"It’s, it’s the Hidden Guard by Shao He’s side, each of them highly skilled in martial arts, unlike ordinary guards." The man lowered his head, not daring to meet Pei Chengye Yi’s expression.
"Pei Huaian, ha, I have truly underestimated him before. I thought he was not to be feared, but he turned out to be the greatest enemy of mine!" Pei Chengye let out a cold laugh, his eyes icy, as if the air around him had formed a thin layer of ice.
"Good, I will meet him in person, I want to see what abilities Pei Huaian still has, whether he dares to bear the crime of assassinating a prince." Pei Chengye’s voice was cold and merciless.
After the man left, Pei Chengye stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the pitch-black sky, his eyes flickering with intense murderous intent, "Pei Huaian, a battle between us is inevitable."
The morning sun penetrated the heavy clouds, illuminating the entire world and a face as pale as paper and beautifully handsome.
Shao He held a bowl of bitterly hard-to-bear medicine, approaching the bedside, "Time to get up and take your medicine."
The bed curtain moved slightly, and the man opened those narrow, enchanting phoenix eyes, deep and unfathomable.
He glanced at Shao He by the bed and slowly sat up, the wide brocade quilt slipping off instantaneously.
Shao He handed the medicine in her hand to him, but the person showed no intention of taking it.
For the first time, Shao He didn’t refuse his request; instead, she actually sat down, scooped up a spoonful of medicine, blew on it, and brought it to his lips.
Pei Huaian felt everything was too unreal; he pinched his arm hard, and after confirming he felt pain, he opened his mouth and swallowed the medicine.
After he finished the medicine, Shao He quickly took back the bowl and chopsticks, preparing to leave.
Pei Huaian hadn’t yet recovered from Shao He’s tenderness, his eyes barely concealing a smile.
There was a "creak". The door was pushed open, and a little head peeked in, walking unsteadily into the inner chamber, and dashed toward the bed.
Seeing Xiao Linzhang climbing up, Pei Huaian embraced him with surprise, "Missed daddy?"
"Missed, daddy," Xiao Linzhang’s words moistened Pei Huaian’s eyes somewhat.
How many times he had wandered at death’s door, and all he could think about were two people, one was Shao He, the other was Xiao Linzhang.
He knew he couldn’t die, for if he did, who would protect them, a mother and son alone?
The father and son played merrily in the room while Shao He leaned against the door, her lips curling into a smile.
Qingxia came over with a puzzled look, "Miss, aren’t you going to Anji Hall today?"
"I am, just wait a moment," Shao He said, suppressing her smile and clearing her throat.
Shao He pushed the door and entered the room, Xiao Linzhang blinking his big eyes called out, "Mom, dad’s back."
This was the first time Xiao Linzhang had strung two words together. Although he now speaks clearly, he seldom does so in succession.
Shao He walked over to Pei Huaian and said, "I need to go to Anji Hall to handle some follow-up matters. Stay home and don’t wander around."
Pei Chengye and his men, harboring dissatisfaction for his great achievements, must not catch anything to use against him.
"Okay," Pei Huaian responded crisply.
Shao He arrived at Anji Hall, finding Yun Qian who was airing medicinal herbs, "I’d like to have a chat."
Yun Qian looked at her, a smile not quite reaching his eyes, "It’s a rare honor that Doctor Shao actually wants to chat with me."
"When did you also become so glib? I see you’ve all been led astray by Pei Huaian," Shao He said, slightly furrowing her brows hearing his teasing tone.
Yun Qian didn’t deny it, but leaned in and said, "This you should ask the Fifth Prince, it’s fine to lead us into being glib, just don’t take us somewhere else."
Shao He rolled her eyes at him, "I’m changing my voluntary clinic hours to once every five days, though exceptions can be made for special cases."
"That would be fine." Yun Qian also felt she needed to rest more instead of always strenuously commuting daily; it would be too much for her body.
Shao He was still surprised he agreed so quickly when she heard Yun Qian chuckle, "The news of the Fifth Prince’s triumphant return to the Capital City is simmering everywhere; his victorious battle against the mountain bandits has stirred the people’s hearts tumultuously, with everyone regarding him as a great hero."
"Indeed, the people of the Capital City now eagerly anticipate the Fifth Prince’s return, each yearning to witness his visage," Zhao Yuebei also came over and added with a smile.
The pride in Shao He’s eyes unconsciously showed, her lips curling slightly, "Others only see his victories, but they don’t see how much he has sacrificed to achieve such results."
"Effort yields rewards, and the Fifth Prince is now indeed the people’s choice, which is completely beneficial for him," Yun Qian raised his hand to pat Shao He’s shoulder, signaling her not to think too much.
"I know, I just ache for his sacrifices, the many things he does silently," Shao He said, her expression somber.
In this emotional journey, Shao He had always been the beneficiary, never making sacrifices but always wanting to take from him.
He believed that having abandoned the child at the beginning, he should do his utmost to make up to her and their son, not realizing he too had no other choice.
Pei Huaian never voiced his difficulties, but rather calmly assured her that everything would be resolved.
"The many things he does silently?" Yun Qian listened, somewhat bewildered, and seeing her languish, waved his hand in front of her eyes.