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

The hall was quiet, with wisps of agarwood burning in the incense burner to dispel the summer's dampness and heat.

The fragrance was so enticing that it calmed the mind and even gave one a sense of coolness, which Shen Sangwan found quite strange.

After all, in Weiyang Palace, one has never seen Shuyi burning incense.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Wen Yuening spoke first and asked, "I wonder what Your Highness wants to talk to me about?"

Shen Sangwan was also troubled. She had been thinking about it for two days, but she still didn't know what trouble the person in front of her had that needed her to comfort her.

She genuinely didn't know how to start this.

"Did Ah Chen make you angry on our wedding day?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Shen Sangwan regretted it. What a stupid question she had asked.

It's not her place as the older sister to interfere when the young couple is arguing or having a tiff.

Wen Yuening was also taken aback by Shen Sangwan's sudden question.

The Empress Dowager did not inquire about what happened on her wedding night when she went to Chonghua Palace to pay her respects the following day.

It's rather strange that the eldest princess suddenly thought of asking about this matter today.

"I didn't mean anything by it, I was just a little worried that Ah Chen would act childishly and neglect you."

"Your Majesty is overthinking it. His Majesty treats Yue Ning very well."

Shen Sangwan was speechless, unsure how to react for a moment.

Waaaaah, the other party rejected me so thoroughly.

"Xiaotong, do you want to give me a hint?"

【Huh? Master, you've finished it perfectly fine, haven't you?】

I wasn't talking about eating; I was talking about comforting the other person.

This is exactly what I was talking about!

〖ha--?〗

Do you mean I've finished?

The task is now complete, as indicated on the panel.

Shen Sangwan was numb.

My brain is a little slow to process this. Does it mean that as long as I show Wen Yuening a little more concern, the mission will be successful?

She finished it before even saying a word?

"Xiaotong, are you sure about this mission?"

It wasn't that Shen Sangwan doubted Xiao Tong, but rather that she found it rather unbelievable.

【Master, let's just say, I was just bored and had nothing better to do than take you out for a stroll, wasn't I?】

Xiao Tong stood to the side, hands on her hips, glaring angrily at Shen Sangwan.

The reason for his anger was that Shen Sangwan did not let him return to his consciousness, secretly changed his appearance, and kept his physical body outside, with his range of movement not exceeding five meters.

Secondly, he was angry that his master actually doubted him; after all this time together, it seemed he had been misled.

Shen Sangwan was momentarily speechless after being confronted by Xiao Tong.

I had no choice but to get back to the main topic and talk to Wen Yue Ning.

"The Left Prime Minister supported His Majesty in the previous dynasty, and I will naturally ensure your safety in the harem. If you encounter any trouble in the future, you may send someone to find me."

"Yue Ning thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."

"But I also have a prior statement. The Wen family is wholeheartedly assisting the new emperor. I will fulfill the promise I made to the Left Prime Minister. However, if they pay lip service to this, I will not hesitate to violate ancestral rules and do something outrageous."

Wen Yuening averted her gaze, refusing to look at the other person.

"And please tell your father that His Majesty is well, and so is the Left Prime Minister's residence."

Shen Sangwan got up and left Fengluan Palace without waiting for Wen Yuening's reply.

Watching the departing figure, Wen Yuening's brows furrowed, a strange emotion lingering in her heart, refusing to dissipate for a long time.

"Ming Prince's Mansion"

Ever since the argument with Shen Yuchen at Xingde Hall, Shen Yujing has been bedridden at the Ming Prince's Mansion.

Even during the seven-day vigil following the late emperor's death, he only attended for one day, then claimed that he was too weak to endure it.

In the Prince's Palace bath, Shen Yujing was fully clothed and immersed in the water. The surrounding area was filled with water mist, but one could still vaguely see the hot, red skin on his chest.

"Your Highness, our secret guards intercepted a letter sent from the Marquis of Xuan Nan's residence to Nan Ye. It seems that Prince Ningqing and Prince Qi are plotting something."

"call--"

Shen Yujing, sitting in the pool, took a deep breath, expelling the turbid air from his body, and his complexion eased slightly.

He opened his cold, clear eyes, which sent chills down one's spine. The sound of splashing water was particularly jarring. Shen Yujing took a step forward.

"It seems that after playing the charade with me for so long, my royal uncle has finally lost his patience and is about to make his move against me."

"As for my foolish sixth brother (Prince Qi), he is not only arrogant and extravagant, but also incompetent and immoral. He actually managed to make my uncle abandon me and support him. Take some men to investigate and see if there are any clues that have been missed."

"I obey my orders."

Yuexin, who was waiting nearby, dried Shen Yujing's body and brought him clean clothes to wear.

After leaving the bath, he lay half-reclined on the soft couch. Due to years of illness, his once-fitting brocade robes now looked somewhat loose.

Her complexion was also worse than that of an average person, with a sickly paleness, which made the redness of her lips appear even more prominent.

"How's the matter with the Soul-Hooking Pavilion going?"

The voice, like a ghost, drifted out of his mouth.

"Your Highness, the Eldest Princess..."

"Um--?"

"The princess escaped unscathed, and none of the assassins survived."

The guard knelt on the ground, bowed his head, and reported, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Shen Yujing toyed with the jade thumb ring in his hand, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth, like a poppy blooming, sending chills down the spines of those who saw it.

"Can the traces be completely removed?"

"The Princess did not reveal the assassination attempt to His Majesty, but only sent people to investigate in private. I have already followed the Prince's instructions and shifted the blame to the other side."

Shen Yujing took the tea that Yuexin handed him, took a small sip, and then casually put it down.

"Is there any way to leave any evidence?"

"Your Highness, rest assured, even if the Eldest Princess investigates the Soul-Hooking Pavilion thoroughly, she will only continue the investigation based on the clues of the Duke of Song, and will never implicate Your Highness."

"Go down."

"Subordinates retire."

"Cough cough cough—" Shen Yujing coughed several times in a row, and Yuexin gently patted his back to help him catch his breath.

Shen Yujing stood up with some difficulty and, with Yuexin's support, slowly walked to the window.

"Tell me your opinion on my elder sister."

"I am of lowly status and dare not speak ill of Her Highness the Princess."

Yuexin's voice was very calm, her head lowered and her eyes dark, her gaze filled with gloom.

Shen Yujing coughed twice and looked at the clusters of blue-eyed chrysanthemums planted in the yard. "Look, no one has taken care of those chrysanthemums this year, but they are blooming vigorously."

She couldn't quite figure out what her master was thinking, so she just gently patted his back without saying a word.

Shen Yujing turned to the side and grasped Yuexin's hand, which was about to fall onto his back. He gently rubbed her cheek with his right hand, his voice carrying a hint of probing.

"If I were to give you to someone else, would you blame me?"

Yuexin's expression remained unchanged. She pursed her lips, and her free hand hung limply inside her sleeve, her fingertips trembling violently.

Her heart felt like it was bleeding, like being pricked by needles. "My life was saved by the prince. I have no right to complain about whether I should blame him or not, as he decides my fate."

"Alright, prepare the gift of the precious bow that I received last year. The Princess will be leaving the palace to return to her residence tomorrow. In a few days, you may come with me to pay her a visit."

"I'll go right away."

Hidden beneath her sleeves, her nails had dug into her flesh without her noticing, yet she felt no pain whatsoever.

Eight years have passed, and she still can't warm the heart of the person in front of her, not even a little bit...