Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1082 - 918: Only 5 Years Left

The Crown Prince closed his eyelids. As long as the third prince no longer harbors any undue thoughts, how could he possibly not tolerate him? He merely said he wouldn’t ignore it, but he never promised anything else."You are kind-hearted. With your promise, I am at ease!" After speaking for so long, the Emperor was already a bit fatigued.

Seeing this, De’an quickly stepped forward and said to the two, "Your Majesty! The Imperial Physician advised that you need more rest and must not overwork yourself. You seem tired now, why not take a break?"

To De’an, nothing was as important as the Emperor’s health.

"Very well." The Emperor closed his eyes slightly and rested his head on the pillow, looking indeed much more exhausted than before.

"Then you should rest more, Father. Allow me to massage your legs. The Imperial Physician said it will help you sleep more comfortably!"

As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, he heard an announcement from outside the door, "Your Majesty, the Tianji Taoist requests an audience!"

Originally appearing drowsy, the Emperor suddenly became extremely alert and immediately declared, "Allow him in!"

The Crown Prince left the inner chamber and met the Tianji Taoist head-on.

The Tianji Taoist still had the appearance of an immortal with white hair and youthful features, full of vitality. His indigo Daoist robe made him look otherworldly and ethereal.

"Boundless Heaven! This humble Daoist greets His Highness the Crown Prince!" Seeing the Crown Prince emerge from the inner chamber, the Tianji Taoist quickly approached and bowed deeply.

The Crown Prince’s eyes flashed, "Greetings, Grandmaster! Your continued grace is truly enviable!"

It was said that the Tianji Taoist and the Emperor took the Lifespan Extension Pill on the same day, yet within a month, the Emperor fell ill.

The Tianji Taoist, however, was full of energy, a stark contrast to the Emperor’s frailty.

The Tianji Taoist felt a sudden unease as he sensed that the magnanimous Crown Prince was not easy to deal with! Beneath the appearance of simplicity lay a mind full of shrewdness.

Was the Crown Prince’s remark about his continuing grace an accusation? There were only two Lifespan Extension Pills. He consumed one and remains unharmed.

The Emperor consumed the other and now lies on the bed, leaving no one without suspicion.

He had promised five years with the Lifespan Extension Pill, yet it’s only been about a month.

The Emperor’s urgent summons made it clear that he was questioning the efficacy of the Lifespan Extension Pill.

He was unsure how to defend himself next, but he had already devised a response.

"Your Highness flatters me! The Emperor has summoned me urgently, so I must excuse myself." The Tianji Taoist smiled and bowed, then proceeded toward the inner chamber.

The Crown Prince watched the figure disappear in front of him, his expression quickly turning grim.

This person was recommended by Xia Qing, and over the years, the Emperor had indulged Chief Minister Xia, likely also because of the Tianji Taoist.

However, this person’s origins are very unclear. They are said to be a Grandmaster of the Dan Sect, but where is the Dan Sect? Does such a sect even exist?

They claim there is a sect in the world that has existed for a thousand years, now in decline, but still present in Lianhai. Who are they trying to fool?

"Your Excellency, Director Zhang greets His Highness the Crown Prince!"

As soon as the Crown Prince left Chengqian Palace, he was stopped by Director Zhang, waiting outside.

"Director Zhang!" The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, realizing that Director Zhang’s presence here must be related to the Tianji Taoist who had just entered.

"Your Excellency, may I have a word with you privately, Your Highness?"

The Emperor nodded slightly, and the two walked toward the Eastern Palace.

Upon reaching the Eastern Palace, Director Zhang could no longer hold back his questions.

"Your Highness, as you saw today, the Emperor’s complexion is concerning. I believe the Emperor should no longer trust the Tianji Taoist. While examining the Emperor, I discovered his pulse to be extremely peculiar, at times weak and deficient, at times robust and vigorous like that of a young man. In my decades of medical practice, I’ve never encountered such a pulse, truly astonishing!"

Director Zhang stroked his beard, his face full of disbelief.

The Crown Prince didn’t understand medicine, but from Director Zhang’s words, he gathered that even Director Zhang was uncertain about the Emperor’s pulse.

"Director Zhang, in your opinion, what might be the cause of the Emperor’s pulse?"

The Crown Prince already had a suspicion. Could it be anything other than the Tianji Taoist’s Lifespan Extension Pill?

"Your Excellency, I will not beat around the bush with you. It’s surely because of the Lifespan Extension Pill that the Emperor took from the Tianji Taoist. The officials at the Imperial Hospital and I failed to find anything wrong with the pill, but the Taoist promised five years of prolonged life when he offered the pill. Yet today, the Emperor fainted and showed significant signs of fatigue thereafter; the pill’s effectiveness isn’t as the Taoist claimed, to my view."

Director Zhang held no regard for the Tianji Taoist, typical of charlatans in the martial world, known for their deceit and trickery.

Now being recommended to the court by Xia Qing to perpetrate fraud, what was Xia Qing’s intention?

Was Xia Qing merely seeking favor? Director Zhang doubted that was the only motive.

"This elixir, after being consumed, should at least rejuvenate one by about five years, but the Emperor is visibly worse off. It seems as though it uses up life force to temporarily bolster one’s strength for five years. This, however, is just my conjecture. Such a pulse is unprecedented. Perhaps I am not yet skilled enough and have a limited understanding."

Director Zhang shook his head, eyebrows knitted in confusion.

The mysterious Taoist’s elixir caused such an abnormal pulse, something as yet unseen.

Hearing this, the Crown Prince furrowed his brow, "Director Zhang, what are you implying? Your suggestion seems to be that originally Father might have had many years left; his body surely lessened, continually weakening. Now that he has taken the pill, he won’t suffer as severely within these five years, yet the rest of his life holds little time. My assessment: does it hold true?"

Some matters are difficult to express openly, but the Crown Prince’s meaning was already clear.

If the Lifespan Extension Pill had not been taken, perhaps the body would gradually weaken year after year, but might last longer.

Yet with the pill, superficial ailments may seem less prevalent, possibly stronger than before, but only five years remain of life.

In other words, the Emperor’s lifespan is now only five years.

"Through studying the residue of the Tianji Taoist’s medicine, I reached this conclusion. If Your Highness does not believe it, eminent physicians could be summoned to verify my assertions."

He had recently been studying the medicine residue relentlessly, sacrificing sleep and rest, finally discerning something substantial.

Yet these are merely suppositions without basis. Lacking the Taoist’s formula, several major ingredients remain unknown to him.

Reporting such tidings to the Emperor at this point carries no weight; could the Emperor trust it?

It was only in recent days that this conclusion was drawn before he could convey it to the Emperor, who then fell ill.