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Xiao Jinyan’s voice was indifferent, "What are you doing here?"

Lady Chang lowered her eyes and replied softly, "Concubine heard that Lady Shen was feeling unwell, so I brought some tasty pastries to visit her."

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the food box in Huai Xiang’s hands, "She is unwell right now. Leave the pastries here and go back first."

Lady Chang obediently responded, "As Your Highness wishes."

Huai Xiang handed the food box to the little rabbit.

After Lady Chang and Huai Xiang left, Xiao Jinyan strode in and asked upon seeing Chun Xi, "Has she woken up?"

Chun Xi replied, "Your Highness, the young mistress has not woken up since last night."

Xiao Jinyan frowned as he walked in and saw Shen Chuwei lying unconscious in bed, his frown deepening.

Shen Chuwei had been unconscious for two days, and meanwhile Xiao Jinyan had practically worn out the door to Lu Zhaoyan’s study room.

Upon entering, his first words were, "Why haven’t you figured out a solution yet?"

Lu Zhaoyan faced the suddenly entering Xiao Jinyan with no surprise, "Your Highness, there is a method, but it’s somewhat inappropriate."

Lu Zhaoyan, originally the chief astrologer, now also took on the roles of the National Master, had nearly collapsed from exhaustion these past two days.

Daxia had a National Master ten years ago. Due to the National Master’s abuse of his abilities, which caused disasters, the position was abolished thereafter.

Xiao Jinyan asked, "What method?"

Lu Zhaoyan hesitated slightly before saying, "It requires Dragon Blood."

Dragon Blood, as the name implies, refers to the blood of the true Son of Heaven, the Emperor, who is believed to possess the power to ward off evil influences.

"This..." Xiao Jinyan was also caught in a dilemma, for it was impossible to have a sovereign offer his blood.

He looked up at Lu Zhaoyan, "Is there no other way?"

"Since Your Highness is the future Crown Prince and the future ruler of a nation, using Your Highness’s blood might be worth a try."

Without a hint of hesitation Xiao Jinyan commanded, "Bring me a dagger and a bowl."

Lu Zhaoyan was momentarily stunned. Xiao Jinyan had agreed so readily. It was the first time he had seen Xiao Jinyan care this much about a woman—how rare!

Weichi hesitated for a moment, then obeyed the order and went out to fetch the dagger and bowl.

Weichi always worked efficiently: in no time at all he had brought the items and presented them with both hands.

Xiao Jinyan rolled up his sleeve, revealing a fair wrist. He positioned it over the bowl and, with the dagger in hand, did not hesitate to slice open his wrist. Blood immediately began to flow, dripping into the celadon bowl.

Weichi’s eyes widened at the sight, as if he couldn’t believe it.

Lu Zhaoyan was also stunned. The prince is so brave!

When he finally recovered, Lu Zhaoyan saw the bowl was half full of blood and hurriedly shouted, "Your Highness, that’s enough."

Xiao Jinyan, without any intention of stopping, looked up at Lu Zhaoyan, "Are you sure it’s enough?"

Lu Zhaoyan, scared witless by the half bowl of blood, affirmed, "It’s enough, Your Highness."

Only then did Xiao Jinyan stop.

Weichi handed over a towel and pressed it against the freely bleeding cut, then took out a Hemostatic Drug from his sleeve and sprinkled it on the wound.

As a Guard responsible for the personal safety of Xiao Jinyan, Weichi had seen his fair share of wounds big and small. Such a cut was easy for him to deal with, and he handled it adeptly.

It didn’t take long for him to dress the wound properly.

Meanwhile, Lu Zhaoyan took the blood to make a charm-infused water to break the curse.

It seemed simple, but in practice, it was quite complicated.

Xiao Jinyan stood by, watching.

Eventually, after an hour had passed, Lu Zhaoyan completed the charm-infused water to his satisfaction. He placed the Cloth Puppet into the water,

and the charm on the puppet’s belly visibly began disappearing at a discernible rate.

When the time seemed right, Lu Zhaoyan cautiously removed the steel needles.

Xiao Jinyan felt somewhat nervous watching the proceedings; those three steel needles could take Shen Chuwei’s life at any moment.

Once all three needles were removed, Lu Zhaoyan let out a silent sigh of relief.

Xiao Jinyan sought confirmation, "Does that mean everything’s all right now?"

Lu Zhaoyan replied, "It depends on Lady Shen’s physical condition, but there should be no big problem."

Hearing this, Xiao Jinyan turned and walked briskly out of the room.

As Weichi was about to follow, Lu Zhaoyan grabbed his sleeve, gossiping with a grin, "The prince must be smitten with Lady Shen, right?"

"How would I know?"

Weichi was a straight man; what did he understand about the emotions between men and women?

Finishing his words, he tried to leave, but Lu Zhaoyan again grabbed his shoulder, continuing the gossip.

"Didn’t you see how His Highness didn’t hesitate for a second when he cut his wrist? If it were any other woman, do you think His Highness would do the same?"

Weichi thought about it and then shook his head.

"There you go, His Highness must have taken a liking to her, how rare indeed," Lu Zhaoyan said with a motherly smile.

Weichi couldn’t resist retorting, "What’s so rare about that? Lady Shen risked her life to save my master; my master is not a heartless and ungrateful person."

Lu Zhaoyan’s gentle eyes turned to Weichi, "Here’s a saying for you."

Weichi was curious, "What’s that?"

Lu Zhaoyan, with gentle voice, said, "No wonder you’re single!"

Weichi: "..."

*

Upon seeing His Highness, Chun Xi hastily put down what she was doing and stepped forward to pay respects, "Your Highness, may you be blessed with peace and safety."

Xiao Jinyan asked, "Has she woken up?"

Chun Xi replied, "This servant just checked, and the young mistress has not yet awakened."

Xiao Jinyan stepped forth upon hearing this, walking into the room.

Outside the window, a gentle spring breeze was blowing.

The room was quiet and serene.

After entering, Xiao Jinyan slowed his pace, approached the bed, and looked down at the person lying there, uncertain whether she was unconscious or truly asleep.

He sat down beside the bed, gazing at her sleeping face for a while, then he extended his hand to nudge her arm and called out, "Xiaojiu, wake up."

Shen Chuwei made a sound, slowly opened her drowsy eyes, and saw Xiao Jinyan sitting by her side. She mumbled, "Your Highness, why aren’t you sleeping?"

Her brain, dulled by the long sleep, was slow to respond.

Xiao Jinyan, seeing her confused state, knew she had slept into a daze; it was still broad daylight.

"You’ve been asleep for two days now; it’s the afternoon," he informed her.

On hearing this, Shen Chuwei then realized the room was bright, clearly indicating it was daytime, and she had been muddled from sleep.

Thinking that she had slept for two days, she felt a bit regretful, "Then has this concubine missed six meals?"

Xiao Jinyan: "..." You only think of eating?

After a while, Shen Chuwei began to laugh optimistically again, "No matter, it’s just six meals; I can make up for them later."

"..." Xiao Jinyan: "Eating a bit more won’t hurt."

Shen Chuwei giggled twice, "To be able to eat is a blessing."

Having slept too long, her back was a bit sore.

Shen Chuwei stretched, and in the process, revealed part of her rosy belly band that could not hide her fair and delicate waist.

Xiao Jinyan’s gaze drifted over, settling on that slender waist, the skin was as white as snow, without an ounce of excess fat.

Shen Chuwei paused, followed Xiao Jinyan’s gaze to look down, and saw her waist exposed. She quickly lowered her arms and covered her waist.

"Your Highness, you mustn’t look."

Xiao Jinyan withdrew his gaze to look at Shen Chuwei, a faint smile playing on his lips, "You belong entirely to me; what is there not to see?"