Chapter 49

Li Yi's face was even darker, as if it could drip with water, and he said sourly, "What's the point of playing well? Not a penny was spent, and the princess didn't get any real benefit. Compared to my demon beast egg, it's far inferior!"

Qin Ruxue's face instantly flashed with a look of disgust, and she coldly spat out a single word, "Vulgar!"

Even Xiao Qingwang couldn't help but feel nauseated, "The most precious gift today is this piece of music. If I could hear it again, I would be willing to pay any price."

Li Yi's teeth itched with sourness, "Why does Commander Xiao say that? If you want to hear it again, just ask him to play it a few more times."

Li Yunxiao smiled lightly, "Divine music must be accompanied by the right time, place, and people. That day in the purple bamboo forest, there was the most beautiful woman in the world, and today in the imperial palace, there is Princess Ruxue. Only then can the music move the gods. Of course, you don't understand these things. Eighth Brother, you didn't have time to learn before, but you should learn more in the future."

Li Yi's hair stood on end with anger, but fortunately, Li Yunxiao had already offended him countless times today. After a moment of anger, he recovered and gave a heavy cold snort, but the murderous intent in his eyes was not hidden.

A hint of red flashed across Qin Ruxue's face. Li Yunxiao had compared her to the most beautiful woman in the world, Qu Hongyan, and her heart was instantly filled with joy, her eyes brimming with affection.

After calming down, Li Yi stood up from his seat and said loudly, "Today, I not only prepared gifts for Commander Luo and Princess Ruxue, but also a small gift for Commander Xiao."

Xiao Qingwang now had no good feelings for him and said indifferently, "Xiao has no merit and cannot accept gifts. There's no need, Young Master Li."

A flash of anger crossed Li Yi's eyes. Today was truly a day of setbacks, all caused by the despicable Li Yunxiao.

He forced a smile and said, "I heard that Commander Xiao suffered internal injuries in a battle with the Wu King Yi Xiaoshan of the Hundred War Kingdom, which have been lingering in his body and cannot be resolved. By chance, I obtained a Bishui Longjing Pill and wish to offer it to Commander Xiao."

Xiao Qingwang's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he was moved, "A sixth-grade pill, the Bishui Longjing Pill!"

Even the others were shocked, and Qin Zheng's eyes also sparkled, seemingly even more eager than Xiao Qingwang, "Li Yi, is this true?"

Li Yi, seeing the shocked looks of the crowd, felt a great relief and suddenly became spirited, laughing loudly, "Of course! Fang Zhen, bring the pill up and give it to Commander Xiao!"

Fang Zhen was Li Yi's confidant, a first-rank alchemist he had recruited. He stepped forward with a smile, took out a jade box, and gently opened it. A bright green, crystal-clear pill lay inside, emitting a radiant glow.

Fang Zhen smiled, "As long as Commander Xiao takes this pill, the internal injuries will be completely cleared, and his martial path will definitely advance further!"

Xiao Qingwang picked up the pill, and his mountain-like body trembled slightly from excitement. The battle that year, though won, left him with severe injuries. Over the years, his martial path not only failed to advance but also regressed, causing him great distress.

Moreover, low-grade pills could no longer suppress his injuries, which were now eroding his lifespan. If left unchecked, he might not live for many more years. This was the greatest concern for both him and Qin Zheng. If he were to die, the Tian Shui Kingdom would be left with only Zhongli Shan as a Wu King, greatly weakening the country's power.

Over the years, they had sent people to seek out pills, but to no avail. It was unimaginable that just when they were in despair, Li Yi had found a Bishui Longjing Pill that could completely cure him, which made him extremely excited!

Qin Zheng was also overjoyed and said loudly, "Li Yi, your contribution today is great. Whatever reward you want, I will give it to you!"

Li Yi was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed in thanks, "Your Majesty, I hope to marry Princess Ruxue!"

"What?!"

Everyone was shocked, and Qin Ruxue's face turned pale instantly. She was furious, "Li Yi, you lowly servant also want to eat swan meat! Father, don't agree to him!"

Li Yi's eyes flashed with determination. He was of humble birth, and although he now nominally controlled the Li family, he was surrounded by danger, and few truly respected him. If he wanted to completely turn his situation around, he needed a good identity. Becoming a prince consort was undoubtedly the best choice. Moreover, Qin Ruxue was a standard beauty, and he had long lusted after her.

Qin Zheng was also taken aback and fell silent, secretly blaming himself for being too excited and saying too much. Now, what could he do?

Li Yi seized the opportunity and pressed on, "Your Majesty, I truly love Princess Ruxue. I hope Your Majesty will grant my wish!"

Seeing Qin Zheng's silence, Qin Ruxue became extremely anxious, "Father, Father, you wouldn't really..."

Qin Zheng's eyes showed a hint of reluctance, but he finally steeled his heart and said sternly, "Ruxue, you cannot be so capricious! Li Yi's contribution is great, and I am a man of my word. Marrying him will give me peace of mind. I believe he truly loves you, otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to obtain such a precious demon beast egg for you?"

He had thought it through and decided to use Li Yi to control the Li family. Although his daughter was precious, compared to the kingdom, she was nothing!

"What?" Qin Ruxue felt a chill from head to toe, as if she had fallen into an ancient ice pit. Her beloved father had actually...

She was filled with sorrow and anger, took out the demon beast egg, and threw it into the air, "I don't want this thing he gave me!" A cold light burst from her sword.

"Crack!"

The demon beast egg split in two and fell to the ground.

A pool of incredibly foul-smelling, sticky liquid spread across the floor, and the entire main hall was filled with a nauseating stench. Everyone quickly covered their noses and looked at the broken egg in shock.

Is it really a bad egg?

Everyone's eyes became strange.

Li Yi was also stunned, his face full of shame and anger, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into...

"Father, it's really a bad egg!" Qin Ruxue suddenly became overjoyed and said hurriedly, "Look, he treats me like this and still claims to love me. I hope Father..."

Qin Zheng frowned and said sternly, "This thing is extremely precious, and ordinary people cannot recognize it. Buying a bad egg proves that Li Yi was also deceived."

"Right, right, Your Majesty is right, I was also deceived! That despicable seller!" Li Yi gritted his teeth.

Qin Zheng said loudly, "Li Yi's merits outweigh his faults. I announce today that I will give Ruxue..."

"Wait!"

A very discordant voice interrupted Qin Zheng. Li Yunxiao smiled lightly and said softly, "This Bishui Longjing Pill is fake."

"What?!"

Originally, he was angry that Li Yunxiao dared to interrupt him, but this statement instantly shocked the entire hall, and everyone's pupils contracted!

Presenting a fake pill to the emperor and all the ministers was a capital offense! Moreover, it was for Xiao Qingwang. Who would dare to falsify it? Everyone's eyes immediately fell on Li Yi.

Qin Ruxue suddenly shouted, "Fake pill, it's definitely a fake pill! Father, cut off his head!" She seemed to have found a lifeline and gave Li Yunxiao a grateful look, tears streaming down her face.

Li Yi was stunned for a moment and then became furious, "Li Yunxiao, don't talk nonsense! This is a sixth-grade pill I bought at great cost. You dare to spread lies, Your Majesty, this man is spreading lies and should be punished!"

Li Yunxiao sneered, "Again?"

Li Yi was taken aback, looked at the stinky egg on the ground, and was speechless, but his eyes burned with hatred for Li Yunxiao.

Qin Zheng's face darkened, and he turned to Liang Wenyu, "Master Liang, what do you think of this pill?"

Liang Wenyu stepped forward and examined it carefully, then said dejectedly, "Your Majesty, this pill does not appear to be fake. However, it is too high-grade for me to authenticate."

Xiao Qingwang suppressed his inner emotional fluctuations and said sternly, "Li Yunxiao, do you have evidence that this pill is fake?" In the past, enemies had indeed tried to give him fake medicine, and he had almost died several times. So he was still wary.

Li Yunxiao smiled lightly, "It's easy to authenticate. This pill is non-toxic, but when it comes into contact with blood, it produces a deadly poison. If ingested, it will certainly cause immediate death!"

"What?!"

Qin Zheng stood up abruptly, his eyes blazing with anger. If what Li Yunxiao said was true, then Li Yi's intentions...

Cold sweat broke out on Li Yi's forehead, and he quickly turned to Fang Zhen. Fang Zhen frowned and shook his head, giving him the courage to say, "Your Majesty, don't listen to this man's nonsense. If Commander Xiao takes it and his injuries are healed, it proves the pill is genuine."

Li Yunxiao sneered, "If he dies, can your head compensate for Commander Xiao's life?"

Li Yi said angrily, "There's no way anything will happen!"

Li Yunxiao countered, "There will be no immediate problem after taking it, but Commander Xiao has internal injuries. If the pill reacts, it will be a big problem. If you don't believe me, we can test it!"

"Test? How?" Li Yi sneered, "A sixth-grade pill is so precious. If it's used up, your head can't compensate for it!"

Li Yunxiao smiled lightly, "It's simple. Use the pill to touch human blood, then find a dog to take it. If the dog dies, it proves the pill is fake and highly toxic. If the dog doesn't die within ten breaths, it proves I'm lying. Kill the dog and retrieve the pill in time."

Qin Zheng said, "Good, this is a good idea. Bring a dog! Today, one of you two must be deceiving the emperor! I want to see who has such audacity!"

Qin Ruxue's eyes showed intense worry and unease. She was deeply afraid that her situation would involve Li Yunxiao and was extremely anxious.

Li Yunxiao gave her a reassuring look, stepped forward, and took the Bishui Longjing Pill, saying lightly, "Eighth Brother, give me your dog's blood."

Li Yi said angrily, "Why not use your own