“You aren’t planning to use it to treat Zhao Shen’s legs, are you?” Ji Yunlan said irritably. “You actually believe those rumors? Several Mobei Kings have died already; if such a thing really existed, wouldn’t they have taken it themselves?”
Ji Yunshu certainly knew the rumors were unreliable. In her opinion, who knew how long that thing had been sitting around; even if it did exist, it would have expired ages ago.
However, things in novels often defied common sense. Later in the story, when Yao Ruolan was on the brink of death from some unknown poison, Zhao Heng went mad and nearly slaughtered everyone in the Northern Desert Royal Court. Driven into a corner, the Mobei King was forced to produce the Biling Elixir to save his own life, and Yao Ruolan was indeed brought back from the brink.
She had thought it through. Since she was going to go head-to-head with the male and female leads, it would be best to get her hands on a life-saving item like the Biling Elixir.
Setting aside whether her father or brother would need it, if she couldn’t prevent her cousin, the Emperor, from being poisoned later on, it might come in handy.
At the very least, she could ensure the female lead couldn’t get it when she needed it.
“I’m just curious, that’s all. There’s no smoke without fire. What if it really can save a life? Can you help me look for it, please?”
Ji Yunshu acted cute toward her newfound brother without the slightest bit of pressure.
The mental abacus in her heart was clicking away loudly.
The people of the Northern Desert would surely hide a treasure like the Biling Elixir very securely. If Ji Yunlan wanted to find it, he would have to investigate the Northern Desert Royal Court thoroughly.
She remembered that in the book, the Mobei King would pass away suddenly next year. After the new king ascended the throne, he would launch a sudden invasion across the border without warning.
Caught off guard, the Ji father and son would hastily deploy their troops and fall into an ambush.
If Ji Yunlan could keep an eye on the movements of the Northern Desert Royal Court early on and discover the signs, perhaps they could escape that disaster.
“Fine. If you want it, I’ll help you look. But this thing might not even exist, and as for Zhao Shen’s legs…”
He paused before continuing, “The Changxing Hou has likely tried every possible method already, and so much time has passed. In short, don’t hold out too much hope.”
Ji Yunshu wanted to explain that she wasn’t looking for this thing to treat Zhao Shen’s legs, but on second thought, Zhao Shen’s life was also in danger later. The book didn’t detail exactly how he died, so perhaps it could be used for him too.
Besides, there was no harm in letting her brother think so. She simply admitted to it: “It’s always good to have hope. Just do your best, Brother. It’s no big deal if you can’t find it.”
Ji Yunlan nodded and agreed.
Ji Yunshu stayed until evening before returning to the Changxing Houfu with Zhao Shen.
Upon their return, she leaned lazily against the window, gazing at the scenery outside.
It was currently the fifth month. Outside the window, a cluster of peonies bloomed in full glory, reflecting the slowly fading glow of the sunset—a breathtaking sight.
Ji Yunshu, however, was in no mood to appreciate it.
She shouldn’t have had any feelings for the Ji father and son, but having become the Ji Yunshu of the book, they were now her kin, bound by blood.
Moreover, the love and care of the Ji family had truly been bestowed upon her.
The thought of them leaving and never returning in the book made it hard for her not to feel sad.
Seeing her uncharacteristically low spirits, Zhao Shen said softly, “Are you worried about your father and eldest brother? The Mobei King is old and has no grand ambitions for a southern invasion. The situation at the northern border is stable; they will be fine.”
“But what if the Mobei King dies and someone else takes the throne?”
Perhaps because Zhao Shen’s tone was so gentle, Ji Yunshu unconsciously let down her guard and spoke her worries aloud.
As she spoke, she continued to stare blankly at the horizon, not noticing Zhao Shen’s fingertips suddenly tightening on the armrests of his wheelchair until they turned white.
It was only for an instant. By the time Ji Yunshu turned her head, he had already quietly loosened his grip. “Why do you say that? Although the Mobei King is advanced in years, his health seems fine. Besides, even if a new king ascends, his priority would be to stabilize his own position; there won’t necessarily be a war.”
Ji Yunshu knew that everyone thought this way. Even her father and brother guarding the northern border hadn’t expected the Northern Desert to suddenly mobilize, which was why they were caught so unprepared.
However, since she could change her own fate of marrying Zhao Heng, she could surely save her father and brother’s lives as well.
“You’re right. I’m just overthinking it.”
As her melancholy faded, Ji Yunshu’s spirits rose again. “What did my father say to you? He didn’t make things difficult for you again, did he?”
“Naturally, he instructed me to take good care of you.” Zhao Shen watched the change in her emotions and suddenly said with deep meaning, “In the future, if there is anything you want to know, you can ask me directly.”
Ji Yunshu knew he was referring to her father’s attempt to test him earlier. Her eyes widened. “My father told you?”
That couldn’t be right. Was her father such a blabbermouth?
Zhao Shen was amused by her expression. “General Ji is not the type of person to strike a disabled man without reason.”
Caught in her little scheme, Ji Yunshu said guiltily, “I just wanted to see how capable you are.”
Zhao Shen teased, “You saw it. Are you satisfied?”
Ji Yunshu saw that he was poking fun at her, so she lost her sense of embarrassment. “I’ve always been very satisfied with you. Haven’t you known that for a long time?”
Zhao Shen: “…”
Ji Yunshu felt that dealing with such a pure-hearted, ancient-style handsome man was like a dimensional strike; she was in a completely different league.
In just a few days, she had discovered that being with Zhao Shen was actually quite relaxing.
He was exactly as described in the book—irreproachable in everything from his speech and mannerisms to his character and upbringing.
He was always humble, polite, and refined in his words and actions.
Even when faced with her teasing, he could display the perfect amount of shyness.
He was so perfect it felt a bit unreal.
Ji Yunshu remembered hearing once that if something is so perfect it doesn’t seem real, it probably isn’t.
Now, she felt the same applied to people.
She just didn’t know what kind of face was hidden beneath Zhao Shen’s perfect mask.
Suddenly, her interest was piqued. “Can I really ask anything?”
Seeing her eagerness, Zhao Shen chuckled. “It seems Madam has many questions.”
“Not that many. I just want to know: this courtyard is guarded so tightly it’s airtight—who are you guarding against?”
She wouldn’t assume Zhao Shen was truly a kind person just because he seemed good-tempered.
After all, they had only been married for a few days. Zhao Shen didn’t trust her at all, so how could he tell her everything?
But she only knew the general plot of the book; she was in the dark about the finer details.
Zhao Shen was in the thick of it, and he was intelligent and perceptive; he likely knew things the book hadn’t mentioned.
She had to find a breakthrough. Even if it meant exposing a corner of Zhao Shen’s disguise and taking a bit of a risk, it was better than facing unforeseen dangers later.
Zhao Shen paused for a moment before saying, “You can assume that I cherish my life.”
Ji Yunshu raised an eyebrow. “Is there any reason to cherish your life so excessively without cause?”
Zhao Shen remained silent. Ji Yunshu sighed. “I’m not trying to pry into your privacy, but I have already married you. Husband and wife are one; I don’t want to wake up one day and die without even knowing how it happened.”
Zhao Shen’s deep gaze fixed on Ji Yunshu, and then he spoke slowly. “Do you truly not know? Then why do you know about the matters concerning my second brother and Miss Yao? Why did you choose to marry me? And why are you so certain that my fall from the horse back then was not an accident?”
Listening to his increasingly pressing questions, Ji Yunshu took a deep breath to steady herself.
She knew it. With such obvious flaws, if the Empress Dowager could see through her, how could Zhao Shen be completely unaware?