Tinglan stood among the crowd in the Poison Pavilion, watching Si Que carry You Yuji away. Unlike the others, her gaze lingered on Si Que’s retreating figure a bit longer.
People around her gradually dispersed, resuming their previous tasks of refining medicine.
Tinglan remained where she was. She turned back and looked at the deposed crown prince of the Chen Kingdom, who had been thrown into the pigsty. The Pavilion Master had gone to such lengths to personally officiate the wedding, all for that woman, right?
Tinglan recalled You Yuji’s face. She nodded to herself, thinking that she was indeed quite beautiful.
“She’s just a useless person,” Tinglan murmured to herself.
Just as she was about to leave, Tingyun turned back to look at her with a scrutinizing gaze. Tingyun crossed her arms and, in an uncharacteristic show of kindness, reminded her, “Out of consideration for our shared school, let me give you a piece of advice: put away any inappropriate thoughts.”
Tinglan frowned and glared at Tingyun, “You, you, you! Can’t you at least address me as Senior Sister?”
She stepped closer to Tingyun and whispered, “You must be very pleased to be chosen by the Pavilion Master to serve by his side, right? Look at you, getting more arrogant by the day. Acting like you don’t know your place. Have you already climbed into his bed?”
“Are you insane?” Tingyun sneered, “I was chosen because I’m not crazy. I must be losing it today to even bother giving you a friendly warning.”
Tingyun turned and walked away, not wanting to deal with her any longer.
Tinglan took a step forward, angrily saying, “We were taken in by His Highness to be taught the art of poison in the Poison Pavilion. Though we don’t call it a master-disciple relationship, it is one in essence. His Highness is so good to us. Do you dare swear you’ve never seen him as someone you fancy?”
“Heh,” Tingyun sneered, “I only see His Highness as a revered ancestor, someone to serve faithfully.”
Tingyun deeply regretted speaking up out of goodwill, only to end up dealing with such a troublesome person. Although few in the Poison Pavilion were normal, this one was particularly aggravating.
What bad luck.
Might as well poison her.
Si Que walked back, carrying You Yuji. In the quiet dark passage, he looked down at the person nestled in his arms and suddenly regretted bringing her to this wedding banquet.
He had forced Chen Lü to marry a sow, which was hardly the act of a gentleman.
Would she… dislike it?
But he was of bad character, not a gentleman at all.
Si Que wanted to ask her, but seeing her quietly nestled in his arms, he couldn’t bear to wake her. He carried her back to the room, placed her on the bed, and covered her with a blanket, standing listlessly by the bedside.
You Yuji woke up after a nap, was fed by Si Que, and then dozed off again.
Si Que didn’t get the chance to ask what he wanted, leaving him in a foul mood. With a cold expression, he went to the poison pool. He placed a copper coin on his index finger, flicked it with his thumb, and watched it arc through the air before landing in the poison pool. There was a faint hissing sound as the copper coin dissolved, merging with the pool.
Tinglan walked over with an ancient book in her arms, secretly observing Si Que’s expression. She said, “Your Highness, I saw a prescription in the ‘Compendium of Ten Thousand Poisons’ that I don’t quite understand. Could you help me with it?”
Si Que, with a cold face, continued staring at the green poison pool in front of him, not even glancing at her. He replied coolly, “Go ask Tingyun.”
Tingyun again!
Tinglan bit her lip, her slender fingers tightening around the book. “Perhaps Junior Sister is very busy…”
Si Que didn’t hear Tinglan’s muttering. He stared at the poison pool in front of him, feeling irritable. Suddenly, he didn’t know how to face You Yuji. He was unsure if the despicable things he usually did could be known to her.
Would she despise his baseness and absurdity?
Yet, she didn’t like him wearing a mask of compliance and weakness in front of her either.
Si Que’s expression grew increasingly gloomy.
Tinglan carefully observed Si Que’s face. Seeing that he ignored her, a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes, but she quickly became resigned. After all, His Highness had always been like this over the years, never bothering to interact with people. Tinglan couldn’t help but think of the gentle look His Highness gave You Yuji. If His Highness could look at her like that just once, she would jump into the poison pool without regret…
Tinglan quietly stood by Si Que for a while before silently walking away.
Tingyun stood on the platform above, coldly watching Tinglan. After Tinglan left, she quickly walked over to Si Que and reported, “Your Highness, Tinglan called the lady a useless person.”
Si Que frowned lazily and glanced at Tingyun, asking in return, “You heard someone insult the lady and did nothing?”
Tingyun was taken aback, paused for a moment, then responded affirmatively and turned to leave. She knew what to do now, and the poison insects in the glass bottle at her waist knew as well.
The next day, Tinglan was no longer in the Poison Pavilion.
For the next two days, Si Que desperately wanted to properly ask You Yuji some questions. Either he couldn’t find the right words, or You Yuji, affected by the poison, was too weak. He never managed to ask her what he wanted. Each time he left You Yuji’s side, his face would instantly turn cold, leaving everyone in the Poison Pavilion on edge. Whenever they passed by Si Que, they feared being thrown into the poison pool.
As dusk fell, the red glow of the sunset shone through the window. You Yuji opened her eyes.
“Madam is awake!”
You Yuji was startled by the cheerful voice and followed the sound.
Baohe, smiling with dimples, happily sat by the bed.
“Baohe,” You Yuji tried to sit up, and Baohe hurried over to help her.
“I was sleeping well in my own room and woke up in a dark place, scared me to death! Luckily, I saw Tingyun…” Baohe let out a sigh of relief.
You Yuji shook her head helplessly. She had asked Si Que to bring Baohe over, but she hadn’t expected him to directly have Baohe abducted. Now that she was in the Poison Pavilion, her people must be worried about her. Although she had asked Si Que to send a message to Lady Jing, she still had Si Que bring Baohe over. She didn’t trust anyone else to handle everything, and she wanted to hear from Baohe about what happened after her incident.
Baohe always had a lot to say and chattered on about the major events in the capital during this time.
The first thing she mentioned was the Poison Pavilion Master causing an explosion at the Lantern Festival banquet, resulting in numerous casualties among the attending royals and officials.
“What was the extent of the casualties?” You Yuji asked softly.
Si Que had just reached the doorway and paused when he heard You Yuji’s question, stopping to listen.
“They say nearly half were injured or killed. Even Prince Jinnan was slightly wounded, though it’s not serious. His Majesty was so shocked and furious that he fell ill!”
Baohe continued to speak incessantly, and Si Que listened impatiently, only interested in You Yuji’s reaction. However, nothing happened as he expected. After Baohe finished speaking, there was a silence in the room; You Yuji said nothing.
After a while, Baohe started speaking again, this time mentioning how concerned the Princess of Jinnan was after You Yuji was kidnapped.
“…Lady Jing said that the Madam’s effort to save this person was not in vain!”
You Yuji nodded and said, “Then it should be right to send a message to the Princess, so she can be at ease.”
“That’s exactly what I mean!”
You Yuji softly yawned, feeling weak again. She lay back down, but didn’t fall asleep, instead gently asking Baohe about other matters, like if there was any news about Lin Yingying, how her mother’s health was, and the business affairs of the You family…
Si Que didn’t continue listening to these topics and turned to go downstairs.
The poison had been prepared and filled an entire carriage.
Si Que stood on the stone steps under the eaves, looking at Si Lang.
Si Lang had just ordered his men to carefully load the poison onto the carriage. He saw Si Que from a distance and his eyes paused, then he put on a friendly and kind smile.
“Thank you very much this time, brother. With your help in providing the poison, we will certainly be able to defeat the Chen army.”
Si Que smiled, twirling a copper coin between his fingers, and slowly said, “There’s no need for formalities between brothers. If the Crown Prince needs anything else I have, I will surely help.”
Si Lang was momentarily stunned. He had to admit that at this moment, he was somewhat moved. The hidden power of the Poison Pavilion was indeed tempting. If the poison from the Poison Pavilion could be continuously supplied, it would surely make his efforts much more effective.
He smiled and said, “You’re right, Ah Que. We are blood brothers, there’s no need for formalities. If this poison is not enough, it would be great if you could send more to your brother.”
“Sure,” Si Que agreed with a smile, without any hesitation.
Si Lang still had doubts in his heart. He couldn’t quite understand Si Que’s sudden willingness to help. Fortunately, he had secretly verified that the poison Si Que gave him was real. He suppressed his doubts and maintained a kind smile on his face, “It’s getting late, I’ll take my leave now.”
“I’ll see you off, Crown Prince.” Si Que twirled the copper coin in his fingers, walked slowly through the courtyard, and personally escorted Si Lang to the alley.
He stood at the alley’s entrance, smiling as he watched Si Lang’s carriage move farther away.
The twirling of the copper coin in his fingers stopped. Suddenly, he tossed the coin high into the air, then watched it fall back to the ground with cold eyes, waiting for it to settle.
The coin landed on the reverse side.
Si Que looked back at Si Lang’s receding figure and slowly muttered to himself, “I wish the Crown Prince success in his rebellion soon.”
He curved his lips into a strange smile, paused for a moment, and then softly added, “Don’t disappoint your brother.”
As Si Lang’s carriage disappeared from view, Si Que turned around and went back upstairs. He entered the room and saw You Yuji sleeping on the bed. His previously lethargic expression instantly brightened, and even his steps became lighter.
He walked towards You Yuji and just sat down by the bed when Baohe entered from outside, staring at Si Que in shock.
Si Que glanced up at Baohe, who instinctively took a step back, her body still stiff and unable to move.
“Get out.”
Baohe, belatedly realizing what was happening, turned around and left. She closed the door behind her and stood dazedly at the entrance, still lost in confusion.
The Princess Que in a black robe with a crimson belt was entirely different from the Princess Que she remembered!
No, no, no, it wasn’t about the black or white clothes! Princess Que was wearing men’s clothing! Why was Princess Que cross-dressing as a man? Could it be to please the lady?
Baohe scratched her head, slowly walking forward while mumbling to herself, “Princess Que looks really good in men’s clothing…”
The next day, You Yuji woke up earlier than usual.
“Sister,” Si Que embraced her from behind, rubbing his cheek against the back of her neck.
“Hmm,” You Yuji responded softly, drowsily reaching for his hand that was draped over her waist. As her slender fingertips touched the back of Si Que’s hand, he clasped her entire hand in his.
Si Que buried his face in the back of You Yuji’s neck and whispered, “I’m so bad, won’t Sister dislike me?”
You Yuji’s slightly curled eyelashes lazily fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes, her bright eyes still hazy from sleep.
She didn’t respond, and Si Que’s grip on her hand tightened.
“Unruly behavior, mood swings, and quick to anger,” Si Que exaggeratedly sighed heavily, rubbing his face against You Yuji’s neck again, his tone carrying a hint of sadness that was either real or feigned. “I’m so terrible, Sister must be very annoyed with me. There are so many good men in this world, all of them are upright gentlemen who can always stay rational. Unlike me, who only has Sister in my heart, with all my emotions tied to her. Knowing that someone bullied Sister, I lost all reason.”
You Yuji listened quietly, her eyes curving into a smile.
Si Que waited for a long time but didn’t hear You Yuji’s response. Unable to wait any longer, he grasped her shoulders and turned her around.