I love the little details, like the MC covering his mouth with his tail to yawn. It's such an animalistic behavior that feels real. It adds a layer of authenticity to the fact that he's now a snake, not just a human brain in a snake body. He's adapting his human habits to a snake form.
The step-by-step kowtow in the snow is a genius power move. It looks like pure filial piety on the surface, but it's a calculated political trap. She uses the ritual to bump into the Princess, to force a public spectacle, and to reclaim her narrative. She is playing chess while her enemies are playing checkers.
Chen Dongji is cartoonishly evil in the best way. “Smear his reputation and solidify his title as a fake medicine dealer.” He doesn’t even pretend to have morals. The way he dismisses the two old men after getting the medicine is a huge red flag that they are too blind to see. This guy is going to get his comeuppance eventually.
2 I'm a bit worried about the "prodigy" trope. So far, Yang Nuo hasn't failed at anything major. He's too competent. The first chapter's danger was resolved by luck and a blood test. I want to see him make a mistake. Get into real trouble. Overestimate himself. Otherwise, he's just a power fantasy without stakes. But the setup is there for future arcs.