Chapter 59: Marry One, Raise a Whole Brood

Tan Qingjiu’s gaze remained fixed on the anesthetic pouch that had rolled far away, her heart awash with desolation.

Yet the present situation allowed her no time for distraction. The sedative needed time to take effect, so with her other hand, Tan Qingjiu retrieved a silver needle from her sleeve, preparing to strike Shen Yingjue.

But Shen Yingjue moved even faster. He kept her body pinned down, and with his other hand, seized the wrist holding the needle. Twisting her hand palm up, he forced Tan Qingjiu’s grip ever closer to her own eye.

Tan Qingjiu stared intently at the glinting silver tip, mustering all her strength to resist.

Shen Yingjue’s strength, however, was overwhelming. The needle’s point drew inexorably closer to her eye.

Just then, Tan Xingqi lunged forward, snatching up the anesthetic pouch from the ground.

“Cover your nose!” Tan Qingjiu shouted, catching sight of Xingqi’s movement out of the corner of her eye.

Hearing her, Shen Yingjue was momentarily distracted and instinctively held his breath.

But Tan Xingqi was already upon him, pressing the anesthetic pouch tightly over Shen Yingjue’s mouth and nose.

A murderous glint flashed in Shen Yingjue’s eyes. “Courting death!” he snarled, releasing Tan Qingjiu’s free hand and raising it to clamp around Tan Xingqi’s throat. Xingqi’s face turned crimson, yet he stubbornly kept the pouch pressed against Shen Yingjue.

Tan Qingjiu’s eyes turned cold. Tilting her head, she rose to meet the needle, then, ignoring the searing pain in her wrist, summoned all her strength to drive the silver needle hard against the acupoint on Shen Yingjue’s neck.

“Mother, brother, I’m here!” Tan Xingyou cried, clutching a small porcelain bottle as he dashed over. He quickly pulled the stopper and hurled its contents toward them.

The powder from the white jade bottle scattered over Tan Qingjiu’s face, while Shen Yingjue, his back to Xingyou, had only a little settle on his clothing.

Shen Yingjue’s eyes gradually cleared of their crimson haze as he stared steadily at Tan Qingjiu, then collapsed to the ground.

Xingqi, still in his grasp, fell with him.

Tan Qingjiu hurried to support Xingqi.

“Mother, big brother, are you alright?”

Tan Qingjiu felt a wave of dizziness; everything before her eyes began to blur and double. She bit her lip, tasting blood, the pain helping her remain half-conscious. Gritting her teeth, she spat, “Tan Xingyou, you little rascal, what drug did you use?”

Tan Xingyou blinked. “Just... just ordinary knockout powder.”

Tan Qingjiu rolled her eyes and fainted.

Over the years, she had tested countless poisons on herself, injected herself with all kinds of needles, nearly rendering her body immune to toxins. Yet she was wholly defenseless against simple knockout powder—for it was not a poison.

Tan Qingjiu awoke to voices.

Outside, Tan Xingyou’s voice drifted in, “Go away, don’t touch me. My mother only fainted because of you.”

A weak, mocking laugh from Shen Yingjue followed, “Was it not the knockout powder you scattered that made your mother faint?”

“Come here, let me see—are you wearing a human skin mask? Why did you look so different the last time I saw you?”

“Come closer, let me see your real face.”

Tan Xingyou feigned ignorance. “What are you talking about? I have no idea. I haven’t met you before. We brothers, all together...”

He rolled his eyes. “There are four of us. You must have seen one of my younger brothers last time.”

Too many absurdities left Tan Qingjiu at a loss for words.

“Four brothers?” Shen Yingjue clicked his tongue. “Your mother is impressive, quite prolific. By that logic, I must marry your mother and make her the Princess Consort.”

“After all, to bear four at once—marry one, and you get a brood. Quite a bargain!”

Tan Xingyou bristled. “Dream on! You’re mad! When you lose control, it’s terrifying. What if you hurt us or my mother when you’re ill?”

“And you always wear a mask—must be because you look too frightening. In any case, I absolutely won’t let you be with my mother.”

Shen Yingjue sighed at this, his tone heavy with grievance and sorrow. “But what can I do? I never wanted this strange illness, never wanted to lose control.”

“When I fall ill, I’m hardly older than you, just a child. All these years, I only wished to be normal.”

“I know—they all call me crazy behind my back. Parents warn their children to avoid me, as if I’m some kind of monster. I know, so I try not to go out, hiding away in this prince’s manor.”

“Today, I only went because your mother asked me to take her to the Princess Consort’s birthday banquet. How could I have known that someone would be so malicious as to arrange that room to look just like the cold palace where my mother died, forcing me to relapse?”

Tan Xingyou saw Shen Yingjue bow his head, gazing desolately into the courtyard, his sorrow palpable. Suddenly, Xingyou’s heart softened.

Thinking it through, what Shen Yingjue said seemed true. He hadn’t wanted this illness, and when he lost control, he was still just a child—he simply couldn’t help it.

Moreover, Shen Yingjue rarely left the manor, likely out of consideration for others.

What he did during his episode wasn’t from his own will; he simply couldn’t control himself.

He must have felt terrible upon waking and realizing he’d lost control again.

Thinking this, Tan Xingyou realized his earlier words had been somewhat harsh.

He opened his mouth but didn’t know how to comfort him. Quietly, he edged closer to Shen Yingjue and gently tugged at his sleeve.

Shen Yingjue looked down to see the child frowning, face full of conflict. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said.”

“I didn’t know…” The child stamped his foot in frustration. “Don’t mind what I said. My mother always says I speak without thinking.”

“Don’t be sad.”

“And anyway, the reason your illness couldn’t be cured before is that you hadn’t met my mother. Now you’ve met her, and she’s an excellent doctor—she’ll definitely cure you.”

“When you’re cured, you’ll be able to live like a normal person.”

A faint smile flickered in Shen Yingjue’s eyes as he raised his brow slightly. “Then, are you willing to let your mother keep treating me?”

“Sure, but you have to promise never to hurt my mother again.”

Shen Yingjue’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Then, when I’m cured, will you agree to let your mother marry me?”