“Your Highness Consort, my master sent me to deliver these things.”
As night deepened, A Tang, following Yue Nan Sang’s instructions, quietly went to the Second Prince’s chambers to deliver an item.
“What is this?” Xing Ru hadn't expected Yue Nan Sang to be serious. She hadn't bathed yet, and thinking of Yue Bei Yang's words, she felt a bit nervous, but she couldn't stop him from coming.
“This is a colorless, odorless medicine that can make people instantly faint. I believe the Second Prince won't be able to detect it easily!”
A Tang handed a small packet of powder to Xing Ru. At this moment, A Dai was not in her chambers because the Second Prince was returning to the main hall. They lowered their voices, acting rather sneakily.
“Will this cause any trouble?” Looking at the white powder in her hand, Xing Ru’s heart pounded frantically. A Tang relayed all of Yue Nan Sang’s words: “My master specifically bought this medicine at a high price. The seller guaranteed it has no side effects. For an ordinary person, only half the amount is needed, but for someone as skilled in martial arts as the Second Prince, Your Highness Consort can use the entire packet!”
After speaking, A Tang left the Second Prince’s chambers, leaving Xing Ru alone, holding the powder and unsure what to do.
“Second Prince!”
Footsteps approached from outside, drawing nearer to this room. Xing Ru recognized the voice as Wu Han’s.
Her heart grew more flustered. She scanned her surroundings, unable to find a place to put the powder.
What should she do?
In her desperation, her gaze landed on the teapot on the table.
Xing Ru quickly walked to the table, opened the teapot. The water inside had just been changed and was still steaming. Xing Ru, steeling her heart, poured the powder into the pot. The powder dissolved instantly upon contact with water, vanishing without a trace.
Xing Ru hesitated for a moment before pouring all the powder into the teapot.
To be safe, Xing Ru even picked up the teapot and shook it, ensuring the powder dissolved thoroughly in the water.
Yue Bei Yang was too cunning! She really needed to add a bit more dosage!
The door was suddenly pushed open forcefully. Xing Ru was still standing by the table. Hearing the commotion at the entrance, she instantly looked towards it. Wu Han was supporting Yue Bei Yang.
Yue Bei Yang looked rather unwell!
He seemed limp, completely lacking his usual spirited demeanor. His head was bowed, and Xing Ru couldn't see his face.
Wu Han respectfully called out, “Your Highness Consort!” and then helped Yue Bei Yang to the bedside. Xing Ru was about to say, “This is my…” bed!
Before she could finish speaking, Wu Han had already placed Yue Bei Yang onto the bed. Now, she could see his face.
Even on their wedding night, Xing Ru had never seen Yue Bei Yang in such a drunken state.
His face was already exceptionally fair, but now the redness had spread from his face to his neck, making him appear utterly intoxicated.
“Is he… drunk?”
Wu Han nodded. Xing Ru looked at Wu Han in shock, her voice sweet and soft, “Why was he sent here?”
Xing Ru looked at Wu Han with a shocked expression. However, like Yue Bei Yang, he maintained a blank face in response to her question.
“My master had instructed me earlier that he would be coming to the main hall tonight!” he stated matter-of-factly, leaving Xing Ru momentarily speechless.
“Your Highness Consort, my master attended the Imperial Tutor’s banquet today and is slightly tipsy. Please take good care of him!”
After speaking, he didn't wait for Xing Ru's reaction, gave a slight bow, and withdrew from the room, even patiently closing the door behind him.
Xing Ru: …
Silence filled the room. Yue Bei Yang lay motionless. Xing Ru glanced at the teapot on the desk and rubbed her forehead.
It seemed the medicine wouldn’t be used!
Xing Ru sighed helplessly. She walked to the bedside, crouched down, and patiently removed Yue Bei Yang’s black boots, placing his feet on the bed before tucking him in.
Close up, she could smell the strong scent of alcohol on him.
She seemed to have never seen him drunk before! At banquets, he was always calm and composed, rarely drinking to excess, only sipping a few mouthfuls, never to the point of unconsciousness like this.
As Xiang Wei tucked him in and was about to withdraw, she heard Yue Bei Yang’s low voice murmur, “Sang Sang…”
At first, she hadn’t heard clearly. Driven by curiosity, she leaned closer, bringing her ear to his lips. She felt his breath on her earlobe, and her heart began to flutter.
“Sang Sang…”
His words were perfectly clear, reaching her ears. All the romantic anticipation evaporated at that moment.
Xing Ru was first shocked, then her eyes widened as she looked at the person before her, filled with disbelief.
She suddenly pulled away, even taking a few steps back. Frightened by certain speculations in her mind, she couldn't bear to be in the same room with him at such close proximity.
Before she could leave, Yue Bei Yang grabbed her hand. His initial tentative movement became a firm grip once he held her hand, preventing her from pulling away.
“Yue Bei Yang!” she exclaimed, a hint of anger in her voice. Yue Bei Yang clearly mistook her for Sang Sang. In this moment, she was furious, but she couldn't break free!
They were siblings! But why?
She couldn't understand, only feeling his grip on her hand gradually turn cold, her body seeming to freeze, unable to move.
She had never behaved so wildly in front of Yue Bei Yang. This attitude was remarkably similar to how Yue Nan Sang behaved when angry.
Yue Bei Yang seemed to sense something and tightened his grip on her hand.
She struggled harder, but the difference in their strength was immense. Even drunk, she still couldn't break free, especially since he was convinced he was holding Yue Nan Sang!
Xing Ru stopped struggling. Instead, she moved closer to him, their bodies incredibly close. Her breath fanned his face, and they could feel each other’s breaths.
Xing Ru said sternly, “Yue Bei Yang, I am Xing Ru! Not Yue Nan Sang!”
Her words made him open his eyes. She saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes, and the strength in his grip loosened. The smell of alcohol on Yue Bei Yang seemed to dissipate significantly.
“How is it you?”
He seemed much more sober. Xing Ru realized this and quickly stood up, moving far away from him.
Xing Ru felt a bitter ache in her heart, a wave of shock and sadness engulfing her. She was trapped, unable to escape, her eyes misting over, making her vision blurry when she looked at him.
Xing Ru turned her head, blinked her eyes, and calmed her mind. Her expression became much more serene.
He was looking at her coldly, seemingly not understanding the reason for all this. Xing Ru’s emotions always poured out easily when she saw him.
“Wu Han brought you here!”
Yue Bei Yang swayed as he stood up and shouted towards the outside, “Wu Han!”
But there was no response from outside. Wu Han had thought something would happen tonight and had retreated long ago. He never imagined Yue Bei Yang would regain his senses!