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

After coaxing her for a while, Shuyan returned to her desk and continued doing her own thing.

Shen Sangwan summoned Shuyi and asked her to send someone to Crescent Moon Restaurant in the west of the city to buy two servings of buttered abalone and snails, as well as Pear Blossom Spring from Changchun Restaurant.

I was thinking of having Shuyan make one, but then I thought it wouldn't be right to give something she made to someone else. So I decided it would be better to have a palace maid go out and buy one.

"Little Yan Yan, I'm so sleepy, can I borrow your bed for a nap?"

"okay."

After giving Shuyi her instructions, Shen Sangwan felt a little sleepy. The pavilion was quite cool, so she took off her coat, lay down on Shuyan's bed, and took a peaceful nap.

A gentle breeze blew past the window, and the osmanthus trees in the yard had already blossomed, their fragrance wafting through the air.

Shuyan's eyes were getting tired, so she would occasionally look up at the window and gaze at the lush and tall osmanthus tree. A sense of confusion arose in her heart.

Ancient imperial palaces were quite averse to planting such dense trees, lest assassins hide among them.

But why are there tall, lush trees everywhere in Weiyang Palace? Could it be that the former princess was not afraid of assassination?

Just as the sun was blazing outside, Shen Sangwan's nightmare screams echoed from inside the room.

Shuyan put down her needlework, feeling anxious and uneasy, and quickly ran towards the bed.

On the bed, Shen Sangwan was wildly waving her arms and legs.

He kept shouting, "Mother, don't turn back, run away!"

Shuyan paused, feeling as if something was pulling at her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.

"Sang Wan! Shen Sang Wan—?"

He patted Shen Sangwan's cheek hard, and she frowned, her forehead already covered with fine beads of sweat.

Shuyan grabbed Shen Sangwan's hand and pressed the Hegu acupoint (approximately above the web of the thumb).

Perhaps due to the intense pain, Shen Sangwan suddenly opened her eyes, sat up, and gasped for breath, her eyes filled with lingering fear.

Upon closer inspection, she recognized the person in front of her as Shuyan and snuggled into her arms.

"Little Yan Yan, I had a nightmare."

Yes! Anyone would know you're having a nightmare.

Seeing that Shen Sangwan was emotionally unstable, Shuyan hugged her tightly and gently patted her back.

The horrifying scenes in her dream played out in Shen Sangwan's mind like a movie.

"It's okay, it's all a dream, don't take it seriously, don't be afraid."

Shu Yan looked down and saw that Shen Sangwan's eyes were tightly closed, her thoughts still seemingly lingering in the unsettled dream, and comforted her again and again.

"Little Yan Yan, I feel like it wasn't a dream, I... it felt like I was actually there."

Yellow sand scatters, the wind howls, mountains and rivers are shattered, blood flows like rivers.

Banners fluttered, smoke filled the air, and charred corpses littered the ground.

The once prosperous city is now nothing but ruins, its gates broken, and the sounds of people's wails and children's cries fill the air.

Shen Sangwan didn't know why she had such a dream; it was so real that it startled her.

“Sang Wan, you keep repeating one sentence in your nightmare—Mother, don’t look back, run away quickly.”

Shen Sangwan got up from Shuyan's arms, and the two looked at each other, as if they had just woken up from a dream and realized something.

"Sangwan"

"Little Yan Yan"

"You speak first"

"You speak first"

The two spoke at the same time, then stopped speaking at the same time, each wanting the other to speak first.

"I suspect you have a deep connection with the Princess."

"But this is just a fictional dynasty. The eldest princess is a completely non-existent figure. She will not appear in history. I really don't know what connection I could have with her."

"unless--"

"I am her!"

"You are her!"

The two spoke in unison again, but upon reaching this conclusion, they both found it unbelievable.

"But you and I were born in the 21st century, received higher education, and witnessed the prosperity of the new China. How could that be possible?"

"The problem lies with your system."

Shen Sangwan suddenly remembered her conversation with Xiaotong. Whenever Xiaotong mentioned her suspicions, a crackling sound of electricity would appear, making it impossible for Shen Sangwan to hear what she was saying.

Whether she knows her own identity or not doesn't seem to have much of an impact, since she won't abandon her mission in order to survive.

Unless, the main system is hiding something else, once she finds out, the consequences could be 90% devastating.

"The main system is very cunning. Whenever Xiaotong's conversations touch on confidential matters, it blocks what Xiaotong says and constantly monitors my every move. I have no choice..."

“Sang Wan, I believe that we can solve the mystery on our own.”

Shuyan gave Shen Sangwan a determined look.

"it is good."

The cicadas on the branches outside were chirping even louder, but thankfully it was cool inside, so it didn't bother me.

"How long have I slept?"

"I estimate it's been about two hours. I don't have a watch, so I can only guess by the shadows of the trees on the ground outside."

Shen Sangwan shook her head, got up and summoned Shuyi, who was waiting outside, to bring water so she could wipe off the sweat from her body.

[My lord, a new task: I would like to trouble you to have dinner with the Empress Dowager at Chonghua Palace to further strengthen the bond between mother and daughter.]

〖 ？ ？ 〗

[Isn't her relationship with the Empress Dowager already very close? Does it need to be expanded?]

Besides, the Empress Dowager didn't send anyone to invite me over. Wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate for me to go and freeload a meal?

"Yes, Master is right. If we behave well and don't freeload, then Master can just wait to be punished; it's not a big deal."

"I'll endure it!"

Shen Sangwan clenched her fists and angrily threw the soft handkerchief in her hand into the basin.

"What did this thing do to you again?"

Shuyan, standing to the side, looked at Shen Sangwan, who was filled with anger, and her eyes were filled with doubt.

"Sooner or later, I will take revenge on all the suffering I have endured. They have gone too far."

These words were basically uttered through clenched teeth.

Shuyan shook her head helplessly and didn't press the matter further, knowing that the other party was once again at odds with that system.

It was still early for dinner, but Shen Sangwan greeted Shuyan and went to Chonghua Palace with Shuyi first.

The main reason was that she didn't know when the Empress Dowager would eat, and it wouldn't be good if she missed it. So she decided to go to the Empress Dowager's place first, chat with her, and then naturally stay for a free meal.

When they arrived at Chonghua Palace, the Empress was also there.

Shen Sangwan strongly suspected that the system issued the task to let Wen Yuening come and freeload a meal because Wen Yuening was there.

"Your son greets your mother."

"Yuening greets Your Majesty."

Shen Sangwan greeted the Empress Dowager, and Wen Yuening rose to greet Shen Sangwan in return.

"Ah Wan has come uninvited today. As the saying goes, no one visits a temple without a reason. Could it be that you have something to ask of me?"

The Empress Dowager looked at Shen Sangwan with amusement, her smile never fading since the other woman entered.

"Mother always teases me. Is she reminding me that I don't visit you often? Now she's even being indirect with me."

"These are all people in their twenties, and they're getting more and more regressive. The Empress is still here, and they don't even know how to be more composed."

Although the Empress Dowager scolded her verbally, she did not actually reprimand Shen Sangwan.

"Yes, yes, yes, Mother is right. In front of the Empress, I will always maintain the airs of an elder."

Shen Sangwan sat down next to the Empress Dowager quite naturally, appearing docile.

Wen Yuening's gaze never left Shen Sangwan.

It turns out that in private, she is also a girl who knows how to act coquettishly.

Her eyebrows were delicately arched, and when she smiled, she was truly beautiful.

Is there something dirty on my face?

Why is the empress staring at her like that?

Perhaps it was the intense gaze that made Shen Sangwan realize what was happening. She touched her face, puzzled.

Wen Yuening noticed the other person's actions and realized that she had been too impolite, so she quickly looked away.

"Mother, I still need to go to Master Sui'an to listen to his teachings, so I won't disturb you and my elder sister's private conversation."

"Well, I'm fine. You can go about your business."

"Chen and concubine retire."

After the others left, the Empress Dowager held Shen Sangwan's hands, which were covered with calluses. "Why are you so relaxed in front of the Empress? Aren't you afraid that she will tell the Left Chancellor about this?"

"Your subject is a girl, it's normal for her to be coquettish and witty, isn't it? It doesn't matter if the Left Prime Minister knows."

"Could it be that—Mother Empress feels that I am not like a proper daughter?"

The former princess was indeed unlike any other; she was often no less capable than the men in the army and frequently dressed as a man.

After returning to the capital from rescuing the emperor, she wore a tight-fitting outfit, but thankfully it was a woman's clothing, and she no longer drew thick eyebrows.

It gives people a sense of heroic spirit that is different from the typical young ladies in the capital.

“Awan, don’t say that. It was Mother who misspoke.”

"Then I'll punish Mother by making her dine with me."

The Empress Dowager smiled knowingly; her Ah Wan was truly the most considerate person.

"it is good."

"Shuchun, go to the kitchen and give them a few instructions: make a few more dishes that the princess likes."

"Slave, go now."

Seeing the Empress Dowager's joy, Granny Gu, who was waiting nearby, also smiled.

"Your Majesty, I have come today with a matter to discuss, but it is not to ask for your help. Rather, I have come to inform you."

"What does Awan intend to do?"

"Your subject plans to return to the Princess's residence the day after tomorrow. In two more days, A-Chen will move back to Xingde Palace from the Empress's Palace. The time for taking a concubine is also approaching. With so many concubines in the harem, Your subject finds it too noisy and wants to find some peace and quiet."

From the moment she heard the first sentence, the Empress Dowager's face fell, and she barely heard anything Shen Sangwan said afterward.

"Mother, Mother—?"

Seeing that the person in front of her did not respond, Shen Sangwan waved her hand and called out softly twice.

“Since Awan doesn’t want to stay in the palace permanently, it’s fine for her to return to the Princess’s residence.”

The Empress Dowager was clearly in low spirits, so Shen Sangwan coaxed her, "Your subject will certainly visit the palace often to pay your respects to Your Majesty. Moreover, since I live outside the palace, it will be much more convenient for me to handle matters."

“Ah Wan is right.”

The perfunctory words made Shen Sangwan wonder for a moment if the Empress Dowager had also had her heart replaced.

Why are you acting like a child begging for candy, throwing a tantrum?

"Mother—, I am doing this for Yuchen. The sooner he takes power, the sooner I can be relieved of my burdens and enjoy a few more days of happiness, right?"

"You're right all the time, and your mother can't argue with you."

It wasn't until Shuchun came to report that dinner had been prepared that the Empress Dowager was finally coaxed by Shen Sangwan.

This is such a mouthful of work; I'll have to drink at least two bowls of pear soup when I get back.

[My lord, a new task has been triggered: have a meal with the Empress.]

〖 ？ ？ 〗

So, I guess I'm just a meal buddy, going wherever I'm needed?

【My lord, it's not impossible for you to say it that way.】

What kind of ridiculous tasks are these? What's the time limit?

[Five days. 】

"Shouldn't it count as long as we eat together?"

【You can try it, Master. If it doesn't work, I'll remind you again.】

Tomorrow I can take the buttered abalone and snails to the Queen and do the task of comforting her at the same time.

Although the Empress Dowager only instructed the kitchen staff to prepare two more dishes that Shen Sangwan liked.

But now the dishes on the table are mostly her usual favorites.

Given the current situation, I don't know why the system is still issuing tasks to cultivate family bonds.

They're just being silly.

Shen Sangwan wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but the food at Chonghua Palace was indeed better than that at Weiyang Palace.

Shuyi set out the dishes, and Shen Sangwan ate with relish. It was a hot day, and the Empress Dowager usually had a poor appetite, but with Shen Sangwan by her side, she ate more.

In the evening, after taking a bath, Shen Sangwan, despite Shuyi's repeated attempts to stop her, ultimately did not go to Fuyu Pavilion.

It was cool and refreshing there during the day, and even cooler at night. Shuyi was unwilling to let Shen Sang go there to rest during the night.

In the end, she had no choice but to compromise and ordered that more ice be added to the main hall.

Shuyun appeared only after everyone had left, her head bowed and her body bent.

"Your Highness, we have discovered that the people from the Soul-Hooking Pavilion have connections with the Duke of Song."

"The Duke of Song is devoted to the country and is stationed far away on the border of Dongrui. Why would he go to such lengths to hire someone to kill someone?"

"The Soul-Hooking Pavilion never betrays its masters in business. After my men investigated repeatedly, we finally found a clue that pointed directly to Duke Song. At first, I didn't quite believe it, but after further investigation, I discovered that Duke Song seemed to be planning to seize land and become a king."

Shen Sangwan hesitated for a moment, her brows furrowed, and her face showed worry.

"I believe that the Duke of Song has ulterior motives, but I don't believe that he hired someone to kill me. The person behind this is truly cunning, sending someone to kill me and then diverting the trouble to the east."

“If that Japanese prince were to die in the wilderness, he would not only absolve himself of all responsibility, but also bring shame upon the Duke of Song.”

"Go and investigate further to see if you can uncover anything else. No one can be completely foolproof. I don't believe that the other party is completely without any trace."

There is no such thing as a perfect crime!

"I obey my orders."

"Wait, there's one more thing I need you to do."

Shuyun, who was about to bow and leave, turned back and said, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

"Go and buy some beautiful women. After His Majesty issues the decree in court to take concubines, have someone keep an eye on the ministers on this list. When they return home after court, send them to them. Tell them it's a reward from me for their advice on court affairs. If they refuse, have them lead the women to the Princess's residence to find me."

Shen Sangwan walked to the desk, picked up the letter that was under the inkstone, and handed it to Shuyun.

"I obey my orders."

"Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"

"You step back."

"Subordinates retire."

Shuyun bowed and disappeared into the night.

Outside the window, moonlight casts shadows across the ground, and the shadows of trees sway gently.

A gentle night breeze swept by, still carrying the heat of the day, and the bamboo groves by the courtyard wall rustled.

As Shen Sangwan grew sleepy, she took off her outer clothes, climbed into bed, and fell into a deep sleep.