Chapter 6
“Your Highness is too kind. There’s no sweet talk involved. Every word I’ve spoken is from the heart,” Lan Yunyi continued.
Shen Yao, of course, would not easily believe his nonsense. Having met many people, she quickly saw through Lan Yunyi's true colors as a seasoned veteran in the workplace after just a few words.
Lan Yunyi arranged the wine cups, bowls, and chopsticks in order. Shen Yao hesitated for a moment, thinking that one shouldn't hit a smiling face, so she got up, went to the inner room, and sat down at the table.
Six dishes were laid out on the mahogany round table, two meat and four vegetable, all of which were Shen Yao's favorites. In terms of taste, hers was not much different from the original owner's. But she had absolutely no appetite now; the thought of the emperor behind her sent a shiver down her spine and made her heart pound…
The smiling person in front of her was even more unfathomable to her.
Lan Yunyi sat down beside her, and the faint fragrance of pear blossoms once again filled the air around Shen Yao, immediately drawing her attention.
Two delicate white jade wine cups were placed beside Shen Yao. Lan Yunyi picked up the wine pot and poured a cup of wine into each cup, saying, "It is an honor for the Lan clan to marry the princess."
Shen Yao didn't reply.
It wasn't that she lacked emotional intelligence and couldn't keep up with conversation; she had already accepted the fact that she was a demoted princess without real power. However, she still couldn't be bothered to be polite and insincere to the man who was supposed to be her "husband" during their wedding night.
Lan Yunyi smiled, seemingly unconcerned by her silence. He picked up his wine glass and handed another small one to Shen Yao, saying softly, "We've become husband and wife, our love is unwavering."
Undoubted?
Shen Yao gave a bitter smile to herself, then took the wine glass. When her slender fingers brushed against Lan Yunyi's fingertips, Lan Yunyi's eyes flickered slightly.
Shen Yao was preoccupied and didn't notice Lan Yunyi's gaze. She spoke frankly, "I have no intention of opposing the General. Sooner or later, I will restore the General's freedom."
After saying that, he lightly clinked his wine glass with his, their fingertips touching again, and then tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp.
She raised her glass.
Lan Yunyi maintained her smile: "...Princess."
"Hmm?" Shen Yao put down the cup, feeling that the wine had a strong aftereffect.
Lan Yunyi paused, then looked at her with a hint of resentment: "Princess...aren't you going to drink the nuptial wine with me?"
Shen Yao: "..."
Can't you just fool them?
Shen Yao didn't speak, her eyes darting away.
She has been a prominent figure in the investment world for several years, experiencing both dramatic market fluctuations and the extreme darkness and confusion of starting a business. But when faced with setbacks, she never backed down; instead, she became more courageous and determined, forging ahead with boldness and determination.
She had overcome those difficulties, but the current predicament made her feel powerless and even plunged her into an unprecedented state of tension.
She rarely showed weakness, hoping that Lan Yunyi would let it go this time so that they could each go back to their rooms and rest properly. But Lan Yunyi's smile became even more radiant and charming, carrying a strong sense of pressure that was impossible to ignore.
Shen Yao pursed her lips and had no choice but to say, "We must drink the nuptial wine..."
Lan Yunyi chuckled, then suddenly leaned forward and said, "Princess, your tactic of feigning indifference is excellent."
Lan Yunyi's breath sprayed onto her chin, startling Shen Yao so much that she subconsciously took a step back. She quickly glanced at him, then looked away.
"Really?" Shen Yao smiled and replied haphazardly.
Lan Yunyi said, "Sister, Zhishi is very anxious."
Shen Yao said "Oh," her mind buzzing as she still didn't understand what he was saying, something about "good rain knows its season." But in the end, still feeling dizzy, she raised her arm, and Lan Yunyi refilled her wine cup. She then hooked her arm around Lan Yunyi's.
Lan Yunyi's forearms were very strong, her breath was too close, and her body smelled so good it was distracting...
She seemed to understand her former girlfriends' frequent trips to nightclubs a little better now. But she swore she would only do it this once in her life and never again!
It's likely that Lan Yunyi deliberately resorted to this tactic just to see her make a fool of herself.
Thinking of this, Shen Yao's emotions instantly calmed down. She closed her eyes and drank the wine under Lan Yunyi's direct gaze.
With a "clang," the empty wine glass shattered on the ground.
The moment she took that sip of wine, Shen Yao suddenly felt as if all her strength had been sucked away out of thin air. She couldn't even bend her fingers, and her body slid down uncontrollably.
Lan Yunyi reached out and caught her, as if she had been expecting it.
Her last shred of consciousness told Shen Yao that she had been poisoned. The poison from the first cup of wine was taking effect.
Shen Yao could no longer hold on and closed her eyes. Before she completely fainted, she felt her body being lifted up horizontally and suspended in the air by a force.
The unique scent of pear blossoms emanating from Lan Yunyi enveloped her entire body, and his voice seemed to come from afar: "...Princess, please do not covet my thoughts tonight."
*
Shen Yao didn't sleep very soundly.
She woke up with a start, and as soon as she vaguely realized she was still alive, she eagerly opened her eyes. The ceiling she saw when she opened her eyes again was an unfamiliar sight. Even though she knew this might be the general's mansion, it still made her feel unsafe.
Shen Yao subconsciously checked her clothes, when she suddenly heard an old man's "ouch" sound again. Her clothes were perfectly still, so she relaxed for the moment and instinctively looked over.
The old man's voice rang out again: "The princess has awakened. Prince Consort, you should go and see her. With the princess moving around like this, I... cannot feel her pulse."
The bed was hidden by the curtains, and only then did she notice a blue silk thread wrapped around her hand.
She paused, raised her hand, frowned as she looked at the thread, and then untied it.
A series of steady, powerful footsteps sounded and approached. Through the semi-transparent curtains, Shen Yao saw Lan Yunyi's figure gradually approaching, and then she bowed politely to her and said, "Princess, you are awake."
Shen Yao didn't speak.
Lan Yunyi continued, "This morning I found you sleeping soundly and I was really frightened. I immediately asked Doctor Zhang to take your pulse. Doctor Zhang is a well-known doctor in Xiliang. He said that you probably have caught a cold... Is that right, Doctor Zhang?"
The end of the silk thread wiggled on the bed sheet. The "Doctor Zhang" stroked his beard and gave a long, serious "hmm".
Xia Guo hurriedly said, "How could you catch a cold? It was so hot last night, and then..."
Suddenly, Lan Yunyi knelt down in front of Shen Yao's bed, covered her face and said, "It's all because I, Lan, failed to take good care of her, causing the princess to catch a cold."
Seeing his reaction, Xia Guo didn't say anything more. She turned her gaze to Shen Yao, who had already woken up, and stepped forward to say softly to Shen Yao, "...Princess, Prince Jing and Princess Jing are waiting in the front hall. They heard you were ill and rushed over this morning."
Shen Yao forced herself to sit up. Even without looking in the mirror, she knew her complexion must be terrible. The feeling of utter exhaustion made her feel somewhat pessimistic.
"Get me a glass of water," Shen Yao said calmly. "Please tell Prince Jing and his wife that I am fine and that they should go back early. I will visit them again in a few days."
"Yes." Xia Guo hurriedly fetched a glass of water, bypassed Lan Yunyi, and slipped behind the bed curtains. Seeing Shen Yao's expression, a deep worry appeared on her face, and she looked like she was about to cry.
Shen Yao patted her shoulder to indicate that she was alright, and took a sip of water from Xia Guo's hand. Suddenly, Lan Yunyi, outside the bed curtains, said, "Princess, may I..."
Chen Yao said irritably, "Get out."
Lan Yunyi didn't move and remained kneeling obediently on the ground.
"I'll tell everyone!" Shen Yao slammed her hand on the bed board angrily.
Lan Yunyi straightened up, turned her head slightly, and said, "Did the princess tell you to leave? Are you deaf?"
Upon hearing this, Dr. Zhang immediately replied "Yes," and quickly packed his things and left the room.
Xia Guo, sitting on the edge of the bed, held a water glass and looked blankly at Shen Yao. Shen Yao rubbed her forehead and sighed, "You should go out too."
Xia Guo nodded hesitantly, handed the water glass to Shen Yao, and then quickly left the room.
Only the two of them remained in the room. Shen Yao remained silent for a long time, while Lan Yunyi knelt on the ground, motionless like a statue.
After a long silence, Shen Yao said frankly, "The general is deliberately targeting me, but Xia Guo is innocent."
After saying that, she mocked herself inwardly. Now, she wanted to protect someone, but her method was to foolishly hope that the jackal would show mercy.
Lan Yunyi smiled and denied it: "What are you saying, Princess? The medicine will be ready soon. We'll take it properly and our health will gradually improve."
Shen Yao: "I won't eat it."
Lan Yunyi: "The princess is so willful."
"Get out." Shen Yao didn't say anything more and after finishing her water, she lay down again.
The wine from last night wasn't poisonous; otherwise, Lan Yunyi would have been fine after drinking the same cup. However, the side effects are unknown, and since she drank two cups, Shen Yao still needs to find a reliable doctor to examine her. But her husband is unreliable; she has to find one herself.
Lan Yunyi got up and left her bedroom, but returned a short while later, carrying a bowl of medicine.
He knelt down beside the bed and said softly, "Princess, it's time to take your medicine."
Shen Yao sat up, lifted the bed curtain, and saw that Lan Yunyi had already changed out of the red dress she wore last night. She was now wearing a black outer garment, her hair tied up with a crown, which was somewhat similar to the outfit she wore when they first met that night.
Seeing Shen Yao lift the bed curtain, Lan Yunyi naturally sat down on the edge of the bed, picked up the medicine bowl, and was about to give Shen Yao her medicine. His completely in control demeanor disgusted Shen Yao, and when the medicine was brought to her lips, she turned her face away.
Lan Yunyi smiled, withdrew her hand, tasted the medicine in the spoon herself, and said, "It's a little hot..."
"I am going out."
"But the princess is still so weak..."
Shen Yao looked over and said, "If I am going out today, does the Prince Consort intend to keep me locked in the courtyard?"
Lan Yunyi hurriedly put down the medicine and said, "I dare not."
He was too hasty in applying the medicine, and most of the medicine splashed onto the back of his hand, quickly burning his skin red.
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