The Emperor's morning meal had already been arranged, with twelve dishes and a soup laid out. Additionally, there were stir-fried potato shreds, beef-roasted potato cubes, potato pancakes, steamed potatoes, and a few other potato-based dishes.
The Emperor gestured for the Crown Prince to take a seat, and then he surveyed the dishes. He ordered a bowl of beef soup and a tripod lake for Daoist Shang Zhen, much to the Crown Prince's chagrin.
It was evident that his father had immense trust in Daoist Shang Zhen.
Had it not been for the old Daoist priest's previous mishap during pill refinement, which had nearly cost the Emperor his life and resulted in a furious decree of death, the Emperor might have placed even more trust and favor in Daoist Shang Zhen now.
It was this prior incident that had kept Daoist Shang Zhen in check, preventing him from becoming overly audacious. This had ultimately improved his circumstances.