On Our Wedding Night, I Discovered the Crown Prince's Hidden Illness

"It is said that when the Crown Prince was in good health, many were fond of him..."

Miao Zhu was speaking eagerly when Mrs. Zhao gently pinched her arm, "Miss has been busy today; you should eat early and rest."

Although the pinch on the arm didn't hurt, Miao Zhu, being quick-witted, immediately got the hint and kept silent.

Leng Yu Yan was not at all annoyed by what Miao Zhu had said; instead, she smiled lightly, "The Crown Prince is a dragon among men; it's only normal for many to like him."

Miao Zhu had a knack for gathering information; what she said was surely true.

Leng Yu Yan removed her veil, and the patched piece of skin on her face peeled off easily.

Gazing at the patches drenched and wrinkled from the rain, her heart sank with a miserable feeling; it would be several days before she could use them again.

They would need careful treatment.

Mrs. Zhao sighed quietly to herself. When the late Madam and the master first married, they too were deeply in love. But later on, concubines entered the household one after another.

If Miss were truly to marry into the Eastern Palace, even if the Crown Prince were weak, the Tian Family would still bring in waves of women into the palace for the sake of appearances.

Women from noble families with status might not wish to marry the Crown Prince, but what about those from ordinary backgrounds? Becoming the Crown Prince's concubine was still very tempting.

What Mrs. Zhao pondered, Leng Yu Yan did not know.

If those who liked Ye Yiheng were many, perhaps she wouldn't have to marry him; with this thought, Leng Yu Yan's gloominess subsided somewhat.

She quickly ate her dinner, then washed up and went to bed.

But that night, Leng Yu Yan slept very restlessly.

In her dream, she was lost in an empty palace.

Between the columns hung moon-white gauze curtains.

The gentle breeze blew, the gauze fluttered, the tassels swayed with the wind, and the hanging bells in the corridors tinkled softly.

Incense burned in censers, diffusing a delicate fragrance carried by the breeze.

Beyond that, the halls were so silent that only her own footsteps could be heard.

She desperately sought an exit...

It seemed merely gauze curtains blocked her way, yet she couldn't find her way out at all.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her, steady and firm, as if it were him.

She turned around; no one was there.

Leng Yu Yan's panic grew, and she felt as though she was falling into a bottomless abyss, surrounded by dense vines, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't clutch them.

In the next instant, she was tightly embraced from behind.

The man was tall, opening his arms to wrap her entirely against him, which shocked her.

Her back pressed against his chest as solid as iron, and in an instant, shock washed over her like towering waves, making it difficult for her to breathe.

"Your Highness, can you let me go?" she asked.

"Why?" he responded.

"You are the most noble auspicious cloud above the ninth heaven, and I am but the most common dust of the mortal world; we really should not be tied together. If Your Highness could let me go, I would be greatly appreciative..."

Before she could finish, the man tightened his arms around her, wrapping her up snugly.

He bowed his head, his lips close to her ear, his voice low and hoarse, "You are alone; where else could you go, hmm?"

With those words, he lifted her into the air...

The absurdity of the dream kept Leng Yu Yan on edge even as she took her morning meal.

Ever since that dream on the horse carriage during her journey into the capital, several days had passed without recurrence, yet last night, it had returned.

Could it be because I visited the Eastern Palace during the day?

And the dream seemed to be warning her, urging her never to marry the Crown Prince.

It wasn't long before Leng Jiajia arrived at Qingyu Residence and saw that Leng Yu Yan was still having breakfast, she asked in surprise, "Sister, why did you get up late today?"

After noticing the faint dark circles under Leng Yu Yan's eyes, she asked again, "Sister, did you not sleep well last night?"

Miao Zhu stepped in to explain, "My miss was too busy yesterday and had an unsettled sleep in the evening."

Leng Jiajia made herself comfortable and sat down opposite Leng Yu Yan, "It's fine, I'll just eat a little more with sister."

After all, it was common for students in Class D to be late to the academy.

Miao Zhu passed a set of chopsticks and bowl to Leng Jiajia, who began eating a pancake with big bites.

Qinxian couldn't help but advise, "Miss, you have already had plenty to eat in your own courtyard."

Leng Jiajia glanced at her and continued eating without a care.

Seeing her cheeks stuffed full, Leng Yu Yan smiled gently, as the lingering dreams in her mind began to fade.

The low voice of Ye Yiheng by her ear in her dream finally stopped echoing.

When the sisters arrived at Xinya Academy, they were astonished to find Miss Xu standing at the door of Class B's building, her gaze filled with provocation as she stared at them.

Leng Jiajia couldn't understand why Mi Xinmei, who was talked about behind her back, dared not come to the academy, while Xu Yaxiang, after being slapped four times, acted as if nothing had happened.

Could it be that this person's face is made of iron?

Leng Jiajia glared fiercely at her and pulled Leng Yu Yan past Xu Yaxiang.

Seeing this, Xu Yaxiang sneered and quickly walked into the class A building.

"Man Ting, we're close friends, and I need to seek revenge. When the time comes, you mustn't stop me."

Lai Manting was pondering how to further refine her brush movement when she heard this, and in a low voice said, "How do you plan to take your revenge?"

Xu Yaxiang's eyes blazed with anger, "I can't get rid of the hatred in my heart for having been beaten to the point of losing teeth. Man Ting, you're clever, help me think of a way to get even?"

When she last spoke of the Crown Prince, her family did not blame her because the Crown Prince had completely lost his influence.

Lai Manting remembered she had once been scared by spots on Leng Yu Yan's face enough to fall over. If those spots were seen by more people, Leng Yu Yan's reputation could not be more tarnished.

But maintaining her sister's reputation was still necessary, "I apologize to you on behalf of my Fifth Sister," she said, bowing slightly.

Xu Yaxiang stopped her, "What are you doing, Man Ting? We're friends. Just be on my side this time!"

Lai Manting feigned difficulty and nodded slightly.

Xu Yaxiang happily squeezed her hand, "We're truly like sisters!"

To that, Lai Manting shiftily replied, deliberately provoking, "No matter how many nasty things are said about Fifth Sister at the academy, she remains indifferent. I fear you have no good means to take out your anger."

Xu Yaxiang hummed fiercely, both in tone and demeanor, "I don't believe it! What if I tore off her veil, what then?"

Lai Manting challenged her, "You've been hit by her once; do you think you can successfully tear it off?"

"We need to find someone then, someone who can make her let down her guard."

The two discussed for a long time but could not find a suitable person.

During the lunch break, the teacher who specialized in calligraphy informed each class one by one about an upcoming calligraphy competition to be held at the academy in a few days and asked everyone to prepare.

The victor of the calligraphy would receive not only an ink treasure from the Empress sent by the Crown Prince but also one thousand silver taels as tuition fee.

Although one thousand silver taels couldn't compare with Leng Yu Yan's generous gifts, the amount was significant.

To put it in perspective, teacher's gifts ranged from several taels of silver.

Lai Manting was determined to win.

She had practiced the vertical hook for several days and had improved.

With additional diligent practice these next few days, she was sure to claim victory.

At that time, the one thousand taels as tuition fee would be hers, and with it, she could rightfully claim the title of the capital city's top scholar.

Not only would she receive the prize money but also the title—a double win!