Empress Dowager, for this reason, had sought out Emperor Xia several tis. However, Emperor Xia, who has always shown great respect to Empress Dowager, unusually defended Yao Concubine this ti.
He stated that the elixir made by Yao Concubine had been verified by physicians and alchemists, containing no toxic properties, and even upon further inspection by Empress Dowager’s orders, no issues were found with these elixirs.
Not only that, the elixirs prepared by Yao Concubine could not be replicated by other alchemists.
Emperor Xia even proposed to appoint Yao Concubine as the Imperial Alchemist.
Once this news was out, not just the harem, but even the court was in uproar.
Being an Imperial Alchemist is equivalent to the position of an Imperial Physician, the elixirs used daily in the Imperial Palace, from the concubines to the Empress and the Prince, are all provided by the Imperial Alchemist.
If Yao Concubine really becos the Imperial Alchemist, wouldn’t the safety of the harem then be under her control?
"Long Yu, this ti, you must help no matter what," Empress Dowager had no choice but to seek out Master Long Yu.
In Xia Capital, the most qualified to be the Imperial Alchemist was Master Long Yu.
However, he was unwilling to be restricted by the intricate protocols of the Imperial Palace, thus he had always refused to beco a Court Alchemist.
But this ti, Empress Dowager personally visited to et Master Long Yu.
As a Nine Rank Alchemist, there were not many in the whole of Xia Capital who could command Master Long Yu, even Emperor Xia had to treat him with utmost respect.
However, Empress Dowager was an exception, it was said that the two had a past romantic involvent when they were young, but these small tidbits weren’t sothing Ye Lingyue could inquire into.
Master Long Yu brought Ye Lingyue along to the Imperial Palace.
Within Bai Feng Palace, Ye Lingyue stood by Master Long Yu’s side.
Only to hear the eunuch’s sharp and thin calling.
"His Majesty arrives, Lady Yao Concubine arrives."
Emperor Xia and the newly honored Lady Yao walked over, the latter dressed in apricot-yellow palace attire, a beautiful young lady with neat features and flawless skin, moving gracefully like a portrait of a beauty.
Her black hair flowing like a waterfall, brows shaped like willow leaves, and the slight lift at the corner of her eyes exuded an indescribable charm and enchantnt.
In Ye Lingyue’s view, the newly favored Yao Concubine, compared to the Empress and Noble Princess Consort Luo, was youthful and beautiful, and her every deed carried an indescribable allure, no wonder Emperor Xia was utterly enchanted.
But as beautiful as she was, Ye Lingyue felt an inexplicable demonic aura from Yao Concubine.
Yao Concubine, extrely alert, quickly noticed Ye Lingyue standing to the side.
Seeing that she was just fourteen or fifteen, without any applied makeup yet naturally gorgeous, caused one to take a few more glances involuntarily.
Concubine Yao was already very familiar with the situation inside Xia Palace and the Xia Capital before she entered the palace as a concubine. This young woman, who was close to the Empress Dowager and Master Long Yu, must be Princess Ye who had risen to prominence at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet in recent months.
"Mother, may I know the reason for summoning and Concubine Yao here?" Emperor Xia also knew that today’s invitation from Empress Dowager was not a good sign.
However, he did not expect that the Empress Dowager would even invite Master Long Yu to attend.
"Your Majesty, the matter of the Imperial Alchemist is not trivial. For caution’s sake, I have invited Master Long Yu. I believe no one is more qualified to beco the Imperial Alchemist," said the Empress Dowager. Upon hearing this, a cold light flashed in Concubine Yao’s eyes.
"Empress Dowager, Master Long Yu, traditionally, the Imperial Alchemist is chosen for their superior alchemy skills. Master Long Yu is well-established, and I dare not compare myself to him. However, I would boldly like to challenge Master Long Yu to a competition. If the Master erges victorious, then I will be fully convinced," however, Concubine Yao assuming her privileges, openly challenged Master Long Yu in front of the Empress Dowager.
"How audacious, Concubine Yao, do not assu you can be disrespectful in front of just because the Emperor dotes on you. You are rely a concubine, and how can soone of your status rashly provoke soone like Master Long Yu," the Empress Dowager scolded Concubine Yao in anger.
"Mother, Yao Yao is not wrong. According to the rules of Daxia, the appointnt of the Imperial Alchemist must be publicized for a month, allowing anyone who is dissatisfied to issue a challenge. Even if Master Long Yu is a Nine Rank Alchemist, he is not exempt from this rule," Emperor Xia, keen on defending Concubine Yao, persuaded the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager looked helplessly at Master Long Yu, whose face had turned sour, evidently angered.
Master Long Yu had a peculiar temperant, if not for the Empress Dowager’s presence, he would have already left in disdain.
Ye Lingyue, standing aside, beca more wary of Concubine Yao, recognizing her manipulative ways.
If Master Long Yu, with his status, competes with Concubine Yao and wins, he may be accused of taking advantage of his seniority, but if he loses, his reputation would be ruined.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I humbly offer to represent my master and compete against Lady Yao," seeing Master Long Yu’s dilemma, Ye Lingyue stepped forward and volunteered.
"Are you Minister Lan’s second daughter, also an Alchemist?" Emperor Xia had so impression of Ye Lingyue, rembering she is the newly acknowledged second daughter of Lan Yingwu, highly favored by the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Ling Yue is my disciple; she has inherited my mantle and is now a Fourth Rank Alchemist," Master Long Yu sighed in relief upon seeing Ye Lingyue offer herself.
Fourth Rank Alchemist?
Concubine Yao scoffed inwardly, thinking Ye Lingyue was overestimating herself, daring to replace Master Long Yu in accepting her challenge.
By the ti she arrived at the Xia Capital’s Alchemist Tower, Ye Lingyue’s spiritual power had already achieved the Fourth Rank, but in the Xia Capital, where Advanced Alchemists were prevalent, how could a Fourth Rank Alchemist be selected for the role of court Imperial Alchemist?
Although Ye Lingyue was just a Fourth Rank Alchemist, Master Long Yu was well aware of her capabilities.
In the few months since she arrived in Xia Capital, Ye Lingyue had also assisted Master Long Yu in several tasks, and he was quite confident in his disciple’s alchemy skills.
The Blue Pattern Xuan Yin Elixirs she refined even surpassed those made by Master Long Yu himself.
Not to ntion, among the Fourth Rank Alchemists, Ye Lingyue was one of the few who could independently refine elixirs, with a success rate of producing Blue-striped Elixirs above ninety percent.
This alchemy opportunity was not available to everyone; if Ye Lingyue was selected, she would also secure a position within the Xia Capital’s Alchemist Association.
"Master Long Yu, have you considered carefully? If your side loses, the court alchemist would be..." The Empress Dowager liked Ye Lingyue very much, but she still had doubts about the young girl’s alchemy capabilities, only being fourteen.
"Mother, since Master Long Yu has decided, let Mother and I personally oversee this selection of the Imperial Alchemist. Whichever side wins will beco the new Imperial Alchemist for Xia Palace," Emperor Xia was eager for Ye Lingyue to replace Master Long Yu and promptly agreed to Master Long Yu’s request.
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