Dongfang Heng's sharp eyes narrowed slightly: "Whose house is this?"
“It belongs to Grand Commandant Lei.” By the time the assassin entered the house, Zi Mo had already thoroughly investigated its condition: “However, he bought the house fifteen years ago and it has remained vacant ever since, never having lived there. After the assassin entered the house, he suddenly committed suicide…”
"Suicide?" Dongfang Heng frowned.
"Yes, I have investigated carefully. The house was empty, covered in cobwebs, and no one had been there for a long time. I was very careful and he definitely did not notice anyone following him. But when the assassin walked to the center of the courtyard, he committed suicide without warning..." The assassin committed suicide so quickly that no one had time to react. Zi Mo wanted to stop him, but it was too late.
"What has Grand Commandant Lei been doing lately?" Dongfang Heng's eyes deepened.
“Grand Commandant Lei is getting on in years and his energy is not what it used to be. Apart from discussing state affairs with his ministers, he spends most of his time resting in his residence!” Zi Mo glanced at Dongfang Heng and asked cautiously, “Does the Prince suspect Grand Commandant Lei?”
The fact that the mansion had been owned for fifteen years but never used was already suspicious. In addition, the fact that the assassin went straight to Lei Taiwei's mansion after regaining consciousness made him a prime suspect.
"It's too early to draw conclusions. He might be trying to cover something up, or someone might be framing him!" Dongfang Heng said coldly, his dark eyes unfathomable. He turned and walked into the house. "Keep a close eye on Commander Lei, and don't let your guard down with the other suspects either!"
Lei Taiwei is quite capable, and Dongfang Heng believes him when he says he secretly keeps secret guards, but he won't falsely accuse someone before finding evidence.
Indeed, tonight's assassination attempt was exactly what Dongfang Heng had anticipated. To be more precise, it was a trap he deliberately set to lure someone into a trap.
His return to the capital from Subei posed a threat to some people, who then plotted to assassinate him. He knew his health better than anyone else; others knew he would have a relapse tonight, and he knew it too. Others knew tonight was his weakest moment, but he understood that even better than anyone else.
They exploited his weaknesses to kill him, and he used his own weaknesses to lure others into assassinating him—utterly foolish.
"Your Highness, aren't you going back..." Dongfang Heng strode into the room without turning his head. Zi Mo subconsciously tried to remind him, but he suddenly realized he had said too much.
"What is it?" Dongfang Heng stopped but did not turn around. His tone was as cold as an ice cellar in the twelfth lunar month. His white inner robe fluttered gently in the breeze, exuding unparalleled elegance that made people afraid to look directly at him.
"No...it's nothing, this subordinate will take his leave!" Zi Mo said, quickly disappearing from sight.
Dongfang Heng drifted into the room and stood quietly in front of the soft couch. On the elegant couch, Shen Lixue was fast asleep, covered with a sky-blue silk quilt. She had just taken a bath, and her jet-black hair covered most of the bed. Her eyes were slightly closed, and her beautiful face was fair with a rosy glow. Her peaceful and serene sleeping face was so captivating that one would not dare to defile it.
A faint smile appeared on Dongfang Heng's lips. He slowly reached out, gently lifted Shen Lixue's blanket, bent down, carefully picked her up, and carried her to the bed.
Perhaps sensing discomfort, Shen Lixue frowned, shifted her body, and nestled her face into Dongfang Heng's arms, remaining still.
Dongfang Heng smiled, placed Shen Lixue on the large bed, and lay down himself. He pulled the silk quilt over them, embraced Shen Lixue's soft body, rested his chin on her soft hair, and gently inhaled her unique, faint fragrance before slowly closing his eyes.
While in Subei, he couldn't sleep after taking medicine during his illness. Even with calming incense and tranquilizers, he couldn't sleep soundly. So, for several days after the onset of his illness, he was very irritable. On the day he returned to the capital, he slept very soundly in Shen Lixue's bed. Later, when he had another relapse, he rested well in her room.
The unique fragrance emanating from her was more potent than any tranquilizer to him, and he felt completely at ease resting beside her.
In a daze, Shen Lixue tried to turn over, but couldn't move at all. A faint scent of pine resin lingered in her nostrils, and Shen Lixue was startled, suddenly opening her eyes.
A bare, tanned chest came into view, a strong heartbeat rang in her ears, warm breath sprayed on her hair, and strong arms tightly encircled her small waist. Shen Lixue didn't need to look closely to know who was lying next to her.
Pulling away from Dongfang Heng's arm around her waist, Shen Lixue calmly sat up. Outside the window, the sun shone brightly, birds sang, and flowers bloomed. On the soft couch in front of the window, there were still the pillows and silk quilts she had placed there last night.
Shen Lixue rubbed her forehead helplessly. It must have been Dongfang Heng who carried her to bed while she was asleep. She hadn't even noticed. How did her sense of awareness become so poor?
"Miss, you're awake. I've brought some water. Would you like to wash up?" Qiuhe asked softly as she stood outside the room, hearing the sounds coming from inside.
Beside her, Dongfang Heng had his eyes closed, breathing evenly, showing no signs of waking up. He was a patient, and Shen Lixue couldn't force him to wake up. She was about to tell him to go out and wash up when a cold voice rang out in front of her: "Bring it in!"
Shen Lixue was startled and looked at Dongfang Heng, only to find that he had opened his eyes at some point. His dark pupils were clear and sharp, showing no sign of waking up.
Shen Lixue gritted her teeth: "Dongfang Heng!" How could she forget that Dongfang Heng liked to pretend to be asleep!
"Did you sleep well last night?" Dongfang Heng sat up and looked at Shen Lixue. It was a simple question, but the way he said it made it sound ambiguous.
"Very good!" Shen Lixue glared at Dongfang Heng, gritting her teeth.
"It's still early, and you have nothing to do during the day, so you can sleep a little longer!" Dongfang Hengqing fastened the buttons of his inner garment, picked up the white outer garment from the side, and put it on. The exquisite dark floral pattern was grand and magnificent, and the mysterious cloud sea pattern embroidered on the cuffs added a touch of nobility and elegance.
"I've had enough sleep..." Shen Lixue replied angrily, then suddenly paused when she saw Dongfang Heng's outer garment. He hadn't worn this garment yesterday. Had a guard come by last night and brought him new clothes...?
Why is there a man's voice in the young lady's room?
Qiuhe was shocked. Her hand trembled, spilling a lot of water. She braced herself and went inside, saying, "Miss, the water is here!"
Upon entering the inner room, Qiuhe felt an invisible pressure bearing down on her, making her afraid to look up. She lowered her head, placed the basin and water on the shelf, and curtsied towards the large bed: "Miss, this servant will go and fetch breakfast."
"Bring another basin of water; we both need to wash up!" The man's indifferent voice carried an unquestionable tone of command. Qiuhe hurriedly replied, "Yes!"
As Qiu He turned to leave, she saw Shen Lixue sitting on the bed, her clothes half-open, her hair a little messy, glaring angrily at Dongfang Heng, looking just like a bullied little wife. Dongfang, on the other hand, was standing in front of the bed buttoning his shirt, looking smug, like a big bad wolf who had gotten a good deal. At a glance, the atmosphere between the two was truly ambiguous.
Dongfang Heng suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze falling on Qiu He. Startled, Qiu He shivered and quickly walked out of the room, patting her chest and secretly letting out a sigh of relief. The Prince of An's gaze was terrifying!
After Dongfang Heng finished washing up, he was handsome and outstanding. Shen Lixue, having changed her clothes, came out from behind the screen and glared at him fiercely: "Dongfang Heng, you are alright now, go back to the Holy King!"
Lei Shi and Shen Minghui have recovered after a night's rest and will definitely come looking for trouble. If they see Dongfang Heng here, they will make a big fuss and talk endlessly. Shen Lixue is not afraid of them, but she does not want to waste time and talk nonsense with them.
"Breakfast has been served. I will eat before I leave!" Dongfang Heng dismissed all the maids and sat down at the table.
Shen Lixue glared at Dongfang Heng. He really treated this place like his own home: "Don't you like being served when you eat?" She remembered that there wasn't a single maid in his courtyard, and he couldn't find anyone to serve him when he wanted to eat.
“At the border, I’ve gotten used to eating by myself and don’t need anyone to serve me!” Dongfang Heng said casually, picking up a few pieces of pastry for Shen Lixue: “I remember you like plum blossom cake!”
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow: "How did you know I like plum blossom cake?"
"Just a guess!" Dongfang Heng replied softly, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Shen Lixue glared at Dongfang Heng. If he didn't want to talk about it, fine. She wasn't particularly interested in knowing anyway. Just as she was about to taste the plum blossom cake, Qiu He's voice rang out from outside: "Miss, Prince Zhan has arrived and says he wants to see you!"
Witty Remarks 083: Jealous Women Fighting for the Same Man
Dongfang Heng paused in his act of picking up food, his dark eyes becoming as deep and unfathomable as a pool, and the surrounding temperature instantly dropped.
Shen Lixue frowned. Dongfang Zhan came to the Prime Minister's residence to see Shen Yingxue. Seeing her there, he asked, "Did Prince Zhan say anything?"