Longevity Elixir!
The word "like" resonated like a thunderclap in everyone's hearts. Who doesn't want to live a few more years? What they desperately seek is simply longevity.
Ling Xiao seemed to be focused on the pill in his hand, but through the system, he could see the longing and fervor in the eyes of the people around him.
"Nephew, don't say your aunt doesn't favor you. Come on, open your mouth."
Before Li Yue could react, he felt a pain in his jaw and his mouth opened involuntarily. The pill entered his lips and turned into a fragrant liquid that went straight down his throat.
He swallowed it down.
A sudden exclamation of "Your Majesty!" reminded everyone to face the truth: the Longevity Pill had been declared the property of the Emperor the moment it was produced.
In an instant, the lines around the emperor's eyes disappeared, his cheeks became fuller and firmer, his skin visibly became whiter and full of youthful radiance, his rosy lips were slightly parted, and his teeth were very white.
The emperor's lifespan has been extended!
Everyone gasped, utterly shocked.
This is a miracle, an unparalleled miracle.
If stripping people of their lifespan frightens these powerful figures of the Great Jin Dynasty, extending their lifespan will make them worship and offer all the world's treasures to please Ling Xiao.
Li Yue's voice trembled as he touched his cheek with his fingertips, feeling the return of his lost youth, his heart surging with indescribable emotions.
It should be noted that although Li Yue ascended the throne at a young age, he is now twenty-six years old, and his eldest child is already ten years old.
Not far from his feet, the Xie family head, who looked like a lump of mud, let out a mournful cry, his claw-like hands clawing wildly in pain.
Watching his life slip away, he was consumed by unimaginable pain, a stark contrast to the spirited emperor.
Wang Yi didn't know what he was feeling; he was happy for the emperor, but mostly he felt bitter.
He was not the young prime minister who often appears in some novels, but he eventually rose to the position of prime minister.
In fact, he was already fifty-eight! There were strands of white hair that he couldn't hide, and wrinkles had crept onto his face, which was once known as the handsome young man of Kyoto.
Most of those present, like Wang Yi, longed for an extension of their lifespan but dared not speak out to the emperor.
He could only resolve to please Ling Xiao, since she seemed like a child playing around, and it shouldn't be difficult to win her over.
"Hehe, this longevity pill can extend your life by at least three years," Ling Xiao said nonchalantly.
"Only three years to live?" Li Yue felt a pang of regret, noting that the boy looked rather pitiful now.
This display of behavior aroused resentment among the others. Wasn't three years of life enough? They didn't even have what they desperately needed.
"What, you think that's not enough? Well, there are ways..."
The ghost walked briskly to the center of the palace, her voice becoming sweeter and more alluring, and slowly told them that as long as they provided enough human materials, she could refine the longevity pill.
"Think about it, with just ordinary people like those you see everywhere, you could extend your life by ten, twenty years, or even live forever."
The temptation was too great. Every word Ling Xiao said reached the ears of everyone present, crawling like a snake into their hearts and taking deep root.
Yes, it's just a matter of needing people. The Great Jin Dynasty allows people to have servants, and a strong adult male servant only costs eight taels of silver on the market.
Anyone can do it; once people start thinking like this, their minds become like weeds growing in their hearts.
"Sister, sister, I'll give you as many people as you want, ten, no, a hundred people. I only need one longevity pill."
When Minister Xu Yan first heard that he could receive the Longevity Pill indefinitely, he was overjoyed for a moment, but soon fear began to creep in.
If people are used as raw materials to concoct longevity pills for the powerful and wealthy, the Great Jin Dynasty will not be able to continue to survive!
Even the most humble commoners are as weak as ants.
But throughout the millennia, in which dynasty's final days wasn't it this group of seemingly lowly commoners who trampled the once high and mighty nobles into the mud?
If you don't let them live, they naturally won't let you live either!
Just as Xu Yan was about to step forward and explain the advantages and disadvantages, he heard such a sentence, which caught him off guard.
Looking around, it turned out to be the highly respected King of Chu from the royal family.
As the emperor's eldest uncle, the King of Chu always strictly abided by the law, never flattered his superiors, and treated his subordinates with kindness and courtesy. He was a wise king praised by his subjects.
Yet this very same wise king is willing to offer up living human lives, just to prolong his own life by even a year.
Absurd, utterly absurd!
Xu Yan grew increasingly fearful. If the King of Chu had this intention, wouldn't others have it too?
Looking around the hall, several heads of aristocratic families had their eyes gleaming with eagerness, while the members of the royal family and their ministers managed to restrain themselves, though they all also showed anticipation.
"We can't wait any longer!" Xu Yan angrily stood up, strode forward, grabbed the King of Chu, and shouted, "Do you know what you're saying, King of Chu!"
Li Yue was also lost in thought when he was pulled back to his senses by Xu Aiqing's words and subconsciously looked at Ling Xiao.
Why are you looking at me? Ling Xiao felt incredibly happy in this atmosphere, especially seeing the twisted, crazy, and desperate look on the old man's face as he craved the longevity pill.
Wow, that's wonderful.
The King of Chu, who had been in an unseemly posture, raised his head and forced a smile. "Minister Xu, you're only fifty this year, aren't you?"
"So what if it is?" Xu Yan said with a dark face.
"Fifty years old is wonderful. I can still eat meat and enjoy women. I remember when I was fifty, my favorite food was stewed mutton."
The King of Chu sighed softly, his cloudy eyes unfocused. "Now I've almost forgotten what mutton tastes like."
As he spoke, he opened his mouth, revealing only a few teeth inside.
An indescribable sorrow filled the hall. The King of Chu opened his eyes wide, tugging at a stray lock of white hair at his temple, and pleaded:
"I will treat those people's families well. I will provide not only financial compensation, but also education for their children and medical care for their elderly parents. I will do everything I can."
The King of Chu roared hoarsely at the last sentence, "Just give me the elixir of longevity!"
Everyone was speechless for a moment. Ling Xiao seemed to be about to nod and agree to her brother's request. The King of Chu watched his little sister's every move with great interest.
"Ahem, Your Majesty, please return to your seat," Li Yue broke the silence of the room, gesturing for the King of Chu to return to his seat.
Seeing him first stunned and then burst into tears, staggering as he tried to kneel down, Li Yue helplessly rubbed his forehead and turned to Ling Xiao, who seemed unconcerned, and said:
"Auntie, please stop playing tricks on us."
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