"What do you mean, she came to see you?" the King asked, still confused.
The Queen explained, "A couple of days ago, Pei Lie brought her to see me and gave me a pill. After I took it, I felt much better, and that's how I woke up."
The King was astonished. "When did they come?" He had guards posted, yet he knew nothing!
Seeing his gaze shift to the two guards at the door with an unfriendly glint, the Queen gently clasped the King's hand with her soft fingertips. Her voice was gentle and warm. "If they hadn't let Miss Shen in, I wouldn't have woken up even now."
Her eyes, like still water, melted the King's heart, and he could no longer speak words of blame. "I'll do as you say. I won't blame them."
He paused, glancing at Pei Lie, his expression unexpectedly mild. "You also contributed."
Pei Lie remained expressionless.
The King received no response and felt a touch of awkwardness. "What is it with you, child? I'm talking to you. Your father is speaking to you, and you won't even reply?"
Pei Lie said flatly, "I heard you."
Is that all? The King was quite annoyed again. He found himself constantly at odds with this son. How was it that even simple conversations had become so difficult?
Seeing this, the Queen stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, all of you go about your business. Don't all crowd around me here."
The King was reluctant. "But I want to spend more time with you."
The Queen, however, said, "We'll have plenty of time to spend together in the future. Now, I want to have a few words with Miss Shen."
The King glanced at Shen Qingqing. "What is there for you two to say?" He was still unwilling to acknowledge Shen Qingqing as the Queen's savior.
The Queen gave him a gentle glare and, holding Shen Qingqing's hand, she said, "After I've been unconscious for a while, do you no longer care about me?"
In front of so many people, asking such a question was quite embarrassing. A blush rose to her cheeks. But this rare charm only made the King's eyes unable to stray from her. "Alright, I'll listen to you. You rest well, and I'll visit you again at noon."
"Mm," the Queen nodded gently.
The King took Pei Xi and Pei Xing away. Pei Lie and Pei Ji only wanted to talk with their mother and paid no attention to what the three were doing.
As soon as the door closed, the Queen's eyes slowly reddened. Pei Lie and Pei Ji crouched by the bedside, looking at her. Though they said nothing, their eyes conveyed deep, complex emotions.
The Queen took a deep breath. "You've endured hardships during this time." Although she hadn't been awake, she could guess that acknowledging Pei Xi was the King's idea, and her sons must have suffered. Otherwise, they wouldn't be looking at her with such eyes.
Pei Lie took her hand, his eyes filled with forbearance. "Mother, it's wonderful that you've woken up now. With you here, I have no worries."
Pei Ji's eyes welled up with tears. He was a man of deep feeling, and when it came to his mother, he always seemed like a child who hadn't grown up. "Mother, now that you're awake, you mustn't sleep again."
The Queen nodded and reached out to stroke his cheek. "Don't worry, Mother won't sleep again. Mother will protect you all." She knew that even though she had only met Pei Xi once, the King's affection for him likely surpassed his love for his three sons. It wasn't entirely surprising, considering Pei Xi had never been by the King's side. The three sons, however, he had watched grow up. This stark contrast was enough to make the King feel guilt towards Pei Xi and compensate him.
...
Meanwhile, the King left the room, a smile still on his face. Pei Xi stepped forward. "Father, your relationship with the Queen is truly wonderful. You are the happiest person to see the Queen awaken."
The King instinctively nodded, but then remembered this was Pei Xi. Not his other three sons. He paused, looking at Pei Xi with a trace of apology. "Pei Xi, I know what's on your mind, but the Queen... is very important to Country H, so..."
Pei Xi lowered his gaze slightly. Seeing him like this, the King felt even more unwilling to refuse. He patted Pei Xi's shoulder. "But you can rest assured, I won't abandon you. I will do what I promised you. Only this matter... The Queen looks unwell after waking up this time, and her health has likely not recovered. Let's consider it a punishment from God for her. Afterward, let's not bring that matter up again."
Pei Xing, standing nearby, kept his eyes down and his posture respectful, showing no curiosity about "that matter."
Pei Xi smiled. "Father, you underestimate me. How could I make such an excessive request? I know that for so many years, Mother and I haven't been by your side. Only the Queen has taken care of you and accompanied you. Such a bond is beyond our reach..." He wore a somber expression.
The King looked at Pei Xi's features, which bore a five-point resemblance to his own, and felt a surge of paternal affection and pity. "Don't say that. You are also very important to your father. It's just that the Queen helped me in the early years. When I was at my most difficult, she was the only one by my side..."
"I understand, Father. Don't worry." The King carefully observed Pei Xi. When he spoke these words, his expression was open and honest, devoid of resentment or pretense. The King felt even more gratified. "You are truly a child of excellent character. I am proud of you."
Pei Xi seemed a little embarrassed and lowered his head. "Father, I will do as you say. Whatever you arrange is fine."
"Good, good, good. A good child." The King then left, satisfied. Little did he know, after he left, Pei Xi watched his retreating back, his eyes filled with mockery. "He is too sentimental. He will never achieve great things."
...
While the mother and sons were talking, Shen Qingqing stood by, not interrupting. Only after they finished did she speak. "Should I examine your body again now?"
"Hasn't the poison been resolved?" Pei Ji asked worriedly. "Are there any lingering effects?"
"It's just a check-up. Don't overthink it," Shen Qingqing said, out of caution. After all, there was another person in the palace who was skilled in poisons.
"Alright, then I'll trouble you." The Queen patted Pei Ji's hand, signaling him to be calm. She turned to Shen Qingqing, her eyes gentle and serene. Shen Qingqing found that she was truly a woman who could bring peace to one's heart.
After the examination, she showed some relief. "It's fine. From now on, you just need to recuperate well. Eat some tonics to replenish your nutrients, and your body will recover faster. Remember, do not eat highly potent things like ginseng." In her condition, consuming such strong tonics would be detrimental.
"Okay, I'll remember," Pei Lie said earnestly, then pursed his lips and said again, "Thank you, Miss Shen."
Shen Qingqing waved her hand.
The Queen looked at them and suddenly smiled. "Do you have a plan?"
Shen Qingqing looked at her and found no surprise or other emotion in her eyes, only calmness and a faint smile. "You already know?"
She looked at Pei Lie. "Did you tell her?"
Pei Lie shook his head. "I didn't. Mother, how did you know?"