Volume One, Chapter 19: The Poisoned Elixir and the Hongmen Invitation

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Ye Chen glanced at the jade gourd in his hand. "Could there be something wrong with the elixir?"

"Of course, and it’s a serious problem. Someone has tampered with it!" Jun Moyan’s words did not surprise Ye Chen.

Because if it weren’t tampered with, it would be impossible.

Jun Moyan continued, "This morning, Ling Aotian and Elder Li came to collect the Life-Extending Pills. Those pills were specially crafted for you by the Celestial Observatory under the commission of the Heavenly Medical Sect."

What a coincidence.

Ye Chen mused, his heart a tangle of emotions as he instinctively clenched his fist.

As they spoke, the two passed by the Celestial Observatory and just then encountered Grand Monitor Ge Hong returning.

"Master!"

Jun Moyan saluted respectfully.

Ge Hong looked at them and said to Ye Chen, "The Ninth Prince is also here. I have something to discuss with you."

Jun Moyan, understanding the situation, took his leave, and Ye Chen followed Ge Hong back to the Celestial Observatory.

As soon as they sat down, Ge Hong spoke plainly, "I just returned from the palace. This morning, His Majesty finalized the method for selecting the Crown Prince."

"You and the other princes will be appointed to various official positions to undergo three years of training."

"Ultimately, your achievements during this period will be evaluated by the officials."

Ye Chen listened absentmindedly, his eyes fixed on the jade gourd.

Ge Hong shifted the topic, asking, "If it were up to Your Highness, what position would you choose?"

"Me? With less than a year left to live, any choice is meaningless. If I must choose, then positions like the Celestial Observatory or the Ministry of Justice, places where one investigates cases, would do. Nothing else interests me."

Ye Chen responded this way because he wanted to clarify some matters.

From yesterday until now, too many things had happened, each leaving him bewildered.

He did not want to die again in confusion this lifetime.

In his past life on Blue Star, he was killed without reason during a medical dispute.

He never knew why that medical troublemaker wanted him dead, especially since the patient had clearly recovered. Why would that person turn murderous within a day?

Likewise, in this world, Ye Chen’s previous experiences were shrouded in mystery.

Ge Hong was surprised by this answer but found it reasonable.

"In that case, you may join my Celestial Observatory. I can appoint you to an official post."

Ye Chen nodded. "Thank you, Grand Monitor. But I have something to show you."

He then produced the jet-black token and slid it toward Ge Hong.

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Ge Hong was stunned for a long moment upon seeing the token, then slowly rose and knelt on one knee before Ye Chen.

"Deputy Commander of the Celestial Army, Grand Monitor Ge Hong, pays respects to the Commander of the Celestial Army!"

Ye Chen jumped in surprise, attempting to help Ge Hong up. He had not expected the token to be a tiger tally.

"The Celestial Army, like the Dark Dragon Guards, belongs solely to Emperor Dayu."

"Previously, the tiger tally of the Celestial Army was kept by the Heavenly Saint Emperor, so the current emperor cannot command the Celestial Army."

"Because the Celestial Army recognizes only the tiger tally, not individuals. Only the tally can mobilize them."

Listening to Ge Hong’s explanation, Ye Chen examined the token in his hand. The front bore the powerful inscription “Celestial,” while the back had the character for “Order.”

"What are the Celestial Army’s main duties now?"

Ge Hong stood and explained in detail, "The Celestial Army is spread throughout the Canglan Realm. Every day, intelligence is gathered and sent to the Celestial Observatory. After filtering, the Observatory reports the information directly to His Majesty."

He added, "Though His Majesty lacks the tiger tally now, the Celestial Observatory still pledges loyalty to him."

"However, the Ninth Prince currently holds the tiger tally and is the true master of the Celestial Observatory."

After careful thought, Ye Chen pushed the jade gourd toward Ge Hong.

"Then take a look at this."

When Ge Hong saw the Life-Extending Pills inside, his reaction matched Jun Moyan’s.

His face darkened considerably. "The despicable Heavenly Medical Sect dared to tamper with the elixirs! I will immediately order a thorough investigation!"

"Not so fast. It’s not yet time to alert them," Ye Chen said, a trace of ruthlessness flickering in his eyes.

"Just pretend you don’t know. From now on, have two batches of Life-Extending Pills made—one for the Heavenly Medical Sect, and one directly for me."

His thoughts were clear: the Heavenly Medical Sect’s actions were definitely under Emperor Qingli’s orders.

To uncover the truth, he must feign continued use of the pills.

He wanted to see exactly what Emperor Qingli intended.

Ge Hong, a seasoned veteran, nodded calmly.

"I understand. I will follow the Ninth Prince’s lead."

Ye Chen rose, and before leaving said, "Once Father announces it, I will apply to become an official at the Celestial Observatory."

"I will certainly cooperate with Your Highness then!"

The two left the Observatory together, arriving at the Celestial Army’s gate.

Half an hour later, Ye Chen returned to the Yan Prince’s Mansion, where Mingyue, the maid disguised as “Falcon,” hurried to inform him.

"Your Highness, Deng Qirui from the Prime Minister’s Office has arrived."

"I know. You may go about your duties."

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Deng Qirui had come bearing an invitation from the venerable Master Xu.

Ye Chen quickly moved to the parlor, where Du Lingfu was present, chatting with Deng Qirui.

Ye Chen cupped his hands respectfully. "Your student greets the teacher and the honorable Prime Minister!"

"Your Highness is too polite," Deng Qirui said, flattered, returning the gesture and presenting the invitation, explaining its purpose.

He also specifically mentioned that King Wu’an and the Third Prince Ye Han would attend.

Ye Chen replied, "Tell Master Xu that I will attend tonight."

"Then I shall take my leave. Your Highness, please see me out."

After bidding farewell to Du Lingfu and Ye Chen, Deng Qirui departed.

No sooner had he left than Du Lingfu slammed the invitation on the table.

"Hmph, a bunch of sycophants obsessed with accumulating fortune and seeking immortality—how can they call themselves Confucians!"

"True Confucianism dedicates itself to educating the world. What are these Southern School sects anyway!"

Obviously, the Northern and Southern Confucian schools were at odds.

Du Lingfu grabbed Ye Chen’s hand. "If Your Highness doesn’t go tonight, they’ll be fighting poetry or comparing who writes the most elegant parallel prose—a disgrace to culture!"

Ye Chen sensed the underlying tension—tonight’s event at the Xu Mansion was a trap.

As for Xu Liunian’s purpose, he had already heard it at the Fengxian Hall.

That old man intended to help his grandson achieve a breakthrough through sudden enlightenment.

Ye Chen agreed to attend because Deng Qirui had said King Wu’an and the Third Prince Ye Han would also be there.

Unnoticed, Third Uncle Zhao Chunfeng appeared at the Yan Prince’s Mansion; Ye Chen suspected he was connected to someone among them.

But what Ye Chen most wanted to know was the truth behind the “Words Become Law” technique.

“Teacher, I have a question: why does ‘Words Become Law’ consume one’s lifespan?”

…

Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard within Taiyi District of the capital,

Wang Nianwei sat gracefully in the garden, staring at the invitation in front of her.

Beside her stood Murong Ping, the Third Senior Brother of the Taiyi Sect.

“What does Xu Liunian want from us?” Murong Ping asked.

Wang Nianwei sneered, "The messenger said the Ninth Prince will attend. I want to see him! And also let him know that the prestigious clans of the Five Surnames and Seven Families are far beyond the reach of a worthless prince like him!"

"I’ll go with you, junior sister. Let that useless prince witness the power of Taiyi’s Celestial Registers!"

Murong Ping said, gently taking Wang Nianwei’s hand. "Tonight, I will make sure he knows his place and breaks off the engagement himself!"