"You don't understand."
Pei Lie had been educated his entire life to protect his brothers and family. Despite being born into royalty, the three brothers had never turned against each other.
This was all thanks to the Queen's upbringing from a young age.
He had never imagined Pei Xi would lay a hand on Pei Ji, but then again, he wasn't entirely surprised. After all, Pei Xi was not his full brother.
They hadn't grown up together, nor did they share deep affection.
"I'll send you away first. I'll investigate Carter," Pei Lie clenched his fists, his eyes filled with ferocity. "If it truly was Pei Xi, I won't let him off."
Shen Qingqing tilted her head. "I haven't asked, why has your mother never appeared?"
Pei Lie's eyes dimmed. "My mother has been unwell and confined to bed. She's fallen into a coma these past few days, so..."
No one could stop their father's absurd behavior.
"Normally, he would at least listen to what Mother said. Now that Mother is in a coma, there's truly no one who can control Father."
"In that case..." Shen Qingqing mused, tapping her chin. "Perhaps you should find an opportunity for me to examine your mother."
Pei Lie's expression changed. "What do you mean? Are you suggesting my mother is not in a coma due to illness?"
"Whether she is or not, I need to see to know," Shen Qingqing couldn't draw conclusions yet. "However, if that's the case, we can't leave."
"No, you must leave."
Pei Lie's tone was firm and unquestionable. "I will arrange for my mother's matter. I'll have you see her before you leave, and I'll handle things afterward. You are now thorns in Pei Xi's side, and if you don't leave, I can't protect you."
Initially, he had only thought Pei Xi, being an expert in poisons, could perhaps cure Pei Ji. But now that he knew Pei Xi was the one who administered the poison, he must have the antidote.
With the antidote, coupled with his father's favor and complete guilt, Pei Xi could now kill someone with impunity.
Even Pei Lie couldn't stop him.
Shen Qingqing neither agreed nor disagreed. She simply said, "Make the arrangements. Let me see your mother as soon as possible, and we'll discuss everything else afterward."
Pei Lie didn't press further. His mother was his priority. "Alright, I'll arrange it."
Footsteps echoed from outside. These were people Pei Xi had arranged to patrol every half hour. Pei Xi seemed to be extremely wary of Shen Qingqing.
Although Pei Lie had entered smoothly, the patrol frequency had increased.
Less than fifteen minutes later, the patrol arrived.
"Wait for my news."
With that, Pei Lie turned and brushed past the patrolling guard. The guard's lips moved, as if he wanted to ask a few more questions.
However, Pei Lie ignored him and strode away.
The patrolling guard's face turned ashen, then he looked at Shen Qingqing and the others, a fake smile on his lips. "Miss Shen truly has a way with people. Even a married woman can make His Highness the First Prince come to see her. Truly admirable."
"Stop trying to sow discord and get lost."
Knowing this person was Pei Xi's subordinate, Shen Qingqing offered no pleasantries.
The patrolling guard left with a darkened face.
Shen Qingqing looked at Fu Jingshu. "Do you think I'm charming?"
Fu Jingshu saw the mischief in her eyes and nodded in agreement. "Yes, infinitely charming. Otherwise, how could I have been bewitched into coming here with you?"
Shen Qingqing pouted. "It wasn't me who asked you to come."
Before she had finalized her plan, she had told him to leave. But Fu Jingshu refused, saying that only if everyone was here would people believe them.
They were truly at their wit's end, with no other options.
"Yes, it was my own choice."
He hugged Shen Qingqing from behind and glanced at their surroundings. "Let's leave as soon as possible. This environment isn't good."
He didn't say it, but he felt pained for his wife.
Shen Qingqing smiled without a word.
Leaving wouldn't be long.
As evening approached, the dungeon remained as quiet as usual. However, while the main gate had been open during the day, allowing a sliver of sunlight to enter, it was now pitch black.
A set of footsteps echoed, sounding particularly eerie in the darkness. Shen Qingqing listened intently, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
"Pei Lie is here."
Fu Jingshu narrowed his eyes. "You're so sensitive to his footsteps?"
Shen Qingqing glared at him, mildly jealous. "He's wearing military boots. They sound different on the ground than others!"
Fu Jingshu's lips curved upwards. "My mistake."
As soon as he spoke, Pei Lie appeared at the dungeon entrance, holding an oil lamp. "This thing emits a faint light, making it less likely to be noticed."
He explained briefly, then took out a key to unlock the door, his gaze fixed on Fu Jingshu.
"I can only take her out alone."
The guards watching outside were a nuisance. He had bribed one of the jailers and orchestrated a diversion to successfully get in.
Shen Qingqing stood up and brushed the dust off her clothes. "It's alright. I'll just go see your mother, and then I'll come back."
She looked back at Fu Jingshu. "Wait for me."
Fu Jingshu gave a soft "Mm."
Pei Lie's mouth twitched. He found this woman to be utterly strange. How could she speak of such a grim and terrifying dungeon as if she were just popping home?
And "come back"...
"Let's go."
As Pei Lie led Shen Qingqing towards the exit, a jailer emerged from a cell around the corner, handing Shen Qingqing a set of clothes.
"Change quickly."
It was a guard's uniform, quite large. Fortunately, Shen Qingqing was already tall and slender, so although the sleeves and pant legs were a bit long, they didn't hinder her.
She fumbled with the clothes in the cell for a moment, then put on the hat and mask before stepping out.
Pei Lie nodded slightly. "As long as you don't make a sound, no one will be able to tell."
Shen Qingqing remained silent.
"Let's go."
Pei Lie led her into the jailers' quarters on the left. There were four jailers in total, with two on duty at a time.
But when they arrived, only one was following them; the other three were slumped over a table.
Wine glasses were overturned on the table, and food was half-eaten.
The two hurried to the back door. The jailer took out a key and opened it, whispering, "Your Highness, you have two hours. You must bring her back within two hours, or I won't be able to explain."
Pei Lie nodded. "Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
After the two left, the jailer immediately locked the door.
Meanwhile, Shen Qingqing and Pei Lie followed a winding path and finally saw the fountain garden outside the palace and the large goddess sculpture on the central platform.
However, here, the area was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.
Pei Lie straightened his collar and extinguished the oil lamp, casually throwing it by the roadside. "From now on, you are my guard. Don't falter."
Shen Qingqing nodded slightly.
Pei Lie led her towards the palace gates. They encountered Pei Xi's butler head-on.
His gaze swept over Pei Lie, and he bowed respectfully. Then, his eyes fell upon the heavily disguised guard behind Pei Lie.