Chapter 57

Zhao Wan had never seen these things before. When she recalled what she had just seen at Lin Niang'er's, she blushed and tried her best not to focus on them.

"Should we go back now?"

Going back... I might run into Zhou Yanqing if I go back.

"Let's go...to my sister's."

Unbeknownst to the two, after they left, Lin Niang twisted the vase on the table, and the landscape painting behind her rotated accordingly, revealing a figure that appeared and disappeared.

“Now that she’s become suspicious, we can’t stay here any longer. In a few days, we’ll follow the convoy of goods,” she said.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you all these years." The man's voice was apologetic as he bowed and disappeared into the shadows.

——

Under the pavilion, Si Yunyun was reading a book when she heard a servant announce that Si Yanmo had arrived, and she paused in her reading.

Yesterday's conversation brought her neither joy nor sorrow, but rather a sense of bewilderment.

She didn't consider herself a kind person, but she didn't want her family to be involved in this conflict, especially her younger sister whom she owed a lifetime of debt to. However, since she had married into the royal family, there were some things she had to do.

She only hoped that everything would have a good ending.

"Let the princess come here."

Soon, Si Yanmo asked Zhao Wan to stay in the front yard to rest, and then came in with the housekeeper to sit next to her sister.

Seeing her pale face, Si Yunyun hesitated before speaking, "Is it... that things aren't going well with His Highness Prince Qin?"

Her heart sank to the bottom; she desperately hoped for good news.

Si Yanmo shook her head and leaned on her sister's shoulder.

There were some things she couldn't tell others, so she came to her sister.

"Sister, did you and the Third Prince... ever... have you ever...?"

"Which one?" Si Yunyun didn't react for a moment.

"Well..." Si Yanmo was a little embarrassed, but even though no one was around, she still leaned close to her sister and whispered, "It's about sex."

Si Yunyun was taken aback, not expecting her to ask this. Relaxing, she hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, "Of course, one should consummate the marriage upon marriage. What, you and His Highness Prince Qin haven't done so yet?"

She hadn't thought of that.

“It’s all because of me…” Si Yanmo sighed, her heart nearly breaking. “Sister, did I not tell you about my relationship with the Prince of Qin…”

"You don't like him, do you?" Before she could finish speaking, Si Yunyun already knew what she was going to say.

You noticed?

"Silly girl." Si Yunyun raised her hand and touched her head. "I'm your sister, of course I can see what you're thinking."

"But the royal family is different from you and me. Even if we don't like each other, it's good to treat each other with respect." She sighed, realizing that her own life wasn't always smooth sailing, and how could she protect her sister?

Si Yanmo smiled bitterly. She also wanted to treat each other with respect, but after what happened last night, how could they still treat each other with respect?

Si Yunyun couldn't bear to see her younger sister like this, so she comforted her, "Why don't you tell your older sister what's wrong? Don't worry, your husband isn't here today." It was just a private conversation between sisters.

Si Yanmo hesitated for a moment, but still told her sister about what happened last night, avoiding many things that would make her blush and her heart race.

"Sister, the problem is that all I can think about right now is... all the things he did to me yesterday, and the sounds he made. I feel really uncomfortable whenever I hear other people mention him. Do you think I'm sick?"

Si Yunyun chuckled, "Silly boy, isn't this normal? I was like this the first time too."

"But you like your brother-in-law, and I..."

"This kind of thing has nothing to do with whether you like it or not. After all, it's a matter between men and women, and it's normal to have some reactions unless you're extremely disgusted. Besides, if it's really as you say, and it's just using your hands, then it doesn't count as consummating the marriage."

"Doesn't count?" Si Yanmo's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing that it didn't count. "Then it's fine, right?"

Si Yunyun hadn't expected the girl's focus to be on this, and smiled helplessly, "It's nothing, but it also depends on your mutual feelings. Are you really not even a little bit interested in His Highness Prince Qin?"

Si Yanmo lowered her head and only spoke after a long while, "I...I don't know. I'm confused too."

In both her past and present lives, she had very few men around her, the only ones with whom she could have a real emotional connection were the brothers Zhou Junsong and Zhou Yanqing.

But here's the problem: in her past life, she vaguely thought that she could just live a peaceful and uneventful life with Zhou Junsong.

What about Jin Sheng and Zhou Yanqing?

If we set aside the conditions we initially discussed, it seems like we could just continue living like this in a daze.

Doesn't that still make no difference?

"I don't like things being left unclear."

In her past life, her relationship with Zhou Junsong was just as ambiguous, and in the end, she was the one who got hurt. If she were to repeat the same mistake in this life…

No, she will never repeat the same mistake.

"Then let's make it clear. Making it clear is better for everyone."

"Is it enough to just explain clearly...?"

"Mm." Si Yunyun held her hand, as gentle as ever. "Relationships are a matter between two people. If you're not clear about something, then talk it out. If you don't understand something, then go and see for yourself."

"No matter what, I'll stand by you. If you choose the King of Qin and don't want to help your husband, I'll still support you."

Si Yanmo also grasped her sister's hand in return, "Sister, don't worry, no matter what, we will always be sisters."

"Of course," Si Yunyun teased, pinching her cheek. "We're blood relatives, what are they?"

That's right, they are siblings from the same mother. No matter what happens, no matter how nice others are, they will stand together.

With her sister's encouragement, Si Yanmo felt much better and decided to go back and have a good talk with Zhou Yanqing.

Upon returning to the manor, Zhou Yanqing was not seen, but Chen Wu and Wu Guan were acting mysteriously, seemingly talking about something.

"What... happened to you?"

She moved closer, and the two men immediately jumped up like mice seeing a cat.

"Your...Your Highness...You're back!" Chen Wu chuckled, scratching his head with one hand and gesturing to Wu Guan behind his back with the other. "Go ahead and say it!"

These two are clearly hiding something from her. Si Yanmo's face darkened, and she pretended to be angry, "Just say what you have to say."

"this……"

"If you don't tell me, I'm going to find His Highness!"

"Hey!" Upon hearing her mention Zhou Yanqing, Chen Wu and Wu Guan quickly stopped her on either side. "Well... His Highness isn't coming back today."

"Not coming back?" Si Yanmo looked suspicious. Considering the two of them's reluctance to speak, she thought of a possibility: "Is he keeping a mistress?"

"How could that be!" the two retorted in unison.

"Then what kind of cover are you giving him?"

Upon realizing that his master had been misunderstood by the princess, Chen Wu disregarded Zhou Yanqing's instructions and told Si Yanmo what had happened that afternoon.

After Zhou Yanqing fell off his horse, he quickly called a shaman to take a look. The reply he received was that Zhou Yanqing had forcibly blocked Ye Shengge's acupoints the night before, but had not dealt with it in time, resulting in a backlash.

This "night of revelry" is supposedly used for matters of the heart, but it is ultimately poison, offering no benefit whatsoever. If it is not dealt with when it takes effect, the suffering will be unbearable.

But Zhou Yanqing insisted that he not tell the princess, saying that she didn't want to frighten her.

"Is he stupid?!" Si Yanmo was furious. She lifted her skirt and walked out. "Where is he? Take me there!"

She walked too fast, and Chen Wu didn't react for a moment. It was only after Zhao Wan patted him that he hurriedly caught up and drove the carriage to the camp outside the city with Si Yanmo.

The jade plate sits quietly on the horizon, emitting a faint moonlight.

Under the moonlight, birds landed on the tents, chirping and curiously peering inside through the gaps.

The warm glow of the candlelight reflected the blood on the man's body as he tried to use the pain to suppress the impulse in his heart.

Her hair was all wet, as if reminding Zhou Yanqing that this method was completely useless.

At that moment, the tent curtain was lifted, and through the hazy light, a figure in green entered his field of vision.

His instinctive reaction was to flee.

That was so embarrassing...

She mustn't see this...

However, before he could make a move, the fragrance of jasmine wafted over, and he grabbed the sharp scabbard.

"Amo!"

The flowing blood stung Zhou Yanqing's vision. "Are you crazy?"

Fool, you know you have a blood disorder!

"You're the one who's crazy!" Si Yanmo threw away the dagger and used a handkerchief to stop the bleeding from his arm. "Chen Wu, get some hemostatic medicine, a clean cloth, and water!"

Upon receiving the order, Chen Wu immediately ran out, leaving the two of them staring at each other.

Zhou Yanqing didn't care about her own wound at all. Instead, she grabbed her hand, tore off a corner of her clothes, and used it to bandage the wound.

His gaze slowly moved from the wound to Si Yanmo's face, his emotions becoming increasingly complex.

"What are you looking at? Why don't you look for the antidote?" Si Yan felt a little embarrassed by his gaze.

"There is no antidote." Zhou Yanqing said this with a hint of grievance.

"You can help me, but you can't help yourself?"

“I’ve tried…” He raised his hand and stroked the girl’s cheek, “but it wasn’t enough.”

That's great, she's right here...

However, with her here, Zhou Yanqing's impulse became even more pronounced.

The moment his hand touched her, Si Yanmo's breathing became erratic, and that strange heat surged up again.

"you……"

Just when the two were about to lose control, Chen Wu brought the medicine.

"My lord, my queen, I..."

What did he see?

Will he be silenced?

Si Yanmo was brought back to her senses by his voice and sat up straight. "Put it down."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wu quickly put down all his things and dashed out of the tent.

The white cloth, soaked in water, was scooped up by a pair of delicate hands, wrung out until half-dry, and used to wipe the bloodstains from the man's arm.

Zhou Yanqing felt a warmth in her heart as she watched her movements. "How are you? This medicine will take another six months to take effect."

Half a year?!

"Six months? No wonder..."

Si Yanmo finally understood why she was feeling inexplicably hot and breathed a sigh of relief.

It was also her fault. When the witch doctor arrived last night, she was already delirious and could only vaguely hear a little bit of what he was saying. She thought that the medicine was so effective that it could last for half a year.

"Then we won't always be like this..."

Before she could finish asking, Zhou Yanqing coughed violently again, his mouth filled with a faint metallic taste.

Si Yanmo hurriedly helped him up, patted his back to help him catch his breath, and a look of worry spread across her face. "How did you get so badly hurt?"