In Greek mythology, there is a famous “golden apple.”
Three goddesses coveted that alluring golden apple.
Because whoever obtained it would become the most beautiful goddess in the world.
And in the empire today, Li An was no different from that golden apple.
The question was, into whose hands would this “golden apple” eventually fall?
Lately, this had become one of the most popular topics of conversation in the empire's aristocratic circles.
The one with the highest likelihood was, naturally, the Crown Prince.
Now that the troublesome treacherous ministers around the Emperor had been eliminated, the aristocratic factions that once could have kept the Crown Prince in check were leaderless.
If the Crown Prince could bring Li An under his banner, it would be akin to giving wings to a legendary steed.
The balance of power in the empire would inevitably shift completely.
“Oh! He took off his badge!”
“Everyone, look!”
Count Deval shouted excitedly.
Ever since he lost his Jewel Frog, which shared a similar temperament with him and was practically his second self, this count had been acting completely out of it.
Consequently, he had not attended such formal occasions for a long time.
Yet today, he finally reappeared before everyone.
And just like in the past, he immediately began to narrate the situation to those around him.
“The newly appointed minister is walking toward the Crown Prince!”
“Ah...”
Viscount Sinus swallowed hard.
Would Minister Adolf end up aligning with the Crown Prince after all?
Once the Crown Prince's power expanded further, the nobles' lives would naturally become harder and harder.
Viscount Sinus couldn't help but reminisce about the days when Marquis Sevis was still around.
Although that era carried a bit of a bullying atmosphere, at least everyone could bully others together.
“Wait!”
“It's not the Crown Prince!”
“He handed the badge to His Majesty!”
“What?”
“How could this be?”
The nobles immediately erupted into hushed chatter.
They were completely unable to comprehend Li An's actions.
After all, no matter how one looked at it, the Emperor was already old.
Furthermore, the one who truly held the reins of power in the empire now was already the Crown Prince.
From a political standpoint, the power in the Emperor's hands was actually next to nothing.
So the question arose: why did Li An hand over the badge that symbolized his status as a minister to the Emperor?
“Could it be...”
Viscount Sinus's voice cracked with excitement.
“We all overlooked one thing before!”
“He is also a blue-blooded noble!”
Blue blood.
The term was originally used to describe those aristocrats who never exposed themselves to the sun and never did manual labor.
Of course, the meaning here was obviously not literally blue blood.
Rather, it referred to the aristocratic class that enjoyed hereditary privileges, relying on the power and wealth left behind by their ancestors.
In the past, Marquis Sevis and Count Galtana had publicly sworn fealty to the Emperor.
At least, on the surface.
Under the guise of being “loyal to the Emperor,” they actually protected the interests of the central nobility and firmly maintained the privileges belonging to the aristocratic class.
“Could it be that Li An wants to become the leader of the new noble faction?”
“So that's how it is!”
“To think he actually harbors such ambition!”
“Oh! Li An Adolf!”
“Though you are merely a Baron right now, you have already touched the hearts of us blue-blooded nobles!”
The central nobles immediately grew ecstatic.
The gazes they directed at Li An one by one turned incredibly burning.
They felt as if they were already witnessing the rise of a new noble leader.
However, they were entirely overthinking it.
Li An himself had absolutely no intention of establishing a noble faction.
He simply and purely wanted to resign.
And it was the kind of resignation where he wished he could do so this very second.
The longer the Emperor lived, the greater the possibility of Li An escaping the empire became.
After listening to the witch's prophecy, Li An had returned to the Witch Forest once more and began to seriously plan his escape.
“This is a tonic,” Alynia said, taking out a small bottle. “It has cactus fruit added to it, which is an extremely expensive medicinal ingredient.”
“In the past, this medicine was always sent to the Emperor through a special channel.”
“However, after some rather unpleasant events occurred, that channel was cut off.”
There seemed to be a certain special business relationship between Alynia and Marquis Sevis.
Now that Marquis Sevis had fallen, there was naturally no one left to deliver the medicine to the palace for her.
Later, she tried to send the medicine through other channels.
But the Emperor had already declared that he would never take this medicine again.
Word had it that the Emperor seemed to have completely lost his will to live.
Alynia picked up the medicine bottle and shook it.
The bright red liquid inside the bottle sloshed gently.
“How do you prove this isn't poison?” Li An asked warily.
“The palace is already stacked with a large crate of various tonics,” Alynia said casually. “If you are uneasy about it, you can take it to try elsewhere first.”
“Of course, if you'd like, I can even take a sip right here to show you.”
Li An fell silent for a moment.
“Actually, I've prepared something as well.”
Alynia took out a box in a secretive manner.
“This is a precious fruit I obtained from Erindale. And it's the only one left in the entire empire.”
Li An looked at the fruit, which was radiating a bizarre luster.
“This...”
“It's called the God Fruit,” Alynia said proudly.
Li An looked shocked. “Where did you get that from?”
“That's not important.” Alynia stroked her crystal ball. “What is important is that as long as His Majesty eats this fruit, he might just achieve immortality.”
“There's one problem.”
“What is it?”
“If someone without the 'Hero's Soul' eats it, their body will directly explode, causing instant death.”
“...”
Li An fell silent.
“Are you for real?”
“Of course,” Alynia said with a straight face. “I can swear upon my crystal ball.”
Li An looked at her. “This kind of crystal ball is very fragile, isn't it?”
“This is a crystal ball mixed with my mother's ashes.”
“...”
Li An decisively abandoned pursuing this topic.
“This medicine looks very heavy. Please just have it delivered directly via courier.”
“...”
The next evening.
Li An watched as a few little witches, huffing and puffing, delivered a large crate of medicine on their massive broomsticks.
He felt somewhat bad for them.
But...
“The problem is, how on earth am I supposed to get this medicine into the palace?” Li An fell into deep thought.
The strange medicine sent by the witch—how could it be handed over to the Emperor?
Why did it need to be given to the Emperor? To make the Emperor live longer.
Why did he want the Emperor to live longer? To escape the empire.
And then... why would the Emperor living longer mean a greater chance for him to escape the empire?
“...”
Li An was suddenly stunned.
In the next second, he understood.
There was absolutely no need for all this trouble!
As long as he obtained the Emperor's absolute trust, couldn't he just directly request a resignation from the Emperor?
Since the Emperor would be willing to let him go, what was the point of escaping?
And there was definitely no need to have the Emperor drink this medicine of unknown origin.
As long as he gained the Emperor's unconditional trust, he could naturally leave the empire!
“...”
Li An immediately felt that his previous train of thought had gone completely off-track.
He didn't need to mess around with any medicine at all.
He only needed to become the person the Emperor trusted most, and then request to resign.
Perfect.
“Perfect!”
Right at that moment, Ceris, the Jewel Frog, suddenly jumped up.
With a soft splat, it extended its tongue and licked the cap of the medicine bottle.
“...”
Li An hurriedly pulled it back.
This Jewel Frog had originally been confiscated from Count Deval.
Since the processing procedures were far too complicated and a suitable place to rehome it couldn't be found in the short term, Li An had no choice but to temporarily raise it at home.
As it turned out, this fellow was indeed very affectionate.
Except for one bad thing: it defecated whenever and wherever it wanted.
Li An glanced down at the floor.
Then he froze completely.
“What color is this?”
Ceris's excrement was actually completely different from usual.
The usual color had vanished.
In its place was a soft, bright purple.
Furthermore... there was also a highly familiar aroma.
Li An's nose twitched.
In the next moment, his eyes widened.
“Frog-poop coffee!”
Li An had a complete epiphany.
If this wasn't a suspicious drug sent by a witch, but a rare tea he personally prepared, then what would be wrong with giving it to the Emperor to drink?
Even Ceris, who was extremely sensitive to food, had consumed some without showing even a single abnormality.
This proved that it was completely non-toxic.
And just as Alynia had said, this was a genuine tonic.
Since cat poop could be made into coffee, then the Jewel Frog's... why couldn't it be made into tea?
The Emperor didn't want to drink tonics anymore? Then he would turn the tonic into tea!
As long as he could gain the Emperor's unconditional trust, he could naturally leave the empire!
Li An felt his plan was absolutely flawless.
From that day onward, Li An poured all his energy into researching the Jewel Frog tea.
After countless experiments and refinements, finally, one week after he swore fealty to the Emperor, a perfect cup of Jewel Frog tea was born.
“Your Majesty, it's a bit cold today. Please wear another coat.”
“Cough, cough... Thank you, Li An.”
“Cough, cough... You are still the one who cares most about Us.”
The Emperor said, deeply moved.
“What are you saying, Your Majesty?” Li An revealed a warm smile. “All the subjects of the empire are concerned about Your Majesty's health at all times.”
This was Confucianism.
What was its core?
Respecting elders, venerating those in superior positions.
Having experienced various things in his previous life, Li An had this ideology deeply engraved in his very bones.
Thus, the respect he showed the Emperor was entirely genuine, without a hint of falsehood.
The Emperor could feel that sincerity as well.
The older one got, the easier it seemed to become sentimental.
The Emperor felt a wave of emotion wash over him.
“Cough, cough... You truly are the most loyal subject of the empire.”
“It's very cold outside today,” Li An said with a smile, “so this subject has specially prepared a small tea party for Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will enjoy it.”
“As long as it's something you prepared, We like all of them,” the Emperor smiled.
Finally, the time was ripe.
Li An had consulted tea masters from all over the empire, and after countless attempts, he had finally produced this cup of Jewel Frog tea.
Even Sushia, who had tasted all kinds of top-grade tea and was extremely picky about her beverages, had given it high praise.
Now, it was finally the Emperor's turn to taste it himself.
“Cough, cough... You people are all waiting on Us, this old man, aren't you?” the Emperor said slowly.
“Your Majesty!”
“Greetings, Your Majesty!”
In the drawing room of the imperial palace, a group of nobles had already gathered in advance.
Viscount Sinus.
Baron Trinio.
Count Ludios.
And so forth.
In the past, these people had been core figures among the central nobility of the empire.
But ever since those treacherous ministers had fallen, they had lost their original power.
Now, they had effectively become true “backyard aristocrats.”
At first, the Crown Prince was wary of these people suddenly gathering together.
But once he realized they really were just gathering to drink tea and chat, he couldn't be bothered to care anymore.
This was truly an old men's tea party.
The only thing that no one could understand was... why was Li An here as well?
“Cough, cough. Everyone, please sit,” the Emperor said slowly. “We heard that Minister Li An brought a new tea today.”
“Cough, cough... We are quite looking forward to the tea Minister Adolf has brought.”
Li An confidently snapped his fingers.
An attendant immediately entered carrying the already-prepared tea set.
Tea snacks and refreshments were fully provided.
And right in the center was that pot of precious Jewel Frog tea.
“Drink it while it's hot,” Li An said.
Soon, cup after cup of beautiful purple tea was poured.
Its color was crystal clear, breathtakingly beautiful.
Even the nobles present, who were well-accustomed to rare treasures, couldn't help but find it novel.
“What is the name of this tea?” Baron Trinio asked. “Minister Adolf?”
Li An replied calmly, “Crystal Tea.”
“Crystal Tea? That is quite a beautiful name.”
As a veteran gourmet, Baron Trinio naturally took on the task of being the first to taste the tea.
He lifted the teacup and gently sniffed it first.
Then...
“Mmm...”
He closed his eyes, savoring it carefully.
“Excellent tea.”
In the next moment, a look of intoxication washed over his face.
“Such a mellow and rich flavor... We really owe this luxury to Minister Adolf today.”
“Your Majesty, please taste some as well.”
“Cough, cough...”
The Emperor nodded. “Very well.”
Finally, the Emperor lifted that cup of crystal-clear purple tea.
Li An quietly swallowed.
The tense moment had arrived.
The Emperor lowered his head and took a sip.
“...”
In the next second, his eyes widened slightly.
“Warm... It's as if... the inside of my body is warming up.”
A long-lost spark of vitality appeared on the Emperor's face.
“It even makes me feel... as if I have the strength to keep living again.”
The cup of tea seemed to warm its way all the way into his cold, dried-up body.
Li An immediately asked, “How is the taste, Your Majesty?”
“Excellent,” the Emperor began to laugh. “Haha... This is the best tea We have ever drunk.”
Li An was ecstatic in his heart.
As long as the Emperor continued to drink this Jewel Frog tea containing medicinal properties, his physical condition would surely recover step by step.
That way, the Emperor naturally would not pass away from a sudden deterioration of his health.
Meanwhile, Li An could seize this period to continuously build up the Emperor's trust.
Eventually, he would become the most trusted person in the entire empire to the Emperor.
And then... resign.
Perfect.
As long as the Emperor agreed himself, he could leave the empire in broad daylight.
He wouldn't even need to flee.
This plan was simply foolproof.
Yet right at this moment, “...Your Majesty?”
Li An suddenly noticed something amiss. “Did you... not cough just now?”
“Cough?” The Emperor paused.
Indeed!
Those on the side also cried out in surprise.
“His Majesty really didn't cough just now!”
“Minister Adolf! Is this the tea you brought?”
Even Li An hadn't expected a single cup of tea to produce such an obvious effect.
The Emperor slowly turned his head, his gaze meeting directly with Li An's.
Li An looked right back at the Emperor.
The opportunity was here.
As long as he pretended to be unwell right now and used the momentum to request resignation... the plan would succeed!
Li An had already prepared an earth-shattering cough in his mind.
However, “Li An,” the Emperor suddenly spoke.
Li An was instantly taken aback.
The cough he had prepared was forced right back down his throat.
“This subject is here.”
“We owe you once again.” The Emperor's voice was full of emotion. “We had originally prepared to reward you with a few things today. But now, it seems those meager rewards are far from enough.”
Li An blinked. “Your Majesty must be joking.”
“Congratulations, Minister Adolf,” someone on the side said with a smile.
But Li An felt a faint sense of dread rising.
“...Reward?”
The Emperor did not answer. He merely tapped the tabletop gently a few times.
In the next moment, everyone in the drawing room dropped to one knee, paying their respects to the Emperor.
Li An's heart thumped wildly.
An extremely foreboding premonition welled up in his chest.
“Even though We have ended up like this today,” the Emperor said slowly, “We are still capable of giving a loyal subject the reward they deserve.”
“...Wait a moment, Your Majesty.” Li An grew slightly panicked, a rare occurrence for him.
The atmosphere... was not right.
“Li An.” The Emperor looked at him. “Li An Adolf.”
“Your Majesty!” Li An was completely dumbfounded.
“There is no need to be so excited,” the Emperor smiled. “In truth, this reward has already come a bit late.”
Li An could only slowly kneel.
And then, he saw the Emperor take a longsword from an attendant.
The sword blade descended, gently resting upon his shoulder.
At that moment, Li An finally understood what was happening.
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