My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chapter 89 Inviting Master Lu to Look at the Memorial

Huang Yi bowed to Lin Jiuxiao and explained the purpose of his visit: "Recently, people have been gathering outside Songlin Xiaozhu. The Lord has specially sent me here to inquire whether there are any alchemists in the Great Xia? The Lord wishes to find them to refine extraordinary elixirs together to benefit the world."

"Alchemy?" Lin Jiuxiao was taken aback. Could it be the Shennong Hundred Herbs Pill? That was truly a miraculous medicine that could cure any ailment.

He knew that the people of the capital were filled with awe and expectation, and how Chu Lengyu should respond to them was something that needed careful consideration.

Aren't there countless examples of people being grateful for a small favor but resentful for a larger one? Chu Wenchen is a perfect example.

If she uses elixirs to help the world and relieve the suffering of the people, it would indeed be a meritorious and virtuous act.

Therefore, after pondering for a moment, Lin Jiuxiao slowly said, "The art of alchemy is profound and extensive, beyond the reach of ordinary people. In this world, if we talk about alchemy, the Jade Cauldron Pavilion should be the first choice. This pavilion has a long history and extraordinary foundation. It just so happens that there is an alchemy master from the Jade Cauldron Pavilion in the capital city right now."

"Please explain in more detail, Daoist Master," Huang Yi pleaded.

Lin Jiuxiao glanced at him, noticing his muscular physique and honest face. Worried that he might not be very bright and might do something wrong with good intentions, she advised him, "That man's surname is Lu, and he's already in his fifties. He's an expert in herbal medicine and his alchemy skills are unparalleled. He currently resides in the palace and enjoys a stipend. The palace is a very important place, so don't just go there blindly."

"Yes." Huang Yi lowered his head, pondering to himself.

During this time, he followed the Lord and handled all sorts of miscellaneous tasks. Every interaction with others seemed to hone his mind and make his thinking more agile. He was no longer as dull as before, which shows that interacting with people more often is beneficial.

Seeing that he was sensible, Lin Jiuxiao nodded with satisfaction, revealing a gentle smile with the loving kindness of an elder.

He took the initiative to take the matter upon himself, saying, "Leave this matter of Master Lu to me, this old Daoist."

Upon hearing this, Huang Yi raised his head, a hint of surprise and doubt flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected that this Taoist priest, who seemed to disregard worldly affairs, would offer to help.

Lin Jiuxiao seemed quite confident and continued, "When you get back, just tell Yu'er... your master this. Tell her that I have taken over this matter and will handle it properly. Before this time tomorrow, I will definitely send Alchemist Lu to Pine Forest Cottage."

He could still help her with such small things.

Moreover, this is something that can benefit all people.

"Yes." Huang Yi agreed without any doubt.

He thought to himself, "People are really hard to fathom; they often do things and make choices that don't match my guesses."

After Huang Yi left, Lin Jiuxiao found Lin Li and handed the matter over to him.

Lin Li has been staying at Xuanzhen Temple for the past two days, hoping that Chu Lengyu will come so that he can use his connection with Uncle Jiu to get in touch with her. Unexpectedly, she has stopped coming and now sends her subordinates to ask her questions directly.

But he wasn't annoyed; there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

We should take a long-term view of things. There will be plenty of time in the future, and we will meet again someday.

As for inviting Master Lu to Pine Forest Cottage, Lin Li touched his nose, thinking that he could accomplish it simply by showing his face in front of him.

He was very much looking forward to seeing what Chu Lengyu was going to do.

He slowly stood up and said to Lin Jiuxiao, "Uncle Jiu, I will set off now, return to the city first, and begin preparations. I will go to the palace to invite you tomorrow morning."

Lin Jiuxiao gently patted his shoulder: "I've always trusted you to get things done."

……

The next day was the 18th day of the 11th lunar month.

A new day begins when the emperor opens his twelfth diary entry.

He was extremely curious. Now that they had met, how would Chu Lengyu view him behind his back? Would she praise him or belittle him? What were her true thoughts about the position of Imperial Preceptor? Did she even have a chance?

The emperor found the feeling of secretly peeking into other people's true thoughts after the fact somewhat subtle, but he couldn't wait any longer.

The first line of text that caught my eye was:

"Today, the sky is clear."

"Hmm?" The emperor skipped over this sentence and looked directly at the next line.

"More and more people are gathering from outside."

Wait a minute, why wasn't he mentioned?

"The imperial guards sent by the emperor are still somewhat useful."

Oh, he mentioned the people he sent...

"I wonder if the Prefect of the Capital has reflected on his actions recently."

Am I not even as worthy of her concern as a mere Prefect of the Capital? The Emperor felt a pang of heartache.

"I've handed the matter over to Uncle Lin, and then I'll pass it on to Lü Yun. Now I can focus on my own work."

The emperor was a little confused. What matter was being referred to as "the matter"? He seemed not to know.

Also, isn't something amiss with today's diary entry?

The emperor, realizing this, was startled. Could she have discovered something?! Or was he actually in an illusion?!

"Snap!" He slammed the diary shut, carefully and warily scanning his surroundings, even considering saying something like, "Come out, I've seen you," to bluff his way out.

In just a short while, he broke out in a lot of sweat.

The emperor looked down at the book in his hand; the four large characters "Cultivation Diary" seemed to shine brightly, making it impossible to ignore.

The emperor frowned deeply, wondering why this mysterious book had appeared in the imperial study, who had orchestrated it all, and for what purpose.

"Sigh..." He sighed helplessly, his fingers tracing the pale gold cover, lost in thought.

Isn't he relying on this diary a little too much...?

At first, the emperor suspected that Chu Lengyu was talking nonsense and making up stories, but gradually, he came to believe her completely.

After a moment of silence, the emperor calmed himself down and stopped reading the somewhat strange twelfth diary entry. He set it aside and casually opened an ordinary memorial to the throne to review it.

Aside from the greetings and petitions, the remaining memorials were roughly of a few types, and most emperors could make a decision after just a glance.

When the emperor came to the memorial about Chu Lengyu, he simply closed it and put it aside, pretending he hadn't seen it.

The winter solstice is just a few days away, and there are many trivial matters to attend to. The two older princes want to hold a banquet, probably to imitate Jin'an's snow appreciation banquet, but the emperor only glanced at it and then put it aside.

The four kings and eight dukes remained the same, with only the Duke of Ying still speaking out and insisting on punishing Chu Lengyu, while the others remained silent.

However, Prince An and the Zhenbei Army will be returning to the capital to report on their duties this year, which will make the capital quite lively. The emperor thought to himself leisurely, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Furthermore, there are incursions from border tribes, which have even affected trade routes. Refugees from the north are still heading south and are expected to arrive in the capital region around the winter solstice...

The emperor bent down at his desk and began to deal with the matter seriously.