Chapter 24: The Obsessive and Lustful Hostage Prince x The Pampered and Arrogant Princess (24)

"How are you feeling?"

"Thank you for your concern, Empress. Jiaining is fine."

Empress Xiaode’s voice was filled with pity as she gently embraced Shu Yao’s feverish body.

"I have already heard about what happened. Do not worry; your Imperial Father has dispatched many guards to hunt down the culprits. He will surely see justice served for you." She sighed, "My poor child, what has been happening these past few days? Nothing seems to go right."

Shu Yao pushed her away and shook her head, her face deathly pale. "Perhaps I have been afflicted by an evil spirit."

Empress Xiaode released her, opting instead to hold her hand. She sighed, "In a few days, I shall invite some high-ranking monks to pray for your blessings and cleanse this bad luck. Do not blame your Imperial Father for not visiting; he is overwhelmed with state affairs. With the matters concerning Yuan’er and Lanqing, he is already troubled enough. I know you will be understanding, won’t you, Jiaining?"

Shu Yao nodded obediently, her voice weak and hoarse. "Jiaining understands. Father is not just my father; he is the sovereign of this nation. I will be understanding."

"Good child." Empress Xiaode patted her hand and ordered the servants to bring in the imperial gifts. "These deer antler and ginseng slices are all rewards from your Imperial Father to help you recover. In a few days, envoys from the neighboring kingdom will arrive to discuss the marriage alliance. You must strive to nurse yourself back to health. It would be quite a sight if you were to meet them while dragging such a sickly body."

This was the first time Empress Xiaode had mentioned the marriage alliance to Shu Yao directly; otherwise, one might have thought she was unaware of it. Detecting the reprimand in her tone, Shu Yao curled her lips in a mocking smile, though her expression remained one of submissive obedience.

"Yes..."

"Your Highness, it is time for your medicine." Wantao stepped in at the right moment to separate them, handing over a bowl of freshly warmed medicinal decoction.

With the candied fruit to mask the flavor, Shu Yao could barely tolerate the bitter astringency. Having performed the necessary pleasantries, Empress Xiaode did not linger, instructing Anle to stay behind and keep her company for a while longer.

"Mother!" Anle was clearly unwilling, but after a sharp glare from the Empress, she finally relented and sat by the edge of the bed with a huff.

"I must go and look after your fifth brother. Jiaining, take care of your health."

With a candied fruit still in her mouth, Shu Yao mumbled, "I respectfully bid the Empress farewell."

Once Empress Xiaode had departed, Anle’s posture slumped, and she couldn't help but grumble, "Mother is truly something. What good can I possibly do by staying here?" Remembering that Shu Yao was still there, she changed her tune: "Are you alright? I heard the two who died were eunuchs from your palace. Could it be that someone is trying to retaliate against you?"

"I don't know." Shu Yao shook her head, curling into her gold-threaded quilt, appearing as a thin, fragile lump. "Perhaps there are those who simply cannot stand the sight of me."

Anle nodded in total agreement. Seeing that Shu Yao had finally gained some self-awareness, she let out a flood of complaints. "If you ask me, that's true. Jiaining, you really should change your temper. You’ve offended too many people; be careful, or even Father won't be able to protect you. Besides, you are about to be sent away for the marriage alliance. I’ve heard the neighboring Crown Prince is terrifying—covered in black hair, and all the maidservants in his palace have been ruined by him... You must restrain your temper; if you provoke him, it wouldn't be impossible for him to kill you."

Shu Yao pursed her lips. Listening to her chatter, she felt a headache coming on. "Shut up."

Princess Anle sulkily closed her mouth. Since the time for the marriage alliance had not yet arrived, she still needed to appease her as much as possible.

"Oh, right, Jiaining." Suddenly thinking of something, Anle leaned in and whispered, "Tomorrow, Mother is inviting me to a banquet at the Fengyang Palace. Come with me."

A banquet? Shu Yao found it amusing. Dragging this sickly body around—she would be lucky if she didn't collapse halfway there, let alone attend a banquet.

"No," she said decisively.

"Oh, come on, just come with me." Anle tugged at Shu Yao’s sleeve. "Mother said she wants me to meet some noble young masters. You can help me vet them."

Shu Yao remembered from the plot that Princess Anle eventually married the eldest son of Grand Marshal Li. Could it be that they met and fell in love at tomorrow's banquet? A look of curiosity flickered in her eyes, and she nodded. "Fine."

-

"Your Highness is still in the midst of a severe illness; it would be better to rest properly." Wantao looked at Anle’s departing back with unkind eyes. She did not like Princess Anle; although she acted close to her mistress, it was never sincere. The air of calculation that followed her was unsettling.

"It is fine. You will stand guard outside the hall when the time comes. If there is an emergency, bring me away immediately."

"Yes."

Shu Yao glanced at the crates of precious herbs Empress Xiaode had sent. For the sake of this face and body, they were truly generous. "Move these away. Since they are rewards, we shall keep them."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Shu Yao looked outside the hall. In winter, the sky darkened early. The towering palace walls resembled sleeping beasts under the moonlight, and the layered, upturned eaves pierced the night sky, with copper bells dangling and swaying gently in the night wind.

Inside the inner palace, lanterns were lit one after another, and the sound of the watchman’s drum echoed into every corner.

The hour of the Rooster had arrived.

Shen Jingmu’s voice sounded outside the hall right on time. "Your Highness, I have arrived."

Shu Yao’s teeth felt itchy, and she said hoarsely, "Crawl in!"

*Creak—*

The palace doors opened, and the first thing to rush into the room was the heavy scent of herbs. *Is she truly that sick?*

Shen Jingmu carried a wooden basin, his back hunched, and walked slowly to the side of the bed. He then bent his knees and knelt down with practiced ease, not daring to look directly at the woman on the couch.

The medicinal scent inside the hall was overwhelming, almost suffocating. *How sick must she be to treat medicine like water?* Shen Jingmu found it strange. He felt no guilt, only thinking the woman on the bed was far too delicate—that a mere fever was enough to cause such a commotion.

Shu Yao propped herself up with her arms. Her hair was not pinned up, and her dark tresses draped smoothly over her shoulders, unable to hide the aura of illness that clung to her. She furrowed her brows, a faint sorrow hanging between them; she was in such discomfort that even her eye sockets were red.

The youth was slightly stunned; it was the first time he had seen her looking so fragile. Her face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color; without rouge, she appeared pure and elegant. *A face like a Bodhisattva, yet as bewitching as a ghost—how can two such extremes exist in one person?*

"Prince hostage, your methods are truly ruthless," Shu Yao said, looking down at him with an inscrutable tone.

Shen Jingmu bowed his head. "I do not understand what Your Highness means."

Shu Yao let out a mocking laugh. "It seems the Prince hostage's ability to play the fool is also top-tier."

The youth lowered his eyelids, remaining submissive as if the person Shu Yao was scolding was not him. He leaned forward and reached out to remove her silk socks. "Your Highness is delirious from the fever. Let me wash your feet."

The punch she had mustered all her strength to throw had hit cotton—powerless and frustrating. Unable to vent her burning rage, Shu Yao was beside herself with anger and kicked him hard in the shoulder.

"Wretch!"