Chapter 246 - Forbidden Art, Replenishing Life (1/2)

The emperor’s chamber was situated far away from Moran Hall. Gong Moran had a high status, so he could have taken a sedan chair directly to the emperor’s chamber if he wanted to. But this State Teacher seemed to always give the emperor some face*, so he seldom took the sedan chair leading to the palace. [give some dignity]

The two walked leisurely. Most of the time, it was Nan Xun that talked endlessly while Gong Moran occasionally responded with a sentence or two.

Looking from a distance, they sometimes seemed to be whispering with each other, their demeanor was a bit too intimate. However, the two’s bearings were graceful and elegant, no matter how intimate they were, it still made a beautiful scenery.

Princess Yao who accidentally caught a glimpse of this ‘scenery’, broke her neatly painted nails. Her dignified and virtuous posture could no longer be maintained while her delicate makeup became a little distorted.

The maidservant next to her were frightened, she immediately suggested, “Princess, this slut who seduced State Teacher, why don’t we…”

Princess Yao sneered, “The days are still long, this Princess still has a lot of chance to teach this shameless fox!”

…

When they arrived at the emperor’s chamber, Nan Xun waited at the door and didn’t follow the State Teacher in.

Nanyun Kingdom’s monarch was over half a hundred years old. Since he became emperor at the age of 25, he has reigned for more than 20 years and led the kingdom to become more prosperous. He was a wise monarch, but even he also had days when he feared death. The old monarch was unwilling to enter his coffin just like this, he wanted to live for another twenty more years. [T/N: life expectancy in ancient time is low, it can be said that you’re lucky if you can live past 50]

After seeing the man in white who looked like a god coming in, the old monarch struggled to get up.

The old eunuch who waited on the bedside was taken aback and immediately stretched out his hand to give support.

“Beloved official, beloved official, you’ve come. We haven’t seen you these past few days and our heart have been taut in anxiety. Come, State Teacher, sit by our side.” The old monarch stretched out his thin hand, trying to hold the man who just came inside. [T/N: emperor use ‘this sovereign’ or ‘we/us’ to refer to himself]

Gong Moran nodded and gave a salutation slightly before stepping forward and sat down on the bedside as he explained, “This official had to test the 18 disciples a few days ago so there wasn’t much time to visit Your Majesty. Is Your Majesty’s body alright these days?”

The grey-haired old monarch made a fist to cover his cough a few times before he said weakly, “The State Teacher wasn’t by my side, how can our body be alright?”

Gong Moran said lightly, “Your Majesty is the son of heaven, with the blessing from heaven. Your Majesty’s body will surely improve.”

Hearing this, the old monarch gave a wry smile, “We know our body better than anyone, the State Teacher should stop comforting me.”

After saying this, he glanced at the eunuch who was tending to him, “You go out first, I have to talk with State Teacher alone about some things.”

The old eunuch abided as he turned and retreated.

Waiting until only the two of them were left alone inside the chamber, the monarch suddenly grabbed Gong Moran’s hand and held it tightly. There was a strong desire to survive in his eyes.

“State Teacher, we don’t want to die, we really don’t want to die ah. We still want to live for a few more years. State Teacher, surely you have some ways? We have seen you since our childhood, and you look exactly like the present. You must know of some mystical art that can let you live forever and never grow old. State Teacher, if you give this art to us, we’re willing to give half of Nanyun Kingdom to you!”

Gong Moran lightly brushed away his hand, the old monarch’s tight grip relaxed immediately.

His cold pupils suddenly carried an abnormal depth as he looked at the old monarch, his two petals of ruddy thin lips faintly lifted up.

“Your Majesty, do you really want to live for a few more years?”, he asked.

As the old monarch heard that there was indeed a way, his pair of old eyes suddenly burst with bright radiance, “We want!”

Gong Moran stood up and paced a few steps gracefully on the bedside, pondering for a short while before he said, “Your Majesty, do you know why this official can live for so many years while maintaining a young appearance?”