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Chapter 774: The Usefulness of the Profligate
Yu Sangning woke up that same day but was extremely weak. Even the Chief Imperial Physician said that Yu Sangning had suffered severe damage and would likely find it difficult to have children in the future. This news greatly distressed Yu Sangning, and the Empress Dowager, unable to bear it, did not allow Xiao Changmin to see her.
The Empress Dowager kept Yu Sangning in the palace to rest overnight, while Xiao Changmin knelt in the Empress Dowager's palace the entire time as punishment.
The matter was only addressed the next day when the Empress Dowager summoned both of them together. What was said remains unknown, but in the end, Xiao Changmin and Yu Sangning peacefully divorced.
Yu Sangning was immediately taken back to the Yu residence by her elder brother.
As for Xiao Changmin, he was severely reprimanded by His Majesty, stripped of his princely title, and now merely holds the status of the Second Prince. He also lost all his official positions, becoming a completely powerless prince.
His Majesty was already furious at Xiao Changmin for his incompetence and tendency to cause more harm than good. His failure to capture Bu Shulin that day allowed Bu Shulin to return smoothly to Shu. The request for the inheritance of the peerage from the Shu Southern Royal Manor was likely already on its way with the people sent to fetch Xiao Wenxi.
Compounded by Xiao Changyan's disappearance, which left behind a mess that was a headache to clean up, His Majesty was holding back his anger. Xiao Changmin happened to cross him at this time, and it would be a miracle if His Majesty went easy on him.
Three days later, after numerous discussions with Hongyu, Shen Xihe finally developed a type of scent pill and placed the finished product in front of Xiao Huayong.
It was a small, round pill the size of a little fingernail, emitting a medicinal fragrance. Xiao Huayong took one out and examined it: "This is... a scent pill?"
Shen Xihe nodded: "This scent pill is not for carrying or burning but for ingestion."
This was also the reason why Shen Xihe could still detect the scent that day—because Xiao Changmin had ingested it, allowing the residue to linger for so long.
"What happens after ingestion?" Xiao Huayong asked.
"This scent pill..." Shen Xihe thought for a moment and said, "is similar to Five Minerals Powder but more potent. A small pill not only... enhances arousal but also causes hallucinations."
The so-called enhancement of arousal actually has an aphrodisiac effect, enabling men to engage in intimate affairs without fatigue and remain energetic the day after.
The side effects are minimal and can be offset by consuming more kidney-nourishing and liver-protecting foods. If such a product were made and sold, it could likely generate substantial profits.
However, Shen Xihe would not allow such a thing to appear in the Living-Alone Pavilion, fearing that someone like Yu Sangning might use it to harm others.
Xiao Huayong curled his lips, placed the scent pill back into the box, and closed the lid. He then called for Tianyuan and pushed the box toward him: "Give this to the heir of Zhenbei Marquis."
With Bu Shulin gone and Cui Jinbai temporarily away in the Blackwater Tribe, Ding Jue remained at the Dali Temple sorting through documents. Perhaps due to the absence of his troublemaking friends, the Zhenbei Marquis finally petitioned for his legitimate son to be designated as the heir.
Some tasks truly can only be handled by these profligates.
When Ding Jue received these items, he naturally shared them with his troublemaking friend Yu Jin. They had been playing together since Yu Jin was the heir of Pingyao Marquis.However, Yu Sangning still had some filial piety; being in deep mourning, he neither sought pleasure nor drank alcohol. When Ding Jue brought gifts to the Yu residence, he said: "These are fine items, though Brother Yu cannot use them at present. Yet, such treasures are rare and hard to come by. I went through great trouble to acquire them. Brother Yu may keep some for future personal use or as gifts—they are all made from premium medicinal ingredients."
As the current heir to the Marquis of Zhenbei, Ding Jue’s offer was initially declined by Yu Sangning. However, considering future reliance on him and that he had no intention of using the items, Yu Sangning accepted to avoid rejecting Ding Jue’s goodwill.
Naturally, Ding Jue didn’t share these only with Yu Sangning; he distributed them among his circle, instantly earning praise from his frivolous friends, who privately inquired about the source.
Ding Jue merely smiled mysteriously: "Cannot say, cannot say."
While Ding Jue’s gifts gained limited admiration, Yu Sangning, who kept a close watch on her brother, quickly learned what had been delivered. Her concern for her brother stemmed from her future wealth being tied to him. Ding Jue, a pleasure-seeking wastrel, must not lead her brother astray.
Yet, if she questioned her brother immediately after Ding Jue’s visit, it would reveal her surveillance. Thus, she had to investigate discreetly. Given Ding Jue’s ostentation, how could it escape attentive ears?
Yu Sangning soon obtained the scent pill, and in an instant, her pale face drained of all color.
How was this possible!
This was a lost incense formula! She had memorized the recipe and immediately burned it. The formula had been accidentally discovered in a rare manuscript from her maternal family, passed down for generations in her grandfather’s household.
It couldn’t possibly be known to outsiders! Moreover, its emergence was far too coincidental—appearing right after she had concocted it herself. She couldn’t help but suspect it had leaked from her.
But how could it have leaked from her? Yu Sangning was utterly perplexed!
The root of it all lay with Ding Jue—only he possessed these items now!
Yu Sangning had no choice but to secretly arrange a meeting with Ding Jue. Though approaching him through Yu Sangning would be easier, it risked exposing her schemes to divorce Xiao Changmin, making her brother wary and fearful of her.
She couldn’t let Yu Sangning guard against her.
Her private meeting with Ding Jue was granted with due respect, unbeknownst to her that one of Xiao Changmin’s trusted aides happened to witness it.
"Could the heir please inform me how you obtained this item?" Yu Sangning asked directly.
Ding Jue fanned himself with a folding fan, preening with an air of rakish charm: "Second Miss Yu, as a lady, delving into such matters—I find it quite surprising."
"Heir, I beg you to tell me. This incense formula is a family heirloom from my grandfather’s line," Yu Sangning said weakly, lacking the energy for pleasantries.
"Second Miss Yu’s maternal ancestors were…" Ding Jue looked her up and down, his interest undisguised, his gaze almost blatantly implying their lineage was less than honorable.
Fury simmered within Yu Sangning, but she suppressed it: "If the heir is unwilling to disclose…"
As Yu Sangning stood to leave, Ding Jue hurriedly reached out to stop her. From the opposite room across the courtyard, their interaction appeared as a physical tussle.
This was, of course, intentional on Ding Jue’s part—he had chosen the spot deliberately, his smile particularly suggestive and entangling: "Second Miss Yu, do not be angry.""This prescription was circulated from the Ling's Pharmacy. I spent a fortune to find out that someone had purchased the medicine, which was detected by a doctor who understands incense. The person who fetched the medicine was clever, mixing the fragrant herbs with many counterfeit substances to pass off as genuine. But just when one thinks they've outsmarted others, someone more cunning appears. Who would have thought they'd encounter another skilled doctor well-versed in blending incense?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Sangning nearly lost her balance. Ding Jue quickly steadied her, making their posture even more intimate.
But Yu Sangning was in no state to care about such things now. She clung to Ding Jue as if grasping at a lifeline: "Your Highness, can you find out who fetched the medicine?"
(End of Chapter)
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