Inside the Government Affairs Hall

Emperor Gan was reviewing memorials with a frown on his face.

Jinzhong came over holding a letter, head bowed humbly, "Your Majesty, a letter from General Huo of Southern Xinjiang."

"Well, read it to me."

Jinzhong opened the letter and began to read. His voice became lower and lower as he read. He couldn't help but feel annoyed in his heart. General Huo was really something. He knew what the emperor didn't like, but he still reported it to him.

Under the pressure from above, Jinzhong finished reading slowly with his head down, not daring to look at the emperor above him.

Emperor Gan had no mood to review memorials in the first place, and he felt even more annoyed after hearing this. He put his brush aside, stood up and walked around the hall.

His voice was neither sad nor happy: "Jinzhong, you said that I was incognito and the people didn't even see me off for ten miles, why are you so concerned about the Jiang family?"

"Nowadays, in the hearts of the people, I am afraid that there is only the Jiang family and no one else. Who will rule the world, the Jiang family or the Li family?"

Jinzhong heard the murderous intent in those words and knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, the people are ignorant and foolish. Perhaps they are like this because the Jiang family has guarded the southern border for many years."

Emperor Gan murmured, "The truce has been signed. The Xiongnu will not attack again for ten years. It's time for the people in the General's Mansion to have a good rest."

There was a flash of murderous intent in his eyes, and then he returned to normal.

"Let's go and find Master Zhang."

The alchemy room was bustling with activity.

Zhang Tianshi was wearing a Taoist robe, holding a whisk in his hand, looking like a hermit. He walked around the alchemy furnace, observing the temperature.

His peripheral vision caught sight of the bright yellow hem of clothing outside the door, his eyes flickered slightly, and he muttered an obscure spell in a low voice...

Emperor Gan stood outside the door, watching the busy scene inside. He raised his hand and stroked his forehead, where white hair had already grown. He didn't have that much time to wait.

He stepped inside, and the young Taoist priests knelt on the ground when they saw him. "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianshi continued to chant the spell until the time came. Then he pretended to be relieved, turned around and was about to kneel down to pay his respects.

Emperor Gan extended his hand and gave him a light support. "Master, there's no need to be so polite. I've already told you that you don't need to be polite when you see me. I wonder how the elixir I requested is doing."

"In reply to your Majesty, I am still short of one medicinal ingredient."

"Oh, what is the medicine?"

Zhang Tianshi sensed the emperor's intimidating aura and said calmly, "Your Majesty, the best way to incorporate the spiritual energy of the flesh and heart into the elixir is to use it."

Emperor Gan frowned, somewhat displeased: "Tianshi, I have given you twenty years, and you still haven't found this medicinal ingredient."

"In reply to your Majesty, I have already calculated that this medicinal ingredient will arrive in the capital soon. Then..."

"How long is a day?"

"Within half a month."

Seeing his confident words, Emperor Gan's expression relaxed a little.

The emperor's pressure subsided a little, and his deep voice rang out: "Within half a month, you mean the medicine is in the general's mansion."

Zhang Tianshi raised his lips slightly, his expression was somewhat certain: "Yes, but I still need to look for it. If I find the wrong one, it will ruin the pill."

"Well, give me some more of the elixir you gave me to prolong my life. I haven't taken it lately and my temples are turning gray."

"...Okay, I'll make it as soon as possible and send it to Your Majesty."

Emperor Gan thought of something else and his mood became noticeably better. "Tianshi, someone will be here in a few days. You can make the elixir together then. If you want anything, just ask."

Zhang Tianshi lowered his eyes, hiding the deep meaning in his eyes.

Your Majesty... doesn't trust him and wants to get someone to keep an eye on him.

Haha, he came from Tianji Pavilion and was always good at planning. If he could return to his master's sect, he would never help the emperor do something that went against the will of heaven.

If it backfires in the future, we don’t know what the outcome will be. We should delay it as long as possible. Anyway, the person with spiritual energy is not that easy to find.

Zhang Tianshi's expression remained calm. "Really? That's great, very good. I just don't know the other person's name. Which sect is he from?"

Emperor Gan was silent for a moment before he spoke softly, "Neither. He's just a doctor, but he's very smart and can cure plagues."

"I think that Taoism and medicine are inseparable. If you two cooperate well, the elixir I want will definitely come out faster. After all, time waits for no one."

"I can't wait another twenty years. Master, do you understand what I mean?"

Zhang Tianshi nodded, his expression calm, "I understand. Your Majesty, please rest assured. The medicinal ingredients will soon be arriving in the capital, and the inner elixir will be ready within three years."

It was the first time that Emperor Gan heard the exact time from him. He was immediately delighted and said, "Good, very good. I feel very relieved to have the Taoist priest here."

"Well, it's just the usual longevity elixir. It also requires the heart blood of your Majesty's offspring. The previous one is not enough. Now we need the freshest one."

"Don't worry about that, Taoist priest. A royal heir will be born soon in the palace and will be sent directly to you. Just take whatever you want and give me the longevity pill as soon as possible."

Zhang Tianshi nodded and said nothing more.

Looking at Emperor Gan's leaving back, she pursed her lips and said nothing.

＊

Inner Hall of Haitang Palace

A beautiful concubine, with her pregnant belly bulging, rested her hand on the hand of the nanny as she strolled in the courtyard, smiling gently: "Mammy, the baby will be born next month. Are the baby clothes ready?"

"Don't worry, Concubine Li, everything is ready. Just relax and give birth to the little prince."

Concubine Li paused while stroking her belly, a look of melancholy on her face: "It's best if the child is safe and healthy. It doesn't matter if he's a prince or not. A little princess is also good."

"Well, it would be better if it was a little princess."

A voice was heard outside the palace: "Your Majesty has arrived!"

"Hmm? Your Majesty, why are you here at this hour?"

Concubine Li hurriedly stood up and saw the man slowly walking in. Just as she was about to bow, someone gently held her arm and embraced her waist.

Emperor Gan lowered his head with a gentle look and pinched her nose.

"My beloved concubine deserves to be punished. What did I say before? You are not allowed to kneel. Why don't you obey?"

"At my age now, it is not easy to have a child. You must not make any mistakes, otherwise I will be very sad."

A dark light flashed in his eyes...

Concubine Li lowered her head shyly, naturally not noticing it. She leaned softly in his arms and said softly, "Your Majesty, I didn't. I just forgot about it."

Emperor Gan helped the person sit down and glanced at the nanny.

"Madam Gui, from now on, no matter where Concubine Li goes, you must stay by her side to protect her. If there is any problem with the royal heir, I will definitely not let you off easily."

"Also, other concubines are not allowed to come here before you give birth, so as not to make irresponsible remarks and anger my beloved concubine."

When Concubine Li heard this, her smile became even sweeter.

"Well, I thank Your Majesty for your consideration. Now my body is getting heavier and heavier, and I really don't have the strength to see the sisters in the palace."

Emperor Gan patted her on the back and said gently, "You are the only one in the entire harem who is pregnant. This child is very important to me."

"I will not allow anything to go wrong. Do you understand?"

"I understand."