Chapter 207: Official's Household, It's Time to Take Medicine~~~ (Bonus chapter for Silver Alliance leader Nuan Yang 1314)

Tai Shang Qin Dian, within the palace.

Roufu Princess Zhao Duofu, only seventeen years old, stepped in cautiously.

Empress Dowager Zheng waved her hand, summoning her over.

"Remember, do not speak too much."

"Yes~~~"

Lowering her head, she entered cautiously to visit the bedridden Tai Shang.

Tai Shang was actually drinking porridge~

Zhao Duofu's pretty face showed surprise.

Two days ago, when she received the news and hurried over, almost all her brothers and sisters were there.

Even the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Institute said they should prepare for the funeral.

How long has it been, and he's already better?

"Twenty-first Sister is here?"

Seeing Zhao Duofu step forward to salute, the half-reclining Zhao Ji squeezed out a smile.

"Father~~~"

Zhao Duofu stepped forward to pay her respects.

The forms of address within the Northern Song imperial family were rather strange; they usually addressed each other as elder brother and elder sister.

For example, Wanyan Gou, whom Zhao Ji called Ninth Brother.

Zhao Duofu was Twenty-first Sister.

As for princes and princesses addressing the Emperor, they mostly used the folk terms of father and mother.

"Good, good."

Although the injury was severe, Zhao Ji's mental state was unexpectedly good.

"This injury was already life-threatening, but thanks to the immortal master bestowing miraculous elixirs, the medicine indeed cured the disease."

"I knew the immortal master must have divine pills!"

Zhao Ji, in high spirits, laughed a couple more times.

As a result, it pulled at the wound, making him bare his teeth and grimace in pain.

Looking at his twenty-first daughter, Zhao Ji instructed her in two sentences: just come to visit, no need to come every day from now on.

Originally, this visit should have ended there.

Zhao Duofu returned to her residence, and Zhao Ji went about his own business.

But Empress Dowager Zheng's words, "Official's Household, it's time to take medicine~~~"

caused Zhao Ji to suddenly shudder.

He did not take the medicine, but instead stared blankly at Zhao Duofu.

Zhao Duofu was bewildered by being looked at.

Seeing that Tai Shang said nothing, she saluted and then withdrew.

Upon leaving the hall door, she happened to run into her sister who had also come to visit Tai Shang.

"Fifth Sister?"

Zhao Duofu was overjoyed and stepped forward to hold the hand of Maode Princess Zhao Fujin.

She still lived within the palace; after Fifth Sister married out, it was not easy to see her.

The two sisters chatted idly and talked animatedly.

"Fifth Sister."

Zhao Duofu stared at her sister's peerless beauty and praised repeatedly, "You really are getting more and more beautiful~"

Zhao Fujin, carrying worries in her heart, upon hearing this also couldn't help but point a finger at her, "This little mouth of yours is getting sweeter and sweeter."

In the midst of joking, they saw Empress Dowager Zheng come out.

The two sisters hurriedly saluted.

"Fifth Sister has come, go in."

Empress Dowager Zheng instructed Zhao Fujin to enter to visit Tai Shang, while she herself led Zhao Duofu to her residence.

"Your Ladyship~"

Zhao Duofu's beautiful eyes were full of doubt.

"Tai Shang he~"

Empress Dowager Zheng's face was full of embarrassment, not knowing how to broach the subject.

After arriving at Zhao Duofu's residence, she then spoke plainly.

"Tai Shang has given you away to someone."

Zhao Duofu【(°ー°〃)】

She suspected she had misheard.

She was a princess, not a courtesan; how could there be talk of giving someone away?

"Tai Shang said that Immortal Master Lin lacks someone to serve him."

"Sending you to serve Immortal Master Lin."

Hearing this name, Zhao Duofu trembled, "Immortal Master Lin?!"

It had long been spread within the palace.

Saying that Lin Dao was a demon king with three heads and six arms, the kind who kills without blinking.

Some days ago, within Daqing Hall, he set up a magic array, slaughtering hundreds or thousands of people as a catalyst.

Me, given over to such a demon?!

"Impossible."

The disbelieving Zhao Duofu shook his head repeatedly, lifted his skirt hem, and was about to go out, "I'll go find Father~"

A eunuch stopped her.

"This is the Taishang's command, it cannot be disobeyed."

Empress Dowager Zheng also sighed repeatedly.

The Taishang castrated himself with a blade, and now he is sending the Imperial Princess away to someone.

This is clearly a case of losing one's mind.

But there's no choice; the Taishang's command must be obeyed.

Empress Dowager Zheng instructed the palace maidens to pack some gifts, and they would depart shortly.

Surrounding the muddled Zhao Duofu all the way, they arrived before Huitong Gate and met up with Qin Gui, who was waiting there.

"Minister Qin, thank you for your trouble."

"I, your subject, will certainly deliver the Imperial Princess safely."

Qin Gui had gone to get the antidote, but received a temporary notice ordering him to deliver Imperial Princess Roufu to Lin Xianzhang's place.

Naturally, it wasn't for nothing.

The Taishang instructed him that he must, from the Immortal, seek spirit pills and marvelous medicines that aid in cultivation.

Exchanging the Imperial Princess for elixirs—only this Taishang, the Daochun Emperor, could do such a thing.

Qin Gui felt that after the Taishang castrated himself, he had become somewhat mad and demonic.

He wanted to be a good person, but unfortunately had no choice.

The muddled Zhao Duofu was put onto a horse cart.

Fortunately, Lin Dao had eliminated Fan Qiong and driven off the Jin people.

Otherwise, the horses, mules, cattle, and sheep within Bianliang City would long ago have been requisitioned by the Jin people; where would there be any horse cart for her to ride?

Qin Gui also mounted a horse, and all the way to the outside of Xuan De Lou, he summoned a full hundred Palace Guards to follow.

It wasn't that he was putting on airs; it was just that Bianliang City nowadays was in a tremendous uproar.

No one knows who started it, but nowadays the entire Bianliang City is assaulting the powerful nobles and reflecting on themselves; it is truly in utter chaos.

When he went to get the antidote yesterday, he was stopped by a group of rioters and beaten soundly.

If it weren't that a scion of a military aristocracy happened to be fleeing nearby, and the people beating him chased after that person, he might have been beaten to death on the spot!

Today, going again, with these hundred-plus Palace Guards by his side.

Though they are not much use, the armor thin as cicada wings on their bodies and the gleaming weapons should have some deterrent effect.

The effect is indeed there.

Exiting Xuan De Lou, they entered the Imperial Street.

Turning into Dong Shi Zi Da Jie, when they passed Xiao Tian Shui Lane, it was uneventful all the way.

Though they did encounter several groups of rioters, they merely watched from afar and did not come forward.

But after passing Li Wa, Zhong Wa, Xiang Peng, and arriving at Ghost Market, the situation was not right.

Within the streets and alleys everywhere were commoners holding weapons and such.

In groups, they broke into the homes of officials, the residences of powerful nobles and military aristocrats, and the mansions of the rich.

On the street, from time to time one saw the corpses of people in fine clothing and caps, their appearances gruesome.

Their party was like walking in the midst of the Sea of People.

The waves around them gradually closed in.

This was far more than what he had encountered yesterday himself.

Seeing the situation was not right, Qin Gui hurriedly shouted, "We are going to find the Immortal at Ma Qian Jie~ Good heroes, please let us pass."

Among the crowd that had already blocked the roads ahead and behind, a Taixue student stepped forward.

"You dog official, you actually know Lin Xianzhang?"

Qin Gui was furious in his heart.

I, a grand Censor-in-Chief, am the greatest among the several ministers under the Two Prefectures!

You dare call me a dog official?

It's just that the environment doesn't allow it; Qin Gui could only force a smile.

"This scholar."

"I have a Liu Guang Er bestowed by the Immortal~"

After speaking, he took out the walkie-talkie to signal.

The Taixue student immediately nodded, "It is indeed the Immortal's item."

"Since that is the case, you may go."

Qin Gui hurriedly saluted, "Many thanks."

Passing through the roads cleared by countless commoners, the entire group of Palace Guards trembled with fear.

Most of them were from the homes of powerful nobles and the rich, scions of military aristocrats.

These past few days, the city has been in turmoil, and their own families were hit first and hardest.

If not for being able to continue hiding in the Great Interior, they would never dare come out even if beaten to death.

The formation turned and passed through East-West Chicken Lane, arriving at Yang Lou Street.

Here, the party was blocked again.

Only to see before Yang Lou a sea of people~

Countless commoners gathered here, looking up at the scholar on Yang Tower holding a trumpet and shouting loudly.

Qin Gui stared, looking closely, as if he looked somewhat familiar.

"Could it be Yang Dong of the Taixue?"

Yang Dong shouted with all his strength, his voice hoarse.

"The Emperor is unbenevolent, treating the commoners as straw dogs~"

"The Imperial Court is unjust, oppressing us good and kind commoners~"

"The Military Aristocracy is incompetent, losing armies and territory~"

"The powerful eunuchs are lawless, making the people's livelihoods difficult~"

"Such an unbenevolent, unjust, incompetent, and lawless Imperial Court and Emperor, what use is there in keeping them?"

"Now we commoners should rouse ourselves to become strong, be our own masters, protect our small families and save the greater family~"

"We don't want Grain at five thousand Qian per dou!"

"If we want to eat, we'll take it ourselves with the knives, spears, and clubs in our own hands~~~"

The countless spectating commoners roared their approval and cheered in unison.

Qin Gui listened on this side, trembling all over.

"Damned thing, you are still a Taixue scholar!"

"You are digging up the roots of the Imperial Song!"

Commoners surrounded them again.

Fortunately Qin Gui had experience responding now; he took out the walkie-talkie and his talking points, and finally managed to go through the side lane, circling to Ma Qian Jie.

A crowd had gathered in front of Li Family's Brothel Courtyard.

Judging by their attire, most were Taixue scholars.

Seeing the procession approach, all were extremely vigilant.

The local Taixue scholars of Bianliang City had basically all run away.

Those remaining were all from out of town; if they caused trouble, they would be reckless.

After another series of twists and turns, they finally arrived outside Li Family's Brothel Courtyard.

"Paying respects to the Immortal Master~~~"

Qin Gui entered, bowing his head to the ground.

Lin Dao, who was instructing the Taixue scholars, casually poured out two pills.

Receiving the antidote, Qin Gui came out to the horse cart.

"Invite the Princess to get off the carriage."

The muddled Zhao Duofu, holding a round fan to cover her face, walked into the courtyard in a daze, surrounded by palace maids.

"Hm?"

Lin Dao frowned, looking at Qin Gui.

"Immortal Master."

Qin Gui stepped forward to report, "The Retired Emperor feels the Immortal Master has no one to serve him."

"He specially ordered Roufu Princess to come serve the Immortal Master."

Lin Dao raised an eyebrow, "Roufu Princess?"

Throughout all dynasties they were Princesses; only Zhao Ji came up with the title Di Ji.

The result was that the Di Ji all became the Jurchens' war spoils.

From then on, no dynasty used the title Di Ji again.

Qin Gui repeatedly greeted her, and only then did Zhao Duofu reluctantly step forward to pay respects.

"Roufu, paying respects to the Immortal Master."

Lin Dao looked slightly impatient, waving his hand, "Go back and tell Zhao Ji~~~"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly stood up.

Everyone looked at him in shock.

Lin Dao frowned and said in a deep voice, "Stand up."

Zhao Duofu, not knowing why, stood up with her head lowered, looking slightly panicked.

Lin Dao stepped forward, drawing closer.

The changes in his body grew more intense, as if a fire had been ignited.

He immediately retreated, and this feeling gradually dissipated.

Beyond five steps, there was no more movement.

This action left everyone baffled.

'What is he doing?'

Lin Dao thought carefully, then looked at Qin Gui, "The Retired Emperor did well; I will have my repayment."

Having spoken, he went into the horse cart and took out a vitamin tablet, handing it to Qin Gui.

"This is a Life-Creation Pill; it strengthens the foundation, nurtures vitality, calms the spirit, and gathers Qi — a supreme medicine for cultivation."

"Go back and tell the Retired Emperor."

"If he wants more, it depends on his performance."

(End of Chapter)