Chapter 65: Proving His Strength

Chapter 65: Proving One’s Physical Resilience

"Yes, Master, I’m coming." Si Er took the pulse pillow, thanked him again, and handed the medicine box to Doctor Sun.

Doctor Sun first took Prince Yong's pulse, then asked him to remove his foot coverings to examine the injuries on his legs. Pei Yun and the others deemed it improper to remain, so they quietly turned and left.

Li Changye also escorted Du Hangzhou out into the courtyard, leaving only Princess Wulan inside to help Prince Yong with his shoes and socks.

Seeing the Crown Prince striding toward them, Jiang Lanqing, who had been speaking with Pei Yun, discreetly excused herself to find Pei Xuan instead.

Before Pei Yun could turn around, the man was already leaning heavily against her back. "Why didn’t you tell me about your plans to treat Sixteenth Uncle’s legs?"

The Crown Prince’s voice was low, less an accusation than a note of disappointment. Pei Yun replied matter-of-factly, "It was just an attempt, and I wasn’t sure about the doctor’s skills or whether he could actually treat Prince Yong’s legs. I planned to tell Your Highness once Prince Yong agreed, to avoid raising false hopes."

She spoke the truth—she had assumed he wouldn’t attend today’s banquet, so she hadn’t mentioned it earlier, intending to inform him only after things were settled.

Li Changye gave a low hum, knowing she wasn’t lying, yet he still felt something was missing, as if a stone sat in his chest.

Before long, the doors of the main hall opened, and Doctor Sun stepped out, reporting, "His Highness’s legs have been neglected for too many years, making the situation quite challenging. But as long as he cooperates with this unworthy physician, a full recovery should be possible."

"Doctor Sun, if you require any rare medicinal ingredients, simply ask. I will have them procured if they can be found," Li Changye said.

Doctor Sun shook his head. "What’s needed isn’t rare medicine, but His Highness’s own willpower. This method of mine is akin to shattering and realigning the bones—the pain is beyond most people’s endurance. In my decades of practice, I’ve seen many abandon treatment because they couldn’t endure it..."

"That won’t be a problem," Pei Xuan interjected, sounding even more reassured.

A man who’s already stared death in the face—why fear the agony of rebirth?

It was already late, and treatment couldn’t begin that day. Doctor Sun cupped his hands in farewell, stating he would visit Prince Yong’s residence the next day to commence treatment. Then, he left with his apprentice, Si Er.

Once outside the Duke’s estate, recalling Si Er’s earlier panic, Doctor Sun scolded with disdain, "Just because you saw some lofty personages you wouldn’t normally meet, you were reduced to a trembling mess. If you flinch from needles, how will you ever practice medicine? Remember—no matter their rank, everyone falls ill and dies. In your eyes, there should only be patients. Treat them equally, and you’ll heal them steadily..."

Si Er murmured his agreement, but his nerves still jangled. After all, the room had been filled with dukes, princes, and even the Crown Prince and Crown Princess—such lofty personages he’d never encountered before in his life.

The Crown Prince—the future emperor!

As Doctor Sun continued lecturing, he suddenly remembered the boy’s earlier audacity, gawking like a fool at the Crown Princess. "Though you’re no longer a child, and others your age may already be married with children, you mustn’t be so disrespectful. That was the Crown Princess! However celestial her beauty, you shouldn’t have stared like that. If not for the Crown Prince’s benevolence, such behavior could’ve cost you your life..."

"This disciple knows his mistake." Si Er didn’t dare argue or explain that his daze wasn’t just due to the Crown Princess’s beauty, but because she reminded him of someone he knew.

But that person should be far away in Cangzhou—how could she be here?

After seeing Doctor Sun off, Pei Xuan invited the Crown Prince and Prince Yong’s household to stay for dinner. The Crown Prince declined, citing urgent affairs of state, and left with Du Hangzhou on horseback. Before departing, he told Pei Yun she could stay for dinner and return to the Eastern Palace later.

Though Pei Yun wished to linger at her family home, she feared missing the palace gate’s curfew. After dinner, she exchanged whispered confidences with her mother, Lady Zhou, then returned to the palace with Chen’er.

Chen’er fell asleep in the carriage. The child was growing quickly, and Pei Yun could hardly lift him now. By the time they reached Linglang Hall via sedan chair from the palace gates, her arms were numb, so she handed him to the wet nurse to take to the side hall.

After bathing and changing with Shu Mo’s assistance, Pei Yun lounged lazily on the daybed, perusing a light novel.

Just as drowsiness overtook her and she was about to sleep, she was embraced from behind. The man’s burning chest pressed against her, his deep, mellow voice breathing against her ear, "What are you reading?"

Pei Yun had thought he wouldn’t come today. "Your Highness, why aren’t you asleep yet?"

"It’s still early. I wanted to check on you."

It was already past the hour of Xu, hardly early by any means. Pei Yun couldn't help but marvel again at his stamina. "Your Highness has been busy all day—aren't you tired? Pushing yourself like this every night will wear you out."

"I’m perfectly healthy," Li Zhangye replied with a slight raise of his brow. "What, does the Crown Princess think I’m old?"

As he spoke, he even muttered to himself, "True, I’m nearly thirty—can’t compete with those spry seventeen- or eighteen-year-olds, bursting with energy and charm..."

Pei Yun frowned in confusion, unsure how the Crown Prince's words had taken such an inexplicable turn, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

In the past, she might have seized the moment to flatter him, but now, her eyes gleamed mischievously as she smiled and said, "Indeed, young men are different. I once heard that noble widows, especially those widowed young, often secretly keep smooth-talkers and eager-to-please youths..."

These were words Pei Yun had overheard from servants back in Wunan. At the time, she hadn’t understood, but later, having tasted such pleasures herself, she found them rather convincing.

"Oh? Is the Crown Princess envious?"

The man’s grip around her waist tightened slightly. His tone was calm, yet Pei Yun could hear the barely suppressed edge in his voice.

Pei Yun forced a smile, mentally scolding herself for her boldness.

But that was as far as she dared go—a quick jab was one thing, but she couldn’t bring herself to answer his question outright.

Just then, the sound of crying echoed from outside the hall—Chen'er must’ve woken up.

Pei Yun seized the chance to slip out of the Crown Prince’s embrace. "Chen'er is crying. I should go check on him."

She pretended to stay calm as she moved toward the door, but before her fingers could pull it open, a large hand abruptly pressed against it, stopping her.

"You still haven’t answered me, Crown Princess."

Pei Yun stiffened, about to use Chen'er as an excuse once more, when the crying outside abruptly ceased—just her luck.

The man turned her slowly by the shoulders until she faced him.

The dim candlelight in the outer hall was just enough for Pei Yun to see the smoldering gaze locked onto her like a predator’s.

He chuckled softly, then suddenly knelt, bending forward. A chill rushed under Pei Yun’s skirts before she could react.

"I wonder how those young men serve. Is it like this?"

Pei Yun’s eyes widened as she clutched the Crown Prince’s head, her fingers unconsciously tangling in his hair. "Your Highness, don’t—it’s improper..."

She never imagined that the Crown Prince of Great Zhao, the most exalted of men, would do such a thing for her.

Mortification flooded her. She wanted to flee, but his large hands pinned her legs in place, leaving her no escape. Pleasure pulsed through her, spreading through her limbs. She bit her crimson lips hard to stifle the moans threatening to escape.

By the time the Crown Prince withdrew, her eyes were red-rimmed, her eyes glazed with want, her legs shook so badly she could hardly stay upright.

Li Zhangye wiped his damp lips with the back of his hand, scooping her up as her legs buckled.

Feeling her back press against the door, Pei Yun instantly understood his intent. Clinging to his neck, she whispered frantically in his ear, "Not here."

If they made a scene here, the door would rattle, and the palace attendants keeping watch outside would know exactly what they were doing. How could she ever show her face again?

Li Zhangye’s gaze swept the hall before landing on the Huanghuali phoenix-and-peony cabinet in the inner chamber. His lips curled in a sly smirk.

"Then let’s move elsewhere..."

They say men hold grudges, and Pei Yun had witnessed it firsthand. To prove he was no less capable than those young men—that he was still strong and vigorous—the Crown Prince had stood the entire time, holding her as he took her. And in her dazed state, he talked her into going multiple rounds.

Pei Yun's back kept rubbing against the intricately carved, uneven surface of the cabinet, her legs tightly wrapped around the man's waist. He truly was young and vigorous, unfazed, yet when Pei Yun rose the next morning, her lower back was sore.

Half-asleep that night, she felt Prince Yong massaging her waist, but irritably kicked at him without a second thought, faintly hearing his low chuckle in response.

That only stoked Pei Yun’s temper.

Two weeks after Doctor Sun began treating Prince Yong, Pei Yun and Jiang Lanqing visited Prince Yong’s estate together.

Doctor Sun was in Prince Yong’s chamber with his apprentice, treating him, so it was Princess Wulan who received them.

She appeared somewhat weary but put on a brave face as she spoke with them.

Prince Yong’s leg ailment caused far more suffering during treatment than they had anticipated—not just momentary pain, but an unrelenting, excruciating, bone-deep pain that persisted day and night. Even the medicine prescribed by Doctor Sun to alleviate the pain did little to help.

Still, after more than ten days, Prince Yong had gotten through the first round of treatment. According to Princess Wulan, he felt his left leg had regained some strength compared to before.

Doctor Sun hadn’t exaggerated.

As Pei Yun observed the glimmer of relief in Princess Wulan’s eyes while she spoke, she also noticed the bite marks on her hands—marks the princess tried to conceal but failed.

It seemed that not only had Prince Yong suffered greatly these past days, but Princess Wulan had as well.

Pei Yun grew increasingly skeptical of the outlandish rumors going around—claims that Prince Yong was a brute and had abused his former consort, Lady Hu. If that were true, why would Princess Wulan stand by him so fiercely?

She wondered how Lady Hu had truly died back then.

While the three conversed in the main hall, Doctor Sun emerged with Si Er, instructing him to write a new prescription and advising Princess Wulan to prepare it accordingly from then on.

Princess Wulan nodded in acknowledgment and saw Doctor Sun out.

Since Doctor Sun still had duties at Renjitang and could not remain at the residence daily, yet Prince Yong required constant care, he left Si Er behind to keep an eye on things in his absence.

Having studied under him for years, Si Er had picked up most of his teacher’s expertise and could handle things competently even without him.

Upon seeing Pei Yun again, though his master had warned him to mind his manners, Si Er couldn’t help but stare at her.

Noticing his gaze, Pei Yun turned to meet his eyes. The moment their eyes locked, flustered, he dropped his, his cheeks flushing crimson.

Pei Yun didn’t find his scrutiny offensive—his gaze was earnest and guileless. Amused, she asked, "Why do you look at me like that? Do you know me?"

Si Er stiffened, hesitating before mustering the courage to reply, "Has My Lady ever been to Cangzhou?"

Before Pei Yun could respond, Jiang Lanqing laughed first. "Her Ladyship’s hometown is Cangzhou—of course she’s been there."

Si Er’s expression lit up, tripping over his words in his eagerness. "Then... then, ten years ago, by the lake outside Cangzhou... in winter... did you save a child, six or seven years old, who had fallen through the ice?"

Pei Yun arched a brow as she studied Si Er. "How do you know about that?"

At her question, tears welled up in Si Er’s eyes, spilling over in an instant. He threw himself to his knees and bowed deeply. "Sis—My Lady... after all these years, I’ve finally found you."

"You... you’re that child who fell into the lake?" Pei Yun examined him closely. So many years had passed that she could no longer recall the child’s exact appearance—only that he had been scrawny, barely more than skin and bones.

By her reckoning, he would indeed be about this age now.

"Yes. Back then, my grandmother was gravely ill. I wanted to catch a fish to nourish her, so I risked breaking the ice on the lake. But I slipped and fell in, unable to climb back out. If not for My Lady saving me, I wouldn’t be alive today. After your people took me home, I never learned your identity, so I couldn’t repay your kindness all these years..."

As Si Er blubbered through his tale, Pei Yun motioned for Shu Mo to help him up, smiling. "It’s touching that you still remember me after so long..."

"How could I forget?" Si Er sniffled. "After narrowly escaping death, when I opened my eyes, I thought I’d met a celestial being. And all these years, My Lady’s appearance hasn’t changed much. The moment I saw you at the Duke’s residence, I recognized you at once."

Pei Yun was initially moved by his unwavering gratitude over the past decade, but upon hearing the word "goddess," she couldn't help but chuckle, taking it as a compliment.

After a moment of thought, she asked, "Your memory is so sharp. Do you recall, after I pulled you ashore, someone draped a cloak over us? Do you still remember what that person looked like?"

Si Er shook his head. "Was there such a thing? I'm afraid I truly have no memory of it."

Pei Yun felt a pang of disappointment but didn’t blame him. At the time, she had barely managed to drag him ashore, and he had already fallen unconscious from hypothermia, while she herself was shivering uncontrollably.

Back then, because her grandmother had been making life difficult for her mother, she had angrily taken her mother and younger sister to live in a manor on the outskirts of the capital. That year, Cangzhou was bitterly cold, the landscape buried under snow.

Having grown up in Wunan, Pei Yun had never seen such a sight. Without telling her mother—even deliberately sending Shu Yan and Shu Mo away—she sneaked out to play on the frozen lake near the manor. Unexpectedly, she happened to see a child fall into the water. Without a second thought, she rushed forward and plunged into the lake, desperately pulling him to safety.

Only after the rescue did she realize she was nearly frozen to the bone, her limbs numb. She could only collapse on the shore, gulping for air, unable to move.

No one was around. Just as despair set in, a large cloak was draped over her, and a young man’s voice sounded in her ear: "Hold on. Help will arrive soon."

He seemed to have lifted both her and the child. The warmth radiating from his body made her instinctively burrow deeper into his embrace—because she wanted to live, to survive.

Yet when Pei Yun awoke later and asked Shu Yan about it, she learned that when they arrived, they had seen no man—only a black cloak covering her and the child.

She knew that man had existed. He had saved her life.

Hearing Si Er say he didn’t remember the man at all, Pei Yun sighed inwardly. It wasn’t just him who wanted to repay a kindness; she, too, to this day had never forgotten that life-saving kindness.

Where was that man now, she wondered.