First annul the engagement, then sever ties with the empress; the empress reigns supreme.

Emperor Sheng thought that after Mu Lingche left the capital, they would probably never see each other again in this lifetime, and his heart softened: "With the Imperial Preceptor here, my health is very good, so you don't need to worry."

It is precisely because of Qingyanzi that people are worried.

Mu Lingche said, "Father, the Imperial Advisor... you still need to be careful. I have recently heard a lot of rumors about him."

"Rumors are just rumors, they shouldn't be taken seriously. Che'er, you can't let those ignorant women and children lead you astray," Emperor Sheng said, displeased.

Mu Lingche twice attempted to expose Qingyanzi to Emperor Sheng, but was rejected both times, demonstrating that Qingyanzi's position in Emperor Sheng's heart was unshakeable. Anyone would know that in such a situation, one should know when to stop.

Feng Wu tugged at Mu Lingche from behind, signaling him to stop talking.

Mu Lingche pursed his lips, and this time he listened to Feng Wu's words.

Dynasties have always had their own destiny; if one cannot control one's destiny, then one can only submit to the arrangements of fate.

Mu Lingche closed his eyes, immediately knelt down, bowed three times to Emperor Sheng, and then prepared to formally retire after fulfilling his father-son relationship.

Qingyanzi, carrying a Buddhist whisk, led his disciple and a wooden box into the inner hall without needing to announce their arrival.

To be able to enter the palace and report without prior notice was a privilege granted to Qingyanzi by Emperor Sheng. This was a unique honor throughout the entire Great Sheng Dynasty.

"Sixth Prince and Sixth Princess Consort, are you leaving? Wait, I have something to say to you." As the two groups passed each other, Qingyanzi glanced at Mu Lingche and Feng Wu and said mysteriously.

Mu Lingche's eyes flashed with displeasure. He thought to himself, "Who does Qingyanzi think he is, daring to directly order a prince around in front of the Emperor?"

This is such an overstepping of his bounds; surely Father will punish Qingyanzi this time, or at least reprimand him.

The Emperor's voice rang out, but unfortunately it wasn't directed at Qingyanzi; it was directed at Mu Lingche: "Sixth Prince, since the Imperial Advisor has asked you to stay, you shall stay for the time being."

Mu Lingche stopped talking reluctantly, thinking that Emperor Sheng had really gone mad.

No matter how dissatisfied they were, they could not disobey the Emperor.

Mu Lingche could only stay behind with Feng Wu for the time being and retreat to one side.

"Imperial Preceptor, is there something wrong with the Sixth Prince?" Emperor Sheng asked.

Qingyanzi, with an air of profound mystery, first had someone present the prepared medicine to Emperor Sheng, and then said in a solemn manner, "Your Majesty, this is the newly refined elixir for you today. His Highness the Sixth Prince is excellent, and so is His Highness the Sixth Prince's Consort. However, I did perform a divination when I entered the palace just now."

The Sixth Prince's Consort's birth chart is extremely auspicious. If she could assist me in refining elixirs, the resulting pills would be even more effective and beneficial to Your Majesty.

"Really?" Emperor Sheng was immediately intrigued, and leaned forward as he sat on the dragon throne.

Qingyanzi bowed and nodded: "Your humble servant would certainly not dare to lie about the matter of alchemy."

Emperor Sheng trusted Qingyanzi implicitly, and upon hearing Qingyanzi's words, he immediately had no doubts. He eagerly looked at Mu Lingche and said, "Sixth Prince, would you be willing to let the Sixth Prince's Consort follow the Imperial Preceptor to refine elixirs for me?"

That's absurd. How could a princess consort go to a man's residence and live and eat with him?

In Mu Lingche's view, this was not about refining pills at all, but about deliberately humiliating him.

Otherwise, he would never have heard that Feng Wu's birth chart was suitable for assisting in alchemy. However, just after he spoke ill of Qing Yanzi outside the hall, Qing Yanzi immediately offered his advice.

Mu Lingche angrily glared at Qingyanzi, only to find Qingyanzi looking at him defiantly.

This further confirmed my suspicions.

He, a prince, was being so manipulated by a mere subject.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Mu Lingche hastily bowed to Emperor Sheng.

“Father, this evil Taoist is talking nonsense and is deliberately seeking revenge. It is because I just spoke ill of him that he said Feng Wu’s birth chart is suitable for assisting in alchemy. You must not believe him.”

Emperor Sheng frowned and looked at Qingyanzi.

Qingyanzi spread his hands innocently: "Sixth Prince, if you don't want His Majesty to live to be a hundred years old, then just say so. There's no need to slander me like this."

As he spoke, he bowed to Emperor Sheng again and said without forcing the issue, "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince and his wife have only been married for a short time, so it is normal for him to be reluctant to part with her. Without her, the amount of pills I refine will be greatly reduced, but it will not affect the overall situation. So, let's just leave it at that."

Qingyanzi's feigned retreat completely ignited Emperor Sheng's resentment towards Mu Lingche. Previously, Mu Lingche had told him to take care of his health, which he had taken as genuine concern. Now, however, he interpreted Mu Lingche's words as Mu Lingche's jealousy of his success.

He was unwilling to let Feng Wu assist in alchemy because he truly didn't want him to live to be a hundred years old.

Emperor Sheng's eyebrows furrowed, and he loudly rebuked, "Mu Lingche, I thought that your voluntary request to leave the capital meant you truly had no interest in the throne. I never expected that you were trying to use a strategic retreat to advance. After leaving the capital, you'll slowly plot for the throne, is that right or wrong?"

"Father, I didn't." Mu Lingche trembled and knelt on the ground.

Feng Wu knelt down as well.

"No, I think you definitely do." Emperor Sheng stood up from the dragon throne and looked down at Mu Lingche: "If you really don't, then have the Sixth Prince's Consort move to the Imperial Preceptor's residence from today to assist the Imperial Preceptor in alchemy. Otherwise, I will have to doubt your true intentions."

Emperor Sheng's words completely blocked Mu Lingche's path.

He had no other choice but to send Feng Wu to the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

The sixth prince, his body ice-cold, banged his head heavily on the ground, pleading hoarsely, "Father, please have mercy! Feng Wu is your daughter-in-law, and a princess of Qin. If she moves to the Imperial Preceptor's residence, what will become of my reputation? How will you explain this to Qin?"

Mu Lingche's words touched Emperor Sheng for a moment, and a moment of hesitation appeared between Emperor Sheng's brows.

Qingyanzi flicked his whisk, his face serene as he addressed Mu Lingche: "Sixth Prince, I only need the Sixth Prince's Consort to come to my residence to assist in alchemy. This has no conflict with her being your consort or the Prince of Qin. Please do not insult me. Alchemy is a sacred matter."

Mu Lingche raised his head from the ground, staring at Qingyanzi with bloodshot eyes.

They wished they could eat his flesh and drink his blood.

"Do you think I'm stupid? How many young girls have you taken to the Imperial Preceptor's residence these past few days? Are there any innocent ones among them in your household?"

The day before yesterday, the young lady from the Cheng family of the Ministry of Rites was carried out of the Imperial Preceptor's residence horizontally because she vowed never to be defiled by you. The day before that, the young lady from the Ye family died from snake venom; the autopsy revealed signs of defilement. How do you explain all of this?”

Qingyanzi was frank and open, and did not argue, but simply said: "If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a reason. Your Majesty, it seems that there are far more people who do not want you to live to be a hundred years old than I am. It does not matter if I am misunderstood, I only want to serve Your Majesty."

Qingyanzi's insidious substitution cleverly transformed all the dissatisfaction with him into dissatisfaction with Emperor Sheng.

Emperor Sheng became a weapon in his hands.

Emperor Sheng was hopelessly addicted to the trap set for him by Qingyanzi.

He was even moved by Qingyanzi's dedication to him.

To appease Qingyanzi, he rewarded him on the spot, and then looked at Mu Lingche with dissatisfaction.

"Alright, I'm busy and haven't even meditated yet. You may leave. The matter of the Sixth Prince's Consort entering the Imperial Preceptor's residence is settled."

After saying this, Emperor Sheng personally took the pills brought by Qingyanzi and hurriedly left with the eunuch.