Qinghu Mountain.

Hunting Palace.

In the main hall, when everyone who was originally full of expectations saw Li Wuji carefully taking out a porcelain bottle from his arms, they couldn't help but be stunned. Some even showed a look of disappointment.

Everyone thought Li Wuji would give him some special gift, but they didn't expect it to be so perfunctory. The bottle was no bigger than a palm.

"I thought Marquis Li'an would prepare some big gift, but I didn't expect him to be so stingy. What are you doing? The bottles and jars in the palace are almost piling up."

"It's hard to believe that His Majesty favors you so much. It's really disappointing."

Suddenly, Yu Qing, who was sitting under Qilin Celestial Master, let out an uncontrollable laugh and said with a look of disgust.

After hearing Yu Qing's words, some of the officials couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Li Jingyao frowned and glanced dissatisfied at Yu Qing and the laughing ministers.

Although she also wanted to defend Li Wuji, even she was a little disappointed and could only shake her head helplessly.

But the person involved, Li Wuji, faced Yu Qing's ridicule without changing his expression and stood quietly, holding the porcelain bottle with both hands as if he were protecting a treasure.

But for Yuqing, he felt bored from the first moment he saw her.

After the empress came to power, the eunuch system was abolished in the court. Although Yuqing was not an eunuch, he looked effeminate and neither male nor female, which was really disgusting.

"What is this? Is there something else in this bottle?"

The empress looked at Li Wuji, whose face was as sinking as water, and asked with a smile. Compared to others, her face did not show the slightest disappointment.

"Your Majesty is wise."

"This is a gift that I have spent several days and nights developing specifically for Your Majesty. It is called Tianxiang Zhuyu Paste."

"This product has the effect of beautifying and nourishing the skin and prolonging life. It can be applied externally."

"I can guarantee that after your Majesty uses it, the skin on his cheeks will be smooth and delicate, and can be broken by blowing."

Li Wuji held up the porcelain bottle and said respectfully.

After hearing Li Wuji's words, the originally disappointed ministers became interested and looked at the porcelain vase in surprise.

Nowadays, rouge gouache is not a rare thing, but after hearing the effects mentioned by Li Wuji, everyone was shocked, especially the saying about longevity.

The empress’ pursuit of immortality was exactly the right idea!

"Is it really such a miraculous effect?!"

The empress opened her eyes happily and asked expectantly.

"It's true. How dare I make this up?"

Li Wuji nodded affirmatively and said slowly.

"Bring it to me quickly!"

The empress' face was full of joy and she couldn't wait to say it.

Yuqing stood up, walked quickly to Li Wuji, took the porcelain bottle through gritted teeth, glared at Li Wuji fiercely, turned around and walked towards the empress.

As Li Wuji gained more and more attention from the Empress, the Empress often mentioned Li Wuji in the palace, which aroused Yu Qing's jealousy.

“It smells so good!”

The empress took the porcelain bottle, opened it slowly, couldn't help but get closer and smell it, and said with an intoxicated look on her face.

"As long as your Majesty likes it."

Li Wuji showed an extremely satisfied smile and said softly.

"That's right! I like this birthday gift from Marquis Li'an the most! I'll reward it!"

The empress carefully put away the porcelain bottle, looked at Li Wuji with approval and said.

"Your Majesty is serious. Today is His Majesty's birthday. How dare you ask for a reward? It's just a small effort. If you want a reward, you can't give it to the next one. Other adults will be unhappy."

Li Wuji smiled, cupped his hands, and said half-jokingly.

"You don't need to compare with them. In my heart, you are unique."

"I already know that in the capital today, you held a big banquet for my birthday and had fun with the people. I am very relieved."

"Since you shirk it and don't want them to gossip, then I'll save it for you in the future!"

The empress looked at Li Wuji and said with admiration.

When leaving the city today, no people were seen farewelling the people on the street. The empress was still puzzled. Later, after Li Jingyao's explanation, the empress found out that Li Wuji had silently made so many preparations for her birthday.

So when everyone expressed disappointment with Li Wuji just now, she didn't take it to heart.

But she liked Li Wuji's seemingly perfunctory birthday gift the most, even more than Wolong Guanyin.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Wuji bowed his hands, said nothing, and turned back to his seat.

"Come, let's raise a glass together and drink from this cup together!"

The empress raised her wine glass, glanced at everyone present, and said loudly.

Her mood rose to another level because of Li Wuji's gift.

Upon hearing this, everyone raised the wine glasses in front of them and drank them all in one gulp.

While holding the wine glass, Li Jingyao looked at Li Wuji, and then at the corner where the empress hid the porcelain bottle, and suddenly felt that her food did not taste good.

She was a little disappointed at first, but now she couldn't help but feel jealous.

As a woman, she never wanted to beautify her face and stay young forever.

The birthday banquet lasted until late at night. Everyone who had had enough wine and food got up to say goodbye to the empress and returned to their tents.

Only Li Wuji was quietly stopped by Li Jingyao and pulled to his dormitory.

As Taiqing, he also lived in the same palace as the empress.

Her purpose is very simple, that is to persuade Li Wuji to develop a bottle of Tianxiang Jade Cream for herself.

In the main hall, soon only the Empress and the Qilin Master were left.

"The Heavenly Master thinks that Marquis Li'an has the potential to be the future national master of Li State?"

The empress held the Tianxiang Jade Ointment in her hand, looked at it carefully, and asked slowly.

Hearing the empress' words, Qilin Celestial Master couldn't help but change his expression.

"Has Your Majesty forgotten Pang Xun back then?"

Qilin Celestial Master hesitated for a moment, looked at the empress seriously, and asked in a deep voice.

He was reminding the empress not to cultivate a second Pang Xun.

At that time, Pang Xun's power in the court was unprecedentedly huge, and his power even exceeded that of the six tribes. Even the late emperor was afraid of him.

"I have not forgotten it, but unlike others, I will not give him the power to do whatever he wants even if I make him a national advisor. As long as I am here, no one can disturb the situation!"

The empress narrowed her eyes and said loudly.

"The Marquis of Li'an is indeed a useful talent, but Pindao has been practicing for decades and has naturally read countless people. But in front of this person, Pindao cannot see through his heart and always feels that there is something omitted."

"If Your Majesty wants to use him, I hope you must be careful. After all, you must be on guard against others."

"The word Wuji always reminds Pindao of some old things."

Qilin Celestial Master was silent for a moment and said meaningfully.

"I understand."

The empress frowned, hesitated, and spoke slowly.

After the two chatted for a long time, Qilin Heavenly Master stood up and said goodbye to the empress, and politely refused the empress's request to stay, saying that he would leave Qinghu Mountain early tomorrow morning and return to Sancai Temple.

However, when Qilin Celestial Master left the palace and returned to his tent, he happened to meet Li Wuji who had just come out of Li Jingyao's dormitory.

"It turns out he is the Qilin Heavenly Master. You and I are really destined."

Li Wuji clasped his fists and said with a smile.

Li Wuji had no favorable impression of this old man with a deep face, and his impression was even worse than his impression of Yuqing.

And speaking of it, there is still an old grudge between them, because Tu Jiu is a disciple of Qilin Celestial Master.

"It seems that the relationship between the young master and the prince is good."

Qilin Heavenly Master glanced in the direction of Li Jingyao's dormitory and spoke slowly, sounding like there was something in his words.

"It's just that we have similar interests. It doesn't bother Heavenly Master."

Li Wuji curled his lips and said lightly.

"Since the young master is a talented person, I hope that he can be down-to-earth and serve the imperial court with peace of mind in the future."

Qilin Tianshi paused and said seriously.

"I'm used to being lazy and have no interest in success or fame. However, as a citizen of Li Kingdom, if your Majesty calls you in the future, I will naturally give my best."

"Master Tian has worked hard all the way. It's getting late. It's better to go back and rest early. It's better to stay out of other people's business."

Li Wuji smiled and said lightly, not looking good.

Qilin Tianshi glanced at Li Wuji coldly, and left without saying anything else.

"May I ask the Heavenly Master, can I ask for your consent for Tu Jiu's treason against the enemy?"

Li Wuji looked at Qilin Celestial Master's back and asked loudly.

When he heard the words "Tu Jiu" and "collaborating with the enemy", the Qilin Heavenly Master paused slightly and his expression changed instantly. Then he glanced sideways at Li Wuji and continued to walk away without saying anything.
Chapter completed!