Chapter 30 She only realized this when her life was hanging by a thread…

After an unknown amount of time, Ling Zhenli was doused with a bucket of cold water and woke up.

Before anyone could even see who was so bold, the person had already run out and locked the door from the outside.

Ling Zhenli was still half asleep, thinking she was dreaming, when the person lying next to her sat up and suddenly spoke, reminding her that she was not dreaming.

The surroundings were already pitch black, and then a man's voice came from behind. Ling Zhenli was so frightened that she was instantly jolted awake from her half-dreaming state.

"You, you, you..."

"Your Highness, I am the Imperial Son-in-Law Yang Chengxiu."

Yang Chengxiu's cool voice, tinged with a hint of helplessness, came from behind her again. Hearing that it was a familiar voice, Ling Zhenli was no longer so afraid. She slowly turned her head and, by the dim moonlight, saw his face clearly.

The prince consort Yang Chengxiu was no less handsome, with a righteous and heroic air about him. In the dim moonlight, he appeared even more gentle.

"So it was the prince consort... I was terrified."

Ling Zhenli was still in shock. She sat up and patted her chest, which was pounding wildly, before realizing that she was only wearing a thin undergarment.

Where did her clothes go?

Looking at Yang Chengxiu again, he was shirtless, wearing only a pair of trousers, which was even stranger.

Unlike Ling Zhenli's bewilderment, Yang Chengxiu thought quickly and soon guessed what was going on based on the surrounding environment and the two people's attire.

"Princess Consort, please stop looking. I'm not wearing any clothes." Yang Chengxiu said somewhat awkwardly.

"Where is this? Why are we here?"

Ling Zhenli was extremely flustered. A man and a woman alone in a room, and in such a disheveled state—what if someone found out…

"I remember I went to the kitchen to oversee the medicine being prepared for the princess, and I saw someone acting suspiciously. I walked over, and somehow, I suddenly fainted."

After listening to Yang Chengxiu's account, Ling Zhenli slowly began to recall.

“A palace maid brought me a bowl of hangover soup. After I drank it, I knew nothing more.”

"We've been set up," Yang Chengxiu said with an awkward laugh, then got out of bed.

Scattered moonlight streamed in through the poorly sealed window, allowing glimpses of the surrounding environment.

Yang Chengxiu made some noises to let Ling Zhenli know he was nearby so she wouldn't be too scared, while deducing their surroundings from the environment.

This must be an abandoned palace that once imprisoned criminal palace servants or concubines. The windows were all boarded up, but due to years of disrepair, a few planks have fallen off, allowing moonlight to shine in.

The door was very heavy and locked tightly, presumably designed to prevent criminals from escaping; it could not be opened by brute force.

But he felt as if he had seen this place before.

"Your Highness, you grew up in the palace. Can you guess where this is?" Ling Zhenli asked cautiously.

"Hmm... there aren't many abandoned palaces in total. This should be the Cold Palace. Don't worry, you are the Crown Princess and I am the Prince Consort. I believe that if we disappear, many people in the palace will come looking for us. It's just a matter of time. We will definitely..."

He was about to say that we would be fine when a bad feeling washed over him.

It's definitely not that simple.

Sure enough, the next second, Ling Zhenli reached for a knife beside her, was startled, and screamed.

"A knife?"

This is so strange. Why would there be a knife here?

Yang Chengxiu walked over quickly and picked up the knife to examine it.

It looked like an ordinary butcher's knife, nothing special, and I don't know why it was placed next to Ling Zhenli's bedside.

Ling Zhenli was almost scared to death. The environment was already pitch black with low visibility, and then she touched a knife. Her soul almost left her body.

Is she really going to die here? She doesn't want to die yet; she still has so many things to do... She hasn't had a chance to say goodbye to Pei Xuanlin, hasn't had a chance to take revenge on Xiao Chongheng...

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's just a knife. Hold on a little longer, the Crown Prince and the others will be here soon, we'll definitely be saved. Sigh... I'm such a bad husband. If I don't see Chang'er, she'll be so worried. She just gave birth, she's so weak..."

As she spoke, Yang Chengxiu felt extremely hot, and the heat intensified with each passing wave.

He thought he was warming up after being doused with cold water, but now it seems something is wrong; this heat is more like... an aphrodisiac.

We're doomed.

He knew what the knife was for.

The person who plotted against the two probably thought that either he would defile the Crown Princess, damaging her reputation and causing both of them to suffer, or the Crown Princess would seize the knife and kill him. In that case, the princess would definitely take her anger out on him, and the Crown Princess would not fare well either.

According to the Crown Princess, she was deliberately drugged with sleeping potion in her hangover soup, and he had simply stumbled into the trap.

This whole thing is aimed at the Crown Princess.

Although it was an undeserved disaster, Yang Chengxiu was still quite glad that the Crown Princess had encountered him. If it had been another man, she might not have had this knife to protect herself.

So, Yang Chengxiu tried his best to endure the aphrodisiac in his body, and spoke to Ling Zhenli in a low voice, hoping to hold on.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Yang Chengxiu first needs to confirm whether Ling Zhenli is a Chinese medicine. If she is, then things will be quite difficult.

"No."

Ling Zhenli felt perfectly fine, except that she was still feeling cold after being splashed with cold water.

"Okay, that's good."

Yang Chengxiu's voice had become hoarse. He was about to lose control, so he steeled himself and secretly cut his own arm.

The pain from that cut was excruciating, and he instantly regained his senses.

Ling Zhenli had just noticed something was off about his voice. After all, she wasn't an inexperienced woman, and she was very familiar with the deep, husky voice of a man when he was aroused. Combined with Yang Chengxiu's question about whether she felt anything unusual, she could vaguely guess that he probably did feel something unusual.

“I said…you wouldn’t be…” Ling Zhenli said it somewhat awkwardly.

Seeing that she had guessed, Yang Chengxiu simply admitted, "Yes, I was probably drugged by them... those beasts... really, I don't know what kind of drug they gave me, I hope it wasn't something for pigs..."

To ease the tension, he even cracked a joke.

Ling Zhenli was both amused and exasperated: "Hey, what time is it? Why don't you use the sheets to apply a cold compress? The sheets are cold and wet now because of the water you just spilled on them."

"You're so smart, get out of bed now."

Yang Chengxiu felt as if he had been redeemed. The moment Ling Zhenli got out of bed, he immediately ripped off the sheet and covered himself with it.

Unfortunately, the relief was only temporary. Soon, his eyes were filled with desire again, and he missed Pei Shang'er.

With the knife in Yang Chengxiu's hands, Ling Zhenli had nothing to defend herself with. She panicked, knowing that if she had relations with the prince consort here, she would surely lose her life once she got out.

Ling Zhenli trembled with nervousness. The surrounding environment was terrifying, and she was afraid she would die here today.

"Don't be afraid, humans and animals are different... If I lose control, you can cut me."

Yang Chengxiu handed her the knife, trying his best to restrain himself and try to distract himself from his inner turmoil by talking.

Ling Zhenli held the knife in a daze, weighed it a few times, and immediately prepared to chop down.

"No, I didn't tell you to cut it now..."

*

The entire palace is in complete chaos.

First, Pei Shang'er sent people to look for Yang Chengxiu when he didn't return for a long time, but they couldn't find him anywhere. Then, Pei Xuanlin went to pick up Xue Yingyue and found that she was also missing, realizing that something was wrong.

There were no guards at the entrance of the side hall. When asked, the guards on duty said that the Crown Princess had ordered them to leave, and that the Crown Princess had gone out alone and not allowed anyone to follow.

Pei Shang'er was furious, and Pei Xuanlin was even more enraged. The men he sent out searched the area but found nothing. They didn't know where Xue Yingyue was or if she was in any danger.

If Yang Chengxiu were to secretly meet Xue Yingyue, it would be impossible for them to be nowhere to be found after searching the entire palace.

"You're saying the Crown Princess went out alone?! That's nonsense! Where could she go by herself!"

"If you don't find the prince consort, none of you will live tonight!"

"Immediately seal off the city gates, and lock the palace gates as well. No one is allowed to open them without my order. Have all the court officials and noblewomen attending the banquet wait inside the main hall. Then send out three teams of men to chase after them out of the palace and search every house and household. I do not believe that two living people can simply vanish into thin air!"

Pei Xuanlin was furious and regretted his drinking, realizing he shouldn't have let Xue Yingyue out of his sight, giving the villains an opportunity.

Xiao Chongheng and Xue Haoting personally led a search of the palace. When they arrived at a side hall, Xiao Chongheng noticed that there were trampled marks on a secluded patch of grass.

He quickly called Xue Haoting over and pointed to the grass not far away.

"Look, isn't it strange? This palace is already remote enough, yet there are still traces of people walking here."

"Has someone walked by?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Haoting squatted down and carefully examined the trampled grass.

The grass was still fresh; it must have been trampled on recently.

“This is indeed strange. Where does this road lead?” Xue Haoting turned to ask the soldier.

The soldier thought for a moment and replied, "The Cold Palace is just ahead. Ever since Emperor Gaozong, the six palaces have been in name only, and the Cold Palace has been abandoned for a long time. No one should go there."

No one will go.

It seems very likely to be here.

"Quickly inform the Crown Prince and Princess to go to the Cold Palace. The Minister of Ceremonies and I will go and investigate first!"

Without delay, Xiao Chongheng took the plunge and led a group of men to the Cold Palace, while Xue Haoting led a dozen or so men along the footprints they had left behind...

Meanwhile, Xie Daojian, who remained in the Taiji Hall with the princes and ministers, was investigating everyone who might be plotting against Ling Zhenli and Yang Chengxiu.

First of all, the Prime Minister wouldn't do that; you can tell just by looking at his wife's distressed and tearful appearance.

But that Miss Cui... looked flustered.

Xie Daojian's men just came and quietly told him that they had caught Miss Cui's maid in the imperial kitchen.

Cui Yingxue was too nervous, her nervousness was a bit off. At first, she was secretly pleased after the news was announced that the Crown Princess had gone out alone, but when she couldn't find her anywhere in the palace, she started to panic.

Furthermore, her maidservant left the table after the Crown Princess had left.

Xie Daojian quietly circled around behind Cui Yingxue and spoke coldly.

"Does Miss Cui know anything about what happened tonight?"

"What? What? Lord Xie... Ah... Why are you asking me this? I don't know anything..." Cui Yingxue tried to remain calm. "The Crown Princess is my cousin, and I'm worried about her."

"Where did Miss Cui's maid go? Why haven't we seen her with her?"

"Ah... I told her... she told me she was going to change." Cui Yingxue smiled after saying this, as if it were true.

"Is that so? But my men caught your maid. She said you told her to go to the royal kitchen and get you some pastries."

"Ah, I think that's right. There's a plate of pastries I like. I asked her to check if the imperial kitchen had any more..."

Xie Daojian smiled sarcastically: "Okay, I understand."

Cui Yingxue is so stupid, and besides, she had to mobilize so many people in the palace. The mastermind must be someone else.

The real mastermind, Pei Chanlian, remained calm and composed, blowing on her scalding hot tea as she sat upright in her seat.

That idiot Cui Yingxue wanted to drug Xue Yingyue, make her lose her virginity and incur the Crown Prince's displeasure, which was exactly what Pei Chanlian wanted. Pei Chanlian was a hundred times bolder than Cui Yingxue, and she just happened to need Cui Yingxue as a scapegoat.

Xie Daojian knew from her appearance that this matter was inextricably linked to her.

"It's admirable that Princess Roujia is so calm. Your husband can't match your composure."

Hearing Xie Daojian's sarcastic words, Pei Chanlian was furious inside, but on the surface she pretended not to care: "Lord Xie, my anxiety is futile. I might as well sit here and pray for the Crown Princess and the Prince Consort."

Just as the atmosphere between the two was tense, a palace attendant came to announce that Xie Daojian should immediately go to the Liangyi Hall to see the Empress and the General.

"Everyone knows that praying for blessings is useless, Roujia, you can pray here all you want." Xie Daojian sneered and left.

Pei Chanlian gritted her teeth.

*

Upon learning that the person might be in the Cold Palace, Pei Xuanlin and Pei Shang'er disregarded their rivalry and rushed to the Cold Palace together.

In the cold palace, Yang Chengxiu cut his palm again, the effects of the medicine were suppressed by the pain once more, but he was a little dizzy from excessive blood loss.

These people are really trying to kill him by giving him this kind of drug.

Yang Chengxiu was pushing his body to its limit, and he was probably about to faint, but before that, he needed to figure something out.

"Hello, Crown Princess."

Since no one was around, he could take the opportunity to ask the woman in front of him who she was.

When Ling Zhenli heard Yang Chengxiu call her name, she was startled and quickly replied, "Huh?"

"May I have your name."

Ling Zhenli was speechless, but still answered him: "...Xue Run, courtesy name Yingyue."

Yang Chengxiu's voice was weak and hoarse: "Fine, I won't test you anymore. Actually, I've met the real Xue Run, so I know you're not Xue Run. So, who exactly are you?"

Ling Zhenli's eyes widened instantly.

How could that be?

How did he know she wasn't Xue Run?

"Your Highness, are you out of your mind because of the medicine? If I'm not Xue Run, who else could I be?" Ling Zhenli put on a good show.

Having been treated as the Crown Princess and the Prime Minister's daughter for so long, Ling Zhenli had long been accustomed to naturally placing herself in that position. If Yang Chengxiu hadn't known, he probably would have been fooled by her.

“You don’t need to act with me. I just want to know who you are… If I wanted to expose you, I would have done so the first time we met…”

Yang Chengxiu clutched her chest, her breathing slightly rapid. "The drug has fully taken effect, and I have no strength. Since I dared to ask your identity, I'm not afraid that you might take the opportunity to kill me to silence me."

Ling Zhenli knew that Yang Chengxiu was an impeccable person, but since the matter was of great importance, she still couldn't reveal her true identity.

"There is only one Xue Run, and that is me."

Yang Chengxiu knew she wouldn't admit it outright, so he changed his question: "Okay, how did you become Xue Run?"

“I look a lot like her,” Ling Zhenli said with a wry smile in a low voice.

“No, you are nothing like her.” Yang Chengxiu said breathlessly. “If I had to say, you only have a few similarities in your eyes and brows… but your eyes and brows are full of spoiled cunning, while hers are full of arrogance and disdain.”

"In any case, I am now Xue Run, so please keep it a secret, Your Highness."

"Since you're unwilling to discuss your past, I won't press you further. Princess Jin'an aspires to the throne, which means we'll be adversaries from now on, but I don't wish for that..."

Before he could finish speaking, a commotion arose outside.

Judging from the voices, it wasn't just one or two people, but dozens of people, who were calling out the two people's names.

"Someone's coming! Thank goodness, I'm saved!"

With an excited heart and trembling hands, Yang Chengxiu felt as if she had finally been freed. She scrambled to the door and frantically pounded on it.

Ling Zhenli immediately realized what was happening and quickly ran to the door. The two of them frantically banged on the door together.

Hey! We're here!

"We're here! Come and save us!"

"Help! Help!"

Those outside clearly heard their cries for help and quickly responded.

The people inside, knowing they were saved, noticed that both of them were disheveled. Although it was nothing compared to their lives, with so many people outside, they were bound to be seen and gossiped about.

"Seung-soo! Are you alright?!"

Pei Shang'er's tearful shout came from outside the door. Yang Chengxiu's heart tightened, and he replied, "I'm fine. The Crown Princess saved me, but just in case, please call the imperial physician."

Ling Zhenli turned her head away, staring incredulously with her round eyes. He could lie without even thinking.

“Crown Princess…” Pei Shang’er outside the door murmured to herself.

Overjoyed to have his most precious person back, Pei Xuanlin staggered to the door and responded to Ling Zhenli.

"Ah Li! Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm perfectly fine, Your Highness. But the Prince Consort is injured. Please summon the imperial physician immediately."

As Ling Zhenli spoke, she tore off a piece of cloth and simply bandaged the wound on Yang Chengxiu's palm, but it only stopped the bleeding.

The door was locked tight; the only option now was to break it down.

Pei Xuanlin instructed from outside the door, "Ali, take the prince consort and stay far away, don't let him get hurt."

"Chengxiu, where are you hurt? Is it serious?" Pei Shang'er was extremely worried when she heard that Yang Chengxiu was injured.

"It's not serious, Chang'er, don't be afraid. It's just that the Crown Princess and I have been in this dirty place for too long, and it's not very elegant now. In a little while, only you and the Crown Prince are allowed to come in, and everyone else should leave."

"Okay, I understand."

Soon, Xiao Chongheng brought his soldiers with battering rams used to break down the mansion gate. Although it was an overkill, the gate broke after just one ramming.

As soon as the door opened, Pei Xuanlin and Pei Chang'er rushed in.

When Ling Zhenli saw Pei Xuanlin, she was so excited that tears streamed down her face. Pei Xuanlin saw that she was dressed in thin clothes and was soaking wet, so he rushed over and hugged her tightly, his voice trembling with excitement.

"It's all my fault, it's all my fault. If I had left with you, this wouldn't have happened. Ah Li, I'm sorry for putting you in danger. I'll never leave you again. It's all my fault..."

"Waaaaah... Saburo, I thought I'd never see you again... Do you know how scared I was? I was afraid I'd die here. I still have so much to say to you. I don't want to die like this..."

Only in the most critical moments can people truly understand their own hearts.

Ling Zhenli only realized at the critical moment of life and death that Pei Xuanlin occupied a very important place in her heart, a place that no one could replace or shake.

Although they couldn't see it from the outside, they could hear it. Xiao Chongheng's heart broke as he listened to Ling Zhenli's words of love to Pei Xuanlin.

Yang Chengxiu was already under the influence of drugs, and seeing his beloved woman in front of him made him even more unable to control himself. He went up to Pei Shang'er and rubbed and hugged her, but he couldn't actually find a palace to do anything.

Pei Shang'er was heartbroken to see him injured, and tears streamed down her face: "How come you have so many wounds... How come you're bleeding so much? Why are the wounds so deep... Does it hurt a lot..."

"It hurts so much! I was injured by that villain, but luckily the Crown Princess bandaged me up. Otherwise, I would have bled even more. We should thank her properly."

Ling Zhenli truly admired Yang Chengxiu's ability to lie without batting an eye; it was far better than her acting skills in this melodramatic drama.

Pei Shang'er was deeply moved and quickly turned to Ling Zhenli to express her gratitude: "I will never forget the kindness of the Crown Princess in saving the Prince Consort today. I will not thank you enough. I will invite the Crown Princess to visit my residence another day and will certainly treat you well."

At this moment, Ling Zhenli was still nestled in Pei Xuanlin's arms. When she saw Pei Shang'er speaking to her, she peeked out and responded:

"Your Highness is too kind. The prince consort's condition is urgent. Please take him to a side hall so that the imperial physician can examine him carefully."

Yang Chengxiu's white undergarment was stained with blood, a sight that would terrify anyone who saw it. Pei Shang'er was heartbroken and, disregarding everything else, ordered a sedan chair to be carried and helped him to get treatment.