Chapter 35 : Throwing Herself Into His Highness’s Arms

Xiao Ji had left the estate. He hadn’t gone through the main gate, so the gatekeepers knew nothing.

He had urgent business.

Si-bei and the shaman had arrived.

The message had promised within half a month; in the end they came on the very last three days.

Still, that was indeed within half a month.

Xiao Ji and Si-nan disguised themselves before slipping out of the residence, winding through alleys until they reached a secluded courtyard.

A mask covered Xiao Ji’s face, hiding his true identity.

At the entrance, Si-bei was already waiting with a short, stocky man. The man was no youth, rugged in bearing, with eyes sharp as a wolf’s.

But when he met Xiao Ji’s gaze, he quickly lowered his head, making a gesture of submission.

The shaman checked Xiao Ji’s pulse, and then declared, “Your body is sound. But you were born infertile. You may share a bed, but you cannot sire children. Moreover… you will not live past twenty-five.”

The words were blunt, each like a hammer to the heart.

Si-nan and Si-bei exchanged glances, shock written across their faces.

Unbelievable!

“How can this be cured?” Si-nan asked urgently, unable to hold back.

“This is not truly innate,” the shaman replied. “It is the work of witchcraft. Was your mother not said to have died of childbirth?”

Xiao Ji’s eyes sharpened instantly, murderous intent surging.

Even the shaman faltered, taking a frightened half step back.

“Please, enlighten us,” Xiao Ji forced out, pressing his fury down.

The shaman steadied himself, then explained, “The poison was placed on your mother’s body before birth. From the womb, only one between mother and child could survive. Since you lived… your mother’s fate was sealed.”

Xiao Ji’s hands clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked.

Since childhood, he had been told he was cursed with a lonely fate, that he had killed his mother by being born. Over time, he had believed it, carrying guilt and even self-hatred.

And with his destined short life, he had little attachment to this world.

But now, he learned his mother had been murdered by scheme.

Rage burned through him, searing and unstoppable.

Damn them!

Si-nan and Si-bei dared not breathe too loudly.

At last, Si-nan asked in a low voice, “Shaman, is there any way to dispel this poison?”

The man hesitated.

“This poison has been with him since the womb, and sunk deep into his very bones. No ordinary doctor would even detect it.”

“To cure it entirely is impossible!”

The moment the words left his lips, both guards’ eyes turned murderous, freezing the air until the shaman’s knees nearly buckled. Then, stiffening his spine, he forced himself to go on.

He can’t even tell the truth.

Swallowing hard, he added quickly, “But… I can attempt to prolong his life.”

The guards’ faces softened instantly. They lifted the shaman off the floor. “You should’ve said that first. Come, the ground is cold.”

The sudden change of demeanor nearly made the shaman laugh in relief. He wiped the sweat from his brow.

“How long can you extend his life?” Si-nan asked.

The man trembled again, holding up two fingers.

“Ten years?” Si-nan frowned. “That’s too little.”

The shaman nearly collapsed.

Ten years? He’d meant ten months!

With effort, he forced out the truth. “Not ten years… at most ten months.”

At once, the room froze as if plunged into winter.

Si-nan and Si-bei’s faces hardened like frost.

The calmest of all was Xiao Ji himself.

Gulp.

The shaman swallowed. “Then… do you still wish me to treat you?”

—

By the time Xiao Ji returned to the Crown Prince’s residence, it was already deep into the night.

As though by habit, he first walked toward Xie Yao’s main quarters.

The lamps there were out; the entire place was silent.

Asleep?

He stopped in his tracks. Remembering their exchange after dinner, he forced himself to turn away.

But the study still had its light on.

He frowned immediately. Who was inside at this hour? Eyes narrowing, he stepped in quickly…

The room was quiet. Only the sound of soft, steady breathing came from the chaise.

His heart eased. Looking over, he found Xie Yao asleep on the couch just as he suspected.

The candlelight barely pierced the screen, casting everything in dim shadows. Yet even so, her skin seemed to glow, pale and luminous.

The heaviness in Xiao Ji’s chest suddenly lightened.

Without realizing it, his lips curved faintly, his whole mood lifting.

Step by step, he approached the chaise. Gazing at her sleeping face for a long while, he whispered, “Forgive me.”

—-

The next morning, Xie Yao awoke in her own soft, comfortable bed.

She blinked in confusion. “Didn’t I fall asleep in the study last night?”

Zhuqing covered her smile. “You did. His Highness carried you back himself. He only just left.” She lowered her voice mischievously.

Xie Yao arched a brow, but she said nothing about his absence from the study earlier.

After breakfast, she went straight to the study.

“Your Highness.”

Clutching a medical text, she entered alone, spotting Xiao Ji reading.

At a glance, she noticed something different.

Even the book in his hands was not the kind he usually read.

Before she could look closer, he lifted his gaze. “Crown Princess.” His tone was distant, cold.

Her heart gave a jolt. Had he grown even colder toward her?

Perhaps he was still angry about her “test” last time? She couldn’t be sure.

This time, she didn’t dare deliberately stumble as before.

But her mind wandered, and she really did catch her foot on the corner of a shelf.

Her body pitched forward….

In a flash, Xiao Ji dropped his book and leapt to catch her.

But Xie Yao moved faster.

After all, she had practiced with the Crown Prince and Lin Xia before; her basic skills were solid.

She stumbled two steps, and then steadied herself.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ji, already rushing over, was left awkwardly half-reaching out. He was about to lower his hand…

When she suddenly tipped herself neatly into his chest.

“Oh no, Your Highness, save me!”

By reflex, he caught her, looking down at her with exasperation. He helped her stand upright, ready to release her.

But Xie Yao hooked her arms around his neck, tilting her head up, pressing herself against him.

Her voice was soft, tinged with grievance. “Your Highness, you clearly worry about me. Why do you keep pushing me away?”

“Is it because I’m not good enough?”