As the morning court began, everyone entered the main hall in their usual order. They first engaged in casual conversation, discussing matters to be brought up in their memorials.
Upon seeing the eunuch kneel at the intersection of the front and rear halls, they knew Emperor Pingzhao had arrived.
Consequently, silence fell.
They waited for Emperor Pingzhao's arrival.
However, after only a few minutes, everyone froze, their minds thunderstruck, unable to utter a word. They saw a remarkably young man wearing dragon robes emerge from the rear.
Younger officials were momentarily dazed, unable to even recognize if this was Emperor Pingzhao. The older, seasoned ministers were even more bewildered.
They had seen Emperor Pingzhao in his youth.
The young figure in dragon robes now before them perfectly matched their memories of Emperor Pingzhao in his younger days, so much so that even a biological son wouldn't bear such a resemblance.
Considering the possibility of an imperial imposter, it was unlikely to be someone with such a stark difference. Furthermore, there had been rumors circulating in the palace about the Grand Princess having gifted pills said to restore youth.
Even if their current speculations were far-fetched, they were likely not far from the truth.
Perhaps due to the sheer shock, no one bowed in deference as was customary. However, Emperor Pingzhao was overjoyed that day and understood the ministers' astonishment was natural, so he paid no mind. With a smile, he strode to the dragon throne and sat down:
"What, my dear officials, do you not recognize me?"
"I specifically looked in the mirror before coming, and I feel there isn't much difference from how I looked thirty years ago. Chancellor Liu, Grand Scholar Li, you have both served in court for nearly forty years, are you saying you no longer recognize me?"
As Emperor Pingzhao spoke, the assembled ministers finally reacted, beginning to bow in a disorganized manner.
It was a chaotic display, one after another.
"Your Majesty, have you truly regained your youth?"
After bowing, Chancellor Liu and the others eagerly blurted out their questions. They were no longer young; the eldest was ten years older than Emperor Pingzhao, nearing seventy or eighty. There was no retirement system then.
As long as they committed no offense and did not wish to retire, they could essentially serve until death.
Holding positions of power and importance, and with descendants who might not be as capable, they naturally wished to serve for as long as possible. Simultaneously, they feared death and wished to live longer. It would be strange if they weren't eager to inquire.
"Do you not all see?
I stand before you alive and well. Do I need to say anything else? Ah Luan is indeed blessed with profound fortune and filial piety, willing to bestow such a miraculous elixir upon me. Summon someone, issue two more edicts: one to enfeoff Ah Luan's second son as Prince Jinping, and the other to enco her youngest daughter as Princess Yi'an.
Both shall hold princely titles.
Now, present your memorials if you have any, and if not, disperse!"
Since Ding Yun had already reached the highest possible enfeoffment for a princess, "Grand Princess Zhenguo," the only higher title was "Grand Princess Dowager Zhenguo," which was reserved for the emperor's aunt, with "Grand" signifying an elder. Thus, Emperor Pingzhao could only resort to enfeoffing Ding Yun's children as a reward.
This time, there was no dissent.
The senior figures in court were all advanced in age. Who wouldn't desire to regain their youth and live for several more decades? They were currently worried about their relationship with the Grand Princess or had lacked prior acquaintance.
How could they possibly target her now?
The younger officials, on the other hand, lacked the standing to voice their opinions.
Therefore, Emperor Pingzhao's two edicts were issued smoothly. Following this, although the officials dared not directly question Emperor Pingzhao or ask if the Grand Princess could continue to refine the rejuvenation pills, their distraction was evident.
After briefly presenting their matters for memorialization, the issues were resolved with minimal argument, and the court dispersed swiftly. Everyone rushed home, contemplating the changes.
They knew an era was likely about to shift.
The scheming for succession would have to cease.
It was best to remain loyal to the emperor.
Furthermore, the elder and more influential officials promptly instructed their wives or daughters to send calling cards to the Grand Princess, hoping for an invitation to visit. Through them, they intended to subtly inquire if there were any more rejuvenation pills.
Of course, they weren't idle themselves.
They enthusiastically invited the驸马 (consort of a princess) to visit.
A two-pronged approach would increase their chances!
Just as concubines could whisper into the emperor's ear, why couldn't the consort whisper into the princess's?
As a result, everyone in the princess's mansion suddenly became highly sought after. Not only Ding Yun, the Grand Princess, her consort, and her children, but even any ordinary maidservant or subordinate in the Grand Princess's residence found people seeking their favor.
Any residual dregs from Ding Yun's pill refinement were quickly snatched.
A careless moment could lead to someone stealing some.
After all, many people logically assumed that the dregs of an immortal elixir would be superior to ordinary mortal medicine.
However, Ding Yun knew well that those dregs were not only ineffective for treating illness but also poisonous. Unable to find any other solution, she abandoned the simple method of discarding the dregs as trash. Instead, she adopted the more troublesome approach of directly burning them to ash before burying them.
She also consistently explained externally that the dregs were poisonous.
Of course, this was the reaction of most officials and nobles. Crown Prince Zhang Yutao's reaction was entirely different. Upon seeing Emperor Pingzhao, who had become thirty years younger, in the main hall, he was utterly stunned.
More stunned than all the other ministers.
He even wished he could collapse and roar,
wishing he could strangle his past self from two months ago who thought this was impossible, as well as the officials who declared it impossible. No matter how improbable they deemed it, it was fragile in the face of reality.
A miracle had occurred.
Rejuvenation had happened.
While other ministers might think that if the emperor could regain his youth, it meant they too could regain their youth and live for several more decades, Zhang Yutao's only thought was that his reign as crown prince might as well last until his death.
However, he dared not collapse or roar.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palms, enduring until he returned to his residence to vent his frustration. Afterward, he sank into complete despair.
The situation was now clear: unless he staged a coup, there was almost no chance of him becoming emperor in the short term. He had previously believed his father wouldn't live much longer and might die from consuming the pills after a few days. To appease his father, he had even surrendered his limited military power. Now, even if he wanted to rebel or force his way to the throne, he was utterly incapable.
Therefore, what could he do but succumb to despair and give up?
He had no hope. Did his younger brothers have any? It was likely only those recently born or still a few years old who had a chance to become emperor.
In that case, what was the point of his struggles and pretense?
It was better to just lie down.
Seeing no hope, why compete...