The Crown Princess calculated with her fingers and the prince was terrified.

When Shen Shijing was unsure whether they were friend or foe, he smelled a strong stench of blood.

Then, Jiang Xian Yue appeared behind him, her face pale.

"Go, let's go!"

"They never expected me to come back, and now they're chasing me!"

Jiang Xianyue's voice was very weak, she had exhausted herself, and she sounded like she did when they first met.

Shen Shijing subconsciously offered Jiang Xianyue a helping hand, then left with her through the window. Behind the Star Palace was a carriage that Liang Feng had prepared long ago.

However, before they even reached the place that had been prepared, Jiang Xianyue was already on the verge of collapse, spitting out a mouthful of blood and becoming barely breathing.

"Are you okay!"

In both his past and present lives, Shen Shijing had never seen Jiang Xianyue in her current state. The Grand Master's power was undeniable, and Shen Shijing somewhat regretted having Jiang Xianyue intervene earlier.

He was the crown prince, and even if he was not favored, there was nothing the Grand Preceptor could do.

Although Jiang Xian Yue didn't want anyone to know about the curse under the tree, it wasn't worth risking her life for it.

Shen Shijing's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He picked up Jiang Xianyue and walked towards the carriage.

Liang Feng was somewhat stunned, but he also knew that Jiang Xianyue was formidable.

That day, Xinggong found out...

"This Miss Jiang..."

Before Liang Feng could say anything, he heard someone approaching. Shen Shijing carried Jiang Xianyue inside, and Shen Shijing's carriage prepared to leave.

Unfortunately, they were stopped by the people from the Star Palace.

Not only were there people from the Star Palace, but Shen Qinglan was also there.

Shen Qinglan's eyes held a probing look.

The carriage curtain was slowly lifted, and Shen Shijing's tall figure shielded Jiang Xianyue as he leaned lazily against the carriage.

Shen Shijing looked up, his face full of weariness: "What are you doing here, Second Brother?"

His voice was disdainful, with a unique, fearless quality characteristic of Shen Shijing.

Shen Qinglan had no choice but to get out of the car and step forward to pay her respects.

The Grand Master never expected that instead of finding the petty thief, a Crown Prince would appear.

Even Shen Qinglan would never have imagined that her mortal enemies from her past life would be together now.

"See His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Shen Shijing wearily lifted his eyelids.

"The Grand Preceptor is here too! Why are you blocking my carriage? How dare you!"

Shen Shijing's tone was authoritative without being angry. At this time, Shen Qinglan did not dare to act presumptuously in front of the Crown Prince. It was only with Jiang Xianyue's help that she was able to gradually challenge him later.

You must know that the Crown Prince was born to the Empress, and his body is not as decayed as it was in his previous life. He is not someone to be trifled with.

"Your Highness, the Star Palace has some matters to attend to, which is why I have offended you today."

Someone has stolen the Star Palace's treasures. Your Highness, please cooperate!

Shen Shijing only glanced at the Grand Preceptor.

"Does the Grand Master mean that I stole something from your Star Palace, or that I sent someone to steal it and then helped the thief?"

Shen Shijing remained calm and spoke in a low voice.

"I dare not!"

Even the Grand Master was at a loss when it came to this matter.

The Grand Preceptor's expression turned slightly grim, but he couldn't bring himself to ask to search the Crown Prince's carriage.

"I was already very tired from leaving the palace today, and I took a shortcut through here. I didn't expect to encounter such trouble. I've heard that people from your Star Palace are troublesome, and once you get involved, it's like a dog skin plaster that you can't get rid of."

"And now, you dare to block my path!"

Upon seeing the Crown Prince's anger, everyone knelt down.

"Liang Feng, let's go!"

Shen Shijing ignored him completely, lowered the carriage curtain, and then left.

At that moment, the people kneeling outside all looked up.

Shen Qinglan frowned, realizing the problem.

The Grand Master also discovered other problems.

……

Jiang Xianyue is unconscious. If she is sent back to the Vice Minister's residence, Shen Qinglan will be able to find out what happened to Jiang Xianyue today, which is very dangerous.

Although Shen Shijing did not want to have any special relationship with Jiang Xianyue, he couldn't help but feel moved when he thought about what happened today. If it weren't for Jiang Xianyue's desperate protection, he might have been the one captured in the Star Palace.

Shen Shijing consulted several doctors, but none of them could help.

Jiang Xianyue was unaware of what had happened and remained unconscious.

Shen Shijing was anxious, but there was nothing he could do.

As dusk settled, Jiang Xianyue still hadn't woken up, and Shen Shijing grew anxious, so he sat down beside her bed.

"Why is everything different from the previous life? I still don't know whether you are helping my second brother or genuinely helping me."

In this life, I have no desire to fight for that butterfly pendant. The past is the past, so why do you…

Shen Shijing felt a complex mix of emotions he had never experienced before.

The butterfly pendant remained with Shen Qinglan. In this life, Shen Shijing only wanted to live for himself. However, he received a treatment he had never received in his previous life: Jiang Xianyue was actually injured for his sake.

Thinking it over, Shen Shijing lowered his head and stared intently at Jiang Xianyue, as if he would only be satisfied if he saw something on Jiang Xianyue's face.

Suddenly, Jiang Xianyue opened her eyes and was met with Shen Shijing's face, which was very close to hers.

She is extremely weak now, and her ability to wake up is entirely due to her willpower.

And the person he needed most was right in front of her.

Jiang Xianyue was somewhat delirious, feeling that she might die from exhaustion again in the next second.

Jiang Xianyue was too preoccupied to think much. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Shen Shijing's neck, pressing her entire body against him.

Her lips were very close to Shen Shijing's, even touching the corner of his lips.

Shen Shijing should have refused, but for some reason his body stiffened, and the image of Jiang Xianyue confidently declaring that she would become the Crown Princess appeared in his mind.

An unexpected intimacy occurred in an instant, and Shen Shijing had no idea what Jiang Xianyue was trying to do.

Before Shen Shijing could think of anything, Jiang Xianyue tightened her grip again, bringing the two even closer together.

Unbeknownst to Jiang Xianyue, while Shen Shijing was struggling with an internal conflict, Jiang Xianyue was desperately trying to prolong her life. Only after absorbing a significant amount of the surrounding purple energy did Jiang Xianyue regain her senses and release Shen Shijing.

Perhaps Jiang Xianyue herself did not expect the two to be so close. Jiang Xianyue awkwardly prepared to withdraw her hand. Even though she was usually oblivious, she still understood the rule that men and women should not touch each other.

Moreover, her heart was racing and she was experiencing inexplicable palpitations.

"Your Highness, I can explain what happened earlier!"

Shen Shijing's stiff body finally returned to normal, and he looked at Jiang Xianyue with a relaxed expression.

"What does Miss Jiang want to say?"

"Well, I have a bit of a sleepwalking problem, so..."

"But I remember that Miss Jiang fainted after vomiting blood. How could she sleepwalk while fainting?"

"Jiang Xianyue, you are an unmarried young lady. Would you react to anyone who interacts with you like this...?"

Shen Shijing was at a loss for words.

Jiang Xianyue frowned and said softly, "Of course it's only you, otherwise I..."

Jiang Xianyue froze, then looked up at Shen Shijing.

Her blank stare made it seem as if she had said something wrong.

Just then, Shen Shijing was also looking at her. The moment their eyes met, a strange feeling spread through her heart.