Slender willows sway in the breeze

How credible is Chapter 103?
No matter what he did over the years, it seemed he could never gain his father's trust.

I don't know if it was because of his mother, or if she simply didn't like him as her son.

He is already eighty years old, and his son is ten years old. No emperor in history has ever had such an old eldest prince who has not yet inherited the throne.

A resolute glint flashed in Bei Chenhan's eyes.

All those years of frustration and resentment transformed into ambition at this moment.

He no longer yearned for his father's unattainable trust, but instead ascended the throne through his own strength, taking control of his own destiny.

Thinking this, Bei Chenyao summoned Xuanfeng again: "Go to the palace again tomorrow and find a way to contact Liu Sijun. Hint at her that you suspect someone deliberately sabotaged the failed alchemy, and that the target is His Majesty. Remember, don't be too explicit; just hint at it."

The goal is to let her guess for herself.

He guessed right; things will develop as he predicted.

Even if we guess wrong, there's still room for maneuver; in any case, we won't immediately suspect him.

Xuanfeng looked puzzled, but still respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

The next day, Xuan Feng followed instructions and went straight to the Yangshou Palace with the token given to him by Bei Chenhan. However, he did not expect that Mo Linhou was also there.

"Master Xuanfeng, what brings you here?"

Xuanfeng was about to leave when Liu Sijun, with her sharp eyes, called him back.

He had no choice but to turn around and greet them: "Lord Molin, Alchemist Liu..."

Gu Changzhou did not recognize Xuanfeng, so Liu Sijun introduced him: "This is Alchemist Xuanfeng, he is one of the First Prince's men."

Gu Changzhou nodded upon hearing this: "So you're the alchemist who came to Yangshou Palace yesterday to test my skills?"

"Yes."

"So you've come today because you want to try again?"

Gu Changzhou's expression was not good.

However, Xuanfeng felt that it was normal for things not to be good.

Liu Danshi was invited by him from Yougu Palace, and the eldest prince introduced him as well. On the surface, it was to share the burden of His Majesty and the Empress, but in reality, he did not trust Liu Danshi.

Distrusting Master Liu is tantamount to questioning his judgment.

Xuanfeng, recalling the Crown Prince's instructions, waved his hand and said, "It is true that the alchemy failed. However, I found it very strange yesterday when I was refining the pills. How did the fragrance suddenly turn into illusory runes and merge with the runes on the alchemy furnace?"

Xuanfeng continued, "After I got back, I kept thinking about it and it all seemed suspicious. I felt like someone was deliberately causing trouble."

Liu Sijun raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Gu Changzhou.

She asked, "According to Master Xuanfeng, who could it be? And what is their purpose?"

"This……"

Xuanfeng looked troubled, as if he dared not speak.

Gu Changzhou stared intently at Xuan Feng, scrutinizing him from head to toe, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.

Liu Sijun continued, "Master Xuanfeng must have some doubts in mind when he comes here now. Marquis Molin is no stranger, so please speak freely."

“Then I will speak.” Xuanfeng took a deep breath and said, “I suspect that the person behind this is targeting His Majesty.”

"Master Xuanfeng, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want."

Gu Changzhou's gaze was sharp as he stared coldly at Xuan Feng, saying, "To speculate like this without evidence is a grave offense." Xuan Feng's heart tightened, but remembering the First Prince's instructions, he forced a smile and said, "My lord, I am not making baseless guesses. It's just that the alchemy process is far too bizarre. I have never heard of such a strange phenomenon occurring during the alchemy process, and the illusory runes merging with the runes of the alchemy furnace are even more unheard of. It's hard to believe there's nothing fishy going on here."

"Fine, even if you're right, what does this have to do with His Majesty?"

Xuanfeng composed himself and said, "My lord, the Barrier-Breaking Pill is no ordinary pill. Recently, evil cultivators have appeared in the palace, and this Barrier-Breaking Pill is remarkably effective in dealing with their intrusions."

"Oh? Based on this alone, Alchemist Xuanfeng concluded that it was aimed at His Majesty?"

Xuanfeng's back was sweating profusely with nervousness.

Marquis Molin is notoriously difficult to fool. Despite his young age, his cultivation level is so high, and he enjoys the deep trust of His Majesty.

I shouldn't have entered the palace today.

Xuanfeng forced himself to remain calm and said, "My lord, think about it. Right now, evil cultivators are causing trouble in the palace, and His Majesty's safety is of paramount importance. If someone deliberately sabotages the refining of the Breakthrough Pill, which can deal with evil cultivators, isn't their intention obvious?"

Gu Changzhou narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing Xuan Feng.

Although his words lacked concrete evidence, they were logically coherent. If someone were to use this to harm His Majesty, the matter would indeed be of great importance.

Recalling the events of yesterday's alchemy, Liu Sijun said, "What Master Xuanfeng said does make some sense."

Gu Changzhou nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on Xuan Feng: "In your opinion, who might be plotting this behind the scenes?"

"My lord, this is merely a guess. The power dynamics within the palace are incredibly complex, and I am but a lowly alchemist, so I dare not make any definitive conclusions. However, to be able to secretly tamper with the alchemy process without our prior knowledge, this person must be extremely familiar with the situation at the Longevity Palace and possess profound cultivation, enabling them to conceal their evil arts."

Gu Changzhou turned to look at Liu Sijun: "Master Liu, have you ever heard of any methods that secretly manipulate alchemy?"

“Yougu Palace has always focused on orthodox alchemy and has never seen such an evil technique.”

She didn't find any relevant records in the library of Yougu Palace either. In the past few years, her master had only taught her orthodox alchemy techniques, which she genuinely didn't understand.

Gu Changzhou glanced at Liu Sijun.

He originally wanted Liu Sijun to ask Master Lu if he knew anything about it.

When Liu Sijun arrived, he clearly intended to bring Lu Danshi and Li Qing into the palace together, but in the end, he rented a house for them and settled them outside the palace.

He knew that Liu Sijun had made up her mind from the beginning: she was herself, and she couldn't let Lu Danshi get involved in the palace's troubles.

Well, this isn't the only clue.

Gu Changzhou waved his hand: "I already know what you said. If Master Xuanfeng has nothing else to do, please leave the palace first."

Xuanfeng felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly bowed respectfully, "Yes, Lord Marquis. Then I will take my leave."

Having said that, he turned around hastily and left the Palace of Longevity.

Gu Changzhou watched Xuanfeng's retreating figure, lost in thought. At this moment, Liu Sijun asked, "Lord Marquis, how credible do you think Xuanfeng the alchemist's words are?"

Gu Changzhou withdrew his gaze and met Liu Sijun's eyes: "Although there is no conclusive evidence, his analysis is not without merit. This alchemy matter is too suspicious; there may indeed be a conspiracy against His Majesty behind it. However..."

A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes: "The Crown Prince suddenly sent Xuanfeng to hint at this matter. I wonder what his intentions are."

Liu Sijun felt a chill run down her spine. She hadn't thought about it this way before, but after Gu Changzhou reminded her, she also felt that something was strange about the matter.

The eldest prince introduced Xuanfeng to be a resident alchemist and put her to a test. Now he has Xuanfeng hinting that someone is targeting His Majesty. Is this series of actions just a coincidence?

"You mean, the eldest prince..." Liu Sijun hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

(End of this chapter)