Looking at his jubilant son, Jophson also raised an eyebrow. "What has made you so happy?"
"Your Majesty, news has just arrived from Wannian City that Xiao An has been killed."
Hearing this, Jophson was taken aback. He gently put down his wine cup. "Is the news reliable?"
"Your Majesty, it is absolutely reliable. It is already spread throughout Wannian City. It's just that because it's New Year's, the news has not been officially released yet."
After hearing this, Jophson slowly stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked around the room twice before suddenly laughing heartily.
"Good, very good, truly excellent. First Xiao Jingyun died, and now Xiao An."
"Your Majesty, I have more good news. Xiao Jingfeng, who was entrusted with great responsibility by Xiao An to act as regent, is said to have also been poisoned and is now in a coma. They are currently searching everywhere for medicine."
Jophson slammed the table with his palm. "Heaven's will, it is heaven's will! It seems the fortunes of your Xiao family are exhausted!"
He said this, then suddenly looked up. "Right, who did this?"
"Your Majesty, it should be Duobang, right? Besides him, we haven't sent anyone else."
Jophson nodded. "Yes, it must be Duobang. There was no news for so many days, I thought he had met with an accident. But I never expected him to accomplish such a great feat so quietly."
Jona bowed. "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Duobang and his family should be heavily rewarded."
Jophson nodded. "Yes, you are right. He deserves a great reward. Later, you will take silver, wine, and meat as rewards and personally visit Duobang's home!"
"When Duobang returns, I will hold a celebration feast for him, so that he can enjoy the adoration of the entire city in full glory."
Jona bowed. "Your Majesty, I agree. Celebrating Duobang is only one aspect. I believe that now that the Cang Kingdom is leaderless, it is a good opportunity for us to act!"
Hearing Jona's words, Jophson stroked his beard and pondered for a few moments before laughing. "Xiao An and I have been fighting for a lifetime, with victories and defeats on both sides. I never expected it to end like this. Since he is dead, I will not hold back!"
"You immediately gather twenty thousand troops and quietly assemble them at the border. While their defenses are lax, we will strike decisively. This time, I will make him perish."
Jona bowed and turned to leave.
Returning to his residence, Jona immediately issued orders to gather troops and prepare to attack the Pan Kingdom.
Meanwhile, in the Cang Kingdom, in Wannian City.
Liu Xiangnan was also beginning to gather troops. Liu Xiangnan possessed considerable military acumen. He saw the crisis facing the Cang Kingdom and immediately mobilized one hundred thousand troops to set out with him in three days towards the border of the Tu Kingdom, as a precautionary measure.
At the Imperial Son-in-law's residence.
Just as everyone was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the detoxification expert, Uncle Bang, Zhou Quan rushed to see Chen Xiaobei.
Upon meeting, Zhou Quan pulled Chen Xiaobei aside and whispered, "Marquis Chen, there is something I intended to report to the Princess, but given the urgency of the matter, I have to ask for your opinion first!"
Chen Xiaobei looked at Zhou Quan. "Oh, what is it?"
"It's like this, Fang Jun was kidnapped by mountain bandits on his way back. Later, he was rescued by a young girl who paid the ransom. Now, those bandits have all been captured by me and are being held at Mount Rooster. I wanted to ask the Princess for her judgment."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei was stunned.
What the hell is going on? Xiao An and the Princess have had successive misfortunes, and even Fang Jun almost spent the New Year in the bandits' den. The world seems to be heading for chaos.
After a brief period of thought, he said to Zhou Quan, "Let's put this matter aside for now. The Princess is currently in an unstable condition, Fang Jun is ill, and Grand Tutor Fang's mind will not be on this."
After appeasing Zhou Quan, Chen Xiaobei pondered. Although Fang Zheng's mind was not on this, he felt obligated to check on it once he knew. With this in mind, he took Liu Rumei, and the two of them hurried to Fang Zheng's mansion.
Seeing them arrive, Fang Zheng was still very polite and personally welcomed them into the courtyard. "Marquis Chen, your presence graces my humble abode. I regret not having welcomed you sooner."
Chen Xiaobei quickly bowed in return. "Old Grand Tutor, you are too kind. You are an elder, and we are juniors. How can we dare to accept such a great禮 from you."
Liu Rumei beside him also added, "Grandpa Fang, we just learned that Brother Fang Jun had an accident and came specifically to see him."
Hearing Fang Jun mentioned, Fang Zheng let out a long sigh.
"This child, Fang Jun, has been pampered since childhood and has never experienced any hardships. He was held at Mount Rooster for two days, and since returning, he has been running a fever intermittently."
As he spoke, Fang Zheng walked forward, leading the two into Fang Jun's bedroom.
Upon entering the bedroom, a strong medicinal scent filled the air. Liu Rumei involuntarily coughed twice, and Chen Xiaobei also felt his nose tickle, wanting to sneeze, but he had to suppress it with all his might.
The maid serving Fang Jun stepped forward to pay her respects. Fang Zheng pointed ahead and asked in a deep voice, "How is Fang Jun today?"
"Reporting to Master, he had a fever last night. He is a bit better this morning and has just fallen asleep."
Fang Zheng nodded, his gaze searching as he looked at Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei tiptoed forward and looked at Fang Jun on the bed. His complexion was sallow, and after a few days, he was almost unrecognizable.
Chen Xiaobei felt a pang of emotion in his heart. There's nothing worse than being sick. Looking at Fang Jun's appearance, he seemed like a different person in just a few days.
Fang Jun was asleep, so communication was impossible. After standing for a while, Chen Xiaobei had no choice but to retreat and quietly leave the room with Fang Zheng and Liu Rumei.
"Marquis Chen need not worry excessively. The imperial physicians have examined him and say he is merely suffering from shock and a common cold. He will recover in a few days with rest. You need not be overly concerned."
After a few more pleasantries, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei clasped their hands in farewell.
Leaving Fang Zheng's mansion, Liu Rumei let out a long sigh.
"Rumei, why are you sighing?"
Facing Chen Xiaobei's confusion, Liu Rumei said with a heavy tone, "He doesn't seem like he's just suffering from shock. It's more like he contracted some illness on the mountain."
"But why are the others who were confined with him unharmed?" Xiaobei did not quite understand Liu Rumei's words.
Liu Rumei said with a heavy tone, "Fang Jun has never done any heavy work and is physically weak, so it's natural for him to fall ill easily."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei nodded repeatedly. What Liu Rumei said was indeed true. Resistance to illness is largely related to one's physical condition.
"You mean the imperial physicians' prescriptions are not effective?"
As they were talking, they saw Liu Ce rushing towards them from ahead.
"Miss, Son-in-law, Uncle Bang has arrived from the border and is waiting for you two at the residence!"
Upon hearing that Uncle Bang had arrived, Liu Rumei and Chen Xiaobei exchanged a glance and sprinted back to the Imperial Son-in-law's residence.
At the entrance of the Imperial Son-in-law's residence, Uncle Bang saw Liu Rumei and bowed. "Your subordinate greets Miss Liu."
Liu Rumei nodded, her face filled with anxiety. "The Princess has been poisoned by the villains from the Tu Kingdom and is in critical condition. That is why we had no choice but to send for you during the New Year."
Uncle Bang waved his hand gently. "Miss Liu, you flatter me. It is my bounden duty to serve the country. If it is convenient, please let me see the Princess."