At Yuqing Palace, after Yuanshi returned, he found Bai Yao fast asleep beside him, while Jin Jiao was diligently teaching Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao!
Jin Jiao hadn't noticed Yuanshi's arrival, still explaining the doubts of the two disciples.
Seeing Bai Yao's state, Yuanshi immediately went to his side and, without a word, slapped him!
Bai Yao cried out in pain, not yet understanding the situation, and blurted out, "Ouch, Jin Jiao, are you tired of living?"
Jin Jiao, Jiang Shang, and Shen Gongbao were startled awake by Bai Yao and, turning around, saw Yuanshi. They looked at Bai Yao with some awkwardness.
Bai Yao rubbed his head, opened his eyes, and saw Yuanshi. He froze on the spot. Yuanshi unceremoniously lifted Bai Yao to the side and comfortably lay down on the Grand Tutor chair Bai Yao had been occupying.
Yuanshi had seen this Grand Tutor chair at Taishang's place. Although its design was peculiar, it was truly comfortable!
"What? I told you to teach them, and this is how you teach them?"
Bai Yao chuckled dryly and immediately began to massage Yuanshi's feet, not forgetting to give Jin Jiao a meaningful look.
"Heh heh, Uncle-Master, you speak as if... I just had Jin Jiao do it because I was afraid of delaying our two junior brothers!"
Receiving Bai Yao's glance, Jin Jiao also quickly moved behind Yuanshi to rub his shoulders.
"Second Master, A'Yao is right. Isn't that what I'm here for?"
Yuanshi, enjoying the service of Bai Yao and Jin Jiao, heard Jin Jiao's words and smiled.
"Young Jin, you just spoil him. You'll suffer for it later!"
Bai Yao, hearing Yuanshi's words, spoke with some dissatisfaction, "Uncle-Master, what are you saying?"
Jin Jiao, however, grinned foolishly, "Heh heh, Second Master, sometimes suffering can also be blissful!"
Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao, witnessing Yuanshi's demeanor, suddenly felt that Bai Yao and Jin Jiao were more like their master's disciples. They felt completely redundant.
Yuanshi, after hearing Jin Jiao's words, merely shook his head helplessly. He beckoned Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao to his side and handed them the golden elixir gifted by Taishang.
"This is a golden elixir bestowed by your Martial Uncle for the two of you. It can elevate your cultivation to the peak of Celestial Immortals. Take it!"
Upon hearing this, their faces lit up with joy. They immediately bowed three times towards Taiqing Peak before accepting the golden elixir from Yuanshi and consuming it.
Seeing their actions, Yuanshi nodded slightly. He looked at Bai Yao, about to speak, but then thought it would be a waste of words. He turned to Jin Jiao instead. "Young Jin, from now on, you will teach them more of the techniques of my Yuqing lineage. Do not worry about their cultivation; wait until their cultivation levels match, then bring them to Yuqing Palace to see me!"
Jin Jiao respectfully agreed. Seeing this, Yuanshi vanished from his spot.
After Yuanshi left, Bai Yao looked at Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao. He suddenly decided that he would also teach them. He then said to Jin Jiao, "Little Jin Jin, from now on, I will teach these two."
Jin Jiao looked at Bai Yao with some surprise, wondering what had caused such a drastic change.
Without waiting for Jin Jiao's reaction, Bai Yao took the two disciples and walked towards a nearby area. Jin Jiao, after coming to his senses, quickly followed. After all, this was a task personally assigned by Yuanshi, and failure would mean a beating. He hurried after them.
After all, Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao's talent was quite mediocre. With Bai Yao's temperament, he might not be able to endure such hardship.
In Chaoge City, the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, seeing that Du Ruhui's friend Mei Bo had immediately gone to the prison upon hearing the news of Du Ruhui's imprisonment, arrived at the jail.
Mei Bo, seeing Du Ruhui imprisoned, was bewildered and asked, "Brother Du, as the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, you do not meddle in court affairs. How did you end up in this predicament?"
Du Ruhui let out a bitter laugh. He was about to be executed, yet he didn't even know what crime he had committed.
Seeing Du Ruhui remain silent, Mei Bo became anxious and immediately added, "Brother Du, what mistake did you make? You are to be executed in a few hours, why aren't you saying anything!"
Du Ruhui responded with a tragic smile, "Brother Mei, it's not that I won't speak, but I don't know why the King wants to kill me! I observed the celestial phenomena at night and saw the imperial palace shrouded in demonic energy. I submitted an urgent memorial, and the next day, I was imprisoned by the King!"
Mei Bo's brows furrowed. He immediately said, "Brother Du, rest assured. I will go to the palace immediately and beg the King to intercede for you! I will not let you die in such obscurity!"
After speaking, Mei Bo left the prison.
In the imperial court, as everyone still hadn't seen Emperor Xin, they gathered around Bi Gan and Shang Rong.
"Uncle, Elder Prime Minister, the King hasn't attended morning court for several days. What should we do?"
"Indeed! Indeed! Uncle, Elder Prime Minister, you two should think of a solution! The King cannot continue like this!"
Shang Rong and Bi Gan were also speechless.
[What should we do? What can we do? Are we supposed to pull our King from Daji's belly?]
Despite their internal complaints, Shang Rong and Bi Gan had to calm everyone. After dismissing the crowd, they headed to Shou Xian Palace together.
On their way to Shou Xian Palace, they happened to meet Mei Bo.
"Lord Mei, you're walking in such a hurry. Where are you going?"
Mei Bo saw Shang Rong and Bi Gan and sighed.
"Alas, Uncle, Elder Prime Minister, the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Lord Du, is to be executed by the King at noon today. I am going to beg an audience with the King to plead for Lord Du!"
Shang Rong and Bi Gan's faces changed drastically. They asked in disbelief, "How is this possible? The Imperial Astronomical Bureau is a royal stronghold. How can he be executed without cause!"
Upon hearing this, Mei Bo immediately replied, "Who says not! That's precisely why I am so eager to see the King!"
Shang Rong and Bi Gan dared not delay any further. They immediately accompanied Mei Bo to Shou Xian Palace to request an audience with Emperor Xin.
In Shou Xian Palace, Emperor Xin was frolicking with Daji. Suddenly, someone reported that Shang Rong, Bi Gan, and Mei Bo requested an audience.
Emperor Xin was displeased by the interruption, but Shang Rong and Bi Gan held special positions; one was a three-dynasty veteran, and the other was his uncle. He could not refuse to see them.
Emperor Xin cast a displeased glance at the messenger and slowly said, "Let them in."
In front of Shou Xian Palace, Shang Rong, Bi Gan, and Mei Bo were awaiting Emperor Xin's summons. However, they were informed that Emperor Xin had only summoned Shang Rong and Bi Gan.
Shang Rong and Bi Gan exchanged a reassuring glance with Mei Bo and immediately entered Shou Xian Palace.
Seeing Shang Rong and Bi Gan enter while he remained outside, and with noon fast approaching, Mei Bo became anxious. He was about to enter Shou Xian Palace when he was stopped by two guards.
"Within the inner palace, without the King's summons, outer officials are not permitted to enter!"
Mei Bo sighed but could only pace anxiously outside Shou Xian Palace.
Emperor Xin, seeing Shang Rong and Bi Gan enter, spoke indifferently, "May I know why the Elder Prime Minister and my uncle have come?"
Shang Rong and Bi Gan immediately replied, "Your Majesty, the memorials from various regions have piled up like a mountain, waiting for Your Majesty's review!"
Emperor Xin smiled dismissively and immediately said, "Aren't you, the Elder Prime Minister and my uncle, here for that?"
Shang Rong and Bi Gan were taken aback by Emperor Xin's words. After a moment of stunned silence, they earnestly implored, "Your Majesty, although we can handle many matters, there are still many things that require Your Majesty's personal imperial seal!"
Just then, Mei Bo saw that Emperor Xin was not summoning him. As noon drew closer, Mei Bo could wait no longer.
He pushed past the two guards and forcefully entered Shou Xian Palace.