Chapter 20: Nourished

The grand army only returned to the capital today. Last night, Xiao Ze had ridden posthaste, spurred by the need to deal with Dou Hongyan’s "late husband," galloping through the night to reach the city.

Only today did he finally arrive at the imperial palace. After reporting to the Emperor, he bowed low and said, "This son requests leave."

He turned and strode out of the palace with long, purposeful strides.

Outside the palace gates, a carriage stood ready, marked with the insignia of the Crown Prince’s residence; no one dared to interfere.

His intent was singular. Upon bursting into the carriage, he locked his gaze onto Dou Hongyan. Before she could utter a word, a wave of sweltering heat crashed over her.

He imprisoned her in his arms, his searing presence consuming all of her focus. He kissed her with impatient, ravenous hunger, his hand clamped firmly around her waist, tightening with every passing moment.

He seemed desperate to devour her whole. Soon, overwhelmed by the surging tide of passion, Dou Hongyan gave him a gentle push.

Only then did Xiao Ze reluctantly release her. He held her against his chest, his eyes darkening as they traced her slightly swollen red lips and the flushed, damp corners of her eyes as she struggled for breath.

Yet, his internal fury remained unvented.

He spoke in a low, sharp voice, cutting straight to the point: "Shen Yishu is still alive."

"Are you feeling reluctant to let him go?"

"What could I possibly be reluctant about?" Dou Hongyan struck him and tried to pull away, frowning as she accused him: "What kind of fake poison did you give me? It was useless after I administered it; Shen Yishu is still perfectly fine and active."

She struggled a few times but could not break free from his grasp, so she simply resigned herself to his hold, turning her face away as she leaned against him.

She feigned a look of pouty dissatisfaction.

Xiao Ze responded without hesitation: "Impossible."

His eyes turned icy, and he said with a sinister edge: "What I gave you was 'Three-Dawn Death,' the most lethal poison in the Crown Prince's residence. Once consumed... it guarantees he won't live to see the next sunrise."

Moreover, it was agonizing—enough to make the victim suffer for an entire night. Only such a fate could dissolve the sudden, inconvenient appearance of this man.

His existence was an eyesore.

Knowing he would not believe her, Dou Hongyan shoved the medicine vial into his hand. "See for yourself. It couldn't even kill a child, let alone Shen Yishu."

The white porcelain vial was the same one, but the powder inside was half-depleted—a dosage that should have been enough to fell an ox.

Yet, Shen Yishu remained untouched.

Xiao Ze examined the powder with a dark expression. Finally, his hand tightened around Dou Hongyan’s waist, his aura shifting and ominous.

Something was indeed wrong.

"See? We missed such a perfect opportunity. How am I supposed to poison him in the future?" Dou Hongyan continued to complain with feigned annoyance.

Concealing a flicker of schadenfreude in her eyes, she lifted her chin and said with a touch of haughtiness, "It seems your good partner, your virtuous helpmate, Lady Gu, the Crown Princess, has been harboring some clever thoughts of her own."

Gu Zhaozhao.

The current Crown Princess.

"Do not indulge in reckless speculation," Xiao Ze said, setting the vial aside and patting Dou Hongyan’s waist. "Do not criticize the Crown Princess."

If he said not to speak of it, then she wouldn't.

Dou Hongyan withdrew her gaze, indifferent.

The two fell into a momentary silence. Xiao Ze’s gaze drifted lazily toward the porcelain vial, his fingertips flicking it to make it spin on the table.

As he pondered, Dou Hongyan felt relieved. The man’s body was as hot as a furnace; before long, she leaned comfortably into his embrace and let her mind wander.

After a while, she said leisurely: "By the way, two days ago, Shen Yishu insisted on going out to buy things. I couldn't stop him. I imagine many people have seen his face by now and recognized that the eldest master of the Marquis's estate has returned."

"What are you trying to say?" Xiao Ze looked down at Dou Hongyan from his height.

His gaze had turned frigid at the mere mention of Shen Yishu’s name, brimming with murderous intent—especially as he watched those three characters tumble from her parted, crimson lips.