Several eunuchs fetched a stretcher and carried the person back to Yikun Palace. After everyone left, the Crown Prince stepped forward to pay his respects.

"Greetings, Aunt."

Yuwen Xian waved his hand, "I came to see your father. It's been hot lately, and I don't know if his health can handle it."

In such hot weather, they can put ice basins in the house, but Yuwen Wuji cannot.

The imperial physician originally suggested placing ice blocks in the outer hall to lower the temperature, and that by being careful to avoid large temperature differences, one could avoid getting sick. However, fearing his own health was too poor, he forbade the use of ice basins.

Upon entering the hall, one immediately felt the oppressive heat. Yuwen Wuji, disregarding imperial dignity, wore only a bright yellow silk undergarment. A young eunuch fanned him, sweat pouring down his forehead.

"Why are you here?" Yuwen Wuji had just woken up and looked listless. Li Wei handed him a cup of tea, which he took a sip of and cleared his throat.

"It's been hot lately, so I came to check on my brother." Yuwen Xian found a seat and sat down. "Has your appetite been good lately, brother?"

Yuwen Wuji ate only bland food all day long, and his meat intake consisted mainly of chicken and fish soup. If he ate too much meat, he would suffer from severe abdominal pain and then rectal bleeding. He dared not eat any meat now, and could only drink soup.

But people eat grains and vegetables, and without meat, where would they get their energy? That's why he's getting more and more haggard.

Yuwen Xian said some words of concern, then looked at him quietly. In just half a year, Yuwen Wuji had weakened to this state.

He was very thin now, and his prominent collarbone could be seen through his open collar. His cheeks were also severely sunken, and his eye sockets were sunken, making him look ten years older. He had lost his former vigor and imperial majesty.

Suddenly, Yuwen Xian stood up, startling Yuwen Wuji.

"What's wrong?"

"No." Yuwen Xian suddenly felt a sense of sorrow and absurdity welling up in her heart. So her arrogant imperial brother had become like this.

His weakness and helplessness made people feel sorry for him, but at the same time, they couldn't help but laugh at him for deserving it.

"Your Majesty, please rest well. There's nothing I can do, so I won't bother you any longer."

Yuwen Wuji waved his hand. He was still very merciful to his younger sister, after all, she was a woman and posed no threat to him.

After Yuwen Xian left, the Crown Prince stepped forward.

"Father, how are you feeling? You look so haggard. Is it because these servants aren't taking good enough care of you?"

Yuwen Wuji couldn't stand hearing others say that he looked unwell, as it was as if they were saying he was old, sick, and useless. Especially since these words came from the Crown Prince, it made him seem even more sinister.

His face turned cold, and he said, "It's just that it's been hot lately, and I haven't been able to eat much!"

The Crown Prince said, "I think those quack doctors are incompetent! Father's illness isn't serious, so why has it dragged on like this until now?"

Li Wei, standing to the side, thought to himself, "The Crown Prince is prone to stepping on landmines. Every word he utters touches on the Emperor's sensitive spots, and every word is something the Emperor doesn't want to hear."

"I recently met a very powerful Taoist priest. He is ninety-eight years old, but he has white hair and a youthful face. He is always right when he predicts the weather, and he is also skilled in making elixirs. I would like to invite the immortal priest to come and take a look at Father. Perhaps he has a secret method to restore Father's health."

If Yuwen Wuji were in good health, he wouldn't believe in seeking immortality or alchemy, after all, how many emperors in history didn't die of natural causes, but from poisoning by elixirs? But now his health is indeed far from what it used to be, and he can't help but hold onto a sliver of hope.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Summon him to the palace so I can take a look. If he is a fraudulent sorcerer, I will punish him for deceiving the emperor!"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince smiled and took his leave. Li Wei, who was standing nearby, took the opportunity to set out the teacups and slowly withdrew, letting a young eunuch take his place.

Inside the Prince Xiaoyao's mansion, Xie Liwei was already arranging for the Thousand-Faced Jade Gentleman to enter the palace, but after receiving the news, he decided to postpone the matter.

"It seems even the Crown Prince is getting restless." Song Yaozhu sneered. As the Crown Prince, it was ridiculous that he would take the initiative to introduce a sorcerer to the Emperor.

“Yes, people’s hearts are restless.” Xie Liwei lit the secret letter, watched it turn to ashes, and then said, “Let Yulang learn more about Yuwen Wuji’s style of doing things first, and we will act according to the situation.”

"However, we should also find an opportunity to meet that Taoist priest."

The Taoist priest recommended by the Crown Prince was named Qingxu Zhenren and his real name was Zhang Qingren. Originally, no one thought highly of this Qingxu Zhenren, after all, the Emperor did not believe in Buddhism or Taoism, and after he ascended the throne, he disliked those Taoist priests even more, thinking that they were swindlers.

However, after this Qingxu Zhenren entered the palace and had a short talk with the emperor for an hour, the emperor allowed him to stay in the palace and even gave him a separate palace.

This move greatly surprised all the officials in the court, who all wanted to meet this Master Qingxu and find out what abilities he possessed that made the emperor trust him so much.

"Now that he's inside the palace, it'll be difficult to make a move against him." Song Yaozhu regretted not visiting him when he was outside the palace.

"No matter what kind of person he is, he can't escape the fact that he's just trying to gain fame and fortune," Xie Liwei said.

Song Yaozhu raised an eyebrow and snorted, "How can you be sure he's not a real hermit master? Look at me, I can even be resurrected in another body, there might really be immortals in this world."

Xie Liwei put his hands on his hips and said, "If this immortal is truly skilled, how could he not have seen that he is a vicious villain who harmed his wife for power? It is because of his indulgence that people like Tong Qian dare to exploit the common people. If the immortal dares to save such a person, isn't he afraid of being struck by heavenly lightning when he undergoes his tribulation and ascends to immortality?"

Song Yaozhu laughed heartily, "You're right. I'm curious, don't you think the timing of this immortal's appearance is too perfect?"

"It just so happens that Yuwen Wuji is in poor health, and we were just about to send Qianmian Yulang into the palace when he appeared."

"No rush, no rush," Xie Liwei said with a smile. "Since ancient times, how many emperors who took elixirs lived long lives? When he gets sick, we don't need to find an opportunity to harm him. We can just have Qianmian Yulang take his place."

“He is naturally suspicious, and I’m afraid he’ll cause trouble again.”

Song Yaozhu's guess was correct. A few days later, the Qingxu Master presented the pills, and Yuwen Wuji summoned several princes and dukes into the palace, even bringing Xie Liwei along.

Before leaving, Song Yaozhu had someone prepare a large bowl of milk for Xie Liwei, which was carried in a small wine sachet.

“I’m afraid he’s bringing so many people into the palace because he wants to use you. If he uses you to test the elixir, that stuff might harm your health. If he really does use you to test the elixir, you should drink this milk to induce vomiting.”

Xie Liwei took it, gave her a reassuring smile, and then got into the carriage.