Chapter 92.

Xue Shu couldn't let go of Yin Chengyu's hand as he lay on the edge of the bed, his clothes hastily adjusted for the night. The solid feel of their clasped hands gave him a deep sense of peace—so much so that it washed away the physical exhaustion he had carried with him. By dawn, he woke up, feeling more energized than usual.

Yin Chengyu was still asleep, and Xue Shu didn’t want to disturb him. He was reluctant to release his hand, so he propped himself up on his leg, sitting beside the bed, his eyes fixed on him. His gaze traced every inch of the face he had longed for, carving it into his heart with a burning intensity.

Yin Chengyu, even if he were made of stone, couldn’t help but feel the heat of Xue Shu’s eyes. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, turning his head toward the side of the bed. Of course, his gaze met Xue Shu’s dark, intense eyes.

Not bothering to hide the tenderness in his voice, Xue Shu leaned in a bit closer, his fingertips caressing the back of Yin Chengyu's hand as he whispered, “Your Highness,” his voice husky from just waking, rich and deep, like a heavy wind instrument, drawing out the words with a continuous, seductive tone.

His touch was a soft, tantalizing caress, making Yin Chengyu stir as he slowly sat up, the silk blanket slipping off him. The clasped hands revealed themselves. Yin Chengyu glanced at their hands, his eyes shifting to Xue Shu. “Aren’t you going to let go?”

Xue Shu lingered, savoring the moment, his thumb softly brushing the back of Yin Chengyu's hand before releasing it with a regretful sigh. Standing up, he gave a small smile, his lips pressed tightly together as he looked down at him. “Your Highness, I will assist you with washing and changing.”

"Comander Xue, why aren't you leaving yet?" Yin Chengyu, barefoot and still tangled in sleep, stood up. His white undergarment hung loosely on his frame, the collar carelessly open, revealing his long, graceful neck and the elegant curve of his collarbone. His dark hair spilled down in soft waves, some strands falling seductively into the hollow of his throat.

His whole demeanor screamed carefree, a scholar who had just awoken from an indulgent night. He was the essence of temptation.

Xue Shu, for all his devotion, was simply a part of this image—like the flowers and willows of a dream.

Yin Chengyu offered him a half-smile, as if dismissing him, though there was a hidden playfulness to it. A casual question, but one that hinted at something more.

Cold as ice on the outside, but there’s a warmth hiding under the surface.

The ones who show affection? They’re always pissed off by those who seem completely indifferent.

Xue Shu didn’t answer. Instead, he casually rang the bell and began fetching Yin Chengyu's clothes for the day. The sound of the bell echoed as Zheng Duobao entered, catching sight of Xue Shu and freezing for a moment.

“Why is the Commissioner here so early?”

Unfazed, Xue Shu lied smoothly, “There are matters to discuss with His Highness.” He took the copper basin from Zheng Duobao’s hands. “His Highness has just risen, so I’ll assist him.”

Zheng Duobao, still half-dazed, left the room, but then, the realization hit him. Xue Shu had risen through the ranks, now a high-ranking eunuch of the Court. By all rights, he shouldn’t be doing these menial tasks.

A small, satisfied smile spread across Zheng Duobao’s face. Xue Shu truly understood gratitude. He was surely loyal to the prince who had given him his chance.

It’s better not to forget your roots!

———TN: Eunuch Zheng, are you really that naive? You honestly believe Xue Shu is serving His Highness out of some sense of gratitude? No, he’s not there for anything as innocent as that. He’s there to satisfy his cravings. Please. Wake up, Eunuch Zheng—your prince is about to get snatched. ———

Xue Shu didn’t hurry, knowing that his duties today were at leisure. After tending to Yin Chengyu, assisting with his wash and change, he cleaned his own face with the leftover water.

Yin Chengyu raised an eyebrow. “You really don’t hold back, do you?”

But his voice lacked any rebuke.

“If Your Highness didn’t allow it, I wouldn’t dare,” Xue Shu replied, meeting his gaze.

His dark eyes shimmered with intensity, his emotions laid bare, no hiding the longing. Every time he showed this side of himself, Yin Chengyu softened, showing him more leniency.

Yin Chengyu merely huffed, uninterested in responding further. But then Zheng Duobao returned, his face more serious now. “The Grand Princess requests an urgent audience with His Highness.”

She had come so early—it had to be something urgent.

“Take her to Hongren Hall,” Yin Chengyu ordered, and Xue Shu followed in tow, as if nothing had changed.

The palace staff looked on in surprise, unable to grasp why Xue Shu, the Head of the East and West Bureaus, was here at this hour. Is it possible that he got pissed off back at Ciqing Palace and is now here, looking to settle the score?

Upon reaching Hongren Hall, they found Yin Ciguang waiting. But he wasn’t in his usual grand attire as a princess. Instead, he was dressed simply in a dull blue robe, his long hair concealed beneath a cap. His pale, delicate features looked even more fragile, lending him the appearance of someone ill.

It was clear he was trying to disguise himself.

When he saw Yin Chengyu, he immediately bowed deeply. “Apologies for disturbing Your Highness.”

Yin Chengyu gestured for the attendants to leave, leaving only Xue Shu behind. “What is it?”

Yin Ciguang recounted the events from yesterday at Jingren Palace and then handed over a sachet given to him by Consort Wen. “Consort Wen gave this to me. I’ve already inspected it, but I found no issue with the contents.”

She had claimed the sachet contained powdered snake gall, which could cause insanity over time. But after checking, Yin Ciguang couldn’t find anything wrong.

His suspicions were starting to rise, and Yin Chengyu voiced them aloud: “Consort Wen isn’t a fool. She wouldn’t let Concubine Rong try to harm the Empress so recklessly. This sachet is more likely a test.”

Though a sachet by itself couldn’t prove anything, the methodical way Consort Wen operated made it clear she was no amateur. The elusive snake gall, undetectable by the physicians, was likely just a ruse to deceive Yin Ciguang and his mother.

If either of them backs out and spills the truth to Yin Chengyu, that scent pouch, which can’t even be tested for poison, will instead stir up distrust between the two sides. But if they follow her advice and hand it over to the Empress, then that pouch becomes the perfect leverage for the noble Consort Wen to control them.

“Take it back to the imperial physician for verification,” Yin Chengyu tossed the pouch at Xue Shu, his expression darkening. “Yin Chengzhang is dead, and I never intended to go after Wen Guifei, but now it seems I’ve been too soft-hearted, too kind.”

It was the first time Yin Ciguang had seen him with such a sinister expression, and it struck him that, for a brief moment, it resembled the one Xue Shu always wore beside him.

"Wen Guifei must go."

Yin Chengyu clasped his hands behind his back, pondering briefly before speaking again, “Since Wen Guifei wants to test us, let’s play along, buy some time for now. As for restoring your identity...” He turned to Xue Shu, "You handle it quickly."

Xue Shu nodded, tucking the pouch away.

“Elder sister, go back for now. After the physician checks the pouch, we’ll have it returned to you. There’s no need to worry,” Yin Chengyu said.

Yin Ciguang bowed deeply before leaving. "I’ll never forget Your Highness’s kindness."

*

After sending the pouch, Wen Guifei kept a close watch on the movements around Yongxi Palace.

Two days later, when she heard that Rong Fei had gone to Kunning Palace to pay respects, Wen Guifei smirked. “I told you so. It’s always the dogs you keep close that bite the hardest.”

She loathed Rong Fei and Yin Ciguang, but her hatred for the Empress and the Crown Prince ran deeper.

Since Yin Ciguang wanted to cling to the Crown Prince for protection, and the Crown Prince was striving to be seen as a benevolent heir, she’d make them turn on each other.

Wen Guifei ran her fingers gently over the painting, her voice soft but icy, “Zhang’er, don’t worry. Your mother will avenge you.”

She stared at the portrait for a while, then carefully rolled it up and hid her spiteful gaze. After her lady-in-waiting helped her with the latest makeup and dressed her in vibrant clothes, she headed for Qianqing Palace to serve the ailing Emperor.

The Emperor had been ill for some time with no signs of improvement, and naturally, he lacked the energy to enjoy the company of women. But he was aging and, though no longer able to plow the fields, still yearned for the youthful vitality that a fresh young girl could provide.

During this time, the noble Consort De had sent two strikingly beautiful young women to serve him, and they’d managed to make him laugh. He’d already granted them the title of beauties.

While Wen Guifei wasn’t young anymore, she’d maintained her position of favor for so many years not just because of her looks, but because of her understanding of the Emperor.

She had prepared herself to compete for his affection today, but upon arriving at Qianqing Palace, she found nothing.

She glanced at Gao Xian, who always attended to the Emperor, and asked in surprise, “The Emperor is still not well, why isn’t he resting in the palace?”

Gao Xian’s expression darkened, but he still gave her face, suppressing his annoyance. “The Emperor went to Xuanqiong Hall to discuss matters with Master Ziyuan.” Xue Shu was accompanying him.

Gao Xian had a vague suspicion that Master Ziyuan and Xue Shu had some connection, but since the Emperor revered Master Ziyuan like a god, he didn’t dare to speak out. Instead, he was forced to watch Xue Shu take his place.

“The Emperor has been feeling a bit better these past two days. After taking his medicine, he’s been going to Xuanqiong Hall every day for a while. He’s been there for an hour already, so he’ll likely return soon. If the Consort isn’t in a hurry, you can wait a bit longer.”

Wen Guifei understood the hint and decided not to leave. She had chairs and a table brought out, and waited in the corridor of Qianqing Palace.

Meanwhile, in Xuanqiong Hall, the Emperor was discussing his fortune with Master Ziyuan.

“You’re saying my prolonged illness is due to an imbalance of Yin and Yang?” The Emperor asked, frowning.

“Exactly,” Master Ziyuan stroked his white beard, his voice enigmatic. “Your Majesty, as the true Dragon Son of Heaven, you are naturally a person of strong Yang energy. But now, your body has weakened, and your Yang energy is leaking out. Add to that the concentration of Yin energy from so many women in your palace, and you have a situation of excessive Yin overpowering the Yang, which is hindering your recovery.”

The Emperor furrowed his brows, deep in thought. He had fallen ill after taking two beauties in a carriage ride.

Initially, he thought it was just a small chill that would pass quickly, but after more than half a month of medicine, he hadn’t improved. His vitality was also draining. He had called several young concubines to serve him, thinking it would liven things up, but if Master Ziyuan was right, that could have been the cause of his condition worsening.

The Emperor’s expression grew more urgent. “Is there a remedy?”

Master Ziyuan closed his eyes and calculated for a moment before speaking. “I’ve calculated that in the northeast of the Yan Wang Palace, there is someone with very strong Yang energy. If Your Majesty brings this person near, the excess Yin will be counteracted, and your health will return.”

Hearing this, the Emperor brightened, but his expression soon faltered with hesitation. “There are thousands of palace attendants in Yan Wang’s palace. How will I find this person? What should I look for?”

Master Ziyuan shook his head. “I can only reveal a little of the heavenly secrets. All I can say is that this person has a deep connection to Your Majesty.”

A deep connection?

The Emperor thought it must be one of the concubines. He turned to Xue Shu and ordered, “Go and gather all the concubines I’ve favored who live in the northeast. Let Master Ziyuan examine them and find the one.”

———Author's Note: Big Dog: Your Highness, you wake up and instantly act like you don’t know anyone.

Your Highness: ?