Chapter 85: The Formula for Dyeing

Chapter 85: The Formula for Dyeing

Li Dongfu was utterly terrified, but Yuan Jun merely made that comment and didn't say anything more. He placed the annotated documents back on the desk, straightened his tall frame, and left the room to gaze at the winter garden.

After a few snowfalls in the cold season, most of the vegetables in the garden had already been harvested, leaving behind barren furrows.

However, Yuan Jun's mind wandered to the vibrant garden during spring, summer, and autumn, as well as the courtyard filled with the essence of life, the quiet palace maid who held a world within her heart. She always managed to make her surroundings prosperous and interesting without anyone noticing.

His days in captivity were different because of her presence.

A woman like this, with her hidden talents and inner beauty surpassing her appearance, could not have escaped the attention of others. Zheng Changyuan, in particular, would have noticed. He had initially thought Rong Bi would accept the proposal since she was to marry into a wealthy family, and Zheng Changyuan himself was an accomplished man, having ranked third in the imperial examinations – a combination of talent and good looks.

To his surprise, Rong Bi refused.

He also hadn't expected to feel a hint of joy and anticipation upon learning of her refusal.

Glancing at the heavily guarded palace gate not far away, he realized that as a prisoner, he had already brought misfortune upon her entire family. Now, his greed was surfacing again. It was almost as if he was taking for granted the blessings that fate had bestowed upon him.

His eyelashes drooped as he secretly plotted his next move. Today, he had intentionally startled Li Dongfu. This eunuch, the closest to the emperor, had survived for years amidst the emperor's suspicion and cruelty. He appeared unambitious, never meddling in politics or forming factions, and had never committed any significant errors.

Li Dongfu was once an insignificant junior eunuch who, by chance, became an apprentice under the grand eunuch Gao Chang, who had served his father. Many like him had come and gone, but Gao Chang was eventually punished by his father for a minor offense, causing numerous other eunuchs to be disciplined or sent to laborious tasks like horse grooming and hay cutting. Yet, Li Dongfu gradually rose through the ranks, serving cautiously and attentively until he became the Grand Eunuch.

Of course, no one is without fault; the only explanation was that Li Dongfu knew the emperor intimately, allowing him to remain standing for so long. Since he was already at the emperor's side but did not crave power or wealth, he must have sought something else.

Regardless, whether it involved supernatural arts or not, if a person lost their fear and respect for the emperor, began to doubt and waver, his chances of success would increase.

===

Li Dongfu returned the memorials to the cabinet and then went to Tiannichi Temple to report back to Yuan Zixu.

The hall was bathed in a warm glow, with an intoxicating aroma filling the air. Yuan Zixu donned a gossamer-thin Daoist robe, his head bare and feet uncovered, giving him an ethereal, otherworldly aura. He had just ingested a red pill, lost in a state of blissful reverie. Upon seeing Li Dongfu, he barely registered his presence, merely waving dismissively. "There is no need to bother me with these mundane affairs any further. The Cabinet and the Crown Prince can handle such matters."

Li Dongfu observed Yuan Zixu's ruddy complexion and his bright eyes, which seemed to gaze into the distant horizon. After a moment, he slowly closed his eyes, as if his soul had transcended its mortal shell.

At the side, Daoist Chong Xiao cautiously stepped forward and said, "Eunuch Li, His Majesty is in meditation. No one is allowed to disturb his concentration. Please return for now, Eunuch."

Li Dongfu cast a cryptic glance at Chong Xiao before he too withdrew from the temple, his movements deliberate and unhurried.

Though the external world was frozen with chill, Li Dongfu was drenched in a cold sweat within. He gently wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, pondering over the veracity of the divine possession here and the prince's supposed soul travel afar. Which was truth, and which was deception?

If there truly were divine beings watching over this world, whom would they protect?

Li Dongfu turned to see a group of eunuchs from the Inner Kitchen entering the palace grounds with their food trays. This was the sustenance for the Taoist priests and novices, distinct from the imperial cuisine prepared exclusively for the Emperor in the Royal Kitchen. The guards at the entrance, following routine, searched the containers lightly, gave them a glance, and allowed them through.

Given that the Emperor was currently within the Taoist temple, the guards naturally didn't dare to inspect as meticulously as before or keep a tight watch on him. After all, the Emperor had instructed them to monitor whether the Taoists were communicating with the outside world, not to restrict his own movements.

Li Dongfu, deep in thought, tucked his sleeves and slouched away slowly.

High Priest Chong Xiao observed Yuan Zixu in the hall, seemingly asleep with his eyes closed, the drug having taken effect. He must be lost in the blissful, ethereal illusion of ascending to immortality that followed the drug's impact. However, compared to the previous day, today's red pill contained a greater dosage. Chong Xiao wasn't sure how much more to increase it; he merely relied on the time the Emperor spent sleeping and waking up, as recorded by the novice Taoists, to adjust the quantity accordingly.

But the medicine was running out!

Chong Xiao's heart pounded like a drum, yet he knew there was no solution. He couldn't leave the temple, so was his time to die approaching? The moment the supply of medicine ceased, the Emperor would instantly realize something was amiss! Then, he would face...

A young novice Taoist approached cautiously and whispered a reminder, "Master, the eunuchs delivering the meal have arrived. Please partake of your meal, Master."

Chong Xiao's mind stirred. Only when the Emperor was engrossed in his practice within the temple would he be free from the watchful gaze of the guards. Still, he was confined to the temple grounds and couldn't venture beyond. Perhaps he could give some silver to the eunuch and find a way to send a message out?

But to whom should the letter be sent? Who could help procure these items and smuggle them in? He did have a trusted disciple who had been dispatched to the outskirts of the capital on an errand and had yet to return. Presumably, he was back now. If he could send a letter to this disciple, instructing him to make the purchases, he would understand the situation.

His heart trembled, but he still mustered the courage to return to his meditation chamber. Indeed, two young eunuchs were arranging a meal there.

He sat down and watched as one of them set the dishes in place before rising to close the door and stand guard outside. Startled, he noticed the eunuch serving inside lift his gaze, revealing a sly smile as he spoke, "Master Daoist, Her Majesty the Empress has a message for you."

The Empress!

Empress Luo?

Abbot Chong Xiao was skilled at putting on a show. Suppressing the turmoil within him, he responded calmly, "What imperial decree does Her Majesty the Empress wish to convey to this old Daoist? Please, Eunuch, speak plainly."

The young eunuch replied, "Her Majesty has heard that His Majesty has attained true Dao, all thanks to your alchemy skills in refining the golden elixir. Our Empress is deeply devoted to the Emperor; how could she bear to let His Majesty ascend to immortality alone? Her Majesty offers you wealth and honor, but requests that when you refine the elixir, you create an extra dose for her. This way, she might have the chance to attain enlightenment alongside His Majesty."

Finished speaking, the eunuch added, "Please examine everything carefully. Since Master Daoist is now residing in the palace, you likely don't lack for funds. Our Empress says, whatever conditions you have, feel free to present them, and she will demonstrate her sincerity."

Abbot Chong Xiao was ecstatic, as if he had found a lifeline. Nevertheless, he maintained a stern expression and said, "In terms of propriety, how could this old Daoist defy Her Majesty's imperial command? However, the golden elixir depends on a person's affinity with the divine. Otherwise, why would I have refined many without success?"

"Let's put aside whether Her Majesty has such an affinity. The elixirs are limited, and if she wants me to refine an extra one, the rare herbs and minerals required would be exorbitantly expensive, and I fear I cannot afford it."

"Furthermore, I am currently within the palace, and all materials and the alchemy furnace would need to be provided by the palace. It seems that this old Daoist is powerless to fulfill such a request."

The little eunuch chuckled softly. "Empress has already anticipated this. She said that although she does indeed need the Venerated Master's assistance in alchemy, obtaining the materials wouldn't be difficult. Venerated Master only needs to provide a list of required herbs and minerals for the elixirs, and we'll find a way to acquire them. They will be delivered to the palace along with the other medicinal ingredients."

Venerable Chong Xiao almost burst into laughter. Indeed, heaven won't abandon me! The Empress has governed the six palaces for years; naturally, she would have a way to communicate with me. As expected, upon learning that the Emperor has attained Daoist enlightenment, the Empress must be tempted too! Who doesn't yearn for immortality? Who doesn't desire eternal youth? And who wouldn't want to remain a deity for thousands of years after death?

These nobles are so greedy! But it's their greed that enables me to seek wealth amidst danger!

Maintaining an expression of difficulty, Venerable Chong Xiao continued, "Very well, since it's Her Majesty Empress's decree, this old Taoist will refine a few more pills. However, I must make it clear: the efficacy of these elixirs depends on one's divine destiny. The pills I refine for His Majesty are identical, but due to his accumulated divine karma from past lives, others might not have the same fate. Please don't blame this old Taoist if they don't work."

The eunuch smiled ingratiatingly. "Our Empress has also mentioned this. Man proposes, God disposes. We would never hold Venerated Master responsible, but rather express gratitude for your assistance."

Satisfied, Venerable Chong Xiao took a sheet of paper from the desk and quickly wrote a letter to his disciple, instructing him to hand over the celestial elixirs he had secretly stored in his chamber to the visitor, who would then deliver them to the palace.

At this moment, he couldn't help but feel grateful for his previous curiosity, which led him to stockpile these ointments. Now, they could serve their purpose.

The eunuch carefully rolled up the letter and placed it inside a copper tube. In front of Venerable Chong Xiao, he slipped it into a wine flask before returning it to the food box. The Taoist reminded, "Deliver this letter to my Daoist temple outside the city and give it to my disciple, Jade Truth."

The eunuch whispered, "I will not fail in my mission, and our Empress would never mistreat the Venerated Master." He packed up the food box and retreated. Soon, he joined the other eunuchs delivering meals and left the temple as a group. Once again, the guards searched them but found nothing, allowing them to exit unscathed.

The young eunuch returned to the Inner Kitchen and, as expected, took the food box to Eunuch Tang Xi, whispering, "Grandpa Tang, it's done!"

Tang Xi took out a copper tube from the wine flask, unfolded the letter, and glanced at it with a smile. "Good boy, you've worked hard." As he spoke, he gave the eunuch a silver ingot. "Rarely do I see someone as clever as you. You've done such a good job; you won't be treated unfairly in the future!"

The young eunuch chuckled. "Grandpa Tang treats me so well. This little task is nothing."

Tang Xi smiled and coaxed the eunuch a bit more. Looking at the sky, he realized that he was not on duty tomorrow and should leave the palace.

Madam Rong was still waiting for his reply outside. What a brilliant plan!

As soon as he mentioned Empress Dowager, Chong Xiao indeed believed without a doubt. He hurriedly handed over the prescription, not daring to go through the official channels of the palace to obtain the ingredients. Instead, he desperately relied on this sudden appearance of the Empress Dowager's connection, because the medicinal herbs used for alchemy were strictly supervised by the imperial physicians. How could he deceive the Emperor? It was clear that there was something suspicious about this pill recipe!