Report to the Empress and the Eldest Princess: They're using the system to poach your men.

At the end of Shenshi (17:00 PM), he returned to Weiyang Palace and had Shuyi deliver the pastries to Fengluan Palace and Xingde Hall respectively.

He carried the bag of auspicious cakes and two packets of loose candied fruit to find Cen Yan.

Cen Yan spent the entire day buried in books, almost to the point of neglecting to eat or sleep.

This reminded Shen Sangwan of the time when the two of them took the college entrance exam, when the other person not only had to study on their own, but also had to supervise her studies day and night.

Otherwise, given her carefree and idle lifestyle, she probably wouldn't even have been able to get into a vocational college.

Her little face seemed to have been born to save her.

"Falling Star?"

Shen Sangwan gently patted Cen Yan, who was leaning on the desk.

"Oh! Your Highness is back."

Springtime often brings drowsiness, but I never expected that even in the rainy weather of June, Cen Yan would feel sleepy while reading.

The main problem is that there are too many traditional Chinese characters, so she has to put in a lot of effort to guess them.

"I brought you some candied fruit and chestnut cake, please try them."

It is said that ancient handmade pastries have an exceptional taste, and today, we can finally enjoy them to our heart's content.

"Peel and remove the skin from the chestnuts, boil them until they are seven or eight parts cooked, mash them, add honey, glutinous rice flour, and spring water, stir well, pour into a mold, and steam until cooked..."

"Just enjoy your chestnut cake. This isn't your kitchen, so don't try to recite recipes to me, it's giving me a headache."

Chestnut cake is soft, chewy, and sweet, with a strong chestnut flavor, which is Cen Yan's favorite taste.

"That's strange. The steps should be similar, so why is this chestnut cake so much more fragrant and sticky, and much better than mine?"

Shen Sangwan chuckled, "They made their fortune from these pastries. If the taste was just average, where would their business come from?"

Cen Yan didn't argue and ate the whole bag of chestnut cakes.

"Your Highness, Eunuch Hai sent word that His Highness the Crown Prince had a falling out with Prince Ming and even beat him up. The Imperial Concubine is currently causing a scene at Xingde Palace."

Mo Yun's voice came from outside the hall.

"It's almost night, what kind of trouble is this? Every day is just a mess."

Shen Sangwan threw down the candied fruit in her hand, furious.

"Getting angry hurts your liver. Don't get angry, don't get angry, it's not worth it. You should go see a doctor."

The muffled thunder grew louder and louder, as if it wanted to break free from the shackles of the thick clouds and tear them apart. Then, a deafening clap of thunder suddenly boomed, making people's hearts tighten.

Tonight feels like a sleepless night.

She's going to go crazy sooner or later, it's a complete mess.

"Your Majesty, you must severely punish the Crown Prince this time, to seek justice for me and for Jing'er!"

Upon receiving the news, the Empress rushed over without even having dinner. As soon as she stepped into the palace, she heard Consort Lan's wailing.

"What has the Crown Prince done? Why does the Imperial Concubine demand that His Majesty punish him severely?"

Beyond the screen, the Crown Prince knelt on the ground, while Consort Lan slumped beside the dragon bed, weeping uncontrollably, her former dignity completely gone.

"Your Majesty, Jing'er only wanted to serve his father, the Emperor, at Xingde Palace more often, but the Crown Prince beat him unconscious without explanation. He's still in a coma. It's one thing for the Crown Prince to be disrespectful to his elder brother, but why did he have to resort to violence? This is clearly an attempt to kill Jing'er!"

"The Crown Prince has always been gentle and polite, and he is not one to act rashly."

“It was I who hit him. My fourth brother was outspoken and insulted the Empress Dowager. He also provoked me repeatedly. I could no longer tolerate it and that’s why I took action.”

"You are slandering my son, Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Jing'er has always been respectful and polite. How could he speak so rudely? Your Highness the Crown Prince is a man of impeccable character. Why are you throwing mud at my son?"

Shen Changxu felt a tightness in his chest from being disturbed by Consort Lan.

He struggled to his feet, intending to speak.

Shen Sangwan entered first, her voice extremely cold, "I thought it was something serious. I thought Prince Ming had already died, which is why the Consort rushed to Father Emperor to mourn."

"Your Highness, you...!"

"Hmm—? Did I misspoke?"

Even the Empress did not sit down, but Shen Sangwan found a chair and sat down gracefully.

He leaned back slightly, looking down at Consort Lan as she stepped onto the stairs.

"I just went to the side hall to check on Prince Ming. He only has some superficial injuries. As for fainting, it's just that he accidentally bumped into a pillar while the two of them were fighting and passed out."

"Prince Ming is seventeen this year, how come he can't even beat a twelve-year-old boy? How dare Consort Lan come to His Majesty to wail and cry?"

Shen Sangwan felt that the chair was not as comfortable as the soft couch; no matter how she lay down, it was uncomfortable, so she changed positions several times.

"Oh—, I almost forgot, did the Imperial Concubine think that by throwing those two palace maids into the well, no one would know about the Ming King's outrageous and treasonous words? Do you want me to repeat them to you?"

As for how Shen Sangwan found out, it was naturally thanks to Xiaotong. Even the evidence that the old nanny next to Consort Lan had someone drown her in the well was found by Xiaotong.

“The eldest princess and the crown prince are siblings born of the same mother, so naturally the eldest princess will speak in favor of the crown prince. Your Majesty, you cannot allow the crown prince to beat his elder brother so wantonly.”

Upon hearing that a palace servant had been thrown into the well, a flicker of panic flashed in Consort Lan's eyes, but it vanished in an instant. She then adopted a pitiful expression, clutching Shen Changxu's dragon robe and pleading desperately.

Consort Lan had been in the palace for many years and had given birth to a son and a daughter, yet she still had rosy lips and pearly teeth, and a face as beautiful as a lotus flower, completely unlike a woman in her thirties who had already given birth to a prince.

Now, with tears streaming down her face, her heartbroken appearance truly evokes pity and tenderness.

"Does the Imperial Concubine want Prince Ming to fight back, or does she want His Majesty to issue an edict to depose the Crown Prince and establish a new emperor, hmm—?"

"Your Highness, please be careful with your words."

"Awan!"

Consort Lan and Shen Changxu spoke in unison, the former in alarm and the latter rebuking.

"Since the Imperial Concubine wants to severely punish the Crown Prince, isn't deposing him enough? Does the Imperial Concubine also want the Crown Prince to pay with his life?"

His eyes, which seemed to be smiling but weren't, glanced at her, filled with undisguised mockery and sarcasm.

"Your Majesty, that's not what I meant. I just—"

"Shut up! The Crown Prince has disrespected his elder brother and disregarded etiquette. He is to be punished by copying the Analects ten times. Reflect on your actions. You may eat when you finish copying it."

"Your son thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Shen Yuchen bowed his head and kowtowed to express his gratitude, his voice neither humble nor arrogant.

"His Majesty…?"

Consort Lan was resentful. She made a huge scene, but the Crown Prince was only punished by copying books.

Shouldn't such a disgraceful act result in being barred from politics?

"Your Highness has been working hard these days. You should return to Chunhua Palace early and get some rest."

"The Empress should also return; the Eldest Princess, please stay."

Shen Sangwan had no intention of leaving. After seeing everyone off, she changed her previous arrogant demeanor and knelt down.

"Please calm down, Father."

"Ah Wan, you're getting more and more outrageous."

"I don't dare."

"You went to the Left Prime Minister's residence today and got the result you wanted, yet you can't control your temper and calm your mind?"

Shen Sangwan remained in an upward-looking posture, her expression frozen, and after a long silence, she gave a light, mocking laugh.

"Your Majesty is right. Even though Your Majesty is bedridden, you are still sharp of hearing and sight and have such good information. Your son admires you."

"Ah Wan, even if you hadn't come today, I could have ensured the Crown Prince's safety. Why did you have to invite trouble and provoke Consort Lan? If I leave, I'm afraid..."

"Your Majesty, I have my own considerations. You need not worry."

Shen Changxu leaned against the back of the couch with his eyes slightly closed, sometimes frowning and sometimes breathing heavily, with fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.

"Is Xiaotong really beyond saving?"

[My lord, the emperor should have died on the day of the palace coup. You used the Life-Saving Pill to keep him alive; that's already stolen time.]

"I just wanted the emperor to pave the way for me, so it would be easier for me to walk!"

Judging from the emperor's condition, he'll probably only last a couple of days.

With a long sigh, a faint sadness flickered between Shen Changxu's brows.

"Go back. The imperial decree will be issued to the Prime Minister's residence tomorrow."

"My son, I would like to thank my father for your success."

As she bowed in gratitude, a barely perceptible smile appeared on her lips, like a ripple on her face that quickly spread across her cheeks.

The two sparks that gathered in his eyes vanished in an instant into the depths of his gaze.

As they exited Xingde Hall, a sliver of light flashed across the sky. Shen Sangwan looked up, as if trying to blend into the dim sky.

I don't know when I'll see the light of day again!

The next day at 9:15 AM, an incense table was set up at the Left Prime Minister's residence. Wen Yuening knelt at the head, followed by Wen Yunhe and Madam Liang, who, along with the other members of the Prime Minister's residence, knelt and kowtowed.

The emperor's close attendant, Eunuch Hai, came in person and slowly opened the bright yellow imperial edict.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The eldest daughter of the Left Prime Minister, Lady Wen, is virtuous and obedient, possessing both talent and virtue, and of a refined and gentle nature. Therefore, you are hereby appointed as the Crown Princess. The relevant officials are instructed to select an auspicious day for the wedding. Respectfully yours!"

"Your Majesty, I accept the decree. Long live the Emperor!"

Everyone remained calm; this imperial edict was exactly what they had expected.

Hai Quan offered his congratulations softly, "Congratulations to the Crown Princess, and congratulations to the Prime Minister."

Wen Yuening had Qingluan hand Haiquan a purse, which was heavy and filled with gold leaves.

"Thank you for coming in person, Eunuch Hai. This is just a small gift, and I hope you will not refuse it."

Hai Quan smiled slightly, took the purse, and put it into his sleeve. "You're too kind, Your Highness. This is our duty."

"I must return to the palace to report, so I will not linger any longer. Your Highness, please wait."

Wen Yuening didn't try to get close to him, and Hai Quan didn't try to curry favor with her either; they understood each other implicitly.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has already issued a decree betrothing Miss Wen to the Crown Prince, but the wedding date has only been set by the Imperial Observatory. I'm afraid..."

There will be no wedding date, only a coronation ceremony.

Shen Sangwan was reading history books with Cen Yan, feeling rather bored. When she heard Mo Yun's report, she nodded in agreement and told him to leave.

"I thought you were going to get into trouble yesterday, but it turns out you were secretly up to something big. Shen Sangwan, you're quite adept at forming cliques!"

There was still a lot of candied fruit left from yesterday, but Shen Sangwan didn't like it; it was too sweet.

Cen Yan was quite pleased, occasionally putting a piece in her mouth and chewing it carefully.

"Cen Yan, the emperor will only live for two more days. Once he passes away, you will have to return to the Right Prime Minister's residence. Are you afraid?"

Cen Yan chuckled, her cool and aloof expression relaxing. "Sang Wan, I've studied everything about this dynasty over the past few days, and combined with the information you gave me about the major families, I have a better understanding of things now. I no longer feel the fear and helplessness I had when I first arrived."

"But I'm scared."

He paused, his hand holding the candied fruit, his eyes flickered, and he gazed intently over there.

“I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid of being left here alone.”

"Don't worry, I will definitely stay put and won't abandon you."

Cen Yan put down the candied fruit in her hand, stood up, and pulled the person into her arms.

Shuyi happened to come in and saw the two embracing each other, and for a moment she didn't know how to react.

"Ahem, Your Highness, Sister Shuchun has sent word that Her Majesty requests your presence at Fengluan Palace."

Despite it being a close friendship between best friends, Shen Sangwan felt something was off when Shuyi caught them in the act, as if she had been caught cheating by the very people in the act.

It's raining today too, but not as heavily as yesterday. It's just a light drizzle, and it looks foggy outside.

"Why has Your Majesty summoned me?"

After several days of rain, the Empress's old ailment flared up, and she had a terrible headache.

When Shen Sangwan arrived, she was sitting on the chaise longue, with Granny Gu massaging her beside her.

“Yesterday I heard from Moyun that you couldn’t buy the buttered abalone and snails, so I sent someone out of the palace early this morning to buy them for you. Come and have a taste, Ah Wan.”

She thought the Empress was criticizing her for her recklessness yesterday, but unexpectedly, the other woman was thinking about the pastries she hadn't been able to eat.

"Mother..."

"You were scolded by your father last night, weren't you? Have some dessert, it will make you feel better."

Looking at the golden, snail-shaped pastries in the jade dish in front of him, he wondered why she had blurted out such a name yesterday.

If Cen Yan were to see these pastries, they would certainly not be surprising, since she has time to research and replicate these foods from the past.

But Shen Sangwan is not a person who is very interested in pastries. She has never seen this before. Could it be that the former princess loves this stuff?

Pick up a "lump"...

If it weren't for the exquisite shape and color of the craftsman, Shen Sangwan would have thought it looked like a lump of "poop".

She took a small bite; the taste was acceptable, something Shen Sangwan could tolerate. However, she didn't dare eat more, finding it too cloying.

"Was it Awan who stirred up trouble regarding the Crown Princess's affair?"

"The Wen family is just waiting for an opportunity. The Left Prime Minister agreed to my conditions, so I naturally agreed as well. Besides, which aristocratic family would give up the wealth that is right in front of them? And it's not like the Wen family has any noble daughters in Zhongdu."

"The second legitimate daughter of the Right Prime Minister's family, the eldest daughter of General Liang, and the youngest daughter of Academician Zhang of the Hanlin Academy, Miss Wen is favored by the Emperor, but as long as the imperial decree is not issued, she will not be the Crown Princess, and the Left Prime Minister will not feel at ease. People are most afraid of losing what they have already obtained."

"Ah Wan, the court in Zhongdu is a murky place, you must be extremely careful."

"If I hadn't gone yesterday, what would Mother have planned?"

The Empress raised her eyes slightly in response, coughed lightly, and stopped Granny Gu from massaging her.

"Of the four dukes His Majesty conferred upon the founding of the dynasty, Duke Wen plotted a rebellion, Duke Song was far away on the frontier, and Duke Yuan was ignorant of worldly affairs. Only this Duke Anguo had neither the courage of Duke Wen to rebel, nor was he content with his current position."

"You've been constantly instigating Consort Lan to stir up trouble in your father's ear. Your father already has a rift in his heart. Even if Chen'er is not up to the task, the position of Crown Prince will not fall to Prince Ming. Besides, Chen'er is a man who can shoulder great responsibilities."

"This is also the reason why your father reprimanded you. As long as Chen'er does not do anything detrimental to the country, he can sit securely in the position of Crown Prince. Therefore, you did not need to put yourself in the fire yesterday for Chen'er's sake."

Shen Sangwan chuckled and teased, "But I heard that after Mother learned the news, she rushed to Xingde Palace without even having dinner."

The Empress paused, feeling slightly uncomfortable at being teased by her daughter for the first time. She composed herself and said, "The reason Mother rushed there in such a hurry was because she was afraid that Consort Lan would hurt Chen'er."

Shen Sangwan didn't expose the truth and let the matter drop with a smile.

The two then analyzed the situation in the court and planned their next steps.