Chapter 34: Is It Really Necessary to Be This Hasty?

Sheng Yunqing opened her eyes wide and asked, "The Chief Minister's eldest son is a perfect match for your family background. If you fancy him, what is there to worry about?"

Sheng Qiuyao looked momentarily lost as she replied, "I have never had much of an opinion of my own; I always follow my parents' wishes, so..."

Sheng Yunqing patted the back of her hand and said, "If you like him, just say so. Your uncle dotes on you so much, he certainly wouldn't let you be wronged."

Sheng Qiuyao deliberated for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."

As night fell, the Marquis's estate was illuminated by lamps. Sheng Yunqing reclined leisurely on a rocking chair in her room, reading a book. Having dismissed her servants, she enjoyed the quiet of the night alone.

With a sudden, violent sound, the room's door was thrust open. Ye Jinchen stood there, his hand trembling as he gripped the door frame.

Sheng Yunqing frowned, set down her book, and said, "Ye Jinchen, you are disturbing my reading."

Ye Jinchen staggered toward her, clutching his chest with one hand, his complexion deathly pale. He leaned against the desk, sweat beading on his forehead under the flickering candlelight. He bowed his head, gasping for air, and rasped, "Pain... my heart hurts so much."

Sheng Yunqing stood up abruptly, tossing her book aside. She rushed to his side and pulled open his collar, revealing a worn-out, faded yellow talisman that fell out. Pushing aside his inner garment, she saw his chest entangled with dark, purplish miasma.

"Pfft..." Ye Jinchen’s pupils contracted as he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed toward her.

Sheng Yunqing’s heart jumped into her throat. She strained to support his weight. "Hey! Wake up! Ye Jinchen, wake up!"

She called out toward the door, "Su Lan!"

Su Lan hurried in at the sound of her voice. "What are your orders, Fairy Sister?"

Sheng Yunqing, nearly crushed by his weight, gritted her teeth and said, "Quick, help me get him to the couch!"

Su Lan only saw Ye Jinchen’s back and noticed his collar hanging open. Her cheeks flushed as she asked, "Fairy Sister, are you really in such a hurry?"

"It’s a life-or-death emergency! Hurry up!"

Su Lan swallowed hard, muttering to herself, "Fairy Sister is so bold..."

Together, they heaved Ye Jinchen onto the bed, then Su Lan scurried out, slamming the door shut with a loud "bang."

Sheng Yunqing turned around, but the person was already gone. Before she could ponder it, she immediately reached out to check his pulse, then let out a soft sigh of relief.

A pulse beat against her fingertips—weak, but present.

She began to silently recite a mantra, pointing at the foul miasma on his chest. It took a great deal of effort to force it out of his body.

Ye Jinchen suddenly opened his eyes, turned, and spat out a mouthful of black fluid. His face turned even paler, inch by inch, before he closed his eyes and drifted into unconsciousness again.

Sheng Yunqing looked at the black stain on the floor, her eyes shifting as she contemplated the situation. Hadn't the miasma in the Prince's residence been cleared? Who had fed him talisman water?

She wrote a new yellow talisman and approached him again. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she stared at his open collar and found herself momentarily dazed. Beneath his tanned skin, his powerful muscles were fluid and taut, radiating a raw, explosive tension.

*What a feast for the eyes...*

She shook her head, raised a hand, and patted her own cheek. "Pah, pah, pah! Sheng Yunqing, you are shameless!"

She adjusted his inner garments, pressed the talisman against his chest, formed a seal with her hands, and chanted a spell. After setting her hand down, she swallowed, feeling a lingering sense of fear.

"Who is scolding my daughter?!" Sheng Yuting, who had been dozing off, woke up at the sound and began grumbling.

Sheng Yunqing sighed. "Oh, Father, it has nothing to do with you. It’s late, go get some rest."

Outside, Pei Xuan arrived in a panic. Seeing the door shut tight, he was about to push his way in when Su Lan blocked him.

She stood on the steps, arms spread wide. "What are you doing? You are not allowed in!"

Pei Xuan frowned. "But the Prince, he..."

Su Lan shoved him hard in the chest. "I won't let you ruin Fairy Sister's good deeds!"

Pei Xuan stumbled back a few steps, inwardly lamenting the girl's surprising strength. He shook his head, frowning again. "Good deeds? My Prince is in this state... and you call it a good deed?!"

Su Lan rolled her eyes. "It was your Prince who brought himself here. If anything happens, he’ll have to take responsibility himself!"

"You!" Pei Xuan was incensed. He pointed at her nose, gritting his teeth. "If anything happens to our Prince, just you wait!"

With that, he sat down on the steps, fuming.

Su Lan turned her head and scoffed. If the Prince’s body wasn't up to the task, wouldn't that be a grievance to her Fairy Sister? She hadn't even brought up the issue of settling scores later; if her Fairy Sister wasn't satisfied, she would make sure to give Pei Xuan a sound thrashing!

In the Crown Prince's residence, situated within the capital, the luxurious mansion was grand and imposing. Zhixing’s room was tucked away far from the opulent areas, so quiet that few people ever walked by. A few lamps flickered in the front courtyard.

Ye Jingnian sat on a magnificent throne, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the armrests. He watched the woman before him with a dangerous smile.

Zhixing stood before a magic array, a black thread wrapped around her middle finger, stretching out into the distance. She chanted incessantly. Suddenly, the thin thread snapped. Zhixing’s pupils constricted, and she frowned, spitting out blood as her legs gave way, causing her to collapse to the floor.

A guard approached from a distance and whispered something into Ye Jingnian’s ear.

Ye Jingnian narrowed his eyes, a disdainful snort escaping his nose. He waved his hand to dismiss the servants, rose, and walked slowly toward Zhixing, extending a hand to her.

Zhixing glanced at his hand, swallowed, and hesitated before taking it. She pulled herself up with his help, then lowered her head respectfully and stepped aside.

Ye Jingnian squinted at her. "I have already investigated your identity. You helped that fake daughter of the Marquis to deal with Sheng Yunqing, and yet you were still defeated."

A flash of panicked shock crossed Zhixing’s eyes. She clenched her hands hidden in her sleeves and said, "Please, Your Highness, rest assured. Zhixing has not yet failed."

She reached out to grab his hand, pleading, "Previously, Bai Jinxiu was not worth such effort from Zhixing, but you are different, Your Highness. Zhixing will give her all and will not let you down."

Ye Jingnian curled his lips, appraising her beautiful face. He reached out to stroke it gently. "My staff is not lacking for one more person. How about you serve as a concubine in the backyard?"

Zhixing lowered her head in terror. "Your Highness, Zhixing will definitely bring you value..."

Before she could finish, Ye Jingnian gripped her chin tightly, causing tears to well in her eyes from the pain. He narrowed his eyes and said, "If Ye Jinchen doesn't die, warming the bed will be the only value you have."

Zhixing was too terrified to breathe. Her lips trembled as she replied, "Zhixing would not dare to disappoint Your Highness."