The crimson plum blossom bodice slipped into the water and drifted away gently. Dongfang Heng did not admire Shen Lixue's beautiful body, but instead embraced her, placing his jade-like hands on her back and quickly channeling his inner energy.
Shen Lixue was held captive in Dongfang Heng's arms, her soft breasts pressed against his strong chest. She was both angry and anxious, and was about to try to break free when a surge of internal energy suddenly rushed into her back, instantly reaching her limbs and suppressing the evil dragon raging within her.
The icy pool water seeped into his skin, combining with the internal energy to rapidly sweep away the annoying aphrodisiac, inch by inch. The aphrodisiac's effects were rendered useless, gradually being swallowed up by the internal energy and the cold water.
The aphrodisiac vanished without a trace, and the icy chill receded. The internal energy that had been injected into his back transformed into waves of warmth flowing through his limbs, bringing an indescribable comfort and ease.
When she was suppressing the aphrodisiac, Shen Lixue had expended a lot of mental and physical energy. Once the aphrodisiac was removed, she instantly relaxed, and waves of fatigue quickly washed over her. She leaned against Dongfang Heng and closed her eyes. The faint scent of pine lingered in her nose, and she felt inexplicably at peace. Her consciousness gradually blurred.
Hearing even breathing from within his arms, Dongfang Heng breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his hand from Shen Lixue's back. Suddenly, a surge of blood rushed through his chest, and he couldn't help but cough a few times. A metallic taste rose to his throat, and drops of blood seeped from between his fingers, slowly dripping down his jade-like fingers into the clear water, splashing out red blood flowers.
Dongfang Heng used his internal energy to suppress the churning blood and qi in his chest. His deep gaze was fixed ahead, his dark pupils unfathomable. His time was running out!
As night fell and darkness descended, the Wen State Duke's mansion was brightly lit. The Wen State Duke paced anxiously back and forth in the living room, his gaze frequently drifting towards the door. Madam Ruan sat on a tall mahogany chair, her eyelids lowered, lost in thought.
A servant rushed in: "Reporting to the master, the young lady's aphrodisiac has worn off, and she is being escorted to the Shuntian Prefecture prison!"
"Really?" Duke Wen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his heart instantly calming down. It was good that the aphrodisiac was off. He picked up the tea on the table and took a sip: "Was it the cold pool or the ice that was used to neutralize the aphrodisiac?"
"Reporting to Master, it is Frost Ice!" Not every household has Frost Pool, but noble families all possess Frost Ice.
Duke Wen nodded, his gaze darkening. He waved the servant away and looked up at Madam Ruan: "You arranged your pre-marriage chamber in a secret underground room?"
"Yes!" Madam Ruan stiffened, nodded, and a fleeting glint flashed in her eyes.
"The ground is too damp, and the books and fabrics in the boudoir are turning yellow. Your Chuqing Pavilion has many empty rooms, so let's move that boudoir up here!" After marriage, a young girl's boudoir is a place of memories and the past. It is not inappropriate for Madam Ruan to arrange the boudoir in a secret room. Duke Wen has many wives and concubines and understands the little thoughts of young women.
"My daughter is about to get married, so let's leave the boudoir behind to avoid being laughed at!" A woman in her thirties, soon to be a grandmother or maternal grandmother, still reminiscing about her boudoir; if word gets out, it will certainly cause gossip.
"Whatever you want." Madam Ruan didn't move from her room, and Duke Wen didn't force her. He looked at her thickly bandaged finger and sighed softly, "You're injured, so you should rest early. I'm going to the Shuntian Prefecture prison to see Yuting. Do you know how her face was ruined?"
"Didn't you say that Shen Lixue should whip it to break it?" Ruan Shi replied casually, her mood irritable.
"I don't believe Yuting is a ruthless disfigurer!" A sharp glint flashed in Duke Wen's deep eyes. "I will definitely find out the truth and clear her name!"
Lady Ruan raised an eyebrow, said nothing more, and escorted Duke Wen to the door, watching him disappear in his carriage.
With a calm expression, Ruan walked quickly into the Duke's mansion and rushed into her private chamber. Her chamber was so well-prepared, yet she was still discovered. How infuriating!
The boudoir was as peaceful, quiet, and empty as ever. The large bed, the music stand, and the dressing table were all visible at a glance. She didn't linger and quickly walked to the bookshelf. The books, poetry collections, and musical scores on the bookshelf were all placed quietly and neatly. She breathed a slight sigh of relief; they had only entered the boudoir and hadn't touched her things.
She removed a few books with her jade-like hand, only to find the recesses behind them empty; the contents had vanished.
Ruan's expression changed drastically. Where did that painting go? Could it be somewhere else? Trying to reassure herself, she quickly took down all the books from the shelf, examining every nook and cranny. It wasn't there, it wasn't there, it still wasn't there.
It was clearly placed here, how could it be gone? Ruan collapsed to the ground in despair, her watery eyes filled with deep sorrow. For many years, it had been her only solace, and now it was gone!
Ruan's injured hand, tightly wrapped in thick white cloth, hung limply. She pressed it against a smooth, unidentified object, which burned her small hand painfully. When she picked it up, she found it was a round, pink, and full bead that glowed under the light of a luminous pearl.
These are... the pearl hair ornaments on Shen Lixue's hair!
Ruan's sharp eyes narrowed instantly. Among the women who entered the boudoir during the day, besides Yu Ting, there was only Shen Lixue. Su Yu Ting's jewelry was all arranged by Ruan. Since this beaded flower did not belong to her, it could only belong to Shen Lixue.
Shen Lixue took away the painting of "After the Rain"!
Ruan's slender body trembled violently, her watery eyes flashing with intense panic, which then turned into boundless coldness and ruthlessness. She absolutely could not let the War King see that picture!
In a hazy state, Shen Lixue felt a warm current flowing through her body, making her feel indescribably comfortable. She tried to turn over and continue sleeping, but her waist was suddenly gripped tightly, and she couldn't move at all. A faint scent of pine resin wafted through the air, and Shen Lixue was startled, suddenly opening her eyes.
His bronze chest came into view, his hot breath sprayed on her hair, and a faint scent of pine wafted out. Shen Lixue frowned. Dongfang Heng had shared a bed with her again for another night.
The sun was shining brightly outside the window, and it was well past mealtime. Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow. If the War King knew that she hadn't returned home all night and had even slept in the same bed with Dongfang Heng, he would definitely reprimand Dongfang Heng. He had saved her once, so she should go back to the War King's mansion as soon as possible to explain things clearly and avoid any misunderstandings.
Shen Lixue turned over to remove Dongfang Heng's arm, only to suddenly realize that she was completely wrapped in a white undergarment, and nothing else. The undergarment was loose and large, almost reaching her knees, covering her vital parts.
The scenes from last night flashed before her eyes like a movie. Shen Lixue gritted her teeth, able to transmit her inner energy even through her clothes. Dongfang Heng had torn her clothes and looked at her whole body, clearly taking advantage of her.
"Dongfang Heng!" Shen Lixue sat up, reached out from under her clothes, and punched his arm hard: "Stop pretending to be asleep, I know you're awake!"
Dongfang Heng lay motionless, his eyes closed, and remained silent.
"Still pretending to be asleep!" Shen Lixue used all her strength to punch Dongfang Heng in the chest. He groaned and frowned tightly, but still did not open his eyes, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
Shen Lixue was startled. Something was wrong with Dongfang Heng. She touched his forehead with her small hand. It was burning hot. He had a high fever!
"Dongfang Heng, Dongfang Heng!" Shen Lixue shook his arm vigorously. Why did he suddenly develop a high fever?
Dongfang Heng coughed a few times and slowly opened his eyes. The sharpness and coldness in his deep eyes were no longer there, but were filled with deep fatigue. His sexy thin lips were a little dry, and his voice was a little hoarse: "Get some cold water and a cotton cloth!"
"I know!" Shen Lixue wrapped her inner clothes tighter, stepped past Dongfang Heng and got out of bed. She quickly walked to the cabinet, took out a set of clothes, hurried behind the screen to change, and came out carrying a basin of water.
A damp cotton handkerchief was gently placed on Dongfang Heng's forehead. He slowly closed his eyes, and his breathing became even again.
Shen Lixue stood by the bed, repeatedly soaking a cotton handkerchief and applying it to his forehead. Half an hour passed, but he showed no signs of improvement. She removed the cotton handkerchief from his forehead again and gently tested the temperature with her small hand. It was even hotter than before, and his body temperature was rising higher and higher.
"Dongfang Heng, wake up, wake up quickly!" Shen Lixue shook Dongfang Heng's arm and called out urgently. He had been running a high fever for so long and was very ill.
Dongfang Heng kept his eyes tightly closed and showed no reaction.
"Your Highness, you can't go in..." Zi Mo's voice suddenly rang out from outside the door.
"I'm looking for Li Xue, not Dongfang Heng!" Through the half-open window, Shen Li Xue saw the War King's gloomy face. He instantly bypassed Zi Mo's blockade and entered the courtyard.
The War King's martial arts were unfathomable. Zi Mo only felt a blur before his eyes, and the War King had already disappeared. He heard almost inaudible footsteps behind him. When he turned around, the War King was indeed behind him, and was about to reach the door of the room.
"Your Highness, that's the Prince's room. He ordered that no one be allowed near it..." Zi Mo exclaimed in surprise, then quickly came to his senses and rushed forward to stop the Prince again. He often accompanied Dongfang Heng to the Prince's residence and knew the Prince very well. He claimed to be here to see Princess Li Xue, but in reality, he was here to teach Dongfang Heng a lesson...
The War King glanced coldly at Zi Mo, not in the mood to pay him any attention. He took a few steps forward, but Shen Lixue hurriedly came out of the house: "Godfather, Dongfang Heng has a high fever that won't go down. Please come and see him!"