Transmigrating into a book to save her best friend, her sickly husband vies for her affections every

Zhang Zhan was surprised, and was choked by Zhao Siwei's ravenous eating. "Can you finish a whole plate?"

Zhao Siwei carried the plate to the side, ignoring Zhang Zhan's shocked expression.

There's something wrong with this pastry.

It contained almonds that Zhang Zhan couldn't eat; eating too many would cause breathing difficulties. This was discovered after Zhang Zhan fell into the water and nearly died while eating a piece of almond cake in his room.

Therefore, such things would never appear in his life, for fear of poisoning Zhang Zhan to death. This guy would avoid eating anything outside if possible, but on his own turf, he would try anything that looked edible.

If he hadn't been curious and acted quickly, Zhang Zhan would be happily eating now, but he'd be in his coffin by now.

Mother Consort...

This was prepared by my mother.

The flavor is really mild, almost undetectable.

However, when he and Zhang Zhan used these things outside, he would taste them first, just in case something went wrong. After all, many people in the capital liked to use almonds, and he also liked them quite a bit. Later, he stopped using them because of Zhang Zhan.

He tasted almonds many times while eating out, and over time, he became very sensitive to the taste of almonds; he could taste them whenever he wanted them.

So when he took a bite, he thought there was something wrong with his tongue.

Because it was given to him by his mother, he felt that there was something wrong with his sense of taste.

I've eaten several pieces now, and the almond flavor is very pronounced.

Zhang Zhan doesn't even need to eat a few pieces; this one piece is enough to finish him off.

Even with a doctor, there weren't enough medicines to save him in such a severe blizzard.

Not to mention, Zhang Zhan himself had a lot of new and old injuries.

Why did Mother Consort do this?

She handed him the food box herself, and he carried two of the food boxes that she had given him personally.

Food is the easiest thing to get into trouble with, so it's always guarded by his trusted confidants.

Therefore, no one will have a chance to get close along the way.

Even if someone is suspected of approaching, these things will not appear on the table.

It could only be the work of the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager knew perfectly well that Zhang Zhan could not eat almonds.

She did it on purpose.

Knowing what dishes she had prepared, Zhang Zhan would taste each one, even adding some to his own meals, because he was certain that the two of them might dine together.

"Is it really that delicious? Why don't you break off a piece for me to try?" Zhang Zhan saw Zhao Siwei wolfing down his food, got up and walked over. "I never realized before that your mother's pastries were so to your liking."

Zhao Siwei stuffed all the pastries from the plate into his mouth in two bites, then covered his mouth and tried to swallow them.

We must not let Zhang Zhan find out.

This is going to cause trouble.

Zhang Zhan frowned in disdain. "Are you really that serious?" He poured tea and handed it to him. "You only won some of Ji Tingyao's things. Why humiliate yourself to provoke me? It's useless."

Zhao Siwei wasn't thinking that spitting in his face would kill him; he absolutely wouldn't swallow it.

"Are you going to see Ji Tingyao?" Zhang Zhan handed her the handkerchief.

Zhao Siwei wiped his mouth clean and threw it into the brazier.

They didn't give Zhang Zhan even the slightest chance to make contact.

Zhang Zhan felt very upset. "Your Highness, this is quite expensive."

"How expensive could it be? Don't I have any in my palace?" Zhao Siwei went back to sit down and eat. "I will not marry Xu Tutu. If you say another word, I will throw you into the fire pit and burn you to death."

He's such an obedient talker; Zhang Zhan became a storyteller and his business is booming.

“I’ve told you my opinion. How you accept it is your business; I won’t get involved,” Zhang Zhan said. “When you go over there, could you ask her for me why she hit me today?”

"Shouldn't you have hit her?" Zhao Siwei was also a little confused, but since the fight had already started, was Zhang Zhan supposed to hit her back? "Why did she hit Meng**? Forget it, you better stay away from Meng**, understand!"

As Zhang Zhan blew on the soup, he kept thinking about whether or not to tell Zhao Siwei about Meng Jiasong's visit to him.

In the past, Zhao Siwei trusted him completely. Even if someone did something to hurt him or cross his bottom line, he would just snort and leave.

Now, I don't know what happened, but if anything goes slightly wrong, Zhao Siwei will hate him. It's not that he doesn't trust him anymore, it's that he hates him.

Why do I hate him?

That's really sick.

He was honest for once, "Well, if I said that Meng**'s father begged me and Meng**, what would you do?"

Zhao Siwei's eyes turned cold, and Zhang Zhan handed him the soup that he had blown to cool it down, saying, "Your Highness, please."

Zhao Siwei took a sip from the bowl, his expression changed, and then he spat it out.

Zhang Zhan: ...

"Zhao Jiu, are you sick in the head?"

Zhao Siwei picked up her chopsticks and tried all the dishes, then stared at Zhang Zhan and asked, "Didn't you notice that the taste has changed a bit?"

Zhang Zhan was a little surprised. "I haven't eaten it yet." He paused for a moment. "How could it taste bad in the middle of winter? Is something wrong with your tongue? Should we get a doctor to take a look?"

As he spoke, he reached for his chopsticks to taste it.

Zhao Siwei snatched the chopsticks away. "Don't eat anymore. I'll have someone get you something else." He called someone in and ordered, "Get these out of here and throw them away!"

Every single dish had a faint almond flavor, very subtle.

But he ate every single bite clearly.

Mother, could it be that it was you who harmed Zhang Zhan?

why?

Zhang Zhan respected his mother as if she were his own mother.

Zhang Zhan didn't think much of it. He simply walked to the brazier, sat down, grabbed some of the roasted fruit that Zhao Siwei had peeled and was eating, looking like he was starving and too hungry to think.

"Great Heat, hurry up, I'm really hungry."

Da Shu exclaimed, "Let's go urge them!"

Zhao Siwei stared at Zhang Zhan's face.

I recalled my conversation with Zhao Fu'er.

It was on that rainy day that Zhao Fu'er noticed that Zhang Zhan's features were somewhat similar to those of the palace maid who had betrayed her mother, which aroused her suspicion.

So, could it be that the Empress Dowager recognized her too?

That's very possible...

After all, that palace maid and my mother were very good friends.

Even though Zhang Zhan's face was a disgrace because of his father, the emperor, it was still breathtakingly beautiful.

Or perhaps the Empress Dowager discovered it a long time ago but simply didn't take action while searching for evidence.

Zhao Siwei's mind was in turmoil, and he felt like something was blocking his way.

So, what role did the mother play in the past?

A moment later, Da Shu walked in, his face beaming with joy.

"Young Master Ji has arrived, bringing food. He asked Your Highness and the Crown Prince if they would do him the honor of joining us for a meal. It looks like quite a lot. Apart from Ji Fuguang, there are only two young masters, so they probably won't be able to eat much."

Zhang Zhan was furious at the mention of the Ji family. "I'm not going." He was absolutely incompatible with the Ji family; nothing good ever came of it. He had already sworn to avoid any association with them.

"I'll go." Zhao Siwei walked out, wondering what he was up to. "I don't think you're hungry."

Zhang Zhan refused to go and instead squatted by the brazier.

Seeing Zhao Siwei actually walk over, Da Shu hesitated for a moment, then went to coax Zhang Zhan, "Your Highness, aren't you hungry? Otherwise, I'll have someone send you some. There's not much good food here, but the dishes look really good. It's a blessing for the Ji family that you and His Highness have gone over!"

"I'm not hungry." Zhang Zhan munched on an orange, even though his stomach was still growling and he was really, really hungry.

Da Shu added, "We're not going to joke around with our health. Even if you go to the Ninth Prince's place, he won't eat well."

“No.” Zhang Zhan said decisively, “I haven’t eaten in eight lifetimes. I’m going to eat with the Ji family.”

Helpless during the Great Heat, he turned around and shook his head at Zhao Siwei, who was standing at the door with his arms crossed.

Zhao Siwei sneered: "Then you should have some backbone. Let's see how many meals you go without eating."

Zhang Zhan sneered, "You insist on going to the Ji family to eat their food? Do you want to become a live-in son-in-law? Did the Ji family cast some kind of spell on you? Are they trying to win you over?"

It's incomprehensible how Zhao Siwei, having only known the Ji family for a short time, is already so strangely protective of them.

Zhao Siwei got angry, "Do you believe I'll kick you into the fire pit and cremate you?"

Zhang Zhan retorted sharply, "They'd kill me for the sake of the Ji family? They value women over friends, their hearts have changed. And they keep calling me 'brother,' what kind of brother would do such a thing?"

"Zhang Zhan!" Zhao Siwei clenched his fists.

Zhang Zhan wasn't afraid of him: "What, are you going to beat me to death?"

"I'm really going to give you a good beating today."

Da Shu hurriedly grabbed Zhao Siwei, "Master, let's go eat first."

As night fell, the snow intensified, and it looked like it was going to snow even harder. People could barely see anything when they went outside, their faces covered in snowflakes.

Fortunately, Zhuangzi had enough to cover his living expenses for a few days.

Meng** booked the room in advance, so the room was not small and had a private hot spring pool.

Tingyao leaned against the shore, her eyes closed, her expression not very good, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

Meng** is having a water fight with Ji Chenbi.

Ji Anzhi, Ji Chunhe, and two other girls they both knew squeezed into the opposite room. The three of them made a ruckus and ended up together.

The meeting ended with Ji Chenbi surrendering and climbing into the pool. Meng** quite liked this lively little sister, which was better than the others who followed the rules.

"Baozi, what's wrong? You seem downcast." Meng** wrung out a half-dry towel and placed it on her head, thinking it would make her head feel better. "Is your head still hurting?"

Tingyao hummed in agreement and leaned on Meng**'s shoulder.

"Did you enjoy your stay?"

Meng** said seriously, "I don't like it. Do you like it here?"

Staying here is both simple and somewhat difficult, as long as Xu Tutu doesn't become the empress in the end.

Tingyao didn't say anything.

Meng** said, "Actually, this place is quite good for me. You know, I'm an orphan in the real world, and you're my only family. But you're different; you still have family."

Tingyao suddenly asked, "If Zhang Zhan asked you to stay, would you?"

Meng**: "Am I crazy? Okay, I've thought about it. If I could have a relationship with him, even a secret one, at least I could have my crush's affections. But I don't want to stay with him until the end. I wouldn't have any freedom at all."

Tingyao said, "The land that Zhao Siwei put him in is quite large. He can come and go freely in the entire imperial mausoleum area. The house is also built to the scale of a marquis's mansion. Apart from the lack of freedom, he can actually have anything he wants."

If he really wanted to see Zhao Siwei, Zhao Siwei would definitely go.

When she was handling palace affairs, there was a special fund for subsidizing the imperial mausoleum, which was for Zhang Zhan's expenses. However, since he was imprisoned, Zhang Zhan had never done anything reckless and accepted everything the capital gave him.

However, not a single word was ever sent back, not even a letter of gratitude.

She also asked and said that Zhang Zhan seemed to be living a very comfortable life every day, eating, sleeping, strolling around, and even painting when he was in a good mood.

The dream life of a homebody, where food and clothing are never a worry.

It really seems like Zhao Siwei wouldn't dare to teach him a lesson.

Anyway, when she ended her previous life, Zhao Siwei didn't give her any credit.

Even when Consort Xian told him to deal with Zhang Zhan, he remained silent.

Consort Xian.

Tingyao blinked.

In her previous life, Consort Xian's hatred for Zhang Zhan was even stronger and purer than that for Zhao Siwei; she wished she could tear him to pieces.

Consort Xian...

In her previous life, this mother truly loved Zhang Zhan deeply, and hated him even more purely.

Meng**'s voice rang in my ears.

"I don't want freedom, I don't want to be locked up with him."

“But don’t you know a lot about the plot? It’s like you’re on God’s-eye view. You can change for your idol,” Tingyao said.

Meng** just laughed it off, "My idol won so much money from us today, and all my romantic feelings for him vanished. I think he's not good-looking anymore, and even petty."

Tingyao laughed, "Really? Then you'd better keep your current opinion of him. Don't come back in a couple of days and say, 'Honey, I think Zhang Zhan is really great.'"

“I won’t think Zhang Zhan is good-looking anytime soon,” Meng** said. “Xu Tutu is crazy. She deliberately got close to Zhang Zhan today just to make Zhao Siwei jealous.”

After Tingyao regained consciousness, she also realized it was true and found it a bit funny. "As a result, Zhang Zhan was scared half to death. Did you see Zhang Zhan almost fall down? I didn't even dare to laugh."

Aside from being quite magnanimous towards Zhao Siwei, Zhang Zhan would disappear in no time if anyone dared to laugh at him outside.

"I was thinking that I should speak up for justice, and I also wanted to laugh. Zhang Zhan was really scared and was screaming in my ear."

Meng** also covered her mouth and laughed, seemingly losing control of her facial expressions.

"And Zhao Siwei, he clearly went to help Zhang Zhan, who knows what Xu Tutu imagined!"

"Let me tell you, when I was reading the book, I felt that even if these two people had a falling out later on..."

"Xu Tutu, haha, talking badly about Zhang Zhan in front of Zhao Siwei. Zhao Siwei always says that line, 'You know about him now?' It seems like she's jealous that Xu Tutu cares about Zhang Zhan, but the more I watch, the more I think she's actually protecting Zhang Zhan, hahaha..."

Tingyao didn't find it funny anymore.

Because of this, Zhao Siwei had said this to her many times in his previous life.

"You know about him now? Why do you talk about him all the time? Can we not talk about him when we're eating?"

Meng** was still babbling on and on, finally saying, "After this snow, these two will go their separate ways."

Once Zhang Zhan returns from disaster relief, he will begin to unilaterally scheme against Zhao Siwei.

Meng** said, "I suddenly realized that I quite like Zhao Siwei."

Tingyao: ? ? ?

"what?"

Sis, this time you're really stingy with your money. Maybe you should just stop being so devoted to Zhang Zhan.

Zhao Siwei's own storyline has been almost completely turned around. With a little more guidance from you, we can start the feast right away.

Meng punched her lightly, "Don't overthink it. I just think that this 'big traitor' is actually a pretty good person. Zhang Zhan didn't just mess with him a lot in the past, and others have provoked him a lot too. Have you seen him retaliate? He's more defensive than offensive."

Tingyao smiled.

It's not just about defense; we don't have many soldiers at our disposal, so we have to use them sparingly.

Furthermore, it's not wrong to say that Zhao Siwei didn't like intrigue and deceit, and he ascended the throne by winning people over with virtue.

Meng** took her wrist and shook it, "Baby, smile. Don't be nervous, we definitely won't die."

"Hey, let me tell you, my dad has a mistress, I think. My mom and uncle have been trying to catch her recently, but they've missed her several times..."

Tingyao became interested. "Really? Tell me more."