The power of these words falling could no longer be described as heaven’s thunderbolts striking.

Not only couldn’t Shen Wei handle hearing it—even Xie Zhifei, Pei Xiao, and Zhu Yuanmo, who’d long been mentally prepared, felt their hearts pounding like drums.

Gross insubordination!

To actually discuss the current emperor behind his back.

Not only discuss—they were going to expose bit by bit the most despicable methods the emperor used to ascend the throne…

If anyone heard this, it would be the crime of exterminating three clans!

And they’d die without burial places!

At this moment, Shen Wei only had breath going out, none coming in.

His aged face gained an extra flush of red out of nowhere, like a person’s final radiance before death. His eyes stared fixedly at Yan Sanhe, his eyeballs unmoving.

Yan Sanhe spoke calmly: “You don’t need to answer me. Just nod or shake your head.”

The flush quickly receded.

Shen Wei’s throat made a “huo” sound. One breath drew into his lungs. After his chest rose and fell several times, he forcefully nodded once.

Yes!

Prince!

Zhao!

That Nine-Five Supreme on the dragon throne!

When Shen Wei went to the Northern Lands back then, it wasn’t willing—he’d been forced to go by his father.

His father said spending a few years in the Northern Lands building seniority, then returning to the capital to enter the Imperial Medical Academy would be completely different.

The Northern Lands truly weren’t fit for humans. Looking around, it was either sky-filling sandstorms or sky-filling snow.

Heaven and earth stretched boundlessly—you couldn’t see the end no matter how far you looked.

Though conditions were poor, there weren’t so many worldly affairs. It was perfect for concentrating on studying medical arts.

One night, just after he’d lain down to sleep, he was called up.

The enemy had attacked. Prince Zhao went to battle but was defeated and returned. Countless casualties now. The army had retreated to the fief, summoning these physicians to treat the wounded.

Shen Wei said nothing and went immediately after dressing.

It was the most terrifying scene he’d ever witnessed—describing it as earthly hell wouldn’t be excessive.

Shen Wei worked busily all night.

As dawn approached, a majestic young man walked in. Shen Wei’s sharp eyes discovered his arm faintly had bloodstains, just wearing black clothing that made it less obvious.

Shen Wei quickly stepped forward. “Your Highness, you’re injured.”

Prince Zhao looked down and said dismissively: “Oh, I’m injured too. Didn’t even notice.”

This scene was their first meeting.

One was a prince who went to battle every few days, the other an outstanding physician. The two had many opportunities to meet. Gradually they became familiar.

It wasn’t like the legendary deep affection and righteousness.

Someone like him couldn’t develop deep affection with anyone. It was just a bit more trust than ordinary physicians.

The real relationship developed when Prince Zhao’s consort gave birth.

The consort had difficult labor with her first child. After three days and nights she still hadn’t delivered. The midwives had no solutions and could only invite him.

Fortunately, half an hour after he administered needles, the child was born with loud cries.

Mother and child were both safe.

From then on, not only did Prince Zhao regard him differently, but all illnesses throughout the prince’s household were seen only by him, Shen Wei.

When he returned to the capital, the consort was extremely reluctant to part with him and even sent him a cart of Northern Lands specialties.

After returning to the capital, busy with Imperial Medical Academy affairs, matters from the north faded.

When Prince Zhao entered the capital, he also didn’t associate much with him. Occasionally meeting in the palace, they’d stop to chat a few words.

Some things required discretion. Especially them—these hereditary families couldn’t walk too close to any imperial prince or grandson.

Decades passed in the blink of an eye.

He’d changed from Young Physician Shen to Old Imperial Physician Shen. His daughter entered the Crown Prince’s residence. His eldest son Shen Yande also entered the Imperial Medical Academy with his support.

The third year after his eldest son entered the Imperial Medical Academy, he used the wrong medicine when treating a palace noble.

Prescriptions used by palace nobles were all archived.

A colleague discovered it and reported it to the Imperial Medical Academy Director.

Throughout history, imperial physicians who used wrong medicine had only one fate—not only would his son be kicked out of the Imperial Medical Academy, but he, Shen Wei, would also suffer.

If Shen Wei suffered, it meant the Shen family suffered.

The Shen family’s good reputation inherited over a dozen generations would be destroyed at once. Trying to climb higher afterward would be very difficult.

Shen Wei was desperately anxious, seeking connections everywhere trying to suppress this matter.

It absolutely couldn’t be suppressed. That colleague who reported was determined to destroy the Shen family.

Just when he was at his wit’s end, that colleague suddenly died suddenly at home. The director threw that prescription into a charcoal brazier before his eyes.

Only then did he learn someone had secretly helped, quietly settling this matter.

Three months later.

When Prince Zhao’s trusted confidant stood before Shen Wei, he finally understood the person who’d acted to settle this matter was precisely Prince Zhao.

Just as pies don’t fall from the sky, Prince Zhao wouldn’t help him for no reason. That person spoke bluntly, proposing that his daughter do one thing.

What thing, that person didn’t say directly but gave him two choices—

Do it, guarantee the Shen family sons and grandsons three generations of glory and wealth.

Don’t do it, and whatever fate the Shen family originally should have faced, that’s what they’d face afterward.

“I had no choice.”

Shen Wei shook his head while wailing lowly. “I had to preserve the Shen family. I absolutely had to preserve the Shen family.”

Yan Sanhe: “Then you went to force Shen Duruo.”

Shen Wei’s voice was hoarse: “I went to beg her first. She wouldn’t agree, so I could only force her.”

Yan Sanhe: “You forced her and she agreed?”

Shen Wei’s turbid eyes flashed with a bit of madness.

With his daughter’s temperament, how could she possibly agree immediately? He forced her three times. She simply moved into the Crown Prince’s residence.

He truly had no other way, so he had Lady Pu employ a scheme of self-inflicted injury to force their daughter home.

That day, he remembered very clearly—their daughter returned home after dark, still wearing her female physician’s official robes.

Clearly she’d come in haste.

His heart leaped with joy, thinking inwardly this self-injury scheme had worked.

No matter how she disowned her six relations, she was ultimately flesh that fell from Lady Pu’s belly.

Her mother had doted on her since childhood. Back when their daughter wanted to learn the Pu family’s medical arts, Lady Pu said nothing and took her back to her maiden home.

Upon entering, she first performed greetings.

Then sat by the bed to take her mother’s pulse.

With this examination, their daughter’s expression changed.

Lady Pu wasn’t feigning illness. She’d deliberately caught cold wind and rain. The illness was genuine.

When ill, complexion becomes haggard. Adding a few tears, by candlelight it was truly pitiful to the extreme.

Especially since Lady Pu was normally a spirited person.

After a long silence, she said: “I’ll prescribe Mother some doses of medicine.”

Lady Pu struggled to sit up, pulled at their daughter’s sleeve, and said to him: “Fetch the sewing box. This sleeve is torn—I’ll mend it with a few stitches.”

He ordered maids to bring the sewing box and moved the candle closer.

Lady Pu threaded the needle and lowered her head, mending that torn place on their daughter’s sleeve stitch by stitch.

Finally, Lady Pu brought her face close and gently bit off the thread end with her teeth.

From beginning to end, their daughter sat motionless. Only her eyes slowly reddened.

“When Mother was pregnant with you, I had only one thought: Let this pregnancy give me a daughter. Later I went to the Taoist temple to pray, and sure enough, my prayer was answered.

When you were just born, you were so ugly. But Mother was so happy—no matter how ugly, you’re Mother’s daughter. In this lifetime, Mother has only you as a daughter.”

Saying this, Lady Pu let out a heavy sigh.

“You just go ahead with peace of mind. Mother called you back only to see you. Living alone outside, remember to eat well. When it’s cold, remember to add extra clothing. Don’t catch cold.”

Her eyes reddened further. Her lips pressed tightly together. Her originally straight back slowly bent down.