The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

"Okay, okay." Luo Qingyan also sensed that something was wrong with Pei Shiyuan, and quickly ran out to get some water. "Yuanqing, lend a hand."

A large bucket of cold water was quickly carried in.

Pei Shiyuan jumped into the tub fully clothed, submerging his head underwater.

"What about Aunt Luo?" Yuan Qing asked, puzzled. Wasn't having Aunt Luo enough?

"The 'elf' is quite powerful, so Your Highness needs to take a cold shower first," Luo Qingyan said with an awkward laugh, the only way she could smooth things over for Pei Shiyuan.

"Alright!" Yuan Qing was not yet married and did not understand. He scratched his head and went out. He saw that Aunt Luo's lips were all chapped. "The Elf" was really amazing.

"Go to sleep!"

Pei Shiyuan said in a hoarse voice.

Luo Qingyan stood still; she couldn't be left alone in this situation.

"Didn't you hear me?" Pei Shiyuan glared.

"Oh." Luo Qingyan had no choice but to return to the side room. She would listen to the sounds outside, making sure Pei Shiyuan didn't drown.

After closing the door to the side room, Luo Qingyan moved a stool to the door and sat down, resting her head against the door. She yawned; it was almost midnight, and she was really sleepy.

Before long, my upper and lower eyelids started to droop.

"Splash, splash."

The loud sound of water woke her up.

Pei Shiyuan wouldn't swim in a tub, would he? There's no room to swim there!

Luo Qingyan opened the door a crack and peeked at the bucket. She saw the water spraying from the bucket, rising and falling like a stick.

Her face flushed red instantly, and she quickly closed the door a crack.

After a while, there was still no movement.

Luo Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief; Pei Shiyuan would have to take a few more concubines in the future.

Hearing Pei Shiyuan get into bed, Luo Qingyan finally felt relieved and went to bed herself.

The following day, I paid my respects.

When the old lady saw Luo Qingyan's cracked lips, a look of joy flashed in her eyes; she knew she was not far from holding her grandson.

After breakfast, Luo Qingyan pushed Pei Shiyuan for a walk by the lotus pond.

Without Cui Rou's constant chatter, Pei Shiyuan felt much calmer.

The pond water was clear. Pei Shiyuan sprinkled some fish food, and a group of koi carp gathered around. There were red, white, and black ones, all of which had just been bought.

"Young Master, if you're ever busy, I'll feed the fish for you."

Luo Qingyan smiled, looking like she had volunteered.

Cui Rou left, and Pei Shiyuan immediately bought so many koi to raise. Is he thinking of Cui Rou's kindness again?

She can also feed the fish.

Pei Shiyuan refused to consummate the marriage with her, and he had many excuses. First, he said that he was going to die soon and that the child would not be able to live without a father after birth. Now, when he mentioned consummating the marriage, he ignored her and was busy with official business until late at night. Is there something irreplaceable in his heart?

Anyway, she can do what others can do, and if she can't, she'll learn. She's determined to win over Pei Shiyuan's heart.

Having a baby is a big deal.

"No need," Pei Shiyuan said coldly. "There are people specifically assigned to feed them."

Luo Qingyan should focus on managing Kangning Pavilion well; that's her livelihood. She doesn't need to curry favor with him. Pulling him back from the brink of death is worth ten Kangning Pavilions.

"Yes, Your Highness, I don't know how to feed Miss Cui."

Luo Qingyan drooped her eyelids and said sarcastically.

It seems Cui Rou still holds a place in his heart, as he won't even let her feed the fish.

Pei Shiyuan sniffed and curled his lips into a smile; he could smell a hint of jealousy.

Luo Qingyan is jealous of Cui Rou—no, she's trying to trick him into having her baby.

Pei Shiyuan immediately turned the corner.

Ever since Luo Qingyan didn't mind him calling so many girls on the pleasure boat, he should always stay sober.

This woman clung to him desperately, wanting to have a child.

"You eat so much, I'm afraid you'll overeat the fish." Pei Shiyuan raised an eyebrow teasingly, "I won't feed you. If you're angry, just stay away from me."

"Young Master, you're teasing me," Luo Qingyan said coquettishly. She wasn't angry at all; she just wanted to stick close to Pei Shiyuan, have a child, and live a good life with the child. She had no other desires; her life would be perfect.

Pei Shiyuan sighed in disappointment, but Luo Qingyan clung to him like a leech.

Fool.

There were already many people eyeing the Duke's mansion, and now no one knows who is plotting against him and trying to kill him.

Luo Qingyan's life is uncertain every day with him. It would be better for her to marry an ordinary person, or even a scholar, like Shen Nanxun, who is good at reading. She could become a teacher and live a stable life.

Mentioning Shen Nanxun makes me so irritable.

Pei Shiyuan frowned. There were plenty of good students at the Imperial Academy; what was Shen Nanxun compared to them?

Xiao Xingzi is quite good. At such a young age, he can read ten lines at a glance and has a photographic memory. He is a promising talent and will be better than Shen Nanxun in the future.

Sigh, I just can't reason with Luo Qingyan.

Forget it, I won't say anymore. You'll know how dangerous it is when you encounter danger or assassination one day. You'll probably be the first to run away in fear.

Pei Shiyuan pinched the bridge of his nose. He hadn't found any clues about the spices, but instead had fallen ill from the "spirit" of the Western Region spices. The cause of his illness was almost impossible to find out. Right now, he could only find Jing Bufan to treat him, and perhaps he could discover something.

It almost ruined Luo Qingyan's reputation.

Pei Shiyuan looked up and saw that Luo Qingyan's lips were still not healed, so he immediately turned his face away.

Was she really unable to avoid it at that time?

Pei Shiyuan was unaware that he was gripping Luo Qingyan's neck, and Luo Qingyan had very little control over her strength, causing their teeth to clash several times.

Turn your face away? What are you thinking about?

Luo Qingyan turned around and faced Pei Shiyuan. Seeing his helpless expression, she said earnestly:

"Your Highness, could it be the Third Prince who captured Jing Bufan? Perhaps he knew about the secret passage in Nanshan Garden, discovered Jing Bufan, and then captured him."

I imagine the Crown Prince is worried about this matter.

Jing Bufan seemed to have vanished into thin air.

"I investigated the Third Prince's residence and found no trace of Jing Bufan. Recently, the Third Prince has been infatuated with several newly acquired dancers and has not made any unusual moves."

Pei Shiyuan frowned, deep in thought, determined to find Jing Bufan.

"Your Highness, I plan to launch a medicinal dish at Kangning Pavilion called 'Nourishing Spirit Mushroom.' It will be made from several nourishing medicinal herbs and will resemble the Nourishing Spirit Mushroom in shape. In addition, I will combine it with several of the restaurant's main medicinal dishes to create a painting, frame it, and display it at the entrance for promotional purposes."

"If Jing Bufan hadn't been arrested, he might have come upon hearing the name 'Nourishing Spirit Mushroom.'"

Luo Qingyan thought this was a long-term solution to find Jing Bufan.

Pei Shiyuan nodded.

"Your Highness, Imperial Physician Feng from the palace has arrived."

Yuan Qing returned with a message.

The emperor instructed Physician Feng to regularly examine Pei Shiyuan as a sign of his concern.

Pei Shiyuan was deep in thought with his eyes down when he suddenly looked up and said, "Yuanqing, have Physician Feng wait in the front courtyard. I'll be right there."

"Push me back." Pei Shiyuan directed Luo Qingyan to take a secluded path and quickly return to Linfeng Residence.

After closing the door, Pei Shiyuan took out a box of deer antler velvet, took out a large piece, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Luo Qingyan's eyes widened. Pei Shiyuan had seen the imperial physician in the palace and wanted to eat deer antler velvet.

The old lady had told him several times to eat, but he wouldn't.

On one occasion, Luo Qingyan secretly put something in the food, but Pei Shiyuan discovered it and scolded her and gave her a cold look.

Seeing this, Pei Shiyuan stuffed another piece into his mouth, chewed it, drank some water, and swallowed it.

"Your Highness, you can't eat so much at once," Luo Qingyan said hurriedly.

Pei Shiyuan acted as if he hadn't heard anything.