Chapter 346: Chapter 347 The Most Difficult Puzzle of Love

Yan Ze, with his arms folded across his chest and touching his chin, said, “I’ve never seen you tread so carefully around anyone. Although she is somewhat special, with your identity as a Prince, you shouldn’t need to be like this.”

“She is different from others. If possible, I would have used my identity as a Prince to keep her by my side, but unfortunately, she avoids my identity like the plague.”

Pei Huaian’s gaze shifted toward the person in the distance and continued, “She doesn’t want to get involved in disputes. She just wants to be a doctor who heals the sick. She also doesn’t wish for the child and those around him to fall into danger.”

In fact, Pei Huaian could sense Shao He’s hesitation. Whenever he took a step forward, Shao He would take a step back, creating a constant tug of war.

After listening, Yan Ze chuckled, clapped him on the shoulder, and said, “I never thought I would see you like this one day.”

“Yes, me neither. I never imagined I would be so enamored with a woman.” Pei Huaian’s lips curved into a slight smile, but it was laced with profound bitterness.

It was as if something was choking his throat, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Yan Ze shook his head, sighed, and said, “I still remember when you proclaimed arrogantly in a teahouse that you would never be trapped by love in this lifetime, that you only wished to battle on the fields of war. Then, the Emperor sent you to support the Southern Frontier, and I personally saw you off at the city gates.”

Pei Huaian nodded and pursed his lips, “I remember that too. At that time, I led thirty thousand soldiers to the aid. You even said that after winning the battle, we would drink and rejoice together.”

Yan Ze snorted derisively, “Little did I expect it was all but a sinister scheme.”

Pei Huaian’s eyes darkened. It was during that battle that he was poisoned, and the Eldest Imperial Brother had his legs ruined trying to save him!

Yan Ze scoffed coldly, his tone laced with mockery, “The Empress planned to kill two birds with one stone, eliminating you and the Crown Prince. However, she didn’t expect that both of you would have the tenacity to survive.”

“Yes, to live.” Brows furrowed, a hand clenched tightly at his side, Pei Huaian became increasingly solemn.

No one knew better than him how he and the Eldest Imperial Brother had endured the past years, living in agony as if mired in an abyss with not a sliver of light in sight.

It was precisely because of Shao He’s arrival that he saw a glimmer of hope, especially when he saw the child.

Only then did Pei Huaian realize that there was hope only if he lived, even if his legs were crippled and he could no longer stand. Still, he wished to protect the innocent life and Shao He.

Yan Ze observed the changes on his face, his eyes sparkling with a complex light. After a long while, he sighed and said, “Perhaps she is the savior sent by the heavens for you.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Huaian looked up in confusion and asked, “A savior?”

Yan Ze nodded, “Yes, the heavens sent her to you; what else could she be if not a savior? Moreover, since she already knows your identity, she must also understand your relationship with the Empress. If she is willing to help you…”

Before Yan Ze could finish speaking, Pei Huaian interrupted him firmly, “I don’t need her help with anything. As long as she and the child are safe, that is my greatest wish.”

Shao He should never have been involved in this conflict. He also did not want to use Shao He to confront the Empress.

“After all these years, I really don’t know what’s going on in your head! It’s clearly the fastest way to bring down the Empress, yet why do you have to be so obstinate?” Yan Ze sighed and shook his head.

Pei Huaian looked down, his expression dull, and murmured, “I can use anyone, anything, to bring down the Empress, except for her.”

“If she truly likes you, not caring about your identity, she would surely choose to help you rather than watch you fight alone.”

Pei Huaian looked up at him, his lips pressed tightly together, “It has always been me persistently pursuing her. As long as she can accept me and is willing to stay by my side, what does it matter if I fight valiantly alone? As long as I can turn around and see her there, I would be content.”

Yan Ze never imagined he would be so unfeeling all his life, only to fall hopelessly into love.

“The riddle of love is the hardest to solve; once entangled, it becomes a deadlock. You must take care of yourself.” Yan Ze hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand and patted Pei Huaian’s shoulder.

As long-time friends, Yan Ze wished more than anyone for Pei Huaian to achieve his desires. Only he could become a wise ruler and create an era of peace.

But once someone gains attachments, it’s like having a vulnerability. Decisions become hesitant and wavering, and Yan Ze did not want Shao He to be the downfall of Pei Huaian.

When Shao He finished treating the patient in her hands and came over, Yan Ze had already left without a trace.

“Master Yan has left?”

“Mmm, he had other matters.”

Shao He suddenly remembered that Qingxia was missing an ingredient for the medicine, “Wait for me a moment.”

After saying that, she quickly went toward the back courtyard.

Lin Shuangqiao, who was secretly watching from not too far away, took the opportunity to pick up the prepared tea, walked over, and placed it on the table.

She poured a cup of tea and presented it to Pei Huaian, casually saying, “Actually, Miss Liang didn’t mean to provoke earlier, she just wanted to ask Doctor Shao if she knew anything about the Fifth Prince’s preferences.”

“Doctor Shao said she’s not interested in the Fifth Prince, but she certainly wouldn’t fancy a woman like Miss Liang. She even said that Miss Liang comes from humble origins.”

With these words, Lin Shuangqiao was downplaying the seriousness, twisting the events to make it sound as if it was Shao He who had first provoked Liang Rou.