Rebirth on the Day She Was Poisoned by an Aphrodisiac - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Exercise

The “Bamboo Shoot Feast” was centered entirely around bamboo shoots, and the guests truly felt the culinary prowess of Shou’an Palace’s kitchens. All ten courses featured bamboo shoots, each with a distinct flavor.

The final dish was a pink noodle soup with a startlingly pungent aroma. Empress Dowager Gu watched her juniors with a beaming smile, her expression practically saying, “Eat up, drink up.” She didn’t bother with the two awkward youths sitting before her and instead asked the Empress about recent court affairs.

The Empress replied that all was well, and the Dowager stopped there. she had no love for politics and preferred living her quiet life behind closed doors.

Pei Chen stared at the soup, her timid gaze landing on Liyang’s wrist. Liyang’s wrist was slender and looked soft to the touch. In that moment of distraction, Liyang pulled her sleeve down to cover it.

Nothing left to see. Pei Chen felt a wave of disappointment. Then, the Second Princess’s voice drifted over: “Pei Chen, do you like my Big Sister?”

Pei Chen remained silent. She recalled the eventual fate of this Second Princess—treason, execution, and her body hung at the city gates as a public warning. The order for that execution had been given by Liyang herself. Pei Chen stole another glance at Liyang, pursed her lips, and whispered in a low voice: “I do admire Her Highness.”

Her voice was timid and soft. Liyang felt a flicker of hallucination; she remembered the girl she had raised years ago, who had once said those exact words. She turned around. Pei Chen was close enough to touch—bright, beautiful, and possessing a brow that bore a striking resemblance to Pei Xi. They were both daughters of the Pei family, so a resemblance was only natural.

Liyang closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said, “Your health is poor. You should focus on nourishing your body.”

Pei Chen’s eyes lit up. Is she worried I’ll cough up blood or faint during the ‘detox’ sessions?

She said happily, “I won’t faint.”

Liyang was choked for words. She looked at Pei Chen in disbelief, a flush slowly creeping up her face, making her look incomparably stunning. Suppressing her embarrassment, she whispered a stern rebuke: “Do not talk nonsense.”

Having been the Eldest Princess for many years, her authority remained. Her eyes turned cold like ice, scaring Pei Chen into bowing her head. You were the one who brought it up first, Pei Chen grumbled inwardly.

Liyang’s heart was racing. That day, Pei Chen had been very gentle, the skin of her palms soft as she slowly caressed Liyang’s skin. Liyang couldn’t bear to look any longer and turned away, only to find the Empress Dowager watching them with a knowing smile.

Liyang’s face turned even redder. Noticing her reaction, Pei Chen caught a glimpse of her jade-like neck, which looked as though it had been painted with rouge. Her mind wandered.

That day, Her Highness tilted her neck back, her skin snow-white… Pei Chen blinked, scolding herself for her lecherous thoughts, and quickly started eating her noodles.

She took a bite and was immediately hit by the stench. How can it be this smelly?

The Empress Dowager truly had an unpredictable mind.

The guests, unable to appreciate the Dowager’s “humor,” all made excuses to leave. Even the Empress, supported by her maids, ran faster than a rabbit. Liyang followed suit. As she rose, Pei Chen—driven by some strange impulse—grabbed her hand and stammered: “My heart yearns for Your Highness.”

Liyang flushed again and brushed her hand away. She hadn’t intended to respond, but remembering how Pei Chen had coughed up blood after her harsh words the other day, she paused. “I do not dislike you,” she said.

Pei Chen beamed like a fool. Her grand-aunt, the Empress Dowager, covered her eyes, unable to watch the display.

What’s so good about Liyang? She’s as cold as a block of ice. She’s not nearly as likable as the Third Princess, Mingyun. Even if Mingyun only cares about money, she’s at least lively and cute.

Taking Charge

After the feast dispersed, Pei Chen stayed behind. Empress Dowager Gu gave her a lecture: “If you have the energy to chase girls, you’d better go home and fix the mess in your family. I assume you know all about Pei Ming.”

Pei Chen had been in a daze for days, but she possessed her past memories. Pei Ming was not a good person and had to be eliminated. However, killing him outright for this incident might destabilize her own position. She couldn’t let Pei Ming lead her by the nose.

“I am grateful for your concern, Grand-Aunt. I will handle it myself.”

“Go on then,” the Dowager didn’t press her. A person who had been cowardly for seventeen years wouldn’t change overnight. She offered one final piece of advice: “If you can’t handle it, you can always go to Liyang.”

Liyang inherited the late Emperor’s style; she was reliable.

Pei Chen thanked her again. After a short rest, she prepared to leave the palace. She had entered alone and would leave alone.

The afternoon sun was bright and warm. Climbing into her carriage, she smiled with relief. Being the same age as the Princess in this life was truly a wonderful thing.

As the carriage left the palace gates, Mingyun caught up to her. The Third Princess was dressed in purple riding gear, her hair in a cute bun, looking incredibly healthy. Pei Chen lifted the curtain and looked at her with envy. “Do you need something?”

“Pei Chen, why don’t you consider me instead?” Mingyun smiled, looking high-spirited in the sunlight.

Pei Chen furrowed her brows. She knew this “Third Aunt’s” mind. To her, money was the most important thing in the world. She likely wanted the Pei family’s fortune.

She chuckled and rejected her: “You love silver, not me.”

“No, I love you and silver. You can have both the fish and the bear’s paw,” Mingyun said, slowing her horse. She noticed Pei Chen’s eyes were bright, no longer lifeless as they used to be.

Pei Chen countered, “You could just find a wealthy husband.”

“You are the best. Think about it: you have money, and you’re sickly. After we marry, I won’t even have to fulfill my duties as a wife,” Mingyun rambled, oblivious to Pei Chen’s darkening face.

Pei Chen wasn’t angry; she had seen weirder things. She smiled and said, “I’m not a person without desires. Why wouldn’t you fulfill your duties? You heard it just now—Princess Liyang asked for water to bathe…”

Mingyun pulled the reins sharply, asking naively, “Wasn’t that a joke?”

Pei Chen’s smile turned enigmatic as she pierced the bubble: “It was real.”

Mingyun stared at Pei Chen as if she had seen a ghost, then whipped her horse and galloped away like a lightning bolt. Pei Chen’s smile faded, replaced by a deep, pensive look.

The General’s Manor

The original owner of the General’s Manor was General Zhaoyao, who adopted Pei Kai. Pei Kai and his illegitimate eldest son died in battle, leaving behind his side-consort, Lady Chen, and his primary wife, Lady Gu. Lady Gu had only conceived after many years of marriage. Weakened by the shock of her husband’s death and childbirth, she had spent years sequestered, practicing Buddhism.

Management of the household fell to Lady Chen, who was Pei Ming’s biological grandmother.

Upon returning home, Pei Chen first went to pay respects to Lady Gu. As expected, her mother refused to see her, seemingly disliking this daughter.

Soon, Lady Chen arrived. Nearly fifty but well-preserved, she greeted Pei Chen. Pei Chen returned the greeting, leaving Lady Chen flattered. “Is the Young Master feeling better?”

“Much better. And my ‘nephew’?” Pei Chen asked with a faint, elegant smile.

She particularly enjoyed the title “nephew.” She wanted to call him that every day and watch Pei Ming’s fake humility. If he wanted to act, she would play along.

Lady Chen was surprised to see her smile. “Ming-er is in the study. Her Majesty is selecting talents for the Imperial Guard in a few days, so he is practicing hard.”

The Imperial Guard… Pei Chen was surprised. In her past life, Pei Ming used the Love Gu to blackmail Liyang into letting him into the Guard. Was he going to try the legitimate route this time?

She nodded. “You may go about your business.”

A competition? I’ve never lost one.

She had seen Pei Ming’s skills; the Pei family spear technique was formidable. She knew it too, but this body was too weak to handle a spear. However, horse racing and archery were still options.

Back in her courtyard, her maids were delighted, serving tea and snacks. Pei Chen rested briefly before heading to the stables to pick a horse. After finding nothing suitable, she had an idea. She ordered a box of gold to be prepared for Princess Liyang’s manor.

Her maid, Bai Shuang, was confused. “Did you mean the Third Princess?” The Eldest Princess doesn’t care for money.

Pei Chen thought for a moment. “Actually, don’t take the money. Just go to Liyang’s manor and ask if they have any good steeds I can borrow.”

“What’s happened to you? Going over there to beg?”

“It’s fine, just go.” Pei Chen urged her. She had already chosen a return gift for their next meeting.

Bai Shuang went to ask, expecting a rejection. To her shock, the Princess directly sent over ten fine horses. Bai Shuang scurried back like the wind.

What on earth? The ‘Do Not Approach’ Princess is suddenly granting every request? She usually looked down on Pei Chen for being cowardly.

Pei Chen smiled and had the horses stabled. “What has Pei Ming been up to lately?”

“I heard he’s preparing for the competition. He invited some young lords out of the city for racing and archery. Don’t be upset, Young Master; he might not even be selected,” Bai Shuang said worriedly.

Pei Chen wasn’t angry. “How many days left?”

“Five days.”

“I’ll try as well,” Pei Chen said with a meaningful smile. The Empress looked down on her because she was a “sickly thing” who couldn’t lift a weight. What if she won the competition?

Bai Shuang was stunned. Pei Chen immediately began planning: waking up an hour early to exercise. Running was essential. This body was so weak she gasped for air after three steps. She had to build endurance first.

She held herself to a strict regimen, just as the Eldest Princess had once held her.

The Princess’s Reaction

While Pei Chen was busy, Liyang sat by her window, looking out at the spring scenery. Her advisor whispered cautiously, “Your Highness, your health…”

Liyang snapped back to reality. She was a regressor, but she had woken up a step too late—finding herself in the pear orchard with Pei Chen already there. It was different from her first life.

Something is wrong.

At least Pei Chen was a kind soul. She took a deep breath. The Love Gu flared once a month. The last time was the 8th; that meant it would flare again on the 8th of every month.

The advisor added, “Princess, the son of the Pei family is not a good match. Her Majesty does not like him.”

At the mention of Pei Chen, Liyang’s heart skipped a beat and her blood felt as if it were boiling. Is this reaction controlled by the Love Gu? In her previous life, she used blood as medicine to detox; she had loathed Pei Ming, and her body never reacted like this.

She took another breath. The advisor mentioned again: “The young master of the Pei family has been unwell.”

Liyang unconsciously clenched her fists, her heart churning with conflicting emotions.

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