sovbooks Chapter 1083 - 919
Chapter 1083 - 919
Earlier in Chengqian Palace, Director Zhang wanted to confess everything. But on second thought, he hesitated and eventually suppressed the matter.He was old, and even if he died, it wouldn’t matter much.
However, his grandson was exceptionally talented, a fine material for scholarly pursuits. Next year, he was set to take the imperial examination, and Director Zhang had to consider his grandson’s future!
Reporting this matter to the Crown Prince took considerable determination.
Normally, he was opposed to this demon, but the opponent remained unharmed. They merely argued verbally, which wasn’t too damaging.
However, if he completely opposed the demon and caused him to lose the Emperor’s favor, Xia Qing wouldn’t spare him.
"Humph! That Tianji Taoist is indeed suspicious. What’s his motive? Why didn’t Director Zhang report this to father just now in Chengqian Palace?"
The Crown Prince’s face immediately turned sullen. Father trusted Director Zhang greatly; otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried to retain him when he wanted to resign.
Moreover, Director Zhang was the Imperial Physician exclusively diagnosing father’s pulse. If he concealed father’s illness, what purpose did he serve?
In the end, it was still Director Zhang’s dereliction of duty.
"Director Zhang, father values your medical skills and your fearless character, which is why he trusts you so much. Can you betray father’s trust by hiding such an important matter?"
The Crown Prince understood what Director Zhang was worried about, but he didn’t approve of Director Zhang’s cowardly ways.
If everyone in the court sought to protect themselves, wouldn’t the entire Da Yan territory be governed entirely by one person’s word?
Director Zhang moved his lips, but ultimately turned it into a sigh.
The Crown Prince was right; the Emperor had valued his character and therefore had been especially tolerant towards him.
Actually, being a physician in the palace is anything but easy. Those concubines often suffer from minor ailments, like headaches and colds. One day they have stomach issues, the next a cold.
It was difficult for them as physicians. The key was to keep their mouths shut.
It was because he dared to defy authority and speak the truth, coupled with considerable medical skills, that the Emperor personally promoted him to Hospital Director.
Indeed, he had failed the Emperor’s trust in him, and he felt deeply ashamed.
The Crown Prince understood Director Zhang’s difficulties, but he softened his tone and raised another doubt in his heart.
"According to what you said earlier, father should be in excellent health these years. Then why did he faint just less than two months ago?"
This puzzled the Crown Prince immensely, regardless of whether the Tianji Taoist’s elixir was effective, it shouldn’t have dared to deceive the Emperor in this manner?
"Previously, the Emperor’s health was somewhat depleted, coupled with constant mental and physical exertion, especially as he..."
In Chengqian Palace, the Emperor’s expression grew solemn as he looked at Tianji Taoist for the first time with suspicion.
"Grandmaster! Since consuming your Lifespan Extension Pill, I’ve felt more spirited than before. But why do I recently feel exhausted, as though my body is extremely weak?"
The Emperor had De’an help him up from the bed and began scrutinizing Tianji Taoist.
"Your Majesty! I advised you before that it’s crucial to follow my method of health maintenance; otherwise, I cannot guarantee extending your lifespan by five years."
Tianji Taoist still held an air of extraordinary character, stroked his beard, and met the Emperor’s suspicious gaze with calm and confidence.
"Humph! Follow your method of health maintenance? Becoming an outsider, adhering to a vegetarian diet, abstaining from women, refraining from arrogance and impatience, keeping emotional balance. If I could truly accomplish all this, I’d be a saint."
The Emperor snorted with displeasure; he genuinely doubted whether this Taoist possessed true skills.
"Moreover, I asked you back then, if these can’t be accomplished, could the lifespan still be extended by five years? What assurance did you give me then?"
The Emperor lifted his sluggish eyelids, gazing at Tianji Taoist with an unkind expression.
"Your Majesty! What I mentioned earlier was about health maintenance; if you manage it, you might extend your lifespan for several years, but these practices are not compulsory. Yet, there’s one thing you should accomplish. Your indulgence in carnal pleasures without restraint is the main culprit for your depleted vitality."
Tianji Taoist shook his head, seemingly helpless yet regretful over the Emperor’s failure to heed advice.
The Emperor’s face flushed with anger; as sovereign, never had anyone pointed out his faults this directly.
As an Emperor, expanding his lineage was indeed his responsibility. With thousands of beauties in the harem, he had to evenly distribute his favors for the sake of tranquility between harem and court.
"You didn’t emphasize this previously; now the physicians claim my health is severely depleted. Will this affect my lifespan?"
The Emperor was deeply worried about his lifespan being affected; who doesn’t wish for more years to live, especially when immersed in an imperial family? Who could willingly abandon such grandeur and wealth?
"Your Majesty need not worry, I’ve refined for you a Qi Blood Pill. Simply taking this elixir can strengthen your foundation, ensuring you are vigorous and won’t affect your lifespan."
Tianji Taoist took out a green jade bottle from his sleeve and offered it to the Emperor.
The Emperor glanced suspiciously; "Is this the Qi Blood Pill? Is it really as effective as you claim?"
Sensing the Emperor’s distrust, Tianji Taoist felt a sense of urgency internally. Yet he dared not express it on his face.
"Your Majesty, you’ve been taking my elixir for years; have you noticed anything wrong? Be it Small Rejuvenation Pill or Lifespan Extension Pill, after consumption, you’ve felt the obvious difference in your body. Such vigorous energy, could I possibly deceive you?"
Tianji Taoist’s demeanor subtly shifted, revealing slight irritation.
The Emperor picked up the green jade bottle from the table and gave Tianji Taoist another glance. Tianji Taoist appeared spirited, radiating with health, making the Emperor inevitably envious.
Tianji Taoist not only mastered life-extending elixirs, but he also possessed a Divine Skill.
Though over a century old, he appeared even younger than the Emperor, undeniably astonishing!
"It’s not that I don’t trust you, but today’s fainting indeed made me uneasy."
The Emperor’s suspicion gradually diminished; lately, he had slightly loosened his restraint with women due to his improved health.
After all, he was getting older and couldn’t act as recklessly as before. Such extravagance would naturally be taxing on the body.
Towards the Taoist’s elixirs, the Emperor still had some trust; otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken the Lifespan Extension Pill against Director Zhang’s advice.
Opening the stopper of the jade bottle, he poured out a date-red pill. The Emperor hesitated for a while before putting it back into the bottle.
"Your Majesty! This elixir should be examined by Director Zhang and his physicians before you safely consume it. Although the Grandmaster’s elixirs are effective, perhaps your current health conditions don’t suit taking them..."