After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

Upon hearing this, Pei Heng was unsure of his own feelings, only feeling an overwhelming urge to kill.

He patted the accusing person in his arms more gently: "It's alright, it's alright, I'm here."

The crowd behind him stared in disbelief. Was this still their ruthless and decisive emperor?

Some people wanted to see just how stunningly beautiful and alluring the woman who could change the emperor's nature was, but Pei Heng kept her completely hidden and protected her fiercely.

Shen Lingyi closed her eyes after speaking. Pei Heng naturally noticed that her expression was off, picked her up, and said, "Go back and find the imperial physician!"

Wei Chengrui was naturally brought along as well, but Pei Heng was so focused on Shen Lingyi that he inevitably seemed to neglect him.

When Wei Chengrui was helped up by his men, he opened his eyes and saw a woman like a delicate flower being protected by a man's arms.

He closed his eyes, savoring the bitter taste of resentment in his heart.

As soon as Pei Heng returned to the tent, he summoned the imperial physician Shu Ge to treat Shen Lingyi.

Shen Lingyi was deeply poisoned, but fortunately the imperial physicians were not to be underestimated. They first kept her alive and then forced out the poison.

After an hour of work, her complexion gradually regained its rosy hue.

Seeing this, the imperial physicians all breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, they had saved the person; otherwise, judging from His Majesty's appearance, he would have really eaten them alive!

"Investigate how the wolf pack was attracted here for no reason." Pei Heng's brows were filled with murderous intent.

To prevent wild animals from attacking the camp, all the ferocious beasts were driven away early in the morning, and large animals could only be seen on the outer perimeter.

Shen Lingyi was still in the inner perimeter, so how could such a large pack of wolves have come out?

Pei Heng, still not satisfied, turned to Xiao Sha and ordered, "Lead a team, find the wolf's den, and kill them."

Actually, starting a fire would be the best option, but in the mountains and forests, a fire could easily spread like wildfire.

Even the most furious ruler must remain rational.

"Yes!" Xiao Sha didn't dare to say anything, as it was his fault that he hadn't been able to find the person for so long.

It was a hunt to begin with, and this wolf pack was quite large. Killing them would be a good start to the hunt.

Just as Pei Heng finished giving his instructions, the imperial physician spoke up, his words hesitant, "Your Majesty, I have something to tell you."

"Miss Shen has a peculiar fragrance on her wrist. This fragrance is very similar to a kind of Gu incense that I have seen before. If you rub it on your body, it will not dissipate for three days and three nights, and washing it off will not help."

"This fragrance will irritate wild animals, snakes, and insects. In my humble opinion, Miss Shen's attack by the wolf pack was probably due to this fragrance."

Xiao Sha had already left, and now only Pei Heng and the imperial physician were talking in the tent.

With no one else around, he naturally had no need to hide anything. "Is this kind of Gu harmful to the body?"

"It's harmless," the imperial physician pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "However, there's no cure. If Miss Shen wants to save her life, it's best if she doesn't go out these next few days."

"I understand." Pei Heng dismissed the imperial physician.

Once everyone was free, the man turned his gaze to the sleeping person's face, his deep eyes swirling with an unfathomable darkness and a chilling aura.

When Xu Yanqing heard the news of Shen Lingyi's return, along with the good news came the bad news: the latter had been carried back in public by Pei Heng.

Many people have seen it, and right now countless people are secretly speculating whether Shen Lingyi will be His Majesty's first empress.

"If Miss Shen were to become His Majesty's consort, it wouldn't be entirely without benefit to His Highness..."

"Shut up!" Xu Yanqing snapped at his staff, his face chillingly cold. "This is something you can discuss!"

The staff member was startled by the shout.

She felt a little aggrieved. His Highness the Crown Prince had always struggled to place people in the harem, and now this was an opportunity.

Xu Yanqing rubbed his forehead and lowered his voice, "Alright, you can go now."

After his advisors left, Xu Yanqing sat alone facing the candlestick on the table. The flickering candlelight reflected his current state of mind: restless and anxious, yet unable to find a way to vent his frustrations.

He finally realized that he was a step behind Pei Peiheng, but it was too late to turn back.

"Your Highness, Jiaojiao has prepared some food for you and brought it over."

A soft, delicate female voice came from outside. What used to be a soothing sound now sounded upsetting.

Xu Yanqing waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to go out himself. His subordinates would understand and go to Shen Tingjiao, who was eagerly waiting, and say, "His Highness is busy. Please give me the things, Miss."

Shen Tingjiao's face stiffened.

She had a bad feeling when she first heard that Shen Lingyi was safe and sound, and now it seems that it was true.

Thinking of the scene where Pei Heng carried Shen Lingyi back, Shen Tingjiao gritted her teeth in resentment.

It's truly outrageous that they couldn't even kill Shen Lingyi, and she even managed to turn her life around and rise to prominence!

Now that things have come to this, she has no other choice.

That's the only option we can use.

Shen Ting said softly to the guard, "Then I'll have to trouble you, brother. This soup must be drunk while it's hot. I was entrusted by the Princess Consort, and Princess Consort Su told me to take good care of His Highness. I can't let her down."

He added, "Also, my sister is out of danger. I plan to use her blood in medicine to help her recover faster. Tell His Highness not to worry anymore."

"This..." The guard was stunned. Why go to such lengths?

At this moment, Xu Yanqing had the same thought as him. He had heard Shen Tingjiao's words clearly and couldn't help but feel guilty for his impatience in seeing her earlier.

Shen Lingyi said something wrong. Jiaojiao is still kind-hearted. He shouldn't treat a woman who is completely devoted to him like this.

With that in mind, Xu Yanqing decided to try the tonic soup when the guard brought it in.

The warm soup, with a hint of sweetness, is very soothing and shows that the person who cooked it put a lot of care into it.

The guard said from the side, "Your Highness, please forgive my intrusion, but this Miss Shen is truly devoted to you."

"The princess is no longer as cold to her as before. It seems that she has been moved by her sincerity. Your Highness should treat her well. This would also fulfill the princess's wish."

For some reason, Xu Yanqing's heart skipped a beat, and he found that what the guard said made some sense.

His eyes, momentarily clouded by the firelight, quickly hardened. "Yes, you're right. I can't let Jiaojiao down..."

...

The next day.

Shen Lingyi woke up at noon, starving and with a sore throat.

Peony ran in and almost burst into tears when she saw that she was awake.

Shen Lingyi said with difficulty, "Don't rush to cry. Give your young lady some water. I'm dying of thirst."

Peony hurriedly went to get it.

After drinking a bowl and a half of water, Shen Lingyi felt a little better. Looking around, she was surprised to find herself in the largest tent.

That is, in the tent where Pei Heng was staying.

Recalling the person she saw when she opened her eyes yesterday, Shen Lingyi murmured, "So it wasn't me who was poisoned and went mad."

"Miss, what are you saying?" Peony said irritably, "Yesterday I was so worried, and the General and Madam too! Why didn't you take a guard with you when you went out!"

Shen Lingyi really didn't remember.

If she had known she would encounter a pack of wolves, she would have brought a few people with her. But given yesterday's situation, even if there were more people, they would probably just be food for the wolves.

A thought flashed through her mind, and remembering the strange, sweet scent, she asked, "What did Shen Tingjiao do while I was away?"