A five-year-old goddess, raised to become an emperor for all time through a bronze mirror.

She knew that time was of the essence, and she had to come up with a plan as soon as possible—a plan that could both protect Pei Yunjing and allow her to escape.

Year after year, her gaze fell on the candlestick on the table, the flickering flame seemingly reminding her that time was passing by second by second.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

She began to recall every detail of her time in the palace, every person she had met, hoping to find a glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind.

When I was working in the laundry department, I heard other palace maids say that there was an old imperial physician in the palace who was highly skilled in medicine and always kind to others.

He would treat other palace maids or eunuchs who fell ill for free, without charging any fees.

Perhaps he has a way to resolve this crisis.

Nian Nian quickly extinguished the candle, rewrapped the medicine powder, and put it into her bosom.

She decided to go find the old imperial physician as soon as it was light.

Under the cover of night, Nian Nian quietly left her room and carefully avoided the patrolling guards along the palace paths.

Her destination was the old imperial physician's residence; she knew it was her only hope.

Finally, after passing through several courtyards, Niannian arrived at the old imperial physician's door.

She was dressed in an elegant long gown, and walked lightly but hesitantly to a closed door; she stretched out her slender fingers and gently knocked on the slightly old door.

"dong dong dong~"

The knock had barely finished when a series of steady, powerful footsteps echoed from inside, each step seemingly carrying the weight of time and accumulated experience.

As the footsteps drew closer, the door hinges creaked slightly, and the door slowly opened.

Standing at the door was the highly respected and experienced old imperial physician.

The old imperial physician's gaze fell on the unfamiliar yet beautiful palace maid before him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He asked softly, "Young lady, who are you? What brings you to this old man so late at night? Are you perhaps feeling unwell?"

However, Nian Nian did not have time to exchange many pleasantries with the old imperial physician.

She quickly pulled the packet of medicine powder from her bosom and handed it to the old imperial physician without hesitation, saying anxiously:

"Could you please take a look at this? What exactly is it? Is it poisonous?"

Seeing the solemn expression on Niannian's face, the old imperial physician knew that this matter was of utmost importance, and quickly reached out to take the medicine powder.

When he saw the pale white powder in his hand, his relaxed brows instantly furrowed tightly.

Based on his years of medical experience, he judged that Nian Nian would not come to his door in such a hurry in the middle of the night for no reason.

The old imperial physician took out a silver needle, carefully dipped it into a little medicinal powder, and then held it to his nose to sniff it.

Next, he carefully observed the color and texture of the powder.

After a thorough examination, the old imperial physician raised his head and said to Nian Nian with a serious expression:

"This is the powder of 'Dream Breaker'. Although its toxicity is not extremely strong, if too much is ingested, it can still be fatal."

Alas, this deep palace is truly incredibly dangerous...

Upon hearing the old imperial physician's words, Nian Nian's heart sank as if she had fallen into an abyss. Sure enough, it was just as she had guessed!

But at this moment, she cannot be defeated by fear and despair; she must find a solution to the problem as soon as possible.

So, she mustered her strength and eagerly asked the old imperial physician, "Is there any way to detoxify this poison? Or is there any other way to neutralize the toxicity of this powder?"

The old imperial physician frowned slightly, his eyes fixed on the distance, as if he were racking his brains for a solution.

Time ticked by, and finally, he slowly withdrew his gaze, fixing it on the anxious-looking Nian Nian before him, and softly spoke:

"There is a way. However, it requires some rather rare and special medicinal materials."

"I could try to concoct an antidote for you, young lady, but before that, please tell me the truth: what is the purpose of this powder?"

Upon hearing this, Nian Nian's body visibly trembled, and her eyes flickered uncertainly, as if she were going through a fierce internal struggle.

After hesitating for a long time, she gently shook her head, bit her lower lip, and said in an almost inaudible voice:

"It's really inconvenient to tell you anything about this. I had no choice but to do this, and I hope you'll understand, sir!"

As she spoke, Niannian suddenly bent her knees and knelt down with a thud, kowtowing several times to the old imperial physician, her forehead turning slightly red and swollen.

Tears streamed down her pale cheeks as she pleaded repeatedly:

"Sir, please have mercy and save my daughter! I'm truly desperate, and my suffering is beyond words..."

Looking at Nian Nian's pitiful appearance, the old imperial physician couldn't help but sigh deeply:

"Alas, so be it! Seeing you in such a miserable state, how could I bear to watch you die without helping you? Very well, I will not ask any further questions."

However, young lady, you must agree to one condition of this old man—you must never use this poison to harm others!

Otherwise, I will risk my old life to stop you from making a grave mistake!

Upon hearing this, Nian Nian nodded hurriedly as if granted a pardon, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at the old imperial physician, choking back tears as she said, "Thank you so much for saving my life, sir. I will certainly follow your teachings and never do anything immoral!"

However, just as she bowed her head to express her gratitude, a glint of cunning and calculation flashed almost imperceptibly in her eyes.

Seeing this, the old imperial physician said no more and turned to walk towards the pharmacy.

Niannian quickly got up and followed closely behind the old imperial physician.

As she walked, she discreetly slipped her right hand into her wide sleeve, groping for something.

The pharmacy was filled with the aroma of various medicinal herbs, and the medicine cabinets were neatly arranged with all kinds of herbs and bottles and jars.

The old imperial physician skillfully retrieved the necessary medicinal herbs from each drawer, his movements practiced and swift.

Every year, she stood aside, nervously watching the old imperial physician's every move.

After a flurry of activity, the old imperial physician finally ground the necessary medicinal herbs into powder and carefully mixed them together. He handed Nian Nian a small porcelain bottle containing a pale yellow antidote.

"Here's the antidote. Just add a little to the 'Dream Breaker' powder to neutralize its toxicity."

The old imperial physician said solemnly, "But remember, this matter must never be known to a third party, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable."

Every year, she held the porcelain vase tightly, as if holding onto the hope of life: "Thank you, I will be careful."

But with her other hand, she suddenly pulled out a small knife that gleamed coldly...