Jade knife?
The Emperor seemed to understand. He ordered, "Ma Shunde, go and bring Me a jade knife."
This so-called jade knife was used to cut open pills and inspect their quality inside. Ma Shunde immediately understood. He carefully returned the jade bottle to the imperial desk, bowed as he withdrew, and soon returned with a jade knife.
Eunuch Zhao took the jade knife, cut the pill open, and swallowed it without even looking.
The cut-open pill was blood-red within, yet it carried not the slightest scent of blood. It made one's spirits jolt. The Emperor's gaze involuntarily fell upon the half-pill in Eunuch Zhao's hand, and he smiled. "Why did you take only half?"
Eunuch Zhao kowtowed. "Your Majesty, medicine is a matter of great consequence and must be tested. But this pill is precious. Though this servant had no choice but to test it, how would this servant dare swallow it all? Half a pill is enough to determine whether it is poisonous. Any more, and this servant would not have the fortune to enjoy it."
The Emperor had already guessed Eunuch Zhao's intention. Hearing this answer, he nodded in satisfaction, then stared at Eunuch Zhao, waiting to see the pill's effects.
After a while, the Emperor gave a soft sound of surprise. He studied him carefully and said, "I see that you seem to have changed somewhat."
The others had already been glancing at Eunuch Zhao from time to time. Upon hearing the Emperor's words, they looked even more closely, and all nodded.
There had indeed been some change. His features had not altered much, but his bearing had changed somewhat. No matter how well Eunuch Zhao had maintained himself, he had once been unable to conceal the twilight air of old age. Now, however, he seemed