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Bai Tang did a good deed and took advantage of Liu Xianglian's moment of inattention to knock him out. When Liu Xianglian opened his eyes, he found himself lying in the study of the Northern Tranquility King. Thus, Liu Xianglian's admiration for Bai Tang grew even deeper. The next steps were easy to handle; Liu Xianglian hid in the study and waited for Water Flow to be alone. He fed Water Flow from a small cup and then boldly walked out of the Northern Tranquility Prince's Residence. He no longer had to worry about his safety or experience the anxiety of fleeing for his life. Liu Xianglian was very happy and decided to find Xue Pan for a drink, while also informing him about his Master's return.
"What about Consort Bei Jing?" Xue Pan asked, somewhat angrily, thinking about how his brother had been hunted down yet did not come to seek his help. After all, he was a trusted confidant of the emperor, and even if he faced off against the Northern Tranquility Prince's Residence, he would not be at a disadvantage. It was well known that the emperor had long harbored thoughts of exterminating the four princes and eight dukes; just look at how the Southern An Prince's Mansion had been raided and reduced to commoners.
"Water Flow has a mother-son bond with her and will not harm her, but she will be imprisoned in her own courtyard for life. To the outside world, it will be said that she is gravely ill and needs to recuperate." Liu Xianglian was not particularly satisfied with this outcome but felt there was no other way; Water Flow had been with the Empress Dowager for decades and would absolutely not wish to harm her.
"Aren't you afraid I will tell the emperor about Water Flow's identity?" Xue Pan asked.
Liu Xianglian shot him a sidelong glance: "Would you?"
Of course not; he could never betray his brother.
"Take me to meet Bai Senior later. I want to express my gratitude properly."
"Master has been summoned into the palace by the emperor; I don't know when he will come out. I'll take you when he does," Xue Pan said casually as he drank a cup of wine, not realizing that after this trip to the palace, he would never have another chance to see his Master again.
"Brother, you're not too young anymore; you should settle down and get married," Xue Pan suggested for Liu Xianglian.
Liu Xianglian blushed: "I once vowed to marry an exceptionally beautiful woman, but where can I find so many beauties?"
"Where are there none? My two younger sisters are both incredibly beautiful." Xue Pan's eyes lit up. "I have it! My second sister, Baoqin, is of marriageable age and exceptionally talented; she would make a great match for you. How about I play matchmaker?"
Liu Xianglian felt a stir in his heart: "How could I dare to dislike such a person as Xue Aunt Er, who has such character?"
Xue Pan sighed: "My sister is unfortunate; she was originally betrothed to a young master from the Mei family, but before they could marry, he passed away due to illness. I hope you won't hold it against my second sister for having been engaged before."
Still feeling moved, Liu Xianglian quickly replied: "How could I dare to dislike her? I leave everything to you, Brother!"
"Leave it to me!" Xue Pan promised with a pat on his chest, suddenly laughing. "I just remembered a poem my second sister wrote: 'Not by the plum tree but by the willow tree; who among them picks up the painting of beauty? Reunion should not recall spring's fragrance; another year passes with the west wind.' It seems my second sister has no fate with the Mei family and is destined to marry into your Liu family!"
At this moment, Bai Tang was sitting in the study of the Yongming Emperor, sipping tea while waiting alone as the emperor was still summoning ministers in the Nurturing Heart Palace. She flipped through a tea lid while surveying the emperor's study. It looked much like what she had seen before, except there were several small medicine bottles on a shelf near the desk.
After taking a sip of tea, Bai Tang smiled.
A eunuch entered carrying a plate of snacks. After placing it down, he did not leave but instead cautiously surveyed his surroundings before whispering, "Young Master Bai, the emperor intends to do you harm; you must be careful."
Bai Tang looked at the Eunuch in surprise, recognizing him as the one who had led him into the palace. The initial kindness he had shown had actually prompted the Eunuch to risk danger to remind him. Bai Tang felt a bit moved: "Thank you, you should leave quickly to avoid raising suspicion from others."
With a flick of his finger, a pill flew into the Eunuch's sleeve.
The Eunuch heard Bai Tang's voice in his ear: "This Revitalization Pill is for you; it may save your life at a critical moment."
Although Mister Ming Bai hadn’t spoken, the voice felt as if Young Master Bai was whispering in his ear. The Eunuch was surprised yet felt more at ease; with Young Master Bai's abilities, he should be able to escape the Emperor's persecution.
Not long after the Eunuch left, footsteps sounded outside the door. Bai Tang did not get up but merely raised his eyes to look toward the entrance. The curtain was lifted, and Yongming Emperor strode in. It had been several years since they last met, and Yongming Emperor had aged considerably; there were already white hairs at his temples. However, he appeared quite spirited, his face flushed with color, though Bai Tang could tell that the redness was merely superficial—Yongming Emperor was exhausting his own life force.
"You have finally returned!" Yongming Emperor sat down in his position and waved for everyone else to leave, though the number of people lurking in the shadows only increased.
Bai Tang remained composed: "What do you want from me?"
"I have invited several immortals into the palace to help me refine elixirs, and there has been some success. After taking the elixir, I feel much better than before," Yongming Emperor said, staring intently at Bai Tang. "But I am not satisfied; while these elixirs can improve my health, they cannot grant me immortality. Can you help me?"
Bai Tang smirked sarcastically: "Your Majesty, regarding the cycle of life and death, no emperor can achieve immortality. Qin Shi Huang sought immortality by searching for immortal mountains overseas and ended up leading to the downfall of Qin Er Shi; Han Wudi had Luan Xianren refine elixirs—what was the result? And what about Tang Xianzong, Tang Muzong, Tang Wuzong, and Tang Xuanzong? Their fates should be clear to you!"
"That is because they did not find a true immortal to assist them. Now that I have you, how can I not achieve immortality if you are willing to help me?" Yongming Emperor's gaze was filled with intensity.
Bai Tang faced him calmly and showed no concern for the pressure: "I'm sorry, but I cannot help you."
"Don't refuse so quickly!" Yongming Emperor suddenly laughed. "As long as you agree to help me, I will grant you the title of Prince alongside me, elevating your status to be equal with mine; all subordinates will kneel at your feet."
Bai Tang also smiled: "Do you think I care about that?"
Yongming Emperor snorted: "Don't you care about your two disciples? And Qiqiao Pavilion?"
Bai Tang replied indifferently: "Wealth is merely an external possession. As for Xue Pan and Jia Zhu, aside from initially teaching them skills, have I interfered with them since? Do not threaten me with others; in this world, I have no attachments."
Yongming Emperor sighed: "It seems I must resort to extreme measures."
Bai Tang set down his teacup: "What a pity that such an excellent Da Hong Pao is being wasted."
"Did you drink it?"
"Using the fragrance of tea to mask the taste of poison, very successful." Bai Tang feigned weakness.
Yongming Emperor couldn't help but laugh heartily when he saw that the tea in the cup had been completely consumed: "It doesn't matter if you noticed, it's too late."
A hint of mockery flashed in Bai Tang's eyes. When the system first alerted her to her adverse condition, she had already taken the Qingyun Pill, which could neutralize all toxins. However, putting on an act was still necessary; she wanted to see how Yongming Emperor would deal with her, this "immortal."
"The effect of the medicine is quite good!" Bai Tang slumped in her chair.
"Of course! This was specially prepared by the immortal master to deal with you." Yongming Emperor clapped his hands, and those hiding in the shadows emerged. Most were palace guards, and some were so-called "immortal masters" dressed in Daoist robes. The two leading figures were a disheveled Daoist and a shabby monk.
Bai Tang narrowed her eyes; it seemed these two had come looking for her. It appeared that Jinghuan had noticed her as the one disrupting her plans and had set out to kill her.
"What should we do with this person?" Yongming Emperor asked Miao Miao Zhen Ren and Vast Sage.
Miao Miao Zhen Ren stroked his beard, revealing a smile that Bai Tang found extremely lewd: "Your Majesty, the blood and bones of an immortal have great benefits for mortals. Even if one cannot ascend to immortality after consuming it, they can achieve longevity. Please hand this person over to us; we will surely refine an elixir of immortality for Your Majesty's enjoyment."
"Granted." Yongming Emperor waved his sleeve and turned to Bai Tang, "Don't blame me; if you hadn't been so unwise, I wouldn't have treated you this way!"
Bai Tang chuckled, laughing more heartily and loudly with each moment.
"What are you laughing at?" Yongming Emperor asked.
"I'm laughing at your delusions!" Bai Tang slowly stood up from her chair. "You think you can capture me with these people and that mediocre poison? How ridiculous."
"You... you haven't been poisoned?" Yongming Emperor exclaimed in shock. The guards hurriedly surrounded him for protection, knowing full well their efforts were futile; mere mortals could not compare to an immortal. But if the emperor died, they would not survive either, so they might as well risk their lives to fight against the immortal.
Bai Tang paid them no mind: "Don't worry, I won't kill you. To me, you're no different from anyone else."
Bai Tang turned her gaze towards Miao Miao Zhen Ren and Vast Sage: "I need your help!"
"What do you want to do?" they asked cautiously.
Bai Tang smiled lightly, "Of course, I need you to lead the way!"
The smile suddenly vanished, and Bai Tang coldly said, "Take me to see Jinghuan!"
"How do you know Jinghuan Fairy?" asked Miao Miao Zhen Ren.
"Impossible!" exclaimed Vast Sage.
Bai Tang leaped between the two, lifting them both by their collars: "You have no say in this!"
Before leaving, Bai Tang took one last look at the emperor. Yongming Emperor was already poisoned; she didn't need to take revenge—he wouldn't live much longer anyway.
Using the skill Swift Travel, a flash of white light appeared, and Bai Tang disappeared with the monk and Taoist from the study.
Yongming Emperor slumped into his chair. He had offended an immortal; if he didn't achieve immortality, he might not even last long as emperor!
"How do we enter the Tai Xu Illusory Realm?" Upon arriving in the outskirts, Bai Tang threw the monk and Taoist onto the ground. The pressure from the Nascent Soul Cultivator bore down on them, causing cold sweat to break out as they realized how terrifying the newcomer was. They couldn't help but resent Jinghuan Fairy. How could they deal with someone so powerful? Jinghuan Fairy dared not provoke her but made them cannon fodder instead; what kind of heart did she have?
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