Chapter 31: A Blind Cat Stumbles Upon a Dead Mouse

The siblings did not consult Old Zhuang’s opinion and completed the procedures for withdrawing from school, packing their things, and returned to the mansion.

Zhuang Xian looked at the siblings, carrying big and small bags as they entered: “What are you two doing?”

“We’re letting A Xun come back to prepare for the autumn imperial exam.”

“The exam hasn’t even finished today, and you’re back to prepare for the autumn exam?”

“Are you saying you’re going to prepare for next year’s exam already?”

“You little brat, this is your idea again. You’re not letting him study properly. Do you want to ruin his future?”

Zhuang Xian was so angry his eyes widened, knowing this trouble was caused by Zhuang Xiaoyu again.

“I don’t want to.”

“If you didn’t want to, why did you let him come back?”

“I want to personally teach him, make him skilled in both literature and martial arts.”

“Still boasting. Can’t you just stay at home, playing the zither and doing embroidery?”

Zhuang Xian really wanted to hit her, but he could never reach her, so he didn’t bother with the effort.

“Dad, it was A Xun’s decision to come back. It’s not Big Sister’s fault. I’ve brought all my books back, I won’t delay my studies. I can also practice martial arts with Big Sister and be filial to my parents. I guarantee A Xun will get a good result in the exam.”

“Are you sure you can get a good result?”

“I’m sure.”

Seeing his son making the promise, Zhuang Xian didn’t pursue it further but shot Zhuang Xiaoyu a fierce glare. He felt like he was losing control of the family.

Zhuang Xiaoyu curled her lips. Although she was his biological daughter, it felt as if she were adopted.

At Qingfeng Manor, Jiang He listened to his subordinate’s report, deep in thought.

There were various opinions in the capital about Zhuang Xiaoyu. Some said she was rude and unreasonable, offending everyone, while others said she was hiding her true strength, fearless of anyone. It was even said that she was a disciple of the Elder Xuxu, a mysterious old man rumored to be a practitioner of immortality, rarely seen by anyone.

The subordinate said that from a distance, they saw Zhuang Xiaoyu raise her hand and send over a dozen people flying, all of them struck from a distance. How terrifying must her internal energy be? Could it be some form of immortal magic?

Whether it was immortal magic or demon arts, they needed to capture her first. She seemed quite satisfied with her appearance.

Zhuang Xiaoyu hadn’t seen Murong Xuan for many days, and when she saw him again, she noticed he had lost more weight and looked particularly haggard.

“What happened to you? You look so bad, did you get diabetes? Why have you lost weight so quickly?”

“No… I think it’s just my stomach not being well recently.”

“Have you seen a doctor? If you’re sick, treat it quickly. Don’t delay.”

“Xiaoyu, if I have an incurable disease, would you miss me?”

“Do you really have a terminal illness?”

If he died, she would truly feel heartbroken.

“It’s not confirmed yet, so far, the royal physician can’t treat it.”

“Come, come, sit down. Let me feel your pulse.”

“You know medicine?”

“Just a little bit.”

Jian Yi nearly jumped up in joy when he heard this. If Miss Zhuang said she knew, then she must be skilled. She could definitely cure the prince.

Zhuang Xiaoyu grabbed his wrist with great seriousness. In truth, she didn’t know anything about medicine. The old man had never taught her. She was just joking with him.

“Tell me your symptoms.”

“I was cursed with a Miao tribe’s bloodworm. When it flares up, it’s unbearably painful, and my internal energy is slowly draining away.”

“Bloodworm? Who did this to you? Why did they curse you, and when did it happen?”

Zhuang Xiaoyu got a little agitated. Bloodworm? She was familiar with this—she had read about it in a martial arts novel in her past life. It described the bloodworm, and she still remembered it clearly. Could it be that kind?

“It was the younger sister of the Miao tribe’s holy maiden, Gu Na. She cursed me on the way back to the capital.”

“Why?”

“She…”

Seeing that he was hesitating, Jian Yi quickly spoke up to explain.

“Miss, that Gu Na is really a terrible person. She took a liking to the prince’s looks and wanted him to be her man. The prince refused, so she secretly cursed him. She said if the prince married her, she would lift the curse for him.”

“How shameless, she should be killed.”

“We’ve already killed her.”

“Already killed?”

“Yes, already done.”

“Good. I’m glad she’s dead.” Zhuang Xiaoyu patted his shoulder and took out a small dagger from her leg, drawing a line across her finger.

“What are you doing?”

“Here, let me break the curse for you.” Blood beads appeared on her finger, and she placed it near Murong Xuan’s mouth.

“Come on, don’t waste it.”

Murong Xuan was about to ask something, but before he could speak, he had no choice but to suck on her finger and swallow the blood that flowed out. His mouth tasted a bit salty, but his heart felt as sweet as honey.

Zhuang Xiaoyu used her internal energy to force out more blood, worried it wouldn’t be effective if there wasn’t enough.

After he drank the blood, Murong Xuan held her hand, slightly trembling. Zhuang Xiaoyu pulled it back.

“Actually, you don’t need to be so grateful. I was just trying it out. It might not even work.”

The book she read mentioned that the bloodworm curse could be broken by a virgin’s blood. She didn’t expect it to really work.

“What’s an e-book?”

“It doesn’t matter. For your health, you’ll drink it again tomorrow.”

“No need. I feel much better. The heavy discomfort is gone.”

He gently pulled her hand, worried about the deep cut she had just made. It must have hurt a lot.

“It’s fine. My skin is tough, and the wound will heal quickly. It’ll be better in two days.”

“Thank you, Sister Xiaoyu.”

Jian Yi quickly stepped aside; the prince was about to transform again.

“You drank my blood, so now our fates are tied. Don’t worry, I’ll always protect you. No one will dare bully you.”

“Sister Xiaoyu is so good to me. I want to always be with you.”

“No, you need to be with your wife and children.”

“No, I want to be with Sister.”

“Fine, fine. Go rest now and take care of your health. Your health is your capital. Make sure you get well.”

“Sister, A Xuan knows you care for me, and I won’t disappoint you.”

As he spoke, his face turned slightly red, and he blinked his eyes shyly.

Zhuang Xiaoyu shivered. “As long as you know, remember to come by tomorrow.”

“Mm, A Xuan understands.” He acted as sweet and obedient as possible.

Zhuang Xiaoyu looked at him as he left, thinking that if he remained this obedient, it wouldn’t be bad to keep him around. After all, Old Zhuang seemed to like him too.

She looked at her own finger, feeling that this matter was rather mystical. Had he really been cursed by the bloodworm?

Suddenly, she realized that she had unconditionally trusted everything he said, without hesitation cutting her finger to feed him. This reaction…

Oh no, oh no, she was developing a love-struck mentality.

Murong Xuan happily left the mansion, on his way to make money and marry a wife.

When Wei Ying heard that Murong Xuan had returned to the capital, she immediately went to find him. However, her parents were afraid she might embarrass herself and locked her up, not letting her go out.

It might have been okay in the past when she had no fiancé, but now that she was engaged to the Second Prince, they couldn’t let her continue any connection with Murong Xuan. Moreover, recently, Murong Ze’s performance had been impressive, and with the emperor’s support, the crown prince position was practically his.

This was the thought of the Wei family, not Wei Ying’s. She didn’t want to marry Murong Ze. Taking advantage of the maid’s laxity, she snuck out.

By coincidence, as she exited the alley, she saw Murong Xuan’s carriage.

“Prince, Prince, wait for me! I have something to say!”

Wei Ying chased after Murong Xuan’s carriage, her voice almost pleading.

Jian Yi had no choice but to stop the carriage. In the past, he might have hoped that the prince would marry someone else, but now, since Zhuang Xiaoyu was the prince’s lucky star, he could not let anyone interfere.

“Miss Wei, you must show some respect. You’re already betrothed to the Second Prince. Don’t let others gossip and ruin my prince’s reputation.”

“It’s not… it’s not voluntary! Prince, I don’t want this. I’ve been in love with you for a long time. You know that. If I can’t marry you, I’d rather become a nun.”

“Miss Wei, whatever you want to do has nothing to do with my prince. Don’t drag him into this.”

Jian Yi was in a hurry to explain, wanting to dismiss her as soon as possible.

Wei Ying wiped away a tear, trembling as she spoke, “I just want to ask you one last time, do you have any feelings for me?”

“No. I don’t even know you. Jian Yi, let’s go back.”

Murong Xuan’s voice came from the carriage, calm and indifferent.

Wei Ying stared at the departing carriage, her eyes vacant, as if she had lost all hope. She had foolishly loved him for five years, only to realize that he didn’t even know who she was.