In the following days, Pei Zhen seemed to vanish once again, not returning to the villa.
Chu Shengsheng, however, paid it no mind. Although he hadn’t come in person, his lavish gifts flowed in like a steady stream every day.
What did this signify?
It meant that His Highness the Crown Prince had truly taken a keen interest in her.
With his interest piqued, the next step was to deepen their bond and make him fall completely in love.
“But making this Crown Prince fall in love won’t be easy. I’ll need to stir things up a bit to provoke him.”
“Miss, the bird’s nest porridge is freshly made. Please drink it while it’s hot.”
Just then, the maid Chun Tao approached, smiling as she carried the daily nutritional supplement.
“Alright.”
It was snack time again. Chu Shengsheng immediately cast aside her worries and happily walked over.
This life was truly luxurious.
And this was merely as the Crown Prince’s outer chamber consort. How extravagant and comfortable must the lives of the Crown Princess or even the imperial concubines in the palace be?
“By the way, later, sort and tidy up all the things His Highness has sent over these past few days. I’ll go take a look afterward.”
She spoke while eating, simultaneously scheming with the System.
[System, can I sell these gifts from the Crown Prince to you in exchange for Points?]
[No.]
Once again, this suggestion was rejected by the System.
[Warning to the Host: Do not seek shortcuts. Please earn Points reasonably by completing tasks, or deductions will be made!]
“…”
Tsk, if it’s not allowed, then it’s not allowed. Issuing warnings and threatening deductions—how petty.
After finishing the bird’s nest porridge, Chu Shengsheng went to the storeroom to inspect her treasures.
Unlike her relaxed state, Pei Zhen had just left the palace and was about to board his carriage when he ran into his second brother, Pei Yang, who was also departing.
“Crown Prince.”
Pei Yang called out to him.
“What is it?”
Pei Zhen was already in a foul mood. Hearing this, he looked over expressionlessly and asked.
This second brother had always been at odds with him.
“Crown Prince, you must have heard what was discussed in court earlier. If you fail to produce an heir within three months, your position will be in jeopardy.”
Pei Yang smiled, his expression dripping with malice as he deliberately taunted and provoked.
“But I have three sons and two daughters. Would you like your younger brother to lend you a hand?”
Pei Zhen’s eyes instantly turned cold, his gaze filled with disgust as he slowly replied, “No need for your concern, Second Brother. I can manage on my own.”
With that, he boarded his carriage and left.
At the palace gate, Pei Yang watched the carriage disappear into the distance, then sneered before turning to board his own carriage. Shortly after, he returned to his Second Prince’s residence.
“Your Highness.” A trusted subordinate approached.
“Have you found out?”
In recent days, Pei Zhen had appeared troubled and irritable, but over the past few days, he seemed unusually pleased and content. This piqued Pei Yang’s curiosity, so he had ordered an investigation.
“Your Highness, it has been confirmed. The Crown Prince has been keeping an outer chamber consort in a suburban villa. Since her arrival, he has stopped visiting anyone in his rear courtyard.”
“A few days ago, the two noble ladies sent by His Majesty were even sent back for attempting to administer drugs.”
The subordinate reported promptly.
“Oh? An outer chamber consort?”
Hearing this, Pei Yang immediately perked up. For Pei Zhen to abandon all the women in his rear courtyard and dote solely on her, she must be unimaginably stunning.
And he, Pei Yang, had a particular fondness for exquisite beauties—especially those belonging to others.
“Bring her here for me to see.”
Though he claimed it was just to take a look, his true intentions were known only to himself.
“This…”
The subordinate hesitated.
“What? Difficult? She’s just an Outer Chamber Consort.”
Seeing his hesitation, Pei Yang spoke with a hint of displeasure and disdain.
“Although she is an Outer Chamber Consort, according to our investigation, the Crown Prince’s villa is tightly guarded with many protectors. It would be very difficult to bring her here.”
“Hmm… I see. Alright then, keep an eye on her for now.”
Hearing this, he thought for a moment. Since they couldn’t bring her directly, they could try another method.
Moreover, while Pei Zhen was still the Crown Prince, he couldn’t openly clash with him, at least not on the surface.
But in three months, he wouldn’t need to worry about that.
However, if he couldn’t do it himself, he could have someone else do it.
That night.
Pei Yang, dressed in black, climbed over the wall into the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace. Then, familiar with the layout, he avoided the guards and quietly entered a room in the rear courtyard.
Before long, sounds could be heard.
After it was over.
“Must Second Master leave again? Can’t you stay a little longer?”
The woman nestled in the man’s arms, her face filled with reluctance.
“You jest. This is the Eastern Palace. How could I stay longer? But I will come often.”
Pei Yang kissed the woman in his arms, a look of satisfaction on his face after achieving his goal. A flicker of calculation passed through his eyes as he said,
“By the way, do you know about the Crown Prince’s Outer Chamber Consort?”
“Outer Chamber Consort? Not only does your humble servant know, but everyone in the rear courtyard knows.”
Upon hearing this, a flash of jealousy and displeasure crossed Liu Yiyi’s eyes as she gritted her teeth and said.
Originally, she hadn’t known, thinking the Crown Prince was simply troubled and unwilling to visit the rear courtyard. Since he wasn’t visiting anyone else, the older concubines felt somewhat balanced.
But recently, rewards had been flowing out like water, sent to the suburban villa. Even a fool could see something was wrong.
Later, it was rumored that the Crown Prince had an Outer Chamber Consort outside, and all those rewards were for that wretch.
No wonder, no wonder the Crown Prince never came to the rear courtyard. No wonder he even sent back the two noble ladies who had arrived a few days ago.
One of them was her own sister!
“Since you know, how can you all just stand by and watch?”
Pei Yang was somewhat surprised. If this were his rear courtyard, those women would have already taken action.
“It’s not that your humble servant is willing to stand by, but there’s simply no opportunity to go there, let alone take any action.”
This was also what troubled Liu Yiyi.
If it were within the rear courtyard, they could act freely.
But at the suburban villa, first, it was too far, and second, if they went there, the Crown Prince would surely find out.
So there was simply no chance.
“Heh, don’t worry. In a few days, I’ll find a way to get Pei Zhen out of the way. Then, you’ll have your opportunity.”
After saying this, Pei Yang pushed the woman away, got up, and dressed.
“When the time comes, I’ll give you the signal. You should know what to do next.”
“But Master, what if the Crown Prince finds out…”
Liu Yiyi hesitated.
“Don’t worry. When the time comes, cooperate with me. Our actions will definitely not be discovered by Pei Zhen. Even if they are discovered in the end, I will protect you.”
Pei Yang gave her a reassuring look, then took out ten thousand taels in silver notes from his pocket, placed them on the table, and left.
Liu Yiyi sat there for a moment, then collected the silver notes and called out, “Someone, bring water. Your humble servant wishes to bathe.”
She was a Lady of Goodness to the Crown Prince, yet somehow, she had become entangled with the Second Prince.
Meanwhile, in the study.
Pei Zhen sat there, his previous troubles gone, now in high spirits.
“So, the physician says Sheng Sheng’s health has fully recovered?”
“Yes, Your Highness, but the physician also said it’s still important to exercise moderation.”
Zhao Dequan replied.
“Prepare the carriage, we’re going to the villa.”
As soon as he heard that Chu Shengsheng had recovered, he felt a burning heat rising within him. Just the thought of her appearance was already making it hard to restrain himself.
Lately, he had indeed been holding back for a long time!
Moreover, since that night, he had personally confirmed in the rear courtyard that he only reacted when facing Chu Shengsheng. Though doubts remained, the facts were undeniable.
He couldn’t refuse to acknowledge it even if he wanted to!
Perhaps, as the Imperial Physician said, this was fate!
Even the hope for an heir could only rest on her!
Once this was confirmed, his favor toward Chu Shengsheng turned into tangible actions, hence the rewards these past few days.
“Your Highness, regarding Liu Shi…”
Just as Pei Zhen was about to leave, Zhao Dequan brought up another matter.
“Keep watching her.”
He had long known about this woman’s affairs, but now he had no time to deal with them. Striding out, the carriage soon headed toward the outskirts.
His mind was filled entirely with Chu Shengsheng!