Chapter Five: The Chill of Poison

Very soon, Shen Hezhi recalled what had happened to him.

Last night, he had intended to speak with Yan Heru, but she had fallen asleep. Not long after, as Shen Hezhi was growing drowsy himself, the cold poison in his body suddenly flared up. If the cold poison had indeed attacked, how was he now safe and unharmed?

Normally, whenever the cold poison acted up, Shen Yi would discover it and administer timely treatment. Yet last night was his wedding night, so Shen Yi was not by Shen Hezhi’s side. Unexpectedly, the cold poison struck at precisely that moment.

Suddenly, Shen Hezhi’s expression grew cold, for he saw Yan Heru sleeping beside the bed, her hand still clutching the corner of a silver needle pouch. The sight made everything clear to him at once. Shen Hezhi pressed the sleep acupoint on Yan Heru and summoned Shen Yi inside.

“Master...” Shen Yi felt somewhat embarrassed, after all, it was the wedding night.

“My cold poison acted up last night,” Shen Hezhi said calmly.

But Shen Yi was not so composed. He immediately asked, anxiously, “Master! Then now—?”

Shen Hezhi waved his hand dismissively, a trace of confusion between his brows. “I’m fine. It seems... my little Princess saved me.”

“How is that possible? Even the renowned physician Yun, master of the healing arts, couldn’t control your illness. How could the Princess possibly—” Shen Yi realized he’d said too much and quickly stopped.

Shen Hezhi would not blame Shen Yi for such things; in fact, the matter piqued his own curiosity as well.

“Has Changxiao returned?” Shen Hezhi suddenly asked another question.

Shen Yi paused for a moment, then nodded. “Young Master Cen returned last night, but it was too late then, so he did not come to see you.”

“The Princess will not wake until midday, since I pressed her sleep acupoint. Assign someone to guard outside her door. When she wakes, have her call for me. I’ll wait in the study for Changxiao.” Shen Hezhi rose, straightened his clothing, and left the bedroom. Shen Yi went off to notify Cen Changxiao.

Having received his orders, Shen Yi departed. Shen Hezhi entered the study and casually picked up a book, not with the intention to read, but rather to soothe his mind. His cold poison had plagued him for many years; countless physicians had tried, all to no avail.

Each attack was worse than the last. According to his previous doctor, he might only have two or three years left, so Shen Hezhi had nearly lost all hope, simply wishing to accomplish his goals in that short span.

Whenever the cold poison acted up, controlling it was always an agonizing ordeal. But this time, Shen Hezhi had felt no pain whatsoever—he had simply slept and awakened, feeling even somewhat refreshed.

—

A creak sounded as the door to the study was pushed open. A man in azure robes entered, thoughtfully closing the door behind him. He carried a sword, which he placed upon the table.

His ink-black hair fell loosely over his shoulders, his features flawless and exquisite. Yet this handsome man wore a furrowed brow.

“Hezhi... I—could not find a solution,” Cen Changxiao said, bowing his head in guilt. He had spent so much time away, yet still returned empty-handed.

Shen Hezhi shook his head helplessly. “It matters not. I no longer hold out hope. But... I seem to have found hope again, quite by chance.”

His words made Cen Changxiao lift his head in an instant, the joy in his eyes impossible to conceal.

He and Shen Hezhi shared a bond deeper than blood brothers, forged in life and death.

“How so?” Cen Changxiao looked at Shen Hezhi in eager anticipation.

Shen Hezhi smiled, about to explain, but their conversation was interrupted by Shen Yi knocking at the door. “Master, the Princess has awakened.”

“Oh? So soon? I’ll go at once.”

Shen Hezhi rose, smiling warmly at Cen Changxiao. “You wanted to know, didn’t you? Come with me.”

Cen Changxiao looked at Shen Hezhi in confusion. He knew Shen Hezhi had married, but what did that have to do with this ‘hope’?

Since Shen Hezhi was being enigmatic, Cen Changxiao could only wait patiently. No one could force Shen Hezhi to speak against his will; his temperament was notoriously peculiar.

Despite his gentle demeanor, Cen Changxiao knew Shen Hezhi to be a sly fox—a smile concealing cunning and darkness. Yet the smile he had just shown seemed genuine, from the heart. Could this Princess truly possess some remarkable ability?

Shen Hezhi led Cen Changxiao and Shen Yi to the main hall. Yan Heru walked slowly from the rear courtyard.

She wore a pale lavender gauze dress, perfectly complementing her complexion. There was an air of extraordinary nobility about her, hardly resembling the illegitimate daughter of a fifth-rank official’s household; rather, she seemed like the legitimate daughter of a first-rank dignitary.

Upon seeing Yan Heru, Shen Hezhi smiled, an act that greatly astonished Cen Changxiao. He had never seen Shen Hezhi so happy, not in years.

Cen Changxiao glanced at Yan Heru, thinking—this Sixth Miss Yan was indeed quite intriguing...

—

Yan Heru had not expected so many people. Just now, Shen Yi had told her to tidy herself and come to the main hall, saying there was something to discuss. Yan Heru had thought she would be reprimanded for oversleeping, but the scene before her did not resemble a punishment.

She looked around, considered, and took a seat one place lower than Shen Hezhi.

“Your Highness,” Yan Heru said softly.

Shen Hezhi gazed quietly at Yan Heru, not answering immediately. Only when his stare made her uneasy did he finally avert his eyes. “Madam, you know medicine, do you not?”

It was not a question, but a statement.

Yan Heru raised her head, eyeing Shen Hezhi warily. Thinking of her situation that morning, she berated herself for carelessly falling asleep without putting away her belongings.

There was no remedy now. Since things had come to this, she might as well admit it. So Yan Heru met Shen Hezhi’s gaze and replied, “Yes, I do.”

“You can treat cold poison.”

Again, a statement.

Yan Heru pursed her lips in resignation. Shen Hezhi was truly sharp; people claimed he was little more than a pretty face, an empty shell. If this was a fool, then there were no clever men left in the world...

Seeing Yan Heru silent, Shen Hezhi smiled. Cen Changxiao suddenly leapt to his feet, asking excitedly, “You really can cure cold poison?!”

Yan Heru frowned at Cen Changxiao, puzzled by his excitement—it was not he who was poisoned, after all. Unless...

Her gaze flickered between Shen Hezhi and Cen Changxiao, then she looked at Shen Hezhi in sudden realization. Her look left Shen Hezhi momentarily bewildered.

Though Yan Heru was devoted to the healing arts, she also found amusement in life. In modern times, she understood love that transcended gender, and saw nothing wrong with it; whoever one chose to love was their own right, beyond the interference of others.

Thus, Yan Heru assumed Shen Hezhi and Cen Changxiao shared such a relationship.