The System endured the silent treatment for two full days before its programming finally yielded to curiosity and strategic necessity.
[Host,] it began, attempting a conciliatory tone. [Can we negotiate? If you tell me who you really are and how you know so much about the future, I will give you the complete, modern cowpox vaccine blueprint. No tasks required.]
Yinreng paused, considering the offer.
[Host,] the System pressed its advantage, [With the Qing Dynasty's current technological level, it is impossible to create a perfectly safe, inactivated vaccine. Even if Physician Liu successfully isolates cowpox, the primitive inoculation process will carry severe risks. My blueprint is different. It is the optimal solution, calculated using massive datasets from modern medical history to adapt to your current technological constraints. It guarantees significantly higher safety and efficacy than anything you could develop independently.]
Yinreng remained silent, weighing his options.
Internal Analysis: Physician Liu was skilled and dedicated. Given enough time and guidance, Yinreng believed the man could eventually develop a rudimentary cowpox inoculation method. However, the System was correct. A primitive method would still result in casualties. The System's blueprint, adapted from centuries of future medical advancement, was undoubtedly safer. By acquiring the blueprint, Yinreng could simply guide Physician Liu's research toward the correct answer, drastically reducing development time and saving lives.
"Deal," Yinreng agreed briskly.
He leaned back, preparing to disclose his greatest secret. "This is my second life. In my previous life, I lived in the 21st century. My name was Ren Jiashi. I debuted as a child actor at the age of five. As I grew up, I transitioned into a highly respected, award-winning actor known for both my looks and my sheer acting prowess. By my early twenties, my experience and skillset eclipsed half the entertainment industry."
Yinreng smirked, feeling a vindictive pleasure as he dropped the final piece of information. "Ironically, I have you to thank for this. The Mengpo Soup of oblivion I drank before reincarnating must have been watered down. However, it was only because of your constant, irritating mental stimulation during my illness last year that I fully regained my past-life memories."
[...] The System was stunned. It had analyzed every possibility—reincarnation, transmigrator—but its scans of the host's timeline had shown a completely normal 17th-century child until the illness. It had never considered that the host was a native who had 'recovered' memories mid-life.
And it was because of 'its' arrival?
The System suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of digital guilt. It had essentially created its own worst nightmare.
"Hand over the vaccine blueprint," Yinreng commanded, cutting through the System's shock.
[...Fine. Initiating transfer.]
The moment the blueprint materialized in his mind, Yinreng ruthlessly muted the System's audio feed.
[Host! You traitorous dog—!] The System's voice was abruptly cut off.
***
While Yinreng secured the medical future of the empire, the political landscape of the inner court was shifting.
In the frontline government, the Ministry of Works had received the glass formula and instantly became the most lucrative and envied department in the Six Ministries.
In the inner harem, the month of July brought news of imperial births. Concubine Daijia gave birth to the Seventh Prince, Yin You. It should have been a joyous occasion, but Kangxi summoned multiple imperial physicians for a grim consultation. The verdict was irreversible: the Seventh Prince was born with a physical deformity in his leg.
The Emperor's joy vanished, replaced by profound disappointment.
Consequently, a collective sigh of relief swept through the harem. Noble Consort Tongjia, in particular, was pleased. Daijia was not favored or of high birth, but a healthy imperial prince was always a threat. A crippled prince, however, was eliminated from the succession battle before he even began.
But Tongjia's relief was shattered days later by a new announcement.
Noble Lady Wei was pregnant.
"A lowly slave from the Sin Jeku!" Tongjia snarled, violently tearing a silk handkerchief in her quarters. "How does she dare? She relies on nothing but her face!"
Her head maid, Chunying, stood silently in the corner, too terrified to speak.
Context: Noble Lady Wei was undeniably breathtaking. Her delicate brows, expressive eyes, and fragile, pity-inducing aura captivated not only men but also made women envious. Because of her beauty, Kangxi had favored her heavily, visiting her more often than he visited the Noble Consort herself.
However, beauty was common in the harem. What made Wei dangerous was her cunning. She had maintained the Emperor's interest long after the initial novelty wore off.
Her recent actions proved her intelligence. Imperial physicians checked favored concubines monthly. Noble Lady Wei had undoubtedly known she was pregnant a month ago, yet she had concealed the information until now. Why?
Action and Reaction: She had waited for the perfect psychological moment. With the Emperor currently depressed over the Seventh Prince's deformity, the sudden news of a new pregnancy would elevate his mood entirely, securing maximum imperial attention and protection for Wei.
Tongjia sneered, understanding the tactic. "She thinks she is clever. By announcing it now, she secures the Emperor's joy, but she simultaneously drives a knife into Concubine Daijia's heart by overshadowing her tragedy. Let us see how long this petty cleverness protects her!"
Despite Tongjia's fury, Chunying relaxed slightly. The Noble Consort was angry but showed no intent to physically harm Wei. Tampering with an imperial heir was a crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire clan.
***
Zhongcui Palace.
Concubine Hui sat regally, surveying the pile of luxurious gifts laid before her—jewelry, fine silks, bird's nest, and ginseng. They were all rewards given to Noble Lady Wei upon the announcement of her pregnancy.
Hui smiled politely at Wei, who stood before her. "Since these were rewarded to you, simply have your servants catalog them and store them. Why bring them to me?"
Noble Lady Wei lowered her head in a posture of extreme subservience. "My lady, I was only able to rise from a maid to a Noble Lady and reside in Zhongcui Palace because of your grace. I am deeply grateful. I have no precious items of my own, but thanks to the child in my womb, I have received these gifts. I brought them here so Your Ladyship might choose anything that catches your eye."
Hui's gaze swept over the treasures and casually picked up a string of tourmaline prayer beads.
"I believe these are from the Empress Dowager," Hui said smoothly. "She is a devout Buddhist. I will take these to share in her blessings. Take the rest back. You are pregnant now; you do not need to serve me. Stay in your courtyard and focus on the child. The imperial heir is the priority."
Wei gripped her handkerchief tightly, her anxiety spiking. "Yes, my lady. But... are you certain you do not want anything else?"
"You may leave," Hui dismissed her firmly.
Wei hesitated, clearly desperate to say more, but Hui closed her eyes, feigning fatigue. Having no choice, Wei bowed and retreated.
Once Wei was gone, Hui opened her eyes. Her maid, Fangrui, poured her tea. "My lady, what was Noble Lady Wei trying to achieve?"
"What else?" Hui scoffed lightly. "She relies on her face, but beauty fades. She knows her prolonged favor has drawn the hatred of the harem. Now that she is pregnant, she is an even bigger target. She hid the pregnancy to avoid assassination attempts, waiting for the Seventh Prince's tragedy to maximize the Emperor's protective attention."
Hui ran her fingers over the tourmaline beads. "But she knows the Emperor's protection is not absolute. Bringing me these gifts was a plea for asylum. She is asking me to protect her and the child, signaling her willingness to become my loyal subordinate. It is a smart move."
"She has no background," Fangrui analyzed. "Even with the Emperor's favor, her slave origins will prevent her from rising high. If you take her under your wing, she could be a useful pawn."
"I agree," Hui nodded. "I intend to use her. But I cannot accept her loyalty too easily. I must break her spirit and make her desperate first. That is why I rejected the majority of her gifts."
Fangrui smiled respectfully. "Your Ladyship is wise. Noble Lady Wei is too green to play these games with you."
Hui smiled, her mind already calculating the long-term benefits.
Strategic Goal: Because of Wei's low rank, she would not be permitted to raise her own child. As the master of Zhongcui Palace, Hui would almost certainly be given custody of the infant. If it were a princess, she could be married off to a powerful minister or sent to Mongolia to build political alliances for Hui's own son, the First Prince Yinzi. If it were a prince, Hui would raise him to be a loyal general for Yinzi.
Either way, Concubine Hui had everything to gain.