Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 345: Father, Your Son Can Also Practice Alchemy

Chapter 345: Chapter 345: Father, Your Son Can Also Practice Alchemy

Consort Qi made a huge fuss, and now everyone in the palace knows she’s been stricken with a strange poison from the Western Regions.

Even the Emperor was roused by the commotion and came to Consort Qi’s quarters with a stern face, accompanied by Consort Jing.

All the Imperial Physicians skilled in treating poison from the Imperial Medical Office were present, taking Consort Qi’s pulse, while Murong Jiu and Jun Yuyan stood by.

Consort Qi sobbed towards the Emperor, "Your Majesty, you must seek justice for your servant. How could your servant be in good health one moment and stricken with a strange poison from the Western Regions the next? Who could want to harm your servant like this?"

Having been a favored consort for many years, she was very good at showing weakness to the Emperor. Her eyes were red with tears, and though she was not young anymore, she still looked pitiful and garnered sympathy.

The Emperor asked the Imperial Physician in a deep voice, "What poison has Consort Qi been afflicted with?"

The Imperial Physician replied, "Your Majesty, according to Princess Consort Ling, Consort Qi has been poisoned with the soul-scattering fragrance from the Western Regions, which can cause her to fall into frequent sleeps, decrease her appetite, and in severe cases, may even result in death during sleep."

"Why is it Princess Consort Ling who is saying this, can’t you all see for yourselves?"

The Emperor’s tone was authoritative, and his expression was displeased, thinking the Imperial Physicians raised in the palace were a bunch of incompetents? Couldn’t they even tell whether someone had been poisoned or not?

The Imperial Physician quickly explained, "We are not very familiar with the poisons from the Western Regions, not as broadly knowledgeable as Princess Consort Ling. It was only with the reminder from Princess Consort Ling that we were able to verify that Consort Qi has indeed been poisoned."

The Emperor looked at Murong Jiu and demanded, "If you knew what the poison was, why didn’t you give your mother the antidote?"

Murong Jiu responded neither humbly nor haughtily, "Father Emperor, I have merely traveled more than the Imperial Physicians and read a variety of obscure medical texts. I was just lucky to know this poison, but I truly do not know how to prepare the antidote. Imperial Noble Consort Qin is the Princess of the Western Regions, perhaps she always keeps antidotes for strange poisons from the Western Regions at hand. May we request that Imperial Noble Consort Qin bestow an antidote?"

The Emperor rebuked, "Nonsense, Imperial Noble Consort Qin has just been frightened into premature labor and is not in good health..."

Consort Jing frowned slightly and spoke slowly,

"Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort Qin is known for her kind heart. She has always shown great respect and affection for Consort Qi. If she learns that Consort Qi has been poisoned with something from the Western Regions, she will surely send the antidote."

Murong Jiu took over, "What Consort Jing says is true. The star snow jade cream that I gave to Consort Jing is made from the precious Star Snow Grass provided by Imperial Noble Consort Qin. Such a kind-hearted Noble Consort will definitely offer her help."

The Emperor was a bit surprised. So, Consort Jing’s disfigured face could be healed?

Consort Jing gave Murong Jiu a glance and continued, "Indeed, Your Majesty, it’s heartbreaking to see Eldest Sister Consort Qi like this. It’s also uncertain who framed Imperial Noble Consort Qin. Just as Eldest Sister was confined to her quarters, she suffered from this strange poison of the Western Regions, as if someone intentionally implicated Imperial Noble Consort Qin."

Consort Qi quickly cried out, "I have been inadequate in managing the harem, I have reflected on this in the quiet of my own palace, yet there are still those seeking to harm me and sow discord. Your Majesty, you must thoroughly investigate to give both me and Imperial Noble Consort Qin the justice we deserve!"

The Emperor felt a headache coming on with three women speaking at once, but seeing that Consort Qi did not harbor any resentment towards Imperial Noble Consort Qin and only desired to have the poison cured and the culprit found, he thought she was quite sensible.

Seeing her somewhat pale and pitiable face, the Emperor then said,

"Very well, I will have the matter thoroughly investigated. You need not worry. I will also send someone to inquire with Imperial Noble Consort Qin if she has the antidote. If not, I will have Divine Doctor Miao and the other Imperial Physicians diligently search for a way to cure the poison."

Although Consort Qi was dissatisfied inside, she still put on a grateful and tearful expression, thanking the Emperor.

The Emperor felt that Consort Qi’s nature was becoming more and more agreeable.

He was about to leave when Murong Jiu suddenly said, "Father Emperor, may I take your pulse to ensure your safety?"

"Oh? Why? Do you think I am unwell?"

The Emperor’s countenance darkened slightly, as he had already consumed the Immortal Pill and his complexion had visibly improved. Naturally, he did not wish to hear displeasing words.

"Your Majesty, you misunderstand, this son of yours noted Your Majesty’s rosy complexion, as if you’ve grown younger by several years, and hearing about your consumption of the Immortal Pill, with effects so immediate, filled me with curiosity. You do not know, but during my journey with Prince Ling to search for my elder brother, we came across a Taoist boy who had accidentally broken his bones while gathering herbs. It was only after we saved him that we learned he is actually sixty-two years old!"

The Emperor couldn’t help but ask, "Then why does he appear to be the form of a Taoist boy?"

"That is because when he was eight, he stealthily consumed an Immortal Pill concocted by his master, and thus, he has remained at that age ever since."

Consort Qi and Consort Jing both showed faces full of astonishment.

Only Jun Yuyan listened with an expressionless face as Ah Jiu earnestly talked nonsense, occasionally nodding in agreement.

The Emperor appeared thoughtful and then asked, "Do you know who this little Taoist boy’s master is?"

"He was reluctant to divulge that, but in order to repay the prince and me for our kindness, he taught me the method for concocting the Immortal Pill. That is also why I am so curious about the Immortal Pill Your Majesty has ingested, because I was wondering if True Person Zi Chen and that Taoist boy had the same master. Moreover..."

"Moreover what?"

"This son believes that if the Immortal Pill can truly preserve your youth, with the example of the small Taoist boy here, Your Majesty should first regulate your body to be in its best condition before consuming the Immortal Pill. That would be the proper way. Did True Person Zi Chen not mention this point to Your Majesty?"

The Emperor’s brow furrowed, and without directly answering the question, he seemed to have believed Murong Jiu’s words and thus said:

"Xiao Jiu, come with Us. True Person Zi Chen is currently practicing alchemy, and you should go see if there might be some way for you to help."

Murong Jiu nodded with a smile: "This son would be most willing to alleviate Your Majesty’s concerns. As for the matter with my mother..."

"We shall conduct a thorough investigation. Your mother won’t have any troubles, rest assured."

"Then this son is relieved."

The Emperor, ready to depart, took Murong Jiu and the accompanying Jun Yuyan to where True Person Zi Chen was practicing alchemy.

True Person Zi Chen was in the midst of alchemy, with two Taoist boys around seven or eight years old by his side, one tending the fire and the other serving True Person Zi Chen tea and water.

The first time Murong Jiu laid eyes on True Person Zi Chen, her heart sneered.

This was no True Person Zi Chen, but clearly a charlatan, a fraudster — not the person she had seen in her dreams but one who she and her master had caught swindling people as they traveled through the south and caused trouble in the north.

Back then, he had the appearance of a handsome scholar, pretending to be a student heading to the Capital for exams, specifically deceiving innocent young ladies, swindling them not only of their money but also of their chastity.

When she and her master exposed him, the angry mob broke his limbs. He turned out to be quite tenacious, and now he had transformed into this so-called True Person Zi Chen, allegedly living over a hundred years.

However, True Person Zi Chen did not recognize her, put on the airs of a lofty hermit, and did not rise to greet the Emperor. Instead, he nodded slightly and continued to watch the Alchemy Furnace.

She was very different from that time, and since she had not revealed her identity outside, it made sense that True Person Zi Chen did not recognize her.

Murong Jiu did not expose him in front of the Emperor, as the man would surely deny it, and the Emperor might even think she was lying.

She pretended to be very interested in alchemy, observing the alchemy materials placed aside.

The Emperor said, "True Person, this is my eldest daughter-in-law. On her recent excursion, she encountered a small Taoist boy over sixty years old, roughly the same size as your two Taoist boys. I wonder if you might know this boy?"

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