Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 86 Killing two birds with one stone

Bei Chenyao stood up, paced back and forth, pondering the reasons behind the Empress's actions.

He knew in his heart that the Empress had always been keen on controlling the harem and was extremely sensitive to any slight movement that might affect her power.

When Master Liu came this time, he not only didn't greet her, but also took her pulse immediately. He must have been eager to know how she was feeling so he could make plans for the future.

Do you know what they talked about?

Bei Chenyao stopped and looked at Min Rui, asking a question.

"I did not hear the specific details, but when Alchemist Liu came out, he did not look well."

Bei Chenyao frowned slightly. Although Liu Sijun was a clever and quick-witted woman, she would likely suffer a lot of grievances under the Empress's pressure. However, he was also curious about how Liu Sijun would respond to the Empress's inquiries.

Before long, another message arrived, detailing the general situation of Liu Sijun's conversation with the Empress.

When he heard that Liu Sijun had not revealed her physical condition, but had cleverly dealt with the Empress's relentless questioning and remained tight-lipped, Bei Chenyao's eyes were full of admiration, and he murmured softly, "She has not disappointed the trust I placed in her at the beginning."

……

Inside the Longevity Palace, incense smoke curled from the furnace. Liu Sijun, dressed in a plain white robe, focused intently on the alchemy furnace, his hands forming ever-changing hand seals that caused the alchemical flames to leap.

Xu Xiang, who was guarding the palace gate, blinked once, and when he opened his eyes again, he saw Mo Linhou appear in front of him.

Xu Xiang hurriedly bowed: "My Lordship."

"Hmm. I have something to discuss with Master Liu."

Without saying a word, Xu Xiang immediately opened the palace gates: "My lord, please."

Outside the main hall, a palace maid named Nian Shuang was guarding the entrance. Upon seeing that the visitor was Marquis Mo Lin, she immediately bowed and said, "My lord, Alchemist Liu is currently refining pills. She has instructed us not to disturb her or interrupt her."

"I will wait here."

"This……"

Nian Shuang spoke with a hint of fear, "Master Liu has only just begun refining the pills. Your Excellency is of noble birth, so perhaps you should return first. Once Master Liu is finished, I will inform you immediately."

Gu Changzhou's gaze fell indifferently on the palace maid.

Even though there was no spiritual energy flowing through his body, Nian Shuang, who had the cultivation of the peak of Foundation Establishment, was trembling.

"it is good."

Gu Changzhou glanced at the tightly closed palace doors, then turned and left.

Nian Shuang felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve. The aura of the renowned Marquis Mo Lin was simply too strong.

She was also following Liu Danshi's orders.

Liu Sijun heard everything that was happening outside.

In the past few days, the Empress has frequently sent palace maids to "visit" her, ostensibly to inquire about her living habits in the palace, but in reality, she is subtly trying to find out about Bei Chenyao's condition.

Especially yesterday, after taking Bei Chenyao's pulse, Aunt Caiping came by in person again.

I want to invite her to Luanming Palace.

Liu Sijun will not set foot here easily this time. She refused to go, citing that she was about to refine pills. However, since yesterday, five groups of people have come. Three groups are the Empress's people, one group is the Consort Xian's people, and the other group is the eldest prince's people from Dongluan Peak.

The eldest prince's birth mother was the empress.

The Great Yu Kingdom did not have the concept of a crown prince. In the tradition of the Great Yu Kingdom, the eldest prince had to be born to the empress. Only after the empress gave birth to a prince could other concubines give birth to imperial heirs.

None of these five groups of people saw Liu Sijun's face.

She naturally wouldn't see Mo Linhou.

Half an hour later, just as Liu Sijun sealed a batch of Qi-Nourishing Pills into a pill bottle, Eunuch Cao De arrived and summoned her to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Is Your Majesty feeling unwell?" When I took your pulse yesterday, your condition seemed quite stable.

When Cao De arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he saw that Bei Chenyao was in good spirits and was sitting alone, fiddling with chess pieces. When Liu Sijun came over, he waved to dismiss everyone.

"Come, play chess with me."

When Eunuch Cao De personally went to Yangshou Palace, Liu Sijun thought that Bei Chenyao was unwell, but she didn't expect that he had invited her to play chess.

She wouldn't do that.

"Your Majesty, I don't know how..."

Bei Chenyao: "...I will teach you."

After a few lessons, Liu Sijun barely grasped the rules. Bei Chenyao probably hadn't expected Liu Sijun to be so bad at chess, and finally coughed and said, "Never mind, keep me company for a chat."

"I have heard that the Empress has been sending people to the Longevity Palace to watch you refine elixirs these past few days, which must have caused you a lot of trouble."

Liu Sijun smiled faintly: "Her Majesty the Empress is the head of the harem, and she is also concerned about the progress of the elixir refining."

Bei Chenyao: "Hmph, how could I not know what she's thinking? I will take care of my own health; it's none of her business to interfere."

After saying that, he walked to the window, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "I want you to show off your skills in front of everyone, to dampen the Empress's arrogance, and to let her know that my illness is not something she can pry into."

Liu Sijun was startled and looked up at Bei Chenyao: "What is Your Majesty's intention?"

Bei Chenyao turned around, a faint smile playing on his lips: "The New Year's banquet will be held in three days. All the officials and the harem will be there. You will then refine a batch of longevity pills on the spot. This pill is a fifth-grade pill, requiring a precise combination of spiritual power and precise control of the fire. If you succeed, she will not dare to act openly and recklessly; if you fail, I will ensure your safety. Consider it a performance."

Liu Sijun lowered his head in thought.

He knew that this was Bei Chenyao's plan to kill two birds with one stone.

This would both intimidate the Empress and appease the court, telling the world that although he was unwell, he still had the hope of living a long and healthy life.

He then bowed respectfully and said, "I will do my utmost."

Before we knew it, New Year's Day had arrived.

This is the third New Year's Day that Liu Sijun has spent here. The previous two years were spent with Master Lu Dan and Li Qing.

This year……

At the palace banquet, string and wind instruments played in unison, and delicacies were laid out in abundance.

After several rounds of drinks, Bei Chenyao coughed lightly, and everyone knew that His Majesty had something to say, so they put down their wine cups and quieted down: "Today is New Year's Day. After the New Year, I will be 152 years old. Compared to the late Emperor, I am considered to be of advanced age. I may pass away any day now."

"His Majesty……"

Everyone was terrified.

"But the alchemist Liu who came from Yougu Palace this time is known for his skill. He said he can refine longevity pills and wants to refine a batch for me today, so that the country may prosper and the Queen and I may live longer."

Bei Chenyao's voice was deep and powerful. His gaze swept across the room, finally landing on the Empress's face with a hint of warning.

A hint of displeasure flashed across the Empress's exquisitely made-up face.

She wondered why, on New Year's Day, a cauldron of alchemy was placed in the center of the main hall; she hadn't expected this.

She quickly regained her composure, smiled and nodded: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern, and I am also very much looking forward to Master Liu's divine skills."

Liu Sijun stepped forward and stood beside the alchemy furnace that had been prepared beforehand.

At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on her. Today, she wore a scarlet dress, her black hair was styled in a bun, and her cool face was even more graceful under the lights.

She formed a hand seal and activated the alchemy furnace. In an instant, light flashed, and everyone held their breath and watched intently.

(End of this chapter)