If this old Taoist uses this trait to plot against the Emperor, what then?

Tianji Taoist only chuckled, arching his eyebrows, with a face full of mockery.

Director Zhang, seeing Tianji Taoist’s arrogant demeanor, like he was being mocked, felt a surge of displeasure.

Could it be that this old Taoist thought he harbored covetous thoughts about the elixir recipe? How absurd.

He never believed there was any Lifespan Extension Pill in the world, so why would he covet this elixir recipe?

"Director Zhang, is this medicine poisonous or not?" The Emperor, somewhat impatient, noticed Director Zhang had yet to respond and had inquired about the elixir recipe, finally asking in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, I just tasted it and for now, it’s determined to be non-toxic."

Knowing that the Emperor was already displeased, Director Zhang had to respond first.

"What do you mean by ’for now non-toxic’?" The Emperor suppressed his impatience and asked in confusion.

"As Your Majesty can see I’m standing here well, which means even if this medicine is toxic, it hasn’t reached the time to act yet."

Hearing this, the Emperor certainly understood the implication of Director Zhang’s words.

Director Zhang had never liked the Tianji Taoist; their discord was not a recent matter.

"Then when will it be known that this medicine is non-toxic?"

The Emperor tapped his fingers on the table, eyes sharply fixed on Director Zhang.

Director Zhang, feeling a shiver in his heart, hurriedly replied, "Some poisons can hide in the body for days, years, even decades, I dare not make a rash judgment!"

The Emperor snorted coldly, "Dare not make a rash judgment? Then what’s the use of having you as an Imperial Physician?"

Saying this, the Emperor grew a bit angry. He thought Director Zhang was trying to make things difficult for the Tianji Taoist and thus acted that way.

Since it was confirmed non-toxic, the Emperor could take the medicine with peace of mind.

Even if it couldn’t achieve longevity, it shouldn’t be life-threatening, right? It’s worth a try.

Director Zhang sighed, realizing that once the Emperor was enticed by this elixir and the Tianji Taoist, further persuasion would be futile.

"Your Majesty, perhaps call a few more Imperial Physicians for confirmation?"

De’an was still somewhat uneasy, for any mistake would mean his own head would not be spared.

"Call a few more? If each of them scrapes a bit of the medicine, would there be any left?"

The Emperor glanced at the small red pill in front of him; surely he knew what the Imperial Physicians are like?

Even if he gave them the whole pill, they’d still think it wasn’t enough!

One by one, their medical skills weren’t precise, becoming envious at the sight of others’ elixir recipes.

The Emperor simply closed his eyes and hardened his heart. Hesitating no longer, he immediately popped the pill into his mouth.

After closing his eyes and waiting momentarily, the Emperor felt no difference after taking the elixir.

Doubts surged in his mind instantly, could the Tianji Taoist be deceiving him? Was there truly no Lifespan Extension Pill at all?

Just as he was about to ask, a warm current suddenly surged through his limbs and bones, opening the meridians in his body.

The Emperor sighed comfortably, waited a little longer, and finally, under the tense gaze of De’an and Director Zhang, opened his eyes.

He laughed heartily three times, "Hahaha! This is indeed a marvelous elixir!"

The next day, at precisely 5:45 AM, as a sliver of dawn appeared at the horizon, citizens lined up outside Yingnan Prefecture city gate, waiting for inspection and entry.

The sleepy soldiers guarding the gate shouted at entering citizens, "Hurry up! What’s in this basket?"

A soldier stepped forward, pushing an old man who almost lost his balance.

"Chief! It’s just some cabbage, to sell in the city for some copper coins."

The old man, though pushed, dared not complain. He wore a smile, bowing low with nods.

"Hmph! Move along!" The soldier rummaged through the basket, finding only cabbages, so he waved them through.

The old man’s clothes were patched everywhere, clearly showing his poverty. In fact, he entered the city daily to sell vegetables, and the officers remembered him well.

Nothing to gain, the officers didn’t bother him further. Stretching his hand, he waited until the old man reluctantly handed over two copper coins before waving him through.

In the distance, a lone rider on horseback galloped nearer, the sound of hooves like a clamorous drumbeat.

A man carrying a yellow parcel and a red flag came galloping on horseback.

"Changtian Prefecture flood report! Clear the way quickly!"

"Changtian Prefecture flood report! Clear the way quickly!"

Holding the yellow silk and Token high, the rider showed no intention of slowing, reaching the city gate in no time.

Seeing the gathered crowd outside the gate, the soldiers guarding it shouted quickly, "Make way quickly! The flood report from Changtian Prefecture is here!"

As citizens turned to see the horseback rider with yellow parcel and red-flag, they hurriedly scrambled aside in a panic.

The old man had just finished tidying his basket of cabbage when he heard the shouts to make way.

Being elderly and moving slowly, he was reluctant to leave his basket of cabbage.

Thus, he was still hesitating when the horse came close.

"You old fool, do you have a death wish?" a nearby soldier shouted, hauling the old man aside.

The rider galloped on without slowing, heading straight for the inner city.

"Go report to the master! The flood report from Changtian Prefecture has arrived!"

The commanding officer grabbed a soldier, instructing urgently.

The old man, pulled by the soldier, lay on the ground, unable to get up for a while.

The basket of cabbages was trampled to mush, with even the basket broken in two.

The old man wore a grief-stricken face; it’s all money gone!

The nearby citizens of the Capital couldn’t hold back, "Old man, aren’t you going to thank the Chief? You saw the horse and didn’t move! If it weren’t for the Chief pulling you, you’d be dead underfoot by now."

"Indeed! Such flood reports carry urgent weight, if someone gets trampled, no one will be held accountable, it’s allowed by imperial edict. If you were trampled to death, you’d die in vain."

The old man, upon hearing this, grew shaken with lingering fear! He quickly thanked the soldier.

...

Chen Zhao appeared anxious, noticing that the master was persistently arranging rescue matters and dared not interrupt.

But the matter was too crucial, if the master hadn’t mentioned it, was it forgotten? If the master didn’t mention it, he had no choice but to step forward and remind.

"Master! Should we send a message to the Capital via pigeon? This matter is too significant for us to bear alone!"

How could Qian Hui Chun forget such an important task? He was utterly unwilling, but the event had occurred. If he didn’t report it, other State offices in Lijiang would.

By then, his crime would be compounded, failing not only at prevention but also hiding the disaster, truly deserving death. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"After verifying the numbers, then send a message by pigeon!"

Since sending information to the Capital, the situation here must be explained clearly.

What’s more, he had a calculation in mind; after verifying the numbers, he planned to manipulate the details!

If truthfully reported, ten heads wouldn’t suffice!

Today, at the morning assembly, everyone noticed that the Emperor was spirited and in a particularly good mood.