"Go and make arrangements, find a few women..."

He paused again at this point.

"We can't hire ordinary palace maids either. This matter must not be made public, and we can't risk the lives of innocent palace maids."

Therefore, it would be best to find a few suitable women..."

"Moreover, Tsurukawa will definitely resist this matter, so we must not tell Tsurukawa about it."

Even Granny Li was completely confused.

"Then what should we do?"

"We can't possibly drug His Majesty!"

"Yes, drug them!"

The Empress Dowager nodded, as if possessed, and murmured something.

"At this point, it seems that drugging is the only option left."

"ah!"

Granny Li exclaimed in surprise.

"But His Majesty is already in this state. If we were to administer more medicine, it would likely further harm His Majesty's health. What if we were to damage His Majesty's constitution?"

Granny Li was filled with worry.

But the Empress Dowager seemed to be possessed.

He immediately ordered, "Go and find a suitable woman right now..."

"Also, secretly get some of these aphrodisiacs."

Li Mama was initially hesitant, feeling that something was amiss, but seeing the Empress Dowager's expression, she didn't try to persuade her any further and quickly made the arrangements.

Those who had been hiding in the shadows knew that the Empress Dowager had taken the bait when they learned of her actions.

The message was immediately delivered to Jiang Chongfan.

He looked at the contents of the note and immediately smiled.

"Everything is proceeding as I had planned. Tell Wan'er to hurry up and prepare; success or failure hinges on this."

What Jiang Chongfan didn't know was that this news also quickly reached Gu Jingchun's hands.

Gu Jingchun had managed the business for many years.

After taking over the harem, he quickly discovered problems with some of the women in it.

However, she kept quiet and secretly observed their actions.

The Empress Dowager's actions also did not escape Gu Jingchun's notice.

Because the Empress Dowager had been summoning various doctors during this period, Gu Jingchun kept a close eye on things and made sure she knew about the people the Empress Dowager brought in advance so she could deal with them accordingly.

Therefore, Gu Jingchun learned of the news when the itinerant doctor entered Shou'an Palace.

As for what the itinerant doctor said, it naturally reached Gu Jingchun's eyes.

Upon closer investigation, following the clues, it was quickly discovered that Jiang Chongfan was behind it all.

She couldn't help but snort coldly.

"It seems that the Jiang family and Jiang Mingwan have not given up their chance to enter the palace even now."

Even now that Shen Hechuan is in this state, she hasn't given up.

Gu Jingchun really didn't know whether to call her infatuated or persistent!

Lanxin, who was standing to the side, was furious when she learned that the Empress Dowager had started looking for women and aphrodisiacs.

"This servant thought the Empress Dowager was a good person, but it turns out it was all just a facade. Now she's about to do something so foolish just because of a few words from the imperial physician. If word gets out, won't she become a laughingstock!"

"And doesn't she have any regard for the relationship between you?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun gently patted Lanxin's hand to comfort her.

"Lanxin, remember this: people are selfish. No matter how good someone is to you, when something happens, the first thing they think of is themselves and their family."

As for you, you're nothing but an outsider, and the first one to be abandoned in vain.

"The Empress Dowager is the same."

"She simply chose the way that was most beneficial to His Majesty. She may have considered me, but compared to His Majesty's future and the stability of the throne, my emotions were not that important."

After Gu Jingchun finished speaking, Lan Xin gave a soft hum.

Although still unhappy, she was clearly persuaded.

Just then, there was a sudden commotion outside.

Lanxin quickly went out.

When he returned, his face showed a hint of surprise.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has arrived."

******

The weather has been getting colder lately.

Even though the Wanhe Hall was facing the heater, Shen Hechuan's hand holding the pen was still a little cold.

He put down his pen, rubbed his hands together, and then instructed, "Is there not enough charcoal in the palace lately?"

Why is it so cold?

Little Shadow quickly came over to explain.

"Your Majesty, it's simply because the weather outside is too cold. Even if we burn a lot of charcoal, it won't be enough."

Shen Hechuan nodded, then, recalling how cold Gu Jingchun's hands and feet had been when he held her last night, he added:

"Remember to send plenty of charcoal to the Empress and the Crown Prince's palace. They are afraid of the cold, so make sure it's burning well. If it's still cold, then add another stove."

Upon hearing this, Little Shadow nodded in agreement.

"This servant understands. Your Highness and His Highness would be very happy if they knew how much His Majesty cares about them."

Shen Hechuan smiled gently before continuing to process the memorials.

Soon, the little shadow returned.

Also brought back was a carrying box.

"Your Majesty, this is ginseng soup sent by the Empress Dowager. She said it's best to drink it at this time and that you must drink it while it's hot."

Shen Hechuan frowned upon hearing this.

During this period, the Empress Dowager has sent too many medicines and medicinal meals.

As for lying down like that, he drank countless bowls of it.

At first, he thought it would be fine to drink it, but every time he drank it, he would feel hot all over, which tormented Gu Jingchun every time.

So, after it happened a few times, Gu Jingchun was the first to get annoyed.

Therefore, she would always have Shen Hechuan throw away the medicine.

Until one day, the Empress Dowager saw it with her own eyes and gave Shen Hechuan a severe scolding.

But he had no way to refute it and could only listen helplessly.

After all, the lie was fabricated by himself, so he could only let it go.

However, from then on, every time the Empress Dowager sent medicine, she would have Li Mama watch him drink it.

Fortunately, this time, Granny Li did not come.

Therefore, Shen Hechuan's first reaction was to throw away the medicine.

Little Shadow said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager said that this medicine was personally brewed by the Empress. If you want to throw it away, then go ahead. After all, there's only one bowl left, and there won't be any more if you want to drink it."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan withdrew his hand, tilted his head back, and drank the entire bowl clean.

He even smacked his lips after finishing his drink.

"It truly lives up to the Empress's reputation for being made by her own hands; it tastes absolutely delicious!"

Little Shadow nodded in agreement and tidied up the food box.

Shen Hechuan continued to revise the memorials.

However, I felt increasingly hot.

At the same time.

The people the Empress Dowager had prepared were also sent over.

The person who came was a young girl, a concubine's daughter whom the Empress Dowager had specially found from her own family. She was extremely beautiful and bore a resemblance to Gu Jingchun.