Chapter 166: Hold On, Imperial Advisor! I, the Emperor, Have Recovered 3

Chapter 166: Wait, National Preceptor! I'm Cured 3

After the court session ended, Lin Huaiqing headed straight to the Empress Dowager's palace to pay his respects.

But just as he entered, he encountered a man in a moon-white Daoist robe coming out from inside.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

The newcomer had his head lowered, his long hair tied high and flowing naturally down his back. His tall, straight figure carried a hint of aloofness. The lean, powerful waist beneath the Daoist robe was faintly visible.

Of course, none of this was what caught his attention first—it was the round, bulging qiankun pouch hanging at the man's waist.

The more he looked, the more familiar it seemed. He recalled having a similar qiankun pouch back in his immortal-cultivation days, though his hadn't been quite so round.

How many treasures did it hold?

Noticing Lin Huaiqing staring fixedly at his waist, the man asked, "Your Majesty seems lost in thought—is there something dirty on my robe?"

"Ah... nothing. You may go."

He'd nearly forgotten—in the palace, the only one who wore Daoist robes was the very person he shouldn't provoke.

"Is Your Majesty here to see the Empress Dowager? She has just retired to rest. Perhaps Your Majesty could return later."

"No need for that, National Preceptor." Lin Huaiqing brushed him off without the slightest courtesy.

Anyone with even a shred of tact would have stopped trying to block him, but Qin Hanyue happened to be that one in a hundred who couldn't read the room.

Or perhaps he was simply too bold and capable to fear the emperor.

"Wait! I observe that Your Majesty's complexion is darkened and your eyelids are puffy—it seems your dragon body may be ailing. Has Your Majesty felt any discomfort of late?"

"The National Preceptor should focus on state affairs instead of meddling in the physicians' business. I'm in perfect health—no discomfort whatsoever!"

Lin Huaiqing quickened his pace and strode straight into the Empress Dowager's palace, afraid Qin Hanyue would keep dragging him into a conversation about his health.

Especially that particular problem of his—he didn't want anyone to know about it.

Qin Hanyue stood in place, watching Lin Huaiqing's retreating figure, his gaze darkening from light to deep, slowly brewing a shadow of gloom.

He had already become the National Preceptor of the Yue Kingdom during the previous emperor's reign. Unfortunately, Lin Huaiqing had been too young then. Now that he had finally waited for him to ascend the throne, the young emperor grew increasingly distant.

He had already operated from the premise of caring for someone, constantly appearing by his side to make his presence felt. But every time, after barely a few exchanges, Lin Huaiqing would make an excuse to leave.

Except for matters of state and national destiny, Lin Huaiqing was so stingy he wouldn't spare him a single extra word.

So where exactly was the problem?

Wasn't he being obvious enough already?

"Your son pays his respects to Mother Empress."

"It's the Emperor! Do sit! Yuping! Bring the Emperor some tea!"

The original owner had only just ascended the throne, and the Empress Dowager's palace was a daily stop on his rounds. Over time, the Empress Dowager had grown warm toward him. Occasionally, when he was unsure about something, she would offer guidance.

Lately, however, the topics between mother and son had gradually shifted, all heading in one direction.

"The Emperor has newly ascended the throne, yet the harem holds only Virtue and Virtuous Consorts—both from your days in the prince's household. Now that the court is stable, the Emperor should think about heirs and select concubine candidates to fill out the harem."

Lin Huaiqing naturally knew the original owner had two consorts, but he'd never touched them—each night of attendance was just sleeping under the covers.

One of them was the Empress Dowager's plant, who had likely reported everything to her without omission.

The Empress Dowager must have suspected something for a long time.

Bringing up the topic again now was just a way to test his attitude.

Even if he didn't say anything, the Empress Dowager probably already saw through everything as clear as a mirror.

Including the palace maid who had crawled into his bed last night when he'd first arrived—that was almost certainly the Empress Dowager's doing.

Otherwise, with the aphrodisiac incense and the heavily guarded Qianqing Palace, how could an unfamiliar maid have just walked in?

There was no way an ordinary palace maid could have pulled that off.

She'd probably reported his calm, unflappable behavior last night straight to the Empress Dowager. His secrets were already an open book to her.

So today's mention of the selection was likely her way of giving him a chance to confess on his own.

Since the Empress Dowager already knew his secret, there was no point in hiding it—speaking up might even bring them closer as mother and son.

"Everyone else, leave! I have important matters to discuss with the Empress Dowager!" Lin Huaiqing waved his hand, shooing all the maids and eunuchs out of her palace.

"Mother Empress, your son has a shameful secret. I think it's time I told you, so you can help me figure out a solution."

"Speak freely, Emperor."

Though admitting it was hard to say, Lin Huaiqing gritted his teeth and told the Empress Dowager about his problem.

Upon hearing it, she immediately put on a look of utter shock, as if she were hearing it for the first time.

You had to hand it to them—the women of the palace were masterful actresses, especially the reigning champion of the previous generation.

Her level of shock and her control over her facial expressions were so impressive that even Lin Huaiqing, a transmigrator, couldn't help but tip his hat.

"Is what the Emperor says true?!"

"Naturally. Virtue and Virtuous Consorts may not know the details, but they've suspected for a long time. Mother Empress, you might sound them out when you get the chance."

The Empress Dowager was silent for a long while—so long that Lin Huaiqing wondered if the old lady had fallen asleep—before she finally spoke slowly:

"This is the first time I've encountered such a matter. The Imperial Medical Academy has my most trusted physician, Pei Zhong. Why not have me summon him to examine the Emperor?"

Pei Zhong was the Empress Dowager's planted man in the medical academy and had genuine skill.

Unfortunately, his condition had already been examined by several doctors in the prince's residence days, disguised as a commoner.

Though they were folk physicians, many were deeply experienced—no worse than ordinary imperial doctors.

They all said he was born impotent, with no cure. The original owner had gradually given up.

"Alas... it's useless. Your son has tried many methods, but nothing works. So this selection—let's forget it."

Thankfully, Virtue and Virtuous Consorts were tight-lipped; in two years within the residence, they had never spread any unfavorable rumors about him.

If a loose-tongued concubine candidate entered the palace, within two months she'd spill his little secret, and he'd have no face left as emperor.

Or it could be worse than he imagined—if Prime Minister Zhao Ge learned of his condition, he might rally the courtiers to support the more pliable Eighth Prince for the throne on the grounds that the emperor couldn't produce heirs.

Then his mission would be a complete failure.

"Emperor, the longer you delay the selection, the more they'll suspect. So it must proceed. As for... ahem... why not ask the National Preceptor if he has any solutions?"