wearing his official uniform... and hadn't brought a gift...
His expression was filled with excitement but also anxiety. "Wait, let me change first..."
He was already thinking about what valuable medicine he could bring as a gift. But then Elara turned around and looked at him with helpless eyes.
"Oswyn, did you forget? In the Plumera royal family, it's just me and my younger brother now. What are you thinking?"
Oswyn paused, then finally remembered the current state of the royal family.
His face turned complicated again. He hugged her gently for comfort before asking, "Okay... then who is the former emperor?"
"My uncle from a different surname."
Inside the Ning Shou Palace
As soon as Elara and Oswyn stepped in, a palace attendant came to greet them. "Your Majesty, Chief Physician Oswyn, Commander Shu has just fallen asleep."
Before Elara could respond, a faint and weak voice came from inside.
"Has Her Majesty arrived?"
The attendant immediately bowed, lifted the curtain, and led Elara and Oswyn into the bedchamber.
Inside, Commander Shu was half-lying against the headboard. He was still covered with a thick white tiger fur robe, and from the waist down he was covered with a thick velvet quilt. His white silk underclothes made his frame look very thin.
His face, pale like jade, looked calmly at Elara and Oswyn as they entered. A light smile curved on his lips. "Your Majesty, Chief Physician Su, please forgive me for being unable to rise and greet you."
Although Oswyn didn't understand why Elara would place Commander Shu, a prince with a different surname, in the position of Grand Emperor, and though the man appeared so young that he barely seemed older than them
Still, since Elara was willing to treat Commander Shu as the Grand Emperor, Oswyn naturally would regard him as a senior family member of the future.
Thinking this, Oswyn quickly stepped forward and sat beside Commander Shu, smiling. "It's no trouble, Your Highness. Her Majesty is worried about your health and asked me to check on you."
Commander Shu smiled and nodded gently. His thin hand reached out from under the blanket. "Thank you."
As soon as Oswyn took Commander Shu's pulse, his expression became more serious. His brow furrowed, and his face grew more grim.
Elara sat down on a chair brought over by a servant and watched quietly as Oswyn examined Commander Shu.
The longer Oswyn checked the pulse, the more severe his expression became. Commander Shu, however, acted as though he didn't notice. After observing Oswyn from head to toe, he turned to Elara and said with a soft smile
"Speaking of which, Your Majesty, I remember you haven't taken any consorts yet, but the harem already seems quite full of beauties."
Oswyn, who had been focusing on checking the pulse, paused slightly at these words. He couldn't help but look up at Commander Shu's still calm and smiling face... Something about his words felt strange
He couldn't tell exactly what was off, but it left him uneasy.
Still, thinking of Commander Shu's senior status in Elara's family, his curiosity about the people in the harem could be considered natural.
Oswyn pressed his lips together, just about to explain his situation and the reason why he was living here now, and why he planned to stay here permanently.
But Elara had already responded calmly, looking at Commander Shu and speaking in a very natural tone.
"They're here for many reasons, just like you are, uncle."
Oswyn's words got stuck in his throat. He noticed that Commander Shu's slight smile suddenly widened.
"I see... So that's how it is... cough, cough cough..."
Oswyn's frown deepened. That response felt even more strange than the earlier one.
When Commander Shu began coughing, a palace attendant tried to step forward to bring him hot water, but Oswyn and Elara were both sitting close to the bed and unintentionally blocked the way. The attendant didn't know how to pass through, until Elara reached out her hand.
"Give it to me."
The attendant looked a bit surprised but quickly bowed her head and carefully handed over the hot water.
Elara took it, then poured water into three cups. She handed one each to herself, Oswyn, and Commander Shu.
Oswyn accepted it without thinking much, took a sip, and placed the cup aside.
Commander Shu smiled and sighed softly, though it wasn't clear what he was sighing about. Then he reached out his other hand, so thin the bones were visible through the skin, and accepted the hot water Elara handed to him. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After that, the room fell silent.
Commander Shu's body was already weak. Just drinking the water seemed to drain most of his strength.
After finishing, his eyelids started drooping. His long curled lashes trembled slightly. His pale face leaned gently against the white fur, making his skin seem even more like flawless jade, his frame even more fragile.
Neither Elara nor Oswyn spoke again. When Oswyn finished the diagnosis, Elara called for the attendants to take good care of Commander Shu, then left the palace with Oswyn.
"How is he?"
As they stepped out of Ning Shou Palace, Elara asked.
Oswyn's brows were tightly furrowed. The situation clearly troubled him.
After a moment's hesitation, he finally said, "Elara, just now... I couldn't feel his pulse several times. With the way his body is right now, he should've... already been dead."
Elara had already guessed this and nodded, signaling Oswyn to go on.
Seeing her expression, Oswyn somehow felt a little more at ease. After pausing to organize his thoughts, he continued. "Overall, his condition is somewhat similar to how yours used to be, but his situation is dozens of times worse than what you had."