Long Tingzhen pressed his lips together and made up his mind in an instant. If he wanted to ascend the throne, he had to endure suffering beyond what ordinary people could bear. A life worse than death? He had already experienced that. As long as he could claim the imperial throne, he could endure any pain. He said quietly, "Mr. Hong, please grant me the method of tempering my body with medicine. I will do everything in my power."
Hong Beimo said, "The elixir used to temper the body took half my lifetime's efforts to refine. It did not come easily."
Long Tingzhen dropped to his knees before Hong Beimo with a thud. "Master, please accept your disciple's bow."
Hong Beimo said, "You must remember one thing: everything between us must remain strictly confidential. You must not reveal it to anyone, not even His Majesty."
Long Tingzhen said, "Master, your kindness is like granting me a second life. I will obey your teachings for the rest of my days and never do anything against your wishes."
Hong Beimo nodded in satisfaction. "Good, Ting Zhen. If you can survive this trial, no one under heaven will be able to stand in your path."
At King Yongyang's Residence, Yang Lingqi followed Quan Dean into Qiqi's study. Looking at the mountain of documents piled on her desk, he could not help secretly admiring the Little Princess's diligence.
Qiqi put down the memorial in her hand and greeted him. "Mister Yang, you're here!"
Yang Lingqi said respectfully, "Your humble servant pays his respects. May Your Highness live a thousand years!"
Qiqi smiled. "I don't want to live that long. If I really lived a thousand years, wouldn't I become an old crone?"
Yang Lingqi could not help smiling. Though Princess Yongyang possessed heaven-gifted talents