Chapter 183: The Gift

Duan Fengyun laughed and said:

"Lang, you really are my 'good younger brother,' living up to all the care I've given you over these many years.

You two truly are a case of Fuchang and Fushui.

Sister-in-law, don't you worry; as your older brother, I certainly couldn't leave out a gift."

Duan Fengyun took a bottle containing the Youth-Preserving Pill from his chest; of course, there was only one pill left inside, as he had taken the others out.

Duan Fengyun handed the pill bottle to Wang Qiaoer.

Seeing Wang Qiaoer's confused expression, it seemed she did not know about this Youth-Preserving Pill.

Duan Fengyun laughed, pointed at the bottle, and said:

"Sister-in-law, don't underestimate this pill bottle; inside is a pill called the Youth-Preserving Pill.

This Youth-Preserving Pill is refined from the secret, untold methods of the Imperial family, specifically to allow you women to remain forever young.

I had to spend a long time getting this from the Supreme."

"Really?

Brother, you aren't lying to me, are you?"

Upon hearing that this tiny pill bottle contained such a miraculous pill, Wang Qiaoer's eyes lit up as she asked.

One might ask, what woman in this world does not want to remain forever young, and who does not want to be eternally youthful and beautiful?

Duan Fengyun laughed:

"If you don't believe me, you can ask your father!"

Wang Jian nodded and said:

"Yes, what Hero Duan says is correct.

The pill inside this bottle can indeed allow a woman to remain forever young.

You have seen the Empress, haven't you?

Have you never wondered why, despite her age, she is still so young?

It is precisely because the Empress took this Youth-Preserving Pill that she has remained forever young.

Qiaoer, this pill was obtained by Hero Duan at the cost of a promise from the Supreme.

You must be sure to thank Hero Duan properly."

After confirming the effects of the Youth-Preserving Pill from Wang Jian, Wang Qiaoer didn't even have time to thank Duan Fengyun before she opened the bottle and poured out the Youth-Preserving Pill.

It was worthy of being a Youth-Preserving Pill that could keep one forever young; the pill body was crystal clear, and the entire pill emitted a pleasant, refreshing fragrance.

To avoid any complications or others coveting it, Wang Qiaoer swallowed the Youth-Preserving Pill in one gulp.

Watching the impatient Wang Qiaoer, the group laughed heartily.

Meanwhile, the maidservants standing to the side looked at Wang Qiaoer with expressions of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

They were women too, and they also wanted to remain forever young, but given their status, how could they ever have such an opportunity?

They could only watch Wang Qiaoer with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

After the Youth-Preserving Pill entered her stomach, Wang Qiaoer felt her entire body lighten significantly, and the discomfort she had just felt from childbirth vanished.

Just as she was about to thank Duan Fengyun, she suddenly felt a bad sensation in her stomach.

"Everyone, excuse me, I must step away for a moment."

After Wang Qiaoer finished speaking, she ran toward the latrine with long, swift strides.

With her vigorous and agile movements, one could never tell she had just given birth.

Watching the hurried Wang Qiaoer, how could the group not know what was happening?

Duan Fengyun laughed heartily:

"It seems this Youth-Preserving Pill truly is a divine pill.

It can purge the toxins from one's body so quickly."

Before long, Wang Qiaoer came out of the latrine.

Just as Duan Fengyun had said, the Youth-Preserving Pill had indeed purged all the toxins from Wang Qiaoer's body.

Wang Qiaoer now felt a sense of lightness she had never experienced before.

However, the toxin-filled latrine was also filled with a foul stench, and many of the maidservants inside pinched their noses and ran out.

Seeing this awkward scene, Wang Qiaoer blushed and laughed:

"Brother, this Youth-Preserving Pill of yours is truly miraculous.

Thank you."

Watching the radiant Wang Qiaoer, Duan Lang even began to feel a bit distracted.

But with so many people around, he, as a schoolteacher, certainly could not show it.

"Brother, you have prepared a gift like the Youth-Preserving Pill for Qiaoer.

Since A Zheng is your own nephew, you couldn't possibly have failed to prepare a gift for him, right!"

Duan Lang gave Duan Fengyun a mischievous grin.

Duan Lang finally understood now; since his brother was not a man short on money, and operating on the principle that it would be a waste not to fleece him, he began to continue asking for gifts.

Duan Fengyun took the Imperial Edict he had prepared long ago from his robes and handed it to Duan Lang's chest.

"Here, this is the gift I have for A Zheng!"

Duan Lang took the Imperial Edict, completely bewildered, not understanding what Duan Fengyun meant by giving him an Imperial Edict.

Duan Fengyun signaled for Duan Lang to open the Imperial Edict to see for himself.

Duan Lang opened the Imperial Edict and looked; inside, there was only the Supreme's signature and the seal of the Imperial Jade Seal, with no other content.

Seeing that Duan Lang had already opened the Imperial Edict, he began to speak:

"My thoughts on A Zheng remain the same as yours."

"I hope you can all live safely and securely as mortals, and not get caught up in the rights and wrongs of the Jianghu."

"It is enough for one branch of our Duan family to live a peaceful, ordinary life, while the other branch ventures through the Jianghu."

"I had the Supreme write this Imperial Edict this way on purpose; if one day A Zheng or you wish to become an official, or want to be enfeoffed with a title or land, just take this Imperial Edict and find someone in the Imperial Palace."

"Brother, you..."

Duan Lang had not expected that Duan Fengyun had thought so far ahead, having already planned out A Zheng's future.

Duan Fengyun looked at the dazed Duan Lang and laughed heartily, taking A Zheng from the wet nurse.

Looking at A Zheng, who resembled Duan Lang, Duan Fengyun smiled and said:

"Xiao Azheng, grow up quickly."

"When you grow up, Uncle will bring Brother Wuyou and Sister Ruoruo to play with you."

Looking at the adorable little A Zheng, Duan Fengyun suddenly began to miss Youruo, Xiao Wuyou, Xiao Ruoruo, and the others on Linggui Island.

He thought to himself:

"Youruo, my son, my daughter, wait a little longer; we will be able to meet very soon."

According to Duan Fengyun's memory, once Huaikong mastered the Iron Refining Hand and retrieved the Heavenly Sin, Di Shitian would begin his Seven Weapons Slay Dragon plan.

Duan Fengyun would then also strongly urge Nie Feng and the others to participate in the Seven Weapons Slay Dragon; if they wanted to defeat Di Shitian, they had to obtain the Dragon Essence.

Thinking of Youruo and the children, and then contemplating the future, Duan Fengyun also became lost in thought.

"Brother!"

"Junior Brother Duan!"

The shouts of Duan Lang, Nie Feng, and the others called the distracted Duan Fengyun back.

"Brother, what is wrong with you!"

Duan Lang asked with concern.

Duan Fengyun shook his hand and replied:

"It is nothing, I just saw A Zheng and thought of Youruo, Ruoruo, and the others."

"It is fine, I believe we will be able to meet very soon!"

"Yes, we will be able to meet very soon, I have this premonition!"

Standing to the side, the silent Bu Jingyun also spoke up.

"The Imperial Edict has arrived!"

At this moment, a voice like a drake's croak reached the ears of the group.

Upon hearing that the Imperial Edict had arrived, Duan Lang and the others hurriedly knelt down.

Of course, the four of them—Duan Fengyun and the others—and Long Er would certainly not kneel.

The eunuch, who had already witnessed the divine might of Duan Fengyun and the others in the imperial court, did not comment on their behavior; he simply read the Supreme's Imperial Edict:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Supreme decrees."

"Duan Lang is learned and knowledgeable, teaching and nurturing others; he is a model for the scholars of our dynasty."

"I hereby appoint Duan Lang as a University Scholar, responsible for the management of our dynasty's academies and schools."

"Wang Qiaoer is virtuous and kind; I appoint Wang Qiaoer as a First-Rank Lady."

"To celebrate the new addition to Duan Lang's family, I hereby reward Duan Lang with ten thousand taels of gold."

"Respect this."

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long long live!"

After Duan Lang and the others finished kowtowing, Duan Lang respectfully took the Imperial Edict from the eunuch's hands.

"Congratulations, Duan University Scholar, congratulations, First-Rank Lady!"

The eunuch offered his congratulations.

Duan Lang knew the rules for delivering such edicts, so he took an ingot of silver from his robes and tried to stuff it into the eunuch's arms.

Just as the eunuch was smiling and taking the silver, a burst of coughing sounded.

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"

Duan Fengyun let out a cough from the side.

The eunuch immediately returned the silver in his hand to Duan Lang, then greeted Duan Fengyun and the others:

"Greetings to the Prince of Equal Rank, the Qin King, the Feng King, the Yun King, and the Prime Minister Wang!"

Duan Fengyun looked at the flustered eunuch and found it quite amusing.

He smiled and said:

"Eunuch, you need not be afraid."

"My coughing just now was for my younger brother to hear."

"He is a bit too stingy in his ways."

"You brought such good news and so many rewards, yet he only gave you a single ingot of silver."

Duan Fengyun took several silver notes directly from his robes and placed them in the eunuch's arms, saying:

"A small token of appreciation, please accept it, Eunuch."

"If there is any news in the Imperial Palace in the future, I would trouble you to notify my younger brother and the others as soon as possible."

Looking at the massive amount of silver notes Duan Fengyun had stuffed into his arms, the eunuch felt like he was about to faint.

He had not expected that simply delivering an Imperial Edict would yield such benefits.

"Many thanks to the Prince of Equal Rank; once I know of any matters in the future, I will definitely inform the Duan University Scholar immediately."

Duan Fengyun patted the eunuch on the shoulder, indicating his satisfaction.

The eunuch, having earned a fortune, returned to the palace in great excitement to report back.

"Big brother, what did he just call you? Prince of Equal Rank?

And he called Father the Prime Minister; what on earth is going on?"

Duan Lang asked, puzzled.

Before Duan Fengyun could answer, Wang Jian stepped forward and preempted him:

"In the imperial court, the Supreme, in gratitude for the life-saving grace of Hero Duan and the others, as well as their merit in destroying the enemy, bestowed upon them the title of Prince.

And I also benefited from their glory; the Supreme promoted me to Prime Minister!"

"What!

Father, you have become the Prime Minister!

Didn't you say before that this position would definitely go to the Minister of Justice?

How did the Supreme suddenly give this position to you?"

Wang Qiaoer did not know the place Duan Fengyun and the other three held in the Supreme's heart, so she was incredibly surprised by Wang Jian becoming Prime Minister.

Wang Jian also smiled embarrassedly:

"I just said it, all of this is thanks to Hero Duan and the others.

Without them, I reckon I would have been this Minister of Personnel for my whole life; I never expected to make further progress, and I imagine there will be opportunities to climb even higher in the future."

Wang Qiaoer covered her mouth in shock, then cast her gaze toward Duan Fengyun and the others.

She knew about the time Duan Fengyun and the others fought Jue Wushen and saved the Supreme's life.

But she had not expected that the place Duan Fengyun and the others held in the Supreme's heart would be so high.

The Supreme had actually promoted her father, whom it was absolutely impossible to promote, just to make them happy.

Duan Fengyun looked at the astonished Wang Qiaoer and smiled:

"Qiao'er, don't you go falling for me; I am merely a legend."

Watching Duan Fengyun acting so pretentious, Nie Feng and the others really wanted to give him a beating.

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