She almost lost her life. On the way back, she had a secret meeting with her former employer, the Fourth Prince, to discuss assassination plans. Because she wasn’t very cooperative, she nearly ended up dead.
At this moment, Ye Ting realized just how heavy the burden on her shoulders was. The Crown Prince was like a coveted treasure—not only did she have her eyes on him, but so did others, all eager to take a bite out of him.
Even though he was already sickly and frail, some still found it insufficient, wishing for his early demise so they could kick him off the throne.
This world was truly cruel.
Everyone wanted the delicate Crown Prince to meet his end.
But what had the Crown Prince done wrong? He was just sickly and weak, pampered and cherished since childhood, forced to remain as Crown Prince for over a decade. Was that reason enough for envy and murder? The Fourth Prince was truly inhuman.
Perhaps because Ye Ting had been silent for too long, her expression suddenly turning indignant, Xiao Zhiheng looked directly at her and chuckled lightly. "Did walking at night rob you of your words? What did you encounter?"
Ye Ting snapped out of her thoughts and quickly shook her head. "No, I just got lost, that’s all."
Xiao Zhiheng gave a faint hum, not pressing further about what had delayed her.
Ye Ting sat down beside him.
On the way back, the Crown Prince remained silent the entire time. Leaning his elbow on the carriage table, he rested with closed eyes, his complexion worse than during the day.
Who knew what kind of meal he had with the Emperor at Qingxin Palace? Ye Ting grumbled inwardly, then began racking her brain over what illness the Crown Prince actually had.
Even if no one did anything, if the Crown Prince continued deteriorating like this, he would eventually succumb to his own condition.
And if she were to follow him into the afterlife, that would be truly unjust.
Ye Ting returned with a heavy heart, carrying twice the worry, her mood even more somber than the patient himself.
The Crown Prince had taken Ye Ting into the palace for two days and one night, and so much had happened in that time. When Lin De heard that Consort Rong had been punished over matters related to the Crown Prince’s residence, he was momentarily stunned. Unsure of the situation in the palace, he grew frantic with worry.
By the time Ye Ting and the Crown Prince returned, Lin De was already waiting anxiously at the gate. "Ah, Your Highness, you’ve finally returned! If you hadn’t come back soon, this servant would have died from worry."
Xiao Zhiheng stepped down from the carriage, wrapped in an aura of sickness, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he replied indifferently, "What’s there to worry about? Did something happen?"
Lin De hesitated before answering, "Well… not exactly. It’s just that today, an imperial decree arrived, ordering the removal of all the people the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent over recently."
"Removal" wasn’t quite accurate.
It would be more precise to say they had been rooted out and executed—every last one of them.
Likely, the fallout from Consort Rong’s incident had reached the Crown Prince’s residence. The palace acted swiftly—no sooner had Consort Rong been toppled than someone came to clean up loose ends at the Crown Prince’s estate.
After saying this, Lin De cast a hesitant glance at Ye Ting.
Among that group, she was the only one left now.
Ye Ting felt the weight of Lin De’s scrutinizing gaze. Why are you staring at me? I defected long ago—my identity is squeaky clean now.
Xiao Zhiheng showed no reaction upon hearing this. He merely gave a tired nod and said, "Understood. Don’t stand in the wind. Let’s go inside."
Seeing his master’s poor complexion, Lin De didn’t dare delay, quickly stepping forward to support him while directing the servants to handle the carriage and horses.
It was only then that Ye Ting noticed the several crates of precious medicinal herbs and rare tonics from tributary states being unloaded from the carriage, all lavished upon the Crown Prince’s residence as if they cost nothing.
The household staff seemed accustomed to such displays.
It was clear that Emperor Xuan truly doted on the Crown Prince.
No wonder the Fourth Prince was so desperate to eliminate him and take his place. Jealousy truly twisted people beyond recognition. Tsk.
As Ye Ting tucked her hands into her sleeves, her fingers brushed against the jade pendant the Fourth Prince had tossed to her.
She felt a pang of bitterness.
That night, the Crown Prince did not stay in the Eastern Warm Pavilion. Ye Ting, left to her own devices, was quite pleased, finally able to relax her tense nerves.
Curled up in bed, she began mulling over the Fourth Prince’s scheme. He had planted her as a pawn beside the Crown Prince with the intent of poisoning him. He had threatened her into obedience before sending her back, which meant he must have some way to ensure her compliance…
Ye Ting certainly wasn’t willing.
So what was it?
Could it be… that there were other spies in the Crown Prince’s residence?!
The moment this thought struck her, Ye Ting’s mood plummeted. It was entirely possible—otherwise, how else would the Fourth Prince control her? If true, then the Crown Prince’s residence was practically leaking like a sieve!
How dangerous.
Ye Ting’s heart grew heavy. It seemed she had even more to worry about now, like a weary old mother burdened with endless tasks—far from the scheming seductress she was supposed to be.
Miserable.
She wallowed in misery all night before finally succumbing to sleep.
The next day, she didn’t see the Crown Prince. Nor the day after that, or the one after—not even a glimpse of his shadow.
Eventually, Ye Ting couldn’t hold back any longer and asked Chunya, "Has His Highness… been in the residence these past few days?"
Chunya blinked in surprise before answering, "His Highness hasn’t gone out. Of course he’s here."
Then why hadn’t she seen him?
Seeing Ye Ting’s troubled expression, Chunya stifled a laugh and boldly asked, "Are you missing His Highness?"
Distracted by other thoughts, Ye Ting absentmindedly replied, "Hmm, I suppose so."
Chunya hadn’t expected such blunt honesty. Flushing, she immediately said, "If you miss His Highness, why not go see him? He’d probably be very happy."
Ye Ting: "Me? Can I?"
Chunya nodded emphatically.
Ye Ting suspected Chunya was tricking her. But whether she was or not, before she knew it, she was already on her way.
Ever since that night Ye Ting had gotten drunk, been carried back by the Crown Prince, vomited all over him, and still emerged unscathed, Chunya had truly begun treating her as her mistress.
As they walked, Chunya chattered on, "His Highness is plagued by illness and never fully recovers. When autumn and winter come, his condition worsens. At its worst, palace physicians have to make endless trips day and night. Yet His Highness never speaks of his pain—he just smiles it off."
Ye Ting cautiously asked, "Has His Highness been ill since birth?"
Chunya paused. "According to the elders in the palace, yes." Having followed the Crown Prince from the palace, she knew a bit more than others. But this wasn’t exactly a secret—anyone could find out with a little digging.
"As a child, His Highness was merely frail. But after a severe fever, he was diagnosed with a grave illness, and it’s only worsened since."
Ye Ting sighed inwardly.
Her face was so full of worry, one might think she was the one afflicted.
But in a way, that wasn’t far from the truth.
Lost in thought, Ye Ting was completely unprepared when the clever Chunya led her straight to the extravagant Bronze Sparrow Tower.
"…"
Ye Ting stared at her speechlessly and asked, "Are you sure His Highness is recuperating here?"
Such a lavish, pleasure-seeking place—how could it possibly be suitable for recovery?
Chunya didn’t explain directly but answered seriously, "His Highness must soak in medicinal baths daily. If he’s unwell, he doesn’t leave his quarters even during the day."
In other words, the Crown Prince hadn’t been seen for days because he was holed up here.
Ye Ting had a psychological aversion to this place and immediately retreated, saying, "Never mind. I won’t disturb him then."
She turned to leave.
But she didn’t get far. Just then, she ran into Chief Steward Lin De, who strode out of the building with a stern face and snapped, "Halt! What are you skulking around for—"
Lin De’s expression had been cold and severe, but upon recognizing Ye Ting, he swallowed his words. The chief steward’s demeanor shifted faster than flipping a page, and he quickly replaced his scowl with a smile. "Ah, it’s Lady Pingting! This old servant was just about to fetch you. What a fortunate coincidence. His Highness… well, he’s awake and wishes to see you."
With that, he stepped aside, gesturing toward the open door, signaling that she could enter.
Ye Ting was caught between a rock and a hard place. Having come this far of her own accord, she had no choice but to stiffly step inside.
This place was no longer unfamiliar to her. When she didn’t find Xiao Zhiheng in the front hall, she wound her way through the corridors until she reached the hot springs.
But this time, she didn’t see anyone in the steaming pool either. Instead of clear water, the spring was filled with a murky, potent medicinal concoction. Even from a distance, the thick, pungent scent of herbs mixed with a faint metallic tang assaulted her senses.
Ye Ting frowned.
Following the wet footprints on the tiles, she cautiously ventured further inside, calling softly, "Your Highness?"
No response.
The silence sent an uneasy prickle down her spine.
However, after passing a few peony-painted screens, she heard two low, muffled coughs—suppressed, as if the person was holding back with great effort, the sound deep and restrained.
Only then did Ye Ting’s tension ease.
Good, he was still here.
She followed the sound and gently pushed open the half-ajar door. There, she saw the Crown Prince, draped in loosely tied robes, sitting on a low couch as he perused a letter. His posture was languid yet carried an inexplicable elegance.
His jet-black hair, unbound and slightly damp, cascaded over his shoulders. The pale fabric of his inner robes contrasted sharply with his snow-white skin, giving the illusion that he was enveloped in a hazy, dreamlike mist.
For a moment, Ye Ting felt as though she had accidentally stepped into a still, silent painting.
The moment she entered, Xiao Zhiheng’s gaze flicked toward the door. Recognizing her, he smiled faintly and said, "You came so quickly."
Ye Ting thought to herself, I didn’t expect it either, but out loud, she answered dutifully, "Your Highness summoned this servant?"
"Hmm…" Xiao Zhiheng mused for a moment, his fingertips lightly tracing the letter in his hand. Then, with a faint smile, he asked, "I’ve just discovered something amusing. Would you like to see it?"
For some reason, the moment he posed the question, Ye Ting’s instinct was to shake her head.
No, thanks. I’m not really the nosy type.
"It’s about you," he added abruptly.
Ye Ting: "???"
"It says you and the Fourth Prince share an untold story."
Ye Ting: "..."
Which bastard spun this nonsense?!
What kind of rotten plotline is this?!
