The Sleepless Princess Episode 18

XY asked the leader of the abductors what they wanted from CY. The leader replied by saying XY acts and talks like his brother and thus he mistook him for his brother earlier. He asked if he wanted to know what happened to his brother. As XY went into deep thought other abductors attacked XY as CY is hanging by the cliff with a rope over a tree. XY managed to subdue them and grabbed the end of the rope. The leader refused to talk as he does not care about living or dying (as their family lives are in the hands of the one that controls them). XY questioned who they are so loyal to and sliced the leader’s chest to reveal the “Qingyun” totem which is the symbol of their loyalty. All this talk while CY was still hanging by a rope and the leader managed to cut the rope and escape. XY dived to save CY from freefall, tree managed to break the momentum. CY apologized for attracting the abductors but XY said it is his fault instead. CY mentioned she will jinx those around her. True enough, a poisonous snake attacked them and XY got bitten protecting CY. CY immediately performed first aid by sucking out the poison from the wound, vowing not to let XY get hurt. XY fainted and CY applied some medication that her teacher gave her on the wound. XY came down with fever and CY stayed by his side. CY remembered the ankle bell XY forced her to wear, it was used on slaves to prevent them from escaping. She removed the cosmetics so that the bell can work again. XY at this moment vomited blood and CY was deeply concerned. In his state XY had a bad dream that the emperor gave CY hand in marriage to XC instead of him and CY doesn’t recognize him. He woke up distraught and hugged CY tightly. The snake venom caused hallucination that XC came to take CY away - XY pulled her towards him, hugged and kissed her (with his bloody mouth) and refused to let her go. XC did not manage to find CY, thinking back what CY did for him singing at the courtesan house – he decided to leave everything behind just to take CY to roam the world. His assistant advised against doing so as it will ruin his future. He replied that so far what he has done is for CY, so it does not mean anything even he is at the top of the world without CY. At this moment, XC heard the ankle bells and managed to locate CY by the stream. He knew he lost the bet and told XY that he would let go only if he promised never to let CY down. On the way back, XY wanted to take off the ankle bell but CY refused saying it is a symbol of their fate. It was given to her to prevent her from escaping but now she wants to stay. CY pledged her love to XY and that she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. In return, XY mentioned that he needs to verify something and asked for more time before he can give his reply. Back in the Xue mansion, CY cooked for XY. XY immediately asked about the status of the captured abductors. Bai mentioned they took their own lives with poison. Bai also mentioned that XC asked the emperor for help on the search but the emperor refused – they still cannot be sure that the emperor is behind this but very sure that he doesn’t care much about the princess. XC is confused about why the abductors gained access so easily since this is so uncharacteristic of XY. He suspected that the birthday celebration is just a trap set by XY.