The most important thing was to dissolve the medicine Jiang Zhibai had taken.

Once that medicine was dissolved, he would no longer be controlled and made to harm Shen Ruoyi. Fafa had said that after Shen Ruoyi’s death, Shen Ruochu had felt remorse — which meant there was at least a small place in her heart for Shen Ruoyi.

If the two of them could speak openly and clear the misunderstanding, what came after need never happen.

Did she have to go and trouble Xuan Yanyu for help again?

That would not do. If her elder sister saw Imperial Physician Wen, she would want him to treat Qi Qingchen, and Xuan Yanyu might not even agree to have Imperial Physician Wen treat Jiang Zhibai’s poisoning.

Fafa: 【Master, you need not think about going to find Xuan Yanyu for help. He is busy dealing with his future favorite consort.】

Yan Yunning: 【???】

Fafa: 【Pei Shutong, of course.】

【Why would she come to Qilan? And how could she find her way to Yuanjin Manor??】

Fafa: 【Not only has she come, she brought along the Crown Princess’s personal maidservant to accompany her.】

【The Crown Princess? Xuan Yanyu’s imperial elder sister?】

Fafa’s electronic voice carried a note of excitement. 【That is right. She follows Xuan Yanyu around in the story for quite a long time.】

Yan Yunning gave a hollow smile. 【You are very pleased about this?】

Fafa: 【Is it that obvious?】

How could it not be pleased? Just thinking about what was to happen next made it want to laugh.

Yan Yunning’s lips curved. 【Oh, get lost!】

Fafa: 【Very well, Master.】

Yan Yunning: 【…】

Yan Yunning lay on the bed a little longer, then got up and went to Shen Ruoyi’s side chamber.

Inside the chamber, Shen Ruoyi was holding Jiang Zhibai’s hand. The man’s body was wracked with pain, curled in on itself, large drops of cold sweat rolling down.

“A’Bai.” Shen Ruoyi’s voice was thick with helpless tears.

“Yiyi…” Jiang Zhibai gritted his teeth. His mind was flooded with thoughts of Shen Ruochu.

No. This is wrong… something is not right…

“Madam, this… the poison the manor master has taken — this old one is unable to cure it.” The physician finished taking his pulse, packed up his medicine kit, and prepared to leave.

Shen Ruoyi bit her lip. How many was this now, and still no one could help…

Yuncai’s eyes reddened. She paid the physician’s fee and saw him out of the side chamber.

“Madam.” Yan Yunning stepped inside.

“Second Miss Yan?” Shen Ruoyi was mildly surprised. “Have you come on account of Master Qi?”

Yan Yunning shook her head. “Madam, I have something I wish to speak with you about.”

“Second Miss Yan, please go ahead.” Shen Ruoyi’s voice was hoarse, and her eyes were laced with red.

The two of them talked until the sky outside the window had grown dark.

“Ningning, stay and dine with me.” Shen Ruoyi smiled.

“All right.” Yan Yunning curved her lips.

……

In the dining hall.

Xuan Yanyu rested his head on one hand, a dull buzzing in his ears.

One Qi Qingchen was already troublesome enough. And now there was another one.

“Young Master Xuan.” Pei Shutong smiled and helped Xuan Yanyu serve food into his bowl.

Yan Shiyao sat frowning as she watched the two of them.

“Where is Yan Yunning? Why has she still not come?” Xuan Yanyu glanced sidelong at Ye Jian.

Ye Jian said, “Young Master, I will go find her immediately.”

Yan Yunning! Yan Yunning! Pei Shutong smothered the cold displeasure in her eyes.

His Highness was the esteemed Crown Prince, who would one day ascend the throne. He would naturally have many consorts and concubines — that she did not mind. But she very much minded him having a woman in his heart.

Very much minded. Very, very much.

Yan Yunning had eaten only halfway through her meal when Ye Jian urged her along so insistently that her head nearly split.

Shen Ruoyi smiled, narrowing her eyes. “Ningning, go quickly. Do not keep Young Master Xuan waiting too long.”

Just like A’Bai — unable to be parted from her for even a moment.

Yan Yunning gave an awkward nod, set down her chopsticks, and followed Ye Jian out of the chamber.

“What does Xuan Xīxī want with me?” Yan Yunning swung the sachet at her waist.

“Second Miss Yan, what else would one want at mealtimes?” Ye Jian smiled.

Yan Yunning looked him up and down for a moment. “So you are asking me to go and eat somewhere else??”

Ye Jian raised an eyebrow. “It is not I who wants you there — it is His Highness.”

Yan Yunning: “…”

They rounded the pavilion and arrived at the dining hall.

Upon seeing Yan Yunning, Yan Shiyao set down her chopsticks, and without waiting for Qi Qingchen to finish eating, took him by the hand and walked out.

She was a little upset. Ningning’s heart was just too cold.

Yan Yunning made no move to call out to stop her, and walked over to take a seat at Xuan Yanyu’s side.

Pei Shutong’s gaze fixed on Yan Shiyao’s retreating back, her eyes flickering.

“Why did you come so late?” The man picked up his chopsticks and selected the dishes Yan Yunning was usually fond of, spooning a small bowlful for her.

Pei Shutong gripped her own chopsticks tightly. How could His Highness serve food for Yan Yunning?

“Your Highness, the Second Miss Yan was dining with the Manor Mistress just now.” Since there were no outsiders present, Ye Jian did not bother with the title of ‘Young Master’ this time.

“With the Manor Mistress? Since when did you become close enough with the Manor Mistress to dine together?” Xuan Yanyu leisurely skimmed the surface of his tea.

Yan Yunning glanced at him and said with no shortage of self-satisfaction, “Perhaps I am simply too likable, and the Manor Mistress wanted me to keep her company for the meal.”

The man’s finger, resting against his teacup, paused for an instant, and the amusement in his eyes was utterly unconcealed. “Yan Yunning, that is sheer nonsense. What exactly is likable about you?”

Ye Jian’s eye gave a twitch.

Was His Highness implying he did not count himself as a person?

“…” Yan Yunning huffed. “Xuan Xīxī, speaking like this, you will find it very hard to find a…”

She swallowed the rest of her words. She had been about to say — speaking so bluntly, you will find it very hard to find a girlfriend…

But Xuan Xīxī was the Crown Prince. There was absolutely no chance he would fail to find a wife. Was there not someone sitting right beside him at this very moment, falling over herself to be his wife?

Pei Shutong’s palms had gone white from how tightly she had clenched them. Xuan Xīxī — she had visited the Crown Princess’s residence often, and frequently heard the Crown Princess call him by that name.

How did Yan Yunning have any right to call His Highness by his childhood pet name?

Xuan Yanyu’s voice carried a smile at its tail. “Very hard to find what?”

Yan Yunning’s gaze swept past him evenly, then she said without warning, “Crown Prince, Miss Pei is glaring at me.”

Pei Shutong hastily lowered her head.

Why had she simply come right out and said it? Was she not afraid His Highness would find her petty and jealous, and think her troublesome?

Xuan Yanyu glanced sidelong at Pei Shutong, the ghost of a smile curving his lips. “Miss Pei, how much more explicitly must this Highness speak before you will consent to leave?”

The man gave a cold, mocking laugh, and the corner of Pei Shutong’s eye visibly quivered.

She had thought that since she had brought someone from the Crown Princess’s side, he would give face to the Crown Princess and treat her with some consideration. Yet still he wanted to send her back to Xuanzhao.

Having finished her complaint, Yan Yunning bowed her head and focused on eating the dishes Xuan Yanyu had served her.

“Crown Prince, Shutong came at the Crown Princess’s behest to look after you. If you send Shutong away, how is Shutong to answer to the Crown Princess?” Pei Shutong’s eyes grew moist at the corners.

“Miss Pei, you need not worry. His Highness will handle things on the Crown Princess’s side.” Ye Jian quickly interjected.

Pei Shutong bit her lip. Was there a need for him to speak up?

“Your Highness, even with you to shoulder it, the Crown Princess may not blame this subject outwardly, but surely she will hold it against me in her heart.” Pei Shutong said softly.

Xuan Yanyu toyed with his jade thumb ring, letting out a dismissive smile. “Why concern yourself with all that?”

She was not his imperial sister. What did she know of what his imperial sister thought in her heart?

Did his imperial sister have the time or inclination to resent her?

Pei Shutong’s clasped hands trembled, and she spoke, her voice wavering. “Your Highness, Shutong feels a little unwell. I will take my leave first.”