"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on obtaining such a precious treasure."
The assembled ministers gazed at the silver tray presented by Daoist Priest He, their eyes filled with surprise as they rose one after another to offer their congratulations.
Beside the Emperor, the Empress, whose beauty could topple kingdoms, smiled gently and said in a soft voice:
"Your Majesty, the Longevity Pill presented by Daoist Priest He is extraordinarily precious and rare. I heard that after the ruler of the neighboring Wenhua Kingdom took it, even his graying hair turned much darker, and he showed signs of returning to his youth. It seems Daoist Priest He truly possesses remarkable abilities."
"Your Majesty flatters me. This humble Daoist would never dare accept such praise."
The lean, middle-aged man dressed in a green robe and wearing a Daoist priest's topknot bowed slightly.
His expression appeared respectful, but his narrow, cold eyes held a trace of arrogance.
His unusually pale complexion, combined with his slightly bluish lips, cast a strange gloom over his entire person.
Su Qiao licked the grease from her fingers and casually grabbed half a chicken from the tray. Clutching it in both hands, she dashed out from behind a pillar.
"Huh? I know this!"
The crowd stared at the greasy chicken clutched in her hands, her glossy, oil-slick lips, and the pretty little girl with slightly chubby cheeks. For a moment, no one reacted.
The star of today's celebration, the Little Emperor on his eighteenth birthday, darkened his expression. "What is going on?"
The two guards hurried forward and knelt to plead guilty, their expressions tense. "Your Majesty, please forgive us. We will take her away immediately."
That little girl's speed had been too great. They had not had time to stop her.
After a moment of surprise, the Empress quickly