Chapter 20: Heir Pei pinned Shen Shuyi beneath him...

A-Jian stared at Shen Shuyi in disbelief, suspecting that her mistress was pulling her leg. How could such a miraculous thing exist? Yet, seeing the resolute look on her mistress's face, she did not seem to be joking.

Over the next few days, Shen Shuyi became increasingly lethargic. Because she refused to see a physician, insisting that she would recover after staying at He Shou Tang for ten days or half a month, the Old Madam refrained from summoning another doctor. Most importantly, Pei Dongzhou had promised to invite Imperial Physician He to examine her. With his exceptional medical skills, he might be able to treat her condition.

Shen Shuyi, however, was growing desperate. Pei Dongzhou had not visited He Shou Tang for two days, and she was growing more prone to deep sleep, with her periods of unconsciousness stretching longer each day. She feared that if she did not see the Heir of Pei soon, the system would erase her existence. Today was the tenth, leaving her only four days. If she failed to complete the task within the allotted time, her life would be forfeit. Her mind was becoming increasingly blurred and muddled; she feared that in another two days, her consciousness would become so fragmented that she would be unable to complete the task even if she wanted to.

"Mistress, the Heir has just returned to the Marquis's estate," A-Jian brought her good news that evening.

Shen Shuyi felt a surge of energy. "Truly?"

"Rest assured, Mistress. I saw him with my own eyes; there is no mistake." A-Jian, worried about her mistress's health, could not bring herself to smile.

Shen Shuyi knew that Pei Dongzhou was devoted to his grandmother. Whenever he was at home and had no pressing business, he would come to pay his respects. Since he had been away for two days, he would likely come to visit the Old Madam tomorrow. That would be her chance.

A-Jian frowned, voicing her concern, "I worry that the other young ladies and gentlemen of the estate will arrive to pay their respects at the same time. With so many people around, how will you make your move?"

Shen Shuyi realized this was a significant hurdle. "Should I tell Grandmother that I wish for Cousin Pei to keep me company for a moment?" she suggested uncertainly. Under A-Jian's gaze, she dismissed the thought. It would be too deliberate. If Pei Dongzhou were to be incapacitated while she had requested his presence, and given her long history of pursuing him, even a fool would realize what she was planning.

"Forget it. I will take it one step at a time tomorrow. If I cannot succeed then, I will find another way the day after." With her body failing her, she had no choice but to improvise. If all else failed, she would feign unconsciousness, throw herself at him, and pretend to "accidentally" kiss him. She was dying anyway; completing the mission was the priority.

That night, no matter how troubled she was, she drifted off to sleep early. Her body was no longer under her control, as if her consciousness were being manipulated by the system.

The next day, when the Pei siblings arrived at He Shou Tang to pay their respects, they found the Old Madam with reddened eyes.

"What is the matter, Grandmother?" Pei Xuexuan asked, sitting by her side.

"Yi-jie has been sleeping for longer and longer. I tried to wake her just now, but she wouldn't stir," the Old Madam said, wiping away tears.

The others had heard rumors of this but had assumed they were exaggerated; they had not expected it to be this severe. Pei Dongzhou had not seen Shen Shuyi for three days and was shocked by how quickly her condition had deteriorated. The hall was silent. Aside from the Old Madam, no one in the Marquis's residence liked Shen Shuyi. Yet, seeing how pained the Old Madam was, they did not know how to offer comfort.

Distressed, the Old Madam dismissed everyone except Pei Dongzhou. Hidden in the distance, A-Jian realized this was their chance.

"Dong-er, have you spoken to Imperial Physician He about her condition?" the Old Madam asked directly.

"The Empress is currently unwell, and the physician cannot get away. It may take another two days before he can come to the estate," Pei Dongzhou replied, unable to hide the truth. "Grandmother, do not worry. My cousin is blessed; she will surely recover."

Hiding behind the curtains, A-Jian fretted, trying to devise a way to lure the Heir into her mistress's quarters. Nurse An, noticing the Old Madam's pale complexion, worried for her health. "With the Heir here, the young mistress will be fine. You must take care of yourself, Grandmother."

Pei Dongzhou, also concerned, urged her, "Grandmother, go and rest. I will go visit Cousin Shen. Rest assured, I will wake her and have her come to pay her respects shortly."

The Old Madam, exhausted from lack of sleep and deep worry, finally allowed Nurse An to help her to her room. A-Jian rushed back to Shen Shuyi’s room. Unable to wake her mistress, she had no choice but to prick her finger with a needle. The sharp pain brought Shen Shuyi to consciousness. A-Jian quickly covered her mouth to stifle any scream.

Shen Shuyi blinked to signal she was awake. A-Jian whispered, "The Heir is here. I have lit the incense. You must seize this opportunity."

Shen Shuyi nodded repeatedly and swallowed the antidote. A-Jian did not take any, ensuring that if the Heir investigated, she would not be implicated.

When Pei Dongzhou entered the west wing, he saw A-Jian slumped by the bed as if asleep. Ignoring the maid, he walked to the bedside. Shen Shuyi’s face was as pale as snow, her eyes closed, her dark lashes casting long shadows. In just a few days, she had grown gaunt, her lips parched and pale. She looked heartbreakingly fragile.

"Cousin, wake up," Pei Dongzhou called out.

Shen Shuyi was tense, terrified he would realize she was faking. She tried to appear as natural as possible. Pei Dongzhou glanced at the sleeping A-Jian, feeling a sudden sense of unease. Even if the maid were exhausted, it was odd that she hadn't stirred despite him being in the room for so long.

"A-Jian?" He kicked the stool the maid was sitting on. She did not react. He kicked it harder, and A-Jian slumped onto the floor. Sensing something was wrong, he knelt to check her breath. She was alive, but why was she unconscious? He looked around the room and spotted the burning incense.

Just as he turned to investigate, his head began to swim. He shook his head, but his body ceased to obey him. He collapsed forward, falling directly onto the bed and, quite inadvertently, pinning Shen Shuyi beneath him.