Liu Che returned to the palace.

After the gold was taken away, the palace was empty.

But after stepping in, waves of strong heartbeats, heavy breathing, and the discussions of the crowd suddenly came from all directions, as if they were ringing directly in his ears.

He turned his head sharply and saw two eunuchs guarding the palace gate.

Looking through the two eunuchs, he seemed to see civil and military officials whispering to each other.

This feeling is not pleasant.

Liu Che closed his eyes and used the method Li Bai taught him to slow down his breathing and distract himself.

The strange situation around him gradually disappeared, and his expression relaxed.

"My physical fitness has increased dramatically in a short period of time. It's just as they said. I need some time to adapt." He exhaled lightly.

His expression was quite excited.

His feeling was not obvious in the tavern, but now he really felt invincible.

He felt that he could smash the palace into ruins with just one punch!

The two eunuchs noticed his figure and saluted hurriedly.

Liu Che waved his hand and walked out calmly.

Stepping on the stone steps, he suddenly paused and increased his strength slightly.

Snap!

The hard stone cracked instantly.

The eunuch following behind him was startled.

Liu Che smiled slightly and strode forward.

…

Many civil and military officials were given seats and exquisite food was placed in front of them, but since the emperor was not there, no one dared to eat.

Wei Qing and Huo Qubing sat next to each other.

The two of them discussed the situation in the Western Region in a low voice.

They had already learned in advance that they would soon be sent on a western expedition.

According to their understanding of Liu Che, even if he had a chance to become an immortal, he would not break the original plan.

They were all very familiar with Liu Che and knew how long he had been planning this.

The two talked about their future plans, and the topic gradually returned to Liu Che's fate as an immortal.

The legend of immortals has a long history, but warriors like them who fight on the battlefield are always skeptical about it.

But they never thought that there really were gods in the world! Thinking of the scene where Liu Che disappeared out of thin air with the gold, the two still find it hard to believe!

"Your Majesty has given so much gold to the gods. Do you think the gods will give you some magic weapon?" Huo Qubing asked curiously.

Wei Qing pondered and said, "It may not be a magic weapon, a panacea, or a method of cultivation for longevity."

"I think the possibility of a magic weapon is higher..."

Huo Qubing was speaking excitedly when he suddenly heard Wei Qing reach out and pull him, saying in a low voice: "Your Majesty is here!"

He quickly shut up and looked back.

Liu Che, dressed in casual clothes, appeared in the field of vision.

Huo Qubing quickly stood up and was about to salute with the others, but Liu Che smiled and said, "Everyone, please sit down. No need to be polite!"

Having said this, Liu Che had an idea and decided to show it to his ministers.

He looked forward and was about thirty or forty meters away from the dragon throne in front.

With just a light leap, you can cross the crowd and sit directly on it.

According to his current strength, achieving this step is as easy as eating and drinking, but these people must have never seen it before.

He was going to show off his skills! A mysterious smile flashed across Liu Che's face, and he bent his knees slightly and exerted force suddenly.

Wei Qing only felt a strong wind passing over his head, and then he heard a loud "bang".

He was so startled that he stood up immediately.

The same goes for the rest.

The most frightened one was Wei Zifu.

She watched Liu Che turn into a black shadow and crash into the dragon throne beside her.

The enormous force not only broke the chair into pieces, but also created a hole in the screen behind it and a pit on the ground!

Dust was flying everywhere, people and horses were falling, it was a tragedy beyond words!

"His Majesty!"

"Quick, call the doctor!"

The palace was suddenly in chaos.

Everyone had originally been fantasizing about the emperor's chance to become an immortal and whether they could get a piece of the pie, but they never expected such a thing to happen.

Could it be that the other party had done something to anger the gods, so he was punished like this? Just as everyone was panicking, they suddenly heard a faint voice coming from the ruins.

"I'm fine."

Seeing a dusty man rising from the smoke and dust, Wei Zifu was overjoyed.

She screamed, threw herself into Liu Che's arms, and burst into tears.

Liu Che lowered his head and rubbed the dust off his face on the clothes on Wei Zifu's shoulders.

He raised his hand to pat the other person's back to comfort him, but as soon as he raised his hand, he put it down weakly.

It would be terrible if he couldn't control his strength and beat the queen to death!

Facing those worried looks, Liu Che felt extremely embarrassed.

He overestimated his control over power!

I was originally full of confidence and wanted to show off, but now I have become a competitor.

Fortunately, he was covered in dust and no one else could see his complexion.

Noticing the suspicion in some people's eyes, he whispered to Wei Zifu, "I'm really fine."

Wei Zifu wiped her tears, forced a smile and was about to speak, but suddenly her eyes widened.

Liu Che's whole body was actually flashing with dazzling lightning! This scene not only frightened Wei Zifu, but also shocked the others.

Taking in the expressions of the crowd, Liu Che felt a little satisfied, and then he smiled and said, "This is the extraordinary ability bestowed upon me by the gods!"

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and pointed forward. The lightning gathered in his palm and suddenly flew out, breaking a vermilion pillar, which was covered with black lightning marks.

The hall suddenly became silent.

Liu Che raised his leg again and stomped hard on the ground.

With a loud bang, the stone bricks on the ground shattered, and spider-web-like cracks spread out from under his feet and fell to Wei Qing's feet.

Some tables and chairs were overturned on the ground.

Many people even exclaimed in surprise.

Wei Zifu even swayed and almost fell down.

Liu Che looked around and said, "I have received help from the gods, and now I have shed my mortal body!"

He took another step forward, facing the awe-inspiring gazes of the crowd, opened his arms, and shouted, "I! The Lord of the Universe!"

His voice rumbled like thunder, spreading throughout the entire Chang'an City!

Wei Qing grabbed Huo Qubing, who had a fanatical look on his face, and kowtowed together with him.

He was also quite excited.

Liu Che's performance really shocked him.

The words from the other party also made him understand his ambition.

For military generals like them, what they like most is an emperor who is eager for progress.

The future is promising!

Wei Zifu looked at Liu Che, who was covered in dust, with admiration in her eyes.

This is the ruler of the Han Dynasty, and also her husband! After a moment of silence, she signaled the maid to bring hot water and help Liu Che carefully wipe the dust off his face.

Some eunuchs had hurriedly cleared away the broken tables and chairs.

No one is stupid enough to enter this palace.

They have realized that Liu Che's earlier miserable situation was probably caused by his own carelessness rather than any punishment from the gods.

But the place was filled with smoke and the food prepared earlier was scattered all over the ground. It was obviously not suitable for a banquet.

Wei Zifu gave instructions to the eunuch in charge, and everyone moved to the imperial garden.

The food and wine were served again.

The court musicians played their instruments, and the sounds of stringed instruments filled the ears.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty." Wei Zifu held up the wine glass.

When looking at Liu Che sitting in the first seat, everyone had an uncontrollable respect on their face.

The series of events that had occurred earlier happened too quickly, and coupled with the dust obscuring the view, they could not see clearly.

Now, after careful observation, they noticed that the emperor in front of them had become younger.

After living for a thousand years, Liu Che's appearance has returned to its best condition when he was twenty years old.

Wei Zifu's feelings were the most obvious.

She was happy, yet a little worried.

There is no doubt that Liu Che was favored by the immortals and his life span was definitely not just a hundred years.

When I grow old and lose my looks...

She even began to feel a little sorry for herself.

Just when her expression was a little gloomy, she suddenly felt her hands were empty. It was Liu Che who took away her wine glass.

With a "bang", the wine glass fell to the ground and broke into pieces.

The place fell silent for a moment.

"Your Majesty?" Wei Zifu was at a loss.

Wei Qing and Huo Qubing became frightened.

They thought their sister/aunt had angered the emperor.

Liu Che laughed and said, "My queen should be replaced with a glass of wine!"

He tapped the black ring on his thumb, and suddenly a crystal wine glass appeared in his palm.

A faint aroma of wine wafts out from it.

Many people noticed the scene of him creating something out of thin air, and their expressions became more respectful.

Wei Zifu was also stunned.

She was about to speak, but Liu Che interrupted her and said, "How about using this wine to celebrate for me?"

Facing Liu Che's burning gaze, Wei Zifu smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward!"

She reached out to take the wine glass, a glimmer of joy in her eyes.

Just the tempting aroma of the wine made her realize that this wine was extraordinary.

She guessed that this might be the wine from the fairyland.

The other party's willingness to give such precious wine to oneself is enough to prove his intentions.

As for my own aging and declining looks...

Given my background, to be loved by him, to be the queen of the Han Dynasty, is already a blessing earned through several lifetimes. Why should I expect more?

She looked at Liu Che with eyes as clear as water, and the worry in her heart had long disappeared.

She raised the glass high and drank it in one gulp.

When the rich aroma of wine fell into her abdomen, she suddenly felt a warm and numb feeling coming from her body.

Wei Zifu frowned slightly.

A warm feeling spread throughout her body.

The numbness lasted only for a very short moment, and she felt as if she was soaking in warm water sprinkled with flower petals. She felt comfortable all over and wanted to hum softly.

Liu Che looked at her quietly.

Others noticed the emperor's action and looked over as well.

Wei Qing and Huo Qubing looked at each other, then looked at Wei Zifu with excited expressions.

They were very clear about the position of Wei Zifu in Liu Che's heart.

The fact that he was willing to make Wei Zifu the queen and appoint her son as the crown prince despite the disapproval of the world was enough to prove his preference.

That cup of wine was obviously not ordinary! What shocked everyone was that after Wei Zifu drank the wine, her complexion changed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The lines at the corners of her eyes disappeared, and her pale face gradually became rosy and shiny.

In just a few breaths, her age actually looked no different from that of a 28-year-old girl! Wei Zifu also showed a look of surprise on her face.

She did not notice the changes in her appearance, but the sudden lightness of her body and the sense of power in her fists made her realize the extraordinary nature of this wine.

She even felt that she could suppress her brother Wei Qing with one hand, and kick her nephew Huo Qubing ten meters away! "Your Majesty, this wine?" Wei Zifu asked.

Liu Che smiled and said, "This wine is a gift from the immortals. It can make the drinker gain five times the physical fitness of an ordinary person!"

Hearing this, many people showed envy.

Wei Zifu suddenly realized and thought to herself that it was no wonder that she felt so full of strength.

She was eager to try and see how strong she was.

"In addition," Liu Che's voice interrupted her longing, "The most powerful effect of this wine is that it can extend your life by a thousand years!"

Wow! Even though the emperor was in front of them, everyone exclaimed in surprise.

"A thousand years of lifespan, is this really true?" someone shouted in disbelief.

Liu Che glanced at the man with a smile, then turned to look at an old minister sitting in the front seat.

The other person was white-haired and old, but equally excited.

This person's name is Gongsun Hong.

He was born in a commoner family and once made a living by raising pigs. He is now over seventy years old.

He was quite impressed by this old minister who came from a humble background, was familiar with clerical affairs, was proficient in Confucianism, and was an honest official.

He had appointed him as prime minister some time ago.

A prime minister who is not of noble birth is easier to control, can weaken the power of the nobles, and set an example for poor scholars throughout the world.

This is a three-birds-with-one-stone deal! Although he had heard of some of the other party's shortcomings, such as jealousy and pettiness, these minor shortcomings were insignificant to him.

Moreover, if the other party really had impeccable character and outstanding talents, like a saint, he would not dare to use him.

He stretched out his hand, and there was another glass of wine in his palm.

Looking at the wine glass, almost everyone's eyes became hot.

Liu Che looked around and said with a smile: "This wine is not very effective. It can only extend your life by 50 years!"

Only? Everyone felt very strange when they heard Liu Che's words.

Let alone fifty years, even fifty days is something that countless people are unable to achieve!

Almost everyone's breathing became rapid.

Liu Che said to Gongsun Hong: "My dear Gongsun, you have devoted yourself to the country and have made great contributions..."

He described the other party's contribution, and then said: "This wine is given to Gongsun Aiqing!"

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Hong trembled all over, tears streaming down his face, and he prostrated himself on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing: "Minister! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! Our emperor has a noble appearance and noble virtues, and is a blessing to the world, the people, and the universe..."

He spoke all kinds of flattering words continuously, and his forehead hit the bluestone with a bang, and blood oozed out.

Instead of looking down on him, everyone was envious.

"Stand up," Liu Che said with a smile, "Why don't you take it?"

He was really afraid that the old minister would faint from excitement.

According to what he heard from Gao Shi, this guy didn't have many years left to live.

Fortunately, although Gongsun Hong was excited, he did not lose his mind.

He stood up tremblingly and took the wine from Liu Che with both hands.

Seeing the emperor nod, he suppressed his excitement and brought the wine glass to his lips.

He felt like he was getting drunk before he even drank the wine.

Hearing some swallowing sounds, he hurriedly opened his mouth, wishing he could swallow the entire wine glass into his stomach.

"Slow down, no one is competing with you for it." Liu Che said with a smile.

Looking at Gongsun Hong's flustered appearance and the reactions of the crowd, he felt quite proud of himself.

Gongsun Hong finally poured the wine into his mouth.

When the last drop of wine fell into his throat, he tilted his head back and knocked the glass against his teeth, almost knocking out his front teeth.

But no one laughed.

When they saw his loose skin becoming plump and his white hair turning black, everyone's eyes were burning with heat.

Gongsun Hong stared at his hands in a daze.

The dark spots on his skin disappeared, and his rosy palms almost made him think he was dreaming.

He felt like he could live another hundred years!

…

(End of this chapter)