The news of Lian Zhi's sudden illness has reached Shen Han's ears. He hurried down the corridor towards Lian Zhi's quarter. His heart raced as fast as his feet.
Around him, words had already spread throughout the palace like wildfire.
The princess had fallen ill, her skin covered in strange rashes.
Some whispered "curse," others "plague." He didn't believe any of it, but the rumors crawled under his skin all the same.
He pushed open the wooden door without waiting for permission. "Lian Zhi!" His voice came out sharper than he meant, tight with panic and trembling with worry.
She looked up from her bed, propped lazily against her pillows. Her face was dotted with red spots, her hands covered in patches, and she looked as pale as paper. Yet somehow, she still managed to smile. "Shen Han, you're here."
"Princess, you—" He couldn't finish his sentence, seeing the state Xiao Zhi was in, broke his heart.
Xiao Zhi could see worry flooding his face. "I know, I know," she said, her voice teasing. "I look hideous, right?"
Shen Han rushed to her bedside, chest tightened. "How can you joke at a time like this?" he said, his tone was more strained than scolding. He really wanted to reach out his hand and touch her, but he stopped himself.
"Relax," Lian Zhi said, waving a hand. "It's not real."
He blinked, confused at her words. "What do you mean, not real?"
She grinned, feeling very proud of her little scheme. "I took a mild poison. It causes rashes and bumps. Nothing fatal. Just enough to make me look unappealing." She reached under the pillow and pulled out a small ceramic vial, holding it up like a trophy. "See?"
Shen Han stared at the vial. "You... poisoned yourself?"
"Technically," she said cheerfully.
He exhaled hard, rubbing a hand over his face. "You're insane," he couldn't believe she actually pulled this risky game.
"Insanely clever," she corrected. "It worked, didn't it?". Xiao Zhi sat up to make it less awkward. Her lying down with Shen Han sitting on her bedside was a little too much for her heart.
A reluctant smile tugged at his lips. "You're impossible."
"Impossible, but effective." She said proudly. "I managed to make Lian Yue replace me as the bride."
"Well, congratulations then". Shen Han knew it was not the time to celebrate yet. After all, Ruhan is still here. They are not safe until he is really gone. "How long will this last?"
"Two, maybe three days," she said.
"That's too tight," he said, still feeling uneasy. "The envoy will leave in three days. Are you sure it is enough time?"
"If it fades too early, I'll take another dose." Xia Zhi said as she pointed the vial again.
Shen Han's expression darkened. "Lian Zhi, that's reckless. What if it reacts differently this time? What if it scars you permanently?"
She only smiled faintly. "Then I'll live with scars. Better that than marriage to someone who would torture me to death."
He didn't know whether to scold her or protect her. "Please, don't push this too far. You've already risked enough." His voice softened, almost pleading.
She smiled gently before saying, "You worry too much, General. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
Shen Han wanted to believe her, but his mind wouldn't let him.
***
Meanwhile, in Lian Yue's chamber, the air was thick with irritation.
She paced the room back and forth. Her movements were restless. "That wretched Lian Zhi," she muttered. "A miracle illness, appearing the moment she's to be married? Too convenient." Her reflection in the mirror glared back at her, breathing heavily in anger.
"I can't believe this is a coincidence." Her eyes narrowed. "Bring my maid," she ordered.
Moments later, a young maid hurried in, bowing. "Yes, Your Highness?"
"Go to the city," Lian Yue said coldly. "Ask about this plague everyone's talking about. Find out if anyone outside the palace is sick. I want truth, not gossip."
The maid hesitated. "Yes, Your Highness." The girl bowed again and left in haste.
Lian Yue exhaled, hands tightening on her sleeves. "If this is another one of her little tricks," she muttered, "I'll make sure it backfires."
***
Elsewhere, in the quiet guest quarters, envoy Ruhan lounged comfortably, a cup of tea cooling in his hand.
"Princess Lian Zhi," he murmured, smirking to himself. "You continue to surprise me." He leaned back, tapping a finger thoughtfully on the armrest. "Clever. Daring. And amusing, too."
He let out a soft laugh, low and dangerous. "I suppose this little act of yours makes things more interesting. But don't confuse patience with defeat, princess." His eyes hardened, the warmth fading. "I always get what I want. Even if I have to burn your little game to ashes to do it."
***
Back in Lian Zhi's chamber, her grand act was starting to feel less brilliant.
She shifted under the covers, scratching furiously. "Ugh… I swear this is worse than the poison itself."
"Princess, please stop scratching!" her maid, Qin Yan, begged.
"It itches like crazy!" Lian Zhi groaned. "I should've tested this first." She glanced down at her arms, pouting. "How do people in dramas look so graceful while being poisoned? I look like a spotted frog."
Qin Yan couldn't understand what she was saying, but he eyes were filled with worry. "Princess, should I fetch the doctor again?"
"Yes, tell him to bring something for the itching before I lose my mind," she grumbled.
The maid hurried off, heading towards the imperial clinic.
Lian Zhi slumped back, groaning. "Brilliant plan, Xiao Zhi. Absolutely genius," she muttered to herself. "You're itchy, you can't sleep, and you smell like herbs. Perfect royal image."
But her amusement faded when she caught a faint sound beyond the door.
Her eyes darted toward the entrance. "Qin Yan?" she called softly. No response.
Outside, in the dim corridor, a shadow lingered. The faint light revealed a pair of watching eyes and a smile curling at the corner of unseen lips.
"So it wasn't a plague after all…" the voice whispered. "She took poison by choice."
The figure slipped away into the dark.
And inside, Lian Zhi suddenly shivered. Uncertain whether her biggest danger came from the poison… or from something else.