Ying Zheng returned to the palace, feeling quite uneasy.
Ying Ziyu's thoughts bothered him, after all, it concerned not only his own life, but also the fate of the Qin Dynasty.
As soon as he entered the palace, Zhao Gao came forward to greet him, saying, "Your Majesty, the immortal master Xu Fu is already waiting."
Ying Zheng's eyes flickered slightly, "Xu Fu..."
Inside the hall, an old man in a gray robe stood there, his white beard hanging down in front of him. The old man had a kind face and gave people a sense of otherworldly grace.
Ying Zheng took his seat, and Xu Fu bowed, saying, "This old man greets Your Majesty!"
Ying Zheng's gaze fell on Xu Fu, his expression unreadable. "No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xu Fu straightened up and respectfully asked, "How has Your Majesty been lately?"
"Thanks to your pills, I've been in great spirits lately. I only need to sleep for two hours a day, and I'm full of energy the next day. I'm a completely different person from before."
Ying Zheng had initially been skeptical of Xu Fu's elixir, but after personally consuming it, he experienced its miraculous properties.
Immortality is against the will of Heaven, and he didn't have much hope for it, but Xu Fu's elixir gave him hope.
The hope grew ever stronger, from a spark to a raging inferno, and they were deeply engrossed in it.
Xu Fu was not arrogant, his expression calm and composed. "Your Majesty, as the emperor and the ruler of the world, is naturally favored by all people. My elixir is merely an aid to maximize the favor bestowed upon you by Heaven."
"I have come today to offer five golden pills, which can extend His Majesty's life by ten years."
Ying Zheng's expression shifted slightly. "Ten years?"
Xu Fu presented an inkwell with both hands, and Zhao Gao took it and respectfully presented it to Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng opened the box, and on the soft yellow cloth lay five pills, crystal clear, with a faint glimmer of golden light, like a priceless treasure.
Xu Fu continued, "The crystal-clear water in the scorching desert, the rare and precious Ganoderma lucidum that appears only once every ten thousand years, and the thousand-year-old ginseng that has become human-like enough to leap and run—each of these is a priceless treasure. Only Your Majesty is qualified to enjoy the elixir made from such rare materials."
Ying Zheng picked up a pill, feeling a cool sensation in his palm, and seemed to become much more awake. "It is indeed a treasure."
Xu Fu raised his head slightly, "This thing is good, but it can only prolong life. As for immortality, I have found a way, and I believe there will be results soon."
Ying Zheng looked at him, a strange light in his eyes. "Oh?"
Xu Fu said confidently, "I have found the approximate location of the elixir of immortality. Now I have gathered the top alchemists, and I believe we will find the exact location in the near future."
"I will personally go there at that time and will definitely bring back the elixir of immortality for Your Majesty to help you live a long life."
Ying Zheng gazed at the pill in his hand, pondered for a moment, and then said, "The Daoists say that nothing can be created from nothing; this is the way of Heaven. But now that my lifespan has been extended, it is undoubtedly an extension of lifespan from nothing."
"Does this act go against the will of Heaven?"
A strange light flashed in Xu Fu's eyes, but only for a moment. "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, how can you be measured by the laws of mortals?"
Ying Zheng turned to look at him, his overwhelming imperial pressure washing over him. "If it's not defying the heavens, then it's like absorbing lifespan ahead of time, using future lifespan for present purposes?"
This time, Xu Fu's eyes were filled with shock.
When did this emperor, who was obsessed with immortality, start thinking about so many things?
But in an instant, he concealed his emotions, "Your Majesty is overthinking it. The longevity was achieved by using various precious treasures and my own careful refinement, which is the result of absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth."
Ying Zheng did not answer.
Zhao Gao also sensed that something was wrong, so he lowered his head and dared not make a sound, for fear of being drawn into the conflict.
After a moment of silence, Ying Zheng waved his hand, "Step down."
"This old man takes his leave!"
After Xu Fu left, Ying Zheng put down the elixir and then suddenly looked at Zhao Gao, "Do you think I can live forever?"
Zhao Gao was a little nervous when asked this question, after all, he couldn't understand Ying Zheng's intention in asking it.
But as someone who had accompanied Ying Zheng for many years, he might not be able to find the right answer, but he would not give the wrong answer.
Zhao Gao cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven and is blessed by Heaven. Things will always develop in a positive direction."
Ying Zheng's lips curled up, and he said, "Go and find a few rabbits."
Zhao Gao looked puzzled by the order, but without asking why, he simply agreed, "Yes, sir!"
"Feed these pills to the rabbits in batches."
Zhao Gao's eyes widened in confusion, but he still bowed respectfully, "Yes, sir!"
These few golden pills are priceless treasures, extremely rare and hard to come by.
Not to mention ordinary people, even kings and generals were not qualified to take it.
But to feed such precious things to animals is undoubtedly a waste of nature's resources.
······
The Right Chancellor's Residence.
Right Chancellor Feng Quji was sitting upright at his desk, intently reviewing the documents submitted by his subordinates.
He has now risen to the position of Right Chancellor, a position among the most powerful in the Qin Dynasty, but with such an outstanding Left Chancellor as Li Si in charge, he dares not slack off in the slightest.
Suddenly the door was pushed open, and Consort Li, dressed in a light blue orchid dress, rushed in despite the servants' attempts to stop her. She was adorned with various jewels and looked extremely luxurious.
The old steward looked at Feng Quji with a troubled expression, "Prime Minister, this old servant cannot stop Her Highness..."
Consort Li was not only Feng Quji's youngest daughter, but also the emperor's concubine. How could a mere servant like him dare to truly stop her?
Feng Quji put down the documents, dismissed the steward, and frowned at Consort Li, "You've been in the palace for so long, how come you still don't know the rules?"
He also regretted his daughter, because he had spoiled her since she was a child, which led to her unruly personality.
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