Xu Fu spent the entire night at Serena Zheng's courtyard. Only at dawn did he return to his own room and fall into a deep sleep. Serena had told Xu Fu many stories about immortals—beings who live forever and can command the wind and rain. These tales filled Xu Fu's heart with excitement.
"You'd better hurry and make something to eat. It's already past four o'clock."
Xu Fu said this, and I quickly got up to start cooking. Rachel Lan would be back at five, so I scrambled to get everything ready.
Rachel Lan returned at half past five. As soon as she entered, she sat down at the table, looking exhausted. I quietly kept busy, and the aroma of food was already in the air.
"Not planning to run away?"
Rachel Lan asked coldly. I turned my head, smiled, and shook my head. Rachel immediately glared at Xu Fu.
"I've been keeping a close eye on Ethan Zhang, you know. Heh, let's eat."
The meal ended in silence. Rachel Lan went upstairs without looking back, her attitude toward me as indifferent as ever.
"Some things, once lost, can never be found again. People are often like that, but..."
I knew Xu Fu was talking about me. He paused, then looked at me with a forced smile.
"You're really lucky, Ethan Zhang. You're different; you still have a chance to get it back. Heh..."
During the day, the young Xu Fu, still sleepy-eyed, dozed off during Dr. Henry Wong's lesson.
"Last night? Where did you go?"
Dr. Henry Wong looked sternly at Xu Fu. Xu Fu immediately opened his tired eyes, shook his head, and stammered a reply.
"Didn't go anywhere."
"Don't associate with Master Bernard Zheng and his group anymore. Those so-called immortal-seeking arts are all fake and can't be trusted. They'll only bring trouble."
Xu Fu outwardly agreed, but inside, he still wanted to hear Serena Zheng's stories about seeking immortality.
After breakfast, the two of them were summoned by King Tianjian. The Queen Dowager's illness remained unchanged. Dr. Henry Wong tried different medicines, as the ones previously used by Xu Fu and his father might have caused adverse reactions. These days, even during the daytime, the Queen Dowager often suffered so much that her face turned pale with pain.
King Tianjian was quite frustrated, but because of what the Queen Dowager had said about being a virtuous ruler, he did not blame Dr. Henry Wong or Xu Fu.
"Mother, Jian has found a skilled alchemist. I hope that..."
"Jian'er, life and death are determined by fate. Why should we exhaust ourselves over matters of mortality?"
Xu Fu knelt below, helpless inside. He thought, you have already become the queen of a nation, the true ruler of Qi, enjoying wealth and power, holding authority in your hands. But because of an illness, all of this will vanish after death, won't it?
The fallen King of Qi's expression grew uncomfortable.
Inside the grand hall, Huang Ren and Xu Fu both knelt before the throne.
"You two are both physicians. Tomorrow, I want you to put on a show."
The fallen King of Qi's face changed dramatically. Xu Fu was confused, but Huang Ren seemed to understand completely.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say, though I am unsure if I should speak."
"Speak."
"I am fifty-three years old, already past my prime. I beg Your Majesty's pardon, but I must speak plainly: most of these so-called alchemists are nothing but charlatans. The bizarre things they use are mere tricks, easily exposed. Most of them know little about medicine, and their methods for refining elixirs are extremely dangerous. If we're not careful, I fear the Queen's body may be harmed."
After Huang Ren finished speaking, the fallen King of Qi wore a contemplative expression. After a long silence, he looked at the two of them.
"Tomorrow, do as I say."
The fallen King of Qi wanted Huang Ren and the others to pretend that Zheng Boqiao and Zheng Xuan'er were physicians, invited by him to ensure the Queen could take the refined elixir.
After returning to his room, Huang Ren was deeply troubled, his brows furrowed tightly.
"Old Huang, is this really worth it? Let those father and daughter be. If they cure her, that's good. If not, it has nothing to do with us. What matters is survival. You..."
With a bang, Huang Ren slammed the table, glared at Xu Fu, and pointed at him.
"You... you... How can someone so young have such a ruthless heart? How could you even say such things?"
Xu Fu responded indifferently, as if he saw nothing wrong with his thoughts. To survive, everything was justified—he still had a mother at home waiting for him.
Huang Ren's hands trembled as he gripped Xu Fu's shoulders, his face full of anguish as he stared at him.
"A healer must have compassion, Fu'er. From now on, never speak such words again, do you understand?"
Xu Fu nodded and agreed, but he still felt Huang Ren was too naive. Those who preach benevolence and morality often end up with nothing. He would always remember what his father told him—never get too close to people who talk endlessly about virtue; they only speak grand principles, but achieve nothing.