Shen Qingqing had no interest in the king's emotional world. "What about Pei Xing's mother?"
"Dead."
Pei Ji sighed, "She died in childbirth when she was giving birth to the second one."
From then on, the second brother was raised by the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was a very gentle and magnanimous woman, treating the second brother as if he were her own son.
Thus, the three brothers grew up together, their bond never faltering.
Pei Xing knew his mother had used improper means to gain her position. He rarely mentioned her, only going to her grave quietly on her death anniversary each year.
Shen Qingqing mumbled, "He seems to be loyal and righteous."
But when she recalled that person, she felt inexplicably uncomfortable. She couldn't quite describe the feeling. If she had to put it into words...
It was as if that person wore a mask, and what they saw was not him at all.
Instead, it was the person he wanted everyone to see.
Simply put, it was fake.
Of course, she wouldn't say this in front of Pei Ji, given their good sibling relationship. "So, do you think your second brother is still the same person after he woke up?"
"Yes."
Pei Ji had never doubted it. "Although his personality is different, one always changes after experiencing life and death. Besides, some of his little habits and hobbies are the same as before, and he still visits his mother's grave on time every year."
These signs indicated that he was still their second brother.
Shen Qingqing nodded, then suddenly thought of something. "What about the masked man who saved your second brother?"
Speaking of this person, Pei Ji was quite dejected. "When my second brother survived, everyone was overjoyed. They were all surrounding him, and by the time they remembered to look for the mysterious person, he was gone, vanishing as mysteriously as he had appeared."
They also checked the surveillance footage and asked the doctors, nurses, and security guards on duty.
The mysterious man left the hospital and got into a car. They tried to follow the car, but it drove onto a street without any surveillance cameras and then disappeared without a trace.
Pei Ji was unwilling to give up and searched for the mysterious person for a long time, wanting to thank him in person.
But he could not find him.
Later, he gave up.
"This is probably what you Chinese call... doing good deeds without seeking recognition!"
Shen Qingqing thought to herself that doing good deeds without seeking recognition was like Lei Feng, but this mysterious person, hiding his identity, might not be a selfless hero.
As they were talking, someone walked over from a distance.
It was Pei Xing.
Seeing him, Pei Ji quickly stood up to greet him. "Second brother, why are you here?"
Pei Xing patted his shoulder. "What, you don't welcome me?"
Pei Ji shook his head. "How could that be? You are my second brother, and the master of this palace. You are free to come and go as you please."
Pei Xing pressed his shoulder down and turned to look at Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu. "I heard you have considerable influence back in your country."
"No, it's just rumors from the outside," Shen Qingqing said humbly, waving her hand.
"But looking at you two, you seem to fit the rumors." Pei Xing sized them up, a smile in his eyes. "I still want to thank you. I've heard all about Pei Ji's situation."
Just now, the attendant downstairs had gone to tidy his room, and he had asked a few more questions.
He had learned about Pei Ji's situation from beginning to end.
"Regarding the deserted island..." His expression grew a little more serious. "I've already sent someone to retrieve Tickert. I will question him to find out who instructed him."
"Second brother, do you also suspect Pei Xi?" Pei Ji's eyes lit up.
Pei Xing paused, then frowned. "You think it was him? Do you have any evidence?"
"Not yet..."
This was also where Pei Ji felt frustrated. His intuition told him that Pei Xi was the one who poisoned him. It was only natural for Pei Xi to want to ascend the throne and to get rid of him to secure the antidote.
Shen Qingqing's lips moved, but she ultimately remained silent.
Watching the two brothers talk, Pei Ji glanced at the time. "Second brother, it's still early. You should go back and rest. I'll escort you back to your room."
Pei Xi nodded slightly. Before leaving, he glanced at Shen Qingqing. "If you have any clues, please inform me immediately."
"Okay."
After watching them leave, Shen Qingqing fell into thought.
Fu Jingshu took her small hand and gently kneaded it. "What are you thinking about?"
Shen Qingqing withdrew her gaze, propping her chin with one hand. "I'm wondering if I should tell Pei Xing about Pei Xi's schemes."
"You don't trust him."
Fu Jingshu's words were to the point.
Shen Qingqing sighed. "It's really difficult to trust someone who suddenly appears and expects me to trust him without any explanation."
However, time was running out for her to understand Pei Xing.
"Let's leave it at that for now. I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow."
In the early morning, Shen Qingqing was awakened by a commotion. She sleepily glanced at the time; it was only six o'clock.
Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her waist, gently patting her arm.
Shen Qingqing buried her face in his embrace, covering her ears irritably. "What's all the noise outside? It's so early in the morning, can't people sleep?"
Fu Jingshu patted her back, tucked her into the blankets, and prepared to get out of bed himself.
Then, he was pulled back from behind.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to see what's happening," Fu Jingshu explained patiently, pulling the blanket up for her, and then turned towards the door.
Shen Qingqing lay there for a while, but couldn't fall back asleep.
When Fu Jingshu returned, the bed sank slightly. She turned her head to look at him. "How is it?"
"The Queen has woken up."
"Really?"
Shen Qingqing's hazy mind slowly cleared. According to the schedule, the Queen was supposed to wake up in the afternoon. Why had she woken up so early?
She pulled the blanket away, and Fu Jingshu handed her clothes. It turned out he had already gotten them from the wardrobe.
"Put these on. I'll accompany you to see the excitement."
"Okay."
After Shen Qingqing was dressed, she hurried to wash her face. The whole process took less than ten minutes. She shook her long hair and hugged Fu Jingshu's arm.
"Let's go."
Fu Jingshu responded with a low hum.
The Queen's awakening was undoubtedly a cause for joy. Everyone rushed to see her, not to mention the King and the princes, even the attendants crowded at the door to watch.
Eventually, the King reprimanded them, "Go back to your duties. What are you watching here?"
Only then did the attendants disperse.
Inside the room, the King sat by the bed, holding the Queen's hand, his gaze fixed on her. His voice was tinged with a hint of choked emotion. "You're finally awake. Do you know how worried I was about you?"
The Queen smiled faintly. "It's alright now."
The King snorted and held her tightly. "If you're truly alright, then you're not allowed to sleep anymore from now on. You must stay with me always."
"The children are all here, why are you saying this..."
The Queen was a very gentle woman, and with this shy demeanor, she looked even more captivating.
The King was unwilling to leave her side even for a moment.
Pei Ji and his two brothers were also present. Perhaps because the Queen had awakened, the King even allowed Pei Lie to come out, although he still didn't look at him.