Chapter 61: All You Have to Do Is Marry Me

Shen Yingjue narrowed his eyes at Tan Qingjiu. “Drowsiness? Diminished senses? Emotional numbness? And possibly uncontrollable episodes?”

“Yes.” Tan Qingjiu met his gaze without flinching, her eyes locked quietly with his.

Suddenly, Shen Yingjue let out a soft laugh, though the amusement never touched his eyes. “You know, though I’m a madman, though I’m ill and forever the idle prince with no chance of inheriting the throne, there’s no shortage of people who want me dead.”

“All these years, I’ve survived only because some wish to use me, and because I’m vigilant enough in daily life—and mad enough when my illness strikes.”

He lowered his eyes and smoothed his sleeves. “If I truly grew numb, dull of sense, and lethargic from the medicine, it wouldn’t be long before I was dead.”

Tan Qingjiu’s eyelids lifted as she recalled rumors she had heard about the Prince of Duan, and the attitudes of the Emperor and Empress toward him when she entered the palace, as well as the poison that had plagued him for more than a decade.

The brutality of royal strife is timeless.

“So you won’t seek treatment, Your Highness?”

“Even if I would, not now. Sometimes, being mad has its uses.”

Shen Yingjue’s gaze was as dark as lacquered ink, and he turned his head to fix his eyes on the westering sun, something unfathomable flickering within them.

Tan Qingjiu frowned. “But your illness will only worsen with every attack. The longer you delay, the harder it will be to cure. When will you seek treatment?”

At her question, Shen Yingjue turned back to her, blinking lightly, a smile curling his lips. “Are you so worried about me, Ah Jiu? I wouldn’t refuse treatment—but you’d have to marry me first.”

Tan Qingjiu’s somber mood was instantly scattered.

This man!

“I’m being serious with you!”

“And so am I. I’ve thought about it carefully—if you married me, you could protect me. Even if I lost all my senses and slept away my days, I’d have nothing to fear. You’re a divine physician, skilled in both medicine and poison. Should anyone try to poison me, you could cure me—and even help me exact revenge.”

He clapped his hands. “It’s perfect. My idea is absolutely perfect.”

“Besides, when I suddenly fell ill at Prince Ding’s manor today, you held and embraced me to calm me down. So many saw it—you can’t shirk responsibility now…”

Tan Qingjiu ignored him, lifting her feet and heading outside. She’d been so distracted by the two children and Shen Yingjue after waking that she hadn’t noticed it was already evening.

“Xingqi, Xingyou, let’s go.”

Tan Xingqi and Tan Xingyou hurried after her.

Shen Yingjue watched the three figures go, the corners of his lips curving up as he called out, “Steward, send a carriage to escort Physician Tan.”

Only after the mother and sons had left the courtyard did two shadows appear behind Shen Yingjue. “Your Highness.”

“Your Highness, is it true what she said—that she can cure you?”

“If she truly can, we mustn’t let this chance slip away. This illness has plagued you for years, and no remedy has helped. If she can really heal you, then in the future, Your Highness could…”

“Chixiao,” Shen Yingjue abruptly interrupted, “You heard her yourself. I will seek treatment, but not now. For now, there are those scheming for my life, and our plans are at a critical stage—there can be no mistakes.”

His gaze was as deep as ink. “Don’t worry. If Tan Qingjiu speaks the truth, I will find a way to keep her by my side, and when the time is right, I’ll let her treat me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Meanwhile, Tan Qingjiu and the children had boarded the carriage.

Xingyou slapped his forehead. “Oh no.”

“Hm?”

He looked up at two curious faces and swallowed nervously. “Earlier, when Prince Duan fell ill, I couldn’t help calling for mother. Eldest brother was there too.”

“We’ve been exposed!”

Xingyou sighed. “Looks like brother will have to make us new masks again.”

Xingqi couldn’t bear to look at him. “Do you take me for a fool? Change faces and get close to him again?”

“What else can we do? Next time, let’s use different masks and pretend not to know each other.”

Xingqi frowned. “Better let mother decide. After all, we weren’t just exposed before big brother. Plenty of people heard you call for her.”

“We’ve been at the Prince of Duan’s manor half the day. I’m afraid the news has already reached the Tan household, and the ears of Tan Yunhe and Chen Yueru.”

Tan Qingjiu chuckled. “It’s alright. When the time comes, I’ll take you back to the Tan family.”

“But just today, I exposed Tan Yunge’s theft of my children before the Princess of Ding. If you two suddenly appear, it’ll be hard to explain. And if the Tan family learns you’re my children, they might take revenge on you.”

“So, I may have to say I took you in when I was practicing medicine. Is that alright?”

Xingyou’s eyes lit up and he nodded eagerly. “Of course! As long as we can stay with you—even as your apprentices, that’s fine!”

Tan Qingjiu smiled and ruffled their hair. “Don’t worry, you won’t have to hide long. Once I’ve had my revenge, dealt with the Tan family, and acknowledged your eldest brother, I’ll reveal your identities to all.”

As she spoke, her gaze deepened.

Hearing Xingyou mention the Prince of Ding’s manor reminded her of questioning Nanny Li earlier.

She wondered what was happening there now.

As she pondered, the carriage suddenly slowed to a halt.

“What is it?” Lifting the curtain, Tan Qingjiu saw someone blocking the road.

Qingdai hurried over to report, “Mistress, someone from the Prince of Ding’s manor is here. The Princess wishes to speak with you—she requests that you return to the manor.”

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes, glancing at the servant waiting ahead, who wore the livery of the Prince of Ding’s household.

It was most likely about Shen Zijiao.

“Very well, let’s go to the Prince of Ding’s manor.”

Qingdai quietly instructed the driver, then boarded the carriage.

“Mistress, when you were unconscious, I didn’t have a chance to report what happened at the Prince of Ding’s manor.”

Tan Qingjiu noticed Qingdai’s odd expression and lowered her voice. “Did something go wrong?”