Ci'an Palace.

As Yanshu had anticipated, by starting with the outrageous actions of Zhang Shengkang and his son, step by step, they were able to expose the true nature of the man. The Empress Dowager was now much more receptive to the truth. After the Emperor issued the order to arrest Zhang, there was no noticeable shift in the Empress Dowager’s mood.

Meanwhile, Zhang Shengkang’s disciple, who was imprisoned, was furious upon hearing of his wife’s disgrace. After confessing the truth about switching the medicine, he went on to reveal many hidden deeds of Zhang Shengkang, such as how, over the years, he had exploited his position as a physician to gather disciples, amass wealth, open pharmacies, and colluded with drug merchants to inflate prices, driving other medical shops out of business in an attempt to monopolize the medical industry in the capital. He also sold subpar medicine, focused only on extracting high fees and charges, disregarding the lives of poor patients, and more.

Since the Emperor personally ordered the investigation, the Ministry of Justice dared not be negligent. After receiving these reports, they immediately followed up, and the investigation grew deeper and deeper, uncovering more and more.

In just a few days, rumors of Zhang’s deeds had spread throughout the capital. Officials and commoners alike had heard of Zhang Shengkang’s immoral actions, and it became a topic of widespread gossip in the streets and alleys.

Yanshu, not wasting time, decided to take this opportunity to visit the Empress Dowager and share the biggest piece of gossip regarding Zhang Shengkang.

At that moment, the Empress Dowager had just finished her acupuncture treatment, and Imperial Physician Jiang was removing the silver needles from her head, placing them carefully into the needle case.

Yanshu thought she had arrived at the perfect time and approached the Empress Dowager, “Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Xiaoyao Gongzi has released a new story. I’ve just finished reading it. Would you like me to tell it to you?”

The Empress Dowager, feeling a bit bored, immediately responded, “Yes, do tell me. What’s the story this time?”

Yanshu sat down beside the bed, watching as Imperial Physician Jiang finished his needlework, and began, “It’s quite a coincidence, actually. This story happens to be about a doctor. It’s about a famous doctor in the capital, known for his excellent skills. He could treat all kinds of difficult illnesses, saving many lives, and was revered by the people as a divine doctor. This doctor had a son, who was a little younger and quite talented, though a bit playful. Compared to him, the older disciple was more mature, diligent, and hardworking.”

At this point, Yanshu deliberately paused and looked over at Imperial Physician Jiang. She noticed his hand stop for a moment.

She thought to herself, Could this be referring to my father?

Since he seemed to recognize it, Yanshu continued, “This doctor, with a broad heart, never treated his son and disciple differently. Instead, he generously taught the hardworking disciple without any selfishness, hoping that the disciple would, in time, follow in his footsteps and help the people just as he had.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, “Indeed, he sounds like a great doctor and a good teacher.”

Meanwhile, Imperial Physician Jiang, though continuing his work, couldn’t help but feel a pang of admiration. Indeed, his father had been that kind of man, one who trusted Zhang Shengkang completely. Unfortunately...

At this moment, Yanshu’s voice continued, “But unfortunately, this old doctor misjudged his disciple. The disciple was greedy for power and jealous of his younger, more talented colleague. He even thought that his teacher was deliberately withholding some knowledge from him.”

“This disciple, after being sent out, became the physician in a wealthy family. With the medical skills his teacher had taught him, he quickly earned the family head’s favor. However, knowing his teacher’s skills surpassed his own, this disciple feared that his teacher might one day threaten his position. So, he secretly schemed, switching his teacher’s medicine, causing the patient to worsen and die. Then, he incited the victim’s family to cause a scene outside his teacher’s clinic, falsely accusing his teacher of causing the death.”

Hearing this, Imperial Physician Jiang’s brows furrowed, and the Empress Dowager was shocked, “Heavens! How could someone do such a despicable thing? This was to his teacher, who had been so good to him!”

Yanshu continued, “This disciple, eager to become the most trusted physician of the family head, went so far as to force his teacher out of the capital, eliminating any potential future threat.”

Hearing this, Imperial Physician Jiang couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. So Zhang Shengkang thought everyone was as gullible as he was.

The Empress Dowager couldn’t contain her anger, “This person truly has a heart as cruel as a wolf! What happened next?”

Yanshu said, “The old doctor, having saved so many lives in his career, never expected that one day he would be ruined by that ingrate disciple. Heartbroken, he became ill and, after leaving the capital, passed away not long after, coughing up blood.”

“After his father’s death, the son matured quickly, refining his character and beginning to plan his revenge. He worked tirelessly to study medicine, studying the medical books his father had left behind, and traveled the land, seeking out difficult cases and learning from other doctors. Over the years, he became a famous physician in his own right.”

At this point, Imperial Physician Jiang paused for a moment, wondering to himself, How does Xiaoyao Gongzi know this story so clearly?

Yanshu continued, “Meanwhile, the wicked disciple became even more selfish. Several times, when the family head’s members fell ill, he could have cured them but deliberately held back, hoping they would become dependent on him. He then opened his own medical shops, raising the price of medicines, oppressing other doctors, all while completely ignoring the true nature of a healer, which is to save lives.”

“Eventually, his crimes were discovered by the family head, who, in a fit of rage, handed him over to the authorities.”

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, but before she could speak, Imperial Physician Jiang finished collecting his needles and bowed, “Your Majesty, the acupuncture session is now over. Please remember to take your medicine later. I will take my leave now.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, signaling him to leave.

Once they were alone, the Empress Dowager turned to Yanshu, “The disciple in the story, is it Zhang Shengkang?”

Yanshu feigned surprise, “How did Your Majesty guess?”

The Empress Dowager smiled, “The way the disciple slandered his teacher is exactly the same as how Zhang Shengkang tried to frame Imperial Physician Jiang, isn’t it?”

Yanshu quickly nodded and flattered her, “Your Majesty is wise.”

The Empress Dowager let out a bitter laugh, sighing, “Such a despicable man, and I actually trusted him? I can hardly claim to be wise.”

Yanshu hurriedly reassured her, “This is not Your Majesty’s fault. It’s all Zhang Shengkang’s fault! Please, don’t be upset.”

The Empress Dowager sighed again, “I’m not angry. Such a person isn’t worth my anger. This matter is for the Emperor to deal with. Let him handle it as he sees fit. But, what about the teacher’s son? Where is he now, and what is he doing?”

Yanshu paused for a moment, not answering directly, and instead said, “I think... we’ll have an answer soon.”

She then quietly asked the system, “System, where is Imperial Physician Jiang at the moment?”

The system replied, “He’s at the Qianming Palace.”

Yanshu nodded to herself, thinking, Now, it’s time to see what the Emperor does.

~~

Qianming Palace.

At that time, Yuwen Lan was reviewing memorials when he heard Fu Hai enter the hall and report, “Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Jiang requests an audience.”

Without pausing in his work, Yuwen Lan replied, “Let him in.”

Fu Hai acknowledged and went out to summon him. Shortly after, Imperial Physician Jiang entered the hall, knelt, and respectfully greeted, “I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”

Yuwen Lan nodded for him to rise and asked, “How is the Empress Dowager today?”

Imperial Physician Jiang quickly replied, “Your Majesty, the first round of treatment has been completed, and the Empress Dowager no longer shows any significant signs of headaches. She will need to continue taking the medicine for another month, but at that point, there should be no major issues.”

Yuwen Lan nodded, “You are truly indispensable in this matter.”

Just as he finished speaking, Imperial Physician Jiang, who had been getting up, suddenly knelt again and said, “Your Majesty, I come today to beg for forgiveness.”

Yuwen Lan paused his work and finally looked up at him. “What transgression do you speak of?”

Imperial Physician Jiang spoke solemnly, “My surname is Xun, and my father’s name was Xun Ji. Our family once ran a medical clinic on Ma Street in the capital. However, my father was falsely accused and framed by his disciple, Zhang Shengkang, which forced him to leave the capital. After my father’s death, in order to escape Zhang Shengkang’s persecution, I changed my name and wandered to other regions. Later, I took the opportunity to sit for the Imperial Medical Examination under my new name and entered the Imperial Medical Institute. I never disclosed this to Your Majesty before, and for that, I deserve the harshest punishment.”

Yuwen Lan listened quietly, then replied, “Changing your name to enter the palace is indeed an offense, but given your medical achievements, I will let this transgression go.”

Imperial Physician Jiang was taken aback but immediately knelt again in thanks, “I thank Your Majesty for your grace.”

However, after a brief pause, he added, “But there is one more thing I must bring to Your Majesty’s attention.”

Yuwen Lan gestured for him to continue, “Speak.”

Imperial Physician Jiang hesitated before saying, “I wish to file a formal accusation against Zhang Shengkang for betraying his master and his ancestors, as well as framing my father.”

Yuwen Lan’s response was simple and direct, “Zhang Shengkang’s case has already been handed over to the Ministry of Justice. You may go there and file your complaint. Just state that it is by my command.”

Imperial Physician Jiang’s heart steadied, and he quickly kowtowed in gratitude, then rose to leave. With firm steps, he made his way to the Ministry of Justice.

~~

Ci'an Palace.

It was nearly noon, and after a few days of treatment, the Empress Dowager’s condition had greatly improved. The first round of medication had worked well, and the Empress Dowager was showing fewer symptoms of the headache, her appetite had increased, and she was even able to get out of bed and walk around.

Yanshu, seeing this progress, felt relieved.

Hmph, Imperial Physician Jiang truly is irreplaceable.

In the afternoon, after the Empress Dowager had taken her medicine, Yanshu was preparing to take her leave. However, before she could rise, a palace maid entered and reported, “Your Majesty, Wang Zhaoyi has arrived.”

Wang Zhaoyi?

Yanshu paused. Wasn’t she the one who had been on night duty?

Tsk, it had been quite a while since they last met.

The Empress Dowager nodded, “Let her in.”

The maid responded and quickly left the room. Moments later, Wang Zhaoyi entered, bowed, and greeted, “Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, and to the noble Consort Yanshu. I have heard that you have been unwell recently, and I was deeply concerned. I was afraid I might disturb you if I came earlier, so I only managed to come now. Please forgive me, and may I ask how Your Majesty is feeling?”

The Empress Dowager nodded, “If you had come a couple of days later, I would have been fully recovered.”

Yanshu: “…”

Heh, her top boss really has a sense of humor.

Wang Zhaoyi looked embarrassed and quickly said, “I am truly sorry.”

Yanshu couldn’t help but think to herself, What’s the use of being sorry? The first round of treatment had already ended, and Wang Zhaoyi only came now? How could the Empress Dowager not be annoyed?

As the loyal subordinate of the Empress Dowager, she quickly stepped in to reassure her, “Please don’t worry, Imperial Physician Jiang has said that Your Majesty is almost recovered, and you only need to continue taking medicine for another month.”

The Empress Dowager nodded without saying anything further, but in Yanshu’s mind, she heard Wang Zhaoyi’s inner thoughts:

【It’s almost lunchtime, why is Yanshu still here? She’s ruined everyone in the harem, and now she’s going to see me too? Is she planning to get rid of me next? I don’t want to come, but I have no choice. Heaven is deliberately sending me to my death!】

Yanshu: “???”

What does she mean by “ruining everyone”? So, Wang Zhaoyi is blaming Yanshu for what happened to Concubine Zhou, Consort Ning, and the other concubines?

Yanshu couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and disbelief. She couldn’t resist speaking up, “It’s been a while, Wang Zhaoyi. How have you been?”

Wang Zhaoyi flinched, then quickly replied, “Thank you for your concern, Consort Yanshu. I am well.”

In her heart, she was thinking, 【Oh no, oh no! She’s speaking to me directly, she must be planning to deal with me!】

Yanshu, listening to these thoughts, couldn’t help but feel a little mischievous. She continued, “You’ve been working hard with the night shifts lately. I’ve heard that you weren’t feeling well before—could it be from overworking?”

Wang Zhaoyi flinched again and quickly responded, “I dare not complain. I have been weak since childhood, and recently I had some cold and stomach issues, but it has nothing to do with the night shifts.”

Inside, she thought, 【This wicked woman, is she trying to frame me in front of the Empress Dowager? Heaven, take her away!】

Yanshu listened silently but smiled, “I see. Well, take care of your health. The weather’s getting colder as we approach winter.”

Wang Zhaoyi hurriedly nodded, but inside, she was already in a panic, 【Does she want me to continue working night shifts? This woman is so cruel!】

Yanshu raised an eyebrow. Well, if she’s already convinced that I’m the villain, no matter what I say, she’ll think the worst of me.

Not wanting to waste any more time with her, Yanshu turned to the Empress Dowager, “It’s almost noon, so I won’t trouble you any longer. I’ll take my leave now.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, “Go and rest.”

She then turned to Wang Zhaoyi, “There’s nothing more to discuss here. You should return now.”

Both women acknowledged and left the hall together.

~~

Yanshu couldn’t be bothered with Wang Zhaoyi. She boarded her sedan chair and headed back to Ganlu Palace, then instructed Rendong to send the story she had just told the Empress Dowager to the Qianming Palace.

—She had only used the story as an excuse earlier, hoping to spur Imperial Physician Jiang to file his complaint quickly. In reality, she hadn’t sent the manuscript yet.

But now that the Emperor had pardoned Imperial Physician Jiang and the complaint had been filed with the Ministry of Justice, she no longer had any concerns. She could now confidently share it with the readers.

Just as she had anticipated, after the readers read it and pieced it together with the rumors circulating in the city, they quickly figured out that the villain in the story was Zhang Shengkang, and soon, they were all furiously cursing him.

Under such pressure, the Ministry of Justice wasted no time and worked diligently on the case.

Yanshu felt a sense of satisfaction.

However, just a few days later, Rendong came to her with news, “Master, I’ve heard that Wang Zhaoyi is sick again.”

Yanshu: “?? Sick again? Is that true?”

Tsk, is this her excuse for avoiding the night shifts?

Before Rendong could answer, Yanshu heard the system’s voice: [It’s true, she’s probably afraid you’ll do something to her and is pretending to be sick.]

Yanshu: [?? When did I scare her so badly?]

So powerful?

The system continued: [It’s called persecutory delusion. For such people, even falling leaves on the roadside seem like they’re deliberately trying to crush them.]

Yanshu: [……]

Tsk, could this be a side effect from the night shifts?

Well, whatever. She couldn’t be bothered with it now. What she was really concerned about was when the judgment for Zhang Shengkang’s case would come through.

The system responded: [It’s just come out, fresh and hot.]

Yanshu’s eyes brightened. [Quick, tell me!]

The system continued: [Zhang Shengkang has been sentenced to death, to be executed in half a month. His son and his disciples, who helped him bully and exploit others, have been sentenced to prison terms. His wife, who had been seriously ill for the past few days, may not survive long enough to hear the news. As for the new daughter-in-law, she received the Emperor’s permission and has returned to her family after a divorce.]

Yanshu nodded in satisfaction. [This verdict is a great relief. Zhang Shengkang’s evil deeds are finally being repaid!]

Well then, she only had to wait for half a month until Zhang Shengkang’s execution.

After all, the Empress Dowager had already spoken—no one would be able to save him now!

~~

Half a month later.

It was after noon when the unforgivable Zhang Shengkang was executed. The crowd of onlookers all breathed a sigh of relief, and with satisfied expressions, they returned to their homes.

The Jinyiwei hurried into the palace, carrying a letter. They reported to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, just before Zhang Shengkang was taken to the execution grounds, he handed a letter to the Imperial Supervisor, saying it was for Imperial Physician Xun.”

—Yes, after the truth behind Zhang Shengkang’s case had been revealed, the Imperial Physician, who had been living under a different name for many years, had officially reclaimed his original identity—Xun Lan.

So now, he was once again Imperial Physician Xun.

At first, Yuwen Lan assumed that Zhang Shengkang had been repenting on his deathbed and wanted to send a letter to Xun Lan to express his remorse.

However, after a moment’s thought, he felt something was off.

Would Zhang Shengkang be someone who would easily repent?

Curious, Yuwen Lan took the letter and opened it to take a look.

It contained only a few lines:

“Before the late Emperor passed, he had become obsessed with Taoist practices, losing interest in food, and only drank kombu soup every day. During that time, the Empress Dowager asked me for the Moonlight Powder.

Not long after, the late Emperor passed away.

Do you understand why, Junior?”

…

After reading the letter, Yuwen Lan was initially puzzled.

He vaguely knew that the Moonlight Powder was a remedy for various skin diseases.

But why would this person mention the late Emperor’s death?

And why send this letter to Xun Lan?

The more he thought about it, the more uncertain he became.

He put the letter away and ordered for Xun Lan to be summoned immediately.

Soon enough, Xun Lan hurried into the room, presumably thinking that the Emperor was unwell, as he had brought a medical kit with him.

Yuwen Lan remained composed, first dismissing the attendants and then asking Xun Lan, “A few days ago, I was reading about some medical issues that I didn’t quite understand, so I wanted to ask you.”

Xun Lan quickly bowed, “Please, Your Majesty, instruct me.”

Yuwen Lan asked, “If the Moonlight Powder were to be taken with kombu, what would happen?”

Xun Lan lowered his head and replied, “Your Majesty, the Moonlight Powder is an external medicine, not to be taken orally. It contains mercury powder, and if taken with kombu, it could cause poisoning.”

“Poisoning?”

Yuwen Lan paused, still keeping his expression neutral, “What kind of poisoning?”

Xun Lan replied, “It would be similar to mercury poisoning. It would cause shortness of breath, dizziness, and weakness. If the dose were large enough, it could cause convulsions, unconsciousness, bleeding gums, blood in the urine, and even vomiting blood, leading to death.”

Yuwen Lan was momentarily stunned.

—Wasn’t that exactly the same set of symptoms the late Emperor had displayed when he passed?