Yuan Ruan: [System, treating migraines? That reminds me of Bian Que! Could he be a truly skilled healer?]

System: [We have to see for ourselves—he might prove useful.]

The emperor and his ministers subtly exchanged glances.

Meanwhile, the crown prince was feeding Yuan Ruan a freshly grilled piece of meat.

Seizing Yuan Ruan’s momentary distraction, Prime Minister Li leaned closer to the emperor and whispered, “Your Majesty, I suggest we dispatch troops to Wen Manor immediately. If Daoist Wen refuses to comply, then…” He made a gesture mimicking a noose tightening around a neck.

The emperor glanced at him and replied calmly, “Hmm. That aligns with my own thoughts.”

Noticing that the captain of the palace guard was absent, Prime Minister Li instantly understood—the emperor had likely already made the necessary arrangements.

Prime Minister Wang, unhurried and measured, added in a low voice, “Diplomacy before force. After all, this person does seem to have real talent, perhaps even the elusive secret of immortality.”

Indeed, the emperor and his ministers valued Daoist Wen highly. They believed he was truly skilled, which was why they had facilitated his audience through Consort De and were now planning strategies to retain him.

At this moment, Daoist Wen entered. His white hair and sage-like demeanor exuded an air of authority.

With a calm and composed manner, he performed a traditional Daoist salute to the emperor and his retinue, his bearing far superior to his predecessor’s.

Yuan Ruan curiously glanced at him.

Daoist Wen looked at her briefly before clasping his hands in greeting. “Your Majesty, in recent days, this humble Daoist has observed the tides of the sea and the patterns of the sun, moon, and stars. I realized that the qi flow in the human body resembles these celestial movements—an endless cycle of rise and fall. If one could supply the body with enough elixirs to perpetuate this cycle of qi, then, like the celestial bodies, we could achieve immortality.”

Daoist Wen’s poetic description of celestial movements was so vivid that the emperor and his ministers listened intently, completely captivated.

The crown prince, visibly intrigued, couldn’t help but applaud. “Daoist Wen, your insights are truly—”

Yuan Ruan: [Nonsense!]

System: [Nonsense!]

“Utter nonsense,” the crown prince blurted out, inadvertently echoing Yuan Ruan and the system.

Yuan Ruan: [Wow! Big Brother has such an outstanding son! I thought ancient people would be completely enthralled by immortality pills. Who knew the crown prince could be so insightful? Da Xia has a bright future!]

System: [Absolutely! Look at the emperor and ministers’ shocked expressions. Your nephew is truly exceptional!]

Listening to their praise, the crown prince noticed the increasingly intense gazes of those around him. He licked his lips, feeling a mix of awkwardness and amusement.

Daoist Wen glared at the crown prince. “Your Highness! Why would you insult this humble Daoist? Have you forgotten that it was I who cured His Majesty’s persistent back pain?”

The crown prince touched his nose awkwardly. It was true that the Daoist had treated his father, but just as he was about to offer an apology, Yuan Ruan’s voice sounded:

Yuan Ruan: [Huh? So, he does have some skills?]

System: [Let me check… Oh, I see! The back pain treatment wasn’t really his doing at all. In fact, if he hadn’t interfered, your brother’s recurring back pain would’ve been resolved six months earlier. This guy is shameless!]

The crowd froze in disbelief.

What?! But how could that be possible?!

The emperor’s back pain had indeed recurred. On both occasions, he had sought treatment from Daoist Wen. While the second treatment took a year, it had ultimately worked. How could it have been a false cure?

The crown prince, concerned about revealing Yuan Ruan’s presence, opted for a more enigmatic approach. With an icy gaze, he stared down Daoist Wen, whose eyes began to dart nervously.

In a stiff tone, the crown prince said, “Insult? Daoist Wen, you should know very well why I speak this way toward you.”

Prime Minister Li raised an eyebrow in surprise. What a clever tactic to provoke a confession!

Daoist Wen froze momentarily before regaining his composure. With an air of dignity, he replied, “This humble Daoist does not understand Your Highness’s accusation.”

The emperor and his ministers frowned slightly. Although Daoist Wen hadn’t admitted anything, his lack of confidence spoke volumes.

System: [Wow. Your nephew is doing great. His information network must be incredible!]

Yuan Ruan: [Haha! That’s my nephew! Don’t spoil the fun—I want to see him shine!]

System: [Fine, fine. I see how it is. Forgotten and replaced. Boohoo.]

The crown prince nearly stumbled: [No! Let the system keep talking! Without its revelations, I’m stuck here and about to get humiliated!]

Noticing the crown prince’s hesitation, the emperor subtly raised an eyebrow. Clearly, the crown prince still lacked experience.

Calmly, the emperor declared, “Denying your guilt only deepens your crime. Guards, seize him and throw him into the dungeon.”

The crown prince: [???]

Yuan Ruan: [???]

Daoist Wen: [???]

Prime Ministers Wang and Li were initially taken aback by the emperor’s sudden decision. However, they quickly regained their composure. Prime Minister Li relaxed in his seat, while Prime Minister Wang seemed to have an epiphany. They each sipped their tea and exchanged cryptic smiles.

Prime Minister Li remarked meaningfully, “Experience wins the day.”

Prime Minister Wang chuckled. “No, this is Jiang Ziya fishing with patience.”

The palace guards stepped forward to restrain Daoist Wen. Only when his hands and feet were bound did he seem to realize the gravity of the situation.

In disbelief, he shouted at the emperor, “I—I saved your life! How can you treat me like this?!”

The emperor remained unmoved, fully trusting the national fortune.

Seeing no response, Daoist Wen began to panic. As he was dragged toward the door, he finally lost his composure. “Why are you arresting me?! I am an immortal! You’ve been deceived by a false national preceptor! Release me! Your Majesty, Crown Prince…”

The guards ignored him, quickening their pace until his final words echoed faintly: “My senior brother will come to save me!”

Yuan Ruan: [What just happened? Daoist Wen barely got a moment on stage, quoted Gray Wolf’s famous line, and now he’s locked up?]

System: [I’m baffled too! I doubted my information earlier, but based on the emperor and crown prince’s actions, it seems Da Xia’s intelligence network is far more formidable than I imagined.]

The ministers: [No, we just eavesdropped on your gossip.]

Yuan Ruan: [Sigh. With Daoist Wen gone, Big Brother and Nephew won’t discuss his secrets anymore. System, spill the tea! I’m so curious!]

The crown prince suddenly realized the emperor’s brilliance. His father’s seemingly abrupt actions weren’t random; they were a deliberate ploy to make the system voluntarily reveal its secrets.

System: [Hehe! When it comes down to it, I’m the real MVP. Sit tight—I’ll break down all his schemes for you!]

Yuan Ruan: [Yes, yes! I’m ready!]

The emperor and his ministers subtly leaned in.

After all, they had witnessed Daoist Wen’s supposed miracles: his ability to diagnose misfortunes and predict outcomes with uncanny precision. If not for Yuan Ruan declaring him a fraud, anyone else might’ve ended up in chains instead.