Seeing that Wei Yan and Daoist Yu were getting along so “pleasantly,” the Emperor was rather pleased, and said with a smile, “Imperial Physician Wei, you have been by my side for many years and know my health condition better than anyone. Immortal Master Yu is currently preparing to refine elixirs. If he has any questions for you, feel free to answer him honestly, so as to spare Immortal Master Yu unnecessary trouble.”
Wei Yan respectfully agreed.
The Emperor then said to Daoist Yu with a smile, “Immortal Master Yu is skilled in alchemy and must also be well-versed in all manner of medicines. This Imperial Physician Wei beside me has been studying the medical arts since childhood—twenty years now. His skill is exquisite, unmatched by anyone. When Immortal Master Yu has free time, he should exchange ideas with Imperial Physician Wei. Learning from each other’s strengths would be a fine thing indeed.”
Daoist Yu gave his whisk a flick. “I shall obey Your Majesty’s decree.”
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction.
Prince Yan seized the opportunity to flatter him. “Having Imperial Physician Wei and Immortal Master Yu guide each other, making up for each other’s shortcomings and improving together—Father is truly wise! Your son admires you greatly!”
The wise Emperor stroked his beard and smiled, pleased with himself.
He himself felt it was a brilliant idea.
Refining elixirs of longevity was indeed tempting. But he had not grown so senile as to believe whatever anyone told him.
Just how effective the elixirs Daoist Yu produced would be was still uncertain. Aside from having someone test the elixirs, he also needed Wei Yan to study and examine them carefully. With Wei Yan’s medical skill, he could at least determine whether the elixirs would harm the body.
This way, he would be making the best use of everyone’s talents!
Both Wei Yan and Daoist Yu were clever people, and they quickly understood the Emperor’s intentions.
Daoist Yu was naturally displeased. This was using him while also distrusting him! All this talk of “guiding each other” was clearly just a pretext to have Wei Yan inspect his elixirs!
As for Wei Yan, he too felt a flicker of wry amusement in his heart.
The Emperor’s calculations were quite shrewd indeed!
Of course, he would certainly cooperate “with all his heart”… so that the Emperor would not be too apprehensive to take the elixirs.
…
After Daoist Yu and the others withdrew, the Emperor deliberately kept Wei Yan behind.
“Imperial Physician Wei, you have been by my side for so many years. You are the one I trust most.”
The Emperor said warmly, “Immortal Master Yu has nearly finished his preparations and is about to refine the first batch of elixirs. It takes forty-nine days, and the fire in the furnace cannot be interrupted, or else no elixirs will form.”
“Starting today, you are to go to the alchemy chamber every day and have a look.”
Fearing that Wei Yan had not fully grasped his meaning, the Emperor spoke more plainly. “Watch carefully over all the medicinal materials and equipment used in the refining. If there is any conflict between ingredients or anything amiss, you must come report it to me. Also, once the elixirs are completed and presented, you and Imperial Physician Zhou are to examine them together. Only once you’ve confirmed the elixirs are safe will I take them.”
Wei Yan accepted the decree with a solemn expression. “This humble subject will devote himself fully and will never disappoint Your Majesty’s expectations.”
The Emperor’s expression softened. “Rest assured. The one I trust most has always been you. You are still young now, so it would not be fitting for you to hold too high a post. But once Imperial Physician Zhang retires due to old age, the position of Chief Physician of the Imperial Academy of Medicine will be yours—no one will be able to take it from you.”
An ordinary Imperial Physician held only a fifth-rank post. But the Chief Physician of the Imperial Academy of Medicine held a third-rank position, overseeing the entire Academy—an extremely prestigious post.
Wei Yan’s face showed deep gratitude and emotion. “Your Majesty treats this humble subject so generously. I truly do not know how to repay Your Majesty’s grace in recognizing my worth.”
The Emperor laughed. “Your loyalty and devotion to me—how could I not know it? This is all what you deserve.”
“What I’ve said to you today, do not mention to anyone else. Go and rest well now. Starting tomorrow, go to the alchemy chamber.”
Wei Yan once again accepted the decree with thanks, then took his leave.
The Emperor, quite pleased with his own arrangement, stroked his beard and laughed, in excellent spirits.
…
From the next day on, Wei Yan had one more duty added to his work.
Every day he would first take the Emperor’s pulse and prescribe medicine to regulate his health, then go and stay in the alchemy chamber.
From the outside, the alchemy chamber looked the part. Eunuchs, maids, and other unrelated personnel were strictly forbidden from entering. Everything needed for the refining was prepared by the Daoists themselves, and the furnace fire was watched over by the young Daoist acolytes attending Daoist Yu.
The acolytes took turns watching and controlling the fire in shifts. The intensity of the flame had to be carefully managed: four two-hour periods of fierce fire each day, followed by four two-hour periods of moderate fire, and at night, it was switched to a low flame.
The amounts and order in which the medicinal materials were added were also extremely precise. All of this was handled personally by Daoist Yu, while the other Daoists only assisted.
Wei Yan entered the alchemy chamber under imperial order—ostensibly to “seek guidance,” but in truth to supervise the refining process.
Both Wei Yan and Daoist Yu were well aware of this.
No matter how uncomfortable or displeased he felt inside, Daoist Yu never let it show in the slightest, treating Wei Yan with great courtesy and allowing him to look around freely.
Whenever Wei Yan asked a question, Daoist Yu never refused and always gave an answer—though whether the answer was vague or detailed was another matter. Whether Wei Yan understood it or not was none of his concern.
Wei Yan was perfectly aware of Daoist Yu’s hidden resentment but pretended not to notice, arriving punctually at the alchemy chamber every day and staying for at least half a day before leaving.
The other Daoists could not help muttering a few times in front of Daoist Yu: “This Imperial Physician Wei is rather handsome, but he’s far too young. Is his medical skill really as outstanding as people say?”
“A great reputation doesn’t always mean much. If you ask me, he’s just basking in Consort Wei’s favor.”
“Relying on the Emperor’s favor, he comes to our alchemy chamber to throw his weight around!”
“And he’s forever asking this and that, putting on such an arrogant air—it’s unpleasant just to look at him.”
“Exactly…”
“All of you, shut your mouths!”
The moment Daoist Yu spoke, the Daoists immediately fell silent.
These Daoists normally each kept to their own territories, and each had some reputation and background. Each considered himself extraordinary and none yielded to the others. Now that Prince Yan had invited them all to the temporary palace, they had originally been a disorganized lot. But Daoist Yu’s skill was superior—having won Prince Yan’s favor and the Emperor’s regard—and he had effectively become the leader among the Daoists.
At first some had been unwilling to accept this, but after Daoist Yu secretly made things difficult for them a few times, they had no choice but to bow their heads and acknowledge him as leader.
Daoist Yu swept his gaze across them, sharp as a blade. “What place do you think this is? Watch your words carefully. That Wei Yan truly does have outstanding medical skill—otherwise, relying solely on Consort Wei’s favor, how could he have earned such trust and regard from the Emperor? You must never underestimate him!”
The Daoists, chastened, murmured their agreement obediently.
“Whether this elixir can be successfully refined concerns our very lives and futures. All of you had better take this seriously!” Daoist Yu added in a deep voice. “As for Wei Yan, for now we’ll leave him be. If anything comes up, I will handle it. There’s no need for any of you to say much in front of him—too many words lead to mistakes.”
The Daoists, not daring to say more, each acknowledged in turn.