Chapter 10: Xu Fu, You Eat It

As soon as those words were spoken, Qin Shi Huang’s eyes flashed with fury. He immediately examined the memorial, a cold expression settling over his face as he said, “The guarding imperial guards have died…”

“It was him who let that eunuch in to assassinate Fusu, wasn’t it?” Meng Yi nodded in confirmation.

“Who introduced Consort Li into the palace?” Qin Shi Huang demanded.

“And she even colluded with remnants from the Yan Kingdom. How was this not uncovered earlier?” Meng Yi was about to respond when Zhao Gao interjected, “Your Majesty, according to the palace records, Consort Li was recommended into the palace by a grand scholar from Yan.”

“A grand scholar?” Qin Shi Huang’s brow furrowed even deeper.

He continued reading, and a cold gleam flickered in his eyes as he muttered, “Young Lord Gao…”

Only then did Meng Yi speak cautiously, “Your Majesty, this matter is highly suspicious. I believe it should be thoroughly investigated before drawing any conclusions.”

Qin Shi Huang frowned but said nothing further.

The setup was so cleverly orchestrated that no one noticed anything amiss before the incident occurred. But afterward, one problem after another surfaced.

If Young Lord Gao truly framed Fusu, then everything would make sense.

As the Third Prince, and with the Second Prince having died young, if Fusu fell from favor, Gao would be the sole heir.

A fierce struggle for the throne was unfolding!

Qin Shi Huang took a deep breath, his eyes burning cold.

He considered himself a man detached from familial affection.

Especially after his mother and Lao Ai’s failed attempt to seize power, his disdain for familial ties had deepened to a chilling degree.

From that moment on, in Qin Shi Huang’s eyes, only power and the throne mattered; there was no room for family sentiment.

Thus, he had never formally named a crown prince, precisely for this reason.

To him, all familial bonds were merely tools for acquiring power.

“Continue the investigation!” Qin Shi Huang commanded.

Meng Yi immediately nodded in agreement.

Then Qin Shi Huang suddenly recalled something and asked, “I have already reviewed General Meng Tian’s memorial. It mentions some difficulties encountered during the construction of the Great Wall.”

Meng Yi, bearing dark circles under his eyes, looked up.

Qin Shi Huang handed him the memorial concerning the Great Wall.

Meng Yi, after reading it, frowned and said, “Some areas are too difficult to mine through; we can only detour around them.”

Qin Shi Huang shook his head, “If we detour, not only will the construction period be extended, but the labor burden might become excessive, which could be problematic.”

At these words, Meng Yi trembled slightly, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes.

His Majesty is taking Young Lord Fusu’s counsel seriously...

Zhao Gao bowed his head, concealing his shock.

He hadn’t expected that this time, Fusu’s standing in the emperor’s mind would strengthen even more.

Meng Yi pondered for a moment and suggested, “Your Majesty, if we carve the stones individually, might we be able to tunnel through the mountain?”

This time, Qin Shi Huang did not dismiss the idea.

The construction of the Great Wall was a critical measure against the Xiongnu. Without effective methods to break through mountains and stones, delays were inevitable.

He had discussed this with many officials but had yet to find a good solution.

It seemed that only the most laborious method remained.

As Qin Shi Huang contemplated this, a eunuch entered the hall and announced, “Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Xu Fu requests an audience!”

Oh?

Qin Shi Huang was somewhat surprised. He hadn’t sought out Xu Fu, yet Xu Fu had come to him first.

“Bring him in!”

At that moment, a confident Xu Fu, accompanied by a eunuch, entered the hall.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Truly, you are the chosen one, blessed with great fortune and destiny!” Xu Fu immediately bowed deeply, showering the emperor with lavish praise.

Qin Shi Huang cast a glance at Xu Fu, his expression indifferent, “Xu Fu, why such flattery?”

Xu Fu hurriedly produced a crystal box and excitedly said, “Your Majesty, just look at this!”

Qin Shi Huang peered inside.

Within lay a golden pill emitting a radiant glow, seemingly shimmering with a celestial aura.

At first glance, it was dizzying to behold.

“What is this?” Qin Shi Huang asked, slightly surprised.

Xu Fu opened the crystal box, releasing a faint medicinal fragrance that filled the hall.

“Your Majesty, I have successfully refined it!”

“This immortal elixir was created using the methods I procured from across the seas!”

“An immortal elixir!” Qin Shi Huang’s expression grew peculiar.

Had he not heard Fusu’s nonsensical warnings, upon seeing this long-coveted elixir, he would have been elated and swallowed it immediately.

But recalling that such elixirs were often poisons, his excitement calmed.

“What are the effects of this elixir?” he inquired.

Xu Fu’s face beamed with joy, “Your Majesty, this elixir strengthens the body, prolongs life, and with long-term use, grants immortality.”

Immortality!

This was the very celestial medicine he had dreamed of.

Truth be told, Qin Shi Huang was moved.

“Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!” he repeated thrice, then asked, “What is the cost of producing this elixir? Can it be made daily?”

Xu Fu immediately nodded, “Your Majesty, rest assured. I have meticulously recorded the refining process. Though costly, daily production is feasible.”

Hearing this, Qin Shi Huang showed a satisfied expression.

Xu Fu hastened to present the crystal box, but Qin Shi Huang waved his sleeve dismissively, “Xu Fu, you shall take it!”

What??

Xu Fu froze mid-step, stunned.

He looked at Qin Shi Huang in disbelief, as if hearing things.

Seeing this, the emperor repeated, “You shall take it!”

The smile on Xu Fu’s face slowly stiffened, and terror filled his heart.

Moments later, Xu Fu suddenly knelt, trembling with fear, “Your Majesty, such an elixir is not meant for common folk like me…”

“Your Majesty, I am unworthy to partake!”

“Heh!” Qin Shi Huang sneered coldly, “I command you to take it!”

Xu Fu shuddered, rooted to the spot.

What was happening?

Why this sudden demand…?

Meng Yi, watching Xu Fu’s daze, felt a chill run down his spine.

Fusu! Fusu! You truly are a masterful strategist!

With this move, Xu Fu was thoroughly unsettled.

Zhao Gao grew increasingly uneasy, for His Majesty was beginning to believe Fusu’s words.

If this continued, then he…

The more Zhao Gao thought, the paler he became, and a darker thought arose: if only Fusu could be eliminated…

Slap!

Zhao Gao trembled violently and instinctively knelt down.

Qin Shi Huang slammed the table, his voice icy, “Xu Fu, do you not understand My command?”

“I order you to take it immediately!”

Xu Fu frantically kowtowed, “Your Majesty, such an elixir, I…”

“Take it!” Qin Shi Huang’s anger flared.

Cold sweat poured down Xu Fu’s forehead, but under the emperor’s formidable pressure, he finally produced the pill.

With trembling hands, he swallowed it.