Chapter 68: She Has Too Many Secrets Hidden from Him

Chapter 68 She Kept Too Many Secrets from Him

Moonlight like woven silk streamed through the carved lattice windows, casting its glow upon the indigo bed curtains and revealing the figure tossing restlessly within, plagued by nightmares.

In the sweltering heat of May, Li Zhangye awoke abruptly, soaked in cold sweat yet again.

A full month had passed since his mysterious riding accident, yet his nightmares became more vivid night after night.

The icy, piercing lake water, her gradually fading body heat, and the unbearable feeling of his heart being crushed, leaving him breathless with pain—it all felt as though it had truly happened.

A rustling came from beside him.

A soft voice laced with sleepiness spoke up, "Another nightmare, Your Highness?"

Pei Yun tried to sit up but was gently pressed back down by Li Zhangye. "Sleep. Don't trouble yourself over me."

Languidly turning over, Pei Yun watched the Crown Prince rise from the bed, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and downed it in one swallow.

Curious, she asked, "What exactly did Your Highness dream about?"

Today was meant to be their conjugal night, yet he had come only to hold her as he slept, as if seeking some sense of security.

Li Zhangye silently gripped the teacup, his lashes lowering slightly, casting a small shadow. "Nothing."

There was no need for her to know about such ominous matters.

He lay back down, sliding his arm around her and pulling her into his embrace. Closing his eyes, he inhaled her faint, elusive fragrance, and only then did his agitated heart calm slightly.

Pei Yun nestled closer against him. "This concubine would like to leave the palace tomorrow."

"Returning to the Duke’s residence?" Li Zhangye asked.

Pei Yun thought for a moment before answering truthfully, "This concubine wishes to visit Prince Yong's residence."

Li Zhangye slowly opened his eyes. "Why have you suddenly taken an interest in Sixteenth Uncle recently?"

As far as he remembered, she and his Sixteenth Uncle had no prior interactions—yet it was also she who had proposed the plan to invite physicians to treat him.

Noticing the Crown Prince’s narrowed eyes and the searching intensity in his dark eyes, Pei Yun calmly replied, "I heard that Your Highness has been searching for physicians to treat Prince Yong’s legs and wished to ease your burden. But it’s mainly because of Princess Wulan. As a fellow woman, I genuinely sympathize with her."

The first part of her answer was clearly untrue, but the latter might have been sincere.

In truth, after enduring those terrifying nightmares for so long, Li Zhangye often felt the illusion that she would truly leave him forever.

Now, he wished he could bind her to his side, keeping her within his sight every day.

But so be it—he couldn’t truly confine her. He would simply send guards to protect her well.

Burying his face against her, he brushed his nose against her fair, smooth forehead and murmured in a low voice, "Then go." His lips trailed downward, lingering from her eyes to the tip of her nose, then to her naturally rosy lips.

Her petal-like lips seemed to exude a fragrance, inviting him to taste. His throat moved slightly, and indeed, he parted his lips to capture them, claiming deeply. His scorching palm slipped beneath her thin undergarments, eliciting soft gasps from her.

Pei Yun heard the Crown Prince’s ragged breath as he lightly nibbled her earlobe and whispered, "May I?"

She couldn’t help but shoot him a glare—how could he ask now, after rousing her so?

Receiving her silent consent, the Crown Prince wasted no time. Soon, the sheer bed curtains swayed without wind, while Pei Yun’s delicate hands clutched helplessly at the sheets beneath her. Her slender legs swaying like riverside willows draped over the Crown Prince’s broad shoulders, rocking back and forth.

He seemed intent on pulping the overripe peach, each forceful thrust sending sweet, enticing nectar splattering in all directions.

Pei Yun found herself caught in this tempest, waves of pleasure relentlessly crashing over her, fierce and overwhelming, as if determined to shatter her before swallowing her whole.

At times, she couldn’t bear it and tried to escape, only to be ruthlessly dragged back, tossed between waves of ecstasy until the storm finally subsided.

Drenched in sweat, she lay in the crown prince’s arms, letting him stroke her back as she savored the lingering aftershocks. Pei Yun couldn’t help but marvel— even the position she had once disliked the most could now bring them such unrestrained release.

Their decade-long marriage in her past life had been a waste.

Listening to the prince’s ragged breaths as he whispered "Ruo Ruo" into her ear, his usually cold voice now softened with tenderness like springwater, Pei Yun suddenly realized—perhaps this man was even more infatuated with her than she had imagined.

That was probably for the best.

After all, she still had much to ask of him in the future. He’d better keep liking her for a good, long while.

The next day, upon arriving at Prince Yong’s residence, the gatekeeper went in to announce her arrival. Before long, he returned to escort Pei Yun in, explaining that the prince and his consort were currently strolling in the courtyard.

Noticing Pei Yun’s surprise, the gatekeeper cheerfully added that even he was surprised by his master’s rapid recovery—Doctor Sun truly was a miracle worker.

Entering the garden, Pei Yun indeed saw Princess Wulan supporting Prince Yong as they walked slowly. Though still slow, the prince’s steps were steadier with support.

Yet before long, Prince Yong released Princess Wulan’s supporting hand, as if trying to walk hand-in-hand with her instead.

But it proved too difficult. After just two steps, he swayed and nearly toppled forward. Princess Wulan quickly caught him before he fell.

Drawing closer, Pei Yun overheard the usually stern Prince Yong speaking softly to Princess Wulan: "With a few more months of practice, you won’t be pushing me in—we’ll walk in side by side. From then on, no one will ever mock you because of me again."

At the mention of the "Mid-Autumn palace banquet," Pei Yun hesitated, her brow knitting.

Princess Wulan, catching sight of Pei Yun from the corner of her eye, flushed and quickly said something to Prince Yong before instructing the gatekeeper to support him. She then hurried toward Pei Yun.

The two withdrew to the main hall, where Princess Wulan had tea brought in, then looked gratefully at Pei Yun. "This time, it’s all thanks to you for bringing Doctor Sun. Otherwise, my prince’s legs might never have recovered."

Pei Yun managed a weak smile. "Did Doctor Sun say how long until he’s fully healed?"

"Doctor Sun says that in half a year at most, the prince will walk like any other man. With more time, he might even regain his old strength," Princess Wulan replied, her face brightening with joy. Now that his legs were healing, her prince no longer shied from intimacy. Last night, while bathing him, he had even pulled her into the tub when she least expected it. Though it went no further…

How could a man bedridden for years still be so strong?

Just the memory made Princess Wulan’s ears burn. But while Princess Wulan glowed with joy, Pei Yun’s mood darkened.

She had hoped Prince Yong might aid her brother, but upon reflection, it seemed impossible. In her past life, war had broken out in July—with the prince’s current recovery pace, there simply wasn’t enough time.

She despised sitting idle. If this plan failed, perhaps another could be found.

She remembered that in her past life, the Chěng Tribe—though devastated by her brother and initially incapable of counterattacking for years—had broken their peace treaty with Great Zhao after a rebellion in their royal court brought a new king to power.

That new king was a true tyrant, a madman, and insatiably ambitious. He brutally annexed several neighboring tribes and used some dark sorcery to enhance his soldiers’ strength, turning them into mindless killing machines capable of fighting tenfold their number. That was why Great Zhao’s forces had been unable to resist.

If only that sorcery could be countered—perhaps her brother could be saved.

But how?

In her past life, her brother had repelled the Chěng Tribe by evacuating the city’s civilians, luring thousands of enemy soldiers into Wunan, and then igniting gunpowder to perish together with them.

Her brother and the city’s defenders had traded their lives to secure Great Zhao’s borders, securing peace and prosperity for the people.

After leaving Prince Yong's manor, Pei Yun instructed the coachman to head to Renjitang on West Street.

Shu Yan was already accustomed to her mistress’s actions. When she learned that the physician who developed the plague remedy was none other than the doctor from the clinic her lady had purchased, she'd been astonished by such an uncanny coincidence. But in the end, she concluded it was divine providence—her lady must have reaped the rewards of her kindness.

Upon arriving at Renjitang, Pei Yun quickly put on her face-covering veil and hurriedly stepped out of the carriage.

The moment she entered, she paused momentarily, forgetting that Doctor Sun was still holding clinic.

She glanced at Shu Yan beside her, hoping Doctor Sun wouldn’t recognize her.

She had intended to quietly send Shu Yan back to the carriage first, but Dr. Zhu, spotting her, greeted her effusively. "Madam, what brings you here? Please, come inside and have a seat."

As he spoke, he urged his wife, Madam Yao, to serve tea.

Doctor Sun had already looked up, his gaze immediately landing on Shu Yan standing beside Pei Yun. He arched a brow.

Once Pei Yun entered the rear courtyard, he stopped Madam Yao and asked, "Is this the 'Madam' you often speak of—the true owner of Renjitang?"

"Yes," Madam Yao replied. "This is our savior. If she hadn’t bought Renjitang back then, the clinic would have long been ruined, and my husband wouldn’t enjoy the success he has today."

Doctor Sun gave a knowing laugh. "Do you know who she really is?"

Madam Yao shook her head. "No, but the Madam surely has her reasons for keeping it hidden, so why must we pry?"

With that, she hurried off to the rear courtyard.

Having practiced medicine for years, Doctor Sun had developed a sharp eye for faces. That maid—he had seen her before. Wasn’t she one of the Crown Princess’s maids?

If so, who else could that "Madam" be?

Ever since he was invited by the so-called "Madam Jiang," who supposedly managed the clinic on behalf of its owner, to treat Prince Yong’s legs, he had uncovered her true identity. At the time, he had guessed that anyone who could have the Duke of State Stabilization's wife managing a shop for them must be no ordinary figure. But he never expected it to be the Crown Princess herself.

However, he was a physician of utmost professional integrity. Since the Duchess had asked him not to reveal her identity to outsiders, he naturally would take it to his grave.

Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard’s chamber.

Pei Yun acknowledged with a nod as Madam Yao served tea. Once she left, she also had Shu Yan step outside before asking, "I came today because I have a question. Dr. Zhu, with your vast knowledge, have you ever heard of a sorcery from Wu Nan [Wu Nan] that can dramatically boost physical power, making them invincible in battle?"

Dr. Zhu stroked his beard in thought and smiled at the question. "Madam, I know nothing of sorcery. But since you’ve come specifically to ask me, I suspect it may not be sorcery at all—perhaps some kind of drug or poison?"

Pei Yun knew Dr. Zhu was perceptive. "Then, have you heard of anything like that?"

Dr. Zhu pondered for a moment. "Something so bizarre, and from Wu Nan… Madam, have you heard of gu poison?"

Pei Yun’s eyes widened slightly. Having grown up in Wu Nan, she had heard countless strange tales from her father about the mist-shrouded mountains beyond the city walls. How could she not have heard of gu poison?

It was said to be deeply sinister, even capable of stealing souls.

"However, I know little about gu poison myself. You’d likely need to find someone well-versed in it."

Just as Pei Yun was about to ask who might know, a voice floated in from outside—"There aren’t many left in this world who understand gu poison."

She turned to see Doctor Sun lounging against the doorjamb, ignoring Shu Yan’s attempts to pull him away.

Since it was improper for her and Dr. Zhu to be alone together, the door had been left slightly ajar. Shu Yan couldn’t even hear their conversation clearly, yet Doctor Sun’s ears were sharp indeed.

Pei Yun’s face brightened with hope. "Doctor Sun, do you understand gu poison?"

"I don't."

Dr. Sun strode in and sat heavily on the vacant chair. Pei Yun exchanged a glance with Shu Yan, who immediately understood and quietly withdrew to continue keeping watch outside.

"However, over the years of wandering the realm, I’ve encountered many strange tales and people, so I’ve naturally heard of gu poison. It’s said this forbidden art was mastered by a small southern tribe, but they were utterly destroyed a few years ago. Still, it seems some surviving clansmen recorded their arts in a tome that remains in the world."

"What is the book called?" Pei Yun asked.

"I believe it’s called *Asking the Gu*."

Less than an hour later, in the study of Chenghua Hall in the Eastern Palace.

Li Zhangye reviewed documents with a brush in hand, without looking up as he silently listened to the kneeling subordinate's report about Pei Yun’s movements that day.

"...After leaving Prince Yong’s residence, the Crown Princess headed toward West Street and stopped in front of a clinic named Renjitang..."

Li Zhangye suddenly stopped writing. Recently, due to that dream, he had felt uneasy, so he had discreetly assigned guards to follow and protect Pei Yun during her outing, ensuring her safety.

But why had she gone to a clinic?

He knew of Renjitang—that same Dr. Zhu who had saved his wife was its owner, and Dr. Sun, who treated Prince Yong, also saw patients there.

"Did she go to see Dr. Sun?" Li Zhangye asked.

The guard hesitated for a moment. "The Crown Princess went to see Dr. Zhu. Your subordinate noticed that Dr. Zhu seemed quite familiar with Her Highness... I also overheard Dr. Zhu’s wife referring to Her Highness as the owner of the clinic, saying that if not for Her Highness purchasing it back then, the clinic would have been lost."

Li Zhangye’s lips pressed into a thin line.

The owner of the clinic? When had she bought it? He knew nothing of this.

Come to think of it, Dr. Zhu was himself quite mysterious—it was he who had suddenly transported forsythia to the capital to avert the crisis, as if he had known in advance that Yuezhou would lack that very herb.

But what if none of this was Dr. Zhu’s doing, but rather the work of someone behind him...

Li Zhangye’s gaze darkened further. All those unusual behaviors of his wife’s that he had once dismissed now surfaced vividly in his mind.

For instance, back then, if not for him, why would she have suddenly left their two children to go to Yuezhou?

It seemed that while in Yuezhou, she had also inexplicably entered a clinic and shown unusual concern over the plague.

Almost as if...

Li Zhangye frowned, rubbing his temples.

He knew he had always struggled to truly reach her heart, but he had thought that lately, he was beginning to understand her better. Now, he realized she had far too many secrets kept from him.

"Investigate when the Crown Princess first began visiting Renjitang, and determine the source of that batch of forsythia Dr. Zhu sent to Yuezhou—who purchased it, and when?"