Shen Meizhuang, however, was not convinced.

She claimed that she had used both soft and hard tactics to get the fertility prescription from Jiang Cheng, and there was even a trace of pride in her voice as she spoke.

She also mentioned that she had sent many people to investigate the two brothers and discovered that they weren’t getting along. Based on this, she concluded that Jiang Cheng wouldn’t be like Jiang Shen, doing things for Huafei.

However, if Jiang Cheng had not told Cao Qinmo and Huafei about Shen Meizhuang asking him for the fertility prescription, how could they have arranged for Imperial Physician Liu Ben to give Shen Meizhuang a prescription to delay her menstrual cycle?

Cao Qinmo, with Huafei’s support, was able to devise such a meticulous plan with complete audacity.

And Shen Meizhuang, desperate for a child and overly trusting of her hometown fellow Liu Ben, ended up being harmed without even realizing it.

Just as Zhen Huan was about to have Yu Ying’er tell Shen Meizhuang everything she knew, Liu Ben came to the door asking to see her, claiming he had come to check Shen Meizhuang’s pulse for peace of mind.

Zhen Huan felt it wasn’t the right time for a conversation, so she reminded Shen Meizhuang to keep the prescription Liu Ben had given her. She advised her not to take it just yet, and to consult her first before making any decisions.

After all that had happened, Shen Meizhuang naturally trusted Zhen Huan’s judgment.

When she saw Liu Ben again, Zhen Huan’s resentment from her past life surged up, but she quickly suppressed it.

Yu Ying’er asked Zhen Huan what they should say if Huafei asked about it.

Zhen Huan said that Yu Ying’er should casually bring up the fertility prescription, without going into too much detail, since Huafei would already know.

Shen Meizhuang, reminded by Zhen Huan, started to feel nervous after her initial excitement.

Once Liu Ben left, she quietly went to Bitong Academy.

“Huan’er, this is the prescription for acne treatment that Imperial Physician Liu Ben gave me. I brought it here. Do you really think there’s a problem with it?”

Zhen Huan nodded.

“But Liu Ben just arrived at the palace recently, and he’s from my hometown. I really can’t figure out why he would want to harm me.”

“Yu sister said he was specially brought by Huafei to take advantage of your desperation for a child and frame you.”

“Huafei? It’s always Huafei!” Shen Meizhuang gripped her handkerchief tightly. “I’ve been so careful, doing my best to avoid her. Why can’t she leave me alone?”

“I’m afraid she won’t stop at just you…”

“You mean…?”

Zhen Huan nodded.

“After you, it will be me, and after me, it will be Lingrong. As long as we remain in this harem, the infighting will never stop.”

“I’m going to tell the Emperor about this,” Shen Meizhuang said, standing up. “Let the Emperor make the decision for me. I don’t believe that, no matter how much he favors Huafei, he’ll allow her to act so recklessly.”

“Mei sister, don’t be impulsive.”

Zhen Huan stood up and pressed Shen Meizhuang’s hand, signaling her to calm down.

“Huan’er, how can I stay calm when something like this has happened?”

“Even if you bring the prescription to the Emperor, what evidence is there to prove it was Huafei’s doing?”

“Even if you tell the Emperor, at most, he will only deal with Liu Ben.”

“Do you think the Emperor will punish Huafei just because of a prescription? At most, he’ll lock her up for a few days.”

“So, sister, we need to wait…”

“Wait?”

At that moment, Zhen Huan really wanted to tell Shen Meizhuang that she had been reborn, so that it would be easier to act from now on.

“Wait?”

“Wait for things to escalate…”

Zhen Huan thought about the prescription. After all, it was to delay menstruation, so it wouldn’t cause any major harm. At worst, they could have Wen Shichu prescribe some more herbs for adjustment later.

So they planned to take the medicine together.

Naturally, this news soon reached Huafei’s ears through Yu Ying’er.

“What? Shen Meizhuang gave that acne treatment prescription to Zhen Huan, and Zhen Huan is using it too?”

Yu Ying’er vividly explained the situation.

“Yes, Guan Guiyin recently had some acne on her face. She saw that the pimples on Shen Meizhuang’s face had cleared up, so she asked what method Shen Meizhuang had used, and Shen Meizhuang gave her the prescription.”

“Hahahaha…” Huafei laughed loudly. “No wonder these two are sisters. This Shen Meizhuang has done us a great favor!”

Yu Ying’er agreed, “Exactly! I’ve seen stupid people, but never this stupid!”

“Your Majesty, I think something’s off about this.”

“Off? Cao Guiyin, are you overthinking this?”

“Your Majesty, it’s not that I’m overthinking it. From what I know about Guan Guiyin, she’s very meticulous. How could she casually use someone else’s prescription?”

“Sister Cao, I think you’re still upset about the last time when Guan Guiyin tricked you, aren’t you?”

“Little sister, I saw her drink the medicine with my own eyes. There’s absolutely no doubt about it. If you don’t believe it, you can go test it yourself.”

“Ying’er is right. If you’re not at ease, you can find an excuse to test it yourself and see if it’s real.”

Huafei spoke casually, even showing some disdain for Cao Qinmo’s actions, feeling that she was being too timid.

She stroked the protective armor on her hand.

“Besides, wasn’t Wen Shichu already sent away to treat the Guarding State Duke’s grandfather? I don’t know what you’re still afraid of!”

Seeing Huafei say this, Yu Ying’er also spoke in favor of Cao Qinmo.

“Your Majesty, Sister Cao is just being cautious. It’s always better to be careful to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

She even muttered to herself.

“Unlike me, the only thing I can do is report news to Your Majesty. I can’t come up with any plans.”

“Alright, why are you complaining about yourself now? Your merits, this palace will remember them.”

After thinking it over, Cao Qinmo wasn’t fully at ease, so she went to test it, confirming that things were exactly as Yu Ying’er had said, and then felt relieved.

Meanwhile, when Zhen Huan went to Taohuawu to talk to the Empress, she intentionally or unintentionally brought up Liu Ben.

“I didn’t even know there was a physician named Liu Ben in the Imperial Medical Institute before.”

“He’s really quite skilled. In no time at all, he treated the acne on my and Mei sister’s faces.”

“Coincidentally, he’s actually from Mei sister’s hometown.”

The Empress’s eyes flashed with a hint of suspicion, but the ripple disappeared almost immediately.

Zhen Huan knew not to say too much. With the Empress’s years of experience, she would surely sense something unusual.

If the Empress started investigating Liu Ben’s background, that would be the best outcome.

After all, once the connection to Huafei was found out, the Empress would be more concerned than anyone else.

Meanwhile, from Yu Ying’er and Liu Ben’s words, Huafei learned that Shen Meizhuang trusted her completely.

So Cao Qinmo decided to set up another trap to make both Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang fall into it.