The Imperial Palace.
As night fell, the palace lamps lit up one by one.
Before the palace hall, Eunuch Zhao suddenly stopped and watched Liu Zhan's retreating figure from afar, his emotions tangled. "Who knows when the Great Restoration Elixir will be ready? His Majesty keeps taking the Lesser Restoration Elixir. How can this go on?"
Every medicine carried its share of poison. Even an elixir like the Lesser Restoration Elixir did no good when taken over a long period by someone whose body was already so weak that his lamp was nearly out of oil.
If His Majesty would rest and recuperate in peace, he might yet recover. But he held the vast realm in his heart, worrying over it every waking moment. Where would he find the time to rest?
Besides, if His Majesty retired to recuperate, who would take charge of affairs of state?
Merely thinking about it was enough to throw one's mind into turmoil.
"And these Daoists have used alchemy as their excuse to greatly expand their influence without making a sound. That may not be a blessing for the realm!"
As a member of the Imperial Faction and the emperor's loyal servant, Eunuch Zhao's face turned bitter at these thoughts. Yet he had to hide that expression as he climbed the steps toward the hall.
The closer he came to the Imperial Study, the hotter it grew. Just before entering, Eunuch Zhao had no choice but to remove his outer robe and hand it to a young eunuch. Already wearing only a light garment underneath, he went inside cautiously.
"Your Majesty." Seeing the emperor resting against the back of his chair with his eyes closed, Eunuch Zhao called softly.
Only then did the emperor slowly lift his eyelids. His face bore the flush that