The night fell like thick ink, shrouding the Second Prince's private estate in a hazy shadow. The pale moonlight resembled a thin veil, draped gently yet with a hint of eeriness over the carved beams and painted pillars. From a distance, it looked peaceful and serene, but within the walls, undercurrents surged and danger lurked on all sides. Shen Mingyue lay on a carved wooden bed draped in brocade, the twin-lotus pattern embroidered on the quilt appearing like clawing monsters under the flickering candlelight. Dressed in plain white robes, her dark hair was scattered messily across the pillow, her pale face contrasting sharply with the luxurious surroundings.
She gazed up at the exquisite bed curtains above, her eyes filled with vigilance and thought. Ever since her narrow escape from the ancient tomb that day, the Second Prince had brought her into this seemingly lavish estate under the pretext of "protecting her safety." On the surface, the maidservants and matrons were all smiles, attending to her every move at all times. In reality, she knew she had long since become a caged bird, placed under house arrest here. The smiles on those maids' faces were like masks, hiding watchful gazes in the depths of their eyes.
The room door creaked open slowly, breaking the indoor silence. An imperial physician in lavish robes walked in, his figure hunched, his face lined with the years, his eyes turbid yet cunning. He held an antique medicine box in his hands, followed by two junior …
Chapter 26