Yu Sangning regained consciousness that same day but was extremely weak. Even the Chief Imperial Physician said she was severely depleted and might never be able to bear children again. This news deeply affected Yu Sangning, and the Empress Dowager, taking pity, didn’t allow Xiao Changmin to see her.

The Empress Dowager kept Yu Sangning in the palace to rest for the night, while Xiao Changmin remained kneeling in the Empress Dowager’s palace as punishment.

The next day, the Empress Dowager summoned both of them together. Though no one knows what was said, Xiao Changmin and Yu Sangning ultimately divorced amicably.

Yu Sangning was immediately taken back to the Yu residence by her brother.

Xiao Changmin was severely reprimanded by His Majesty, even losing his title of Prince. Now he was merely the Second Prince, stripped of all his positions, becoming a completely powerless prince.

His Majesty was already angry at Xiao Changmin’s incompetence and tendency to make matters worse. His failure to capture Bu Shulin had allowed him to return safely to Shu. The document requesting the inheritance of the Prince of Shunan’s title was probably already en route with those coming to escort Xiao Wenxi.

Additionally, with Xiao Changyan’s disappearance leaving behind a troublesome mess to deal with, His Majesty was already holding back his anger when Xiao Changmin happened to provoke him – it would have been miraculous if His Majesty had shown leniency.

Three days later, after countless discussions with Hong Yu, Shen Xihe finally produced a fragrant pill and placed the finished product before Xiao Huayong…

A round pill the size of a little fingertip, emitting a medicinal fragrance. Xiao Huayong took one out to examine: “This is… a fragrance pill?”

Shen Xihe nodded: “This fragrance pill isn’t meant to be carried or burned, but to be consumed.”

This explained why Shen Xihe could still smell it that day – because Xiao Changmin had ingested it, allowing the scent to linger so long.

“What happens after taking it?” Xiao Huayong asked.

“This fragrance pill…” After thinking, Shen Xihe said, “Compared to the Five Stone Powder, it’s even more potent. One tiny pill not only… enhances pleasure, but also causes hallucinations.”

The so-called pleasure enhancement had aphrodisiac effects, making men tireless during intimacy, and leaving them energetic the day after coupling.

Its harmful effects were minimal, requiring only some kidney and liver-nourishing substances to offset any deficiencies. If produced for sale, such an item would likely bring enormous profits.

However, Shen Xihe would never allow such things in the Du Huo Tower, fearing people like Yu Sangning would use them to harm others.

Xiao Huayong’s lips curled up as he placed the pill back in its box and closed the lid. He called Tian Yuan in and pushed the box to him: “Give this to the Marquis of Zhenbei’s heir.”

With Bu Shulin gone and Cui Jinbai temporarily at the Black Water tribe, Ding Jue still organizing documents at the Court of Judicature, and perhaps with no more idle friends around, the Marquis of Zhenbei had finally requested the title of heir for his eldest son.

Some things could truly only be done well by these idle rich.

When Ding Jue received these items, he naturally shared them with his old friend Yu Jin. They had played together since Yu Jin was still the heir to the Marquis of Pingyao.

However, Yu Jin still had filial piety – while in mourning, he neither sought pleasure nor drank alcohol. When Ding Jue brought the items to the Yu residence, he said: “This is something precious, though Brother Yu can’t use it now. Good things are hard to come by, and your foolish brother barely managed to obtain some. Brother Yu can keep some, either for personal use later or as gifts – they’re made from excellent medicinal ingredients.”

Ding Jue was now the heir to the Marquis of Zhenbei. Yu Jin initially didn’t want to accept, but thinking he might need to rely on Ding Jue in the future, and since he had no intention of using it himself, he didn’t want to reject Ding Jue’s goodwill, so he accepted.

Naturally, Ding Jue didn’t share only with Yu Jin – he shared with his whole circle of friends. They immediately became enthusiastic, privately inquiring about its source.

Ding Jue merely smiled mysteriously: “Can’t say, can’t say.”

While Ding Jue’s distributed items gained popularity in a small circle, Yu Sangning, who kept a close watch on Yu Jin, immediately learned what Ding Jue had brought. She cared about her brother because her future prosperity depended on him. Ding Jue was a pleasure-seeking idle rich – she couldn’t let him lead her brother astray.

But if Yu Sangning immediately questioned her brother after Ding Jue’s delivery, wouldn’t that reveal she was monitoring him? So she could only make private inquiries. With Ding Jue being so high-profile, how could he hide from someone determined to find out?

Yu Sangning soon obtained a fragrance pill, and instantly, all color drained from her already pale face.

How was this possible?

This was a lost formula! She had memorized it and immediately burned it afterward. The formula had come from a rare book on her mother’s side, passed down for generations in her maternal grandfather’s family.

It couldn’t possibly be known to outsiders! Moreover, the timing of its appearance was too coincidental!

Appearing right after she had made it herself – she couldn’t help but suspect these items had leaked from her hands!

But how had they leaked from her? Yu Sangning couldn’t figure it out no matter how hard she thought!

Everything traced back to Ding Jue – now only he had this item!

Yu Sangning had no choice but to secretly arrange a meeting with Ding Jue. Going through Yu Jin would have been easier, but that risked Ding Jue learning of everything she had done to divorce Xiao Changmin.

She couldn’t let Yu Jin become wary and afraid of her.

She met Ding Jue privately, and he was quite accommodating, but coincidentally, one of Xiao Changmin’s confidants saw them.

“Could the Young Master tell me how you obtained this?” Yu Sangning asked directly.

Ding Jue waved his fan, thinking himself dashing: “For Lady Yu to investigate such matters as a woman in seclusion, I find it quite surprising.”

“Young Master, please tell me, this fragrance formula is my maternal family’s inheritance.” Yu Sangning was too weak to play games with Ding Jue.

“Lady Yu’s maternal ancestors were…” Ding Jue looked Yu Sangning up and down, his interest unconcealed, his gaze practically declaring their ancestors weren’t respectable people.

Yu Sangning’s anger surged, but she had to suppress it: “If the Young Master won’t tell me…”

As Yu Sangning rose, Ding Jue hurriedly reached out to stop her. From across the courtyard, it appeared they were struggling.

This was deliberately orchestrated by Ding Jue, who had chosen this location on purpose, his smile particularly ambiguous and entangling: “Lady Yu, don’t be angry.

The formula came from the Ling Family pharmacy. I spent a great deal of money to learn that someone bought the medicines and was discovered by a doctor skilled in fragrances. The person buying the medicines was clever, mixing in many fake ingredients to confuse things, but as they say, for every foot the Dao rises, the demon rises ten – who would have thought they’d encounter another doctor skilled in fragrance-making?”

Yu Sangning nearly lost her balance upon hearing this. Ding Jue quickly steadied her, making their posture even more intimate.

Yu Sangning had forgotten about such appearances now, clutching at Ding Jue like a drowning person grabbing driftwood: “Young Master, could you find out who bought the medicines?”