Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with a quiet stillness.
Pei Zhen was still deep in slumber, the unrestrained indulgence of the previous night having granted him a restful sleep.
However, Chu Shengsheng had woken up first. She gently shifted her body, carefully extricating herself from the man’s embrace without disturbing him.
Afterwards, she opened the system panel and began searching, quickly locking onto her target:
Weak Willow Breeze Pill (Time-limited Version): 50 Points. After exchange, it can immediately cause weakness and illness in the user.
This is it, exchange immediately!
[Exchange successful. 50 Points consumed. Current Points: 250.]
A white pill materialized out of thin air. Without hesitation, she swallowed it.
In mere moments, a chill rose from within her body and rapidly spread. Chu Shengsheng felt her cheeks begin to burn, and her breathing grew slightly labored.
She immediately adjusted her posture, pulling the quilt down a bit to reveal patches of bruised, purplish skin—marks left by the roughness of the previous night.
They were glaring and stark.
Having done all this, she allowed herself to close her eyes again, appearing as if she were still asleep.
Perfect!
Falling ill after enduring such rough treatment was sure to evoke pity, affection, and guilt in the man.
And that was precisely the effect she wanted!
Before long, Pei Zhen awoke. He instinctively tightened his arm, only to find the space beside him slightly cool.
Involuntarily, he opened his eyes and turned his head. The young woman had her back to him, curled up against the inner side of the bed. The quilt only covered her up to below her shoulders, exposing a small patch of skin.
The bruising marks on it made his expression freeze.
“Sheng Sheng?”
He couldn’t help but call out softly.
The young woman did not respond, which alerted him that something was wrong. He reached out and pulled her towards him.
What met his touch was scalding heat!
The girl in his arms had her eyes tightly shut. Her cheeks were flushed with an unnatural redness, her lips were dry and cracked, her breathing was short and rapid, and her forehead was frighteningly hot.
Seemingly disturbed by his movement, she let out an unconscious moan, frowning but never opening her eyes.
“Sheng Sheng!”
Seeing this, Pei Zhen raised his voice, patting her cheek, but there was no response.
Only then did he remember his own damp, cold clothes from when he arrived, and the rough demands of the previous night…
“Someone! Fetch a physician, quickly!”
Thinking this, he immediately shouted sharply towards the outside, his voice carrying a trace of panic he himself hadn’t noticed.
Afterwards, he swiftly pulled the silk quilt over her, wrapping her up tightly to prevent outsiders from seeing.
Nanny Zhou and the maidservants were startled by the commotion and hurried in. Seeing Chu Shengsheng’s state also gave them a fright. Pei Zhen, already dressed, had a face as dark as storm clouds. “What are you standing there for! Go fetch warm water!”
Soon, the villa was thrown into a flurry of activity.
Warm water and cloths were constantly changed, applied to her forehead, but it was of little use.
The man sat by the bedside, watching her frowning even in her unconscious state. The agitation and unease in his heart grew heavier and heavier.
It was his negligence!
Her body was so delicate and frail. How could it withstand his own damp chill and the later… indulgence.
[System Notification: Target character Pei Zhen has generated intense emotions. Emotional value fluctuating violently. Points +150. Current Points: 400.]
Chu Shengsheng, feigning illness, clearly received the notification of the points deposit.
Excellent. The reaction was even stronger than she had anticipated.
Not long after, an elderly physician was urgently summoned. After observing, listening, questioning, and checking her pulse, his expression turned grave.
“Your Highness, this young lady is suffering from an external wind-cold invasion, with pathogenic qi entering her body, and in addition…”
He glanced at Pei Zhen’s grim expression and the faint marks visible on Chu Shengsheng’s neck, choosing his words carefully,
“…her constitution was already weak and deficient in qi, coupled with overly intense marital relations, which has damaged her vitality. The illness has come on quite suddenly.”
“She must be carefully nursed and meticulously nourished. She absolutely must not be exposed to cold or overexert herself, nor should… there be any further depletion, otherwise it may harm her foundation.”
Each sentence seemed to imply: Your Highness, marital relations in excess—take it easy!
The man’s face darkened almost to the point of dripping water, his hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves, knuckles turning white.
“Use the best medicine.”
His voice was cold and hard, carrying an unquestionable command. “Whatever is needed, take it from the Eastern Palace treasury. Ensure she recovers as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, this old physician will certainly do his utmost.”
The elderly doctor hurriedly complied, then left to prepare and decoct the prescription.
At this moment, Chu Shengsheng finally awoke. She slowly opened her eyes, looking dazed at first, then weakly asked:
“Your Highness… what happened to me?”
As she spoke, she tried to struggle upright but fell back weakly, letting out a pained whimper.
“Don’t move.”
Pei Zhen immediately pressed her down, his voice softening in a way he himself didn’t notice. “You’re ill. The physician has gone to prepare the medicine.”
Only then did she blink, as if just realizing, tears welling up in her eyes but held back with effort. Her voice fragile, she said, “Your Highness… I’m sorry… your humble servant is useless… I’ve spoiled your mood… and made you worry…”
Instead of speaking of her own discomfort, she apologized first. This cautious demeanor struck directly at the man’s heart.
He recalled her compliance last night, contrasting it with her current fragile and understanding state in illness. A surge of pity mixed with self-reproach nearly overflowed.
“Nonsense.”
His tone unconsciously softened further. “It was I… who did not consider your condition. Rest well and don’t think about such things.”
Chu Shengsheng weakly shook her head, tears finally spilling over, yet she forced a smile. “It’s not Your Highness’s fault… it’s your humble servant herself… whose body is too weak…”
“If Your Highness… if you wish… once your humble servant is better… it can still be done…”
As she spoke, she coughed twice more urgently, her face growing paler.
But honestly, this Crown Prince truly lived up to being the Destined Child—excellent stamina and skill. Though he was rough last night, it had its own unique flavor.
“Enough!”
Pei Zhen rebuked her in a low voice, his tone complex.
Then, fearing he had frightened her, he took a deep breath and spoke with a touch of clumsy reassurance, “Would I be someone so lacking in judgment? Focus on recovering. No more wild thoughts.”
“Getting your health back is what matters.”
He reached out, using his thumb to awkwardly wipe the tear tracks from her face. “I will have the best tonics sent over. Rest peacefully. Whatever you need or wish to eat, tell Nanny Zhou.”
Chu Shengsheng stared at him blankly, as if stunned by his rare gentleness. Her tears fell even harder, carrying a sense of dependence and grievance, and she nodded lightly.
Seeing her like this, that peculiar feeling in Pei Zhen’s heart grew stronger.
He stayed with her until a maid entered with the decocted medicine.
He took the bowl, tested its temperature, and actually scooped up a spoonful himself, bringing it to her lips.
“Drink the medicine so you can recover.”
The young girl seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the favor, drinking the medicine from his hand in small sips. With each sip, her brows furrowed tightly, yet she made not a sound.
After feeding her the medicine, Pei Zhen wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief. His movements were stiff, yet exceptionally careful.
Watching her fall back asleep, her breathing steadier now, he finally let out a slight sigh of relief.
“Take good care of her. If anything goes wrong, you will be held accountable,” he said as he stood up, tossing these words to Nanny Zhou and the others. He cast one last deep glance at the figure on the bed before turning to leave.
Once outside the courtyard, he immediately instructed the eunuch Zhao Dequan beside him, “Send the three-hundred-year-old wild ginseng from the treasury, along with all the top-grade bird’s nests, snow frogs, and cordyceps, to the courtyard.”
“Also, assign two nannies with medical knowledge to oversee Miss Chu’s dietary regimen.”
“And have Physician Sun come daily to check her pulse. Report the pulse readings and prescribed medications to me every day.”
“Oh, and she dislikes bitterness. Send an extra jar of preserved fruits.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Zhao Dequan was inwardly astonished. Such rare medicinal ingredients and meticulous arrangements—the Crown Prince’s regard for this Miss Chu had clearly surpassed the ordinary.
With that, Pei Zhen mounted his horse, casting one final look back at the courtyard.
The pure, unrestrained heat and desire from last night seemed to have been replaced by a more complex emotion.
The knowledge that she had fallen so ill and weak because of him displeased him, yet it also strangely deepened a certain connection.
She was his. Her joys, sorrows, illnesses, and pains should all be under his control—and his responsibility.
He had to make her recover.
Once she confirmed that Pei Zhen had left, Chu Shengsheng immediately woke up, showing no trace of the deep sleep or weakness from moments before. Instead, she wore a hint of excitement.
[System, settle the Points from last night.]