Chapter 9: Someone Stood Beside His Bed...

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The matriarch looked at Shen Shuyi with affection. “You’re frail, take it slow.”

Second Miss Pei Xuexuan sat in the same carriage as the matriarch. She clearly saw that the moment several Pei brothers appeared, Shen Shuyi boarded the carriage as if fleeing for her life.

She disdainfully regarded her cousin’s behavior—it was clearly a calculated retreat to entice.

Only upon entering the carriage did Shen Shuyi notice Pei Xuexuan was also aboard.

Pei Xuexuan was the most outstanding young lady of the Pei family, a true beauty with talents in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Shen Shuyi held no particular feelings towards her, but it was obvious that Pei Xuexuan harbored great disdain for her.

To be precise, Pei Xuexuan looked down on her and never even spared her a proper glance, as if even a single look would sully the reputation of the second Miss of the Pei family.

Before Shen Shuyi arrived, she was Pei Xuexuan’s lackey. She could not understand why the original self had tried to befriend Pei Xuexuan while simultaneously courting several male leads.

No matter how much the original self sought Pei Xuexuan’s favor, she was always looked down upon.

Now, seeing Pei Xuexuan sitting beside the matriarch, who held the young lady’s jade hand, Shen Shuyi suddenly understood why the original self had tried so hard to please her.

It was simply because the matriarch adored Pei Xuexuan, and among all the household members of the Pingyang Marquis residence, the matriarch was the only one kind to Shen Shuyi.

Perhaps the original self feared that Pei Xuexuan would take away even this one person who treated her well.

Unfortunately, the original self did not understand a fundamental truth: respect is not something others give you.

Outside the carriage, the Pei brothers all saw Shen Shuyi’s fleeing figure.

Pei Xizhou smiled at Pei Dongzhou. “Was cousin Shen just avoiding big brother? I heard the other day big brother’s matchmaking was ruined by cousin Shen.”

Pei Dongzhou also saw Shen Shuyi climbing into the carriage. He recalled the scene two days ago at Fusang Courtyard when Shen Shuyi slipped under the covers.

Recently, cousin Shen seemed different—no longer relentlessly flirting with the brothers, but instead avoiding them whenever they appeared.

“I’m not a mind reader to know what cousin Shen is thinking,” Pei Dongzhou said, flicking his robe’s hem as he mounted his carriage.

Once everyone was ready, the Pei family’s carriage procession set off grandly toward Dajue Temple.

The matriarch, seeing Shen Shuyi’s distracted expression, assumed it was due to her frail health and soothed her gently. “Yi, don’t worry. The family doctor said with proper care, your condition will not be serious.”

Snapping back to herself, Shen Shuyi smiled brightly. “Grandmother, please rest assured. I will follow the doctor’s orders carefully. Only when I am well can I serve you better.”

The matriarch was quite pleased, feeling the child was becoming more sensible.

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Pei Xuexuan leaned against the matriarch, still wearing a disdainful expression toward Shen Shuyi.

An hour later, many carriages had gathered outside Dajue Temple.

Dajue Temple was an imperial temple, frequented by distinguished figures paying respects and burning incense.

Upon seeing the Pei family carriages arrive, many approached to exchange pleasantries. The reason was obvious: last year, the Pei family’s eldest daughter, Pei Yunxuan, had married into the Crown Prince’s residence, becoming the Crown Princess.

If the Crown Prince ascended the throne smoothly, barring unforeseen events, the Pingyang Marquis residence would produce an empress. Moreover, several eligible Pei sons had yet to be formally betrothed, each possessing noble bearing.

Who wouldn’t want to climb the social ladder into a family as powerful as the Pingyang Marquis?

Yet Shen Shuyi felt that the Pingyang Marquis residence was bound to the Crown Prince’s household, and if he failed to claim the throne, the Pei family’s future would also suffer.

In the original story, however, the male leads had a protagonist’s aura. The Crown Prince did ascend smoothly, and the Pingyang Marquis residence later rose to a Duke’s mansion, becoming extraordinarily illustrious.

Standing quietly beside the matriarch, Shen Shuyi’s gaze frequently settled on her target.

Pei Dongzhou was conversing with other noble young men. Seemingly sensing something, he suddenly looked toward Shen Shuyi.

Fortunately, Shen Shuyi reacted swiftly and averted her gaze first.

Pei Dongzhou glanced at her coolly, feeling that Shen Shuyi had been watching him just now. Perhaps because she still harbored a secret fondness for him, cousin Shen had been fixated on him.

However, with the bustling crowd at Dajue Temple, she was unlikely to be so bold; perhaps he was overthinking.

The Pei family’s distinguished status afforded them a private lodge on the temple’s northern side for rest during worship.

Pei Dongzhou merely accompanied the matriarch briefly before retiring to the northern lodge.

Taking advantage of the matriarch’s incense offering, Shen Shuyi secretly slipped out of the Buddha hall.

At this time, Xia Nianchu was nowhere to be seen, likely off to drug Pei Dongzhou as planned.

As Shen Shuyi had suspected, Xia Nianchu had placed a packet of drugs beneath a marked incense table.

Yesterday, Xia Nianchu had bribed a young monk who served tea and meals at Dajue Temple with a hefty sum.

Every time the young master’s cousin visited the temple, he would rest in the designated lodge—this was her chance.

She was not foolish enough to engage the young monk directly, only needing to place the drug packet under the marked incense table.

Soon, she saw the young monk retrieve the packet, easing her tension.

Xia Nianchu witnessed the monk delivering the laced tea into Pei Dongzhou’s lodge and then leaving. She hesitated whether to reveal herself immediately.

Suddenly, someone lightly tapped her from behind, nearly causing her to jump out of her skin.

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“It’s me, cousin,” Shen Shuyi’s low voice sounded behind her.

Xia Nianchu exhaled in relief but turned cautiously. “Cousin, what are you doing here?”

“I was worried you might fail, so I came to check. Was the tea delivered?” Shen Shuyi asked softly, eyes fixed on the nearby lodge.

“Yes, but I don’t know if the young master cousin drank it. Qingzhu has been sent away,” Xia Nianchu replied, her gaze burning toward the lodge.

Shen Shuyi’s eyes flickered. “That’s simple. I’ll do my part and check things out first. I’ll update you shortly.”

Xia Nianchu eyed her dubiously. “You’re really that kindhearted?”

She strongly suspected Shen Shuyi wanted to sabotage the young master cousin before she could.

Shen Shuyi smiled wryly. “I’m right under cousin’s nose. What trouble could I cause? Even if cousin doesn’t trust me, surely she trusts herself?”

Xia Nianchu thought Shen Shuyi had a point. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“We’ll help each other. It’s only fair,” Shen Shuyi said calmly, striding toward the lodge.

Though composed outwardly, her heart raced and her palms sweated nervously.

God willing, Pei Dongzhou must have already drunk the drug and fallen asleep; otherwise, her mission would be in vain after all this effort.

Perhaps out of guilt, her heart pounded as she knocked on the lodge door, nearly leaping out of her chest.

After drinking the tea, Pei Dongzhou felt dizzy and laid down on the bed.

Soon, he sensed something was wrong—his sluggishness felt like he had been drugged.

He struggled to reach the dagger at his sleeve, but his hands lacked strength and his eyelids seemed glued shut.

Just then, he heard footsteps approaching.

Yet he felt as if floating in a cloud, unable to hear clearly until someone stood at his bedside…

—

Where is everyone?