Chapter 11 – Tyrant VS National Teacher (11)
Mo Yi remembered the intense pain throughout his body when he was ten years old, unbearable and exceptionally agonizing.
After fainting and being awakened by his brother Jin, he started taking the medicine prepared by him every day.
After drinking it for a month continuously, the pain did not recur.
But he still remembered the discomfort of the whole body being painful and itchy, as if being gnawed at by a myriad of ants on his heart.
He didn’t know what miraculous medicine Mu Jin had given him.
Whenever he asked, Jin would mysteriously say it was a secret formula passed down in Xuan Qing Temple.
But regardless, the medicine in that bowl must be extremely precious.
Mo Yi knew his mother was from a different tribe and harbored resentment towards the emperor, as well as the favored concubines and princes in the palace.
In his childhood, he saw Ling Fei raise some terrifying insects.
He had also seen that woman put something unknown into the medicinal soup to be sent to the emperor and even fed it to herself.
Young as he was, he couldn’t resist, but witnessing the sudden deaths of the princes and favored concubines in the palace, Mo Yi vaguely guessed that it might be related to Ling Fei.
So when Mo Yi encountered difficulties, his first reaction was that the woman might have caused the reaction of the medicine she gave him.
He didn’t know what kind of medicine that woman had given him.
Without Jin, he might have died like the other princes long ago.
Speaking of which, when Mu Jin launched a spiritual attack on Ling Fei, the latter went completely insane within two months and was confined to the cold palace.
Ling Fei suffered nightmares every day and was mistreated, dying within two years.
When Mo Yi’s Gu poison suddenly broke out at the age of ten, Mu Jin returned to the sleeping palace and was shocked to see the situation.
Fortunately, he was prepared and quickly fed Mo Yi two well-prepared pills, restraining the Gu poison in him.
Since then, this medicine was always prepared, and his own children were no longer subjected to suffering.
After taking the medicine, Mo Yi looked at Mu Jin, who was still lying on the bed, half asleep.
Helplessly sitting beside him, he poked Mu Jin’s dimples and said, “Brother Jin, no matter what, it’s time for the autumn hunt. You can’t plan to stay in this tent all the time.”
Mu Jin, indifferent to the other’s poking, waved away his hand and closed his eyes comfortably.
Yawning, he said in a drowsy voice, “I’ll go out later. You promised to catch a hedgehog for me to play with, and it’s been several days, don’t forget.”
“Yes, yes, I haven’t forgotten. I’ll go out now and find one for you.” After saying that, seeing that the person on the bed had started snoring softly, Mo Yi smiled, patted his nose lightly, covered him with a blanket, and left.
However, although Mu Jin seemed to be asleep on the surface, he was actually communicating with System 003 in his sea of consciousness.
“Xiao Jin, why do you want the target to catch a hedgehog for you? Isn’t a fluffy little rabbit cuter?”
After years of interaction with Mu Jin, 003 had long lost its fear of him.
After understanding, it found that although its host was not easy to get along with, he was extremely protective.
Once categorized as within Mu Jin’s range, one would be genuinely treated by him.
Over the years of coexistence, the plant and the system had become tacit partners.
Mu Jin didn’t treat 003 as a mere appendage.
Because he understood that even a tree or a rock could have gained sentience.
Although one was originally a fern, and the other was essentially a spirit born from a magical artifact.
But the sentience bred in the magical artifact could also be cultivated. If given the opportunity, Mu Jin was willing to help 003.
At Mu Jin’s request, 003 changed its address from “host” to “Xiao Jin.”
And Mu Jin, because of 003’s appearance as a little black cat, called it Xiao Hei, feeling it was more intimate.
Thinking that Mu Jin insisted on having a hedgehog after entering the hunting ground, 003 couldn’t help but be curious.
After all, there were those who wanted to show off their might by hunting fierce beasts, and those who wanted to catch cute animals like plum deer and little foxes.
But a hedgehog, which could prick your hands, was unheard of.
Knowing that his host always had unique ideas, 003 curiously asked.
Upon hearing the question, Mu Jin narrowed his eyes and turned his head, whispering, “Because hedgehogs are cute, and most importantly, they resemble Yi’er.”
Seeing 003’s confused look after he finished speaking, Mu Jin explained, “Hedgehogs look like they’re covered in thorns, not approachable, but that’s just their usual attitude towards ordinary people.”
“If you gain their trust and become someone they’re close to, they’ll expose their soft belly to you. Doesn’t that look like my Yi’er?”
Speaking of Mo Yi, Mu Jin’s entire demeanor softened.
003 nodded as if understanding, feeling that its host seemed to make sense.
But then it saw Mu Jin’s gaze fixated on the nearby wine jug.
Hastily dissuading him, it said, “Xiao Jin, you can’t drink anymore. You just took blood a couple of days ago, and the scar on your wrist hasn’t healed yet. Drinking too much alcohol is not conducive to the recovery of the wound.”
Seeing 003’s anxious look, Mu Jin sighed.
He then lifted the sleeve of his robe, revealing a deep wound on the underside of his wrist.
In order to suppress the blood Gu on Mo Yi’s body, Mu Jin had to take blood and refine pills twice a month.
His original form was that of a fern, and ferns have always had a reputation as a versatile antidote in folklore.
However, even if it is said so, no plant is truly miraculous enough to cure all poisons.
But Mu Jin is special; he already had profound cultivation and had devoured a thousand-year-old ancient lotus.
As the newly appointed Flower God, Mu Jin had long cultivated a body that was immune to all poisons, and his blood could serve as a sacred remedy.
Even without any illness, staying around Mu Jin regularly or just catching a bit of his aura could enhance one’s health.
Not to mention drinking his blood, which could easily suppress the Gu poison temporarily.
Unfortunately, if one wanted to completely remove the Gu poison, a lot of preparation was still needed.
Over the years, Mu Jin had been using his own blood to refine medicine for Mo Yi to take.
He knew that the Gu poison would inevitably harm the foundation of Mo Yi’s body.
For many years, Mu Jin had put a lot of effort into nurturing the child’s body.
Moreover, due to Ling Fei’s early death and Mo Yi leaving her side early on, many troubles were avoided.
Mo Yi’s body was much better than in the original timeline, and the Fifth Prince Mo Dun had not been affected by the Gu poison yet.
The things used for Gu cultivation by Ling Fei were secretly dealt with by Mu Jin.
After all, if this matter were to be exposed, it would likely be detrimental to Mo Yi.
Because no matter what, Ling Fei was still his birth mother.
Over the years, the Empress Dowager and Emperor Wen’s health also owed much to Mu Jin.
Mu Jin observed the Empress Dowager’s affection for Mo Yi and hoped that she could remain healthy.
As for Emperor Wen, Mu Jin felt that although he ruled as an emperor in a decent manner, he did not show much affection for Mo Yi.
Since ancient times, emperors have often been aloof in matters of emotions; perhaps he could be considered a good emperor, but definitely not a good husband and father.
However, considering his dedication to the people, Mu Jin decided to help both of them.
Mu Jin also handed over some formulas he created to the imperial medical academy.
After all, no one understood the characteristics of plants better than Mu Jin, and the potions he brewed were naturally the most suitable for the two.
However, despite his efforts, the Empress Dowager had reached the end of her lifespan.
Although Mu Jin didn’t say it, he estimated that the Empress Dowager might not last another month or two.
On the other hand, Emperor Wen seemed to be in slightly better condition than the Empress Dowager.
However, when Mu Jin arrived in this small world, the Gu poison on Emperor Wen was deep-rooted and could not be removed.
Although he was in his prime, Emperor Wen had already grayed hair and appeared aged.
Over the seven years, with the aging of the Fifth Prince Mo Dun, discussions about the heir to the throne had become a focus among courtiers.
Although many initially speculated that with the support of the imperial concubine’s maternal family, the Fifth Prince would undoubtedly be the ultimate winner.
However, in recent years, due to Mu Jin’s interventions, the Third Prince Mo Yi’s reputation for benevolence, filial piety, and humility had already spread.
For merit, in the past two years, the almsgiving events presided over by Mu Jin at Xuan Qing Temple had also involved Mo Yi, giving him a reputation as a generous and charitable prince.
Combined with the favorable view of the Court Astrologer, the momentum of the two princes became evenly matched.
So now, everyone is closely watching the attitude of Emperor Wen.
But Emperor Wen seems to be aware of this. His attitude towards the two princes is neither too close nor too distant, leaving people puzzled.
Touching the scar on his wrist, Mu Jin lowered his eyes and thought about the recent frequent visits of Anping Marquis Lu Ye, who is behind the Empress, and Prime Minister Luo Yuanju.
Now the main character, Marquis Lu Yushu, is still young and has not yet revealed anything.
As long as she doesn’t actively provoke his child, Mu Jin doesn’t want to casually intervene.
After all, his purpose in coming here is to protect Mo Yi and accumulate merit for him.
However, Marquis Lu Yuanju, this old man, has always harbored malicious intentions.
Clearly, he is now in the position of Prime Minister, yet he is still selfish and greedy.
In the original timeline, he even went so far as to eliminate dissidents, frame loyalists, and falsely accuse General Dai’s family of colluding with foreign enemies.
If he wants Mo Yi to firmly establish himself on the throne in the future, it seems that Marquis Lu Yuanju will have to be removed.
Killing a person is not difficult for Mu Jin. What’s difficult is how to win people’s hearts.
Two years ago, Mu Jin took the opportunity to get to know General Dai’s son, who is also the male protagonist of this world, Dai Haoxuan.
He found that the other party was upright, and if in a position of power, he would surely act justly and loyally.
After understanding this situation, Mu Jin saved himself a lot of trouble.
Because of Dai Haoxuan’s sincerity, Mu Jin really became friends with him.
Although Mu Jin could do many things for Mo Yi, over the years, he was clear that Mo Yi had his own pride and would not want to live under his wings forever.
So what Mu Jin could do was secretly keep an eye on everything around him and ensure a smooth path for him.