Chapter 74 Your Highness, I Didn't Cheat on You. Shen Hegui was greatly shocked.

Thinking about this, Lu Wensheng was filled with worry.

Seeing Lu Wensheng avoid her with disgust, Chen Si suddenly pinched Lu Wensheng's face. She wasn't angry; instead, she laughed: "You really are different. Even in this situation, you remain unmoved. This princess is growing to like you more and more!"

Her nails, painted with henna, slowly moved down Lu Wensheng's burning cheek. The smile on her lips seemed to be a mixture of joy and resentment: "An eighteen-year-old third-rank official, with a bright future ahead of him, while the princess, who is not much older than you, is nothing. Why can men hold official positions, but women cannot!"

She lowered her voice, as if whispering to a lover, but more like the spitting of a venomous snake: "My dear, you'd better behave, or in the future, I won't hesitate to take your father and leave you with nothing."

She leaned down and traced her lips along Lu Wensheng's flushed face to her neck, deliberately leaving a trail of red lipstick marks.

The drug's effects intensified over time. Lu Wensheng felt as if her entire body was on fire, hot and dry, sweat pouring down her face. Yet, her mind remained strangely clear. She bit her tongue, trying to use the excruciating pain to suppress the growing urge.

The taste of rust melted in her mouth, making her feel a little better. Lu Wensheng tried to raise her hand to push Chen Si away, but found that she didn't even have the strength to lift her hand. She closed her eyes and began to gather her remaining strength, but then a question arose in her mind.

Why did the incense lose its effectiveness? It makes no sense!

What should she do next?

I miscalculated; I shouldn't have hidden the sleeping pills in my shoes.

Seeing that Lu Wensheng remained silent and turned her head away, choosing to ignore her completely, Chen Si angrily ripped off Lu Wensheng's belt, her anger rising: "Why aren't you saying a word? Do you think I'm that bad!"

Being stuffed in a sack, drugged, and kissed by someone she didn't like, Lu Wensheng was actually a little angry, but she was used to being rational and wouldn't show it on her face.

Lu Wensheng closed his eyes and said coldly, "There's nothing to say. Her Highness isn't someone I like! If you're going to do it, then hurry up and take it off!"

Since it's arranged at the Qionglin Banquet, there will likely be onlookers. These days, women's reputations are highly valued, and whether her identity is revealed or not, she will be in a dilemma.

Hopefully, the onlookers will arrive later! I wonder where Shen Hegui is now, and how she'll find him later?

Time passed quietly, and the fragrance grew stronger.

The heat surged like a tide, growing ever stronger. Lu Wensheng clenched his fists in unbearable rage, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

If... she is forced to kill Shen Si, will Shen Hegui be angry? Also, Shen Si said that Shen Rui killed her father, does Shen Hegui know about this?

Shen Si gritted her teeth and glanced at Lu Wensheng's expression, becoming even more furious: "You think this princess wouldn't dare!"

The crimson official robe fell from Shen Si's hands, revealing a moon-white undergarment. At the critical moment, the door crashed to the ground with a loud bang, and an angry shout rang out: "What are you two doing!"

It's Shen Hegui! Lu Wensheng suddenly opened his eyes, a look of joy on his face.

Chen Si shuddered in fright, and her movements became even more resolute.

Seeing that Chen Si was about to touch her clothes, Lu Wensheng used all her strength to push Chen Si away, grabbed her clothes tightly, and stumbled towards Chen Hegui.

"Save me!" She fell into Shen Hegui's arms as she wished, and murmured, "Your Highness, save me!"

His long arms were as steady as cast steel, instantly pulling her close. His warm body heat seeped through her clothes, mixed with Shen Hegui's unique fragrance, becoming the only piece of driftwood Lu Wensheng could see. She buried her burning cheeks in his clothes and rubbed against him impatiently.

Chen Si stumbled from being bumped by Lu Wensheng. Unwilling to let the duck that was about to be eaten fly away, a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes. She raised her voice and shouted, "What can a lone man and woman, dressed in disarray, do?! Your Majesty, you've come at the right time. Let's see how your good Attendant is seducing this princess!"

Shen Hegui didn't even glance at her before tearing off the curtain and slamming it down on Chen Si's face. Then, he raised his hand, wrapped his wide sleeve around his palm, and rubbed the lip rouge off Lu Wensheng's cheeks and neck.

His movements carried a restrained force, neither too heavy nor too light, causing Lu Wensheng's skin a slight pain, yet strangely soothing the emptiness born from the fragrance of love.

Lu Wensheng whispered in his arms, her breath hot: "I didn't. Chen Si put aphrodisiac on me, Your Highness. I didn't cheat on you."

The wiping motion suddenly stopped, and Shen Hegui's expression changed drastically.

The fragrance of love will surely trigger the sudden outbreak of the poison, causing blood to rush downwards and resulting in excessive swelling and congestion. How could Lu Wensheng possibly withstand it? After this ordeal, he will definitely be crippled.

He discreetly peered into Lu Wensheng's breasts, and as expected, found nothing.

Shen Hegui was greatly shocked, and his large, calloused hands dared not take another step forward.

Seeing his sudden change in expression, his eyes turning cold, Lu Wensheng hurriedly comforted him, "It's the first time you've been hit by such a despicable thing. Apart from feeling a bit hot and losing strength, there's nothing else to worry about, Your Highness.

This was adding insult to injury; Shen Hegui's pupils constricted, and his heart turned cold.

There wasn't even any bloating or pain!

The air in the room seemed to have frozen, filled with a chill. Shen Hegui's voice wasn't loud, but it was extremely oppressive: "Antidote, Shen Si!"

It's all his fault, he was wrong. He shouldn't have poisoned Lu Wensheng. If Lu Wensheng is ruined because of him, how can he have the face to be with him!

"The antidote is only effective if taken before the incense is lit. If you feel sorry for Lu Wensheng, find him a woman, or give Lu Wensheng to me!" Shen Si was intimidated by the coldness in Shen Hegui's eyes and took a half step back, forcing a sneer.

Shen Hegui felt both self-reproach and guilt, and a surge of panic welled up in his heart. With red eyes, he roared, "Lin Shoubai!"

Lin Shoubai, who had been watching from a hundred meters away, was startled by the loud shout and quickly ran to Shen Hegui's side, shouting, "Your subject is here!"

Shen Hegui held Lu Wensheng tightly: "Strip Shen Si of her title and imprison her in the imperial mausoleum for reflection! Send her there now! Also, send someone to invite Zhang Chanyi here as soon as possible!"

He was the principal offender, and Shen Si was an accomplice; both were equally unforgivable! If he couldn't be saved, he was willing to sacrifice himself to compensate Lu Wensheng, which would be fair. He hoped Lu Wensheng could forgive him!

Lin Shoubai: "I will take care of it immediately!"

Upon hearing that Shen Hegui intended to strip her of her title, Shen Si exclaimed in disbelief, "The dignified Crown Prince actually fell in love with a man! Ha! It's all retribution. I wish you two a dead marriage, and that the Shen family line will be wiped out from now on!"

Unexpectedly, her cold-blooded and heartless elder brother was not just casually fond of Lu Wensheng. Going to the imperial mausoleum is fine, that way she won't have to get married. Forget about the three obediences and four virtues!

He took off his black outer robe and wrapped it tightly around Lu Wensheng. He then picked Lu Wensheng up in his arms and comforted him in a hoarse voice, "Hang in there, I'll take you to see a doctor. No matter the cost, I will definitely cure you!"

Before, when she was alone, Lu Wensheng was willing to endure it, but now that she had a backer, she felt relaxed and found it extremely difficult to bear.

Her crimson lips arched against Shen Hegui's jade-colored neck, and in the night breeze, she whispered pleadingly, "I don't want to see a doctor, Your Highness, please give yourself to me, haven't you always wanted me?"

The soft, haphazardly falling objects were both hot and tender, just what he had always wanted. But at this moment, Shen Hegui felt as if a thousand needles were piercing his heart, and the pain was so intense that he could hardly breathe.

He turned and found a secluded corner. Without hesitation, he slashed his wrist, and bright red blood gushed out. Shen Hegui then stuffed his wrist into Lu Wensheng's mouth.

Shen Hegui: "Swallow it, don't waste a single drop. Replenish it, and you'll definitely be cured!"

Lu Wensheng was still conscious and couldn't understand why Shen Hegui acted as if the sky had fallen and even bled her out, when she had only been drugged with aphrodisiac. Although she knew he was very healthy and had the constitution of a Tang Monk... she still found the smell of blood repulsive.

"Ugh—it tastes awful, I don't want it!"

Seeing that Lu Wensheng seemed about to turn her head away in refusal, Shen Hegui immediately pinched her chin and pushed her wrist in even further.

"Just bear with it, it won't taste so bad once you swallow it," Shen Hegui coaxed.

Lu Wensheng: "..." A logical genius!

Seeing that she couldn't persuade Shen Hegui, she had no choice but to swallow it. She then took the opportunity to gently push Shen Hegui's fingers away and murmured coquettishly, "I want to drink water, my throat is so sore."

Shen Hegui withdrew his hand and replied in a low voice, "Okay."

He gently touched her dry, chapped upper lip with his finger, then after a moment's thought, wrapped Lu Wensheng tightly in his arms and carried her to a low cherry tree not far away.

This is Qionglin Garden, which belongs to the royal family. Every plant and tree belongs to the royal family. Even if the cherries on the branches are ripe and the stems are turning brown, no one dares to overstep their bounds and pick them.

Holding Lu Wensheng firmly in one arm, Shen Hegui picked three large branches full of dark red cherries and placed them in her arms.

Shen Hegui explained, "The water in Chen Si's room is not clean, and there are people in the front and back yards. Eating some fruit will help calm you down."

Whether it was Shen Hegui's blood that had an effect or not, Lu Wensheng gradually felt better, but she still felt a bit hot and really wanted to eat Shen Hegui.

She pulled her hand away from Cherry and tightened her grip, her gaze falling on Shen Hegui's injured hand. She said insincerely, "Let me bandage Your Highness's wrist; wrist injuries don't heal easily."

"No need, my constitution is different from yours, I'll be fine by tomorrow morning."

A gentle night breeze swirled around her. Gazing longingly at Shen Hegui's handsome face, Lu Wensheng, clutching a handful of cherries, closed her eyes wearily.

It didn't take the bait!

Shen Si was right about one thing: when looking for a man, you should look for someone who is young, good-looking, and of good character. Even though she was in this situation, Shen Hegui didn't take advantage of her.

After Zhang Chanyi finishes taking her pulse and prescribes a few more doses of medicine, her disguise will be preserved. She hopes to tell Shen Hegui herself that she is a woman.

After all, human emotions are consumables. Every time a rift or misunderstanding arises, a rift quietly grows. If you're lucky, it can be eliminated; if you're unlucky, it will become a hurdle that you can never overcome. In the rest of your life, every time you quarrel, it will inevitably be brought up again and again, hurting both yourself and others.

Stepping quickly out of the back gate of Qionglin Garden, Shen Hegui gently placed Lu Wensheng into his carriage. He leaned down and kissed her lightly, then moved the untouched cherry onto the table.

Noticing that Shen Hegui seemed about to leave, Lu Wensheng quickly opened her eyes and grabbed his sleeve, pleading, "Your Highness, where are you going? Please don't go!"

He gently grasped Lu Wensheng's hand and said calmly, "You don't like cherries, so I'll go find you some water."

Lu Wensheng suddenly realized, and a mixed feeling of bitterness welled up in her heart. She took a breath and explained, "I don't have the strength in my hands to hold such small cherries."

She needs Shen Hegui's help right now, but the timing isn't right. She has a mission to do tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, so she'll do it the day after tomorrow.

Originally, she planned to finish the task and leave, but now it seems that Shen Hegui is worth her taking the initiative to confess and have a real relationship. She has to thank Shen Si. Without these sticks of love incense, she would not have known that Shen Hegui was so good.

Thinking of this, she hooked her hand around Chen Hegui's palm and, for the first time, took the initiative to lean into his arms.

Shen Hegui looked up and turned away the tears that had involuntarily welled up in her eyes. She picked the biggest and reddest cherry and put it to Lu Wensheng's lips.

"I'll feed you."

A bright red cherry came into view, and Lu Wensheng lowered his head and took it into his mouth.

The scalding dampness touched his fingertips, and Shen Hegui felt as if he were being burned. He took a deep breath, suppressed the grief in his chest, and felt Lu Wensheng's pulse.

As expected, it was a complete mess.

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Author's note: Suddenly craving strawberries. [Melted]