Chapter 740

Xue Daoming had already prepared to wait a bit longer, but he didn't expect Hu Xiaotian to return so quickly, with a sorrowful expression he said: "Your Highness, the Princess has already lost her senses; if you wish to see her, please hurry in."

Xue Daoming nodded and followed Hu Xiaotian into the room.

Upon entering the room, he smelled a strong medicinal herb scent; Xue Daoming involuntarily furrowed his brows. Two maidservants saw the Prince arrive and hurriedly knelt in salute, but Xue Daoming ignored them and went straight to the bedside. There he saw Princess Anping lying on the bed, her complexion bluish-black, with dark clouds gathering between her brows, her eyes tightly shut, her lips completely turned black, her breath faint as a thread—clearly she was on the verge of death.

Xue Daoming slowly shook his head, and crystal-like tears glimmered in his eyes.

Hu Xiaotian stood beside him, closely observing his every move; naturally he knew Xue Daoming was definitely putting on an act—this mother‑son pair were indeed cut from the same cloth, their acting top‑notch.

"Long Xi Yue… I've come late…" Xue Daoming said, and two streams of hot tears rolled down.

Hu Xiaotian deliberately stepped forward and whispered in Xi Yan's ear: "Princess, open your eyes and see who has come to visit you."

Xue Daoming had been preparing a heartfelt speech, but this fellow interrupted him; he silently cursed, thinking such emotion wasn't easy to summon, and once interrupted he'd have to start over. He said through tears: "Sir Hu, there's no need to wake the Princess; let her rest."

Hu Xiaotian thought, "You wish the Princess would die sooner; now you mother‑son duo are taking turns putting on a show, merely trying to whitewash your past faults after acting like a whore setting up a chastity arch, so as not to be spat upon."

Xue Daoming specifically examined Princess Anping's fingers; all ten nails had turned black. He bit his lip and reached out to take her right hand, but Hu Xiaotian blocked him: "Your Highness, please have a seat."

Xue Daoming felt vexed; this guy is really in the way—can't I give a full‑throttle performance once? Can't I unleash myself fully? Just as my emotion rises, you jerk interrupt; do I owe you from a past life?

Hu Xiaotian's basic motive was to prevent Xue Daoming from touching Xi Yan; although Xi Yan is a demoness, she also bowed to heaven and earth with me, and there is another layer of meaning. Hu Xiaotian also wanted to protect Xue Daoming. Although Xi Yan told him she had given up assassinating Xue Daoming, the opportunity is right before us—if this girl suddenly changes her mind and decides to kill Xue Daoming, it would be as easy as turning over one's hand.

Xue Daoming didn't know Hu Xiaotian's true intention, but Xi Yan had figured out his thoughts clearly. Feeling both annoyed and amused, she slowly opened her eyes and whispered weakly: "I… am I… already dead?"

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start—how did this girl suddenly start speaking?

Xue Daoming was also startled. He hadn't expected Princess Anping to wake; if a miracle were to occur, that would be troublesome. But he immediately dismissed the possibility, since Liu Changsheng and Xu BaiChuan had already made clear judgments: Princess Anping was beyond cure, and unless he had grasped Long Xi Yue's exact situation, he wouldn't have come to perform this act.

Xi Yan's beautiful eyes were dim and lifeless; she whispered weakly: "You are…"

Xue Daoming gazed into Xi Yan's eyes, and suddenly felt his heartstrings tugged; though Princess Anping's life was ebbing, those eyes still shone with spirit—words like 'captivating' hardly do them justice. Yet such beautiful eyes now saw nothing. He silently drew a breath, reminding himself to stay calm, never to be soft‑hearted, and then said: "Princess, I am Xue Daoming!"

Xi Yan's beautiful eyes brightened a little, as if regaining the luster of life: "Your Highness…" she stretched out her left hand.

Xue Daoming also reached out and held her delicate hand in his.

Hu Xiaotian stood aside watching, his feelings in turmoil like an overturned five‑flavor bottle, truly unpleasant—was this girl deliberately provoking me? Xue Daoming, you jerk, you've grabbed my wife—let go! I said, hurry up and let go! This guy is genuinely jealous.

Tears welled in Xi Yan's beautiful eyes as she spoke sadly: "I thought I would never meet Your Highness in this life… alas, I cannot see Your Highness's appearance…"

Although Xue Daoming came with the intention of acting, upon truly seeing Xi Yan he felt an indescribable ache, as if those eyes had met his countless times in dreams; a myriad of feelings surged, and he even entertained the thought of not wanting Princess Anping to die. He grasped Xi Yan's icy hand and clearly felt a pang of heartache.

Xi Yan's gaze was full of relief, yet tinged with despair: "Your Highness need not grieve… it is Long Xi Yue's fate that is thin; my greatest regret in this life is… being unable to serve Your Highness…" As she said this she burst into violent coughing; Hu Xiaotian hastily handed her a silk handkerchief, thinking, "Now you two should let go," but unexpectedly Xi Yan took it with her right hand, covered her mouth, and gripped Xue Daoming's hand even tighter with her left.

Xue Daoming heard Xi Yan's coughs; each one struck his heart like a heavy hammer. He didn't know why he cared so much for Xi Yan, but hearing her coughs and seeing her dim‑glowing eyes filled him with profound sorrow.

Xi Yan moved the handkerchief away, and it was already stained with blood. Hu Xiaotian seized the moment when Xue Daoming was off‑guard and glared at her fiercely, thinking, "You've had enough; you're addicted to holding hands—do you even consider how I feel on top of my head? Hold on a bit longer and my hat will turn eco‑green."

At this moment Xi Yan completely ignored Hu Xiaotian's presence; tears glimmered in her eyes as she whispered: "Your Highness…"

Xue Daoming pressed his lips together; he began to regret coming on this trip, having thought he would develop no feelings for this Dakang Princess, yet he hadn't expected that upon truly seeing her he would be so easily moved by her despairing, pitying gaze, and deep down he even hoped she wouldn't die like this. He whispered softly: "What does the Princess wish to say?"

Xi Yan said: "Your Highness, Long Xi Yue wishes to ask you for something…"

Xue Daoming nodded.

Xi Yan caught her breath and then said: "Long Xi Yue's fate is thin, blaming no one… after Long Xi Yue dies, I hope to return to Dakang… to be buried…"

Xue Daoming's eye rims were already red; he clearly knew in his heart that he was not feigning, but genuinely felt sympathy for this ill‑fated princess. Setting aside political considerations, what fault did Long Xi Yue have? Why did she meet such a tragic end? He even entertained the thought: if Long Xi Yue could survive this ordeal, what would it matter even if he married her?

Xi Yan's hand suddenly gripped him, her eyes fixed on Xue Daoming as she said: "Your Highness… actually Long Xi Yue has seen you before…"

Xue Daoming blinked in surprise.

Xi Yan said: "I have seen your likeness countless times in dreams… exactly the same…" Her hand slowly loosened; Xue Daoming hurriedly tried to grasp her hand, but felt Xi Yan's hand had lost all strength. Looking again, Xi Yan's head had slumped to one side, and there was no breath left.

Hu Xiaotian stood aside watching their impromptu farewell, feeling sour to the bone; he silently cursed Xi Yan as a little flirt, daring to seduce a man right before him. Male jealousy is like vinegar breeding waves, but this guy still retained some reason, knowing they were both acting; yet in the end Xue Daoming didn't seem much like an actor—his expression was utterly earnest.

Xue Daoming called out in a trembling voice: "Princess… Long Xi Yue…" Xi Yan's hand had already turned cold; Xue Daoming felt her pulse and then checked her breath.

Hu Xiaotian knew the act was over; he hurriedly turned, flung open the door, and shouted: "Master Liu, Sir Xu!"

Xu BaiChuan rushed in first; after examining Xi Yan, he immediately confirmed she had passed away, and with sorrow said: "Your Highness, the Princess has departed…"

Xue Daoming's heart felt as if struck by a heavy hammer; his sturdy frame trembled. Gazing at Princess Anping's face, now devoid of life's spark, grief welled up and tears streamed down uncontrollably. Before coming, Xue Daoming never imagined he would genuinely become emotional, yet when his eyes met hers, a stirring of the soul arose—just as the Princess had said, she had seen his likeness countless times in dreams, and he too had seen hers in his dreams. He gazed long at her visage, then suddenly bent forward, intending to kiss her icy forehead.

Midway, however, an arm blocked him—it was Hu Xiaotian again. Xue Daoming, truly unable to bear it any longer, snapped: "What are you doing?"

Hu Xiaotian's face streaked with tears, he said solemnly: "I hope Your Highness will respect my family's Princess."

Hu Xiaotian blocked him out of self‑interest, and more to protect Xue Daoming from trouble; he knew Xi Yan's nature through and through—her whole body was toxic. The last time he kissed her, his mouth turned sausage‑like; if anyone else did the same, they'd likely end up vomiting.

Xue Daoming also came to his senses; although he and Long Xi Yue had a Marriage Pact, they had never wed, and Long Xi Yue, now deceased, remained a Dakang Princess, not his lawful wife. He ought not to overdo his display, yet his grief was genuine—just moments before he had indeed felt the urge to enfold Princess Anping's corpse in his arms.

Xue Daoming nodded, his gaze falling to the ground; seeing the blood‑stained silk handkerchief, he reached out, picked it up, and slipped it into his bosom, then slowly rose to his feet and said sorrowfully: "Long Xi Yue, I will not disturb your rest—sleep well…" His voice actually choked.

Hu Xiaotian admired Xue Daoming's acting to the utmost; at such a young age to have such skill, his future is truly limitless. He had everyone withdraw on the pretext of changing the Princess's clothes, actually giving Xi Yan a chance to rest so she wouldn't have to strain herself so much in the performance.

After everyone had left, Hu Xiaotian leaned close to Xi Yan's ear and whispered low: "You actually dared to flirt with a man right before me—what do you take me for?"

This chapter has been partially revised; thanks to readers for pointing it out! (To be continued…~^~)