Cheng Yujin was sitting in the inner hall, quietly listening to a palace maid’s report. This particular maid was tasked to wait in the front hall and happened to overhear the ongoing discussion between the Crown Prince and his staff when she went in to deliver fresh tea. Surprised to find that His Highness was going to take a side consort, she hurried back to report to the Crown Princess.

Cheng Yujin was silent throughout the maid’s report. It was Du Ruo and Lian Qiao, who were also listening from the side, who had their expressions changed. “Your Highness…” they turned to their mistress, anxious and worried.

“This son understands.” The Second Prince suddenly paused and looked hesitant, “Mother, to tell you the truth, Taoist Chongxu has secretly approached this son in the past few days, revealing his intention to support us. This son is not sure whether to accept his offer or not. This son doesn’t dare to get too close to those Taoist priests, lest Father Emperor become suspicious, and thus hasn’t given my reply. Taoist Chongxu promised that if we agreed with his proposal, he would spare no effort to put good words in front of Father Emperor, and he also would give me part of the credit for the creation of the immortality pill. In exchange, once I get that position, he wants me to appoint him as the State Preceptor.”