The Vicious Woman and the White Moonlight are both me - Chapter 12

The imperial physicians hurried to the palace, assuming the call was for Princess Zhaohua, who had fallen into the water earlier. They grumbled to themselves, irritated at having to be on duty today.

When they arrived at Chaoyang Palace, however, they found that the patient was not the princess at all, but the little-known Ninth Prince of the palace. Confused, the physicians dared not ask any questions.

Examining his wounds, they found that although a sharp blade had pierced him, the injuries were fortunately not deep and could be treated quickly.

As they bandaged Pei Shen’s chest, the physicians also noticed the whip marks on his back. The wounds, now mixed with sweat and old, dried bl00d, had not been treated for some time, leaving the bandages stuck to his skin.

Since Princess Zhaoyan had specifically summoned them to tend to the Ninth Prince, the physicians assumed they might as well treat the wounds on his back at the same time.

Thus, along with the chest wound, they carefully cleaned and dressed the injuries on his back.

Once everything was finished, the physicians didn’t dare speak further and quietly left with their medical kits.

In this way, the day passed quietly, marked by Pei Shen’s reluctant submission, as he became a servant and attendant of Princess Zhaoyan in Chaoyang Palace.

And as a servant, he was now expected to remain at Song Zhaoyan’s disposal at all times.

At this moment, Song Zhaoyan was ready for her evening meal. Despite the wounds covering both his front and back, Pei Shen stood straight and tall at her side, performing the duties that had once belonged to Xuezhi—arranging her dishes and serving her.

Once Song Zhaoyan had eaten her fill, she rose, satisfied, and casually tossed the silk handkerchief she had used to wipe her mouth toward Pei Shen.

It struck him with just enough force to make its presence felt before dropping to the floor. Then came her voice, sharp and laced with humiliation: “Just like at noon, finish all of this for me. If anything is left, don’t blame me for being unforgiving! From now on, remember this—you have no proper meals. You’ll only eat whatever scraps I leave behind!”

With that, she handed her hand to Xuezhi, who immediately understood and helped the princess out of the room to aid her digestion.

Pei Shen said nothing. He silently picked up his chopsticks and began eating the food on the table.

Years of cold stares and mistreatment in the palace had taught him endurance. But even the tautest string eventually snaps.

All the petty cruelties he had endured over the years had meant little to him. It was Song Zhaoyan’s humiliations that truly made him wish for death.

Yet if he died, the next one to suffer would inevitably be his mother.

He could not allow that. So, he endured everything Song Zhaoyan inflicted upon him.

As night fell, Song Zhaoyan finished washing up, her long hair cascading freely over her shoulders as she yawned elegantly. Pei Shen finally spoke.

“The night grows late, Princess. You should rest early. Pei Shen takes his leave.”

But Song Zhaoyan wasn’t done making things difficult.

“Leave? Where do you think you’re going? Did I give you permission to leave?”

Pei Shen remained silent, yet a flicker of anger returned to his eyes.

“You worthless servant, you should be keeping watch for me tonight!” she added.

Inside, Pei Shen felt like a wild beast trapped in a cage, roaring, thrashing, and struggling—but unable to break free from the restraints of reason.

More precisely, it wasn’t reason—it was coercion.

Song Zhaoyan, still proudly lifting her chin, looked at him with undisguised contempt, a cold smile curving her lips, as if his status was lower than that of a third-rank palace maid in Chaoyang Palace.

“Princess, Pei Shen is neither a palace maid nor a eunuch. There should be propriety between men and women!” he said.

“Haha—” Song Zhaoyan laughed suddenly, her words striking like needles, piercing straight into Pei Shen’s heart.

“Not a maid, not a eunuch? You speak of propriety between men and women? What you really mean is…you are at least a prince, aren’t you? Pei Shen, you still haven’t realized your own status and position? Let me tell you once more: you are nothing but my servant! A servant must behave like a servant. When I command you to do something, you obey!”

Those around them lowered their heads, eyes downcast. Even Xuezhi dared not utter a word.

Even as a first-rank palace maid serving Princess Zhaohua, Xuezhi couldn’t openly argue with Song Zhaoyan or hope to change her mind. Preserving her own safety was already difficult enough—speaking up for others was out of the question.

Besides, not having to keep watch herself and being able to rest was a relief in its own right.

“But Princess, isn’t it dangerous for me to keep watch?” Pei Shen asked.

The words made the palace attendants around them tense. Everyone silently hoped the Ninth Prince wouldn’t do anything foolish—dying alongside Princess Zhaoyan might be satisfying for them, but it would certainly drag others into trouble.

They were also frustrated with Song Zhaoyan, who, merely to humiliate the Ninth Prince, insisted on placing this dangerous situation under one roof.

Hearing him, Song Zhaoyan only sneered and raised an eyebrow. “Do you have the courage for that?”

Pei Shen replied cautiously, “Princess, you misunderstand. I only mean…there should be propriety between men and women. If it spreads, won’t it damage your reputation?”

“What’s wrong with that? No one knows you’re my servant. They’ll just think we’re close like siblings and that you’re simply keeping watch for me.”

The reasoning left Pei Shen with no retort. Song Zhaoyan, abandoning any intention of further discussion, flopped onto her bed, turning her back to him. “I’m tired. Shut your mouth and keep watch properly.”

With that, the dim hall fell silent once more.

Pei Shen stood rooted in place, fists clenched, staring at the princess’s back.

What a perfect opportunity… Pei Shen looked at the pale, graceful neck revealed beneath Song Zhaoyan’s dark hair. If a sharp blade were to strike there, bl00d would surely spray everywhere—what a satisfying sight that would be.

But Pei Shen could only imagine it. He didn’t dare actually act.

No matter. One day, he promised himself, he would kill Song Zhaoyan.

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Pei Shen remained in the same room as Song Zhaoyan, and since she didn’t need to spend points to summon him, she felt secure staying close.

Though the imperial physicians had treated his wounds during the day, Song Zhaoyan still felt a twinge of worry.

Using a bit of her points, she put Pei Shen into a deep sleep. Only then did she crouch in front of him and, raising her hand, slap his face a few times from a distance, venting her frustration. Finally, she felt some relief.

“The wounds on your back? Those are my doing, and I’ll treat them properly. But the wound on your chest? That’s your own fault. Don’t expect me to help you!”

Having said this, she traded her points with the system for premium medicine and carefully applied it to Pei Shen’s back.

Then, looking at the remaining medicine and his chest wound, Song Zhaoyan fell into thought.

“Well…who am I if not a magnanimous lady? Consider this an act of kindness, then.”

After speaking, she poured the medicinal powder directly onto Pei Shen’s chest.

Being in a deep sleep, Pei Shen didn’t notice a thing. When he awoke the next day, he found that his chest no longer throbbed with the same pain as yesterday—in fact, the wound had begun to scab over.

He assumed it was the medicine the imperial physicians had applied that day doing its work. After all, in all his previous injuries, he had never received such high-quality treatment.

The physician, though unaware of the full reason, had been summoned by someone in Princess Zhaohua’s service to tend to the Ninth Prince. Naturally, he believed the princess wanted him to treat the prince properly, so he had used the finest medicine available.

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During his first night on watch, Pei Shen had braced himself to be woken at any moment by Song Zhaoyan’s capricious whims—any unreasonable demand in the middle of the night. Yet, to his surprise, she did not make any such requests. She neither complained of thirst nor hunger, nor did she act hot-tempered; instead, she let him sleep through the night comfortably.

After all, in the height of summer, with mosquitoes and other insects everywhere, her palace had an ample supply of ice and pleasantly scented mosquito-repelling herbs that caused no harm. Sleeping there was naturally much more pleasant.

Thinking this over, Pei Shen found himself hesitating about his current situation.

Everything Song Zhaoyan did to him was meant to humiliate, yet each act seemed to benefit him in the end.

He even began to think that, compared to being an unloved prince, being a servant by Princess Zhaohua’s side might not be so bad. Judging by his current days, life was certainly much better than before.

Pei Shen couldn’t help but feel a twinge of fear at his own thoughts. In such a short time, he had already begun to sink—sinking into this life of luxury and indulgence.

From thrift to extravagance is easy; from extravagance to thrift is hard.

Now that he had gone from austerity to indulgence, he didn’t know if, once accustomed, his mind would remain steadfast—or if he might one day kneel before Song Zhaoyan, weeping, begging for her pity, and willingly continue as her servant, her dog.

The mere thought of such a scene made him shiver, snapping his thoughts back into focus.

Pei Shen turned his head. Through the gauzy curtains, he caught a vague glimpse of Song Zhaoyan’s sleeping face. His eyes flashed with danger, and the dormant murderous intent surged once more.

This…this was what Song Zhaoyan called breaking the heart, wasn’t it?

Physical torture was nothing. What she truly wanted was for Pei Shen to understand that his mother could never compare to hers—and that he, too, was unworthy of standing equal to her. He was only fit to be her slave.

Now, she intended to crush Pei Shen’s fiery heart, shatter his proud bones, and bend him to her will—forcing him to bow and submit, proving to everyone that, like his mother, he was lowly and ignoble.

At that thought, Pei Shen’s fingers clenched unconsciously. His eyes froze into an icy glare, lips pressed tight, chest heaving and breath quickening—as if holding back a storm on the verge of eruption.

He would never allow himself to become that wretched, degraded man!

Song Zhaoyan wanted to break his heart—she would not succeed. Whatever she had done to him now, Pei Shen swore he would one day repay in full, with bl00d for bl00d.

He would kill Song Zhaoyan to avenge the humiliation she had inflicted upon him!

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Though he hated to admit it, Pei Shen had slept remarkably well that night.

No stifling heat, no buzzing insects, and no unreasonable midnight demands from Song Zhaoyan—he awoke the next day refreshed and alert.

Sleeping well, however, did not mean he could freely manage his time.

He still had to obediently serve Song Zhaoyan in the morning. Tasks like dressing and combing her hair naturally fell to Xuezhi, while Pei Shen’s responsibility was to bring her tea and water.

Song Zhaoyan thoroughly enjoyed the leisurely ritual of her morning meal. But as she lingered over it, Pei Shen knew he should have already been at the study hall reading by now.

Seeing no sign that the princess intended to hurry, he grew anxious and could no longer hold his tongue.

“Princess, if we delay any longer, it’ll be past the time for study.”

Song Zhaoyan cast a sidelong glance at Pei Shen and let out a light laugh. “What’s the rush? Even if I’m late, the instructors won’t scold me.”

Of course, they wouldn’t dare reprimand Song Zhaoyan—but they would scold Pei Shen.

She knew exactly what he was thinking and deliberately teased him further. “Reading all those books…has Father praised you for it? Why rush about doing useless things?”

The more she spoke in this infuriating way, the deeper Pei Shen’s hatred for her grew. He was on the verge of snapping—yet Song Zhaoyan, with a suddenly magnanimous expression, seemed to grant mercy, clearly enjoying the game of toying with him.

“Very well…if I don’t let you go, Fifth Brother might misunderstand me again.”

With that, she rose and headed toward the study hall.

Seeing her move, Pei Shen finally exhaled in relief and hurried to follow.