Chapter 60: Matters of Marriage

Tan Qingjiu walked to the doorway and saw Tan Xingyou, brows knitted in worry, his face tangled with hesitation. He clearly did not want to agree, yet could not help but lift his head, cautiously stealing a glance at Shen Yingjue’s expression, as if afraid of hurting him.

“We’ll talk about it when you’re feeling better.”

Shen Yingjue’s eyes curved, his smile sly as a fox’s. “You didn’t refuse, which means you tacitly agreed. So, that counts as saying yes, doesn’t it? Matters of marriage, the fate of children, words from the matchmaker—so it’s settled with a single phrase.”

Tan Xingyou’s eyes widened, bewildered. He’d only said to wait until Shen Yingjue recovered, so how had it become consent? How had it turned into a promise?

Tan Xingyou’s face was full of confusion. He turned to look at Tan Xingqi. “Brother? I—I—I…”

Tan Xingqi wore a look of indescribable disdain. “Enough, don’t say anything more. With just a few words you’ve exposed how foolish you are. If you keep on, Mother will end up sold by you, and you might even help count the money.”

“Brother, you’re mocking me.”

Tan Xingyou feigned tears, but suddenly spotted Tan Qingjiu standing by the door. “Mother?”

“Mother, you’re awake?” Tan Xingyou rushed toward her, but before he could throw himself into her arms, Shen Yingjue caught him by the collar, lifting him off the ground.

“Hey, hey, hey… what are you doing?”

Shen Yingjue snorted. “Your mother fainted because of your medicine, and she’s only just woken up. If you throw yourself at her now, what if you knock her out again?”

“I—I—I’m not that heavy! Of course I know Mother just woke up.”

Tan Qingjiu rarely saw Xingyou so deflated, her eyes brimmed with laughter. She glanced outside the courtyard; the scenery was somewhat unfamiliar.

Recalling Shen Yingjue’s earlier words, Tan Qingjiu looked up at him. “Is this the Prince Duan’s residence?”

“How did we end up here?”

Shen Yingjue set Tan Xingyou down, who immediately wrapped his arms around Tan Qingjiu’s waist, though his movements were gentler than before.

Shen Yingjue’s gaze flickered evasively as he looked at Tan Qingjiu. “Earlier, I had an episode in the Prince Ding’s residence and harmed you and Xingqi. Since the injury was caused by me, it is only right that I be responsible for your recovery. So, I brought you, Xingqi, and Xingyou here.”

Though his voice and manner remained calm, Tan Qingjiu read guilt in his eyes.

Suddenly, she recalled the words Shen Yingjue had been teasing Xingyou with moments ago.

Those words, though spoken in jest, must have held a kernel of truth, hadn’t they?

No one wishes to be a madman, no one wants to be feared and shunned by all.

Tan Qingjiu’s gaze softened. “This wasn’t your fault. I know who orchestrated it.”

“Oh?” Shen Yingjue narrowed his eyes. “Who?”

“The Crown Princess of Prince Ding, Tan Yunge.”

“Actually, before the incident, I had bribed someone to keep watch on Tan Yunge’s side. My informant reported that they had tidied a guest room, and replaced many of its furnishings, the vases and lamps included, with rougher items.”

“At the time I wondered why—perhaps because with so many guests today, they feared things would be broken?”

“Later, my informant said they found a sky-blue garment and had a maid change clothes.”

Tan Qingjiu looked up at Shen Yingjue, whose eyes were dark and unreadable, pausing before she continued. “Their actions seemed strange to me, but I didn’t suspect anything related to you, so I didn’t warn you.”

“It was only after the incident that I realized… they did all that because…”

“They wanted to recreate the scene from over ten years ago, to trigger your illness.”

Tan Qingjiu nodded. “Their true target was likely me. Because I am with you, they wanted to provoke your episode, and then kill me.”

“So, the reason you relapsed today was more because of me. You are blameless.”

Shen Yingjue turned away, gazing toward the distant eaves, his eyes brewing a storm, his voice chilling and sharp. “No matter the reason, since they dared to plot against me and use those tactics on me, they cannot blame me for being ruthless.”

Tan Qingjiu listened to that nearly cruel tone, her eyes flickering. That voice…

It reminded her of the first time she came to treat Shen Yingjue in the Prince Duan’s residence, when she entered the main courtyard and overheard a conversation.

Although the words spoken then were different, the voice and manner were eerily similar.

Yet, when she had startled them back then, the person who emerged claimed to be the Crown Prince of Prince Ding.

Tan Qingjiu’s thoughts spun several times, her doubts deepening.

Outwardly, she remained composed. “Show me your hand, let me check your pulse.”

“Hm?” Shen Yingjue glanced over.

Tan Qingjiu licked her lips, unwilling to admit her compassion had been stirred by his earlier words. “Let me examine your illness. Xingyou has already made bold claims, so I must see how confident I am in curing you.”

Shen Yingjue arched his brows and extended his hand.

Tan Qingjiu placed her fingers on his wrist, her brows slightly furrowed.

Though Shen Yingjue’s illness was fundamentally psychological, long-term mental strain could manifest physically.

Psychology was not her specialty, but she had some understanding—she knew the general therapeutic approaches and common medications.

Shen Yingjue had suffered two episodes in Tan Qingjiu’s presence. Though each time had been different, she had gained a fair grasp of his condition.

Tan Qingjiu let go of his hand. “Your illness is not incurable.”

As soon as she spoke, Shen Yingjue’s head snapped up, his eyes burning. “What did you say? You can cure me?”

Before Tan Qingjiu could reply, Tan Xingyou cheered, “See, I told you—there’s no illness my mother can’t cure. Weird diseases, when they meet her, must obediently disappear.”

Tan Xingqi lifted his hand to cover Tan Xingyou’s mouth, dragging him away.

Tan Qingjiu was amused by Xingyou, but soon turned to Shen Yingjue, nodding. “I can cure you.”

“But this illness is more difficult than your previous one, and will take longer.”

“During treatment, you must obey my instructions completely. While taking medicine, you may experience side effects—drowsiness, dulled senses, emotional numbness, and possibly other unpredictable symptoms. But you must not reduce or stop the medication on your own.”

“Are you willing to be treated?”