Until she reconnected with her old lover and they rekindled their affair, she unexpectedly became pregnant with his child.

This further convinced her that the Prince of Wei Yangwang was physically incapable of fathering children.

She dared to commit such an act but feared that the Prince of Wei Yangwang might retaliate against her family, so she carefully arranged everything in advance.

However, the situation spiraled out of control.

When the Empress Dowager passed away, the Emperor was already in a foul mood, and this scandal at the Prince of Wei Yangwang’s residence only added fuel to the fire.

The Emperor was enraged.

He summoned the Prince to the palace that same day and berated him mercilessly before calling three imperial physicians to examine him publicly.

If this had happened earlier, it might not have been a big deal, as the imperial physicians had examined him multiple times before without finding anything.

However, this time was different because the Prince had recently sought treatment from Zhou Manniang.

After examining him, Zhou Manniang spent considerable time researching his symptoms.

She had her suspicions.

The Prince of Wei Yang’s pulse was peculiar.

If there had been no deliberate concealment, the problem with his health could have been directly identified, and it might have been attributed to a congenital issue.

But the attempt to cover it up only deepened her doubts.

After consulting all the books at her disposal and analyzing the symptoms, Zhou Manniang concluded that the Prince of Wei Yangwang was likely afflicted by a type of Gu poison.

She had encountered Gu poison once before when Lu Qinghuai had been poisoned.

But the Gu poison affecting the Prince of Wei Yangwang was different.

This poison did not endanger his life and could reside in the body for an extended period.

While present, it created the illusion of robust health.

Because it was not life-threatening, it was difficult to detect.

Since she had discovered it, Zhou Manniang felt obligated to address it.

Even though expelling the Gu worm would not restore the Prince’s fertility, the idea of such a terrible thing residing in his body unnerved him.

Thus, he followed Zhou Manniang’s advice and began taking her prescribed medicine over several days.

After several adjustments to the formula, the Gu worm was finally expelled from his body.

With the Gu worm gone, the concealment ended.

The three imperial physicians summoned by the Emperor all arrived at the same conclusion as Zhou Manniang.

He would never be able to father children.

Such a definitive statement left even the Emperor, who initially intended to punish the Prince, at a loss for words.

The Emperor had never imagined that such an absurd situation could be true.

He had excluded the Prince of Wei Yangwang from the list of heirs not because of his fertility issues but because he deemed the Prince unsuitable.

Among the three royal princes, the Prince of Weiyang was the most naive.

If he ascended the throne, it was uncertain how the court officials would react, but it was unlikely they would accept him.

However, to leave him without descendants was never the Emperor’s intention.

Under these circumstances, the Emperor refrained from reprimanding the Prince further and merely ordered him to return to his residence for self-reflection.

Because of the scandal involving the Prince of Wei Yangwang, the news of the Empress Dowager’s death stirred little commotion in the capital.

The Empress Dowager’s illness had been a long-standing issue, and with the collapse of the Xu family’s influence, her death had no significant impact on the court.

However, this incident made many reevaluate their positions.

Among the Emperor’s three sons, only two now had a realistic chance of inheriting the throne.

The court became a hotbed of intrigue as factions supporting Jingkang and Yong’an grew restless.

At the first morning court session after the Empress Dowager’s funeral, tensions came to a head.

The reason stemmed from the need to fill vacancies left by the rebellion in Fuzhou and the military conspiracy in Guandong, which had prompted a major purge in the court.

At the start of the session, Wen Yuesheng heard the Emperor announce the promotions of various officials.

“…Yan Wei, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, has performed outstandingly and is hereby promoted to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.”

“Zhou Yuandu, former Assistant Magistrate of Fuzhou, is commended for his role in quelling the rebellion and is promoted to Magistrate of Fuzhou. Additionally, in the Hanlin Academy…”

Among the reshuffled officials, Yan Wei’s promotion stood out most prominently.

Although the titles of Vice Minister and Minister of the Court of Judicial Review differed by only one word, the disparity in rank was significant.

With this promotion, Yan Wei reached the rank of Principal Third Class, shocking the entire court.

Aside from Yan Wei, the vacant position of Censor-in-Chief also garnered much attention.

The position was not only prestigious but also crucial, as the Censor-in-Chief was responsible for impeachments and memorials, serving as a close advisor to the Emperor.

Despite widespread speculation, the Emperor did not announce a decision during the first court session.

In the days that followed, as Wen Yuesheng left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, she noticed many officials approaching Wen Xun.

Some even greeted him with congratulations.

Before her, a few others walked by, murmuring in low voices:

“…So it seems that this important position will indeed go to Wen Xun?”

“Exactly. He’s already the Minister of Works, and now he’ll also take on the role of Censor-in-Chief. It’s clear our Emperor favors Prince Yong’an.”

“What does this have to do with Yong’an? Wen Xun is the one getting the promotion.”

“Oh, don’t play dumb. Everyone knows the Empress is already drafting the decree to betroth Yong’an to Wen Xun’s younger sister. Once Wen Xun is appointed Censor-in-Chief, the marriage will be finalized.”

“Given Prince Yong’an’s close ties to Wen Xun, how could it not be related?”

One official whispered, “If that’s the case, what about the Princess?”

“Everyone knows the Princess has severed ties with Wen Xun’s household. Although she brought down Kong Rui, it seems Wen Xun has reaped all the benefits.”

“And what can be done about it? Wen Xun is already a key figure in the court. The Princess may be useful, but only in military affairs. When it comes to civil governance, she has no standing.”

Although their voices were low, Wen Yuesheng and those behind her could hear them clearly.

Zhang Yulin frowned slightly, noticing Wen Yuesheng’s calm expression but said nothing.

Unexpectedly, the next morning, as Wen Yuesheng stepped off her carriage, she ran into several officials.

Among them was Ma Huaiyou, a Hanlin academician, accompanied by Tang, a censor who had previously joined Kong Rui’s faction to impeach Wen Yuesheng after the Wu’an Marquis incident.

However, since this individual was not part of Kong Rui’s faction, they remained in the court even after Kong Rui was purged.

When Tang Yushi first saw Wen Yuesheng, he chuckled softly and then stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “This official congratulates the Princess.”

His voice was not quiet, drawing the attention of officials heading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony for the morning court session.

Wen Yuesheng was not acquainted with him.

Hearing this, she merely raised her eyes to glance at him.

He continued, “The Princess has achieved great merits on the battlefield, and your biological father has been swiftly promoted to Minister of Public Works and also appointed as the Censor-in-Chief, making him the foremost figure in the court.”

“This kind of glory is unmatched throughout the capital, unique to the Princess alone,” Tang Yushi paused before adding, “Even the Princess’s younger sister is now set to marry into the Yong’an Prince’s household.”

“The favor bestowed upon the Wen family is something we can only envy and fail to catch up to,” Tang Yushi said mockingly, though his words were ostensibly congratulatory.

Wen Yuesheng’s companions, Zhang Yulin and Li Qingyuan, darkened their expressions.

Everyone knew that Wen Yuesheng did not get along with the Wen family.

For Tang Yushi to deliberately say such things in front of her, it was unclear what his intentions were.

“After today, the Wen family should be preparing for a wedding. But I have a question: will the Second Miss Wen be married off from the Wen family residence, or from the Princess’s manor?”

Seeing Wen Yuesheng stop in her tracks, Ma Huaiyou interjected, “Lord Tang, mind your words!”

Tang Yushi paused slightly before sneering, “Lord Ma knows me well. I’ve always been forthright.”

“I just can’t stand someone who’s never even served as a Censor for a single day suddenly being appointed as Censor-in-Chief.”

As if recalling something, he said coldly, “Those who know will attribute it to Lord Wen’s exceptional ability. Those who don’t might think he climbed up by relying on his daughter.”

The surroundings fell silent for a moment. Ma Huaiyou did not deny his words.

The officials passing by couldn’t help but cast their gazes toward Wen Yuesheng.

Not far away, the Duke of Zhongyong frowned and said, “Just a few days ago, I heard the Censor-in-Chief position would be contested between Ma Huaiyou and Wen Xun. But judging by this, it seems it has already been decided in favor of Wen Xun?”

Ma Huaiyou, as a Hanlin scholar, had the qualifications.

Moreover, he had the backing of the Grand Secretary Ma.

In the cabinet, Wang Jinzhi and Grand Secretary Lü formed one faction, while the remaining Grand Secretaries had their own agendas.

The official beside the Duke said, “Whether it has been finalized for Lord Wen is uncertain. But based on what Lord Tang is saying, it seems he wants to provoke the Princess.”

Wen Yuesheng was now a dominant figure, and she had long been at odds with the Yong’an Prince’s faction.

According to Tang Yushi, if Wen Xun were to take the credit for Wen Yuesheng’s achievements to gain a promotion, it would upset not only Wen Yuesheng but also Yan Wei.

Standing a few steps away, Yan Ling observed without speaking.

Coincidentally, Wen Xun arrived at the palace at that moment.

The moment he stepped off his carriage, he sensed the odd atmosphere and felt countless gazes on him.

Looking up, he immediately saw the person standing before Wen Yuesheng.

Wen Xun frowned.

He and Ma Huaiyou were political rivals, currently competing for the same position.

Seeing Ma Huaiyou approach Wen Yuesheng, Wen Xun assumed it wasn’t for anything good.

He paused briefly, intending to speak, when someone swiftly walked over to him and stood before him, saying in a low voice, “Lord Wen, please come with me.”

Wen Xun froze momentarily and looked up to see an unfamiliar face.

The individual was the newly appointed Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, who had replaced Yan Wei.

Wen Xun’s expression changed slightly and asked, “What is this about?”

The Deputy Minister said directly, “It concerns your wife’s involvement with underground moneylenders and the issuance of usurious loans.”

The area fell silent, and the surrounding officials all changed their expressions.

Issuing usurious loans—

This was a serious crime in Da Hui.

Even Tang Yushi and Ma Huaiyou, standing nearby, looked alarmed.

Tang Yushi’s expression shifted subtly. Before today’s morning court, there had been no indication of such accusations against Wen Xun.

He exchanged a glance with Ma Huaiyou and prepared to leave.

However, before they could retreat, Wen Yuesheng coldly commanded, “Detain Tang Fan and Ma Huaiyou.”

To directly apprehend officials of the court before morning assembly!

The officials around them were visibly startled.

Ma Huaiyou froze, and after realizing what was happening, frowned. “Princess, what is the meaning of this?”

Tang Fan added, “This official merely made a few remarks about your father, and now the Princess wishes to act against me?”

He sneered, “Is this how the Wen family conducts themselves?”

Even at this moment, Tang Fan couldn’t resist mentioning Wen Xun.

It was evident how bitterly he resented the outcome of the Censor-in-Chief appointment.

Ma Huaiyou also said, “Does the Princess intend to disregard the court and His Majesty by detaining people at will before the morning assembly?”

“We have committed no crimes!”

Today, Tang Fan was the main agitator. Wen Yuesheng should not have targeted Ma Huaiyou as well—unless…

Ma Huaiyou’s expression changed slightly, but before he could react, Wen Yuesheng said coldly, “Does Lord Ma know the Yi Xiang Courtyard or the Chang Lan Tower in the capital?”

“Is Madam Wu of the Chang Lan Tower not under your control? Was the dancer An Yu not sent by you to the Wei Yang Prince’s residence?”

Ma Huaiyou had no chance to argue before Wen Yuesheng’s guards forced his face to the ground.

The sharp pain on his face allowed him only to see Wen Yuesheng’s shoes.

She stood while he was pressed down, and her voice rang out from above, “Using women as bait, raising Gu insects, harming the royal family and children—”

A sharp pain shot through his neck.

Wen Yuesheng had directly drawn a guard’s blade and pressed it against his throat. Her voice was icy as she spoke, word by word:

“Do you not deserve to die?”