Chapter Thirty-Seven: Entering the Palace

After the final injection, Su Zhinian withdrew her hand and looked toward Helian Yu.

"Today is the last injection. How does Your Highness feel?"

"It seems... I don't feel anything else," Helian Yu replied expressionlessly. He supported himself on the wheelchair and tried to stand. After constant practice, he was now able to stand steadily.

"Hey, be careful!" Su Zhinian saw him wobble and was about to fall, so she reached out to steady him.

Unexpectedly, Helian Yu swayed, causing both of them to fall heavily. Fortunately, Helian Yu caught Su Zhinian in time, using his own body as a cushion, sparing her from injury.

In her panic, Su Zhinian accidentally knocked the mask from his face onto the ground.

"What’s going on?" Mu Dong, hearing the commotion outside, called out anxiously.

"It's nothing!" Helian Yu stopped him from rushing in.

Su Zhinian was stunned. Wasn't it said that Prince Yu was disfigured? That his face was so terrifying children couldn't sleep at night?

But before her stood a man with sharp, heroic brows and bright eyes, his expression refined and elegant, his features handsome and fresh, exuding a cold, ethereal aura. His peach blossom eyes were captivating and full of passion — a face that could make anyone fall in love at first sight.

"Is it pleasing to the eye?" Helian Yu’s voice was low and husky, magnetic, sending shivers through her heart.

Su Zhinian flushed, shyly averting her gaze and hurriedly getting to her feet.

She helped Helian Yu up and picked up the mask engraved with mandala patterns from the floor.

"Your Highness certainly has many secrets," she murmured.

Helian Yu calmly put on the mask again.

"And so does Miss Su," he replied.

They exchanged a glance but said no more.

Afterward, Helian Yu no longer needed Su Zhinian to administer injections, but he still required her help with leg massages to aid his recovery.

As they spent more time together, Helian Yu eventually removed the mask, revealing his true face.

Several times, Su’s parents subtly asked about the nature of Su Zhinian’s relationship with Prince Yu.

After all, Helian Yu’s condition was well known. Although their daughter had been married before, they did not want her to leap from one fire into another.

Su Zhinian always diverted the topic with other matters.

She could not reveal the truth about the leg treatment to her parents; if the emperor found out, the consequences would be dire.

Over these months, Su Zhinian never ceased to gather information about palace affairs.

The empress suddenly suffered a premature birth after being assaulted. During delivery, Consort Shu’s agents tampered with matters, nearly costing the empress her life.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager discovered the plot in time, and both mother and child survived.

Consort Shu was banished to the cold palace for attempting to murder the empress and heir.

In the end, Bai Wanwan’s fate repeated itself in Consort Shu’s downfall.

By the time Su Zhinian learned this news, Helian Yu was walking on his own.

"Miss Su, what do you think of this drama?" Helian Yu asked, beads of sweat forming on his temple as he tilted his head to look at her.

Their relationship had gradually deepened over these months.

Su Zhinian popped a grape into her mouth, blinking innocently.

"I’m just a spectator," she replied.

Helian Yu smiled, his fair face lighting up with a youthful, pure, and fervent joy.

Clearly, he had not expected such an answer.

Now Su Zhinian could joke with him, though at first, they were quite distant.

As for the incident, Su Zhinian knew well that Consort Shu wouldn’t have dared to act so boldly.

This had to have been orchestrated by the emperor himself, to control the Empress Dowager.

Knowing the Empress Dowager’s nature, Su Zhinian bowed her head slightly, silent.

"Is Your Highness ready?" she asked.

Hearing this, Helian Yu lifted his gaze to her cold, exquisite face.

"And Miss Su, are you ready?" She met his deep, dark eyes and immediately understood the meaning behind them.

Helian Yu boldly approached Su Zhinian, slightly bowing while locking eyes with her, a strong, turbulent smile hidden in his depths.

They were so close that Su Zhinian’s heart pounded wildly, her throat tightening. Flustered, she grabbed a grape and pressed it into Helian Yu’s mouth.

"Your Highness, speak less and eat more!" Helian Yu bit into the sweet grape, his eyes curving in delight, feeling as if he had tasted honey.

Su Zhinian quickly withdrew her hand, the warmth lingering on her fingertips made her momentarily dazed. Embarrassed, she blushed deeply and fled like the wind.

For several days afterward, Su Zhinian did not visit Prince Yu’s residence. Su’s parents were still puzzled, but before they could relax, Helian Yu climbed over the wall into the Su household late at night.

Su Zhinian opened her eyes to see his familiar figure and sighed softly. This time, she did not get up but silently turned over, intending to ignore him.

"Zhinian, Zhinian!" Helian Yu saw her disregard and pouted pitifully.

"If you won’t talk to me, then I’ll really leave," he said, reaching to push open a window.

After a long moment of silence, Su Zhinian sat up and saw his flawless, jade-like face before her. His peach blossom eyes blinked, filled with a gentleness that could drown a soul.

"I was just joking!" His hoarse voice made her breath catch. Moonlight bathed him, giving him a saintly radiance.

"Why aren’t you speaking?" His long, elegant fingers waved before her eyes.

"Ahem, why are you here?" she asked, implying that with his legs healed, their business was concluded.

Helian Yu looked at her with a hurt expression, his eyes sparkling. He puckered his lips.

"Zhinian, I have to go now."

Seeing the reluctance in his eyes, Su Zhinian understood what he meant. She suddenly embraced him and whispered into his ear,

"The Empress has summoned me to the palace."

"Take care of yourself."

They shared an unspoken understanding, saying no more. Helian Yu held her hand tightly, as if drawing strength from it.

The next morning, Su Zhinian entered the palace to meet the Empress.

The young prince was in perfect health. The Empress was still in confinement, her face smiling, but worry was unmistakable in her eyes.

"Zhinian, you’re here."

Seeing Su Zhinian stirred complex feelings in the Empress’s heart.

Once, she had looked down on her cousin, but now, at this moment, Su Zhinian was the only person she could truly speak to.

"Your Majesty." Su Zhinian bowed respectfully.

She was well aware of the recent happenings in the inner palace.

Though she had warned the Empress that the emperor was heartless, experiencing it firsthand was surely difficult to accept.

Su Zhinian sighed.

"Your Majesty, now is not the time for sorrow. For the sake of the young prince, you must stay strong."

The Empress nodded, her loving gaze settling on the sleeping child, signaling the others to leave.

"Zhinian, the consort... she wants—" The Empress’s eyes flared with anger, but she did not finish. Su Zhinian understood everything.

Lowering her voice, Su Zhinian said, "Your Majesty, you must make plans early for the young prince."

"What should I do?" The Empress’s face was filled with anxiety.

Concerned for her son, she could no longer remain indifferent.