Lamps were rarely lit in the cold palace, but one had been lit today, for a visitor had come, a rare occurrence.
Only when he saw Grand Academician Zhang's head of silver hair did Jing Jiu realize that so many years had passed.
"I thought you could live for many more years. With your methods and abilities, Prince Jing's rebellion was only a small matter, and Qin and Zhao hardly counted as threats. There would be no trouble in the realm."
Jing Jiu said, "I never thought this day would come after all."
Grand Academician Zhang said with feeling, "I am eighty this year. By any measure, that is a long life. Were it not for the elixirs Your Majesty bestowed on me each year, I fear I would have become white bones long ago."
Jing Jiu said, "I needed to use you, so you need not thank me."
Grand Academician Zhang said earnestly, "That Your Majesty dared to employ me and trusted me is the greatest blessing of my life."
Jing Jiu said, "I think it was quite good too."
Looking at his face, Grand Academician Zhang seemed to see the Little Imperial Prince of so many years ago, who had disliked speaking. He suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, did you succeed?"
Although His Majesty had never said so explicitly, how could someone as clever as the Grand Academician not have guessed a little?
Jing Jiu shook his head. "Ascension requires breaking through the existing rules. In a complete world, it is the hardest thing of all. I may need many more years before I can return."
Even in the Real World, he rarely explained his cultivation. Only Zhao Layue and a handful of others had ever heard him do so.
What he said now was brief, but it counted