Playing with us? What does that mean?
The crowd was somewhat puzzled, but Xu Yan, who had been standing there dumbfounded, seemed to suddenly realize something. His facial features relaxed, and he actually returned to his seat.
The little girl’s gaze shifted, and she gradually couldn’t hold back her expression.
The next second, she clutched her stomach and burst into laughter, tears streaming from her eyes:
“Hahahaha, you’re all so foolish! No wonder my master said humans are the most interesting beings in the Three Realms. This is truly amusing!”
“Auntie, you jest. You were once human too,” Li Yue said helplessly.
“Hmph! I was human for only a few days, but I’ve been a ghost for almost fifty years!”
The little girl jumped onto the table, swinging her legs playfully. The pearl dangling from her toes swayed precariously.
By now, some clever individuals had gradually realized the truth. The Ghost-God had long said she followed the righteous path, and using humans as materials would damage her cultivation.
What qualifications did these people have to make her risk decades of cultivation just to refine a Longevity Pill for them?
That was why His Majesty had said they were being played with.
Wang Yi felt ashamed that he had been blinded by worldly desires and hadn’t even realized this.
Watching His Majesty, who was still humbly conversing with the Grand Princess of Qin, he couldn’t help but sigh. The Emperor had the bearing of a wise ruler. Logically, among their group, His Majesty should have the strongest desire for longevity, yet he was also the first to regain his composure.
“No—!” After understanding the situation, the Prince of Chu let out a mournful cry. With his greatest hope gone, his already frail and aged body immediately grew weak, his vitality and spirit diminished by more than half.
The Prince of Chu fainted.
The banquet could only end hastily, leaving those who hadn’t attended burning with curiosity.
After the banquet, the Head of the Xie Family, one of the noble clans, had entered standing tall but came out lying flat, appearing utterly deranged.
If it were said that the Emperor had punished him without cause, the other heads of noble families who attended showed no signs of indignation.
Moreover, the Prince of Chu, the eldest son of Taizu and the most respected member of the imperial clan, was carried back by Guards.
Those fortunate enough to witness it on the same street revealed that the Prince of Chu was breathing heavily, appearing as if he were on the verge of death.
Later, the actions of the Prince of Chu’s heir confirmed this news.
The heir had the coffin the Prince of Chu had prepared long ago moved out and ordered it to be freshly painted.
Wasn’t this a sign that there was no other recourse, and they could only rely on the coffin to ward off misfortune?
Curiosity clawed at people like a cat’s paw. With so many capable individuals in the capital, it didn’t take long for someone to reveal what had happened at the banquet.
The Head of the Xie Family had offended the Ghost-God and had ten years of his lifespan taken away!
His Majesty, blessed by heaven, consumed a divine pill and returned to his youth!
As everyone knows, rumors tend to become more exaggerated as they spread. By the end, Ling Xiao had been transformed into an omnipotent, capricious Ghost-God of the underworld who would take lives at the slightest provocation.
After returning that day…
“Host, what you fed the Emperor was a Beauty Pill, right? The one that only makes the face look a little better?”
18888 stammered as it spoke. The Host’s performance had been so convincing that even it had been confused.
Ling Xiao replied crisply and decisively, “Yes, that’s right. How could we afford a Longevity Pill?”
The cheapest Longevity Pill cost 8,000 System Points and could only extend life by one year.
Ling Xiao couldn’t afford it even if she sold her pants!
Besides, how did Li Yue deserve such an expensive pill? Ling Xiao was here to earn System Points, not to throw them away.
Did he really think she was his aunt? Even his own mother wouldn’t spend that much on him.
Confirming that the so-called Longevity Pill was actually a Beauty Pill, nicknamed the “Beautifying Pill,” 18888 felt a mix of emotions.
“Host.”
“Hmm?”
“You truly are a magnificent deceiver,” 18888 exclaimed, then swiftly changed the subject, “But this System likes it.”
Li Yue happily roamed the imperial court and the rear palace with that youthful face of his.
Of course, no melodramatic incidents occurred. In the rear palace, the sentimental consorts half-jealously cooed that His Majesty’s youth made them all feel old, which was rather embarrassing.
The reaction in the imperial court was different. Loyal ministers rejoiced at the Emperor’s extended lifespan, seeing it as a way to further stabilize the nation’s foundation.
Those with ulterior motives outwardly celebrated with great enthusiasm but privately sighed in disappointment. The Emperor was approaching thirty, and there were already seven or eight princes in the palace.
The brewing storm over the succession, which should have begun to show signs, quietly dissipated…
The aristocratic families suffered a crushing defeat in this battle and naturally had to relinquish some of their interests. The political maneuvering in the court, with its advances and retreats, was a separate matter for now.
Taking advantage of the Xie family’s decline, both the aristocratic families and the Emperor tacitly agreed to carve up the Xie family’s assets. After one round, Li Yue had reaped immense profits.
Just then, the head of the Tang family tactfully presented a gift.
The Ling family members—
Upon learning the news, a flicker of killing intent flashed in the Emperor’s eyes: “Yan Pei…”
Yan Pei was the revered ancestor among the many eunuchs in the palace, the Chief Eunuch by the Emperor’s side, wielding considerable power.
Despite this, he was low-key and disinclined to abuse his authority, which was why he had safely accompanied Li Yue all this way.
At this moment, without asking any questions, he simply said, “As Your Majesty commands.”
“I recall that the Ling family had five male members?” The interrogative tone was forcibly turned into a statement by the chilling aura emanating from him.
“There were five before, but the aristocratic families are harsh and despicable. This servant has heard that three have already died.”
“Go and handle it. My aunt is a member of the Li family and must not be entangled with the Ling clan.”
Li Yue removed the ornament from his waist and tossed it to Yan Pei. Having experienced the immense benefits brought by this aunt, he naturally had no intention of sharing them with others.
“As you command.”
………………
In a private prison, the Ling family members experienced both extremes of suffering. Ling Xiao climbed out of bed and sat upright, her face dark with anger.
Lady Yang led the palace maids to stand ten steps away. Only when she saw Ling Xiao begin to move did she gesture for them to approach.
After serving her for several days, Lady Yang had learned some of this noble lady’s habits. When she first woke up, she was in a foul mood and easily angered if disturbed, so it was best to wait until she was fully awake.
Last time, an ambitious palace maid rashly tried to touch her and nearly ended up strangled by her hair.
Ling Xiao exuded an air of deep discontent. It had been a long time since she had stirred up trouble, and she was growing unaccustomed to it.
“System, I’ve rested enough. Let’s continue with the mission.”
“I’ll do as you say,” the System replied simply. After witnessing the Host’s formidable ability to script and direct events in the previous two instances, it had already decided to follow her lead.
“Good. Then let’s start with serving in the bedchamber.”
“What?” 18888 flipped over like a salted fish, crying out in alarm. “Weren’t you planning to take the route of mystifying and deceiving? Suddenly changing your persona will cause everything to collapse!”
“Relax. When I say ‘serving in the bedchamber,’ I don’t mean I’m the one doing it.”
The System quickly calmed down, feeling it had grasped the Host’s meaning. After all, Ling Xiao was only eight years old and couldn’t actually serve in the bedchamber:
“The Host wants to push someone else forward to secure favor first, right? Many strategists in palace intrigue settings do this.”
“Wrong. It’s about making the Emperor serve me in the bedchamber—”
In the Deyin Palace, Empress Wen skillfully prepared exquisite dishes. The Emperor graciously savored the food with great relish, frequently whispering affectionate words, displaying boundless love and tenderness.
“Your Majesty, someone has been sent from Princess Qin’s side.”
Li Yue set down his chopsticks, his heart filled with both anxiety and excitement. After all, this person was unpredictable in mood, and there was no telling what new method of torment he might have thought of.
“Your Majesty, the princess asked when the gift promised last time would be delivered,” Lady Yang dared not look up, gritting her teeth and closing her eyes as she spoke.
Without waiting for the Emperor’s reply, she quickly added, “The princess has specified the gift.”
Li Yue was somewhat curious and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, he hadn’t forgotten about this gift—it was precisely because he took it so seriously that he had been unable to decide for so long.
“Whatever my aunt desires, I shall grant it without question.”
Lady Yang smiled bitterly, looking up at the Emperor with pity. “The princess said that it will rain for the next half month, and she is afraid of thunder. She wants… she wants Your Majesty to attend to her in bed!”