"I can't make that choice..." Chen Tingfeng's voice was so low that it was almost a whisper. He held her tightly, leaving her no room to evade. "Nor will I ever let things come to that."
He had already managed to undermine the people in the palace from within. Under his coercion, the third prince had turned against the emperor and the eldest prince. Both of these two were cunning and treacherous. When they faced each other, it was like two mad dogs fighting. He only needed to keep the situation under control and watch from the sidelines.
As for the emperor... Did he really think the elixir the imperial physician presented could actually cure all poisons?
One by one, they had all been following the trap he set and were slowly moving towards the endings he had arranged for them.
Even if they were cornered and fought back desperately in the end, he had already won over most of the court officials. The Marquis's Mansion had a military background, and the Zhang family and the Duke's Mansion held prominent positions among the civil officials. If it really came down to a life - and - death struggle, he might as well stage a rebellion.
In such a situation, if he were to be defeated and someone were to seize his weakness and stab him in the back, he might as well just kill himself.
A defeated him would surely not be worthy of such a wonderful cousin.
By then, he would surely arrange a good future for her, at least ensuring she would have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of her life.
Fu Zhen couldn't tell what she was feeling. For a moment, she was dazed, and for another moment, she thought that indeed, Chen Tingfeng was still the same old Chen Tingfeng.
A person like him would never be troubled by such a dilemma. He would always use brute force to break out of the trap the moment he was trapped.
But what about in the past life? Was leaving her alone in that courtyard also part of his scheme?
"Trust me!" Chen Tingfeng let go of her and looked into her eyes urgently. "I know that what I'm saying now might just seem like a excuse to you, but I will prove myself to you!"
"Zhenzhen, give me some time. I will handle everything and prove that I have the ability to protect you." His tone was firm, fearing that if she didn't hear a satisfactory answer, she might run into someone else's arms the next second.
He would prove himself to her, even if it cost him his life.
Fu Zhen stared at him silently for a while. He looked rather disheveled at the moment. His eyes were bloodshot, his cheeks were flushed as if from anger, and his breathing was heavy.
The image of him looking tired and haggard in last night's dream was still vivid in her mind. A smart person like her had already realized that there might be many hidden secrets about what happened in the past life.
Moreover... She couldn't help but laugh at herself inwardly. Compared with the heir of the Duke's Mansion, Chen Tingfeng was superior in every aspect.
A vain woman like her would surely choose the best one.
Furthermore... She felt a bit resigned in her heart. Maybe there really was such a thing as karma and the entanglement of fate in this world. She and Chen Tingfeng had been involved in such a complicated relationship even after two lifetimes. Maybe they were really destined to be entangled with each other.
Moreover, although she didn't want to admit it, she had to. Compared with the heir of the Duke's Mansion... Chen Tingfeng's personality was really more to her liking.
If she wanted to climb up the social ladder, Chen Tingfeng could keep rising; if her desires were insatiable, Chen Tingfeng was not a weak and incompetent person.
The two of them colluding with each other... might actually be quite interesting.
After finally understanding her own heart, she sighed softly and reached out to touch his cheek. "Fine... I'll trust you one more time."
Trusting him was also trusting herself.
Many things in this life had changed quietly. The situation in the palace was far less perilous than in the previous life. Even Chen Tingfeng was completely different from before. She could even feel that at this moment, Chen Tingfeng truly loved her.
So... just let her be stupid and trust this disheveled man one more time.
Chen Tingfeng, I hope you won't disappoint me in this life.
As soon as she said this, the man in front of her was stunned, as if he hadn't reacted yet. The next second, his eyes suddenly brightened, and a rare blush of excitement appeared on his face. "Okay... okay! I will treat you well and protect you!"
He was a bit incoherent. In his excitement, he hugged her tightly again, like a puppy that had finally found its lost treasure after a long time and refused to let go.
Fu Zhen's waist ached from his tight embrace. She couldn't help but tug at his arm around her waist. "Loosen up. I can't breathe."
Unexpectedly, with just this slight movement, her shoulder suddenly felt heavy. Chen Tingfeng leaned on her like a mountain, almost making her unable to support him. She took two steps back and, losing her balance, was pulled down to sit on the ground by him.
Fu Zhen was startled. Feeling the weight on her body gradually disappear, she immediately reached out to support him. "Chen Tingfeng?"
"Chen Tingfeng!"
The two people at the door heard the shouts inside and immediately pushed the door open and rushed in. The ancestral hall was in an uproar.
After two days of continuous stimulation and self - torture, Chen Tingfeng finally fainted.
Looking at the unconscious man being carried on Qian Tong's shoulder, Fu Zhen felt a bit annoyed and couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
When he held her hand, his palm was scalding hot. It was a pity that at that time, she was so immersed in her own thoughts that she even missed such an obvious clue.
This man had a fever but didn't say a word. He thought he was invincible and still forced himself to talk to her for so long and express his feelings...
Fu Zhen's heart was complicated. Looking at the rapidly disappearing figure, she sighed softly.
Forget it. He was just such a person, hiding his thoughts deeper than the Kunlun Mountains. Since she had decided to trust him one more time, she would not go back on her word. For the way Chen Tingfeng had treated her in this life... she would be nicer to him.
Thinking this way, she got up from the ground and hurriedly followed.
Chen Tingfeng was physically strong and rarely got sick, but once he did, it was extremely serious.
The doctor gave him acupuncture to reduce the fever and then ordered someone to decoct the medicine and force - feed it to him. After much trouble, the usually vigilant Chen Tingfeng still didn't wake up.
Fu Zhen watched from the side and heard the doctor mutter, "I just saw the second young lady yesterday, and today the heir is sick... It's like a market here! One after another. Their bodies are not as healthy as my old bones."
Fu Zhen blushed with embarrassment at his words. She couldn't help but turn her head and cough softly. Seeing the doctor put away the needles, she quickly stepped forward and asked, "Doctor, how is my cousin?"
The old doctor glanced at her. "Don't worry. He won't die. At most, his brain will be burned out."
Fu Zhen was speechless. The brain was the most important and useful part of Chen Tingfeng's body. If it was really burned out, she would be in big trouble!
Seeing her speechless, the old doctor felt relieved. He snorted and laughed, "Alright, watch over him. The fever will go down in an hour. This kid is stubborn and doesn't like taking medicine usually, but I see that he listens to you quite a lot. You can take care of these prescriptions."
With that, he stuffed the prepared medicinal materials into her hand and walked away leisurely with his medicine chest.
Fu Zhen looked at the wrapped medicine in her hand and then silently at the unconscious Chen Tingfeng on the bed. She was silent for a long time.