The news that Xiao Yuyan had sent the four Imperial Guards to the Wufang Tower left Xiao Sheng stunned for a long time.
Only then did he realize that his father was doing such a thing.
Fan Zu'an also thought that the emperor was really crazy, and his behavior was similar to that of several other monarchs who lost their kingdoms.
So much so that Fan Zu'an felt that this emperor was really no good, and that the crown prince should usurp the throne to remove all the cancerous elements, otherwise it would be the common people who would suffer.
It took Fan Zu'an three days to carefully consider the emperor's pulse and write down the prescription.
But how can we get the emperor to follow this prescription?
Xiao Sheng thought about it for a long time, but felt that there was no perfect solution.
In the end, they had no choice but to send Qianmian out of the palace to question Li Ting.
Li Ting happened to be playing with Li Xingran.
[Father, the Emperor is fond of fortune-telling. Just have Wei Xuanji from the Imperial Observatory tell him to take some medicine, claiming it's an elixir of immortality. Emperor Hui desires eternal life and to be with Zhao Yunwan forever, so he's secretly beginning to build the Wufang Tower. It's said that once completed, the Wufang Tower will allow communication with immortals; this is a legend from the Cangxuan Continent.]
So Li Ting sent Qianmian back to the palace to tell the Crown Prince to go find Wei Xuanji of the Imperial Observatory and explain their purpose. Wei Xuanji was one of their own.
Qianmian received the order and returned to the palace to tell Xiao Sheng the exact words.
After listening, Xiao Sheng didn't ask anything else, only whether Li Xingran was present when Qianmian met with the Grand Tutor.
Qianmian replied that Miss Li was being teased by Grand Tutor Li, and both father and daughter were quite happy.
Xiao Sheng knew that this idea was most likely Li Xingran's.
Then he was relieved.
Afterwards, Xiao Sheng instructed Fan Zuan to prepare the medicine and went to the Imperial Observatory.
This was the first time Wei Xuanji had spoken face-to-face with the Crown Prince.
Seeing the Crown Prince's poised demeanor, clear and articulate speech, and deep concern for the Emperor, Wei Xuanji was filled with admiration.
"Lord Wei, the Emperor has been unwell recently. Grand Tutor Li has a close friend who is quite skilled in medicine and is best at treating difficult and complicated diseases. He has written a prescription for the Emperor. Please take a look."
Wei Xuanji also knew medicine and liked to refine elixirs, but he never quite mastered the technique.
Upon seeing this prescription, and recalling the divination the emperor had performed some time ago, his eyes lit up. This prescription is brilliant!
It can quickly restore the emperor's body, which has been depleted by his addiction to sex, strengthen his physique, and also stop his opium addiction.
This doctor is truly a master.
"Your Highness, you want the Emperor to take this medicine, is that right?"
"Yes, but Uncle Fan said he has an even faster way to help Father recover, but he needs your help."
"Oh? Please tell me, what do you need me to do?"
"You need to tell the Emperor that you have refined a longevity elixir and invite him to the Imperial Observatory. Things are getting better and better; I'm afraid something might happen if we delay."
"Have you prepared everything?" Wei Xuanji also wanted to know what quick method could bring a terminally ill person back to life.
"We're all ready, except for Father."
“I will send someone to invite him right away.”
"Won't people find out if we do that?"
"Your Highness, please rest assured, there is a secret signal between me and the Emperor."
Wei Xuanji summoned a young boy from outside the door, gave him instructions, and the boy left to carry out his orders.
The emperor was currently in the Qianqing Palace. For the past two days, he had felt listless and had lost interest in everything, not even wanting to visit the empress.
The boy was led in by Zheng Duoyu.
"This humble servant greets Your Majesty the Emperor!" The boy bowed calmly and remained kneeling.
Emperor Hui saw that it was the pageboy beside Wei Xuanji, and asked, "Did Wei Xuanji send you?"
"Your Majesty, that's right. My master said that there has been new progress in alchemy recently, and he would like to request Your Majesty to visit the Imperial Observatory."
"Oh? Do you know of any progress?"
"My master said you'll know when His Majesty goes there, and he guarantees your wish will come true!"
Emperor Hui changed into casual clothes, and with only Zheng Duoyu accompanying him, he left the Qianqing Palace, taking a shortcut.
Zheng Duoyu had no doubts, because Wei Xuanji often sent boys to invite the emperor to the Imperial Observatory to discuss Taoist practices.
Half an hour later, the emperor arrived at the Imperial Observatory, where Zheng Duoyu waited outside the gate.
While waiting for the emperor to arrive at the Imperial Observatory, Fan Zu'an pointed out the flaws in Wei Xuanji's alchemy.
"In alchemy, you can't add lead. If you do, it'll be a death pill instead of a life-extending pill," Fan Zu'an said confidently.
"You're a eunuch, and you know how to make elixirs?" Wei Xuanji said irritably.
"Wei Xuanji, you old Taoist priest, you underestimate people too much, don't you?"
"You? Who are you?"
"I am Fan Zu'an!"
"Your Highness, this is a grave offense! Oh, you're Old Li's sworn brother? The folk healer Fan Zu'an?"
“It’s me!” Fan Zu’an replied casually without even looking up.
“Uncle Wei, if you don’t tell anyone, I’m innocent. But if you do, you’ll be guilty too.”
What crime have I committed?
"You have deceived the emperor!" the crown prince said without changing his expression.
...
"You two planned this all along, didn't you?"
Wei Xuanji felt it was a disgrace that he had been defeated by a child.
“Wei Xuanji, lead is poisonous. If you add it to pills and take it for a long time, it will make people stupid, crazy, and infertile. Adding lead or not will not affect your pill refining.”
"So that's how it is? No wonder several of my predecessors, despite successfully refining the elixir, still died young," Wei Xuanji murmured.
"Uncle Wei, Uncle Fan and I will hide first. When my father arrives, you light this and let him sit for a while. Once he faints, we'll come out and detoxify him."
"Wouldn't I faint too?"
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