The Tyrant's Beloved Empress

40

Xiao Zhige had been expecting this. He took An Chang Qing's hand and comforted him. He then put on his official robe and took a carriage into the Palace to face the Emperor.

In Qian Zhen Palace, dragon braziers were burning bright. A golden curtain sweeping on the ground was pulled apart as Emperor An Qing leaned against the soft cushion. Two palace maids were massaging his arms and legs. Not far away, a middle-aged Taoist Priest was carefully adjusting the fire around the pill refining cauldron. A faint medicinal fragrance was rising from the cauldron as occasional crackings of the fire could be heard.

"Xuan Yi, you're saying that the crazy Taoist is probably more powerful than even your master?" Emperor An Qing's eyes lit up as he fiddled with a white jade flask in his hand.

The Taoist Priest Xuan Yi opened the cauldron lid and placed the refined pill into a small white flask. He then presented the sealed pill in front of the Emperor. "That's right. To be able to decipher nature's mysteries and foretell disaster, this ability is not something that my master possesses. If what the Northern Warlord said was true, then that eccentric priest is definitely someone of higher sanctity."

Emperor An Qing's interest was piqued, "Could he have the power to refine the pills that would make me immortal?"

Xuan Yi observed his mood and answered with caution, "The pill to immortality had always been a floating rumor. Although it is widespread, I have never seen anything tangible. Even if it's a person of higher sanctity, I'm afraid he would also be clueless..."

Emperor An Qing immediately changed his attitude. He waved his sleeve and said, "Then how can he be called a person of higher sanctity?"

Xuan Yi cupped his hand and bowed, "If his cultivation is deep and can tap into the ways of the heavens, even if he does not have a way to produce the immortality pill, prolonging Your Majesty's life is still viable..."

Emperor An Qing was slightly pacified. He stretched his neck and looked out, eagerly urging, "Where is the Northern Warlord? Hurry up and bring him in!"

The eunuch at the door replied, "Wangye had already been summoned into the Palace."

The moment he finished speaking, a voice announcing the arrival of The Northern Warlord sounded.

"Bring him in!" Emperor An Qing pushed away the palace maids and got up excitedly. This should be the first time he was looking forward to seeing this repulsive son of his.

Xiao Zhige had to come through the snow and wind to reach the palace. He stayed in the front hall to dispel the cold before stepping into the inner hall.

The inner hall was thoroughly heated. There was also a strange fragrance drifting in the air, causing Xiao Zhige to briefly glance at the burning cauldron. He then humbly saluted, "Your Majesty."

"Rise." Emperor An Qing looked at him with an eagerness in his eyes, "The crazy priest you spoke of, do you still remember what he looked like?"

Xiao Zhige sneered in his heart but he put on a pensive expression and said, "I met him on the road to the barracks outside the city. He was dressed poorly even in winter with only a common priest robe and a gourd hanging off his waist. Judging from his face, he was probably around seventy but his steps were full of vigor and spirit, unlike those of ordinary people."

Emperor An Qing's smile widened the more he listened, "Do you have a way to find him?"

Xiao Zhige hesitated, "This priest was quite peculiar, it was as though he was waiting for me on that road. After relaying those words, he walked away a few steps and disappeared. I wanted to go after him for further questions but couldn't catch up."