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

At first, Shen Sangwan didn't think much of it, but when she heard the name of Physician Qin, she became suspicious but didn't say anything, letting Shen Yuchen continue.

“Since burning the herbs that Physician Qin found and inhaling them every day, I have indeed felt better. I no longer get angry so often and I am much calmer.”

A faint herbal scent lingered in the hall; it wasn't unpleasant and even had a refreshing aroma.

Shen Sangwan couldn't help but take a few more breaths.

"Master, this smell isn't right."

Xiao Tong realized something was wrong, but unable to speak, she could only alert Shen Sangwan through the system screen.

Fortunately, Shen Sangwan also noticed something was wrong and thought about asking Xiaotong about the situation.

After seeing those words, Xiaotong's silencing was lifted.

"Can you see anything wrong with this smell?"

Other effects are currently unknown, but one thing is certain: excessive use can lead to dependence, and stopping the inhalation might make the young emperor even more irritable.

Is someone trying to turn my adopted brother into a tyrant?

Was he a spy from the Northern Witch or a traitor from the Eastern Rui?

[My lord, I suspect it is the Ming King.]

"Why are you suddenly suspecting King Ming out of the blue?"

[Doesn't this smell seem very similar to the scent I smelled yesterday in a courtyard in the southeast corner of the Prince's Mansion?]

After Xiaotong's reminder, Shen Sangwan took several deep breaths and realized that it was somewhat familiar.

She was in a hurry to find Shuyan yesterday and didn't pay much attention, but now that she thinks about it, it's hard not to suspect the connection between the two.

"Has Ah Chen sent another imperial physician to examine those herbs?"

Shen Yuchen nodded. "Both Physician Li and Physician He have examined me and both said there is nothing wrong."

This puzzled Shen Sangwan. If Imperial Physician Qin had disloyal intentions and wanted to harm the young emperor, how could he possibly bribe all the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital?

After much deliberation, Shen Sangwan found a type of pill in the system. The description said it had the effect of calming the mind and nourishing the spirit. She took the opportunity to grab a bottle.

Fortunately, the items from the system all seemed to be ordinary porcelain bottles, so she didn't need to find other containers to change the packaging.

"Do not use that herb for now. If you feel unwell, take this pill. If you still feel unwell after taking it, send someone to let me know."

"Does Sister think the herbs are unsuitable?"

Even if Shen Sangwan had doubts about what he said, Shen Yuchen would not refute them, but would choose to trust her unconditionally.

"I don't know what adverse effects it might have yet, but I live in Qinzhou all year round, which is close to the Northern Witches. I'm somewhat familiar with the smell of this herb. It's best to avoid anything that has anything to do with the Northern Witches."

"I'll do as my elder sister says. I'll have someone inform Physician Qin right away."

"Wait a minute, it's not wise to alert them yet. Just ask Physician Qin for the herbs as usual, but don't burn or fumigate them anymore."

Shen Yuchen sensed something amiss and immediately realized, "Imperial Physician Qin entered the palace a long time ago and has always been the one to examine the Empress Dowager. Whenever she has a headache or fever, he's the one called upon. If someone wanted to harm me, it wouldn't be him..."

As she spoke, she recalled that the Empress Dowager had been suffering from headaches in recent years that had not improved, her elder sister had been inexplicably infected with a Gu poison, and her own temperament had become increasingly strange. Many problems were connected, and it seemed that this person was involved in all of them.

"Sister, Physician Qin, he..."

"The snake is still unaware of its presence, so we have a chance to kill it. Therefore, we must not disturb it. I will send someone to monitor it later, and you should also keep a close eye on it yourself."

"Yes, I will keep your words in mind, elder sister."

"Xiao Tong, is the young emperor's health alright?"

[I just checked, and there were no abnormalities. I'm wondering if there's a problem with the system.]

"Do I have any questions?"

[The system indicates that the master is in good health, and all values ​​are normal.]

Hearing Xiaotong's words, Shen Sangwan was certain that the system was probably malfunctioning. She was clearly deeply poisoned by the Gu, so it was a big problem that the system said her body was fine.

"I still have things to take care of at Yuan'an's place, so I'll head back to Weiyang Palace now. Achen, please continue with your business."

"Sister, last night you..."

Shen Sangwan got up and was about to leave when she was stopped by Shen Yuchen's hesitant words.

"What happened last night?"

"The guards saw the Empress go to your palace, and she only came out of the side hall of Weiyang Palace this morning. It seems that my elder sister also stayed in the side hall last night..."

"Seriously, is this polite? Does anyone ask such a blunt question?"

Are you deliberately flaunting the green hat you're wearing?

"What kind of bodyguards do you have? Get out of here right now! Do you think I have any privacy?"

"My sister has been attacked multiple times, I... I'm just worried about her safety..."

Shen Yuchen weakly argued back, not daring to look up at Shen Sangwan.

"So, what kind of answer does Ah Chen hope to hear when he asks this question today?"

Shen Sangwan suddenly felt that she had let her younger brother down. She had been blatantly and excessively poaching his girlfriend.

She was the one who arranged this empress for him in the first place, and now she's taken her away. No matter how you look at it, it's her fault.

“If my elder sister likes the Empress, I… I can issue an edict to depose the Empress right now, release her from the palace, and grant her the freedom to marry.”

Shen Sangwan moved closer to Shen Yuchen, somewhat unsure, as if she were hallucinating.

Is this some kind of eagerness to send her a wife?

Shouldn't a normal person be questioning this?

And judging from this situation, the other party seems quite ashamed.

It seems they didn't release the person from the palace sooner.

The way he looked at her was as if he would immediately pack up and send it to her if she liked it.

The other person's voice was very soft, so to confirm, Shen Sangwan asked, "What did you just say?"

“If you and the Empress are truly in love, I would be happy to issue an edict to depose the Empress. Or you can tell me whatever you want.”

Moreover, the Empress and I have slept in separate beds since our marriage. I... I haven't done anything to her. I... and she... have treated each other with utmost respect, yes, with utmost respect, without ever taking advantage of each other in the slightest.

Listening to Shen Yuchen constantly making excuses for himself, Shen Sangwan found the helpless little emperor quite amusing.

"Ah Chen, are you willing to do that?"

"The Empress was found for A-Chen by my elder sister. A-Chen has no feelings for the Empress whatsoever. On the contrary, the Empress has had nightmares twice, constantly calling out my elder sister's name, which made me keep a close eye on her..."

"Good heavens, so it was the Empress who revealed it herself! I knew it! This little emperor is such a simpleton; how could he possibly keep track of the Empress's movements in the palace? At most, he'd send someone to follow her when she leaves."

"Me and the Empress—"

"If my elder sister is with the Empress, will she stop caring about Ah Chen in the future?"

Shen Sangwan opened her mouth to explain, but Shen Yuchen didn't give her a chance and asked pitifully with her head down.

It was less of a question and more of a monologue.