How could you—

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Yunjiao's wrist was pulled forcefully by Xiao Huaijin.

She lost her balance and fell headfirst into Xiao Huaijin's firm, warm chest.

Xiao Huaijin actually pulled her into his arms!

Shen Yunjiao's eyes widened immediately, and she stammered, "Your Highness, you...you..."

Shen Yunjiao stood there for a while, when she saw Xiao Huaijin lower his head, his hot breath spraying onto her neck.

It was only then that she noticed the prominent veins on Xiao Huaijin's forehead.

"My head hurts, can I hold you for a bit?" His voice was hoarse, containing a hint of unspeakable bitterness. "I feel better if I smell your scent."

His headaches flared up again?

But isn't it a bit inappropriate to hold him like this?

Shen Yunjiao tried to push Xiao Huaijin away, but found that he seemed to be in great pain and was frowning, unwilling to let go.

She secretly reached for her waist again, but wait a minute! She hadn't brought her silver needles, which she always carried with her!

Why!

Shen Yunjiao sighed inwardly and could only silently adjust her position in Xiao Huaijin's arms.

Xiao Huaijin had a faint scent of incense on him today, which smelled quite nice.

After a moment, Shen Yunjiao looked up at him and asked softly:

"Your Highness, why don't you give me your hand?"

Shen Yunjiao thought that since she was just sitting here idly anyway, she might as well take the opportunity to check his pulse.

While we're at it, let's find out about Xiao Huaijin's physical condition when the poison took effect; maybe we can find a solution.

Xiao Huaijin obediently extended his large, well-defined hand, and Shen Yunjiao took the opportunity to place her hand on his pulse.

The Crown Prince in front of her kept his head buried in Shen Yunjiao's neck like an ostrich from beginning to end.

She couldn't see Xiao Huaijin's expression, but from his unconsciously tightening fingertips, Shen Yunjiao could still sense his nervousness.

"Your pulse doesn't feel right. Are you in a lot of pain right now?"

Shen Yunjiao's expression was very serious. She was worried that her pulse diagnosis might be inaccurate, so she tried to stand up from his arms.

She wants to see it one more time.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Huaijin didn't give her a chance to leave at all.

Xiao Huaijin instinctively hugged her waist tightly, and he actually pressed his face against Shen Yunjiao's waist.

"You...you have some sense of propriety, don't you?" Shen Yunjiao trembled slightly, and her face immediately burned.

Xiao Huaijin held her so tightly she could hardly breathe.

"Please don't go, okay? My head really hurts right now." Xiao Huaijin took a deep breath, his handsome face filled with suppressed bitterness.

"You've been poisoned, you know that?" Shen Yun sighed, biting her lip and softening her tone as she said, "You don't need to worry, this poison won't kill you."

"However, your pulse is currently like a spinning bean, coming and going unpredictably; it's a dead pulse in the heart," Shen Yunjiao said in a deep voice.

Seeing that Xiao Huaijin remained silent, she gently patted the top of his head. "You need to lie down so I can take your pulse again."

Xiao Huaijin still didn't react, he just held her quietly.

About half an incense stick's time had passed.

Xiao Huaijin raised his eyes to meet Shen Yunjiao's gaze and slowly said, "I know there is no cure for this poison, so Miss Shen doesn't need to worry."

Since the drug was designed to drive him mad, how could there be an antidote so easily?

Looking at Xiao Huaijin's cold and stern expression, Shen Yunjiao widened her watery eyes, "You're saying there's no antidote for this poison?"

Xiao Huaijin felt his headache ease considerably as he smelled the delicate and elegant fragrance beside him.

He released his hold on Shen Yunjiao and lowered his eyes, saying, "I once told you that this poison is called Heart Eater, a malevolent poison from the Southern Yue. When it takes effect, it can only be relieved by a spice called Immortal Grass. In the past few years, I have searched for doctors all over the country, but I have not been able to find an antidote for this poison."

Xiao Huaijin looked up and glanced at Shen Yunjiao with a deep gaze. "Miss Shen saved me back then, and I noticed that the fragrance on you could relieve my headache."

"And the effect is even more obvious than that of the herb."

What?

What's the scent on me?

Shen Yunjiao asked, forcing herself to speak, "You mean, if you smell my body fragrance, you won't have a headache?"

——

The windows of the private room were wide open, and a breeze swept across the lake, making Shen Yunjiao feel a little chilly.

Seeing Shen Yunjiao suddenly flinch, Xiao Huaijin got up and went to the window to close it.

The faint singing of the female singer and the sounds of string and wind instruments came to an abrupt end.

The private room was so quiet that you could hear a silver needle falling to the ground.

Xiao Huaijin approached Shen Yunjiao step by step, his dark eyes filled with emotions she couldn't understand.

Shen Yunjiao felt a chill run down her spine. She remembered that Xiao Huaijin had tried to do something inappropriate to her last time.

"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll go back and study how to cure His Highness's poison," Shen Yunjiao replied, forcing a smile.

Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, running away is the best.

If we don't leave, who knows what might happen?

Shen Yunjiao hurriedly turned around to open the door.

But Xiao Huaijin seemed to have anticipated her next move. He pulled Shen Yunjiao with his long arm and used one hand to hold the back of her head, pinning her against the door.

Holy crap, this is the first time in my life I've ever been pinned against a wall!

Shen Yunjiao was somewhat flustered, "Your Highness, you—"

"Shen Yunjiao, can you be my antidote?" Xiao Huaijin suddenly interrupted, his clear phoenix eyes filled with tears.

This is some kind of antidote! All I want is to go home!

Shen Yunjiao was on the verge of tears. "This is not a good idea. How about this, I will go back and study it carefully, and I will definitely present Your Highness with an antidote that you can always carry with you."

"I think you're quite good."

Xiao Huaijin leaned against the door with one hand and rested the other on her shoulder. He stared intently into her eyes, as if he were about to devour her at any moment.

Xiao Huaijin's breathing grew increasingly hot, and his beautiful, glass-like eyes were filled with an obsessive longing.

Who says he is as indifferent as a chrysanthemum and as gentle as jade?

I think he's a lunatic too!

Just as Shen Yunjiao was teetering on the brink of collapse, Xiao Huaijin's gentle voice rang in her ear, "Shen Yunjiao, this is not something you can decide for yourself."

He then released Shen Yunjiao from his grasp, giving her a chance to catch her breath.

Shen Yunjiao raised her eyes and glared at the elegant Crown Prince in front of her. Xiao Huaijin didn't care at all that Shen Yunjiao was angry, and instead sat back down in his seat.

"Does Your Highness mean that I must rush to Your Highness's side no matter where you are whenever Your Highness's headache flares up?"

Xiao Huaijin replied gently, "That's exactly right."

24/7 availability?! How is that even possible?!

Shen Yunjiao frowned. "Leaving aside the difference in our status, Your Highness and I live so far apart. How is this possible?"

"I have my own way," Xiao Huaijin replied calmly after taking a sip of tea.

Shen Yunjiao: ... You've got guts.

"Alright, Your Highness, I agree, but on one condition."

Xiao Huaijin's bright eyes lit up with surprise, and he tried his best to keep his tone calm. "Go on," he said.

"If I help Your Highness detoxify, Your Highness must protect the Shen family."