Until Lin Zhao returned after causing a scene in the West Camp, the door of the main house hadn’t been opened.

The messenger in the courtyard reported that Lin Zhao had seriously injured the second master’s son, breaking three of his ribs.

The second master himself had come to the East Camp with his son to demand justice, and they were waiting in the ancestral hall.

Qin Zheng heard these words clearly from inside the house.

The servant who was helping her wash sneered and cursed, “Those dogs from the West Camp! It was all because of that Wu surname fellow that the young miss fell into the hands of the water bandits. After the celebration banquet, they still dare to come here and demand justice?”

Qin Zheng had only heard from Xique that Lin Zhao’s capture by the water bandits was related to the West Camp, but she didn’t know it was done by the second master’s son.

She tentatively asked the servant about it, “Was Lin Zhao’s capture by the water bandits also related to Wu Xiao?”

The servant’s expression turned sour at the mention of Wu Xiao. “That heartless scoundrel! The young miss went out to rob caravans with them, but why was she the only one captured by the water bandits? Most likely, that group of scoundrels colluded with the water bandits!”

Listening to these words, Qin Zheng pondered.

If tonight’s assassination attempt on her and the prince was indeed orchestrated by Wu Xiao, then Lin Zhao’s capture by the water bandits was likely ordered by the second master’s son.

After all, if it were only Wu Xiao targeting Lin Zhao, Lin Yao would never have tolerated it until now.

It wasn’t difficult to guess the second master’s son’s motive for targeting Lin Zhao.

Perhaps the water bandits would use Lin Zhao as leverage to force Lin Yao into doing something detrimental to Qi Yun stronghold’s interests.

If Lin Yao led the people from the East Camp to confront the water bandits, the second master’s son could profit from the chaos.

If Lin Yao tolerated it, the second master’s son could stir up dissent among the people of the East Camp, making it easier for him to take over.

Even if Lin Yao decided to seek justice for Lin Zhao, the second master’s son could just pin everything on Wu Xiao and come out clean himself.

Therefore, Lin Zhao’s move was beneficial to the second master’s son no matter what.

Lin Yao understood this, which was why he chose to endure it.

However, the second master’s son couldn’t have anticipated that Qin Zheng and the prince would become unexpected variables.

Not only did they save Lin Zhao, but they also allowed Lin Yao to easily raid the water bandits’ goods, leading to a windfall for the East Camp.

The creaking sound of the main house’s door opening interrupted Qin Zheng’s thoughts.

She heard Lin Yao coldly say, “He wants justice? Bring those three corpses over. I want to see who owes who an explanation.”

The people from the East Camp quickly went to make arrangements.

Qin Zheng, however, felt puzzled.

Three corpses? Wasn’t there still one person alive?

She remembered the crown prince’s ruthless kick and suddenly shivered.

Could it be that the prince’s kick was too heavy, and that person stopped breathing after lying down for a while?

Qin Zheng felt like she had grasped the truth.

If Lin Yao hadn’t personally extracted the identity of the mastermind, would he believe the prince if he told him that Wu Xiao was the one behind it?

They had been talking for so long in the room. What else had they discussed?

Qin Zheng felt like there were claws scratching at her heart.

As she walked out of the room, she coincided with Lin Yao, who had reached the courtyard gate.

Lin Yao greeted her with clasped fists, “Brother Cheng, with an injury on his body, it’s not convenient to go to the ancestral hall. Both of you should rest well. I will handle this matter and give Brother Cheng and Madam Cheng an explanation tomorrow.”

Qin Zheng bowed respectfully, “Thank you, Master of the stronghold.”

Lin Yao seemed to glance towards the main house, looking somewhat uncomfortable as he said, “Madam, please don’t be too polite. I am a coarse man and cannot bear such courtesy. Besides, the hospitality in the stronghold is lacking…”

He found it a bit difficult to express himself eloquently.

Lin Yao clasped his fists again, “I will go to the ancestral hall first. Aunt Lu will stay to take care of your diet and daily life.

There will be people guarding outside the courtyard tonight. Madam Cheng and Brother Cheng, please rest assured.”

After thanking him, Qin Zheng watched him leave.

She couldn’t tell if it was her imagination, but she felt that Lin Yao, besides being polite, seemed to have gained a few more traces of respect towards them after his conversation with the prince.

Aunt Lu was the servant who had helped her bathe earlier.

Lin Yao even addressed her as “aunt.”

As a modern person, Qin Zheng couldn’t possibly view her as a subordinate.

There were three rooms in the courtyard. Only the bed in the main house was prepared, so Aunt Lu would have to make a bed for herself tonight.

However, there was only a bamboo mat on the bed in the side room.

It was early April, and the night was still cold. Without bedding, it would be impossible to keep warm.

When Qin Zheng went to the main house to get her two cotton quilts for the makeshift bed, she saw the prince still sitting at the table.

Under the faint light of a candle, the entire room was cast in a dim yellow hue.

The prince’s cold white complexion seemed to take on a warm jade color in the candlelight.

He supported his head with one hand, fingertips pressing against his brow.

His narrow eyes were half-closed, with the shadows of his long lashes casting a charming shadow beneath.

His lips were pale, inexplicably giving off a sense of fragility.

Although she had seen him many times before, Qin Zheng couldn’t help but admit that he was indeed good-looking.

In the next moment, the prince suddenly opened his eyes, and his deep and unfathomable gaze locked onto Qin Zheng.

That feeling of being stared at by a fierce beast, causing cold sweat to run down her spine, returned!

Qin Zheng felt like she must have been blind just now to have thought that he exuded a sense of vulnerability.

She quickly averted her gaze and awkwardly said, “The Master of the stronghold has arranged for Aunt Lu to take care of our daily needs. There are no quilts in the side room, so I’ll bring two over for her.”

The prince nodded lightly but didn’t say much.

Since he had already found the person he was looking for from Lin Yao, their cooperation had been established.

Naturally, he wouldn’t let Qin Zheng bother with trivial matters like fetching firewood and cooking rice.

Her hands should be busy with cosmetics and powder, just like they used to be.

Qin Zheng noticed a faint weariness and irritability between his eyebrows and cautiously asked, “Is Your Highness feeling unwell?”

The prince closed his eyes again, pressing his brow and replied, “I have a headache.”

He had overestimated this body.

The medicine he had taken, enhanced as it was, not only caused a high fever but also brought on a headache.

If it were his previous body, it would have long adapted to the medicine.

The more he thought about this body, the more restless he felt.

The prince’s physique was not strong enough, his muscles not sturdy enough, and his internal strength not sufficient for healing.

He was as skinny as a plucked chicken, unable to even exert one-tenth of his original strength.

With such qualifications, he still managed to become the prince.

No wonder the Chu Kingdom would perish with such worthless successors!

Qin Zheng had no idea about the prince’s inner turmoil.

Seeing his unpleasant complexion, she assumed it was due to his severe headache.

She had witnessed how much pain the prince could endure during this time.

If he said he had a headache, it must have been exceptionally severe.

She picked up the bedding for the makeshift bed and walked out. “I’ll take the quilts to Aunt Lu first and then come back to help you massage.”

In just a moment, Qin Zheng returned. The prince remained in the same position as before she left.

Closing the door behind her, she approached the table. “Your Highness, may I massage your head?”

She had experienced severe headaches from overworking and excessive use of her brain when working on her art.

Later, she learned a massage technique from a friend who was a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.

Massaging her temples often helped alleviate the pain.

The prince glanced at her.

The clear reflection of candlelight in her eyes seemed to contain a warm sunshine.

He remained silent but withdrew his hand from his forehead, indicating his consent.

Qin Zheng’s fair fingertips touched his forehead, applying moderate pressure.

She asked, “Is it here?”

With closed eyes, the prince softly murmured, “Mm,” as his long hair brushed against the back of her hand, sending a cool yet tingling sensation.

Inappropriately, Qin Zheng couldn’t help but marvel at the prince’s good hair quality—black, shiny, and smooth.

Although she had always had an abundant amount of hair, she lacked the smooth and silky texture of the crown prince’s long hair.

As one rested with closed eyes, and the other focused on massaging, the room fell into silence.

The only sound was the faint crackling of the candle burning down on the table.

The shadows of the two figures on the wall seemed to merge.

After a while, the prince suddenly stopped her. “That’s enough.”

Qin Zheng withdrew her hand and asked, “Feeling better?”

“It’s indeed effective,” replied the prince, but he looked straight into her eyes. “When did you learn all this?”

Qin Zheng guessed that the prince’s former consort would not have helped him with massages like this, so she evaded the question. “My mother often suffered from headaches in the past, so I learned some techniques from the doctor to help her.”

The prince withdrew his gaze without further inquiry.

He simply said, “It’s late. Rest.”

The candle on the table was almost burnt out, so they let it be.

Qin Zheng took the two extra quilts to Aunt Lu, so there was no need to make a makeshift bed anymore.

She supported the prince to the bed, intending for him to sleep inside.

However, the prince sat at the edge of the bed and didn’t move.

Qin Zheng suggested, “Your Highness, you should sleep inside. With your injury, it would be more convenient if you need me during the night.”

The prince didn’t even lift his eyelids as he said, “You sleep inside.”

The reasons he gave left Qin Zheng with no room for rebuttal: “It’s not safe in the village, I’m afraid there might be thieves again.”

He slept on the outside at least he could draw his sword in time, while she might just be slaughtered with her neck exposed.

Qin Zheng didn’t want to argue about her own life.

She kicked off her shoes and climbed into bed, almost sticking to the wall—she wasn’t a very disciplined sleeper, and accidentally touching his wound would be a sin.

The prince glanced at her, lying stiffly against the wall like a steel plate.

His voice remained steady as he said, “The quilt isn’t that big.”

It was only when he lay down that Qin Zheng realized what he meant.

To save cotton, the quilts in the village were not large.

They just about covered the entire bed when laid flat.

As she slept against the wall, when the prince lay down, she would only have a corner of the quilt.

The candle on the table burned out completely at this moment, leaving the room in darkness.

After hesitating for a while, Qin Zheng felt half of her body pressed against the wall was freezing cold.

Her eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness and she could vaguely make out the outlines in the room.

The prince was lying flat because of his chest arrow wound.

Qin Zheng glanced at him cautiously, realizing he had closed his eyes.

Only then did she slightly shift towards the middle of the bed.

Although the distance she moved was only enough to barely touch the quilt, Qin Zheng stopped moving after getting away from the cold wall.

This man beside her was her nominal husband, but strictly speaking, this was their first time sharing a bed since she crossed over.

On the merchant ship, after they narrowly escaped death, she just wanted to sleep well and regain her strength.

She didn’t have time to think about anything else, let alone inviting the prince to sleep together.

However, the prince declined that time.

Now that they had temporarily settled down, lying on the same bed late at night, all sorts of strange thoughts flooded Qin Zheng’s mind as a solo traveler from modern times.

It’s not that she was repelled, but… she wasn’t quite used to it.

In the darkness, Qin Zheng looked conflicted.

She thought she would have trouble falling asleep for a long time, but as she kept thinking, her mind gradually went blank.

The prince waited until he heard Qin Zheng’s steady breathing before opening his eyes.

He turned his head to look at Qin Zheng.

As someone trained in martial arts, his vision was remarkable.

Qin Zheng could only see a blurry outline of him in the darkness, but he could clearly discern even the slightest movement of her eyelashes.

It had only been a few days since she left the palace, and her chin had already sharpened a bit.

The prince’s lips formed a straight line as he carefully covered Qin Zheng with the quilt, then draped his cloak over himself and turned to sleep.