Chapter 175 - 61: The Impostor Pill Master

Words : 1500 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

"The selection of an Imperial Alchemist?" Not long after Xie Yu took his leave, Yue Jinghua returned to the Jingxin Courtyard, only to be greeted not just by her mother, Lie Rou, but also by a palace maid who had come from the Imperial Palace. This palace maid was a personal maid of Princess Sha Fei, and represented Princess Sha Fei herself. A few days earlier, an Imperial Alchemist serving in the palace had retired due to old age and frailty, leaving a vacant position behind. Missing an alchemist was usually not a matter of great concern, but in the earlier years, there were also several other concubines in the palace who had been pregnant. However, they miscarried in the last few months of their pregnancies without reason, and some even lost their lives. The alchemist who had left was originally from the Danlu, and had some connections with the Sha Family, Princess Sha Fei’s maternal home. He tailored a batch of Spiritual Fetus Pills for her. Those Fetus Protecting Pills could only be crafted once every ten days. The alchemist had left hurriedly, but Princess Sha Fei still wished to find someone close to her to craft elixirs for her during her pregnancy. Princess Sha Fei’s attention was drawn to Yue Jinghua largely because of the Feminine Charm Pill that Lie Rou had previously sent into the palace. After the Empress Dowager used it, the effects were very good. During her visit to the palace to see Princess Xiu Rong, she accidentally let it slip. Having seen Yue Jinghua before, Princess Sha Fei had already taken a mental note of her and had thus made inquiries through Shalman, expressing her wish for Yue Jinghua to become an Imperial Alchemist. At the same time the palace maid arrived, she also brought the conditions offered by Princess Sha Fei to Yue Jinghua. An Imperial Alchemist could enjoy a salary of one hundred Third-level Dark Pills a year and free access to the Imperial Palace. The price of one hundred Third-level Dark Pills was, admittedly, a drop in the bucket, and Yue Jinghua didn’t place much emphasis on it nowadays. However, it was the prospect of gaining free access to the Imperial Palace that thrilled her heart. If Xie Yu was correct, then there must be a Sky Sun Shuttle hidden within the palace. Though its specific use remains unknown, it could be a treasure that helped Fa Canglian to establish Shang Kingdom. Should it fall into the hands of Fa Xiaoyi or Fa Xiaoyun, it would be an outcome Yue Jinghua resented to see. "Thank you for Princess Sha Fei’s kind offer on behalf of my daughter. However, the matter of becoming an Imperial Alchemist is not within my daughter’s abilities. Moreover, she only took up alchemy on a whim and has never actually participated in the Pill Master examinations. I’m afraid she’s not qualified to compete for the position of Imperial Alchemist," Lie Rou frowned after hearing the offer, but for some reason, she promptly started making excuses for Yue Jinghua, seeking to decline the proposition. "Princess Sha Fei had already considered this point," the palace maid came prepared, as she took out a Jade Gourd from her bosom. A white tassel ribbon was attached to the neck of the gourd. "This White Tassel Jade Gourd is awarded only to those who have passed the Danlu exams, symbolizing the qualification of a Beginner Alchemist. Here is also a handbook for the Beginnner Alchemist examination. It details the attributes and uses of various herbs and the methods to craft dozens of Elixir Pills. Princess Sha Fei has said that with Miss Yue’s intelligence and talent, this Imperial Alchemist examination shall not be too difficult. If Miss Yue passes the examination, it would also lead to more looking out for her in the future." Even the identity of a Beginner Alchemist could be forged? Yue Jinghua took the White Tassel Jade Gourd, giving it a cursory glance. The palace maid assigned to this task was no simple character either; her words also implied Princess Sha Fei’s intention to collaborate with Yue Jinghua. If Jingxin Courtyard could receive Princess Sha Fei’s assistance, the benefits would be substantial indeed. My goodness, Yue Jinghua was secretly startled; this gourd was not ordinary at all. The silver fringe ribbon on the gourd’s neck was intricately woven. Upon closer inspection, it was actually crafted from white gold threads, and there was an exquisite tassel pendant on it, with the three small characters "Yue Jinghua" inscribed, very delicate. Looking closer at the material of the Jade Gourd, its jade body was warm and smooth, clearly carved from a single piece of Lantian Smoke Jade. Any Elixir Pills stored inside would surely be well-preserved. Danlu really is generous, even an entry-level alchemist gets to hang around with such a treasure gourd. But on second thought, it’s not so much that Danlu is generous, but that Princess Sha Fei is discreet. The organizational structure of Danlu is strict, and establishing a fictitious identity for an entry-level alchemist for her, and to obtain a treasure gourd like this one, it seems very likely that the Sha Family is relying on the support of Danlu from behind the scenes. But why would Danlu take an interest in herself? After weighing the pros and cons, Yue Jinghua quickly made up her mind. Princess Sha Fei owed her a life-saving favor. She was also Shalman’s aunt, and she herself never liked to owe people anything. Moreover, Shang Kingdom is currently in a state of unrest, and King Fa Xiao Yun is no kind-hearted soul. Moreover, as a result of canceling the marriage, she had completely fallen out with Fa Xiaotian, and a break with Lie Family Mansion was inevitable. At this time, obtaining the help of the Sha Family would be a source of support for both her and Jingxin Courtyard. For both emotional and rational reasons, she had to assume this position of the Imperial Alchemist. After sending away the palace maid, Lie Rou was somewhat anxious, frowning, "Huahua, do you really intend to participate in the selection for the Imperial Alchemist? I heard that Lie Sisi is also joining this selection of the Imperial Alchemist." Yue Jinghua’s current alchemy skills started at a high level, and her progress also seemed very rapid. The elixir pills she made had already reached the level of a Middle-level Alchemist. However, all this was only because of a few alchemy recipes from the Mo Xi Treasure Book and the aid of the Dun Qinglian Fire. If it came down to genuine knowledge and understanding of medicinal herbs, she was not a match for Lie Sisi. "Mother, what does it matter if she joins? I am participating openly and fairly in the competition, and there’s no reason to fear her. Besides, has mother forgotten who almost forced her daughter into being called off in marriage, with the whole city now laughing at Huahua?" Yue Jinghua understood Lie Rou very well. She was, after all, from Lie Family Mansion, worried that Yue Jinghua might really become enemies with Lie Sisi, finding it difficult to face her two uncles. But when it came to her beloved daughter’s rights, she would definitely give in. After hearing Yue Jinghua’s words, Lie Rou felt a pang in her heart and softened her tone, "Since you have already made up your mind, there’s no use in me saying more. But mother has another worry, unless it’s necessary, try not to get too involved with Danlu." "Mother, why not get involved with Danlu? Isn’t Grandma Feng an alchemist from Danlu? Everyone says that the highest honor for an alchemist is to gain recognition from Danlu." Yue Jinghua had already had dealings with Divine Court, Mercenary Guild, and Assassin Alliance, the four major organizations of the Eastern Continent. Although she had not directly clashed with them, none of the people from these major organizations were weak. Danlu, relying solely on Alchemy, could stand on par with the other three organizations, which surely meant it had exceptional qualities. "Huahua, mother knows you are decisive. Especially since you came back from Hundred Beast Mountain, for the things you don’t wish to tell mother, I won’t ask. However, I must advise you on this matter," Lie Rou hesitated, and after a long pause, finally sighed, "Your grandmother did not die of illness; she was poisoned to death." Grandma Feng? Poisoned to death? Her grandmother, a High-level Alchemist, actually died from poisoning. Yue Jinghua was startled and blurted out, "Who would harm grandmother? Does grandfather know about this?" With tears forming at the corners of her eyes, Lie Rou hesitated and then, looking into Yue Jinghua’s determined gaze, made up her mind and said, "I’ve kept this in my heart all along. Your grandfather knows about it. I guess your second and third grand-uncles know it, too. I suspect that it was Danlu who killed your grandmother."

Chapter 175 - 61: The Impostor Pill Master

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