That decisive, ruthless, and merciless Crown Prince… was actually… crying?
Chu Shengsheng had seen his cold and stern side, his gentle side, his angry side, but she had never seen him so… vulnerable.
Tears rolled down the man’s sharply defined jaw and dripped onto the back of her hand, burning her heart with a sudden tremor.
An unfamiliar, bittersweet emotion struck her heart without warning.
It seemed… she felt a little heartache for him.
But this feeling was quickly suppressed by stronger reason.
No regrets, she thought.
Although the process had been brutal, at least his sincerity had been laid bare before her, and she had also gained a huge amount of Points…
Even though the System had swindled away more than half of it.
“Alright, I’m fine now, aren’t I? As for the child… there will be more in the future.”
She raised her uninjured arm and gently patted his broad back, as if comforting a child. Her voice was slightly hoarse as she teased, “The dignified Crown Prince crying doesn’t look good.”
Pei Zhen stiffened, as if only now realizing his loss of composure.
He abruptly released her, quickly wiping the wet traces from his face with a somewhat flustered motion, though a faint blush crept up the tips of his ears.
When he looked at her again, the pain that had once filled his eyes was gone, replaced by calmness—a calmness that concealed deep, overwhelming affection and lingering fear.
“Sheng Sheng…”
He tightly grasped her hand and pressed it against his cheek, greedily savoring its warmth and touch. His voice was so hoarse it was almost unrecognizable as he said, “You’re finally awake… Do you know how afraid I was… afraid that you…”
He couldn’t finish, only pulling her closer into his embrace, his arms tightening around her while carefully avoiding her injuries.
It was as if he were holding a rare treasure that had been lost and found again, wishing he could meld her into his very bones and blood, never to be separated again.
Chu Shengsheng wrapped her arms around the man’s lean waist, burying her face in his chest, and murmured, “Fortunately… Your Highness returned in time.”
“Otherwise… I’m afraid I truly wouldn’t have lasted long enough to see Your Highness again…”
These words felt like another sharp stab into Pei Zhen’s already guilt-ridden heart.
His body stiffened abruptly, and his arms tightened around her even more. A suppressed sob escaped his throat as he blamed himself, “It’s my fault… I shouldn’t have left you here alone…”
“That poisonous woman Liu Yiyi—I’ve made her wish she were dead. She’s clinging to her last breath, waiting for you to recover so you can deal with her yourself. And the Liu family…”
His voice was low, carrying a lingering ferocity as he continued, “As for the Empress… I’ve already warned her.”
“And Pei Yang…”
“I never expected my second brother to secretly consort with Liu Yiyi and even father a child with her.”
As he said this, his voice carried a hint of grievance, as if seeking comfort.
Hearing this, Chu Shengsheng gently patted his back, as if to soothe him, not noticing the icy glint of murderous intent in the man’s eyes as he faced away from her.
Pei Yang wanted to send him a child?
Sooner or later… I’ll kill you!
Pei Zhen held her tightly for a while, venting his emotions, before gradually calming down.
Only then did he remember she had been drinking porridge earlier. He quickly released her and asked:
“Are you hungry?”
With that, he reached out to test the temperature of the bowl, frowned slightly, and called out to the outside, “Someone, bring a fresh bowl of hot porridge.”
Soon, a new bowl of porridge was delivered.
He personally took the jade bowl, scooped up a spoonful, carefully blew on it to cool it, and then brought it to Chu Shengsheng’s lips. His gaze was focused and gentle as he said, “Drink slowly, be careful—it’s hot.”
Chu Shengsheng watched his earnest yet somewhat clumsy movements, feeling a slight stir in her heart. She obediently opened her mouth.
The warm porridge slid into her stomach, bringing a comforting warmth.
Inside the room, the candlelight flickered, creating an atmosphere of peace and warmth that had been absent for many days.
Zhao Dequan quietly entered, intending to ask whether to summon the Imperial Physician for another pulse reading. Upon seeing this scene, his eyes grew moist, and he quickly lowered his head, tiptoed out, and gently closed the door behind him.
Standing outside the door, he wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, let out a long sigh of relief, and silently prayed:
Heaven be praised, Lady of Goodness Chu has finally awakened, and Your Highness… finally seems a bit more “human” again.
Inside the room, spoonful by spoonful, the porridge bowl gradually emptied.
Pei Zhen set down the bowl and gently wiped away the traces at the corner of Chu Shengsheng’s mouth with a silk handkerchief.
“Sleep a little longer?” he asked softly.
She indeed felt drained of energy and nodded, but couldn’t help asking, “Will you… be here?”
“Yes.”
The man answered without hesitation, holding her hand as he said, “I will not go anywhere. I will stay right here and watch over you. Sleep.”
Fatigue washed over her like a tide. Under his gaze and the warmth of his palm, Chu Shengsheng slowly closed her eyes.
This act really was a bit exhausting.
Pei Zhen sat motionless by the bedside, his gaze lingering greedily on her sleeping face, as if trying to make up for all the days he had missed watching her.
His eyes were as gentle as water, yet when they turned toward a certain direction outside the hall, they froze into ice.
He sat like this until the candle was nearly burnt out, then suddenly spoke, “Zhao Dequan.”
Zhao Dequan outside the door immediately bowed and entered.
“Report.”
“Your Highness, regarding the Prime Minister’s residence, we have already arranged for someone to administer the Seven-Day Powder to Liu Changqing and are keeping watch to ensure he succumbs to illness within seven days.”
“As for the Second Prince, after the piece of the child’s flesh was sent back, it frightened him so badly that he reportedly had nightmares that very night, developed a high fever the next day, and is now bedridden with illness.”
“This servant took the liberty of adding several extra ingredients to the Second Prince’s medicine. They are not lethal but will ensure his illness lingers and persists.”
“In the court, due to this incident, many of the ministers who had intended to impeach Your Highness’s position as Crown Prince have begun to waver. Some have already realigned themselves with Your Highness.”
“Additionally, His Majesty is aware of the collusion between the guilty concubine Liu Shi and the Second Prince, but there has been no word of any reaction yet.”
As the Crown Prince’s personal eunuch, Zhao Dequan was absolutely loyal and one of their own. With just one word, he understood what his master wanted to know and promptly reported everything in a rapid yet hushed tone, mindful not to disturb Chu Shengsheng’s rest.
“Well done. Continue to have people keep watch on the Liu family and Pei Yang.”
After listening, Pei Zhen understood the situation clearly, though a glint flashed in his eyes upon hearing about the Emperor’s reaction.
“Tomorrow, I will go see Father.”
“And also, send people to keep an eye on the Empress’s side. Report any abnormalities immediately!”
From childhood to adulthood, he had never quite understood why there was such a vast difference between him and Pei Yang, even though they were both the Empress’s sons.
Even now that he had become the Crown Prince, he never expected the Empress would still act against him for Pei Yang’s sake.
No, to be precise, she acted against the woman he loved.
This must never happen again!
Boom.
Outside the window, lightning suddenly flashed and thunder roared, followed swiftly by a torrential downpour, as if foretelling that something was spiraling toward an uncontrollable direction.