Chapter 9: The Immortal Medicine

  "What are you two doing here?" Fang Zongzhe smiled lightly and narrowed his eyes, saying with a hint of intention.

  Han Kuang smiled and said: "There is a Hong Tong Temple Lord, who seems to have something on his mind. I had the clerk bring him in."

  Following Han Kuang's line of sight, Fang Congzhe saw the two people walking from afar and nodded slightly without saying a word. He turned around and walked into the duty room. Exchanging a glance with each other, Liu Yijun and Han Kuang also went in. A small temple like Hong Luan Temple was not worthy enough to make them wait, even if it was just coincidental.

  Three people were just finishing up in the house when Shu Li brought in Hong Lü Si Gong Li Kezhuo, a man in his thirties. As soon as Liu Yijiu and the others saw Li Kezhuo, they knew why this person was still a Hong Lü Si Gong after all these years.

  Let's not talk about Li Kuo-chü's background and talent for now. Just this appearance alone is enough to make it impossible for him to become a high-ranking official. Li Kuo-chü was born with a treacherous look, small eyes, a thin mustache in the shape of an eight-character script, and a weak physique. The official robe on his body looks like a giant cloak.

  Looking at Li Ke's appearance, the three of them frowned. The three were deeply influenced by Confucian teachings and believed that one's appearance reflects their heart, so they thought that someone who looked like this couldn't be a good official.

  In the Ming Dynasty, it was a society that valued appearance over everything else. For those who looked majestic and awe-inspiring, people would subconsciously think they were good officials. Someone like Li Ke Chao, with his current appearance, was extremely unpopular.

  "Junior official Honglusi Temple Minister Li Keshao, paying respects to the three seniors." After entering, Li Keshao made a deep bow to all three, which was different from Liu Yijiu and Han Kuang's courtesy, this one required kneeling.

  Liu Yiyu had a bad impression of Li Kexuan to begin with, and seeing him grow up like this, he actually dared to come here, which simply affected the image of the Great Ming. He couldn't help but hum coldly, turning his gaze to one side, not saying a word.

  Han Kuang saw the appearance of his old friend, subconsciously glanced at Fang Congzhe, and found that this Grand Councilor seemed to have not noticed Li Keshao. Holding a teacup in his hand, he sipped it slowly, as if the cheap tea leaves in the cabinet were Longjing before the rain. Seeing that both of them had this attitude, Han Kuang knew that he could only speak up himself. He smiled softly at Li Keshao on the ground and said: "Lord Li, please get up! I don't know what brought Lord Li here?"

  Seeing the straightforwardness of the person above, Li Keshao knew that this was not a good omen for himself and couldn't help but blame his parents in his heart. Why did they make him into what he is now? If he also had a dignified appearance, maybe it would be him sitting up there right now. Suppressing his unrealistic fantasy, Li Keshao carefully said: "I heard that the Emperor's illness is severe."

  As soon as Li Kezhuo's words came out, the attention of the three people sitting there was immediately focused on Li Kezhuo. Liu Yijun glared at him with anger in his eyes, Han Kuang had an incredulous look on his face, and Fang Congzhe had a deep gaze that made it impossible to tell what he was thinking. In this era, anything related to the emperor must be handled with caution. Especially when it comes to the emperor's illness, private discussions are not allowed, let alone speaking out so openly. Even Liu Yijun and Han Kuang, who were both high-ranking officials in the imperial court, could only dare to speak about it in private when no one was around.

  Looking at Li Keshao's shocked face, Liu Yiyu suddenly slammed the table and stood up, loudly scolding: "You dare to discuss this matter!"

  Seeing Liu Yijiang like this, Li Keguang was suddenly shocked. What's wrong? How did he suddenly get angry? He couldn't help but look at Han Kuang on the side with a pleading gaze.

  "Your Majesty is in his prime, our great Ming dynasty is at its peak, even if the Emperor has some minor flaws, Heaven will still protect him. You low-ranking officials dare to slander the Emperor, do you know what crime this is?" Before Han Kuang could speak, Liu Yi-jing had already taken big strides to Li Ke-zhuo's side and loudly rebuked him, his voice so loud that it shook off dust from the long-neglected duty room of the Grand Secretariat.

  After hearing Liu Yijiang's words, Li Keguang was suddenly shocked. How could this be? Is this the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Cabinet? How can it be that the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are so good at framing people with crimes? Just by opening his mouth and saying a few words, he would be guilty of slandering the Emperor. If he said a few more sentences, wouldn't he be guilty of treason and rebellion, and have his entire clan exterminated?

  "Lord Liu, I didn't mean it that way! I just heard that the Emperor's health isn't good, and I have a divine medicine in my hand that I want to present to His Majesty." Li Kezhuo hastily knelt down and loudly explained to Liu Yizheng, while casting his gaze at Fang Congzhe who was sitting on the main seat.

  Gently putting down the teacup in his hand, Fang Zhe smiled faintly and said: "Xun Xian younger brother, don't get angry, it's just a rumor. Turning his gaze to Li Kezhuo, he sternly said: "As an official appointed by the imperial court, you absolutely cannot believe rumors as truth. Don't you know about the saying 'three people make a tiger'? Go back and focus on your duties, don't do these useless things."

  Li Ke was overjoyed, and didn't dare mention the matter of offering the elixir again. He had almost lost his life just now, so it was more important to leave quickly. He lightly wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead, feeling very frightened in his heart. He slowly stood up, swaying unsteadily as he walked out.

  Watching Li Kezhuo walk away with his back to him, Liu Yijun waved his sleeve and said loudly: "Occupying a position without fulfilling its duties."

  It was just a small matter that happened in the cabinet, and no one took it to heart, not even Liu Yiyuan who had just lost his temper.

  The moonlight is bright and clean, the insects are chirping, many palaces in the imperial palace have no lights, this huge Forbidden City seems to be asleep.

  Qianqing Palace, in front of the gate of Chengde Hall, Ye Xiang sat quietly outside, looking at the bright moon in the sky, his thoughts were very chaotic. Turning back to look at Li Jinzhong standing behind him, Ye Xiang said lightly: "You have followed me for a long time, I was very young when you were by my side, what kind of person am I in your eyes?"

  Li Jinzhong was taken aback, he didn't expect the prince to ask this question. He hesitated for a moment, seemingly thinking deeply, and when he saw the prince's profound gaze, Li Jinzhong suddenly felt a shock in his heart. He had never seen such a deep gaze from the prince before. The prince had grown up by his side since childhood, but was lazy and didn't like to read books, it could be said that he was completely uneducated. But what was with this gaze?

  Without thinking much, Li Jinzhong hesitated for a moment and flattered: "The prince has been intelligent since childhood, he is the future heir of our great Ming dynasty." For some reason, Li Jinzhong became tongue-tied at this time, those flattering words that originally flowed smoothly were now stuck in his throat, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get them out!

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