Zhou Tianshou froze, though a trace of wariness flashed through his heart. He had long pondered methods to surpass his master—the best approach would be to present a beauty who could whisper in the pillow, and she had to be one he personally cultivated and trained, falsely claiming she was a descended immortal maiden sent into the palace. But he had never found someone who could captivate at first sight. After all, the Emperor had seen far too many beauties in the world. With his limited wealth, how could he have such an opportunity?

The young man said slowly, “This woman should be sufficient to pass as a divine maiden.”

Zhou Tianshou was overjoyed, “Truly?”

The young man only smiled. He had searched far and wide for this young lady, specially sending her to learn etiquette and song and dance from female officials released from the palace, even to learn bedroom arts from courtesans. Say she was gentle—yet her very bones carried seductiveness, her tender, affectionate eyes capable of ensnaring any man’s heart. Say she was alluring—yet she had ice-like skin and jade-like bones, without a trace of coquettish air about her. Sending such a woman to the Emperor’s side, she would certainly be favored. Moreover, claiming she was a pure and chaste reincarnated divine maiden would drape her in a mysterious veil—nothing could be more appropriate.

Zhou Tianshou suddenly came to his senses, “I wonder what Young Master needs me to do for you?”

The young man only smiled, “Not for now. In the future, when I need Daoist Master’s help, I ask that you lend me your aid.”

Zhou Tianshou bowed deeply, “This poor Daoist will naturally do his utmost.”

When Li Minde left the villa, the heavy snow had stopped. He instructed quietly, “After entering the palace, you understand what you must do?”

“This servant understands.” The beautiful woman replied softly.

Li Minde smiled faintly and mounted the carriage. By finding Zhou Tianshou first and giving him a great favor to curry favor with the Emperor—first, this was to seize Zhou Tianshou before the Seventh Prince could, and second, naturally to send this beauty to the Emperor’s side. To find this beauty, he had been without free time for fully two months. One must know that while beauties were easy to find in the world, beauties who harbored deep hatred for the Jiang family were very difficult to find. This beauty named Leng Youlian had an irreconcilable blood feud with the Jiang family. One could imagine what trouble such a woman entering the palace would bring to the Jiang family… Li Minde smiled faintly. This way, the Jiang family would be busy for quite a while.

At midnight, Tan Shi suddenly rushed into Li Weiyang’s room, her panicked appearance startling everyone.

Li Weiyang sat up in bed. Before she could speak, Tan Shi grabbed her arm, “Weiyang, Minzhi… Minzhi he…” Before finishing her words, tears kept flowing. Li Weiyang grasped her hand firmly, “What happened?”

Tan Shi kept crying and crying, unable to say a word. Bai Zhi beside her quickly said, “Miss, Fourth Young Master began running a low fever in the middle of the night. All the milk he drank came back up…”

Li Weiyang immediately threw on clothes, “Has a physician been summoned?”

Tan Shi held back tears, “It’s the middle of the night now. We didn’t dare disturb the Old Madam and Master, so we only summoned the physician who usually treats the Li household. He said… he said Minzhi still had residual toxins, which is why this happened. But now it’s getting worse and worse—we can’t wake him no matter what!”

In her haste, Li Weiyang had already dressed. She ordered, “Zhao Yue, quickly go to Furui Courtyard and tell Father. No matter who blocks you, even if you must force your way through, you must see him. Tell him Fourth Brother is gravely ill! Bai Zhi, come with me to Lixiang Courtyard!”

The maids knew this matter was extraordinary. Not daring to say more, they hastily draped Li Weiyang’s large fur coat on her. Li Weiyang walked to the door, suddenly stopped, turned back to look at Tan Shi crying with her head down, and said, “Mother, pull yourself together. Go back and care for Fourth Brother. I’ll return shortly!”

Hearing that Li Minzhi was gravely ill, the Old Madam immediately climbed out of bed. Not even having time to dress, she kept saying, “Quickly summon an imperial physician!”

Nanny Luo hesitated slightly, “Old Madam, at this hour, I’m afraid we cannot summon an imperial physician!”

The Old Madam looked—outside it was at most the chou hour. The Imperial Medical Bureau did have night duty personnel, but they were prepared for the imperial family and truly couldn’t be mobilized. Now they could only go to an imperial physician’s home! She said, “Never mind all that. Take my calling card and have the butler personally go to Imperial Physician Wang’s home!”

Nanny Luo immediately agreed and rushed off.

The Li family’s main gate suddenly opened. The butler quickly mounted his horse and, leading attendants, rode through the deserted late-night streets, leaving only a series of urgent hoofbeats. They galloped eastward all the way. Arriving before Imperial Physician Wang’s gate, they found the residence door tightly shut. The butler finally managed to knock the door open, only to receive disheartening news… The Empress Dowager had suddenly fallen ill and summoned all the imperial physicians for a collective consultation. Physician Wang had naturally entered the palace as well. The butler’s heart grew anxious. He asked when he could come out, but the other party looked at each other helplessly—palace matters, who could know!

The butler hurried back to report. Hearing these words, Li Xiaoran was naturally extremely anxious. He suddenly stood up, “I’ll go wait at the palace gates!” As Prime Minister, the slightest misstep would give others leverage against him. He couldn’t tell the Emperor, “My son has an urgent illness, please spare one physician from attending the Empress Dowager!” So he could only wait, hoping the Imperial Medical Bureau consultation would end early! This matter should properly be the butler’s task, but Li Xiaoran didn’t trust him—for treating a concubine’s son, the butler might not be able to summon an imperial physician. But with the Prime Minister standing at the palace gates waiting, no imperial physician would dare refuse!

Li Xiaoran took a carriage to enter the palace. The Old Madam waited anxiously in her room. Jiang Yuelan’s expression was grave, “Old Madam, please set your mind at ease. Minzhi is blessed by heaven—nothing will happen.”

Her face showed genuine worry. Though she had only raised this child for a few days, unless one was made of wood or stone, some feelings would develop. Moreover, she bore no deep blood feud with Li Weiyang or Seventh Concubine, so naturally she wouldn’t secretly rejoice like Li Changle. However, she vaguely felt that too many children died young in this season. Like General He’s household in the eastern district—four children in succession had died young. Even though Lady He cried until she went blind, it was useless. With Minzhi’s sudden illness, he likely couldn’t be saved either.

Li Weiyang sat throughout, her expression very calm. Yet Bai Zhi clearly saw her fingertips trembling slightly. Perhaps to conceal her immense inner turmoil, Li Weiyang clenched her fists.

Fourth Concubine, observing the heavy atmosphere in the room, consoled gently, “Yes, Old Madam, the Madam is right. Fourth Young Master will certainly recover soon.” Just as she finished speaking, she saw Li Weiyang raise her eyes to glance at her. She immediately shrank her neck, not daring to speak further. Though she spoke well-meaning words, in her heart she truly wished Li Minzhi would die soon. She herself was fated never to bear sons. Having finally given birth to twin daughters, one was lost at the First Madam’s hands. Of course she hated the deceased First Madam, but she hated Seventh Concubine even more—because someone originally beneath even her had not only received an imperial honor but also borne a son. Even if Seventh Concubine never gained favor again, this was enough for her to stand firm in the Li household. Given this, Fourth Concubine naturally wished Li Minzhi would die young. But Li Weiyang’s eyes showed she had long seen through her thoughts. How could Fourth Concubine not be alarmed? Being targeted by Li Weiyang could never be good!

Li Changle smiled lightly, “Poor Fourth Brother—so young yet having to suffer such torment. Ninth Concubine truly committed evil!”

Hearing this, the Old Madam snorted coldly. Jiang Yuelan sighed softly. But Li Weiyang suddenly stood up. Li Changle panicked for a moment, but Li Weiyang didn’t grow angry. Instead she said coolly, “This room is too stuffy. I’ll go out for some air.”

Just as she walked out the door, she saw Li Minde hurrying over, covered in dew—clearly just returning from outside. Seeing Li Weiyang, he immediately approached, “I’ve prepared a carriage. Let’s go!”

Li Weiyang frowned, “Where to?”

“Sitting here stupidly waiting is no solution! I’ve heard there’s a divine physician in the Great Li. As long as someone hasn’t stopped breathing, he has methods to save them! If not for his eccentric personality refusing to enter officialdom, the position of Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau would have to change hands! “

“Is this true?” Li Weiyang looked at him in surprise, suddenly thinking of someone, “You mean Lu Xiao?!”

She had been too anxious earlier and hadn’t thought of this person. Lu Xiao, called Elder Lu, was indeed a divine physician. His miraculous skills lay not only in medicine but also in diagnosing conditions. Whatever he said could be cured would certainly be cured. Whatever he said was fatal had no other remedy. Once someone had a headache—Elder Lu examined his pulse and deemed the illness extremely dangerous and untreatable. He told the patient’s brother, “Your elder brother suffers from an abscess that will soon erupt in his intestines and stomach. In five days he’ll develop edema, in eight days he’ll vomit pus and die.” Later it happened exactly so. Another time, he examined a high official’s son. The youth was only 17 years old. After looking, Elder Lu said, “You have illness within. You should take the medicine I prescribe for over a year. Otherwise, at twenty-five, all your body hair will fall out.” The youth didn’t believe it and didn’t take the medicine on time. At twenty-five, indeed all his hair and eyebrows fell out completely. Later, when the Late Emperor’s beloved Consort Liu fell ill, they found Lu Xiao by every means. After examining her, Lu Xiao said: Your illness has deep roots and should be treated by opening the abdomen. However, you only have two years of life remaining—treating or not won’t change your lifespan. At the Emperor’s insistence, Lu Xiao treated her, but two years later Consort Liu still died. This incident caused great sensation at the time. Lu Xiao, with his superb medical skills and iron-clad diagnoses, became the Great Li’s most renowned physician. But the Late Emperor still felt his inadequate treatment had caused Consort Liu’s death, so he once tried to capture him everywhere. Lu Xiao thus came to detest the imperial family, traveling throughout the land with whereabouts unknown. How could they find such an elusive divine physician?

“Because your body suffers from cold, I’ve searched everywhere for this renowned physician. I learned he’s in the capital but didn’t know the specific location. Half a month ago I finally found his residence. I visited multiple times but he was never home. Now we have no other recourse—we must try our luck. If Minzhi’s fate isn’t sealed, naturally we’ll find Elder Lu!” As Li Minde spoke, he had Bai Zhi help Li Weiyang into the carriage while quickly explaining.

Li Weiyang did pause upon hearing he had once searched for renowned physicians for her sake. Then, not daring to delay, she quickly boarded the carriage, “I hope we haven’t made this trip in vain.”

Li Minde nodded, his jade-like face showing a trace of determination.

The carriage traveled westward for a full hour before finally stopping before a courtyard gate.

Li Weiyang hadn’t said half a word the entire way, gripping the handrail so tightly her palms were clammy with cold sweat. Li Minde seemed to sense her tension and panic. His warm palm covered her hand, patting it gently, as if deliberately offering silent comfort.

Li Weiyang started, only then raising her head, composure returning to her eyes.

This was a three-sided, seven-room dwelling with black tiles and white walls, connected to a covered corridor, with green windows and oil-painted walls—very elegant. However, the boy attendant at the entrance had an extremely arrogant expression, “I already told you my master isn’t home. Here you come again in the middle of the night—you’re truly mad!”

Li Minde frowned, “This time there’s a critical patient!”

The boy said coldly, “I don’t care what illness you have. Not home means not home!”

Li Minde’s expression darkened, “Zhao Nan!” Before the boy could react, a long sword was at his neck. The boy started in fright. Li Weiyang quickly stepped forward, “You know that even if we have patience, swords never have much patience! By the time your master returns, your blood will have run dry. I’m afraid even he couldn’t save you!”

The arrogant expression vanished from the boy’s face. His expression shifted uncertainly as he looked at Li Weiyang. Seeing this young lady’s murderous appearance, he felt somewhat intimidated. He could only address the handsome youth beside her, “Young Master, where do people beg for help like this? I said he’s not home—that means he’s truly not home! How could I lie? If you don’t believe me, you can go in and search!”

Li Weiyang gritted her teeth, “Zhao Yue, go inside and look!” Now was the critical moment—what did courtesy or respect matter? If life was lost, what use was anything! Zhao Yue quickly entered. In less than a moment she rushed back out, shaking her head dejectedly.

Li Weiyang frowned. That boy said, “See, see! I told you my master wasn’t home! Come back another day!”

Another day! Another day! Where was there another day? Li Weiyang thought anxiously—if Li Xiaoran’s side also couldn’t summon an imperial physician in time, what would happen to Minzhi?! Could they force their way into the palace and drag out an imperial physician?!

Li Weiyang unconsciously stepped back two paces, momentarily somewhat distracted.

“You don’t want your life!” Just as her mind wandered, her body was pulled by Li Minde before her. She involuntarily tilted to the side, but that voice came from the person behind.

Li Weiyang abruptly raised her head to see a carriage had stopped beside them with alarming proximity. The shaken driver, gripping the reins, was cursing loudly, “What kind of eyes do you have? Walking without watching where you’re going? Or are you full and idle with nothing to do, running to someone’s doorway looking for death!” Then changing his tone to ask behind him, “Master, are you all right?”

A aged voice from inside said, “What happened outside!”

The driver quickly explained. Li Minde was about to grow angry when he sensed something wrong—because Li Weiyang was staring fixedly at that carriage.

The elderly man in the carriage now descended, bowing to Li Weiyang, “I hope I didn’t startle the young lady…”

“Ah! My master has returned! You’re truly fortunate!” The boy quickly ran up.

Only then did Li Weiyang come to her senses, involuntarily stepping forward, “Are you—Elder Lu?”

“You’ve come to see a patient? Let’s go inside to talk!” The elder had already said this. Li Weiyang grasped his sleeve, “There’s no time! Please come with us quickly. My brother is already failing!”

The elder shook his head, “I must go in to fetch my medicine chest!” As he spoke, he glanced at Li Weiyang’s hand and smiled imperceptibly.

Li Weiyang realized her impropriety and quickly released her hand. Everyone followed the elder into the house. The room’s furnishings were very simple—an Eight Immortals table in the center, Grand Master chairs on either side, a chess board on the table. All furniture prioritized utility, without a trace of extravagance. At most, flower pots were placed everywhere possible with unknown plants. What was most spectacular were the layers of bookshelves filled with various medical and pharmaceutical texts.

Elder Lu had white hair and beard, a clear and vigorous countenance. Were it not for his stooped posture from advanced age, he would truly be a tall man. He originally didn’t want to make an immediate house call, but hearing the Li family had summoned seven physicians tonight who all said the child was gravely ill and beyond saving, he immediately became interested, “They all said he couldn’t be saved? Then I must go see!”

This clearly treated Minzhi as a difficult case. Li Weiyang suppressed the sadness in her heart, “Please do your utmost. If you can cure him, the Li family will be deeply grateful!”

Elder Lu smiled, instructing the boy beside him to fetch the medicine chest, then followed them onto the carriage.

Upon reaching the Li residence, the butler came forward, his face full of anxiety, saying quietly, “The Master hasn’t returned yet.” This meant the imperial physician hadn’t been summoned. Li Weiyang nodded, saying to Elder Lu, “Please.”

Elder Lu proceeded all the way to Tan Shi’s courtyard. By then dawn was breaking. The Old Madam and a roomful of people all waited with anxious faces. Li Changle stood first, “Who is this physician—”

Li Weiyang said, “This is the renowned Elder Lu.”

The Old Madam, well-informed, suddenly recalled someone upon hearing this name and quickly said, “Elder Lu, much obliged.”

Li Changle glanced at a constantly bowing matron beside her and laughed coldly. Elder Lu? Li Weiyang was truly seeking treatment in desperation. She had never heard of any renowned physician surnamed Lu in the capital!

Li Changle couldn’t be blamed for her ignorance—Elder Lu had rarely moved about the capital in recent years, and many had forgotten him.

Everyone in the room watched Elder Lu, including several physicians who had been helpless moments ago. They all stared at this person, hearts full of doubt. Elder Lu washed his hands, wiping them clean with a snow-white handkerchief before walking to the cradle. Look, listen, ask, palpate—a full half hour before finishing. Then he walked over, stroking his beard, expression grave, “Show me the previous prescriptions.”

Li Weiyang personally handed Elder Lu the prescription the imperial physician had written for Minzhi. Elder Lu squinted at it for a good while, repeatedly sighing, “Quack misleading people, quack misleading people!”

With these words, the Old Madam immediately tensed, “This is a prescription from a palace imperial physician. Is there a problem?”

“This child has residual toxins and caught a chill. Yet he prescribed all detoxifying medicines, instead causing great cold to enter the body, making the chill worse. Of course the child couldn’t withstand it! Which bastard wrote this prescription—what kind of imperial physician, he deserves death.”

A nearby physician had originally agreed with this prescription. Hearing this, he couldn’t help saying, “This child was poisoned, so this prescription is appropriate! We can’t ignore the poisoning to only treat the chill! That would be treating the head while ignoring the feet! Moreover, the poisoning is far more severe than the chill. Of course we must detoxify first before treating the chill!”

“Quacks are all half-informed like you, knowing only superficial things.” Elder Lu said unceremoniously, “This child is so small—one must emphasize nourishment and supplementation. You only knew to detoxify without knowing to nourish his body. As his body weakened, the chill naturally entered. The medicines in this prescription are all extremely cold—are you trying to force the child to death?! Before you finish eliminating the toxins, the child will lose his life!”

That physician protested, “Two illnesses mixed together are already very difficult to treat. Moreover, the child is young—we can’t prescribe heavy medicines like ephedra. It’s so complicated—who could save him!”

Elder Lu laughed coldly, “You cannot, so you assume others cannot?”

The Old Madam’s hope involuntarily rose. Her voice hoarse, she asked, “How can he be saved now?”

Elder Lu looked at Minzhi in the cradle, seemingly considering. Tan Shi was gently holding Minzhi, using a small spoon to give him two or three spoonfuls of water, changing the damp cloth on his forehead. But the child still kept his eyes tightly closed, not waking.

Elder Lu said slowly, “I’ll prescribe medicine. Give it to the child as written.”

The Old Madam was anxious, “Such a small child—how can he withstand medicine! Should we have the wet nurse drink it, then pass it through milk—”

Elder Lu shook his head, “No time! If you trust me, listen to me! If not, seek another physician!”

Li Weiyang bit her lip, “Old Madam, let’s follow Elder Lu’s instructions.”

Though the Old Madam still harbored doubts about him, with the imperial physician delayed, she could only trust the person before her. But she had to speak plainly first, “If you cannot cure him—”

“Since I dare prescribe medicine, I can certainly cure him! There are no ‘ifs’!” Elder Lu’s face was full of confidence.

Thus, prescribing medicine, preparing medicine, administering medicine—they bustled about for six full hours. By noon when Li Xiaoran hurried back with the imperial physician, Minzhi’s vomiting and diarrhea had stopped and his high fever had broken.

Imperial Physician Wang looked at this scene in shock, wanting to say something. The Old Madam, fearing conflict between the two, had people quickly take Imperial Physician Wang aside for tea. But Imperial Physician Wang didn’t listen to anyone. He voluntarily walked to Minzhi’s cradle, looking, listening, asking, palpating for a long while, his expression shifting uncertainly—making both the Old Madam and Li Xiaoran somewhat nervous.

After a long time, he slowly said, “Truly a master.” Then he glanced at Li Xiaoran, “Prime Minister Li, I’ll take my leave first.” With that, he walked away without looking back.

Everyone showed puzzled expressions, not understanding why Imperial Physician Wang suddenly left. Li Changle had the most complex feelings. She lowered her eyes without a word, yet her face had to show a joyful expression—truly as awkward as could be.

Elder Lu checked again, finally smiling, “All is well now.”

Li Weiyang immediately breathed a sigh of relief, only then noticing even the Old Madam had sat through the entire night. She quickly said, “Old Madam, I’ll escort the physician out. Please return to rest quickly.”

Relaxing, the Old Madam only then noticed her legs were weak. She couldn’t help glancing toward the cradle, “Good. I’ll return first. If there are any changes, notify me immediately.”

“Yes.”

Li Xiaoran quickly said, “Butler, accompany Third Miss to see off Elder Lu.” The butler immediately understood, “Yes.” Before long, he held a thick pouch of silver in his hands, presenting it to Elder Lu’s medicine boy. The boy accepted the money with a beaming smile.

Only after leaving the Li household did Elder Lu smile faintly, saying to Li Weiyang, “No need to see me further.”

Li Weiyang said, “Elder Lu, you saved my brother’s life. In the future, should there be anything Weiyang can help with, I will certainly not decline.”

Elder Lu smiled, examining Li Weiyang carefully for several moments before saying, “In that case, I’ll take my leave first. Should I need anything in the future, I’ll naturally come to your residence to trouble you.”

Li Weiyang nodded, watching Elder Lu board his carriage. As his carriage departed, she heard Li Minde instructing someone, “Follow him.”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help turning back, “What—is there something strange about him?”

Li Minde looked coldly toward the departing carriage’s direction, “I always feel something odd about him.”

Li Weiyang said softly, “But he did save Fourth Brother’s life. That’s an undeniable fact.”

Li Minde shook his head, “Last night I was too anxious. Later when I calmed down to think, I noticed something wrong. They say Elder Lu has an eccentric personality—patients who don’t suit his eye, he won’t even acknowledge even if they come to his door. Even patients he decides to treat, he must deliberately make things difficult for a while. Yet this person said not a word and just followed us back. It’s truly strange.”

Li Weiyang smiled, “Your suspicions are too heavy. At least his medical skills are genuine.”

Li Minde’s beautiful eyes flashed with cold light, “Either way, I think this fellow isn’t right.”

Li Weiyang also carefully recalled, but she had been too anxious earlier—she hadn’t even paid much attention to his appearance. She couldn’t help smiling and shaking her head, feeling this youth’s thoughts were becoming increasingly inscrutable.

Elder Lu’s carriage proceeded along the route they’d come. The medicine boy looked back, saying quietly, “Someone’s following behind!”

Elder Lu smiled faintly, stroking his long beard, “Lose them!”

The carriage immediately turned into an alley. The pursuing carriage’s people also quickly followed. But upon reaching the alley, the carriage had suddenly vanished. The pursuers were stunned for a long time, then ordered splitting into three groups to chase in three different directions. After they all left, a large gate opened and the carriage leisurely emerged. The medicine boy peered out, discovering the people had gone, then laughed, “They’re gone!”

Elder Lu laughed heartily, “Let’s return. After being busy all night, it’s time for a hot bath!”

Elder Lu didn’t return to last night’s courtyard but twisted and turned to reach another luxurious villa. However, once the gate closed, his bent back miraculously straightened. Four curvaceous, infinitely beautiful young women in white approached with smiles, “Young Master has returned!”

Elder Lu smiled very sweetly, laughingly fondling a nearby girl’s bosom, “Should call me Elder Lu…”

“Elder Lu…” Several young women called out in tender voices together, then burst into flowery laughter.

Elder Lu embraced two beauties left and right, entering the room amid twittering birds. One beauty brought him a basin of water. He took out a medicine bottle, rubbing it all over his face for a full half hour, then washed carefully and thoroughly with water until completely clean. Only then did he raise his face—no longer that crane-haired, chicken-skinned old man but a jade-faced, vermilion-lipped, charming young man. He chuckled, “Look at this face—doesn’t it feel much more comfortable?!”

“Naturally! Young Master’s face is the most handsome!”

“Yes, yes! If Young Master used this face, it would bewitch people to death!”

The beautiful maids chattered endlessly. Then someone immediately brought face-masking items. The young man applied them to his face. Another half hour later, removing them, he finally breathed out, “You think I wanted to wear that broken thing? Can’t even breathe properly! What ‘mouth without hair, work not solid’—bah! All nonsense! If not to make people believe me, I wouldn’t go to such trouble!”

“Yes, now they’ve verified Young Master’s abilities!” A maid laughed.

The young man crossed his legs, mouth biting a string of crystalline grapes presented by a maid, laughing gleefully, “That’s right. Now I’ve saved the Prime Minister’s fourth son. Soon I’ll be famous throughout the world!” As he spoke, his eyes flashed with light, full of mischief, “Now they can’t say I’m fooling around anymore!”

“Young Master is truly amazing…” Another round of twittering.

Just then, the main gate banged open. A young man strode in with large steps, walked directly before him, lifted the grape-eating person up, then threw him hard to the ground, saying angrily, “You menace! Who told you to go treat Li Minzhi!”

He was startled—that grape seed lodged in his throat and wouldn’t go down for ages. The maids quickly came up to pat his back. With great difficulty he finally recovered, shouting, “Jiang Nan! What are you doing!”

Jiang Nan laughed coldly, pointing at his nose, “You bastard! I tell you to return home but you won’t. You make trouble outside every day. Usually we don’t manage you, thinking you’re young and don’t understand. Now look what you’ve done! You actually ran to save that Li family little bastard!”

It turned out this young man claiming to be Elder Lu was actually the only son of the Jiang family’s second branch, the elusive Jiang Tian. He shoved Jiang Nan’s wrist away, “I’m originally Elder Lu’s little disciple. Using his name to treat and save people—how does that concern you!”

Jiang Nan’s expression was extremely cold, “That Li Weiyang—First Aunt was forced to death by her. Later I investigated Second Aunt’s death—eighty percent she’s also connected. She can be said to have a blood feud with the Jiang family. That Li Minzhi is her own younger brother. You should have let him die. Why go out of your way to save him? Is your brain broken?!”

Jiang Tian’s heart sank, immediately speechless, unable to speak for a long while.

Jiang Nan stared at him, “Now you know you’ve ruined things!”

Jiang Tian looked at him hesitantly, “That poison—”

Jiang Nan snorted coldly, “It could originally be used against Li Weiyang. Now it’s all ruined in your hands! Li Changle is furious to death! Just now she sent someone with a message saying Elder Lu came to the residence to save someone. I immediately thought of you! Elder Lu died ten years ago—where would Elder Lu come from! Isn’t it just you running around everywhere all the time using people’s names!”

Jiang Tian muttered, “How was I supposed to know what you did? Why blame me! Originally when I treated patients I charged thousands in gold. This time I didn’t even discuss price before going—wasn’t it because we’re all relatives!”

Jiang Nan was so angry he couldn’t speak, “What relatives? What kind of relative are you to Li Weiyang! Li Changle is your cousin! Aunt is your relative! Li Weiyang?! If you dare say you’re her relative, the Old Madam will cut out your tongue!”

Jiang Tian’s handsome face immediately became very ugly, “But I’ve already done it! What more do you want? Otherwise I’ll go back now and poison that child to death with one dose!”

“Come back!” Jiang Nan kicked him hard. He nimbly dodged, but his clothes now had a footprint. He immediately jumped up, “Fourth Brother! Why! Wasn’t I trying to make amends for my mistake?!”

“You think you’re so clever, shaking off the pursuers. Let me tell you—those were only obvious spies. Several expert shadows remained. If not for me handling them, you think your pitiful little tricks could escape their eyes? Let me tell you—if Li Weiyang learns you’re from the Jiang family, watch your skin!”

“Just a girl—how formidable can she be? I think a gust of wind could blow her over!”

“Bah! You understand shit!” Jiang Nan unleashed his battlefield fierceness, starting to curse, “If she were easy to deal with, would we have gone to such trouble!”

Jiang Tian said sullenly, “To deal with one girl—what’s so difficult?”

Jiang Nan sat down huffily in a purple wisteria wood chair, laughing coldly, “More than difficult! She hides in the Li household all day without going out. Can you go drag her out?!”

“We can always wait until she goes out! Then—”

“Then? She’s only gone out three times these past two months. Each time she had expert martial artists guarding her. She herself is cunning beyond measure. Even I can’t get close. Wanting to trouble her—easier said than done! Moreover, just making her suffer isn’t enough—Aunt would have died in vain! The Old Madam said we must completely destroy Li Weiyang’s reputation!”

Jiang Tian looked at Jiang Nan hesitantly, “That—probably won’t be easy!”

“Originally with Li Minzhi’s death, Li Weiyang would have been enraged to death or driven mad. But you ruined everything!” Jiang Nan spoke with rising anger, then suddenly paused. His eyes narrowed slightly, laughing coldly, saying slowly, “However, it’s not without benefits. Originally we only meant to take her brother. Now—” His eyes fixed on Jiang Tian’s face. Jiang Tian was very alarmed, “What do you want!”

Jiang Nan smiled faintly, a trace of mockery on his handsome face, “This waste can finally serve some use. From now on, you’ll do as I say.”

Whispering in Jiang Tian’s ear for a while, seeing his expression change, Jiang Nan’s smile deepened, “Good. That settles it. I’m leaving. Remember what I said. If you dare ruin things again, I’ll tell Second Uncle about your actions and have him properly discipline you!”

Jiang Tian watched him leave, then huffily entered the inner room, plopping into a chair. Then he kicked over the small table holding grapes, saying, “What kind of bullshit Fourth Brother—just a ruffian! Where’s the reason in any of this…”

The beautiful maids exchanged glances. One bold one quickly came to comfort him, “Young Master, don’t be angry. We just won’t pay attention to him. If it really doesn’t work, we’ll tell the Duke’s Wife and have her discipline Fourth Young Master.”

Jiang Wu said tearfully, “Didn’t you see he was going to inform on me? Ah, I’m truly unlucky—just back in the capital and this happens!”

“Then just stay far away from him!”

Jiang Tian said with deep grievance, “I’m so upset and you’re still criticizing me! Li Weiyang, that jinx—I should have let her brother die!”

The maids exchanged glances. No one dared speak further.

**One Month Later**

Around the mao hour, the sky had grown light. The large red lanterns hung everywhere still burned, illuminating the pitch-black palace buildings and the winding corridors. The old Daoist Yin Tianzhao had completely white hair and beard, an emaciated frame, yet his eyes were deep and bright—appearing only forty or fifty years old. He proceeded all the way into the Emperor’s bedchamber, unobstructed, with countless people bowing to him.

Facing the supreme sovereign, Yin Tianzhao bowed, saying coolly, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“Rise.”

Recently the Emperor was obsessed with Daoist arts. Even his bedchamber had a Daoist altar erected. He casually pointed to the meditation cushion opposite, instructing a eunuch, “Bring the elixir.”

Yin Tianzhao saw his disciple—Zhou Tianshou, who had just gained the Emperor’s favor by presenting a beauty—was also present. He immediately darkened his expression, but given the Emperor’s presence, he didn’t dare lose his temper. Because the Emperor now greatly favored that beauty, even believing she was a beauty Zhou Tianshou obtained from heaven, Yin Tianzhao had tried to expose his fraud afterward. But His Majesty deeply believed his own fortune had moved heaven and earth, bringing a heavenly maiden to his side. Forget Yin Tianzhao—even the Empress Dowager’s persuasion couldn’t be heard. The Emperor insisted on making that woman a consort, keeping her by his side daily. Under these circumstances, Zhou Tianshou was naturally also very favored.

A eunuch took the brocade box from Yin Tianzhao’s hands, then respectfully presented it before the Emperor. The Emperor took water with the elixir but choked for ages, finally catching his breath and saying comfortably, “Every time I take the elixir, I have this thoroughly comfortable feeling throughout my body. Much thanks to the Daoist Master.”

Yin Tianzhao wore the demeanor of an enlightened immortal, smiling, “Your Majesty is too kind. This is only because Your Majesty has immortal destiny that the elixir could be refined.” Then he rose, “Your Majesty, let this poor Daoist pray for your blessings.”

The Emperor nodded. Yin Tianzhao rose and walked before the Emperor, sweeping his whisk across the Emperor’s face and body nine times. Yin Tianzhao muttered incantations. After a moment, his expression suddenly changed and he stopped his movements. The Emperor opened his eyes, “What is it?”

Yin Tianzhao’s face showed difficulty.

The Emperor frowned, “Speak freely.”

Yin Tianzhao sighed, “Your Majesty, this poor Daoist sees you so devout, yet thinking of Your Majesty’s remaining lifespan being short, my heart is truly sorrowful!”

The Emperor’s expression immediately changed drastically. He cried out, “Daoist Master, what does this mean?”

Yin Tianzhao continued sighing, “Your Majesty, please come with this poor Daoist.” As he spoke, he gave Zhou Tianshou a warning look. The other immediately lowered his head.

Yin Tianzhao laughed coldly, his face showing a sinister expression…