Early the next morning, Pei Zhen summoned the imperial physician.
“Aside from the Cold Poison, there are no other abnormalities in Your Highness’s body.”
Pei Zhen withdrew his hand, his expression tense as he continued to ask, “Only the Cold Poison? Could it cause… no reaction to others, yet an inability to restrain oneself toward a specific person?”
Upon hearing this, the physician lowered his head even further and replied cautiously, “Your Highness, based on the pulse, there are no signs of any other poison or medication.”
“Such… ‘exclusive devotion to one person’ syndrome is rarely recorded in medical texts. It is mostly caused by psychological factors, or… or perhaps it truly is fate, beyond the reach of ordinary medicine.”
“If Your Highness is still concerned, this old servant can re-examine your food, drink, and clothing, or perhaps find some clues.”
“Psychological factors? Fate?”
He repeated these two words, his eyes dark and unfathomable, then waved his hand and said, “Very well, you may leave. What was just discussed must not be spread.”
“This old servant understands.”
The physician hastily withdrew.
Only he remained in the study.
It wasn’t poison, nor was it medication.
Could it truly be that he, Pei Zhen, had developed genuine feelings for an Outer Chamber Consort of unknown origin—feelings even he couldn’t comprehend—to the extent that in certain aspects, he recognized only her?
This thought irritated him more than being poisoned.
He still refused to believe it.
Over the past few days, he had deliberately avoided the villa, wanting to calm himself.
Aside from handling official duties, he took the time to visit the Empress in the palace. Once again, he was urged to produce an heir as soon as possible, and three noblewomen from good families were presented to him, with a special reminder that no drugs would be used this time.
He outwardly agreed but returned to the Eastern Palace feeling inwardly agitated, casually settling the three women in the rear courtyard.
That evening, after dinner, he casually inquired.
“Zhao Dequan, how are things at the villa?”
Zhao Dequan immediately replied respectfully, “Your Highness, Miss Chu has been taking her medicine on time. Her complexion has improved significantly over the past few days. The physician says she still needs rest and should avoid exertion. As per your instructions, I sent some mild tonic herbs and several bolts of soft fabric to her.”
“What did she do today?”
“I heard… the young lady played the zither for a while in the courtyard in the afternoon.”
Played the zither?
At this mention, Pei Zhen suddenly remembered that during their previous meetings, aside from one particular activity, he hadn’t paid attention to anything else.
He hadn’t known she could play the zither.
“…Prepare the carriage. We’re going to the villa.”
As dusk began to settle, the villa was quiet, with only one room still illuminated by candlelight. Pei Zhen stopped the maid who intended to announce his arrival and walked over alone.
Inside the room, Chu Shengsheng had already been alerted to his arrival by the System. She immediately assumed a poised posture and began to play.
Of course, she didn’t actually know how to play—she had spent 300 Points to exchange for a “Rapid Talent: Zither” package, and this was the perfect moment to show it off.
Thus, as Pei Zhen approached, he heard the clear, flowing sound of the zither, like a gentle stream. Through the window, he saw the young woman sitting beneath it, playing.
She wore plain inner garments with a light outer robe, her hair casually tied up, a few strands of dark hair falling beside her neck, exuding an air of fragility.
What a beautiful scene of a maiden playing the zither!
This made him unconsciously soften his footsteps. The sound of the zither, paired with the beauty before him, gradually soothed the irritability and hostility he had felt throughout the day.
At the same time, the girl’s current fragile, delicate, and seemingly focused appearance once again stirred the possessiveness and desire for conquest deep within him.
He couldn’t wait to push the door open and enter.
Chu Shengsheng deliberately pretended to be startled, letting her fingertips slip to create a small discordant note, then turned her head in a flustered manner, a hint of surprise and delight flashing in her eyes.
“Y-Your Highness…”
Her voice was soft and delicate. She tried to rise to pay her respects, her body swaying slightly in a fitting manner.
Seeing this, Pei Zhen immediately stepped forward to support her, his hands touching the thin fabric of her clothes and her slender arm.
“You’re not fully recovered yet. Why are you playing the qin here?” His tone was stiff, but he didn’t pull his hand away.
“I just felt a bit bored and casually plucked a few strings…”
Hearing this, the girl lowered her head submissively, allowing him to help her sit back down. She thought to herself: It was all to lure you here, and it wasn’t in vain that I’ve been playing a few notes here and there these past few days.
Everyone in this villa belongs to the Crown Prince, so they would surely report this to him.
Now it seems this move was right!
“Continue.”
Hearing these words, Pei Zhen sat down beside her, his gaze deep and intense as he watched her.
Chu Shengsheng took a quiet breath and readjusted her posture.
This time, she immersed herself even more, her expression matching the melody as if she were completely absorbed, entirely unaware of the increasingly darkening gaze of the man beside her.
Pei Zhen watched quietly.
From initial calmness, a more turbulent emotion gradually began to surge within him.
He wanted to conquer her.
He wanted to see the calmness in her eyes ripple for him, to hear her clear and melodious voice break into sobs for him, to firmly grasp this seemingly fragile beauty in his palm and brand it as his alone.
As this thought arose, his body had already reacted ahead of his mind.
The man’s eyes suddenly darkened, a wave of irritation surfacing, mixed with shame, annoyance, and… a hint of obscure delight.
Indeed, it was still only her.
The qin music had stopped at some point.
Chu Shengsheng sensed the change in the aura of the person beside her. His gaze felt almost tangible, as if it could pierce right through her.
Timidly, she looked up and met the man’s deep eyes, within which swirled the familiar undercurrents she recognized.
“Y-Your Highness…” She instinctively shrank back slightly.
This subtle movement was like a spark, igniting the last of Pei Zhen’s restraint. He abruptly reached out and lifted her into his arms.
“Ah!”
Chu Shengsheng let out a fittingly soft cry, her small hands helplessly clutching his lapel as she buried her face against his chest, her body trembling slightly.
Placed on the bed, feeling his scorching body heat and tense muscles, she couldn’t help but feel anticipation inside: Here it comes, here it comes! Points are… huh? Why has he stopped again?
She secretly opened her eyes and saw the man looming above her, veins faintly visible at his temples, his eyes filled with struggle as if he were trying desperately to hold back.
“Your Highness, why… have you stopped?”
She deliberately feigned a look of confusion as she asked this.
In reality, she was holding back laughter inside. Had the Crown Prince really taken the doctor’s words to heart? Was he being this obedient?
Pei Zhen hovered above her, breathing heavily, his gaze locked fiercely on her. Her words seemed deliberately provocative.
However, just as he was about to act, the doctor’s warning about excessive intimacy suddenly flashed through his mind.
This made him pause once again, the reaction beneath him throbbing painfully, clamoring for possession.
Yet the sight of the girl’s pale face and lightly furrowed brows was like a tiny thorn, piercing into his surging desire.
The stalemate lasted for an unknown length of time, until he suddenly took a deep breath, rolled off her, and lay heavily beside her. Without a word, he pulled her into his embrace, pressing her against his chest.
“Don’t move.” The man’s voice was hoarse, still carrying the lingering heat of his anger. “Sleep.”
Chu Shengsheng stiffened in his arms, her nose filled with his intense scent, her ears attuned to his rapid, unsettled heartbeat.
She could clearly feel the change in a certain part of his body, but he truly… did not take it any further.
[System, what’s going on? He’s not taking the meat that’s already in his mouth? What about my Points?!]
[Reply, Host. The target is in a state of extreme restraint, with complex and heightened emotional value. It is recommended that the Host observe quietly and adapt to the situation.]
Chu Shengsheng: “…” Observe my foot! My Points are flying away!
But she dared not move recklessly now, afraid that a single careless action might reignite the fire or provoke this unpredictable crown prince.
The night deepened, the candle burned out, and the room plunged into darkness.
Pei Zhen never loosened his grip, as if holding her like this could calm the uncontrollable beast within him.
After her initial tension, she drifted into a hazy sleep.
In her sleep, she unconsciously nuzzled against his chest, seeking a more comfortable position.
In the darkness, the man suddenly opened his eyes, feeling the warmth and softness in his arms. The heat he had barely suppressed threatened to spiral out of control once more.
He clenched his teeth, and in the end, only tightened his arms further, pulling her deeper into his embrace as if trying to meld her into his very bones and blood.
“Damn it!”
[System Notification: Target Pei Zhen’s emotions continue to fluctuate intensely, with suppression and desire intertwined. Points +200. Current accumulated Points: 1550.]
In her sleep, Chu Shengsheng curled her lips into a faint smile.