When the first rays of sunlight set in the early morning, roosters crowing could be heard from afar. People started to get up one after another, and Qin Peng was completely stunned.

He knows?

He called her that because...

"Excuse me."

When Qin Peng was lost in thought, Qin Shuhuai suddenly let go of her and took a step back. Qin Peng looked up at him, and he looked at her quietly with a hint of love in his eyes.

At this moment, his eyes no longer had the deep affection from before, as if he was looking at an ordinary person. However, there was a softness in his eyes that made it hard to understand.

"I miss her so much."

He spoke hoarsely: "I hope the princess will forgive me."

"Ah? Oh." Qin Peng nodded, still not recovering from the shock.

For a moment, she almost thought he recognized her!

If he recognized her, her plan to escape might have to be advanced. According to Qin Shuhuai's personality, knowing that she was Zhao Peng, could he still let her go?

Qin Peng had no doubt that Qin Shuhuai liked her.

But in his heart, she was not as important as power, and Qin Peng had no doubt about it.

Qin Shuhuai felt guilty about her death, which became a lifelong knot in his heart. If he knew that she was Zhao Peng, he would probably use any means to marry her.

But she never, ever wanted to marry him again.

Some fate is fate, some fate is sin.

I died three times at his hands, probably because I owed him a debt in my previous life.

She didn't want to marry a man who valued power over her, nor did she want to marry a man who would make her feel too burdened.

Her feelings for Qin Shuhuai were shallow to begin with, and now time has worn away even that shallow feeling. To her, Qin Shuhuai has long been a memory of her youth, like morning dewdrops, fireworks under the moon, and the moment the sun rises, all of which have disappeared without a trace.

The two were silent for a moment. There was a noise around them. Qin Shuhuai lowered his head and said, "I'm going back."

"Go slowly, my Lord."

Qin Shuhuai didn't say anything. He looked up at Qin Peng, as if waiting for something. Qin Peng didn't understand and asked curiously, "Prince?"

Qin Shuhuai lowered his head and covered it up: "No...nothing."

After saying that, Qin Shuhuai turned around, jumped over the wall and left.

Only after Qin Shuhuai left did Qin Peng realize what had happened.

She rushed into Baizhi's room. Baizhi was still half asleep and was woken up by Qin Peng. Qin Peng said excitedly: "Baizhi! Qin Shuhuai is here to see me!"

"What?!"

Bai Zhi suddenly woke up and immediately drew out the long sword beside her pillow. Qin Peng grabbed Bai Zhi's sword and soothed her, "Let's go, calm down."

"What did he come to you for?"

Bai Zhi was a little drowsy and confused. Qin Peng repeated what Qin Shuhuai had said. Bai Zhi sorted it out and finally understood.

"So, he dreamed of his dead wife in the middle of the night and felt very sad. Then he remembered that you looked a lot like his wife, so he came over and hugged you. Not only did he give you the antidote, he also gave you the job of the doctor."

Bai Zhi felt that the world was somewhat mysterious. After a long while, she finally said, "Isn't it possible that he ate something that ruined his brain?"

"That's what I thought."

Qin Peng nodded and continued, "Not only that, he also plans to introduce me to a marriage. The person I married is someone I had a crush on before. This person is not from a high family. How low is his family? That is, I don't even remember his name."

"But he dug it out." Bai Zhi spoke sinisterly, and said in a cold voice: "It's not easy for this bastard to go to such lengths to trick you."

"Yes, he even dug up the fact that I had a crush on a poor boy. He was just trying to suppress me to the point of no return."

Qin Peng said seriously: "I feel that he is planning to use a soft policy on me now to wear down my will. When I marry someone without thinking, and lose the support of the Wei family and my future husband, it will be easy for him to deal with Xiaoming in the future."

"Shameless!"

Bai Zhi spoke with righteous indignation, and the two women stood up, full of fighting spirit, ready to go to court and fight with Qin Shuhuai.

Qin Shuhuai returned to his room and collapsed immediately.

Jiang Chun held Qin Shuhuai and asked anxiously, "Master, are you okay?"

Qin Shuhuai shook his head, and Jiang Chun realized that he had a high fever. Jiang Chun quickly helped Qin Shuhuai to the bed and asked someone to call a doctor.

He didn't know what to do. After thinking for a while, he took Zhao Peng's tablet and said anxiously, "Master, the princess is here. You hold her. Maybe she will feel better if you hold her."

Qin Shuhuai: "..."

This subordinate is probably beyond help.

"Burn the tablet."

Qin Shuhuai closed his eyes and said wearily, "Burn Zhao Peng's tablet and remove the mourning hall."

Jiang Chun was slightly stunned, and then became afraid.

The only support that has kept Qin Shuhuai alive until today is Zhao Peng. Even Zhao Peng's tablet is about to be burned. I'm afraid he has no intention of living anymore.

Jiang Chun knelt down and fell on Qin Shuhuai, crying with red eyes: "Master, you can't! Although the princess is gone, you still have us, and there are still a long time to go, don't give up! Maybe the princess can still be saved? Master..."

Jiang Chun's crying gave Qin Shuhuai a headache. He said weakly, "Stop crying. It gives me a headache."

"Master, you must hold on..."

"She's alive."

"Who's alive?" Jiang Chun suddenly raised his head. Qin Shuhuai closed his eyes and spoke bitterly: "Zhao Peng."

He didn't mention Peng Peng, nor did he mention my wife.

In the past, he always used such intimate words to show his special identity and hint to everyone his feelings for Zhao Peng and the position of Zhao Peng in his heart.

But why when she was alive, Qin Shuhuai called out her name in such a cold tone?

Jiang Chun was a little confused. He had a simple mind, but he quickly reacted: "If she's alive... bring her back! Master, tell me where she is and I'll go get her for you."

"The princess is coming back," Jiang Chun stood up excitedly: "She..."

"She's not coming back."

Qin Shuhuai felt that every word he said was very bitter, and said with difficulty: "She got married."

"Married...married?"

Jiang Chun was a little confused, but simple-minded people can always make decisions quickly. He clapped his hands and said immediately, "It doesn't matter if she gets married, as long as she's alive. Let's grab her! Master, let's not be immoral this time."

Jiang Chun drew his sword: "Tell me, where did she marry? I'll go and rob her!"

"The Wei family."

Jiang Chun: “…”

He put the knife back and scratched his head: "Well, Master, how about we discuss this in detail?"

Qin Shuhuai didn't say anything. The doctor came in, prescribed medicine for Qin Shuhuai, and then left. After a while, Zhao Yi came in with ointment, sat down beside the bed, bandaged Qin Shuhuai's finger, and lowered his head and said, "Has the prince gone to see the master?"

"Um."

"Can you tell me what's going on?"

Zhao Yi raised his eyes to look at Qin Shuhuai, his eyes full of seriousness: "Master, I watched the burial with my own eyes, I don't understand."

"Zhao Yi," Qin Shuhuai looked up at the bedside: "Do you believe in reincarnation?"

"If the prince says so, I will believe it."

Zhao Yi lowered his eyes and listened quietly.

"When I was Liu Shuyan, she once told me about Wei Yang's past."

"People's words can be false, but feelings cannot. She loved Wei Yang."

Zhao Yi picked out the ointment from the medicine box held by Jiang Chun and smeared it on Qin Shuhuai's fingertips. Qin Shuhuai's eyes were dull and he said hoarsely: "After she died, she came to Qin Peng, maybe she was reincarnated, or maybe she was possessed by someone else, and then she fell in love with Wei Yang. After Wei Yang died, she was a widow for ten years."

“She didn’t think about coming back.”

“Never.”

"No!" Jiang Chun seemed to have discovered something shocking and shouted, "No, the princess died in the eleventh year of Xuanwen, but Wei Yang died in the seventh year of Xuanwen. How could the princess meet Wei Yang after her death?"

"I thought about that too when I first thought she was Jiang Yi."

Qin Shuhuai's tone was much calmer: "Jiang Yi died in the fourteenth year of Xuanwen, Wei Yang died in the seventh year of Xuanwen, and Qin Peng fell in love with Wei Yang in the seventh year of Xuanwen. Did I guess the wrong person?"

"But then I thought, who said that after death, one cannot go back to the past?"

Qin Shuhuai said calmly: "Death and resurrection exist. That person died in the eleventh year of Xuanwen and was resurrected in the seventh year of Xuanwen. Is this strange?"

The whole place was silent.

Qin Shuhuai is very observant, and few people can lie in front of him. If he deliberately prepared, it is possible, but when Qin Shuhuai pretended to be Liu Shuyan, he tried to test Qin Peng intentionally, and Qin Peng was still able to fully express his friendship with Wei Yang. It is impossible for him to have no feelings for Wei Yang.

Moreover, if Qin Peng and Wei Yang had no feelings for each other, if Qin Peng had not fallen in love with someone else, no one could figure out why Qin Peng had not contacted his old friend in the ten years since his resurrection.

"But..." Zhao frowned: "She should at least contact her relatives..."

Qin Shuhuai didn't say anything, he just looked up at Zhao Yi.

"Who else does she have?"

He smiled bitterly: "As Zhao Peng, who else in this world, besides me, can she contact me boldly after she dies?"

Zhao Yi was speechless for a moment.

The only person Zhao Peng could trust in his life was Qin Shuhuai.

But Qin Shuhuai and she are not relatives. If there is no love between them, it is better to be strangers.

The last finger was bandaged, and Zhao Yi stood up: "So what are you going to do?"

Qin Shuhuai didn't say anything. He just looked at the curtains above the bed in silence. They were Zhao Peng's favorite patterns.

Their new house was simple at that time, and Zhao Peng picked all the things himself.

Although he had a lot of money after years of business, he couldn't let the outside world know about it, so Zhao Peng could focus on the details of his concubine's room that no one else could see.

He always remembered those patterns. After she died, he had people move all the things from Beiyan here. However, the fabrics were damaged on the way, so he had people weave identical new ones again.

But the new ones are too bright, and when they are woven together with the old ones, they can be seen at a glance.

Once it’s broken, it’s broken, and nothing can fix it.

"I have no idea."

Qin Shuhuai was confused and kept saying, "I don't know."

I don't know whether I should let go or not, I don't know whether I should keep you.

"She has a new life."

“Live well.”

"She didn't tell me and didn't contact the old people because she hoped there would be no more entanglement."

"I want her to live a better and happier life."

"But what can I do?"

Qin Shuhuai closed his eyes: "She is the only one I have. What will I do if I let her go?"

No one was able to speak. Zhao Yi was silent for a long time, and finally said, "Then don't let go."

"Yes." Jiang Chun nodded. This time, his brain finally worked better: "Prince, Princess Yuyang said she didn't want the past, but she didn't say she didn't want the future. Didn't Wei Yang die? You still have a chance!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhao Yi sighed, "The princess is a person who can let go easily. If she doesn't want us to know, then we will pretend we don't know. The princess liked you and married you back then. If she did it again, it's fine."

These words touched Qin Shuhuai's heart. He looked up at Zhao Yi and repeated, "She... likes me?"

"Yes." Zhao Yi chuckled: "If I don't like it, why would I give up my wealth and glory and marry you, a hostage?"

"You know the princess's temper."

Qin Shuhuai's heart trembled slightly. These words gave him courage.

Whether Qin Peng loves Wei Yang or not, Wei Yang is already dead.

She is alone now, he still has a chance.

Thinking of this, Qin Shuhuai suddenly realized something.

He had been dealing with Liu Shuyan for so long before, so Qin Peng was very interested in Liu Shuyan...

"I'm going to tell her..."

Qin Shuhuai turned over from the bed and said anxiously: "No, I have to tell her that I am Liu Shuyan..."

"master!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chun grabbed him and said anxiously, "Calm down, calm down, think about it, if I tell the princess that I was Liu Shuyan who deceived you for so long, what will she think?"

Qin Shuhuai froze.

Yes, Zhao Peng hates being deceived the most.

Especially if she knew that he was trying to match her up with Liu Shuyan, it would be the end of her.

He suddenly felt very lucky that he did not accept Qin Peng's confession when he pretended to be Liu Shuyan. Otherwise, he would not know where to cry now!

Seeing Qin Shuhuai's dazed look, Jiang Chun and Zhao Yi helped Qin Shuhuai back to bed, and comforted him like a child: "Master, you should recover first, and we will consider other matters after you wake up."

Qin Shuhuai nodded, went back to bed, lay down and closed his eyes.

So on this day, Qin Shuhuai continued to take leave and did not attend the early court.

The Regent King had not attended the morning court for two days in a row, and the court officials were a little shocked. Qin Peng hid behind the curtain and whispered to Bai Zhi who was standing beside him: "He didn't come for two days in a row. Is he not doing well?"

"It may not be possible," Bai Zhi frowned, "This person has sinister intentions, I'm afraid he is planning something big."

Qin Peng nodded and began to think about whether to do something big while Qin Shuhuai was away. After the court session, Liu Shuyan stood at the door waiting for Qin Peng. When Qin Peng saw Liu Shuyan, he couldn't help but open his eyes: "What are you waiting for me to do here?"

"Aren't you going to read with His Majesty?"

Liu Shuyan's eyes seemed to be smiling, as if he had long understood the true meaning of Qin Peng accompanying Qin Ming to study. Qin Peng coughed lightly and turned his head: "What are you going to tell His Majesty today?"

Knowing that Qin Peng has always been concerned about Qin Ming's course, Liu Shuyan did not neglect it. After telling Qin Peng the course content in detail, Qin Peng nodded and said to Liu Shuyan: "You hope he will be a benevolent king."

"Which tutor doesn't want His Highness to be a benevolent ruler?"

Liu Shuyan smiled slightly, and Qin Peng suddenly remembered: "Come to think of it, your father was the former tutor of the crown prince, right? After the crown prince passed away, he was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. I wonder if he has any other plans?"

"What do you mean by other plans?"

Liu Shuyan knew that Qin Peng would not casually mention his family affairs at this time. Qin Peng did not beat around the bush and said directly: "It is almost April now, and the candidates for the chief examiner of the September Autumn Examination are being selected."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shuyan reacted and raised his eyebrows: "Are you planning to ask my father to come forward?"

"That's what I meant." Qin Peng asked with a questioning look in his eyes: "I wonder if you think it's appropriate?"

"Your Highness trusts me so much?"

Liu Shuyan laughed out loud: "I am the tutor recommended by the Prince Regent."

"Do I believe you?" Qin Peng raised his eyebrows. "Do I need to ask?"

If you don't believe it, how could you choose him as your son-in-law?

Looking back now, Qin Shuhuai's recommendation of Liu Shuyan was fake, and his real intention was to use Qin Peng's hand to push Wang Ke to take office. Even if Wang Ke did not take office, he could alienate Liu Shuyan and Qin Peng.

Trading the position of Taifu for a permanent gap between Liu Shuyan and the princess was a deal that Tai Hua could not afford.

As early as when she was in Beiyan, Qin Peng knew that Qin Shuhuai was not a good person. She was able to climb to that position in the palace thanks to Qin Shuhuai's constant scheming. Now, six years have passed, and the man's methods have become more and more unpredictable.

It is precisely because Qin Peng trusts Qin Shuhuai's political methods so much that he believes that Liu Shuyan and Qin Shuhuai are not in the same group.

After hearing what Qin Peng said, Liu Shuyan said in a rare serious tone: "Although Your Highness believes in me, this is not a reason for me not to show my loyalty. The Liu family has followed Your Majesty for generations, please rest assured, Princess."

Following Your Majesty for generations means that the Liu family will follow whoever becomes emperor.

Now Qin Ming sits on the throne, which means that as long as Qin Ming is the emperor, the Liu family will be loyal to Qin Ming.

Qin Peng nodded. She had no doubt about this. She bowed respectfully and said, "Then please tell the Minister a message. His Majesty is still young and weak. I hope the Minister can help me."

Liu Shuyan nodded and returned the greeting: "Don't worry."

After the two of them exchanged pleasantries, Qin Ming arrived at the waterside pavilion.

He has grown a lot taller in recent days. The food in the palace is better than that in the imperial mausoleum, which makes his face a little rounder. Combined with his big watery eyes, he really makes people feel pity and distressed.

As soon as he saw Qin Peng, he rushed over and happily called her sister. Qin Peng picked him up and pinched his nose: "You are His Majesty, yet you are still so naughty."

"I only saw my sister being naughty!"

"alright."

Liu Shuyan coughed lightly and said, "Let's go to class."

The three of them were taking classes in the waterside pavilion, Liu Shuyan was giving lectures, Qin Peng was marking memorials, and Qin Ming was reading. For a moment, it seemed that time was infinitely gentle and long, and it felt like the courtyard was filled with the beauty of spring.

While the three of them were having class in the waterside pavilion, Qin Shuhuai was taking medicine.

After a good sleep, after experiencing great joy and great sorrow, I calmed down.

As soon as he woke up, he immediately sent people to inquire about Qin Peng's news. His people were everywhere in the palace, so the news that Qin Peng and Liu Shuyan were getting along naturally reached his ears.

He listened quietly to the servant's description of the two people's situation without saying a word. Zhao Yi walked out and saw Jiang Chun coming in with medicine. He whispered, "The master feels something is wrong."

"Hey," Jiang Chun took a look inside, "What's going on? We still have a long way to go. If you can't even handle such a small thing, what's the point of talking about the future?"

Zhao Yi thought about it and agreed.

The princess and Liu Shuyan haven't done anything yet, so Qin Shuhuai should have no reason to be angry.

However, just as the two of them finished their chatter, they heard Qin Shuhuai's cold voice coming from inside: "Where's the medicine?"

Jiang Chun responded quickly and brought the bowl in. Qin Shuhuai raised his head to finish drinking and put the bowl on the tray. Jiang Chun was about to say something when he heard Qin Shuhuai say, "Another bowl."

Jiang Chun raised his head and said in surprise: "Ah?"

But he didn't dare to ask more questions. He took the plate and walked out, discussing with Zhao Yi in a low voice.

"I think the master is probably feeling bitter inside, so bitter that even the medicine tastes sweet to him."

"I don't think so," Zhao Yi said more rationally, "I think the prince is planning to get well soon and stop that adulterer Liu Shuyan from getting close to the princess."

After hearing this, Jiang Chun remained silent for a long time. Zhao Yi was a little surprised: "What are you thinking about?"

"Oh," Jiang Chun said calmly, "I was just wondering when you learned the term 'little adulterer'."

"I am Princess Yuyang's shadow guard."

Zhao Yi reminded him lightly, and Jiang Chun was no longer surprised when he remembered it.

Everyone has reached a consensus that there is no one who is not good at talking around Princess Yuyang.

Qin Shuhuai tried hard to drink the medicine, and struggled to go to court the next morning.

When he left, he was still a little weak, his face was pale, and his eyes were dark. Qin Peng was frightened when he saw him, and hurriedly said: "Prince Regent, if you are not feeling well, go back and rest. There is no need to work so hard..."

Qin Shuhuai didn't say anything, just lowered his eyes and replied calmly: "Yeah."

He actually wanted to say a lot of things in reply, but all of them were too intimate. Since he wanted to pursue her again, he naturally had to show his sincerity.

The first point is to pretend to be a stranger.

However, even though he restrained himself from speaking, Qin Shuhuai still couldn't help wanting to peek at her. Qin Peng saw Qin Shuhuai's gloomy eyes looking at her, and she always felt that she had offended him again.

Throughout the entire morning court session, Qin Shuhuai looked over from time to time, and from time to time, which made Qin Peng feel uneasy. He always felt that Qin Shuhuai had discovered something.

She was feeling uneasy. After the court session, everyone left first. Liu Shuyan glanced at her, and Qin Peng made a "go first" gesture to him. Qin Shuhuai saw it, walked over and stood between the two of them.

Liu Shuyan didn't think Qin Shuhuai did it on purpose. He smiled and left. After Liu Shuyan left, Qin Peng and Qin Shuhuai were the only two people left in the court. The hall was quiet. Qin Shuhuai felt his heart beating a little faster. He pretended to be calm, lowered his eyes and looked at his toes, wondering if Qin Peng had anything to say to him since he didn't leave yet.

When Qin Shuhuai thought about Qin Peng taking the initiative to keep him, he felt an inexplicable surge of joy.

"Well," Qin Peng finally couldn't help but speak: "Prince, you're not leaving yet?"

"Um."

Qin Peng only replied with this one word today. He felt that Qin Shuhuai might have a brain injury but was still holding on.

She didn't want to bother him, she wanted to find Liu Shuyan as soon as possible to cultivate feelings and fall in love, so she stood up and said, "Then I'll take my leave."

"etc."

Qin Shuhuai finally couldn't help himself when he saw her lift her skirt and walk away. He called her with a stern face. Qin Peng turned around and saw him looking at her with his eyes with heavy dark circles. He said seriously, "Don't you have something to say to me?"

His senses are always sharp and never wrong.

Qin Peng took a deep breath and asked directly: "Does the prince have any opinion about me?"

Qin Shuhuai was stunned. Looking at Qin Peng's serious expression, he immediately reacted and said anxiously and embarrassedly: "No...why do you think so?"

"If you don't have other intentions, why do you keep looking at me today?"

Qin Peng frowned: "What are you hinting at?"

Qin Shuhuai stopped talking, and Qin Peng's face turned cold: "My Lord, I am a straightforward person, I will speak directly if I have something to say."

"Actually... it's nothing."

Qin Shuhuai's tone was indifferent. Qin Peng was in suspense. She always felt that Qin Shuhuai was going to say something big. However, he glanced at the crown on her head, turned his head away as if shy, and said slowly: "I just think you are very beautiful."

Qin Peng: “…”

She had the urge to throw her crown in anger.

She wears the same court dress and makeup every day. He only found her beautiful today. Is Qin Shuhuai blind? ! !