After that, every day at noon, Jiang Fei would bring lunch and then stay in Chu Mo's study.
At first, she would just have lunch with him and leave afterward. A few days later, she had a comfortable soft couch placed in the corner of the study so she could take a short nap after lunch.
Seeing this, Chu Mo merely frowned and didn't say anything more.
Jiang Fei, on the contrary, became increasingly audacious. Not only did he take a nap in the afternoon, but he also ordered people to bring him pastries and fruits. He would either read storybooks or close his eyes and pretend to sleep, staying for two or three hours at a time.
Sometimes, on a whim, she would casually pick up a pastry and give it to Chu Mo to eat.
When Chu Mo was first fed pastries by her, he was still a little stunned and resistant, but he hid it very well and smiled gently, saying, "Don't worry about me."
However, Jiang Fei fed him as usual the next time.
After this happened several times, Chu Mo got tired of arguing with her anymore.
However, this leisurely period was soon interrupted by an imperial edict:
The Imperial Preceptor intends to travel around, and the Young Imperial Preceptor will soon go to the altar to perform a sacrifice to ascend the throne. The Emperor will hold a palace banquet to send off the Imperial Preceptor.
The emperor even gave Jiang Fei an imperial edict: she had not entered the palace since being poisoned, and he wanted her to come in so that he could see her.
Jiang Fei has his own set of rules regarding palace banquets.
—Since it's a palace banquet held because of the Imperial Preceptor, I'm bound to run into Pei Qing, and it'll be a good opportunity to see what kind of person he is.
Therefore, she took this palace banquet very seriously.
study.
Chu Mo flipped through the military books, but for some reason found it difficult to concentrate.
Turning her head to glance at the soft couch beside her, Jiang Fei went to prepare her clothes for the palace banquet.
These days, perhaps because the preparations for the troops have gone very smoothly, he is in a much better mood and has become more patient with Jiang Fei.
She could stay in the study if she wanted, but she couldn't stay there for too long anyway.
Moreover, with her in the study, he no longer needed to send people to monitor her. Under his watchful eye, she couldn't possibly pull any tricks.
However... what he found most unbelievable was that she never played any tricks.
She stayed quietly to the side, as she herself said: she wouldn't disturb him, she just wanted to stay with him.
I only feed him occasionally.
She was originally dispensable, but...
"Master." A guard's voice came from outside the door.
Chu Mo composed himself and said, "Go in."
The guard entered silently and knelt on one knee: "I have found out what you ordered me to investigate. Miss Jiang will be going to the palace banquet with the Young Grand Preceptor."
Chu Mo paused, glanced at the soft couch beside him, and then waved his hand.
The bodyguard quickly disappeared from the study.
Chu Mo stood up, walked to the soft couch, picked up a pastry she hadn't finished eating, hesitated for a moment before putting it in her mouth, and then frowned.
He dislikes sweetness.
The princess's residence was destined not to confine him.
And he... had something he wanted to say to Rongrong.
...
"How about this one?" In the bedroom, Jiang Fei, dressed in a lake-blue gown, walked into the outer room, looked at Lu Zhi standing there, and then turned around. "Does it look good?"
Lu Zhi stood there calmly: "Beautiful."
Jiang Fei glanced at herself in the bronze mirror, shook her head, and went back into the room. When she came out, she had changed into a moon-white cloud-patterned dress: "What about this one?"
Lu Zhi simply nodded: "It looks good."
Jiang Fei looked at Lu Zhi, frowned, and went back to her room to change into a dark-colored floral dress. "This one?"
Lu Zhi nodded: "Okay..."
"Try saying it looks good again!" Jiang Fei interrupted him, leaned closer to him, and looked up at him. "Lu Zhi, are you alright?"
Lu Zhichao took a small step back: "Thank you for your concern, Princess. I am fine."
"If you're alright, why are you acting like this?" Jiang Fei snorted and whispered, "Why have you been like this ever since I stopped letting you read storybooks?"
Lu Zhi's back stiffened, and his gaze unconsciously drifted to the round table beside him. The storybook was still on it, untouched since the last time.
Actually, the story would have ended with just one more ending.
But she never made him read it again.
"You like that storybook?" Jiang Fei followed his gaze, clapped her hands, took the storybook, and stuffed it into his arms. "If you like it, I'll give it to you."
Lu tightened his grip, the book in his hand seemed heavy, making his heart feel somewhat heavy as well.
Jiang Fei glanced at the favorability rating above his head, and then suddenly realized something: "That's right!"
After saying that, he turned and walked into the room.
Lu Zhi looked down at the storybook in his hand.
What's wrong with him? He reached out and touched his chest; the "Jiang" character etched into his flesh still ached faintly. He would never have any other feelings for her.
Because she was no different from those who tattooed the word "slave" on his face.
"Lu Zhi." After some time, Jiang Fei called out to him.
Lu Zhi quickly lowered his hand holding the storybook, knowing in his heart that she would not give up until she found a satisfactory dress today; she was always like that.
But when he looked up, he still paused.
Jiang Fei stood at the doorway wearing a crimson moon-cloud brocade dress. The vibrant red complemented her radiant complexion perfectly, like a burning flame.
Only she wore this color.
"Is it pretty?" Jiang Fei smiled.
Lu Zhi didn't speak, he just stared at her blankly.
“Then this one will do!” Jiang Fei said. “The prince consort also likes to wear red.”
Lu Zhi suddenly came to his senses, and lowered his eyes the next moment: "Now that the princess has made her choice, I shall take my leave."
Without waiting for Jiang Feiying, he turned around and disappeared into the room.
Lu Zhi's favorability rating: 20.
Jiang Fei watched his retreating figure and smiled.
Are you already having second thoughts?
Imagine how fascinating it would be when the truth is finally revealed.
...
The day of the palace banquet arrived quickly.
The original owner was naturally flamboyant, and with his striking red attire, no one suspected anything.
Inside the carriage.
Chu Mo looked at the woman opposite him. He had always known that Jiang Fei was beautiful and radiant, but perhaps because the palace lanterns inside the carriage were dim today, he felt that her skin was as smooth as cream and her red dress was as fiery as fire, as if she was burning her life to gain a moment of beauty.
Even the words spoken just before he boarded the carriage struck his heart like a heavy hammer.
She said, "You must remember what I look like now, and in the future..."
She didn't say what would happen in the future.
However, this thought faded considerably after seeing Pei Qing and Jiang Rongrong at the palace banquet.
At the palace banquet, all the officials gathered.
This was also the first time Jiang Fei had met Pei Qing.
—Dressed in white, her robes fluttered as she walked, like a banished immortal in the clouds. Her long black hair was half loose and half tied up, secured with a fine white jade hairpin, with two snow-white jade ribbons hanging down from her hair.
Her eyebrows and eyes were light and indifferent, yet her features were exquisite, exuding both asceticism and sanctity.
He didn't seem to like interacting with people. Many people kept a distance of three steps from him, but Jiang Rongrong stayed by his side. The two weren't exactly close, but Pei Qing treated Jiang Rongrong with more gentleness than others.
Above his head, it was clearly written: Favorability -10.
Jiang Fei smiled, thinking that this imperial advisor still remembered the grudge of being forced into a marriage in place of another.
Suddenly, Chu Mo's favorability rating shifted, and Jiang Fei turned her gaze away from him.
He was staring straight at Jiang Rongrong, his expression of affection for her quite mixed.
Jiang Fei followed his gaze and saw Jiang Rongrong, who was also dressed in white. She was pretty, but the spirit in her eyes had been somewhat diminished by the Cold Flower Poison.
"Chu Mo." Jiang Fei gently tugged at his sleeve.
Chu Mo snapped back to reality, looked at the woman beside him, and forced a smile: "Sorry, I was thinking about something just now."
Thinking of his sweetheart, Jiang Fei thought to himself with a soft snort.
The palace banquet began, and the emperor arrived last.
Before this, Jiang Fei had thought that if the emperor was weak, he could use the "Cure All Diseases" skill if he had the chance, since the emperor was the only one who was good to the original owner of the body.
When Jiang Fei met the emperor, he realized that the emperor was simply old.
Human beings are subject to a predetermined fate of birth, aging, sickness, and death; she cannot force it.
After exchanging words with the officials about "jointly celebrating this grand event," the emperor inquired about Jiang Fei's health, noting that he already looked tired. He then asked, "How is the imperial son-in-law treating you?"
Jiang Fei looked at Chu Mo, and Chu Mo was also looking at her.
After a long while, Jiang Fei smiled and took Chu Mo's hand: "He treats me very well."
It wasn't just about improving Chu Mo's favorability; it also... eased a father's mind.
The emperor nodded in satisfaction and left ahead of schedule, supported by palace attendants.
The palace banquet continued, with melodious sounds of sheng, xiao, and silk instruments filling the air.
Jiang Rongrong carefully glanced around, and seeing that no one was paying attention, she unfolded the note in her hand. When she saw the contents, her expression hesitated slightly, but after a moment, she still quietly withdrew from the palace banquet.
At the same time, Chu Mo drank a glass of wine, turned to look at Jiang Fei, and said, "Feifei, I'm going out for a bit."
Jiang Fei looked at him, smiled, and nodded: "Okay."
Chu Mo nodded and smiled faintly, then stood up to leave. But his robes were gently tugged at.
Chu Mo frowned and turned to look back.
Jiang Fei gripped his sleeve, a hint of unease in her eyes, but she still smiled brightly: "Then don't forget to come back soon."
Chu Mo paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay." He turned and walked out.
Jiang Fei watched his retreating figure, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
She naturally knew that Chu Mo would meet with Jiang Rongrong tonight and tell her to "leave Dayan with him".
Jiang Fei glanced at the palace banquet, frowned in disgust, and got up to leave as well.
The palace was very large, but the surrounding walls were very high, and she disliked the oppressive feeling.
Guided by her memory, Jiang Fei slowly walked to the palace pond, sat on a stone bench, and watched the water lilies swaying gently in the pond.
The original owner fell here when he was a child, and his body was ice cold.
Although he still acted extremely arrogantly towards others, from then on, the original owner developed a greater fear of water.
Jiang Fei stared blankly at the water, then suddenly realized something and turned to the darkness: "Lu Zhi."
Lu Zhimo appeared silently, glancing at Gong Chi with a somewhat complicated expression: "Princess."
Jiang Fei smiled and glanced at the stone bench beside her: "You sit down too."
Lu Zhi paused, but did not move: "This subordinate dares not."
"Hmph," Jiang Fei snorted lightly, but her tone was not as arrogant as usual. Looking at Gong Chi, her eyes were filled with nostalgia: "I remember I used to come here to play when I was a child."
Lu Zhi's fingers trembled, and he looked up at her.
Jiang Fei quickly looked away and asked again, "Where did Chu Mo go?" she asked slowly.
Lu Zhi paused for a moment, then lowered his head and remained silent, pursing his lips.
Jiang Fei didn't look at him again, her voice slightly muffled: "I knew even if you didn't say it..."
"He went to see Third Sister, didn't he?" The tone was certain.
Lu Zhi was stunned, his gaze showing a hint of astonishment.
He didn't expect Jiang Fei to know that Chu Mo was meeting with Jiang Rongrong, and he was even more surprised that Jiang Fei would remain so calm after knowing the truth.
He thought that, given her personality, if she found out, she would definitely make a huge fuss, and might even take it to the Emperor.
"Do you think I should take a whip and cause a scene with Chu Mo?" Jiang Fei seemed to see through his thoughts, turned to look at him and laughed, "I would have done that before."
Lu Zhi did not speak.
“But that won’t work now,” Jiang Fei shrugged. “Lu Zhi, I’ve actually read about the Cold Flower Poison in medical books. There’s no cure for it, right?”
Jiang Fei still smiled: "I know I don't have much time left, so I always want to be as good to him as possible. As for him seeing other people... it would be good if someone could take care of him in the future."
Lu Zhi stared at her, feeling as if all the blood in his body had frozen, and he could no longer think.
A white jade stone bench, a dark palace pool, a long-burning lamp, and she sat there in a red dress, her whole body shrouded in a layer of light and mist.
He was smiling, but it was like... a flame that was gradually burning out.
Lu Zhi's favorability rating: 25.
Meanwhile, in a nearby corner, a dark figure quickly disappeared into the night.
...
It was already late at night when I returned from the palace banquet.
Jiang Fei had drunk some wine and was leaning against the carriage, pretending to doze off.
Chu Mo sat opposite, his face darkening as he thought about his meeting with Jiang Rongrong.
Jiang Rongrong rejected him.
She said that he already had Jiang Fei and shouldn't waste his attention on her anymore.
But Jiang Fei is completely dispensable...
Chu Mo's breath hitched, and he looked up at Jiang Fei in front of him.
Under the lantern, she leaned gently against the sedan chair wall. Her cheeks were flushed from drinking, and her eyes were gently closed, with her fine eyelashes casting shadows on her eyelids.
Her hand gripped his sleeve tightly, ever since he returned to the palace banquet, until they were helped out of the palace, as if she were afraid he would get lost and never return.
Like a drowning person clinging to the only piece of driftwood, like... he was her only support.
Is it optional...?
"Princess, Prince Consort, we have arrived." The guard's voice was very soft outside the carriage.
Chu Mo snapped back to reality: "Come up and help the princess; she's drunk."
After saying that, he moved to get off the carriage, but his sleeve was gripped even tighter: "Don't go..."
Chu Mo paused for a moment.
Jiang Fei was still murmuring in her sleep: "Chu Mo, please don't go... it won't be long..."
Chu Mo looked at her hand gripping his sleeve, and his heart skipped a beat.
"The Prince Consort?" The carriage curtain was gently lifted, and Green Bamboo waited there cautiously.
Chu Mo stood frozen in place, his gaze falling on Jiang Fei's slightly tipsy face. He clenched his hands tightly, then suddenly pulled out his sleeves and got off the carriage, saying, "Help the princess back to her room."
After saying that, he got up and walked towards the study.
There is absolutely no way he would be soft-hearted towards her.
He was just... disappointed because Rongrong rejected him.
Jiang Fei, supported by Lu Zhu, glanced at the unusually messy goodwill rating on Chu Mo's head with half-closed eyes, inwardly scoffing, but outwardly maintaining a hazy expression.
"Princess, let me help you back to your room to rest," Green Bamboo said softly.
Jiang Fei responded softly, but stopped in her tracks just as she was about to return to her room: "I don't want to go back to my room!"
"Princess……"
“He drank tonight,” Jiang Fei gently tugged at Lvzhu’s arm. “I have to go and make him some hangover soup.”
Green Bamboo's eyes reddened: "Princess, I'll have the royal chef go..."
“No,” Jiang Fei shook her head stubbornly and walked towards the kitchen. “I want to go myself.”
Green Bamboo felt a pang of sadness. The princess was of noble birth, and she clearly loved her husband so much, yet he had just broken free from her hand!
Seeing the princess like this, she couldn't say anything and could only help her walk towards the kitchen.
Suddenly, Jiang Fei tripped over something and stumbled.
Green Bamboo exclaimed in surprise: "Princess!"
The next instant, a dark shadow flashed past her eyes. Green Bamboo turned her head and breathed a sigh of relief: "Guard Lu, thank goodness you caught the princess."
Lu Zhi didn't speak, but pursed his lips and watched Jiang Fei, who was still walking towards the kitchen, his heart filled with... what seemed to be a faint anger.
"Green Bamboo, hurry up!" Jiang Fei urged softly.
"Princess, why don't you go back and rest first?" Lu Zhi said in a deep voice.
“No,” Jiang Fei shook her head, then waved his hand away, “I don’t want you, I want Green Bamboo to help me, Green Bamboo to take me to the kitchen.”
Lu Zhi looked at the hand that had been waved away, his heart felt as if it had been tightly gripped and then released, leaving him with a bitter taste.
He stepped forward and grabbed her again.
"What are you doing!" Jiang Fei glared at him.
Lu tightened his grip slightly, and after a long while lowered his eyes, not looking at her: "This subordinate will light a fire for the princess."
...
The study remained exactly as Chu Mo had left it, with military books lying face down on the desk and candlelight casting a soft glow.
Chu Mo stood in front of the desk, but his gaze unconsciously drifted to the soft couch beside him. It was empty, except for a plate of cold pastries on the low table next to it.
There was a gentle knock on the door: "Master."
Chu Mo quickly looked away.
The guard entered, his expression somewhat complicated. After a long pause, he said, "Master, I did discover some things while accompanying the princess in the palace today."
Chu Mo asked calmly, "What is it?"
The guard hesitated for a moment: "The princess said that the reason things have changed recently is because..."
"Hmm?" Chu Mo frowned.
Has the fox finally shown its true colors?
"Because the princess knows that the Cold Flower Poison is very likely incurable, she wants to be kinder to you, which is why she is acting so strangely," the guard said, forcing a smile. "Moreover, the princess knows that you went to see Miss Jiang today."
Chu Mo was taken aback: "What did you say?"
"The princess said she hopes someone will keep you company after she leaves," the guard said, then lowered his head.
Chu Mo remained frozen in place.
Is her recent unusual behavior because she knows she's about to die?
Yes, it is said that Princess Changning is arrogant and domineering, but it has never been said that she is illiterate. She is good at wielding a long whip and can read many stories. She must have read a lot of classical and medical books in the past.
She knew... about the Cold Flower Poison?
That's why she asked him if her poison was difficult to cure.
That's why she hesitated before saying, "If I can't protect you in the future."
So, that day at the study door, she cautiously asked him if they could have lunch together, adding, "There probably won't be many more opportunities."
It wasn't as complicated as he had imagined.
Her thoughts were pitifully simple—she just wanted to be nicer to him.
She's not stupid at all.
Jiang Fei...
On the other side.
Jiang Fei sat at the table, looking at the hangover soup in front of her.
The system suddenly announced, "[Chu Mo's favorability: 0.]"
Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow. She had already noticed the presence of the secret guards in the palace, so it was to be expected that Chu Mo's favorability would rise now.
There was a very light sound of footsteps outside the door.
Jiang Fei rubbed her temples, cupped her cheeks in her hands, and rested her hands on the table. With a creak, the door was gently pushed open.
Jiang Fei looked up, her eyes still blurry, and asked, "Who is it?"
Chu Mo stared intently at the woman in front of the table. She was still wearing that red cloud-patterned brocade dress, sitting in the candlelight, her skin as white as snow, her eyes bright and beautiful.
So radiant and captivating.
"Chu Mo!" Jiang Fei called out to him, her eyes flashing with a thousand lights in an instant, but the lights gradually dimmed in the next moment, turning into a fine, aggrieved look. She glanced at the hangover soup in front of her, then at him, "Why are you only coming back now..."
"The hangover soup has gone cold."
Chu Mo looked at the hangover soup, his fingertips trembling slightly.
Jiang Fei staggered towards him, but as she got close, she swayed and fell straight into his arms.
Chu Mo quickly reached out to support her.
Jiang Fei leaned against his chest, looked up at him carefully, her eyes sparkling, and then pouted: "You said you would come back soon."
Chu Mo's throat tightened.
She leaned against him so unreservedly.
Rongrong, however, avoided his advances like the plague.
"Mmm," he responded softly.
Jiang Fei didn't speak, but gazed at him for a long time before reaching out and hugging his waist tightly: "You're back."
Chu Mo stood there, his body already stiff. After a while, he embraced her and walked towards the bed, but when he passed the table, he paused, looked at the bowl of hangover soup that had gone cold, hesitated for a moment, and then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.
As Chu Mo placed Jiang Fei on the bed and was about to sit up, Jiang Fei hugged him tightly again, her eyes closed, and said, "Don't go, Chu Mo..."
"It won't take up too much of your time..."
Chu Mo paused as he was about to straighten up, but ultimately did not leave. He lay down on his side beside her.
The moment he lay down, Jiang Fei embraced him again, nestled in his arms.
Chu Mo lay there stiffly, never having been so intimate with her before.
I don't know how long it's been.
"We can't tell Father..." the woman in his arms whispered, "and we can't tell Husband either..."
Chu Mo looked down at her.
Does that mean she knew she was going to die?
But her thoughts seemed to wander elsewhere, and she added, "Father is not a good husband..."
Chu Mo paused, then asked almost involuntarily, "Why? Isn't the emperor good enough?"
Jiang Fei fell silent.
Just when Chu Mo thought she wouldn't agree, she added, "I don't want to marry the emperor..."
Chu Mo remained silent.
But... shouldn't I marry the emperor?
Chu Mo's favorability rating: 5.
...
Jiang Fei was very happy about the increase in Chu Mo's favorability.
The increase in favorability meant that no matter how long Jiang Fei stayed in the study, Chu Mo wouldn't be too impatient; at most, he would just frown.
The two ate three meals a day together and usually stayed in the study together. Even Jiang Fei felt that if this continued, she would probably get tired of it before she even finished the strategy.
Fortunately, Jiang Fei had just finished lunch that day and, as usual, leaned against the soft couch, casually flipping through a storybook.
Just as I was about to pick up a segment of orange and put it in my mouth, my hand suddenly trembled, and the orange rolled to the ground.
The slightest movement caught Chu Mo's attention.
Jiang Fei smiled and looked away, not taking it to heart. However, when she tried to pick up another orange, she found it difficult to even bend her fingers. A surge of heat rose in her chest, but her body felt icy cold.
After calculating the time, Jiang Fei suddenly realized that it was time for the Cold Flower Poison to take effect.
Although she was "immune to all poisons," she did not completely seal off the sensations caused by the Cold Flower Poison in order to make it realistic.
Chu Mo seemed to sense something as well, and looked up at her: "What..."
Before he could finish speaking, a series of footsteps rushed in from outside the door, stopping at the study doorway. The voice was extremely urgent: "Prince Consort."
Chu Mo was taken aback. He recognized the voice as one of his own, but since the person disguised as a princess must have something urgent to tell him, he withdrew his gaze from Jiang Fei, walked a few steps to the door, opened it, and there he was indeed a secret guard disguised as an ordinary guard in the mansion.
Chu Mo closed the study door and asked in a very soft voice, "What is it?"
The guard said, "Miss Jiang suffered a relapse of her poison last night. There was no one in the mansion, so she sent us to fetch her master."
Chu Mo frowned deeply: "It's only been less than a month..."
In the next instant, he quickly realized that the Cold Flower Poison's onset time would only get closer and closer, and in the end, many poisoned people would not die from the poison's effects, but would be tortured to death.
"Where is Pei Qing?" Thinking of this, Chu Mo's voice turned cold.
"The young imperial advisor, no, the imperial advisor has gone to the sacrificial altar to receive the mandate of heaven, and will not return for half a month."
Is Rongrong all alone?
Chu Mo frowned deeply: "Is the herb for relieving worries ready?"
"Someone is already brewing the medicine."
“Okay,” Chu Mo nodded, “I’ll go over now.”
He lifted his foot and was about to walk towards the entrance of the princess's residence.
But then there was the sound of a door opening behind me.
Chu Mo stopped abruptly, slowly turned around, and looked at the woman at the door.
Jiang Fei stood there, leaning against the door frame, her face pale and her lips bloodless. "Chu Mo, where are you going?" she asked blankly.
Chu Mo forced a smile: "Feifei, I have important matters to attend to. You should go back to your room and rest."
After saying that, he was about to leave.
"Chu Mo!" Jiang Fei hurriedly took two steps behind him, staggering violently as a layer of cold sweat broke out on her forehead. "Please don't go, okay?"
“It really is something important,” Chu Mo said, his brows furrowed with anxiety. “I’ll have Green Bamboo help you back.”
This time, they didn't linger and left on their own.
Jiang Fei remained standing there, watching his back.
What a scoundrel.
And... this Cold Flower Poison is really troublesome. Although it doesn't hurt much, it makes one's limbs stiff and extremely difficult to move.
Green Bamboo stepped forward: "Princess, you don't look well, let me help you..."
Before Green Bamboo could finish speaking, Jiang Fei fell forward, her limbs stiff.
"Princess!"
...
A secluded courtyard.
Lu Zhi sat in the simple room, with a storybook on the octagonal table in front of him.
He looked at the storybook for a while, then slowly opened it, the bottom right corner of which was folded up.
—We read this part last time.
Actually, it's just a matter of one ending.
In the end, Xiuxiu and Cuining, who eloped, became a ghost couple.
Jiang Fei, however, was unaware of this.
No, perhaps she has already seen it herself and doesn't need him to read it aloud.
So what exactly is he upset about?
Lu Zhi reached out and gently pressed his hand against the area above his chest.
There was once a "slave" character carved there. After it was carved, the flesh was covered in blood and cinnabar.
Even if he cuts out the flesh, it cannot be completely removed.
Later, Jiang Fei's people carved the character "Jiang" on it.
Ultimately, this wretched life wasn't his own.
Only in his childhood, that little bit of beauty remained, which belonged to him alone and allowed him to glimpse a ray of light.
A series of noisy footsteps sounded outside the door.
Lu Zhi snapped out of his daze, his face expressionless as he looked up. He walked toward the door and stopped a servant: "What happened?"
The servants, their eyes filled with anxiety, reported, "The princess has been poisoned."
Lu Zhi froze, then quickly headed towards the most luxurious room.
Jiang Fei has been taken to a room, and someone has gone to brew medicine to suppress the poison.
When Lu Zhi arrived, all the servants were waiting outside, except for Jiang Fei's bedroom door, which was tightly closed.
"What happened?" he asked in a deep voice.
"When the princess returned to her room, she sent all the maids out, saying... she didn't need to serve her!" Green Bamboo glanced anxiously at the bedroom door. "Guard Lu, you've been with the princess the longest, quickly think of a solution."
"Where is the prince consort?" Lu Zhi frowned.
"The prince consort just said he had urgent business to attend to and left in a hurry."
Lu Zhi was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.
Jiang Rongrong.
He glanced outside, then chuckled self-deprecatingly. Jiang Rongrong didn't need him to worry about her at all.
I walked to the door and was about to knock.
“Lu Zhi.” Inside the room, Jiang Fei’s voice was terribly hoarse.
Lu Zhi responded softly.
"Come in," Jiang Fei said. "Only you are allowed in; no one else is permitted."
Lu Zhi pursed his lips, pushed open the door, and went inside.
Jiang Fei lay on the bed, her face pale to the point of being almost transparent, with only her eyes bloodshot. Her body was stiff and trembling slightly from the cold.
Lu Zhi stared blankly at her. He still remembered her radiant beauty at the palace banquet not long ago, but now... she was like a flower about to wither.
"Am I ugly?" Jiang Fei asked in a hoarse voice, unable to move her limbs.
Lu Zhi didn't speak, and walked to the bedside.
Jiang Fei weakly snorted, "I don't want anyone to see me looking like this!"
Lu Zhi's throat tightened, and something stirred in his heart: "The princess has allowed me to enter?"
"You?" Jiang Fei glanced at him and forced a smile. "You've been by my side for so long, haven't I seen what you look like..."
Before she could finish speaking, her body trembled violently.
Lu Zhi hurriedly moved closer to her.
"It's so cold, Lu Zhi," Jiang Fei said softly, her voice seemingly frozen.
Lu Zhi opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but found that he couldn't say anything; his throat was so tight and painful.
A knock sounded at the door, and Green Bamboo said, "Princess, the medicine is ready."
Lu Zhi snapped out of his daze, quickly turned around, opened the door, took the medicine bowl, and walked towards the bedside.
Looking at the woman on the bed, he hesitated for a moment: "Princess, please forgive me." After saying that, he sat down by the bed, helped her up, and let her lean against him. But when he touched her, his fingers trembled slightly.
Her body was as cold as a block of ice.
Lu Zhi fed her the medicine spoonful by spoonful.
Jiang Fei let him feed her, her slightly trembling teeth occasionally touching the spoon, making a soft sound.
Lu Zhi's body was tense. By the end, he couldn't even tell whether it was her trembling or his own hands that were trembling.
The bowl of medicine was empty.
Just as Lu Zhi was about to stand up, Jiang Fei's fingers twitched slightly, grabbing the hem of his clothes.
Lu Zhi looked down at her.
Her body was still stiff, her consciousness somewhat hazy, and she leaned against him, her voice very soft: "So cold..."
Lu Zhi's hands were clenched tightly, as if frozen in place, and he remained motionless.
The herb gradually took effect, and Jiang Fei was able to move her limbs slowly. She gently tugged at Lu Zhi's clothes, rubbing her cheek against his chest, trying to absorb his body heat.
Lu Zhi tensed up, wanting to dodge.
Jiang Fei suddenly pressed him down, her icy fingers trembling as they searched for warmth, finally landing in front of him.
Lu Zhi's breathing became rapid: "Princess, you mustn't."
Jiang Fei stopped.
Just as Lu Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, Jiang Fei said, "Lu Zhi, take off your clothes."
Lu Zhi's eyes widened in shock: "Princess..."
“This is… my order,” Jiang Fei said.
“You are someone I bought, so you should…” she ultimately couldn’t say it.
Lu Zhi felt a deathly stillness and emptiness in his heart, and his eyes were filled with darkness.
She bought him; in fact, he was no different from those who were sold as livestock.
Jiang Fei gently peeled off his outer garment, then his inner garment, and reached into his chest, wanting to warm herself with the warmth of his body.
Lu Zhi did not move.
However, the next moment, Jiang Fei stopped moving, her gaze became somewhat unfocused, but she kept looking at his chest.
Lu Zhi followed her gaze and saw the character "Jiang".
Above, there is a dented scar from where a piece of flesh was cut off, but even after it was cut off, you can still vaguely see that it is a "slave" with traces of vermilion red.
An unprecedented sense of humiliation filled his heart.
Lu Zhi clenched his fists tightly, lowered his head, and remained silent.
"I'm sorry..." Jiang Fei finally spoke softly after a long silence.
Lu Zhi suddenly opened his eyes and stared at her, his breathing becoming cautious.
Jiang Fei was still looking at his chest: "I'm sorry..."
She reached out, her cool fingertips lightly touching his chest: "From now on, there will only be 'Jiang', not that other word."
Only "ginger".
Lu Zhi could feel the touch of her fingertips brushing against his chest, and the ticklish sensation of her hair falling in front of him: "Princess."
The next moment, Jiang Fei collapsed on top of him and fainted.
Lu Zhi froze, then reached out and touched under her nose: "Princess?"
She remained motionless.
Lu Zhizhi stood up, intending to leave.
Jiang Fei trembled slightly.
Lu Zhi leaned against the bed, barely straightening his clothes. He looked at the woman who was still clinging to him tightly, her hand clenching and unclenching, but ultimately she didn't move again.
Lu Zhi's favorability rating: 45.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fei, who was nestled against Lu Zhi's chest, slightly curled her lips.
...
The Imperial Preceptor's Residence.
Chu Mo watched as Jiang Rongrong gradually fell asleep after drinking the medicine made from the herb that relieved her worries, and his tightly furrowed brows relaxed a little.
But something still seemed to weigh on his heart, making him restless.
Stepping out of his room, he saw the first light of dawn in the east and realized it was already the second day.
The guards stood at the door and only rushed to greet Chu Mo when he came out, their expressions full of hesitation.
Chu Mo frowned: "What is it?"
The guard paused before saying, "It's the princess..."
Chu Mo's brows furrowed even more: "Are you urging me to return to the manor again?"
“No,” the guard hurriedly shook his head, “the princess suffered a flare-up of the Cold Flower Poison last night.”
Chu Mo was stunned.
Thinking of Rongrong's painful appearance when she was poisoned, Jiang Fei, who had always been pampered, was afraid that she would suffer even more.
And there was the way she said, with a pale face, "It won't take up too much of your time."
"Owner?"
"Return to the manor!"
...
Jiang Fei put on quite a show last night, and then actually fell asleep.
When I woke up again, it was still dark.
And Lu Zhi...
She looked up and saw that Lu Zhi's body was still in the same position as last night, his brows were furrowed and his eyes were dark circles, obviously he had just fallen asleep.
Jiang Fei looked at him, then suddenly gasped and sat up: "How did you end up in this princess's bed!"
Lu Zhi opened his eyes almost instantly, his dark gaze filled with caution and vigilance, and even a hint of murderous intent. After realizing what was happening, he quickly suppressed his emotions and turned to look at Jiang Fei.
Her face was still pale, but her eyes were no longer as lifeless as yesterday; instead, they had a light in them.
My heart gradually relaxed.
Lu Zhi tried to sit up, but his body was stiff from maintaining the same posture for several hours, and he fell towards Jiang Fei.
With a "smack," I felt a sharp pain on my face.
Jiang Fei slapped him hard across the face.
Lu Zhi turned his face to the side and forced himself to stand up.
Jiang Fei glared at him angrily: "You lecher!"
Lu Zhi's body trembled slightly, and he suddenly looked up at Jiang Fei, his eyes flashing with a light like that of a wild beast.
This slap, and even the word "lecher," were exactly the same as the scene when he rescued that girl from the palace pond.
Jiang Fei shrank back slightly, but still said defiantly, "Why are you glaring at me?"
Looking at her still pale face, Lu Zhi finally looked away and gave a self-deprecating smile.
He's really crazy.
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Green Bamboo's voice rang out from outside: "Princess, it's time to take your medicine."
Lu Zhi stood up, straightened the wrinkles in his clothes, calmly opened the door, took the medicine from Lü Zhu's hand, and turned back to the bedside: "Princess, please take your medicine."
Jiang Fei glanced at him cautiously, reaching out to take the medicine, but her hand still trembled slightly.
She glanced at Lu Zhi silently.
Lu Zhi glanced at her hand, tightened his grip on the medicine bowl, and was about to step forward.
Door
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