The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 170

The Emperor, who had been lost in his memories, suddenly had a moment of clarity.

Yes, he still had the Thousand Mechanism Poison in his hand. As long as the Thousand Mechanism Poison was activated, it didn’t matter who had left the poison back then. Once dead, the person would no longer exist.

However, Master Deqing had mentioned that the reason the Empress had succumbed to the Thousand Mechanism Poison back then was because she was at her weakest after giving birth. Without that condition, the Empress, with her spiritual power, could have resisted the poison. Although the process was excruciating and made one wish for death, it was not fatal.

When the Thousand Mechanism Poison was activated, the duration was short, at most two hours. If one could endure it, they would be temporarily safe. For the poison to activate again, it would depend on the condition of the parasite living inside the body. Just now, Master Deqing had said that the man’s spiritual power was a hundred times stronger than the Empress’s. Simply activating the Thousand Mechanism Poison might not be enough to kill him. The best course of action would be to find this person when the Thousand Mechanism Poison was activated.

With his mind made up, the Emperor immediately summoned the shadow guards who served the Emperor. After giving his orders, the Emperor instructed the Chief Eunuch to fetch Master Deqing. The Chief Eunuch accepted the order and left. The Emperor, anxious and restless, began pacing back and forth in the Imperial Study.

At this time, Master Deqing had just returned to the base of the mountain where Deqing Temple was located. Wang Liu, who was sitting in a tea house at the foot of the mountain, put down his teacup and looked at Song Jin. Song Jin immediately understood Wang Liu’s signal that Master Deqing had returned.

Song Jin looked up and saw a carriage passing by the tea house. Song Jin stood up, followed by Wang Liu, maintaining a distance. When the carriage reached a secluded spot halfway up the mountain, Wang Liu suddenly flipped through the air and landed in front of Master Deqing’s carriage.

The startled coachman immediately reined in the horses, cursing, “Are you crazy? Diving under the horse’s hooves like that! If you want to extort money, this is not the way!”

Wang Liu, with a sword in hand and an intimidating aura, had his face covered, but his presence was so menacing that the coachman’s voice momentarily softened, only to erupt again shortly after. “What are you doing? This is Master Deqing’s carriage! Are you blind? How dare you stop it? Do you have a death wish?”

Master Deqing, sitting inside the carriage, lifted the curtain and addressed Wang Liu, “What can I do for you, brave warrior?”

Wang Liu replied, “My master wishes to see the Daoist priest. Please step out of the carriage.”

“Who is your master? Even the Emperor is respectful to our Daoist priest. Who does your master think he is?” the coachman yelled arrogantly.

In contrast to the coachman’s rudeness, Master Deqing appeared calm and courteous. “May I know who your master is? Could you leave a name card? I will surely visit to apologize. Today, I am on a mission from the Emperor and cannot afford any delay. I hope you understand.”

While Master Deqing spoke, Wang Liu heard approaching footsteps. They were disorganized yet overwhelming. Wang Liu turned to see a group of Daoists from Deqing Temple descending the mountain, armed with long swords.

Master Deqing glanced at the approaching group, his gentle demeanor instantly changing to one of malice as he glared at Wang Liu, “Capture him alive.” With that, he dropped the curtain. As Master Deqing lowered the curtain, the approaching Daoists reached Wang Liu, attacking him with their swords without a word.

Meanwhile, Master Deqing’s carriage moved away. Wang Liu nodded to Song Jin amidst the chaos, signaling him to follow Master Deqing’s carriage. Once the carriage was far from the fight, Song Jin suddenly spoke, “Daoist priest, please stop. I have something to ask of you.”

Hearing the title “My Lord,” the coachman turned to look, recognizing the Fourth Prince approaching. The coachman immediately reported, “Master, it’s the Fourth Prince.”

Inside the carriage, Master Deqing frowned. He had never interacted with the Fourth Prince. Why would he come to him now? However, there had been many rumors about the Fourth Prince recently. Although Master Deqing was not concerned with court affairs, he believed that there was no smoke without fire.

After a moment of hesitation, he said, “Stop.”

The coachman stopped the carriage, and Master Deqing stepped out. Although the Fourth Prince was not favored, he was still a prince. Master Deqing respectfully bowed to Song Jin, “What can I do for you, Your Highness?”

Song Jin smiled, glanced back, and then looked at Master Deqing, “When I was coming up the mountain, I saw the Daoist priests of the temple were…”

Master Deqing immediately replied, “A thief trying to steal from the temple was caught.” Song Jin nodded as if understanding.

“What can I do for you, Your Highness?” Master Deqing asked.

Song Jin smiled, leaned slightly forward, and whispered, “Last night, I received a painting called ‘Cloudy Jade Book Pavilion’ from the Emperor. While admiring it, I saw thousands of troops within the painting. This matter is quite strange, and I…”

Song Jin paused, straightened up, and observed Master Deqing’s expression. A look of shock flashed across Master Deqing’s usually calm face. He glanced at the painting in Song Jin’s hand.

Song Jin said, “I found it strange and didn’t know who to ask for help, so I brought the painting to you.”

Thousands of thoughts raced through Master Deqing’s mind. The “Cloudy Jade Book Pavilion” painting was made by the late Empress. It was rumored that the late Empress had sealed memories of the Battle of Black Tiger Ridge within the painting. The truth of this rumor was uncertain. However, the painting itself was indeed a masterpiece. It depicted a serene valley, fragrant flowers, a babbling brook, and a pair of lovers.

After the late Empress passed away, most of her belongings were sealed away. The Emperor had wanted to destroy everything, but the Empress Dowager, in her grief, insisted on keeping them. Thus, everything was sealed in storage. That painting was said to have been requested by the Empress from the Empress Dowager, who loved it dearly.

The Empress Dowager, who had always favored the late Empress, was pleased to see the painting in the Empress’s residence and gave it to her. Although the Emperor disliked it, it was just a painting, so he allowed it. However, to be cautious, the Emperor had Master Deqing inspect the painting with his powers. At the time, he found it to be nothing more than an ordinary landscape painting. The idea of sealed memories was dismissed as mere rumor.

Now, the Fourth Prince claimed to have seen it!

“Your Highness, the wind is strong outside. Let’s continue this conversation in the temple,” Master Deqing said, suppressing his inner turmoil.

Song Jin nodded, “Thank you for the trouble, Daoist priest.”