The Emperor’s favoritism toward Prince Yan was something both the Crown Prince and the Crown Grandson understood perfectly well, and it was common knowledge among the court officials too.

The concubines, maids, and attendants within the palace felt it even more keenly.

At a single suggestion from Prince Yan, the Emperor had agreed without a moment’s hesitation. Musicians and dancing girls were promptly summoned, and the concubines who had come to pay their respects happened to be present as well, so they stayed to enjoy the performance alongside the Emperor.

Fresh fruits and melons in his mouth, graceful dancing before his eyes, the melodious strains of music in his ears, and the occasional alluring glances cast his way by the concubines — the change of scenery had indeed put him in a far lighter, more pleasant mood.

The Emperor’s face was wreathed in smiles. Relaxed in both body and spirit, he found himself stirred by desires that had long lain dormant.

What a pity, though. The excessive doses of medicine he had taken last time had thoroughly sapped his vitality. For the past six months, his body had simply refused to cooperate…

The Emperor cast a regretful glance at the green-clad figure standing behind Wei Xianfei. If his body were still serviceable, how could he ever have let such a tender, delicate flower slip through his fingers?

Prince Yan sat to the Emperor’s right, keeping constant watch on his father’s every movement. Naturally, he did not miss the look the Emperor directed toward Ling Jingshu.

Had it been any other woman, he would long since have catered to his father’s tastes, suggesting that he summon her for his amusement. Even if nothing truly gratifying could come of it, there were plenty of ways to take pleasure…

But this was Ling Jingshu — a woman who had once moved his heart. No matter how low he had sunk, he was unwilling to see a woman he had cared for treated with contempt by his own father.

Prince Yan gave a soft cough and murmured, “Your Majesty, there is something your son wishes to speak with you about.”

The Emperor’s attention was drawn over at once. “What is it?”

Prince Yan smiled. “There are too many ears here. It would be better not to say too much. Your son will make his report after the midday meal.”

……

After the midday meal.

The Emperor had kept only Eunuch Ding to attend him personally; all other maids and attendants had been dismissed.

“Did you not say just now that you had something to report to Us?” the Emperor asked with a smile.

Prince Yan wasted no time with pretense. He bowed with a smile and said, “Indeed. Your son knows that Your Majesty has long turned your heart toward the Dao, and that there are no shortage of Daoist masters skilled in the art of pill refinement within the palace. Regrettably, they can only produce pills that strengthen and nourish the body. Now that Your Majesty’s health has greatly recovered, your son has been thinking — if a truly gifted person could refine a pill that prolongs life and grants immortality, Your Majesty would live forever, and the great Dazhou dynasty could endure for all eternity.”

These words struck right at the heart of the Emperor’s own thoughts.

The older one grew, the more one feared death.

“Are there truly pills in this world that can grant a person immortality?” the Emperor asked, even as his eyes already shone with eager, barely restrained anticipation.

Prince Yan knew his father’s mind well, and was careful not to make promises too absolute: “For the past six months, your son has been quietly dispatching men to seek out accomplished Daoist masters throughout the land. Several of genuine renown have indeed been found. One in particular — a Daoist Master Yu — is already past his hundredth year, yet radiates vitality, without a single strand of white hair, and appears to be no more than forty years of age. This Master Yu is most accomplished in the arts of pill refinement and the pursuit of longevity. Your son went to considerable lengths to invite him to the capital.”

“However, just how much of Master Yu’s abilities are genuine, your son would not dare to say with certainty. For this journey to the traveling palace, your son has brought him and several other Daoist masters along. Your Majesty has leisure time — why not summon them for an audience?”

The Emperor considered briefly, then agreed: “Very well. There is no harm in meeting them while I am at leisure. If this Master Yu truly possesses the art of refining pills that grant longevity, I will credit you with the achievement and reward you handsomely.”

Prince Yan declined to take credit, and said earnestly, “Your son does these things only in the hope that Your Majesty’s blessings and years may be prolonged. There is no thought of reward. Furthermore, the effects of the pills cannot be assessed merely by taking these men at their word.”

“If Your Majesty trusts your son, allow your son to test the pills on himself first. Once it has been confirmed that the pills cause no harm to the body, it will not be too late to try them.”

Who could hear such words and not be moved?

The Emperor’s eyes were filled with warmth and satisfaction. “Good, good, good — how rare it is that you possess such filial devotion. It is a comfort to Our heart. Have Master Yu come to see Us this very afternoon. We wish to assess him in person.”

Prince Yan accepted with a smile.

……

The traveling palace was roughly one third the size of the imperial palace, covering several hundred acres — half a day’s walk to make a full circuit.

The Emperor and the various concubines were lodged in the inner quarters, while the five hundred imperial guards were stationed in the outer quarters.

The traveling palace was neither particularly small nor particularly large. The Emperor’s every word, every act, every movement was impossible to conceal from those who paid attention.

Word spread quickly that the Emperor had summoned the pill-refining Daoist masters as early as the second day at the traveling palace.

It was said that Master Yu had the bearing of an immortal and possessed considerable genuine ability.

Upon meeting him, the Emperor immediately conferred upon Master Yu a nominal fourth-rank official title and bestowed upon him many gifts of gold and silver, ordering him to begin preparing his furnace and refining pills from that very day forward.

Imperial Physician Zhou, though elderly, had a gossipy and chatty nature. Upon hearing this news, he drew Wei Yan aside and lamented with a sigh: “Just look at you — you have devoted yourself wholeheartedly for six months, sparing no effort to care for the Emperor, and you finally got him well enough to walk about. And now the Emperor turns his head away, sets you aside, and begins to favor and put his faith in those Daoist men who do nothing but flatter and fawn and randomly concoct their pills.”

“And nothing has even been refined yet, and the man is already given a fourth-rank official title. Those of us in the Imperial Medical Academy who toil and labor day and night have never risen above fifth rank, even after all these years.”

At the mention of pill refinement, the assembled Imperial Physicians, who all prided themselves on superior medical skill, wore expressions of unmistakable contempt.

When the Emperor fell ill, it was the Imperial Physicians who were needed. But the moment he recovered, the Emperor’s thoughts turned to pills and the pursuit of immortality, and the hardworking, meritorious Imperial Physicians were cast aside and forgotten.

The very thought of it was infuriating!

Wei Yan’s gaze flickered, his expression remarkably composed. “If this Master Yu truly can refine a pill that grants immortality, that would be a fine thing.”

Imperial Physician Zhou gave a light snort. “Where in this world is there a pill that can make a person live forever? The Emperor is truly…” — a senile old fool!

Those last four words, Imperial Physician Zhou swallowed back with great effort, turning instead to add: “That Master Yu — who knows what his background is, that the Emperor should place such trust and confidence in him.”

That was simply a question to which the answer was already known!

Everyone knew it was Prince Yan who had recommended Master Yu. Given the Emperor’s particular fondness and trust in Prince Yan, that regard had naturally extended to Master Yu as well.

Wei Yan replied mildly, “I am not entirely clear on that, either.”

Seeing that Wei Yan was unwilling to say more, Imperial Physician Zhou felt somewhat deflated and fell silent.

Once Imperial Physician Zhou had gone, the look of calm composure faded from Wei Yan’s face, replaced by an expression of weighty gravity.

After a moment’s reflection, Wei Yan rose and made his way to Wei Xianfei’s bedchamber.

The siblings exchanged a glance, each immediately noting the heaviness of the other’s expression. They spoke at precisely the same moment: “What is the matter with you?” Then, just as simultaneously, they changed their words: “Have you heard about this Master Yu?”

Ling Jingshu, who had been standing at Wei Xianfei’s side, had felt a measure of unspoken anxiety and apprehension at the sight of Wei Yan — but witnessing this, she could not help but let out a soft laugh.

The Wei siblings also broke into helpless laughter. The heavy atmosphere immediately eased considerably.