After entering the book, the cold prince begs for favor

Chapter 441 The Origins of the Dragon-Slaying Plan

Are we just going to passively take a beating and wait for others to decide our fate?

That's not like her.

Now that we've sensed a deadly crisis looming overhead, instead of living in constant fear, we should strike first.

Thus, the plan to send the emperor to his death with incense took shape in her calm and resolute thoughts.

Yuan Wanru calculated the days with her fingers, a hint of seriousness flashing across her brows: "Judging by the time... there should be some movement from the Emperor soon, right? Will Chen Zhengxuan become suspicious?"

The part of this matter that could most easily expose them was the prescription in Chen Zhengxuan's possession.

Other places have nothing to do with them.

Lu Jiangnian held her hand, his dry, warm palm conveying a reassuring strength, and his tone was full of certainty: "Don't worry, this matter has been completely clean from beginning to end, leaving no trace."

"Even if people in the palace became suspicious after the incident and traced it back to Chen Zhengxuan,"

His eyes were sharp, and he possessed a calm composure that indicated he had a firm grasp of the situation. "They will never trace it back to us."

This wasn't the first time he had dealt with Chen Zhengxuan.

The fact that he dared to buy grain from Chen Zhengxuan shows that he had thoroughly studied this person.

Chen Zhengxuan had a typical businessman's mindset. He liked novelty and ancient prescriptions and rare medicines because he needed to continuously supply them to Lady Zhaohua in the palace.

Chen Zhengxuan would definitely not let go of the ancient prescription written by Yuan Wanru, and he would certainly make incense to send to Lady Zhaohua.

The prescription was meticulously designed by Lu Jiangnian and delivered to Chen Zhengxuan in a very natural way through a seemingly unrelated but absolutely attention-grabbing "person".

Moreover, the prescription itself, written in black and white, can withstand any scrutiny; it is indeed a rare and excellent prescription, beneficial for health and wellness, without any flaws.

The problem lies with the ambergris.

This stroke of genius was thanks to Yuan Wanru.

With her keen mind, she noticed the unique, somber scent of ambergris that was everywhere during her visit to the palace, even though she only stayed there for a few hours.

Later, she and Lu Jiangnian confirmed that, indeed, the emperor was extremely fond of this incense and burned it almost every day.

Thus, a bold and ingenious plan took shape in her mind—to use the royal ambergris as a catalyst.

The "Soul-Soothing Incense" concocted by Yuan Wanru, when used alone, calms the mind and soothes the spirit, and is beneficial to the body without any harm.

However, once it is mixed with ambergris, which is the emperor's favorite incense, the effect is completely different.

The blending of the two aromas creates a strange illusion: one feels energetic and full of vitality, which also easily arouses desire and makes one more likely to act impulsively.

It's somewhat similar to the anesthetic effect of opium on people.

This apparent "vigorousness" is actually a silent drain on the body's fundamental vitality.

What's even more remarkable is that this slow erosion is extremely subtle in the pulse. By the time the imperial physician can finally detect the problem, the person's body is already like a tree hollowed out by termites, extremely weak, and beyond saving.

The plan seems simple, but in reality, every step is interconnected, and no mistake can be made.

That "ancient prescription" is the key to getting Chen Zhengxuan to offer it willingly so that "Ningpo Fragrance" can legitimately enter the emperor's daily life.

The entire scheme, every single step of the arrangement, was personally handled by Lu Jiangnian to ensure that nothing went wrong.

This matter is known only to heaven and earth, and only the husband and wife themselves know the truth.

Lu Jiangnian was well aware of the significance of this.

Seeing the Crown Prince jumping up and down in such a panic, he couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

But he knew even more clearly: power can change people.

Today's allies may very well be tomorrow's hidden dangers that need to be eliminated.

Therefore, no matter how urgent the Crown Prince's urging was, Lu Jiangnian would keep this crucial secret to himself and would not utter a single word about it.

-

As dawn broke, Dafeng Town was still shrouded in morning mist and drowsiness.

Lu Jiangnian had already returned the keys to the rented courtyard house and paid off the last few odds and ends.

Apart from the medicine box, he and Yuan Wanru took nothing else with them.

They came lightly and left with nothing.

The small courtyard quickly returned to the emptiness it had been before their arrival, as if the smoke and fragrance of herbs that had filled the air for more than a month were just a fleeting dream for the townspeople.

Although Yuan Wanru only stayed in the town for a little over a month, the reputation of "Dr. Jiang" had already quietly spread.

Everyone in the neighborhood knows that a young female doctor has recently arrived in town. Not only is she very beautiful, but her medical skills are also outstanding. What's especially remarkable is that she charges very low fees. If someone is really struggling financially, a few eggs or a bunch of vegetables can be enough to cover the cost.

Many families suffering from headaches, fevers, and chronic illnesses remember Dr. Jiang, a kind and capable doctor.

So, within two days, people carrying their saved eggs or helping their chronically ill elderly relatives found their way to the familiar courtyard gate.

"Dr. Jiang? Is Dr. Jiang home?"

The knocking sounded somewhat abrupt in the quiet alley.

After waiting for a while, no one answered. A neighbor, startled, poked his head out: "Looking for Dr. Jiang? He's already gone, I don't know where he went!"

"gone?"

The newcomer looked bewildered. "This...how could they just leave like that? They didn't even tell anyone!"

"Indeed, they disappeared without a sound, just like when they came, like a gust of wind."

The neighbors also sighed in amazement.

The wind passed without a trace.

Dr. Jiang came and went, leaving behind some relieved pain and a few sincere murmurs, without a trace.

Only those who had been relieved of their illnesses by her skillful hands retained a warm memory and a faint sense of loss in their hearts.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiangnian and Yuan Wanru had already embarked on their journey home.

Zhongyong Hou Mansion.

The courtyard is deep and the pavilions remain the same. Life seems to flow by at its own pace, without any noticeable ripples.

Lu Jiangnian and Yuan Wanru returned to the mansion without disturbing too many people.

They quietly returned to Lingshui Residence, quickly replaced the two trusted confidants who had covered their tracks, washed away the dust of their journey, changed into casual clothes, and then went to Wangchun Hall to pay their respects to Wang Min with normal expressions.

Of all the people in the household who knew that the couple had been "out of the house" recently, only Wang Min knew about it.

Now that Old Madam Lu has been sent back to her hometown to "retire," and with that troublemaker gone from the mansion, the words of Lady Wang Min, the Marquis's wife, naturally carry more weight, and no one dares to openly disobey her.

Wang Min had issued a strict order long ago: Prince Lu Jiangnian was in low spirits due to the matter of being relieved of his official post and needed to recuperate quietly at Lingshui Residence.

No one in the entire household is allowed to disturb them for any trivial matter.

This order, like an invisible barrier, isolated Lingshui Residence and concealed the truth about their departure from the capital.

Inside Wangchun Hall, Wang Min sat in the main seat, watching her son and daughter-in-law walk in side by side.

Her gaze lingered on their faces for a moment, a barely perceptible hint of gentleness flashing in her eyes.

Lu Jiangnian's complexion was a bit darker than when he left home, exuding the air of mountain sunshine. Yuan Wanru also had a relaxed smile between her brows. The two stood side by side, and the relaxed feeling they had from the inside out was something that couldn't be faked.