After leaving the washroom, Shen Lingzhen endured the hidden pain in her lower abdomen and walked back anxiously. Nearing Chongzheng Hall, she suddenly heard a bout of coughing from a nearby corridor.

It wasn’t ordinary coughing, but coughing that was heart-wrenching and lung-tearing, making listeners’ hearts clench tightly with worry that this person might cough themselves to death at any moment.

Shen Lingzhen looked over in alarm. By the dim yellow light of the palace lanterns, she saw a thin-framed man bent at the waist, hand supporting a corridor pillar, gasping for breath.

Though she was too far away to see his face clearly, the golden crown on the man’s head and this critically ill bearing already allowed Shen Lingzhen to vaguely guess his identity.

That should be the current Crown Prince, Zhao Chen—among her many imperial prince cousins, the eldest in age and highest in status.

Chongzheng Hall was just ahead. Going forward, she would inevitably pass by Zhao Chen. No matter how anxious Shen Lingzhen was to return to the hall, constrained by hierarchical etiquette, she had to step forward and pay her respects.

Hearing the rustling footsteps, Zhao Chen slowly straightened his back and turned his face.

Shen Lingzhen quickened her pace. Reaching him, she curtsied: “Crown Prince.”

Zhao Chen’s face still bore the sickly flush from violent coughing. His posture was truly somewhat disheveled, yet he didn’t conceal it. After seeing her clearly, he smiled faintly: “It’s Cousin Shen.”

When he spoke, he was neither excessively familiar like Zhao Xun toward Shen Lingzhen, nor falsely humble like Zhao Rui, but maintained polite courtesy mixed with a measure of reasonable distance—gracious and dignified without any artifice.

Shen Lingzhen had previously been unfamiliar with this cousin who rarely appeared due to illness. But perhaps because a few days ago she had heard Kongqing say that though Zhao Chen was long plagued by illness, he was one of the rare clear-headed people in court, when seeing him again she unconsciously felt more respect for him.

As far as she knew, this Crown Prince who could have claimed credit from the Huo family for the favor of their promotion had never once in these days actively met with Huo Liuxing face-to-face or spoken a private word.

Shen Lingzhen suddenly felt somewhat ironic. Zhao Xun and Zhao Rui took every precaution to prevent the Huo family from becoming the Crown Prince’s faction, yet the Crown Prince himself had no intention of claiming gratitude or gathering supporters.

The area was completely empty—Zhao Chen must have deliberately avoided attendants. Shen Lingzhen naturally wouldn’t presumptuously ask why, only saying: “Autumn has arrived. With the deepening night and heavy dew, the corridor doesn’t block the wind either. Your Highness should take care of your health.”

Zhao Chen coughed once more with a clenched fist, shaking his head with a smile: “Whether I take care or not, it’s all the same.” He gestured with his chin toward Chongzheng Hall. “It must be very lively there tonight.”

Shen Lingzhen saw the loneliness in his eyes as he asked this.

She guessed that tonight the Emperor had deliberately prevented Zhao Chen from attending. The reigning Crown Prince coughing incessantly at a banquet truly wouldn’t be very dignified.

She sighed inwardly but smiled outwardly: “Lively. Chongzheng Hall will definitely remain this lively forever.”

Zhao Chen’s expression shifted slightly, as if comforted. He nodded: “Yes, as long as Daqi is well, Chongzheng Hall will remain lively forever.” He turned as if planning to leave. Taking one step, he stopped again and turned back, looking at Shen Lingzhen who was lowering her head and nodding in silent farewell. “Lady Huo.”

Shen Lingzhen was slightly startled by this sudden change in how he addressed her and raised her head.

“What do you think—how well do I serve as Crown Prince?”

She quickly lowered her eyes: “Lingzhen has shallow knowledge and dares not presume to comment on Your Highness.”

Zhao Chen coughed softly a few times, forcing himself to speak: “If I serve poorly, if my actions harm the state and hurt the people, then every day I remain in this position increases the possibility of destroying Daqi. In that case, this Crown Prince position need not necessarily be held by me. As long as it’s truly good for Daqi, even if someone pulls me down, I would find it acceptable.”

Shen Lingzhen frowned. Unable to fathom the meaning of Zhao Chen’s words, her throat tightened somewhat.

“However…” his gaze became sharp, “if after me, someone seeks private gain and harms my country, my brothers and sisters, my people—doing things even worse and more terrible than during my tenure—that is unacceptable.”

Shen Lingzhen seemed to understand something and nodded: “Your Highness speaks correctly.”

Zhao Chen’s expression softened: “I know Lady Huo has a pure and kind heart and would never wish to see this Chongzheng Hall where envoys from all directions come become a mountain of corpses with blood flowing everywhere. If one day you can do something for it, please don’t stint your abilities.” He cupped his hands toward her. “Zhao Chen thanks Lady Huo in advance for her great righteousness.”

Shen Lingzhen’s eyes flickered slightly. She bowed deeply in return, remaining so until Zhao Chen, supporting himself on the corridor pillar, turned and walked away with uneven steps—one foot light, one foot heavy—his figure disappearing from view. Only then did she straighten.

Behind her, Jianjia and Bailu nearly broke out in a cold sweat.

Seeing Shen Lingzhen gaze silently in the direction Zhao Chen had left for a long while, Jianjia couldn’t help asking softly: “Young Madam, what did the Crown Prince mean just now?”

What did he mean?

It meant that Zhao Chen must have already guessed what the Huo family was plotting.

Those words just now seemed to be about himself, but were actually about the Emperor.

He was saying that in his heart, the state and the people came first. The Emperor was doing things harmful to the state and people. Continuing like this would eventually destroy Daqi. In that case, this emperor should be replaced. Even if the Huo family had the ability to pull the Emperor down, he wouldn’t prevent this necessary bloodshed and sacrifice.

But the Huo family could only go this far.

If afterward, the Huo family still wanted to wage war and kill in all directions, then they would be evildoers worse than the Emperor.

The worry buried in Shen Lingzhen’s heart since Huo Liuxing entered the capital was stirred up again by Zhao Chen’s few words.

Long ago, she had asked her father—the Emperor’s cruelty was the Emperor’s fault alone, but what if Huo Liuxing not only wanted to topple the Emperor but also overthrow Daqi and put a Meng family prince on the throne? What then?

Toppling an emperor could be done without bloodshed, but to overthrow a dynasty would require the blood and fire of twenty-eight years ago to burn across this land once more.

Even if Huo Liuxing was genuinely devoted to her and genuinely willing to protect Duke Yingguo’s household, at that time would her mother have to betray ancestors and abandon her clan? Would their Shen family have to aid evil for the Huo and Meng families’ revenge?

Shen Xuerong had firmly told her then that he believed such a day would never come.

But Zhao Chen’s words tonight made her vaguely lose confidence in that certainty.

Shen Lingzhen was lost in thought when she suddenly heard a bustling commotion in the distance—the banquet must have ended.

She hurried toward Chongzheng Hall. Reaching the palace entrance, she didn’t see Huo Liuxing but instead saw Eunuch Yang hurrying forward, saying: “Lady Huo, His Majesty has summoned General Huo to Chuigong Hall to discuss matters. General Huo had this humble servant wait here for you, saying that if you came, we should prepare a sedan chair and ask you to return first.”

Shen Lingzhen nodded but, concerned about the cushion, glanced toward Chongzheng Hall.

“What is Lady Huo looking for?”

She pondered briefly before answering: “I lost a handkerchief. I wonder if it fell on the cushion. I wanted to go in and look.”

“Oh my,” Eunuch Yang’s eyes widened, “that wouldn’t be possible. Your cushion was splashed with vegetable broth by General Huo and has already been taken away for cleaning.”

“Splashed… splashed with vegetable broth?” Shen Lingzhen was startled.

“Indeed! This General Huo—when meticulous, he throws arrows like flowers, but when careless, sitting there perfectly fine, he raises his hand and clang, manages to knock over a dish!”

Shen Lingzhen’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Eunuch Yang thought she was apologizing and consoled her: “Oh, no harm done, no harm done. By then His Majesty and the envoys had already left their seats. Rest assured.”

Shen Lingzhen nodded her thanks and turned to board the sedan chair leaving the palace.

At Chuigong Hall, Huo Liuxing sat alone in a lower seat waiting for the Emperor. Growing weary, he closed his eyes and pressed his temples with his elbow propped up.

Tonight’s palace banquet had truly been mentally exhausting. After the arrow-throwing ended, he hadn’t felt this fatigued, but being frightened out of his wits by that bloodstained cushion was like the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Fortunately, the palace maid who had led Shen Lingzhen arrived in time and quietly explained the situation to him, allowing him to wipe away his cold sweat.

Then he still had to struggle to figure out how to handle the situation for the young lady.

Huo Liuxing was resting with his eyes closed when he heard the sound of curtains being lifted. He immediately opened his eyes alertly and performed a seated bow to the entering Emperor: “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor waved his hand indicating no need for formality and sat on the dragon throne: “Liuxing, do you know why I’ve kept you here?”

Huo Liuxing nodded: “It must be that there’s been progress with the imperial prison.”

The Emperor shook his head, looking quite troubled: “If there had been progress, there would be no need to summon you tonight.”

Huo Liuxing showed sudden understanding: “The Court of Judicial Review must have interrogated him all day, yet the suspect still won’t confess?”

“Extremely stubborn.” The Emperor raised his chin. “This suspect was escorted to the capital by your Huo family. Tell me, do you have any clever methods?”

Huo Liuxing frowned: “Regarding torture and interrogation, I dare not claim to be more skilled than the Court of Judicial Review. However, if we take an alternative approach, perhaps there is another way besides harsh torture.”

“Tell me.”

“Your Majesty wants to root out the person behind the spy. Since we cannot get through from the suspect’s end, why not try from the mastermind’s end? Currently within the Bianjing court, those who know of this matter are all Your Majesty’s confidants. But what if Your Majesty deliberately leaked the news and let that mastermind hear of it? This person was able to reach into the Dingbian Army, so surely has connections in the Court of Judicial Review as well. Those with guilty consciences feel anxious, and when anxious, they will act.”

The Emperor was silent for a moment, then gave Eunuch Yang a meaningful look.

Huo Liuxing smiled deferentially.

—

Returning to the Huo residence, it was already late in the hour of the dog. As soon as Huo Liuxing entered, he asked about Shen Lingzhen’s whereabouts. Learning she had already retired to her own courtyard not knowing when he would return, he had planned not to disturb her. But then he saw Jianjia hurrying toward him.

“Young master, please go check on Young Madam.”

Huo Liuxing only knew she had gotten her monthly courses. Seeing Jianjia’s grave expression, his eyelid twitched: “What’s wrong with her?”

“Since Young Madam endured a cold winter while guarding the mausoleum, her monthly cycle has often been irregular. This time, because she ate too much cold-natured crab, her body is even more uncomfortable. She’s been crying about stomach pain since returning. We called for a physician, who said Young Madam didn’t promptly expel the cold from when she caught a chill before. She needs to slowly recuperate with tonics. There’s no immediate cure—she can only endure it with a hot water bottle.”

Huo Liuxing immediately wheeled himself toward the inner courtyard. Pushing open the door, he heard Shen Lingzhen’s weak voice from within the bed curtains: “Jianjia? You’ve come at the right time. This hot water bottle has cooled—change it for me…”

He rose and stepped forward, took the hot water bottle from her hands and handed it to Jianjia behind him, then lifted the bed curtains and sat on the bed’s edge.

Shen Lingzhen was in a daze and only now realized it was him. She hastily tried to prop herself up on her elbows: “My lord has returned.”

Huo Liuxing pushed her back down, his expression frighteningly grim: “Such a serious matter—why didn’t you tell me?”

She was startled: “There was no opportunity to see you just now.”

“I mean about how guarding the mausoleum damaged your health.” He shook his head. “Never mind, let’s not discuss that now. Are you feeling better?”

Shen Lingzhen honestly shook her head: “Still hurts too much to sleep…”

Huo Liuxing rose and went to the basin to wash his hands in clean water. After drying them, he returned to the bedside, rubbed his hands together to warm them, and asked: “The hot water bottle hasn’t come yet. Let me warm you first. Where does it hurt?”

This was rather embarrassing.

Shen Lingzhen’s shoulders hunched as she shrank inward: “No… no need, I’ll wait.”

Huo Liuxing’s eyebrows shot up in anger: “If you don’t tell me, I’ll just press randomly.”

“Aiya,” Shen Lingzhen deflected, pointing to a spot, “right here…”

Huo Liuxing reached his hand under the quilt. His palm, through a thin layer of undergarment, covered her flat lower abdomen: “Here?”

Shen Lingzhen’s whole body tensed as she responded “Mm.”

He kept his hand there silently for a while, feeling this position wasn’t quite right. A hot water bottle doesn’t move because it can’t, but he could move.

When it hurts, shouldn’t you massage it?

He asked: “Shall I massage it for you?”

Shen Lingzhen was about to shake her head desperately, but before she could, she saw him already starting to move on his own.

Now her body became even more rigid.

Huo Liuxing ran his tongue over his back teeth: “Keep holding your breath like that and your face will turn red. Breathe.”

Only then did Shen Lingzhen realize that when his hand pressed down, she had held her breath and forgotten to exhale.

She quickly changed her breath. Feeling her lower abdomen expand somewhat when exhaling, she immediately took another deep breath and continued holding it.

Huo Liuxing was both annoyed and amused: “Are you being tortured?”

Shen Lingzhen’s belly had forgotten its pain, but truly felt that having him massage and press this intimate area with his scalding palm was more agonizing than torture.

She nodded tearfully: “My lord, please spare me. I’d better use the hot water bottle.”

Jianjia, who had just reached the room’s entrance with a new hot water bottle, heard this sentence. Her sharp eyes clearly saw the situation inside. She paused for three counts, then turned sharply and immediately walked back.

Bailu in the distance was startled: “What are you doing? Hurry and take it to Young Madam!”

“Shh…” Jianjia pushed her shoulder, leading her away. “Our Young Madam doesn’t need a hot water bottle anymore.”