The Strange Child
"Never mind that for now. Since you've brought it up, let's state your request first," Shen Ge replied calmly, without revealing any emotional fluctuation to the other person.
The emperor remained silent for a long time, then sighed and said, "Never mind, it's not important anymore."
As soon as he finished speaking, the emperor looked up at Shen Ge with hopeful eyes. "Immortal Master, since that person was able to join your immortal sect, I wonder if my daughter also has a chance?"
The Spirit Moon Sect has a rule that it does not accept members of the royal family, because it fears that if such members become too powerful and entrenched, they will treat the people of the world like slaves.
Moreover, the other side has enjoyed imperial power and wealth for generations, and has already received more than enough.
But there are always exceptions, and my sister is a prime example. However, she possesses both metal and water Spirit Root, with the metal attribute being Supreme-Grade Spirit Root and the slightly inferior water attribute Spirit Root being a high-grade Spirit Root that is close to the top grade. Her extraordinary talent is the source of her confidence in achieving the Golden Core stage in just over 150 years.
However, while natural talent is one aspect, another possibility is that because her older sister is a woman and has little interest in the succession of imperial power, coupled with the domineering nature of her master, she did not encounter any opposition.
Shen Ge glanced at the other party and said quietly, "Your Majesty, you should know that sects do not accept members of the royal family. You have enjoyed a blessing that the whole world could only dream of since birth. Don't be ungrateful."
The emperor paused for a moment, then sighed, "It was I who was greedy."
"However, my request for the immortal sects to take in my daughter is not because I want to strengthen any power. It's because my daughter is dying. She's not even three years old yet, and it would be so heartbreaking for her to die like this."
Is this an attempt to play the emotional card?
However, judging from his expression, he wasn't lying. It was truly a pity that a three-year-old girl was about to pass away.
But Shen Ge couldn't make the decision on this matter, so he said with a hint of apology, "Your Majesty, please take it easy. After all, life and death are predestined. All things in the world that don't become immortals cannot escape the fate of death. Moreover, immortals also experience strife and other disasters. They too will die. Everyone will die."
"However, Your Majesty, you might allow me to see the princess; perhaps I can find a way to save her."
"Thank you, Immortal Master." The Emperor bowed solemnly, then turned to the old eunuch fifty paces away and said, "Have Consort Li bring the little princess here."
"This old servant obeys the decree."
After receiving the order, the old eunuch turned and quickly left. Once out of the emperor's sight, he swiftly ran away, his agile and fast body showing no signs of old age.
Shen Ge swept the area with his divine sense and took it all in. He sighed inwardly, thinking, "This old eunuch is quite shrewd. He has never been disrespectful to the emperor and can quickly convey the emperor's decrees. No wonder he has risen to this position."
About 15 minutes later, a beautiful woman came running over hurriedly, carrying a little girl who was about half a year old.
"Your Majesty! Is there any hope for Xiao Mei? Your Majesty!"
The emperor glanced at them and said in a low voice, "What kind of behavior is this, shouting and yelling like that?"
Consort Li knew she had been somewhat impolite, as she was extremely emotional upon hearing the news that her daughter could be saved. Over the past few years, this child had become inextricably linked to her fate. If the child lived, she would enjoy a life of wealth and glory, and might even have the chance to give birth to a prince. However, if the child died, although she wouldn't be banished to the Cold Palace, she would definitely be neglected, and might never have the opportunity to serve the Emperor again. For a concubine in the harem, this was tantamount to being banished to the Cold Palace.
Of course, you can't blame her for having this idea. For the first year, she traveled all over the country seeking medicine to save her precious child, but unfortunately, it didn't work. She couldn't even suppress the symptoms for long.
Since then, the emperor rarely visited her. Even when he did, he would only glance at the child and nothing would happen between them. This change gradually made Consort Li hate the sickly little thing. Even if she had given birth to a normal princess, she wouldn't have been neglected by the emperor for so long.
After calming herself down, Consort Li bowed slightly to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, Xiao Mei still hasn't been able to eat anything today. I had the nanny who takes care of her force-feed her some millet porridge. If this continues, Xiao Mei won't be able to hold on for much longer."
As she spoke, Consort Li's eyes were already brimming with tears, but she seemed afraid of displeasing the emperor, so she held back and didn't dare to make a loud sound, which made her look quite pitiful.
The emperor turned to look at Shen Ge, his voice trembling slightly, and asked, "Immortal Master, is there any way to save my daughter?"
"Let me see." Shen Ge stood up, took a few steps forward, took the little girl from Consort Li's hands, and extended his Divine Sense into her body.
The emperor, standing to the side, said, "Immortal Master, it's not that our palace lacks extraordinary people and events, but even they can't discern anything."
Shen Ge ignored him, but frowned. The little girl's body was very strange. Her Divine Sense probes were like entering a quagmire, making it very difficult to move forward. At the same time, there was a chilling feeling, which was very abnormal.
After returning the child to Consort Li, Shen Ge closed her eyes and pondered. The child's condition was likely caused by that cold energy, which was naturally emanating from within her body.
The cause of this situation is either some deeply hidden foreign object or an extremely rare Ice Spirit Root.
Because he hadn't reached the Golden Core and couldn't independently examine his Spirit Root, and he didn't have any items to test his Spirit Root, Shen Ge wasn't entirely sure.
To resolve this situation, one must either guide her onto the path of immortality or use a Grade 3 Dragon Flame Pill to neutralize the cold energy within her body.
But no matter what method he chose, Shen Ge couldn't make a decision. So he opened his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I already know the cause of this little girl's illness, but I can't make a decision. So please wait a moment while I send a message to my senior sister, and she will decide."
"Senior Sister?" A glint flashed in the Emperor's eyes as he immediately grasped the key information in Shen Ge's words. He said that matters involving the royal family were reported to his senior sister instead of his master or sect, which meant that the senior sister he was referring to was likely the princess ancestor from more than 170 years ago. He never expected that she was still alive.
The emperor grew happier and happier, feeling as if he had suddenly found a powerful backer. With that ancestor around, at least their imperial power was secure, regardless of anything else. As long as that ancestor lived and as long as their descendants did not cause chaos and plunge the country into turmoil, no one could shake the imperial power belonging to the Su Household.
Seeing the emperor's eyebrows lift in delight, Shen Ge knew he had understood her subtle reminder. In fact, Shen Ge had his reasons for reminding him. Knowing that the emperor's power was secure, he would definitely restrain his descendants from acting recklessly, and might even leave behind corresponding measures, which would definitely benefit the people.
After taking out the Jade Slip, Shen Ge sent a message to his sister, then said, "Leave the child with me for today. I'll guarantee her safety until my senior sister replies."