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

The fourth day of the seventh lunar month.

The capital city of Zhongdu was exceptionally bustling.

During the morning court session, Shen Yuchen had the eunuch announce the list of concubines to be taken in, and the grand ceremony for taking in concubines was scheduled for the fifth day of the seventh month. All matters were to be handled by the Ministry of Rites.

With the imperial decree announcing the consort appointment, the residences of the Censor-in-Chief and Grand Master of the Censorate, the Minister of Personnel, and the Minister of Justice all welcomed several beautiful concubines and enchanting girls.

The mistresses of each household were notoriously jealous, and after several ministers returned home from court, they caused quite a commotion.

The phrase "When the emperor takes a concubine, his ministers welcome his concubines" sparked much discussion among the people.

Shen Sangwan hid in the Princess's residence, leisurely eating the grapes that had been presented as tribute, looking at Shuyan's sketches, and listening to Shuyun report on the situation of each residence.

"Well done, I'll give you a raise."

Shuyun's expression remained unchanged; she showed no surprise at receiving the silver. Her voice was indifferent as she thanked Shen Sangwan.

At this moment, a large crowd had gathered outside the princess's residence, creating quite a lively scene.

"Your Highness, there are beauties sent to you by various court officials outside the mansion."

"Cough-cough-!"

Just as he was about to swallow a grape, he was so startled by Qi Bo's words outside the door that he almost choked.

He coughed a few times, "What did you just say?"

"Your Highness, the ministers of various departments have sent you beauties."

"Damn it! When I gave them beauties, I was making the most of them. What's the meaning of giving me beauties?"

Shuyun and Shuyan both looked at Shen Sangwan, a strange light appearing in their eyes.

"Is there an explanation for this?"

"Your Highness, the steward who delivered the gifts said that he heard Your Highness is fond of women and has been living in the Princess's residence outside the palace for a long time. Therefore, he has selected some beauties and specially sent them to Your Highness as a gift."

[Ahem, which idiot is spreading rumors behind her back? No, I mean, which idiot is spreading the truth? It seems like no one except Xiao Yan Yan knows that she likes beautiful women, right?]

[Wagging a trough (a type of plant), which old man doesn't have martial ethics? Has the imperial palace really become so leaky?]

"Shuyun, investigate immediately and find out who spread the rumors."

"Subordinates take orders."

Shu Yan smirked mischievously, "Oh, Your Highness, why don't you hurry up and embrace this beauty? She's practically delivered right to your doorstep, why not take her?"

Shen Sangwan got goosebumps all over listening to Shu Yan's sarcastic tone.

He wanted to persuade Qi Bo to refuse the women.

Unexpectedly, Xiaotong suddenly blurted out a sentence.

[Master, the task indicates that it cannot be rejected!]

〖%@%*？ @！〗

"You piece of junk—cough cough, does the system have some kind of serious problem? Can I request that it have its brain checked? What kind of ridiculous tasks are these?"

[Master, isn't it good to have a beautiful woman by your side? Every night, hehehe, how wonderful...]

【Woooooo——】

Shen Sangwan immediately shut down Xiaotong's language system.

Does this system even have a brain? Placing so many spies around the mansion, is it even fun?

【Woooooo——】

"What kind of lousy tasks are these? I'm going to be driven crazy one of these days."

"Leave the man here, Qi Bo, you can make your own arrangements."

"Old slave, I obey."

After the others left, Shu Yan couldn't sit still any longer. Her smile vanished. "Shen Sangwan, are you crazy or stupid? Your reputation is damaged, and you have so many spies around you..."

Shen Sangwan shrugged and spread her hands, looking helpless. "This is a task set by the damn Gou system. I can't do anything about it."

Qi Bo had expected his lord to refuse, but to his surprise, he accepted everything.

In no time, the news that "the female general of Nan Jing Kingdom is twenty years old and has not yet found a husband because she prefers women" spread like wildfire.

The news soon reached the ears of the Empress Dowager and the young emperor in the palace.

"Your Highness, Granny Gu, who serves the Empress Dowager, has come to deliver a message requesting that you come to the palace."

Just as noon was approaching, Shen Sangwan had finished her lunch when Qi Bo sent someone to deliver a message.

Shuyan's "good luck" expression left Shen Sangwan both amused and exasperated.

They entered the palace together, carrying the book with them.

Inside Chonghua Palace, the Empress Dowager and Shen Yuchen had been waiting for a long time.

"My son has met his mother."

There were no palace maids inside the hall, presumably they had already been sent away.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Granny Gu and Shuyi curtsied and withdrew, closing the palace door behind them.

"Sister, you've only been out of the palace for a few days, how can rumors of your fondness for women be spreading? It's utterly slanderous!"

"Who on earth dares to slander my sister like this?"

"Ah Wan, did you really take those women as your concubines?"

"Sister, those rumors aren't true, are they?"

As soon as Shen Sangwan straightened up, the two men launched into a barrage of questions at her.

He found a chair and sat down, his face somber, without uttering a word.

Shen Sangwan's silence made the two pause, realizing that the rumors circulating outside were all true.

"Sister...you..."

Shen Yuchen's pupils dilated, and for a moment, he didn't know how to react.

"How could my elder sister like women?"

"Will my older sister stop liking me in the future?"

"Ah Wan, are you confused!"

"What makes you say that, Mother?"

The Empress Dowager sighed softly, "Now that the border is stable, your usefulness as a female general is gradually diminishing. They want to destroy you."

"Your subject is aware of the consequences of today's events, but your subject has no other choice."

If you want to ruin Shen Sangwan, then let's see who will be the last one standing.

"Ah Wan, have you run into some trouble?"

"Mother, it's not that I'm in trouble, it's that the entire royal family and the palace are teeming with spies and informants, as numerous as sieves. News spreads like wildfire, it's not surprising."

"Ah Wan, you..."

"Your subject was only caught by Shuyi playing around with someone in Weiyang Palace. Apart from that, there are no other clues."

"I hereby issue an order to execute her."

Shen Yuchen clenched his fists and stood up from his chair in anger.

"Wait a minute, she wasn't the one who leaked the information."

Shen Sangwan reached out and grabbed the hem of Shen Yuchen's dragon robe.

"Today you announced the list of concubines to be taken. After the concubine taking ceremony tomorrow, the number of people in the harem will gradually increase. Chonghua Palace and Xingde Hall should be paid more attention to this."

"Shuyun has already arranged for secret guards to conduct a thorough screening. Ah Chen and the Empress Dowager need not panic. However, if there are any important matters to discuss in the future, it is best to be cautious."

The Empress Dowager and Shen Yuchen both nodded in agreement.

"Sister, was it inappropriate for you to ask me to appoint Cen Qingyu as the commander of the Imperial Guards? After all, he is the eldest son of the Right Prime Minister's mansion."

“The Right Chancellor is the Right Chancellor, and Cen Qingyu is Cen Qingyu. You can rest assured to appoint him. I am at ease entrusting the Imperial Guards to him, and I can also arrange for Mo Feng to go elsewhere.”

Shen Yuchen seemed to be thinking about something, and finally nodded, "I believe in my elder sister."

The three talked for another half hour before Shen Sangwan left the palace, looking tired.

Phoenix Palace

"Are you telling the truth?"

“Your Highness, it’s absolutely true. To confirm the reliability of the information, I specifically wrote to the Second Miss of the household. His Highness has indeed accepted them all.”

"Moreover, this matter has alarmed the Empress Dowager. Granny Gu personally went to the Princess's residence to invite His Highness to the palace. He is probably still in Chonghua Palace now."

Wen Yuening fiddled with her handkerchief, her mind filled with Qingluan's words, "Your Highness has accepted all of them."

After regaining my composure, I realized I had been somewhat out of line. My heart pounded, and my breathing became heavy.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. You may all leave now. I'd like to be alone for a while."

Wen Yuening waved her hand, then lowered her head, lost in thought.