Chapter 145: In That Madman’s Eyes, Death Isn’t Necessarily a Bad Thing
Chapter 145: Chapter 145: In That Madman’s Eyes, Death Isn’t Necessarily a Bad Thing
He had to be at death’s door, his soul barely clinging to his body, just to see his Yaoyao.
In that instant, it was as if Xie Jinbai had been jolted back to life from a silent death, completely revitalized.
A bad feeling welled up inside Cui Lingyao as she watched.
Shen Tingyu also guessed his intentions, his brow furrowing slightly.
’It wasn’t that he cared about the man’s life, but...’
"It’s because of you that Yaoyao was targeted by the Empress. She died with her insides rotting away—it was a horrific injustice. The most urgent task now is to get revenge for her. Otherwise, what right do you have to face her?"
To go off like a madman and risk his life on a mere guess, before making the masterminds pay the price, would only give them exactly what they wanted.
The words were harsh, but they were the truth.
Xie Jinbai calmed down slightly.
’At the very least, I have to handle things here in Pingzhou first. Only then can I go...’
Shen Tingyu said, "Back in the Capital City, I took Yaoyao’s pulse. At the time, her vitality was just drained from the effects of the seductive powder. Yesterday, her pulse was completely different..."
’Why didn’t I act decisively when I clearly sensed something was wrong? Why didn’t I summon every doctor in the city that very night to treat her?’
’Instead, I just thought we could return to the Capital City after my aunt’s funeral for her to recuperate.’
Shen Tingyu’s heart ached with regret, and his voice choked slightly. "The poison in her system... it must be related to the Pei Family."
’The Pei Family...’
Xie Jinbai’s face twisted for a moment as he suppressed the murderous rage surging within him. "I don’t need your concern. I’ll investigate this myself."
As he spoke, his eyes narrowed, fixing on the ’love rival’ he had once wished he could slice into a thousand pieces. His gaze was dark and terrifying, as if he were contemplating what kind of torture to inflict.
Cui Lingyao watched, her heart pounding in terror, breaking out in a cold sweat on Shen Tingyu’s behalf.
The man himself, however, seemed completely unaware of the danger, his expression tranquil and utterly calm.
"You’ve got some nerve. No wonder you dared to go after my woman."
Xie Jinbai sneered, "Is this the pretty face you used to seduce her?"
’This composed, righteous demeanor, like a gentleman carved from jade, is indeed the type that most easily captures a young woman’s heart.’
"..."
Unseen by anyone, Cui Lingyao blinked.
’If I could speak, I’d give him a piece of my mind.’
’Speaking of seduction.’
’He’s the one who was always trying to seduce me, isn’t he?’
But she couldn’t speak.
Meanwhile, Shen Tingyu, the other party accused of "seduction," frowned slightly. "Your Highness, please be careful with your words. My feelings for Yaoyao were genuine, and our conduct was always proper. It could hardly be called ’seduction’."
His face was deathly pale as he sat cross-legged on the bed. His upper body was bare, revealing broad shoulders and arms, and his abdominal muscles were firm and powerful—not at all the physique of a frail scholar.
Despite his severe injuries, his back remained ramrod straight, his posture impeccable, and he maintained a calm, unhurried composure.
What Xie Jinbai hated most was this man’s nonchalant, jade-like gentlemanly air.
’He found that no matter how he tried to reassure himself, he couldn’t suppress the urge to kill this man.’
’If the girl were still alive, he would lose sleep and appetite if he didn’t kill Shen Tingyu.’
’But not now.’
’He...’
Xie Jinbai narrowed his eyes, reining in his murderous intent. "Considering you protected her, I won’t take your life. But you won’t always be this lucky. You’d best be careful."
With that, he didn’t linger a moment longer and walked out.
Cui Lingyao hesitated for a moment but didn’t follow. Instead, she waved her hand in front of the man on the bed. "Can you really not see me?"
It seemed he really couldn’t.
Her hand was about to touch his face, but Shen Tingyu didn’t even furrow his brow. He showed no reaction at all.
The door opened, and two elderly physicians entered to continue dressing his wounds.
"Young Master, you have suffered greatly. If the Master and Madam were to see you like this, they would be overcome with worry." Shen Er, watching with a pained expression, softly pleaded, "Shouldn’t we hurry back to the Capital City to recover?"
In Shen Er’s eyes, they were living in the tiger’s den.
If Xie Jinbai changed his mind for even a second, they’d be devoured.
’We have to leave by carriage tonight, while he’s not in the mood to kill.’
Shen Tingyu kept his gaze lowered and said nothing.
Thinking he was still distraught over Cui Lingyao, Shen Er said, "No one wanted what happened to the young lady. You’ve already done everything you could."
’He truly risked his life to protect her.’
’Never mind for a fiancée; even if they were married, how many husbands would go to such lengths for their wife?’
Shen Tingyu gently shook his head. "Don’t worry, he won’t kill me."
He said faintly, "In that madman’s eyes, death isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In a way, it’s a kind of consummation."
’What a strange perspective.’
Cui Lingyao was shocked.
She was dumbfounded, but at the same time, she found it surprisingly logical.
’Given the madness Xie Jinbai displayed, he probably really does think that killing Shen Tingyu would be doing us a favor.’
But Shen Er couldn’t understand. He only saw Xie Jinbai as a ruthless tyrant who killed without a second thought; he had never witnessed the Prince’s particular brand of madness.
Shen Tingyu had no intention of explaining to his attendant.
He thought for a long moment before giving an order, "She has a rather clever maid. If the girl had nothing to do with the poisoning, I want you to step in and save her."
’If the Seven-Star Powder truly came by way of the Pei Family, Xie Jinbai will undoubtedly engage in an indiscriminate slaughter. He would never spare an innocent maid.’
’But she is kind-hearted. When she returns, she would be saddened to hear that the maid who attended her for months had been unjustly killed.’
In stark contrast to Xie Jinbai’s decisive and brutal methods, he considered every detail with great care.
He loved her, so he cared for those connected to her.
He even took Zhiqiu’s safety into account.
Cui Lingyao felt a wave of complicated emotions.
She sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at the disheveled man before her, and whispered, "How can you be so good..."
"..." Shen Tingyu’s lowered lashes trembled.
Just then, a servant brought in a bowl of medicine, the scalding liquid steaming.
Shen Tingyu pressed his lips together. "Take it away."
"Young Master, you mustn’t!" Shen Er said anxiously. "Your injuries are too severe. How can you recover without medicine?"
Shen Tingyu insisted for some reason, "Take it away. Don’t make me say it a third time."
At his side, Cui Lingyao blinked. She wasn’t an idiot and quickly realized what was happening. She leaned in close. "Shen Tingyu! Can you see me?"
She was wearing a slip dress with her long hair cascading to her waist. Her slender limbs were bare, and the thin straps on her shoulders revealed the smooth, pale skin of her neck.
As she leaned forward...
Shen Tingyu’s eyelashes trembled violently, and the tips of his ears turned red. "I can’t see."
Cui Lingyao: "..."
She was completely speechless for a moment, then laughed in exasperation. "Drink your medicine!"
"No," Shen Tingyu said. "If I drink it, I won’t be able to see you anymore."
If he drank it, his body would start to heal.
And he would no longer be able to see her spirit form.
Cui Lingyao was furious. "Don’t give me that! Drink your medicine! Do you want this body of yours to heal or not? Are you really trying to die and keep me company? I might even be able to come back to life, you know. Can you say the same?"
Shen Tingyu’s expression grew serious as he looked up at her. "Really?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Cui Lingyao said. "Hurry up and drink your medicine. Stop all this talk about dying to be with me. As soon as you’ve recovered a bit, get back to the Capital City. Don’t linger around Xie Jinbai. You never know when he might decide to kill you for real."