Chapter 48: Divine Foresight

In an instant, Zilin left Feng Xiaoli’s side and took a seat opposite her, resting his chin in his hand as he gazed at her. Feng Xiaoli had already regained her composure, her mind returning to clarity. She silently cursed herself for giving in so easily to temptation, for allowing herself to be swept away by a few sweet words, berating herself for her lack of dignity.

She knew Zilin would not come without reason, so she confronted him directly, “Zilin, is there something wrong with Xiang Lian that brings you here?”

Seeing Feng Xiaoli so serious, he shed his usual smile, his expression turning solemn and cold. “She’s been thrown into the imperial prison by Emperor Qianqing!”

Only those who committed grave offenses were sent to the imperial prison. Emperor Qianqing’s action was a direct condemnation of Xiang Lian, marking her as the poisoner and leaving her with no chance to clear her name.

Xiang Lian had grown up in the palace, never lacking in food or clothing. Such a prison was unbearable even for an ordinary citizen, let alone a delicate and beautiful princess like her.

Feng Xiaoli was deeply worried for Xiang Lian. If she had received the news, Yue Wanqing surely would as well. She wondered how Wanqing was coping—surely, she must be heartbroken.

“Normally, being sent to the prison wouldn’t be so dire,” Zilin continued, his words striking Feng Xiaoli anew, “but it’s been raining for days, and the prison is flooding. The water can’t drain, and I suspect it’s risen to waist height.” How could Xiang Lian possibly survive such misery?

“She seems calm—more than most,” he said, his voice tinged with helplessness and a trace of admiration.

How many princesses of noble birth could endure such hardship with such composure, knowing death might be imminent yet refusing to cry or plead, bearing it all in silence? Was it despair for her future, or a steadfast faith in Feng Xiaoli and her friends, trusting they would clear her name?

Which was it?

“Zilin, who are you, really? Why do you always know everything before anyone else?”

“Li’er!” Zilin replied with a smile, “Who I am doesn’t matter. All you need to know is that I would never harm you, no matter what. Nothing else is important!”

The rain was still falling softly. Zilin left the bed and brought over a bowl of warm ginger soup, wrapping an arm gently around her shoulders and placing the soup before her. Feng Xiaoli shook her head.

From the start, she had no intention of drinking the ginger soup.

She could smell there were other medicinal herbs in it. Clearly, the old man and Jin Ning knew she would never willingly take bitter medicine, so they had added some cold remedies while brewing the ginger soup.

But seeing Zilin’s persistence, she feared she would have to drink it.

“Zilin, I won’t drink it. There are herbs in this—I don’t like it!” Feng Xiaoli stubbornly turned her face away.

“You can smell that?” Zilin was surprised. He had underestimated her; the added herbs were barely detectable unless one paid close attention.

Feng Xiaoli shot him a glare. “How I knew is none of your concern. Adding herbs to ginger soup wasn’t the old man’s or Jin Ning’s idea. The old man is clever, but he would never force me to do something I dislike, and Jin Ning only follows his orders. If the old man hasn’t instructed her, she wouldn’t act. Wanqing, my close friend, is now in danger herself, and after Xiang Lian’s incident, the Left Prime Minister will surely oppose Wanqing’s association with her. So, the only one left is you. Apart from you, I can’t think of anyone so shrewd!”

“Li’er, you’re very clever!” Zilin affectionately tapped her nose with his free hand.

“And, since you can tamper with the ginger soup, it proves the old man approves of your presence. You didn’t just appear here out of nowhere—the hidden guards of the prince's residence must have received the old man’s permission, allowing you into my room. Am I right, Zilin?”

Zilin kept smiling; Feng Xiaoli smiled too. Seeing Zilin’s lack of response, she knew she was correct.

He truly hadn’t expected Feng Xiaoli to be so perceptive, connecting so much from such small clues.

“So—” Zilin paused, “do you really have the heart to waste my efforts?”

With a deft movement, Feng Xiaoli broke free from Zilin’s embrace, kicked out, and sent the ginger soup flying. Zilin’s eyes narrowed, and he leapt forward, catching the nearly spilled soup just in time. Relief swept over him.

Thank goodness—he caught it.

Watching from the shadows, Shadow Phantom broke out in a cold sweat. Thank goodness, thank goodness—the ginger soup wasn’t spilled; there was a fortune in silver in that bowl!

Yes, Feng Xiaoli had only guessed part of it, not the whole truth. There were indeed medicinal herbs in the soup, but compared to others, these were far more precious, rare and costly—something only Zilin would lavish on Feng Xiaoli.

The tragedy was that Feng Xiaoli had wasted the young master’s heartfelt effort—so much silver, so many rare herbs.

Seeing Zilin swiftly catch the soup, she turned and immediately went to sleep.

“Li’er, that won’t do. You’ve caught a chill—medicine is necessary!” Zilin coaxed her, fully aware she wouldn’t drink it, but surprised by her stubbornness.

A muffled voice came from her pillow: “Take your medicine and get out! I’m going to sleep. If you want it so badly, you can drink it yourself, but I won’t. What can you do about it?”

Zilin was both amused and helpless. Shadow Phantom gritted his teeth with resentment—how much silver and rare herbs had the young master poured into this bowl, not to mention all his care and affection? Yet this woman didn’t appreciate it—how infuriating!

Zilin’s eyes flashed. If that’s how it is, then Li’er, you can’t blame me.

He downed most of the ginger soup himself, his face unchanged, then strode to Feng Xiaoli’s bedside, lifting her blanket. Annoyed, she snapped, “Now what?” only for her mouth to be sealed by his, as a torrent of bitter ginger soup followed. She tried to push Zilin away but found herself immobilized, realizing only then that he had struck her acupoint. To her astonishment, Zilin was feeding her!

Her cheeks flushed bright red as Zilin’s tongue pressed against her jaw, forcing her to swallow the ginger soup. When it was all in her stomach, he finished the rest in one gulp, sealing her lips again so she could only swallow her tears in silence. Zilin, you’re too domineering.

Shadow Phantom stood with his mouth agape—indeed, the young master is unmatched, especially with Feng Xiaoli! Truly impressive!

This time, Zilin did not leave her side. He pressed forward, entwining his tongue with hers. Feng Xiaoli had nowhere to escape and could only accept it. Zilin deepened the kiss, losing himself; he hadn’t meant to force her, but upon touching her lips, he realized he was bewitched. Her lips were so beautiful, he could hardly bear to part. But seeing her nearly breathless in his arms, he reluctantly released her.

Feng Xiaoli gulped down fresh air—she was nearly suffocated!