Chapter 107: Mutual Probing

The carriage entered the Prince of Duan’s residence directly through the back gate and came to a stop only at the second gate. Shen Yingjue and Tan Qingjiu alighted together. The steward was already waiting at the second gate and hurried forward to greet them with a bow upon seeing the two.

“Greetings to the Prince, and to Miss Tan—”

Before he could finish, Shen Yingjue interrupted sharply, “Miss Tan? Call her Princess Consort.”

“The imperial edict of marriage has been issued by His Majesty, and she has already moved into the Duan residence. From now on, she is the sole lady of this household,” Shen Yingjue declared.

“You are to treat her as you would the Princess Consort. For matters concerning the inner courtyard, seek her counsel more often.”

The steward seemed not in the least surprised and bowed his head in acknowledgment. “Yes, your servant understands.”

Tan Qingjiu cast a glance at the steward, recalling how Shen Yingjue had treated him before. It seemed this steward was planted here by someone else. So, the play was already beginning.

Lowering her eyes, a faint blush spread across her face. “Your Highness!”

“Don’t listen to the Prince’s nonsense. We are not yet married. I am here only as a physician to care for him,” she said quickly.

The steward smiled and responded obediently, “Of course, Princess Consort.”

“...” Tan Qingjiu bit her lip, falling silent.

Shen Yingjue laughed heartily. “Has the Princess Consort’s chamber been prepared?”

“All ready. Everything has been arranged. It’s on the other side of the Prince’s chambers, separated by a main hall,” the steward replied.

Tan Qingjiu blinked. “I thought you said that was the Prince’s study before?”

Shen Yingjue waved his hand dismissively. “Study? There’s not a single book in there. I can barely read; recognizing a few characters is already a huge effort.”

“That study should have been torn down long ago—it’s an eyesore. Since the Princess Consort is moving in, I had it cleared out and converted into your room. How’s that? Am I not treating you well?”

Tan Qingjiu had grown numb to being called “Princess Consort” so casually but couldn’t help casting a glance at Shen Yingjue.

Given his upbringing—growing up in the cold palace, a mentally unstable birth mother, and recurring illness after leaving the cold palace—perhaps it was true he didn’t know much about books.

But was it really true that Shen Yingjue disliked reading and only recognized a few characters?

Lowering her eyes, Tan Qingjiu said, “But I do need to read sometimes, especially medical texts.”

The steward quickly assured her, “Princess Consort, rest assured. The study has been moved to the original east wing, but if you require books, we will need to acquire more.”

Tan Qingjiu understood the implication and quickly replied, “I have some books. I will have people move them over.”

Shen Yingjue’s impatience was clear. “Steward, take the Princess Consort to see her room.”

“Yes, your Highness.”

“Princess Consort, this way, please.”

Following the steward, Tan Qingjiu glanced back at Shen Yingjue, who was gleefully summoning a servant, seemingly giving instructions.

She turned back and lowered her voice to ask the steward, “How has the Prince’s condition been these past two days? Has he had another episode?”

“No, your Highness,” the steward answered quietly. “During these days while the Princess Consort was away, the Prince seemed perfectly fine, everything as usual. He often mentioned you and kept asking when you would move in. Hasn’t the Emperor already issued the edict?”

“As for his fainting, following the orders of His Majesty and your Highness, we have not told the Prince the truth. He believes he has simply fallen ill again and has not questioned further.”

Tan Qingjiu nodded. “That’s for the best. The Prince cannot know the truth; it would be too hard for him to accept and might worsen his condition.”

The steward nodded solemnly. “But, Princess Consort, does the Prince truly have little time left?”

Tan Qingjiu sighed deeply. “This poison is vicious. I have never seen anything like it. Judging by his pulse, if an antidote isn’t developed soon, the Prince will surely die.”

“My antidote pill can only temporarily suppress the poison, but it is so fierce that the pill may have little effect.”

Biting her lip, Tan Qingjiu said, “I will think of another way.”

“How could this happen?” The steward’s face was pale, devastated. “The Prince has suffered so much, only recently improving. How could he be poisoned now?”

“Princess Consort, you must develop the antidote. Please save the Prince.”

Tan Qingjiu lowered her eyes, her lashes trembling. “I don’t know if I can. This poison is extraordinarily strange. All I can do is try my best.”

“As the poison worsens, the Prince’s fainting will become more frequent, and eventually, he may fall into an irreversible coma.”

“I think that while the Prince is still lucid, if there is anything he wishes to do, he should be allowed to do it.”

The steward opened his mouth but seemed at a loss for words, perhaps because her tone sounded like she was speaking of final matters. He sighed quietly. “How could this be?”

Outside, Shen Yingjue’s cheerful voice rang out, “Find out what dishes the Princess Consort likes. Tonight, have the kitchen prepare some of her favorites to welcome her arrival.”

“Yes, your Highness.”

The steward regained composure, wiping away nonexistent tears from the corner of his eyes. “Princess Consort, would you like to see your room now? If there is anything you dislike, please tell me directly. Also, what dishes do you prefer? I will inform the servants.”

Tan Qingjiu shook her head. “I’m not picky. I like all good food.”

“That’s excellent news. Rest assured, the chefs here were appointed by His Majesty himself—they are the best. I will order them immediately.”

After the steward left, Shen Yingjue soon entered, leaning against the door as he looked at Tan Qingjiu. “Do you like this room, Princess Consort?”

She lifted her gaze, glancing at him once before looking out the open window to see the steward hurrying away from the courtyard. Then she spoke. “I just asked the steward about your condition over the past two days. We exchanged some probing questions.”

Turning her head, she added, “The steward rushed off—he will surely try to report back to whoever is behind him.”

“If the Prince does not know who is behind the steward, someone could be sent to follow him and discover the truth. But I doubt the Prince is unaware, is he?”