“I came in person to apologize. It was my fault that they are in this state now.” Nan Xuzong looked at Beigong Minhao, who had his eyes closed. “I would rather be the one who got hurt.”
"Don't say that. With you injured, I don't even know who to take care of," Doctor Cui shook his head. "How is the child?"
"She's in her room. Go check on her; she seems much better." Nan Xuzong picked up some medicinal herbs and smelled them. "These herbs aren't good for Minhao's health; how can we leave them there?"
“Fighting poison with poison is a common method. Besides,” Doctor Cui put down what he was doing and looked at Beigong Minhao, “we only have thirty years to live. We’ll just have to endure it as long as we can.”
Nan Xuzong remained silent. His eyes were fixed on Bei Gongminhao, who had given his life for his and Ji Wushang's happiness, but had plunged him into darkness and pain forever... He was sorry, but was there any other way to make amends besides saying sorry?
"I'm going to check on the children. You keep an eye on the water temperature." Doctor Cui said, then went out, letting the two brothers have some time alone.
Nan Xuzong nodded.
Ji Wushang watched Nan Xuzong walk out before closing his eyes, feeling incredibly tired. The feeling of death washed over him again and again. He never imagined that in his rebirth, he would encounter such people. He had only wished for a peaceful life, but instead, he had met them.
She couldn't forget Bei Gongminhao's eyes, the long trail of blood left by Yi Yunshangcheng as he clung to Yi Yunshangcheng's leg, preventing him from getting closer... She owed him so much! And the man she loved, Nan Xuzong, she owed him so much too. What could she do? She could never repay him.
Ji Wushang pulled his arm out from under the blanket and saw that the wound on his wrist had been treated and was tightly bandaged. Thankfully, Nan Xuzong was able to stand up, which eased his worry somewhat.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. Ji Wushang calmed himself down a little, then opened his mouth and whispered, "Please come in." Although his voice was still a little hoarse, it was still loud enough for Doctor Cui outside to hear.
After Doctor Cui came in, he asked, "Wu Shang, are you feeling much better?"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang looked at Doctor Cui's kind and benevolent face and nodded. She tried to get up, but Doctor Cui immediately pressed her down. "Just lie down, you don't need to get up."
Hearing this, Ji Wushang had no choice but to continue lying in bed, looking at Doctor Cui, "Where is Cong?"
"He's outside," Doctor Cui said. "Let me take a look at your wrist. Oh, you silly child, how could you be so cruel as to bite your wrist like this?" As he spoke, he tenderly unwrapped the bandage from Ji Wushang's wrist, then took some medicine from the side to disinfect it and apply the medicine. "Wushang, bear with it!"
"Yes," Ji Wushang replied.
After treating her wounds, Dr. Cui said, "You're feeling much better, but you still need to rest."
"How is the Crown Prince?" Ji Wushang asked. "Is he seriously injured?"
Of course it's serious! But I can't tell her, otherwise she'll definitely rush over to see Beigong Minhao.
"He's alright, he just needs to rest and recuperate. I gave him a life-extending pill, he won't die!" Doctor Cui tried to maintain a relaxed demeanor, with a slight smile on his lips.
Ji Wushang nodded, "It's good that you're alright."
At this moment, Doctor Cui touched Ji Wushang's right wrist to check his pulse. Fortunately, Ji Wushang bit his right wrist... otherwise, he wouldn't know how to perform the diagnostic methods of observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation.
"Hmm...you're recovering quite quickly, that Cong'er! Right, you took the heart-protecting pill, you weren't dead to begin with, how could that brat Cong'er come up with such a beastly method to hurt you!" Doctor Cui shook his head helplessly, then looked at Ji Wushang's face, which was flushed red, but Doctor Cui still continued earnestly, "Your body needs some conditioning, otherwise it will leave lasting health problems. Is that Red Water Pool very hot?"
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded.
"It's not necessarily a bad thing to be a little hot, after all, you have a body that's been frozen for a thousand years. Oh well, I'll brew you some throat-soothing medicine later to soothe your throat."
"Thank you, Master."
"What are you thanking me for! I'm going to give that brat a good scolding. He was so outrageous! You wouldn't believe how scared I was!" Doctor Cui said as he walked outside, making sure to close the door behind him.
Listening to his rambling, Ji Wushang knew he must have gone to nag Nan Xuzong.
But he also knew that he had indeed sunk to the bottom of that icy abyss, unable to breathe, his surroundings shifting from intense heat to icy cold, until finally losing all consciousness. He could easily guess the despair Nan Xuzong felt when facing his "corpse." He must have gone mad, clutching his cold body, to do something so unbelievable. What if he really was dead? Would he still force himself on him? On his own corpse?
A chill ran through Ji Wushang's heart, not for any particular reason, but because of Nan Xuzong's obsessive love for him. He, too, was obsessed and infatuated. Did he dare to die? Even if he did, Nan Xuzong probably wouldn't let him go!
"What are you thinking about?" Nan Xuzong was already standing by her bedside at some point. He stroked the hair on her forehead and looked at Ji Wushang with loving eyes, as if he could never get enough of looking at him or loving him.
"It's nothing," Ji Wushang said. How come his master had finished nagging him so quickly? Or did his master just not have the heart to nag him anymore?
“Let’s go back to the manor.” Nan Xuzong looked at her and kissed her lips. “I apologize for my violence last night.” He whispered in her ear, “I shouldn’t have been so rough with you.”
Ji Wushang lowered his eyes, and the blush that had just faded returned to his face, threatening to turn even redder. Ji Wushang remained silent.
"Forgive me?" Nan Xuzong stared at her. "Please forgive my heart that loves you."
"I accept it." Ji Wushang looked up into his dark eyes. He had done so many things behind his back, almost causing Beigong Minhao's death. He had made so many mistakes.
Nan Xuzong's eyes curved into a smile as he pulled her into his arms. "I'll take you back to the manor... but I can't let anyone know that my legs have recovered yet."
"Hmm." Knowing he had his own thoughts, Ji Wushang nodded. "You need a trigger." Ji Wushang guessed. He needed an opportunity, otherwise people would definitely think he was a monster. No one had been in a wheelchair for over twenty years and then stood up in just one or two days. It was a miracle, and it needed an opportunity to explain it.
Nan Xuzong nodded and hugged her. "Thank you, Wushang. Thank you, Minhao, and Jueshi for everything you've done for me. I, Nan Xuzong, have no way to repay you!" Nan Xuzong smiled. "But I can really stand up and hold you now. I... I'm so happy."
Yes, it took many sacrifices to get these legs, but if Ji Wushang had to choose again, he would still choose the same path.
Love makes people relentless and overcome all obstacles to achieve their goals.
...
Nan Jinxue was sitting in his Yuxue Garden, feeling very comfortable. He had a cup of fine daughter's red wine, a plate of freshly made pastries, and Youlan and Shuipei were massaging his legs. He was having a wonderful time!
"Ah!" Nan Jinxue opened her mouth wide and gestured to Youlan and Shui Pei.
Youlan smiled and picked up a pastry with her jade-like hand, then put it into Nan Jinxue's mouth. "Second Young Master, is it delicious?" Her breath was as fragrant as orchids, making Nan Jinxue feel weak in the knees.
Nan Jinxue nodded, finished the snacks, and then said, "It's delicious, um, oh, be gentle!" He looked at the two concubines in front of him with his peach blossom eyes.
Although neither of them had any background whatsoever, and it was impossible for him to climb the social ladder by relying on them, sometimes having some fun with them was a good option. After all, they were just concubines, and it didn't prevent Zhao Yirou or any other woman from bringing him any benefits!
Mentioning this name, Nan Jinxue narrowed her eyes. Where has that woman, Zhao Yirou, gone now?
"Where is Zhao Yirou?" Nan Jinxue asked at this moment.
"I heard that she went to the courtyard to stroll around and chat with the concubines and young ladies!" Youlan said.
Shui Pei kept her head down and didn't dare to speak from beginning to end.
"I see." Nan Jinxue seemed to be savoring those two words, showing that she was quite adept at handling affairs and interpersonal relationships!
This woman can still be used by me, and the two in front of me are a good choice for me to vent my frustrations sometimes.
"Come on, let's go in!" Nan Jinxue sat up from the chaise lounge, then put one arm around Youlan's slender waist and the other around Shui Pei's buttocks.
"Second Young Master!" Youlan was giving him a flirtatious look, while Shui Pei was a little nervous and shy. "Second Young Master..." Her eyes were filled with a hint of pleading.
One alluring, the other shy—a perfect harmony! Nan Jinxue felt even more delighted. "Let's go in!"
The surrounding maids all withdrew, then let the three of them go in, closed the door, and stood guard at a distance outside. Some maids took away the leftover snacks and other food.
Soon, soft moans and heavy breathing could be heard coming from inside.
In the midst of their pleasure, none of the three knew that someone had emerged from behind the screen, coldly watching them as they made love on the bed.
He wore a silver mask and a black robe, and his knuckles were adorned with valuable jade thumb rings.
The man was sitting at the table opposite the bed, pouring himself a glass of wine and enjoying the live sex show.
However, Nan Jinxue remained somewhat wary. When she heard the sound of water being poured, she didn't immediately react, but at least glanced around and saw a tall man sitting at the table. She froze, just about to shout, when the man had already used acupressure points to immobilize all of them from a distance.
Both Youlan and Shuipei had their sleeping acupoints pressed, and then they collapsed onto the bed.
Nan Jinxue looked at the man in front of her with some surprise and tension. The man did not even raise his head. "You killed Ji Yinxue," he said calmly.
"I, I, please spare my life, my lord!" Damn it, I'm still inside Youlan's body. He struck my pressure point like that, and I can't move at all. I feel so ashamed and embarrassed to be seen like this by this person!
"You killed Ji Yinxue." The man repeated the sentence as if he hadn't heard the man's pleas for mercy.
"Yes, I killed Ji Yinxue, but it wasn't intentional. I was drunk and mistook her for Zhao Yirou, so I accidentally killed her!" Nan Jinxue sensed the malevolence and murderous intent emanating from the man in front of her. If she said anything slightly off, he would definitely kill her!
The man put down his teacup. "The Second Prince is very angry because you interrupted his plans," he said coldly, his icy gaze meeting Nan Jinxue's.
Nan Jinxue trembled all over. "I...I don't know what the Second Prince's plan is! Please spare my life!" Cold sweat poured down Nan Jinxue's face. If he could move, the first thing he would do would be to kneel down and beg for mercy.
The man chuckled coldly, "I'll give you a chance to make amends."
“Yes,” Nan Jinxue immediately replied, “Please speak, please speak.”
...
Looking at Ji Wushang, who was slowly and laboriously walking beside him, Nan Xuzong wished he could just abandon the wheelchair and carry her back to Moxuan Garden. Last night, he had written a letter to Marquis Jinnan, saying that Ji Wushang and he had gone out on business and would not be returning to the manor.
It was rare for the Marquis to take Ji Wushang out to return letters and send them back, so he didn't ask too many questions. After all, he felt that there would be fewer things to do if Ji Wushang wasn't at home, so the Marquis was naturally happy to let them go out.
Ji Wushang had not fully recovered, and the pain in his lower body was quite severe. Although he had applied medicine, he still felt pain when walking.
"Do you want to rest for a bit?" Nan Xuzong asked with concern when he saw that there was some cold sweat on her forehead. He took her small hand and gave her his warmth.
Ji Wushang shook his head, "I want to go back to the courtyard to rest."
Nan Xuzong thought for a moment, then pulled her over and hugged her, the two of them squeezing into the wheelchair.
"No, this is the manor! There will be maids and servants who see this!"
Looking at Ji Wushang's somewhat panicked face, Nan Xuzong said seriously, "Who cares what they say? You're not just anyone, you're my wife. Why can't I hold you?" As he spoke, he channeled his inner strength, propelling the wheelchair forward.
Hearing him speak like this, Ji Wushang could only nod and let him carry her into the side courtyard of Moxuan Garden.
I really don't want to walk too much; it's too tiring.
Nan Xuzong's eyes were icy as he surveyed his surroundings. The servants, initially astonished to see Nan Xuzong embracing Ji Wushang so tenderly, marveled at the couple's inseparable bond. But the next second, receiving that murderous glare, they all quickly dispersed.
Back in the side courtyard, Gong Shu, Zhu'er, and Xian'er walked out from the side courtyard.
"My lord, Princess Consort." "Miss, son-in-law."
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded, then had Zhu'er and Xian'er help Ji Wushang, "Help the Crown Princess go inside to rest."
"Yes." Zhu'er and Xian'er quickly obeyed. Although they didn't know what had happened, seeing how tired Ji Wushang looked, they naturally complied.
Gong Shu helped push Nan Xuzong's wheelchair into the study. Nan Xuzong looked up slightly and asked, "What happened?"
Gong Shu took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Nan Xuzong.
Nan Xuzong opened it, squinted and looked at it once, then closed it. "Send people to intercept this force immediately and destroy it completely so that it cannot receive any support."
"Yes." Gong Shu accepted the order and left.
Looking at the study, at everything so familiar, Nan Xuzong couldn't help but stand up and walk around every corner, admiring everything. He touched the vases, then the sculptures, the jade Buddha, and other decorations. He could finally stand up and touch these things, no longer feeling their remoteness.
His heart leaped with joy.
But he had to constantly remind himself of the price he had paid for this hard-won achievement.
Upon hearing someone approaching, Nan Xuzong immediately sat back in his wheelchair. Actually, it was alright; this wheelchair had been with him for quite a few years!
Sometimes I still feel a little uncomfortable!
"Young Master, if there's nothing else, this servant will take her leave," said Zhu'er and Xian'er as they came out from inside.
Nan Xuzong nodded and waved for them to leave.
Nan Xuzong entered the inner room and saw Ji Wushang lying peacefully asleep on the bed. He sat quietly for a long time, then brought in many desks from outside and began to deal with matters. Whenever he looked up, he could see Ji Wushang sleeping peacefully in front of him.
This made him feel completely relaxed, both physically and mentally.