“The effect is this good? The advanced edition really is different!”
Hearing this effect, Chu Shengsheng sat up directly from the bed. Although she had just felt heartache over the 1500 Points, seeing this effect made her feel it was worth it!
Pei Zhen was going to handle the flood control and likely wouldn’t come over for a long time. Using this Heartstring Binding Powder Advanced Edition now was simply a long-term investment!
Only by casting a long line can one catch a big fish—no, earn big Points.
She wanted this Crown Prince to think of her constantly no matter where he went, and then send her Points!
At this thought, she immediately wrapped herself tightly in the quilt with delight. The heartache brought by the sudden decrease in Points was swept away, and now she drifted into dreamland with anticipation.
In the palace, Pei Zhen stayed until late at night before leaving, having received the order to immediately lead his men to Jiangnan to personally oversee disaster relief.
Before departing, he specifically summoned Zhao Dequan and instructed in a low voice, “Regarding Sheng Sheng, go inform her tomorrow morning. Say that I have been ordered by imperial decree to go to Jiangnan to handle the flood control, with an uncertain return date. Tell her… to take good care of herself and wait for my return.”
He paused, his fingertips gently rubbing the sachet inside his sleeve, then added, “Inside and outside the villa, station more reliable personnel. Ensure her safety at all costs. Without my order, no one is allowed to disturb her.”
“This servant understands, Your Highness may rest assured.” Zhao Dequan promptly acknowledged.
With all arrangements settled, the sound of horse hooves shattered the night. Pei Zhen, along with his officials and guards, left the capital overnight, heading for the flood-stricken area.
In the rear courtyard of the Eastern Palace, news also spread quickly.
In Consort Li’s courtyard.
Upon hearing this news, Li Yuanyuan, who was just preparing to sleep, instantly lost all drowsiness. A sharp gleam flashed in her eyes as she sneered coldly:
“She’s just an orphan girl of unknown origin, relying on a bit of looks to luckily gain His Highness’s favor for a few days. Does she really think she’s someone important?”
“His Highness even specifically sent people to protect her, guarding against us as if we were thieves!”
“But now, with His Highness away from the capital, it’s convenient to take action…”
Over at Consort Liu’s side.
Liu Yiyi was still waiting for Pei Yang’s signal, never expecting an opportunity to arise that very night.
“His Highness has gone to Jiangnan?”
“That really is… good news.”
Immediately, many methods to deal with that Outer Chamber Consort flashed through her mind, and she smiled triumphantly.
Besides these few, the other women in the rear courtyard of the Eastern Palace also harbored their own thoughts. For a time, the lifeless rear courtyard became lively.
Over the next few days, they sent people to the villa both openly and covertly, either under the pretext of delivering items or using the excuse of seeking guidance on etiquette, attempting to make contact with Chu Shengsheng.
However, the guards left by Pei Zhen were unyielding, strictly carrying out orders and blocking everyone outside the courtyard gate.
Chu Shengsheng herself was also content with the peace and quiet, holed up in the villa eating, sleeping, recuperating, and happily receiving System Notifications every day:
【Target character Pei Zhen experiences longing fluctuations, Points +100.】
【Target character Pei Zhen thinks of Host when irritated, Points +150.】
【Target character Pei Zhen interacts with local officials’ family members, experiences slight aversion, associates with Host, Points +200.】
“Tsk tsk, this Heartstring Binding Powder Advanced Edition effect is truly powerful!”
Listening to the constantly increasing Points in her ears, her mood was utterly comfortable, and her days passed with delightful ease.
In the blink of an eye, over a month passed.
In the flood-stricken area of Jiangnan, Pei Zhen toiled day and night.
With his decisive methods and well-organized arrangements—opening granaries, managing floodwaters, preventing epidemics, and pacifying the people—a series of measures swiftly brought the disaster under control. Public sentiment gradually stabilized, and his reputation soared.
Yet, whenever the night grew deep and quiet, an inexplicable emptiness would wash over him.
“Sheng Sheng…”
“It’s been a month already.”
Pei Zhen murmured to himself. Over this past month, he had believed he could grow accustomed to her absence, that he could stop thinking of her, but he found it utterly useless.
As she had instructed, he kept the sachet close to his body, only to realize that the more he wore it, the faint medicinal fragrance constantly reminded him of the girl’s presence.
But as time passed, his longing only deepened, bringing with it another clear realization.
He seemed to have fallen for Chu Shengsheng.
It wasn’t merely a physical desire, but a deeper, heart-wrenching concern.
He wondered if she was doing well, if her health had fully recovered, and whether… she might also be thinking of him.
This unfamiliar emotion left him somewhat at a loss, yet he savored it all the same.
“Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
However, whenever someone approached, Pei Zhen would immediately tuck away his longing, reverting to the cold and stern crown prince.
“After a month of control efforts, the situation here is largely stabilized. The remaining tasks, such as repairing the river embankments, can be left to the subordinates. His Majesty has just sent word that Your Highness may depart for the capital at once.”
“Truly?!”
The chair scraped loudly against the floor from his sudden excitement. Joy flashed across the man’s face as he tightened his grip on the sachet.
That same day.
In the detached courtyard, Chu Shengsheng was picking at a plate of freshly made pastries when the System’s notification abruptly sounded:
【Emergency Mission: Deal with the Empress’s Provocation. Reward: 500 Points.】
Chu Shengsheng paused. The Empress? Why would she suddenly remember someone like me? Nothing good would come of this, for sure!
Sure enough, before long, several unfamiliar eunuchs and matrons appeared outside the courtyard, holding the empress’s palace token.
“Miss Chu, by the Empress’s oral decree, you are summoned to the palace for an audience at once,” the lead matron stated expressionlessly, her tone brooking no argument.
The head guard stepped forward to block them. “His Highness has ordered that Miss Chu must rest and recuperate—”
“Outrageous!” the matron snapped sharply. “You dare obstruct the Empress’s decree? Are you defying imperial orders?”
The guard looked troubled and glanced over at Chu Shengsheng.
“If it is the Empress’s summons, your humble servant naturally complies,” Chu Shengsheng rose, wearing a trace of apprehension and obedience on her face as she bowed her head. “Allow your humble servant to change attire.”
While changing, she promptly asked the System to exchange for two items.
【Poison “Beauty’s Intoxication” successfully exchanged. 500 Points deducted. Remaining Points: 1500.】
Over the past month, she had managed to accumulate 2,000 Points in total. She was close to reaching 3,000, but now this had to happen.
Still, for safety’s sake, necessary expenses had to be made.
Beauty’s Intoxication was a colorless, odorless poison. She had the System craft it into the form of a sachet, which she would carry on her person.
If the Empress meant her no harm, the poison would not be activated. But if there was ill intent or any other threat, a mere light touch would release the poisonous powder. The more one inhaled, the stronger the toxicity.
Those poisoned would begin to develop reddened skin after twelve hours, followed by intense itching. Once scratched, the skin would fester. While not fatal, it was thoroughly repulsive.
Moreover, the System’s products ensure that the Imperial Physician will never detect anything, and as the Host, she naturally won’t be poisoned either.
Once prepared, Chu Shengsheng obediently followed the matron onto the palace carriage.