Chen Xiaobei nodded. Seeing him nod, Liu Tie and Liu Ce immediately shouted, "Make way, make way! Please let us pass. Our son-in-law is coming to unseal the imperial notice!"
Upon hearing that someone was coming to claim the imperial notice, the gathered commoners automatically parted to the sides, clearing a path for them. When they saw that it was Liu Tie, Liu Ce, and Chen Xiaobei, the commoners began to discuss amongst themselves.
The commoners recognized Liu Tie and Liu Ce, but did not know Chen Xiaobei. However, the two had just announced that this was their son-in-law. Liu Xiangnan had only one daughter, so Chen Xiaobei was naturally Liu Rumei's man.
"Quick, look! This is Liu Rumei's man. He looks so ordinary!"
"Who would have thought? If he walked down the street, who would ever imagine he is Marquis Liu's son-in-law."
"That's true, but I heard he has some skills."
Chen Xiaobei paid no mind to the murmurs of the crowd. He strode forward quickly and approached the imperial notice.
The soldiers guarding the imperial notice were quite courteous. They cupped their fists towards Chen Xiaobei and said, "Esteemed Son-in-Law Chen, we are aware of your reputation. But you must think carefully. This is an imperial notice. Once you take it down, you are responsible for the Crown Prince's safety. If the Crown Prince is not kept safe, it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor."
Chen Xiaobei understood this perfectly. The soldiers were looking out for him, which also showed Liu Xiangnan's immense prestige in the army.
Without hesitation, Chen Xiaobei reached out, grasped the imperial notice, and with a gentle pull, tore it from the wall.
Seeing him take down the imperial notice, the surrounding commoners erupted in cheers.
"Marquis Liu is mighty!" someone shouted, leading the crowd.
Chen Xiaobei could feel the excitement and joy of the commoners in the cheers. Of course, this was all due to Liu Xiangnan and had little to do with him.
Liu Tie and Liu Ce exchanged glances. Their faces were not filled with joy, but with a bitter sadness. It was not good for everything to be placed upon Liu Xiangnan.
Fortunately, Chen Xiaobei realized this as well and quickly signaled to Liu Tie and Liu Ce with his eyes. The two men quickly made gestures, signaling the commoners to quiet down.
Chen Xiaobei also quickly gestured for everyone to stop their clamor. Seeing that Chen Xiaobei seemed to have something to say, the crowd's emotions gradually subsided, and the scene became quiet.
Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists towards the assembled crowd and said loudly, "Please, everyone, do not make a disturbance. I will now go to see the Crown Prince. If there is any progress, I will certainly inform everyone. Do not easily believe in rumors."
In truth, Chen Xiaobei was just saying something for the sake of speaking, as he really didn't know what else to say.
But the commoners believed him implicitly. They watched silently as Chen Xiaobei and the Liu brothers walked away until they disappeared from sight.
News of someone claiming the imperial notice soon reached the palace.
Xiao An was very excited when he heard that someone had claimed the imperial notice and immediately ordered Bai Han to bring the person over.
Bai Han rushed out and was stunned when he saw that the person who claimed the imperial notice was Chen Xiaobei.
"Brother Xiaobei, how could it be you?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly, "Why can't it be me?"
"I heard that the Crown Prince has been poisoned by a strange toxin, and I happen to know a method to cure this poison, so I came to offer it to His Majesty."
Hearing this, Bai Han was overjoyed. "Brother, are you telling the truth? If you cannot cure him, it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor. At best, you will be punished; at worst, you will lose your head!"
Chen Xiaobei didn't know if it was true or not, but he trusted Liu Kai and Marquis Liu. He believed that the prescription they told him must be correct. Thus, with firm conviction, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, Brother Bai. If I didn't have confidence, I wouldn't dare to come!"
Bai Han nodded and then led Chen Xiaobei to see Xiao An. Outside the study, Bai Han asked Chen Xiaobei to wait outside while he entered the study first.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the person has been brought!"
"Oh, did you ask him? Can he really cure Jingyun's poison?" Xiao An asked impatiently.
"Your Majesty, the one who claimed the imperial notice is Chen Xiaobei. He claims to have a method."
Hearing that it was Chen Xiaobei, Xiao An was also a little surprised. Seeing his silence, Bai Han continued, "Your Majesty, perhaps common folk have methods that we do not know of."
Xiao An nodded. "Since it is Chen Xiaobei, I don't need to ask further. Take him directly. If he can find a way to cure Jingyun's poison, I will naturally fulfill my promise and reward him with ten thousand taels of gold."
Bai Han agreed, bowed, and retreated.
Exiting the study, Bai Han approached and affectionately put an arm around Chen Xiaobei's shoulder. Turning around, he said, "His Majesty said he is currently handling official business and will not see you. We will go directly to see the Crown Prince."
At the Crown Prince's residence, the captain of the guard, Zhou Quan, was also very surprised to see Bai Han bring Chen Xiaobei.
After Bai Han explained the situation, Zhou Quan's expression suddenly changed. He lifted his robe and knelt down with a thud. "Thank you, sir, for saving my life! Zhou Quan will never forget this kindness!"
This sudden, grand gesture startled Chen Xiaobei. He quickly stepped forward to help Zhou Quan up and said with a smile, "Brother Zhou, we are so familiar with each other. Why this sudden grand gesture? Please, get up quickly."
However, Zhou Quan's expression was solemn. "If sir can cure His Highness the Crown Prince's poison, you will be a benefactor to the Crown Prince's mansion. Zhou Quan is willing to serve as a beast of burden to repay your great kindness."
From the familiar "Brother Xiaobei" to suddenly being called "sir," Chen Xiaobei found it a little difficult to adapt.
But he also understood that this showed how important Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun was in Zhou Quan's heart, even more so than his own life.
Therefore, upon hearing that he could cure Xiao Jingyun, Zhou Quan had performed this grand gesture.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion. For Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun to have such loyal subordinates indicated at least that the Crown Prince was a good person.
"Brother Zhou, there is no need for such formality between us. Please take me to see His Highness the Crown Prince."
Zhou Quan led Chen Xiaobei into the Crown Prince's sleeping quarters. Looking at Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, who lay on the bed with his eyes tightly shut, his teeth clenched, his face sallow, and having lost a considerable amount of weight, he was almost unrecognizable.
"Alas, every day we can only pry open his teeth to feed him a few mouthfuls of water. He cannot eat anything else!" Zhou Quan couldn't help but sigh.
Chen Xiaobei nodded. It was no wonder he was so emaciated. Living on only a few drops of water was a miracle in itself.
"Brother Zhou, I once heard my father-in-law mention that His Highness the Crown Prince was poisoned by a 'ice mountain cold toad' poison. Is that correct?"
Zhou Quan nodded, briefly recounted the situation of Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's poisoning, and also mentioned that two doctors had come and identified the poison.
"Alas, it's all my fault. In my moment of excitement, seeing General Du die tragically, I killed that villain. Otherwise, perhaps I could have obtained the antidote."
Chen Xiaobei had a clear understanding of the situation. This was exactly what Liu Kai had told him.