Chapter Fifty-Six: The Black-Hearted One

“Miss, are you awake?” Qingyun, hearing movement from inside the room, knew that Zhanyan had already risen. She prepared to enter and attend to her mistress.

“Yes, you may come in,” Zhanyan replied softly, gently withdrawing from Zhongli Yu’s embrace. She sat up, thoughtfully placing a pillow behind Zhongli Yu so he could lean back comfortably.

“Miss, breakfast is ready—” Qingyun announced as she stepped into the room, but before she could finish, she found Zhongli Yu half-reclining at the edge of the bed. “Your Highness, you’re awake! Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Miss!” Qingyun exclaimed with excitement. The prince had finally awakened; now her mistress would no longer have to sit in silence beside him, day after day.

“Thank you for your kind wishes,” Zhongli Yu replied with a gentle laugh, his mood evidently excellent.

“I’ll go tell Lanxiang to prepare an extra breakfast,” Qingyun said happily, turning and leaving the room. Soon after, she returned with a basin of water to assist Zhongli Yu and Zhanyan with their morning wash.

“Sir, we heard you’ve awakened!” Lihun and the others, having been informed by Qingyun, hurried over. Seeing Zhongli Yu sitting up, they were visibly moved, their usual composure utterly forgotten.

“Yes, I’m fine now,” Zhongli Yu nodded, speaking calmly.

“I’ll send word to the old prince at once—he must be worried sick,” Lihun said, and with that, vanished from sight.

“I can’t believe I forgot to notify Grandfather,” Zhanyan confessed, feeling remorseful. She had kept vigil by his side every day, knowing he was alive, and even so, she found it almost unbearable. How much more agonizing must it have been for the old prince, waiting anxiously in the capital? Zhongli Yu was his only grandson. She remembered how worried the old prince had been when he heard that Xiyuan demanded Zhongli Yu’s life in exchange for another’s, and her guilt deepened.

“It’s all right; it’s not too late to send word now,” Zhongli Yu said, squeezing her hand gently to soothe her.

“That’s all we can do,” Zhanyan agreed with a nod.

“Yan’er, I’m hungry. Let’s have breakfast first,” Zhongli Yu said deliberately, hoping to distract her.

“Lanxiang, bring in the food,” Zhanyan called out, realizing that Zhongli Yu had gone seven days without eating and must be famished. She quickly summoned the meal.

Seeing Zhanyan’s urgency, Zhongli Yu understood it was out of concern for him, and a faint smile played at his lips.

“Miss, the meal is here,” Lanxiang announced with a bright smile as she entered, the entire household in high spirits over Zhongli Yu’s recovery.

After breakfast, once everyone had withdrawn, Zhongli Yu pulled Zhanyan back onto the bed. She carefully avoided his wound and nestled into his arms in a comfortable position.

Zhanyan recounted in detail all that had transpired during these days, including Yan Kuan’s impersonation of the Prince of Zhennan.

Zhongli Yu frowned. “He impersonated the Prince of Zhennan for sixteen years—such deep cunning! It seems the King of Xiyuan is no simple man.”

“No matter what, I will find out whether my father is still alive,” Zhanyan declared solemnly.

“Whatever happens, I’ll be by your side. Even if you want to burn down the imperial palace of Xiyuan, I’ll be right there to help you light the fire,” Zhongli Yu teased, pinching her nose affectionately.

“Burn down the imperial palace? That’s not a bad idea. I’ll set his palace ablaze and see if he dares send someone to impersonate my father again,” she replied with a touch of pride.

“Yes. As long as it pleases you, we’ll burn it down,” he agreed.

“All right, I’m holding you to that,” she said, her eyes crinkling in laughter.

“I mean it,” he replied, gazing at her with infatuation. He lifted her chin gently, pressing his lips softly against hers, tracing the shape of her lips, kissing her tenderly. The sweet taste bewitched him, and no longer satisfied with just a gentle kiss, his arms tightened around her, deepening the embrace. Passion flared between them like a blazing fire, and unable to contain herself, Zhanyan let out a soft moan…

“Sir, Lord Lan and Lord Jin request an audience,” called Lihun’s ill-timed voice from outside the door.

Drawn back from the throes of passion, Zhongli Yu spoke with obvious irritation, “Tell them I’m not awake yet.” The anger in his voice was unmistakable.

“Si…Sir?” Lihun, startled, stumbled and crashed into the door. Since it wasn’t locked, the door swung open to reveal the two still entwined on the bed. “Ahem… Sir, Madam, I saw nothing, absolutely nothing,” Lihun stammered, scrambling up and vanishing out the door with remarkable speed.

Zhanyan couldn’t help but burst into laughter at Lihun’s antics, any embarrassment at being discovered completely dispelled by the incident.

As soon as Lihun departed, Zhong Yi Lan and Zhong Yi Jin arrived at the doorway. Zhanyan had already withdrawn from Zhongli Yu’s embrace. Seeing his disgruntled expression, she tugged playfully at his sleeve.

“My lords,” Zhanyan said with a slight bow, addressing both men courteously.

“Princess Chun, you may dispense with formalities,” they replied in unison, both casting Zhanyan an approving glance. Having heard reports of her actions in Wangcheng, they now saw her with new admiration and regarded Zhongli Yu with unmistakable envy.

“Prince Chun is awake. How do you feel now?” Lord Lan asked first. Observing Zhongli Yu’s healthy appearance, he concluded that the prince was out of danger.

“Much better,” Zhongli Yu replied, masking his earlier irritation with a composed demeanor.

“Then please rest a while longer, Prince Chun. For now, Lord Jin and I will handle the matters in the camp,” Lord Lan said with concern.

“In that case, I’ll leave things in your capable hands,” Zhongli Yu nodded politely.

“There’s no need to thank us. You risked your life to save the people of Wangcheng. Having such a loyal minister is a blessing for Dongling. We’re simply doing our duty, sharing your burdens. Rest assured, leave the affairs of the army to us,” Lord Jin echoed his companion.

“Very well,” Zhongli Yu replied succinctly, inclining his head.

“Then, Prince Chun, do take care and rest. We’ll be on our way,” Lord Jin said, giving Zhanyan a lingering look before departing.

Hidden within his sleeve, Zhongli Yu’s hand clenched into a fist, clearly displeased. He despised the way Zhong Yi Jin looked at Yan’er. It seemed he would have to find a way to remain in Wangcheng permanently after their return. If Zhong Yi Jin knew that a single glance at Zhongli Yu’s wife would condemn him to years of hardship in this remote border town, he would surely wish he had never laid eyes on Zhanyan.

Zhanyan, ever perceptive, noticed at once. She looked at him with amused exasperation. “He only glanced at me once. Is that really worth getting upset over?”

“He has no right to look. Yan’er is mine—only I may look at you,” he replied possessively.

“But he’s already looked. What more can you do?” Zhanyan sighed.

“When we return to the capital, I’ll leave him here to protect the realm. I get annoyed just seeing him,” Zhongli Yu muttered gloomily.

Zhanyan was momentarily speechless. She had encountered her share of schemers, but none so black-hearted as this—plotting such revenge for a single look at his wife. Truly, he was incorrigible.

“Black-hearted,” she finally pronounced, unable to find a more fitting epithet.

“I’m doing it for his own good. A little more experience in the army will only benefit him,” Zhongli Yu replied, his tone that of one bestowing a favor, though his actions were clearly vindictive.

“Yes, you’re the greatest. For the sake of Lord Jin’s future, you’re giving him the chance to hone his skills in the army. When he finally becomes a pillar of the state, he’ll owe you a debt of gratitude,” Zhanyan retorted, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation.