Chapter 2
Due to the effects of the aphrodisiac, Song Xuan's consciousness was already somewhat unclear; he only needed to hold on until the Imperial Guards arrived.
But he couldn't hold on any longer.
Shen Qingnian pushed open the door of the dilapidated temple and walked in. She saw Song Xuan leaning against the wall.
With a heroic figure and picturesque features, the Crown Prince was not only skilled in both literature and martial arts, but what made the noble ladies even more delighted was his face, which resembled that of an immortal.
With power, influence, and good looks, even ordinary women would dream of meeting Song Xuan in their dreams, indulging in that unattainable dream.
Song Xuan's consciousness was already blurred. After he noticed someone coming in, he felt extremely uncomfortable all over, but he also forced himself to be alert.
A faint fragrance wafted into my nostrils, and I could hear the light footsteps of a young girl. Looking up, I could only vaguely make out a simple white dress.
He couldn't see the person clearly, but he could smell the delicate jasmine scent on them, which smelled wonderful.
Song Xuan opened his mouth, uttering a hoarse voice: "Who... are you...?"
He wanted to ask who sent her, but the aphrodisiac took effect, releasing the beast he had been forcibly suppressing within him.
Shen Qingnian was held captive in Song Xuan's arms. The man was burning hot and tightly gripped her wrist, his large hand like an iron clamp.
In the dilapidated temple, where spring rain was falling, the box of scheming and desire gradually opened, like a raging storm...
When Shen Qingnian woke up again, she was sore all over and covered in marks, especially the bruises on her wrists, which looked shocking.
Song Xuan was always gentle and kind, but who would have thought he would be so intense in this regard? She almost couldn't take it several times.
The medicine should have worked after just one dose, but the man seemed to be obsessed, clinging to her and refusing to let go, as if he regarded her as an enemy.
Fortunately, the effects of the drug would put her into a deep sleep, making it easier for her to leave.
The rain outside has stopped, and the sun has even come out a little. It was snowing a few days ago, but the temperature is a bit higher today. Spring has finally arrived.
Shen Qingnian, supporting her aching body, put on her clothes. The dilapidated temple was drafty, and she was feeling a bit cold.
She glanced at the man still sleeping beside her, then took off the red jade earring from her left ear and tossed it casually on the ground. She then got up and left, enduring the pain.
Not long after Shen Qingnian left the dilapidated temple, a group of Imperial Guards arrived...
Ten Imperial Guards knelt on the ground, with Jin Yi, the leader, bowing his head. His feelings at that moment could only be described as shock.
His Highness the Crown Prince's clothes were disheveled, and looking at the traces around him, it was clear that they were the remains of a man and woman after their encounter.
His Highness the Crown Prince has been tricked! And it was that kind of trick!
Everyone knows that His Highness the Crown Prince is abstinent from women, yet today he has been tricked in this dilapidated temple...
Thinking of this, Jin Yi couldn't help but shudder.
Song Xuan's eyes were deep and dark. He held a red jade earring in his hand, and his usually gentle expression had turned somewhat cold and stern.
His words were icy: "Investigate! Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, find this person!"
Jin Yi trembled and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Yes, Your Highness!"
Shen Qingnian did not go directly back to the manor, but instead, despite her aching body, went to Aunt Liu's residence.
Three months ago, Aunt Liu was sent to a secluded courtyard. There were servants watching outside the courtyard, but no one served her inside. Her meals were delivered by servants every day. Although there was not meat at every meal, it was enough to fill her stomach.
Shen Qingnian bypassed the servant guarding the gate, walked to the wall, gritted her teeth, and climbed over it.
Without Shen Zheng's permission, she was not allowed to see her aunt. Whenever she missed her aunt, she would find an opportunity to climb over the wall and enter.
The small courtyard looked somewhat desolate, neglected and unattended. Her aunt was bedridden and had no energy to care for it.
Shen Qingnian walked to the room where Aunt Liu lived, and could smell the bitter smell coming from inside even before she went in.
My aunt's health is getting weaker and weaker. In the past few months, her health has deteriorated, and she can only be kept alive by some expensive medicines. If it weren't for the fact that I am useful to Shen Zheng, my aunt would probably have died long ago.
Fortunately, as long as she obeyed, Shen Zheng would find a doctor to treat her aunt, and he would also send over the precious medicinal herbs on time.
Shen Qingnian straightened her clothes outside, concealing the shocking bruises on her wrists with her sleeves.
She went into the room, where Aunt Liu was sitting at the table, embroidering something with her head down.
“Aunt, you’re not feeling well, so go lie down and don’t do these things,” Shen Qingnian said, seeing Aunt Liu embroidering a handkerchief.
Her aunt used to be a foot-washing maid in the Shen household. After Shen Zheng took a liking to her, her life was not good.
After giving birth to her, her aunt would embroider things from time to time and try to sell them at the mansion.
When Aunt Liu saw Shen Qingnian arrive, her eyes lit up: "Why are you here?"
But the next moment, she said worriedly, "Does your father know? If you came secretly, you should go back quickly, or he will get angry again."
She understood Qing Nian's situation; Qing Nian was only helping Shen Zheng because of her own sake...
Shen Qingnian stepped forward and took Aunt Liu's hand: "Aunt, it's alright, he won't find out."
She was always very careful when she came.
Looking at her daughter's pale face, Aunt Liu felt sorry for her. She reached out and touched her daughter's hair, saying tenderly, "Are you not feeling well? Why is your face so pale? And you're dressed so thinly."
Shen Qingnian shook her head and comforted her mother: "Aunt, you just need to take good care of yourself. I'm doing very well now. In a few more days, we'll leave here and leave the capital."
Once she becomes the Crown Princess and gives birth to her eldest son, her father will set her and her mother free.
Aunt Liu nodded, but her worries only increased.
"Qingnian, do you really want to listen to your father and become the Crown Princess?" she asked worriedly.
Shen Zheng is troublesome enough, and now there's the Crown Prince too. She's genuinely worried about Qing Nian's safety...
If Qingnian really becomes the Crown Princess, how will she leave?
Aunt Liu was born a servant, and even after Shen Zheng elevated her to the status of a concubine, she was still living under someone else's roof. There were many things she couldn't understand or comprehend.
Shen Qingnian didn't want to talk about these things with Aunt Liu. She only said, "Aunt, you can wait for me in the courtyard."
Aunt Liu knew she couldn't help Shen Qingnian, so she only told her, "Qingnian, you must be careful, you must be very careful."
Shen Qingnian nodded, and the mother and daughter talked for a while before she climbed over the wall and left.
When she returned to the Shen residence, the steward who was anxiously guarding the gate immediately brightened up and came to greet her.
The butler lowered his voice and asked impatiently, "Miss, did it go smoothly?"
Shen Qingnian nodded: "Everything went smoothly."
The steward exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly ushered her into the Shen residence. He then instructed Xiaoju to serve her well before running off to the study to report to Shen Zheng.
Inside the boudoir, the maid brought in hot water.
Shen Qingnian's clothes were gently removed by Xiaoju, whose expression gradually turned to shock—
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