The one originally meant to test the elixir for the Emperor should have been the eunuch attendant Xiao Fuzi.
However, at Prince Yan’s insistence, the duty of testing the elixir ultimately fell to Prince Yan himself. “Father, these immortal masters were all specially sought out from among the common people by your son. It is only right that I should be the first to test the elixirs they refine. Once I have taken them and shown no adverse reaction, it will not be too late for Father to take them as well.”
“If the longevity elixir truly has the effect of prolonging life and warding off aging, your son will be fortunate enough to benefit from Father’s blessing. And if there is the slightest problem with the elixir, your son alone will bear the consequences.”
Such words, paired with Prince Yan’s utterly sincere expression, were truly moving.
Over the past six months and more, the Emperor and Prince Yan had spent their days together, growing closer by the day. Seeing Prince Yan act so filially and thoughtfully, the Emperor was deeply moved. He took Prince Yan’s hand and sighed, “My son’s filial devotion—I accept it with all my heart. Very well, let it be you this time. I only hope this longevity elixir truly works, so that we father and son may extend our lives together.”
Prince Yan’s face showed gratitude. “Thank you, Father, for your great kindness!”
Then, in front of the Emperor, he took the longevity elixir.
He took it continuously for seven days, with no abnormal reactions at all.
The Emperor’s mind finally settled, and he too began taking the longevity elixir. Whether it was a placebo effect or whether the elixir truly worked, in any case, the Emperor’s appetite improved considerably, and he felt his hearing and eyesight had sharpened, even his mind growing notably clearer.
Greatly delighted, the Emperor rewarded Daoist Yu and the others with a thousand taels of gold, and ordered Daoist Yu to open the furnace again to refine more elixirs.
Because the Emperor frequently summoned Daoist Yu to talk with him, the time he summoned Wei Yan for company decreased considerably.
Imperial Physician Zhou took note of this and made a few sour remarks in front of Wei Yan. “Imperial Physician Wei, that Immortal Master Yu is really basking in glory now. He merely refined a few elixirs and became the Emperor’s favorite. It’s one thing for the likes of us who rarely get audiences with the Emperor, but who would have thought even you would have to make way for Immortal Master Yu now.”
Wei Yan, however, seemed quite unmoved by either favor or slight, and smiled faintly. “The longevity elixir has indeed shown results. Since taking it, the Emperor’s spirits have improved greatly compared to before. As long as it benefits His Majesty’s health, it doesn’t matter who appears before him more often.”
Seeing that he could not provoke Wei Yan, Imperial Physician Zhou gave an awkward smile and quickly fell silent.
…
With more free time now, Wei Yan also spent more time visiting Consort Wei.
The trivial matters of the temporary palace were now all handled by Consort Wei. Though the work was tedious, it was still far more relaxed than in the main palace.
As Consort Wei’s trusted female official, Ling Jingshu had also become considerably more at ease as a result.
That day, upon hearing that Wei Yan had come again, Consort Wei could not help but smile. “You just came two days ago—why are you here again?”
A faint blush rose to Ling Jingshu’s face.
These days, Wei Yan came to Consort Wei’s chambers every few days. As the saying goes, the drunkard’s heart is not in the wine at all… Fortunately, Consort Wei provided cover for them, or else they would have drawn attention long ago.
“Don’t come so often from now on.”
The warmth on Ling Jingshu’s face had not faded even after Consort Wei left, and she said softly with a hint of reproach, “If this keeps up, sooner or later it will arouse other people’s suspicion.”
Even between true siblings, visiting too frequently would draw curious glances.
Wei Yan’s nerve had grown thicker by now, and upon hearing this he deliberately let out a long sigh. “I want to restrain myself too, but I simply can’t control this heart of mine, nor these legs. The moment I have a free moment, I can’t help but run over here.”
A sweet warmth filled Ling Jingshu’s heart, and she shot Wei Yan a look, blushing. “Such a smooth talker!”
Wei Yan’s heart melted at this, and he stepped forward, extending his long arms to draw her into his embrace. Then he bent his head, unable to wait, and sealed her lips with his own.
Ling Jingshu’s delicate body trembled slightly, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Her eager response and warmth made Wei Yan even more excited and harder to restrain.
Ever since that heartfelt conversation between them, their feelings had advanced rapidly, deepening considerably in a short span of time. Wei Yan could not help but long to see her—and was she not just as eager for him to come?
Perhaps all lovers in this world are the same. Once two hearts have aligned and pledged themselves to each other, their longing only grows—wanting to be together morning and night, wanting to stay by each other’s side day and night…
“A’Shu, what should I do? I want to come see you every single day.”
Wei Yan buried his face against her shoulder, his voice slightly hoarse as it brushed against her sensitive ear, sending waves of tingling warmth through her.
Ling Jingshu’s cheeks burned, her ears flushing crimson, her voice losing its usual calm composure and turning slightly trembling and soft. “Wei Yan, I miss you too.”
Those few short words were like pouring a basin of hot oil onto an already roaring flame.
Wei Yan held her even tighter, his lips lingering at her neck and behind her ear, his hand moving from her slender waist toward the front, seeking out the softness he had long yearned for.
Ling Jingshu let out a soft cry and, unable to contain her embarrassment, pushed him away forcefully. “Wei Yan!”
Caught off guard by being pushed away, Wei Yan suddenly realized his own forwardness, and his fair, handsome face flushed with embarrassment. “A’Shu, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep with you!”
For more than twenty years, he had lived with a pure heart and few desires, guarding his chastity—this extraordinary self-control had always been something he took pride in.
He had never expected that he too would have a day when he could not control his own feelings like this!
Ling Jingshu was not particularly angry either—her earlier reaction had simply been a young woman’s instinctive shyness. He was a healthy young man, after all, and it was only natural for him to become somewhat “excited” when stirred by emotion.
Still, they could not keep being so clingy like this. Otherwise, things might get out of hand…
Ling Jingshu quickly stepped back several paces, putting distance between herself and Wei Yan, and said with a flushed face, “I’m not angry. Just don’t come any closer. If you have something to say, say it from where you’re standing!”
Wei Yan’s nerve had its limits after all, and he obediently stayed put, not approaching again. “It’s nothing important. The Emperor has been favoring Daoist Yu lately and often summons him to talk. I have more free time than before, so I came to see you.”
Ling Jingshu composed herself and asked in a low voice, “The Emperor has been taking the elixir for over half a month now. I heard from Consort Wei that his spirits really have improved compared to before, and his appetite has gotten much better too. From the looks of it, this longevity elixir does seem to have some effect.”
Wei Yan raised an eyebrow, a meaningful smile crossing his face. “Taking the longevity elixir in the short term does indeed show results. But over time, it causes mild addiction. Within three months, the body will become dependent on the elixir’s properties. Once the elixir is stopped, the body simply won’t be able to bear it.”
“And that will be exactly when Prince Yan makes his move! Quietly seizing control over the Emperor, and after that, doing whatever he wants will become far more convenient.”
Prince Yan had been scheming all along, waiting for the day when the Emperor would be entirely at his mercy!
Ling Jingshu had heard Wei Yan vaguely mention the pros and cons of the longevity elixir once or twice before, but never as clearly and plainly as this time. She could not help but feel a chill of alarm.