To think that even the divine physician Linghu Zheng had no solution, Sui Axi, once an obscure doctor at the Imperial Medical Office, actually had a method!

“Thanks to the Princess’s reminder, this humble servant thought of this method to treat damaged meridians,” Sui Axi smiled.

“Me?” Shen Xihe was puzzled.

“The other day, Princess mentioned that during the autumn hunt, you asked Young Master Bu to gather wild honey for you,” Sui Axi explained. “The Sui family’s acupuncture techniques include a bee-sting therapy.”

The so-called bee-sting therapy used the stinger from a honey bee to stimulate acupoints. When Shen Xihe previously mentioned asking Bu Shulin to do something during the autumn hunt, she meant disturbing a beehive. She needed some premium wild honey to make fragrances, which couldn’t be bought in the market.

She hadn’t told Bu Shulin in advance, not because she feared frightening her, but because she wasn’t certain they would find any at the hunting grounds.

Now it seemed Shen Xihe needed not just wild honey but also wild bees. She wondered if Bu Shulin would be up to the task.

“If you need wild honey, I can send people to gather it,” Xiao Huayong said to Shen Xihe. “As it happens, I need wild bees too.”

“Your Highness is willing to try?” Sui Axi was somewhat surprised at this.

“You are someone the Princess brought, and I trust the Princess.” Xiao Huayong smiled at Shen Xihe, his smile vanishing the instant he turned to look at Sui Axi with a cool expression. “Besides, if you dare to treat, I dare to let you treat.”

“This servant will be extremely careful,” Sui Axi responded respectfully, adding, “Live bee stings would be more effective, Your Highness.”

“I’ll send someone to find a beekeeper,” Xiao Huayong replied.

After listening, Shen Xihe finally spoke: “Your Highness need not trouble yourself. As for wild bees and honey, Your Highness may do as you please. Zhaoning thanks Your Highness in advance for the gift and won’t decline. However, Zhaoning will also search for some, as different bees produce different honey, and Zhaoning needs quite a bit.”

Wild honey was excellent for consumption, so naturally, the more the better.

As long as Shen Xihe didn’t refuse, Xiao Huayong was satisfied. They chatted briefly, but since Shen Xihe had brought people into the palace, it wasn’t appropriate to stay too long.

Back at the Princess’s residence, Shen Xihe questioned Sui Axi in detail about Xiao Huayong’s poisoning.

“The poison in the Crown Prince’s body is most peculiar. Axi has truly never heard of such a thing,” Sui Axi answered cautiously. “Moreover, His Highness’s internal organs have been weakened by years of poison erosion. This condition cannot be faked.”

So Xiao Huayong truly was afflicted by a strange poison and in poor health.

“Will it affect his lifespan?” Shen Xihe asked.

“The five organs cannot sustain damage for long periods. His Highness’s condition worsens daily. If no antidote is found within three to five years, I fear he won’t live long,” Sui Axi answered truthfully.

“Will it affect his ability to have children?” Shen Xihe asked directly.

Caught off guard by Shen Xihe’s bluntness, Sui Axi’s face reddened as he stammered, “It won’t affect that.”

“I’ve heard some poisons can be passed down to descendants,” Shen Xihe remained concerned.

“That’s more common with poisons transmitted through the mother’s womb to children,” Sui Axi explained diplomatically. “The poison in the Crown Prince’s body hasn’t dissolved into his bloodstream…”

Shen Xihe was finally satisfied after hearing this. The appearance of Xiao Guxing had made her realize her previous suspicions might be wrong – Xiao Huayong might not be who she suspected, though she couldn’t be certain he wasn’t. All this guessing was too mentally taxing.

She decided to stop guessing and brought Sui Axi to get a clear understanding of Xiao Huayong’s physical condition. No matter how deep his schemes, how terrifying his machinations and power, as long as he had a short life expectancy, that was enough.

At worst, she would avoid his sharp edge for three to five years, and during his remaining time, they could protect each other with honesty.

However, after Shen Xihe left, Xiao Huayong found himself unable to sleep. Unable to rest, he decided to wake up Tianyuan as well: “Tianyuan, do you think the Princess will despise me now that she knows the poison in my body will take my life in three to five years if not cured?”

The drowsy Tianyuan instantly became alert. How should he answer this question?

After some thought, Tianyuan carefully replied: “Your Highness, the Princess is no ordinary woman. Her thoughts and concerns differ from common women. Moreover, the Princess is resilient and intelligent. This servant believes she won’t distance herself from Your Highness because of life expectancy. Besides, surely an antidote can be found within three to five years.”

Tianyuan’s words failed to comfort Xiao Huayong. He lay on his bed, staring at the canopy lost in thought. After a long while, just as Tianyuan was about to doze off again, he sighed softly: “Should I not have involved her?”

He had never before truly considered that he might only live for three to five years.

No, rather, he had never cared that he might only live for three to five years. Three to five years was enough time for him to do as he pleased, to accomplish what he wanted.

Now he found himself worried about it. He couldn’t die early – in three to five years, she wouldn’t even be twenty, still in her prime. For someone her age to be confined to widowhood for life would be too cruel.

Moreover…

The current dynasty encouraged widows to remarry. If he died early and she was coaxed away by another man…

The mere thought of this possibility made his eyes bloodshot, wishing he could kill all other men right now.

Tianyuan suddenly felt a murderous aura and immediately played possum, swallowing the words of comfort he had been about to offer the Crown Prince.

“You’re right, I will definitely find an antidote,” Xiao Huayong’s eyes cleared of their wild rage, replaced by determined resolve.

Two days later was the imperial hunt at Diwang Valley’s Green Mountain. This was the emperor’s hunting ground. The current dynasty valued martial prowess, and every autumn when the game was plentiful, the emperor would bring his nobles and ministers here to hunt.

The area also had training grounds for soldiers, with many military guards stationed there. After each annual hunt, His Majesty would return with plenty of game to reward these soldiers. Before heading up the mountain to hunt, he would also select some soldiers to accompany them.

Shen Xihe came along this time to experience the capital’s hunting customs.

In the Northwest during this season, Shen Yueshan would also lead his soldiers on group hunts, creating quite a grand spectacle. Today was similar.

“Sister, let me ride with you,” As soon as they set out, Xue Jinqiao came to find Shen Xihe, bringing her Diandian with her.

Diandian was originally a hunting cheetah, bred specifically to assist nobility in hunting.

Shen Xihe had also brought Shortlife along. When Shortlife saw the massive Diandian, it showed no fear at all, instead grinding its claws and assuming an attack stance. Diandian didn’t even spare it a glance.

Just as Shortlife was about to pounce on Diandian, Shen Xihe firmly gripped its neck: “Know your limits.”

“Don’t worry, Sister. Diandian is very gentle and won’t bully Shortlife,” Xue Jinqiao said. Diandian had visited the Princess’s residence before, and while its first meeting with Shortlife hadn’t been pleasant, they had grown familiar later. Shortlife would even run to the academy to find Diandian.