Zhao Ci grew excited after discovering a business opportunity.
But he quickly calmed down. Producing high-concentration alcohol wasn't difficult for him.
Low-concentration liquor was readily available on the market. While the cost wasn't trivial, it was almost negligible compared to Qi Cultivation Pills.
Designing a Condenser was no problem at all for a research junkie like him.
If he could get his hands on some high-purity quicklime, he was confident he could purify the alcohol to over 99%.
Setting other medicinal pills aside, he could at least ramp up the production of Qi Cultivation Pills.
Although it was the most basic of pills, the world was full of low-level Cultivators. For the common folk, the measure of success was whether their children could break through to the Physical Body Realm and open a Physical Body Divine Treasure.
This was, therefore, a massive market.
But!
Zhao Ci knew that even if high-concentration alcohol proved to be a success, he would still face many other problems.
Alchemy involved more than just the "quenching medicine with fire" step. To refine Qi Cultivation Pills, one needed an Alchemist.
But he had no access to Alchemists.
As a Prince who had already established his own residence, he could requisition them from the Imperial Family, but it would cost him some of his merit points.
The problem was, while borrowing one or two would be fine, it would take more than just a couple to support a massive production volume.
He only had to think about how much effort it took Gu Xiangzhu to consolidate all the independent Alchemy Clans to know that.
'What if... I borrow from Gu Xiangzhu?'
The thought of that breathtakingly beautiful "fake" mother-consort made Zhao Ci's heart stir with temptation.
But he knew full well that Gu Xiangzhu's only concern was the Demon Sect's business interests. Borrowing from her would be like negotiating with a tiger for its hide.
The most likely outcome was that both his alcohol and he himself would be sucked dry, without a single drop left.
'Then what about borrowing from that Old Deng, Zhao Huan?'
That was a slightly more reliable option, but frankly, Zhao Ci was also repulsed by this Old Deng who was eyeing his organs.
If possible, he wanted to keep this technology completely under his own control.
But that was a bit of a stretch.
'Forget it! I won't think about this for now.'
Zhao Ci shook his head, then bent over his desk and began drawing up the plans. Tomorrow, he would find a blacksmith from the Xiang Family to forge the Condenser.
Gu Xiangzhu, his "fake" mother-consort, was unreliable, but the Xiang Family was his true maternal kin and could be trusted.
He worked late into the night.
Once he finished the blueprints, Zhao Ci collapsed into a deep sleep.
He had planned to sleep in until the sun was high, but unexpectedly, just as dawn was breaking, he heard urgent knocking on his door.
"Your Highness, Your Highness! You have a distinguished visitor!"
"Who is it this early in the morning?"
Zhao Ci was so groggy his head ached, completely overcome by the foul mood of being woken up. "As long as it's not my Father Emperor or Mother Consort, tell them to get lost!"
He was completely focused on building his enterprise right now and wanted to avoid all pointless social calls.
Especially since he had been a bit high-profile lately, many people were sure to come calling. Having to entertain just one person like Zhao Yong would be enough to ruin his mood for a good while.
Cuiyun looked troubled but nodded anyway. "Yes! I'll go tell them right away!"
"Mmm..."
Zhao Ci grunted in response, burrowed back under his covers, and was just about to fall back asleep.
But as he drifted off, he felt that something was wrong.
It was getting noisy outside. It sounded like someone was cursing up a storm.
Cuiyun sounded like she was on the verge of tears. "Grand Scholar, you can't go in!"
"???"
Zhao Ci jolted awake from his sleep.
'What Grand Scholar? Where did he come from?'
'In broad daylight, he's forcing himself on my maid?'
'And he's cursing while he's at it? What kind of habit is that?'
'How audacious!'
He hastily threw on some clothes and furiously pushed the door open.
And then.
He saw Kan Tianji.
And Cuiyun, who was unsuccessfully trying to block his entrance.
Zhao Ci: "..."
'I'm still half-asleep.'
'I completely misunderstood.'
'So *that's* what she meant by "can't go in." I've been reading too much smut. I'm a degenerate!'
He felt awkward under Kan Tianji's stare. 'I screwed this old man over yesterday and never gave him an explanation,' he thought. 'Looks like he's here for revenge.'
He quickly put on a placating smile and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Grand Scholar!"
But Kan Tianji replied sarcastically, "Your Highness went to such great lengths to trick your way into this marriage. Are you now unwilling to even call me Grandfather?"
Zhao Ci: "..."
He glanced behind Kan Tianji and saw two young women.
One was tall and slender, with a gentle, captivating beauty. Her clear eyes held a trace of worry.
The other was quite cute, looking like a porcelain doll, but her expression was fierce.
One old man and two young women.
They all had dark circles under their eyes. It was clear they hadn't slept well.
[Current Wish of Kan Tianji]: For Zhao Ci to have some self-awareness. Reward for completion: Insight +10, Self-reflection Talisman x1.
[Current Wish of Kan Luotang]: For Zhao Ci to not restrict me and to not drag down the Kan Mansion. Reward for completion: Insight +10, Limitation Removal Talisman x1.
[Current Wish of Zhu Li]: I hope Zhao Ci is a good person. Reward for completion: Insight +10, Goodness Talisman x1.
'They all came here angry, huh?'
Zhao Ci forced a smile. "This junior, Zhao Ci, pays his respects to Grandfather-in-law! But Grandfather, this marriage was bestowed by my Father Emperor. How can there be any talk of tricking you into it?"
To be honest, this marriage was a complete accident and a massive headache for him. Even though he hadn't interacted much with Kan Luotang, he had often heard her name.
She could recognize a thousand characters at age three, compose poetry at five, and achieved proficiency in medicine by ten, traveling among the common folk to provide free medical care. Throughout the eleven commanderies under Lingge's jurisdiction, the people all called her Fairy Luotang.
No small number of the city's most talented young men admired her.
'But the problem is, we don't know each other! I have very few memories related to her. There's just no emotional connection!'
Zhao Ci was also resistant to this kind of arranged marriage; it made him feel like some villain forcing himself on an innocent maiden.
He just couldn't find a reason to ask Zhao Huan to call it off. After all, in his current situation, forcibly breaking off another engagement would seriously affect his plans.
"Still won't admit it!"
Zhu Li huffed angrily, "Yesterday, you were calling her 'my wife' so sweetly, and you still say you didn't trick us? You also said you were coming to the Kan Mansion last night, but we waited all night and you never showed up! You must have felt guilty."
She was furious. They had waited for Zhao Ci at the Kan Mansion all night.
And they got stood up.
"Huh?"
Zhao Ci was taken aback. "Wait, I only said that to mess with Zhao Yong. How did you guys know about it?"
Zhu Li clearly didn't believe him. "You..."
Kan Luotang suddenly spoke up, "Tenth Prince, may I have a word with you in private?"
Zhu Li was stunned. "Luotang, you..."
Kan Luotang smiled. "It's fine. I'll handle this. Grandfather, please take Zhu Li to rest for a bit. I'll have a good talk with the Tenth Prince."
Kan Tianji had great trust in his granddaughter, so he nodded and gestured for Zhu Li to go sit in the main hall.
Zhao Ci signaled for Cuiyun to entertain them well, then made a gesture of invitation toward Kan Luotang, leading her to his study to sit down.
Only after opening all the doors and windows did he sit down across from Kan Luotang, pouring a cup of tea and pushing it toward her.
"Miss Luotang, please feel free to speak your mind."
A peculiar look flashed in Kan Luotang's eyes as she looked at him. She had been wary at first, but after seeing his actions, she relaxed considerably.
She pursed her lips, pondering for a moment before speaking softly, "Since Your Highness is so frank, I will ask my question directly. It may be a bit forward, so please don't take offense. This marriage bestowed by His Majesty... was it something Your Highness personally requested?"
'She really is direct.'
Zhao Ci liked dealing with direct people, so he answered plainly, "I never requested this marriage from my Father Emperor. To be honest, I only had an inkling about it when Zhao Yong came to my door."
"The whole 'my wife' and 'visiting the Kan Mansion tonight' things were also made up on the spot just to annoy Zhao Yong. I just didn't expect that you, Miss Luotang, were also there and took it to heart. I'm sorry to have made you wait all night in vain. I offer my sincerest apologies."
His words were completely open and sincere, and his tone and expression were utterly honest.
It didn't feel like a discussion about marriage, but more like a discussion of official business.
Kan Luotang felt he wasn't lying, because she didn't see the adoration and possessiveness in his eyes that she saw in other men.
She shook her head gently. "Since I was the one who misunderstood, it is not Your Highness's fault. It's just..."
Zhao Ci asked, "Did you come here this time to break off the engagement?"
Kan Luotang sighed softly. "The marriage was bestowed by His Majesty. Breaking it off is easier said than done. Besides... I do not dislike you personally, Your Highness."
"Huh?"
Zhao Ci was stunned for a moment.
He subconsciously covered his chest.
'They say the best hunters always appear as the prey.'
'Could it be... that I'm the one being hunted?'