sovbooks Chapter 1084 - 920: Shuitianyi
Chapter 1084 - 920: Shuitianyi
De An feared that the Emperor might be tempted by the elixir again. Only after the Imperial Physician had verified it did De An feel assured enough to allow the Emperor to consume it.The Emperor was hesitating initially, but De An provided him a way out, which he immediately took.
Therefore, he nodded and said, "Very well!"
The Emperor still felt unsettled inside; he could no longer fully trust the elixir from Tianji Taoist.
"Emperor, this humble Taoist is currently developing a more effective Lifespan Extension Pill, and some progress has already been made. However, two main herbs are still missing. I’ve dispatched people to find them, but as I grow anxious, I’m planning to go personally."
Tianji Taoist placed a green jade bottle on the table, "This is a month’s supply of Qi Blood Pill. You only need to take it for a month, and your vitality will be even greater than before."
The Emperor picked up the jade bottle from the table, and with a peculiar expression, glanced at Tianji Taoist. Going on a long journey?
"These two main herbs thrive in heat. This humble Taoist happened to see them once on an island near the sect. This outing might take quite some time. Before departing, I will prepare all the elixirs the Emperor requires. If the two main herbs are obtained smoothly, our Lifespan Extension Pill will be secured."
As Tianji Taoist spoke, a smile uncontrollably spread across his face.
The Emperor couldn’t help but become intrigued. For the Taoist to be this visibly pleased, it indicated that this Lifespan Extension Pill would surely be promising.
"Will this Lifespan Extension Pill be better in efficacy than the previous one?" the Emperor asked expectantly, a fervent gleam in his eyes.
"Indeed, this Lifespan Extension Pill can prolong life by at least ten years, possibly even twenty. Emperor, this humble Taoist is eager to leave tomorrow morning."
The Emperor initially had some joy on his face, but upon hearing that Tianji Taoist planned to depart immediately, he hesitated again.
"Isn’t leaving tomorrow morning a bit too hasty? I’ve been feeling unwell recently; perhaps it’s more prudent for the Grandmaster to hold off a bit and provide further care for my health."
Upon hearing this, Tianji Taoist clenched his fists hidden within his sleeves.
Reluctantly, he said, "These two main herbs use flowers for medicine. I’m afraid it will delay the blooming season, and we may have to wait another year. Besides, who knows if someone else has already harvested them."
Moments later, Tianji Taoist walked out of the inner hall with a look of displeasure. He hadn’t anticipated that the Emperor would disallow him to leave the palace, making the situation tricky.
There wasn’t much time left. If something were to happen, would he still be able to leave the Imperial Palace? It seemed necessary to consult with Xia Qing quickly.
However, due to the Emperor’s illness, the palace was tightly secured recently. If he intended to leave the palace secretly, it would definitely come at a cost.
...
Night had fallen, the dim sky draped like a layer of black gauze over the heavens, with only a faint glimmer peeking through.
"Master, it’s getting late, allow me to light the lamp for you!" A steward stood at the study door, looking at Yin Kun who was bent over writing.
Yin Kun raised his head at the sound, "It’s already this late? Come in then!"
The sky had turned dark before he realized, explaining why his vision felt a bit blurry.
After lighting the lamp, Yin Kun dried a letter and placed it into an envelope.
"Send someone to deliver this letter to the post station immediately. Use my pass for expedited delivery to Jiangnan."
With such significant events happening in the court, Gu Chengyu, being in Jiangnan, likely hadn’t received the news. He had to convey the Emperor’s health concerns to Gu Chengyu without delay.
The little junior brother was held in high favor; this trip to Jiangnan might be a bit ostentatious. But with the Emperor fainting, he probably wouldn’t have the energy to handle state affairs recently.
In the days ahead, governance would surely be handed over to the Crown Prince. Knowing the Crown Prince’s temperament, Yin Kun feared he might not have the fortitude to manage those elder ministers.
Therefore, Gu Chengyu mustn’t act as recklessly as before. Hopefully, the Emperor’s health would recover swiftly, otherwise, the junior brother, in Jiangnan, would find the situation much more challenging.
...
"Chief Chen, does Father still refuse to see me?" The Crown Prince stood outside Chengqian Palace’s outer hall and upon seeing De An exit, he immediately stepped forward to ask.
De An shook his head helplessly, looking at the Crown Prince with a gaze that was full of unfinished words.
The Crown Prince forced a smile and then unexpectedly knelt down.
De An was astonished at the sight. He quickly regained his composure and rushed forward to support him.
"Crown Prince, why are you doing this?"
The Crown Prince shook his head, "Father refuses to see me for a day, I will remain kneeling until he does!"
After receiving news from Director Zhang earlier in the day, he immediately went to his father’s sleeping quarters to disclose everything. However, his father didn’t believe him.
Believing he harbored prejudice against the Alchemy Technique and mistrust toward Tianji Taoist, they exchanged a few words of disagreement before the Emperor expelled him from the sleeping quarters.
"Ah! Crown Prince, why be so obstinate? You..."
"Servant Xiao Quanzi humbly greets the Crown Prince! The Emperor instructs through me that if you insist on kneeling, then go kneel at the Eastern Palace as you’re an eyesore here."
Xiao Quanzi conveyed the Emperor’s message while sneaking glances at the Crown Prince’s expression, and upon noticing his complexion turn as dark as a pot-bottom, he shrank his neck in trepidation.
The Crown Prince was indeed feeling quite uncomfortable inside. He was genuinely concerned about his father’s health. If the timing was right to bring in an eminent physician, perhaps the elixir’s toxicity could be neutralized.
His anger and discontent ultimately transformed into a resigned sigh, after which the Crown Prince fell silent.
"Your Highness! Here are the memorials submitted in recent days. The Emperor decrees that you should temporarily handle state affairs until the Emperor recovers."
After Xiao Quanzi finished conveying the Emperor’s decree, he retreated to the side.
The Crown Prince froze; previously, his father indeed instructed him to temporarily manage state affairs.
He had initially thought his father was merely testing him, but unexpectedly, this was genuine.
...
"Master, look! Is this garment as you described?" Ming Mo approached with a tray, and on the tray was a silk robe.
"Finished so quickly? Let me see!"
Gu Chengyu unfolded the robe from the tray and couldn’t help but nod with approval, "Nicely done, just as I described."
The robe was adorned with complex patterns, with exquisitely embroidered hem, it was indeed a finely crafted straight-collared robe. However, the robe before him was quite different from other robes.
It wasn’t cut and sewn from a single piece of fabric but pieced together from multiple fabrics of distinct colors, reminiscent of the once-famous Shuitianyi from his previous life.
With the materials bought earlier for home use, most could have the mildew stains removed with alcohol. But those originally laid beneath couldn’t be salvaged due to heavy mildew. Even if cleaned, the stains would affect the fabric’s color vibrancy and sheen.
How could Gu Chengyu bear to let so much fabric go to waste? Thus he devised a method to trim off vibrant mildew stains from entire bolts of fabric, using the remaining material to piece together a straight-collared robe.