She couldn’t slip into the pharmacy unnoticed, so she needed a reason above reproach.
“What kind?” Duan Ling asked.
Without hesitation, Lin Ting answered, “For Lingyun. Some medicine to support her pregnancy. She’s frail, and since conceiving, she’s grown even thinner. She needs something to bolster her strength.”
Duan Ling gave a soft hum, finding no reason to object to her buying medicine for Duan Xingning.
She gestured toward a biscuit stall at the street’s edge and said, “I’m hungry. Could you grab me a few biscuits? I’ll get the medicine. It’ll save time.”
Duan Ling paused briefly, then turned toward the stall in the opposite direction from the pharmacy.
Once he was out of sight, Lin Ting moved swiftly.
She purchased a veiled hat to conceal her face and a new outer robe to drape over her clothes.
Thus disguised, she entered the pharmacy and bought an aphrodisiac drug.
Emerging, she discarded the hat and robe, then reentered to buy the pregnancy medicine.
To be cautious, she purchased the two separately.
The urgency of her task had her darting back and forth, a faint sheen of sweat breaking out despite the cool weather.
Before she could wipe it away, Duan Ling returned, holding a paper-wrapped bundle of biscuits.
“Crowded at the pharmacy?”
“Not too bad,” she said.
He produced a handkerchief, gently dabbing the fine sweat from her forehead.
“I thought you’d been jostling through a crowd to get the medicine.”
Lin Ting took the biscuits, tilting her face to let him wipe her brow.
“The pharmacy had no open windows—stuffy and a bit warm.”
He tucked the handkerchief away, glancing at the bundle in her hand and asked, “That’s Lingyun’s medicine?”
The pregnancy medicine was a bulky package, dangling from her grip, while the small packet of aphrodisiac was tucked securely into her waistband.
“Yes.”
“Need anything else?”
Lin Ting avoided glancing at her waistband, where the aphrodisiac drug was hid.
“No, we’ll see how Lingyun does with the sour fruits and medicine we bought today.”
Back at the residence, Lin Ting handed the pregnancy medicine to a servant with instructions to brew it, then visited Duan Xingning’s room to check on her.
Duan Xingning had just endured a bout of nausea, her face pale and listless.
She sat on an arhat couch, nibbling slowly on sour fruits.
At the sight of Lin Ting, a faint smile broke through her weariness.
“Leyun, you’re back.”
She knew Duan Ling often took Lin Ting along for official duties.
Lin Ting settled opposite her, pulling a thin blanket back over Duan Xingning’s waist where it had slipped.
“How are you feeling today?”
Duan Xingning leaned against Lin Ting’s shoulder and replied, “Better, thanks to the sour fruits you got me.”
Her voice faltered, and tears welled inexplicably.
Pregnancy had taken a toll on her, leaving her uncomfortable and conflicted.
Initially resolute about having the child, she now harbored fears about giving birth.
Knowing pregnant women could be emotionally volatile, Lin Ting shifted the topic.
“Did Young Master Xia come by today?”
Duan Xingning, still groggy from a recent nap, yawned.
“How did you know?”
Lin Ting had noticed two used teacups on the tea table.
Since Duan Xingning only needed one, and servants wouldn’t dare use their mistress’s cups, she deduced Xia Zimo’s visit.
“Two used teacups on the table.”
“He left not long ago.”
Duan Xingning avoided mentioning Xia Zimo in front of Lin Ting, wary of reminding her of the night she’d easily forgiven him.
She valued Lin Ting’s opinion and feared losing her regard.
Lin Ting began massaging Duan Xingning’s legs, then asked her to knead her shoulders in return.
“What did he want?”
Duan Xingning’s hands, weak from her condition, pressed lightly on Lin Ting’s shoulders.
“He asked me to trust him and wait two more months.”
Lin Ting was silent, inwardly cursing Xia Zimo.
Always the same empty promises.
She seized on a detail and asked, “Two months? Why two months?”
Could Xia Zimo be confident of overthrowing Great Yan within that time?
Were they truly planning to place Xie Qinghe on the throne?
Not that Lin Ting doubted Xie Qinghe, but his soft nature made him easily manipulated—hardly emperor material.
History was littered with short-lived dynasties, like the Xuanhan, gone in under two years, or the Later Han, lasting only four.
Lin Ting longed for a stable era, free of such upheaval.
Duan Xingning continued kneading.
“I don’t know. That’s just what he said.”
Xia Zimo rarely discussed his rebellious plans with her.
Lin Ting pulled Duan Xingning’s hands down.
“Did he tell the Marquis about you two?”
“I didn’t ask.”
Done with Xia Zimo, Lin Ting, feeling peckish, grabbed a sour fruit to try.
Its sharp tang made her spit it out, eyes watering.
She hadn’t expected it to be that sour.
Duan Xingning hurried off the couch, pouring her a cup of tea.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Lin Ting said, wiping tears.
“I got you the pregnancy medicine and told the servants to brew it. Drink it tonight before bed.”
“Leyun, thank you.” Duan Xingning looked up, grasping her hand, her eyes rimming red again, tears threatening to spill.
“No crying,” Lin Ting ordered.
Duan Xingning sniffled, forcing the tears back.
“Alright, I won’t.”
Lin Ting touched her belly gently.
“You in there, behave. Don’t trouble your mother, or I’ll spank you when you come out.”
Duan Xingning laughed through her tears, glancing at her belly.
“It’s too small to understand you. You’re wasting your words.”
“Maybe it hears me anyway.”
Knowing Duan Xingning’s mood was fragile, Lin Ting stayed nearly an hour before leaving.
Night had settled, the residence aglow with candlelight, rooms bright as day.
As Lin Ting returned to her chamber, she heard the faint sound of water from behind the curtain—Duan Ling was bathing.
She suddenly remembered the aphrodisiac drug still tucked in her waistband.
Seizing the moment, she pulled it out, searching for a hiding spot.
The system had instructed: “The host must buy the aphrodisiac, hide it in the residence, and secretly dose Xia Zimo.”
But where to hide it?
Outside the room, diligent servants might find it during their thorough cleanings.
Inside, Duan Ling might notice.
She wasn’t in the habit of locking things away, and suddenly doing so would rouse his suspicion.
As a skilled Imperial Guard, he could easily open any locked box.
Their clothes and accessories were stored together—her things were as accessible to him as his were to her.
Lin Ting pondered.
What about digging a hole outside to bury it?
Keep the aphrodisiac drug far from Duan Ling.
Servants wouldn’t dig up the ground during cleaning.
But another problem arose: how to dig a hole unnoticed?
She and Duan Ling were rarely apart during the day, and servants roamed the residence.
Night, when all was quiet, would be best.
No time like the present—tonight, after he slept.
Carrying the aphrodisiac drug too long risked it falling out.
Her decision was made, she heard the rustle of Duan Ling dressing.
Hastily, she tucked the still-unhidden drug back into her waistband, looking up as he emerged.
Duan Ling stepped through the curtain, his long hair damp, trailing water down his back.
His crimson inner robe accentuated his striking features, the loosely tied waistband swaying with his steps.
Narrow-waisted, long-legged, he was a vision no matter how she looked at him.
Lin Ting settled before the mirror, untying the silk ribbons woven through her hair.
“I just came back from Lingyun’s room,” she said softly.
Duan Ling glanced at her and replied, “I know.”
She finished undoing the ribbons and crossed to the wardrobe to fetch a robe.
“You go ahead and sleep. I still need to bathe.”
He returned to the bed without another word.
By the time Lin Ting emerged from her bath and climbed onto the bed, the hour was late.
Yet Duan Ling hadn’t slept.
He turned to her, his lips brushing her neck with practiced ease, trailing upward until they met her mouth.
“Tonight, shall we…?”
“No!” she interrupted.
He froze, clearly caught off guard by her refusal.
“Why not?”
If they were intimate tonight, she’d be too exhausted to sneak out and dig a hole to hide the aphrodisiac drug.
She’d likely collapse into sleep instead.
Hiding the drug quickly was the priority—delaying could invite trouble.
“I’m a bit tired,” she said.
Duan Ling’s eyes lowered, concealing a flicker of emotion.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.
“If you’re tired, we’ll skip it tonight.”
“Mm, let’s sleep.”
Lin Ting subtly pressed her thighs together, quelling the stir of desire sparked by his kiss.
She forced a yawn, rolled over, and feigned sleep.
She stayed awake until the dead of night, then slipped out of bed with silent steps.
Carefully, she sprinkled a pinch of knockout powder over Duan Ling.
In the past, she’d never have dared drug him—he’d have been too guarded.
But now, his trust in her left him vulnerable.
The realization twisted her heart with unease.
She waited a moment, ensuring he was deeply unconscious, before stealing into the neighboring courtyard to dig.
The Imperial Guards patrolled the residence at night but avoided areas near Duan Ling, trusting his presence ensured safety.
Lin Ting worked swiftly, carving a small hole in the earth, burying the aphrodisiac drug, and covering it with soil.
She didn’t linger.
After washing her hands and wiping the mud from her shoes, she darted back to the room.
Duan Ling still lay asleep on the bed.
She climbed over him, settling on the inner side of the bed, her heart pounding fiercely.
Hiding a tiny packet felt as clandestine as concealing a corpse—Lin Ting almost admired her own audacity.
No longer turning her back to Duan Ling, she tilted her head to study him.
His sleeping face was strikingly beautiful, his jawline sharp and smooth, lips faintly red from kissing her earlier.
After a while, her racing pulse steadied, and she drifted into sleep without realizing it.
When she woke again, it was early morning, stirred by the chirping of birds.
The bed was empty beside her.
Lin Ting sat up, still groggy, and turned to find Duan Ling.
He stood barefoot in the room, his robes disheveled, long hair cascading loosely with a few strands falling over his shoulders.
His face, as breathtaking as ever, carried a haunting allure—like a seductive spirit laced with the danger of a venomous snake.
His expression was unreadable, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that jolted her fully awake.
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