Later, Shen Jing found an opportunity to go to Gao Yin's room alone.
Ultimately, Gao Yin exchanged two pills from Shen Jing for a box of heavy gold bars and some jewelry accessories.
For these pills, Gao Yin had also gone all out, even taking off his belt, which was inlaid with numerous gems and corals.
Upon receiving the pills, Gao Yin immediately called Hulü Xian into his room.
Hulü Xian asked in confusion, "Your Highness, why have you called this old man? Is there something important?"
"Let's talk inside!"
Gao Yin pulled Hulü Xian into the room and then instructed the guards outside, "No one is to disturb us without this Imperial Prince's order!"
"Yes!"
The guard acknowledged the order.
Seeing Gao Yin's seriousness, Hulü Xian grew even more puzzled.
Gao Yin enthusiastically invited Hulü Xian to sit down, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I want to obtain the pills from Shen Jing to present to Imperial Father. What does Senior Minister think?"
Hulü Xian's eyelids twitched, and he quickly advised, "Your Highness, do not trust such things. These have always been tricks used by 江湖術士 to deceive people!"
"No!"
Gao Yin shook his head, "These pills from Shen Jing are truly different. I asked the guard who took the pill yesterday morning, and he said this medicine has miraculous effects. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an immortal pill…"
Seeing that Gao Yin was becoming somewhat obsessed, Hulü Xian again advised, "Your Highness, Shen Jing absolutely does not have such good intentions! If those were truly immortal pills, why would he give them to Your Highness? This is very likely a trap!"
Gao Yin gently shook his head and said in a deep voice, "What if Shen Jing has ambitions?"
"Ambitions?"
Hulü Xian's eyelids twitched, and he lowered his voice, "Your Highness means that Shen Jing harbors rebellious intentions?"
"Mm."
Gao Yin nodded slightly, "Has Senior Minister ever considered that instead of fighting Great Zhou, we could support someone within Great Zhou, cause Great Zhou to fall into internal strife, and then…"
Gao Yin's voice grew softer and softer.
Listening to Gao Yin's words, Hulü Xian was also somewhat moved.
But soon, Hulü Xian forcefully suppressed the thoughts in his heart.
"This old man still believes that Shen Jing has ill intentions!"
Hulü Xian frowned deeply, "It's quite possible that those so-called immortal pills are simply poison! Your Highness, do not fall for Shen Jing's trick!"
"I knew Senior Minister would be suspicious!"
Gao Yin's face showed a hint of a smile, and he immediately pulled out two pills, "Here are two pills. Senior Minister and I can try them together, and then you'll know!"
"This…"
Hulü Xian frowned, seemingly unwilling to try them.
He had always scoffed at such things as pills.
Yong Country was not without 江湖術士 who concocted pills, but those so-called pills were basically all deceptive tricks.
Occasionally, some pills made from various medicinal herbs would have some effect, but the effects were often exaggerated.
Even if Shen Jing's pills had an effect, it shouldn't be so miraculous.
"Senior Minister, rest assured, Shen Jing wouldn't go so far as to poison us!"
Gao Yin forcefully put a pill into Hulü Xian's hand, "Shen Jing said these pills can make one's mind clear, strengthen the body, and also have a certain aphrodisiac effect!"
Under Gao Yin's persuasion, Hulü Xian still agreed to try the pills with Gao Yin.
He also believed that Shen Jing would not dare to poison them.
Just how miraculous were these pills!
Soon, both of them warmed some wine and took the pills as Shen Jing had instructed.
Immediately after taking the pills, they felt nothing.
But as the medicinal effects gradually began to spread, their expressions slowly started to change, and their bodies became increasingly hot.
Gao Yin even disregarded his dignity, directly removed all his upper clothing, and then went to open the window.
Unconsciously, half an hour passed.
The heat in their bodies had disappeared, but both of them had their eyes tightly closed, savoring the feeling they had just experienced.
"Hoo…"
Gao Yin opened his eyes, haphazardly wiped his body, quickly put on his clothes, and closed the window. Then, he looked at Hulü Xian with burning eyes, "Senior Minister, what do you think of this medicine?"
Hulü Xian tidied his clothes slightly, and with renewed vigor, looked back at Gao Yin, "It truly has a miraculous effect! However, every medicine is three parts poison. Prolonged use of pills might harm the body…"
Although Hulü Xian was unwilling to admit it, he had to concede that these pills indeed had miraculous effects.
Even without looking in a mirror, he could feel that his complexion had improved significantly.
Even though the medicinal effects had passed, he still didn't feel the slightest bit of cold.
"Imperial Father's energy has greatly diminished in recent years. If these pills are presented to Imperial Father, he will surely be pleased!"
Gao Yin now fully believed in the efficacy of the pills and spoke with great excitement.
Hulü Xian's brow furrowed, and his voice gradually cooled, "Does Your Highness know what price our Great Yong will have to pay for these mere pills?"
"No price is more important than Imperial Father's health!"
Gao Yin said in a deep voice, "Moreover, supporting Shen Jing will also benefit our Great Yong!"
"Senior Minister, think about it: if Shen Jing presents this medicine to the Great Zhou Emperor, he will surely win the Great Zhou Emperor's favor!"
"If we give him another push, he is very likely to gain great power. Once he rebels, Great Zhou will inevitably fall into internal strife!"
"Once that happens, we can take advantage of the chaos!"
"Isn't this more cost-effective than us launching a major war and losing tens of thousands of soldiers' lives?"
Gao Yin continuously tried to persuade Hulü Xian.
He now had only one thought.
He absolutely must obtain the pill formula for these pills!
This might be his only chance to contend for the throne!
He didn't want to miss this opportunity, nor could he miss it!
These Imperial Princes, sometimes, had no retreat.
A retreat often meant imprisonment or death!
He was currently discussing with Hulü Xian!
If Hulü Xian disagreed, he wouldn't mind quietly eliminating Hulü Xian.
Even if Hulü Xian refused to serve him, he would still eliminate Hulü Xian before returning to the Great Yong Imperial City.
In that way, this immense merit would be his alone!
Seeing that Hulü Xian was still silent, Gao Yin spoke again, "Has Senior Minister ever considered that if Imperial Father knew we had the opportunity to obtain such a miraculous medicine to present to him, but we didn't bring it back, would he not punish us?"
Listening to Gao Yin's words, Hulü Xian's expression suddenly changed.
A threat!
Gao Yin was clearly threatening him.
If he didn't agree, upon returning to the Imperial City, Gao Yin would surely speak ill of him before the Emperor!
At that time, His Majesty might even believe that he wished for His Majesty's early demise!
Once His Majesty harbored such thoughts, his life and the lives of his entire clan would likely be in peril!
He's gone mad!
To win His Majesty's favor, the Third Imperial Prince has gone mad!
Hulü Xian constantly weighed the pros and cons in his heart, pondered for a long time, and then said solemnly, "This old man needs to find a private opportunity to talk with Shen Jing!"
Seeing Hulü Xian compromise, Gao Yin was secretly delighted and immediately nodded in agreement, "Alright, I'll quietly mention this to Shen Jing later! Senior Minister, trust my judgment, Shen Jing definitely harbors rebellious intentions!"
"Let's talk after we've discussed it!"
Hulü Xian let out a long sigh, his heart filled with endless sighs.
Who would have thought!
A mere pill had put them in such a passive position.
He had calculated everything, but he hadn't accounted for such a situation arising.
Now, it might be a bit troublesome…