If Tang Changsheng had known that Elder Yuan had received three Spirit-Nourishing Pills and, after discovering they worked, had immediately sent two into the palace, he would have gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between Elder Yuan and Emperor Mingde.
"That brat had something this good and kept it from me. He'd rather give it to Yuan Fangping than put it in my hands. Does he think I, an idle Son of Heaven, can't offer him anything in return?"
Emperor Mingde sounded faintly displeased, but no one answered. A lone figure stood bowed behind him, as motionless as a statue.
After venting for a couple of sentences, Emperor Mingde soon calmed down. He could guess why Tang Changsheng had not offered him the pills. For one thing, it would have been too hasty.
Since ancient times, cultivators who offered medicine to the Son of Heaven had rarely come to a good end, even though he had long since become a Figurehead Emperor...
Emperor Mingde had now tested the pill's effects himself. As he looked at the remaining Spirit-Nourishing Pill, his eyes no longer held their usual detachment and calm. They burned with desire.
"Send someone to warn Gai Longwang again," Emperor Mingde said coldly. "Tell him Tang Changsheng is the grandson-in-law I've chosen. He needn't waste any more effort..."
"But... what about the County Princess?" The person who had stood beside Emperor Mingde without stirring, like a statue, suddenly spoke with great caution.
"Wan'er will understand," Emperor Mingde said evenly. "If Tang Changsheng lacked this ability, I could let her decide what to do about the Marriage Pact. But since he's confident he can refine a Fourth-Turn Golden Elixir, a resource like him cannot fall into someone else's hands!
"A woman of the imperial family enjoys its support, wealth,