Without another word, Jun Huang handed Qi Yun an osmanthus cake. He took a bite and realized that it was delivered here by Nan Xun.

Even before Jun Huang came to Northern Qi, he was on friendly terms with Nan Xun. He’d been invited to Nan Xun’s manor and had the chance to sample meals prepared by Nan Xun’s cook.

The next day, Qi Yun brought some food to the emperor’s chamber as Jun Huang suggested. Not surprisingly, the emperor didn’t let him enter.

Jun Huang had told him that the emperor might react this way. He quickly recovered and said to the eunuch, “Royal Father must have gotten tired of the taste of medicine. I know he dislikes bitter things. However, Royal Father has forbidden me from visiting him. I can’t bring him desserts myself like I did before. Still, I should fulfill my duty as his son. Please take this to him for me, gong gong.”

His tone was genuine but insistent. The eunuch hesitated, his...