Nan Xuzong pulled Beigong Minhao, who was leaning against the headboard, up. Because he was in a wheelchair, it was even more difficult for him. He looked at Beigong Minhao with cold eyes and asked, "Do you want to back out?"
"What do you mean by 'going back on your word'?"
"You haven't fulfilled our promise yet, do you think you can just disappear? You're dreaming!"
"You won't die, don't worry." Beigong Minhao suddenly smiled.
Nan Xuzong was taken aback.
"Look at you, your martial arts are superb. So what if the King of the Western Regions is a demon? So what if the Demon Lord is reborn and wants to use Ji Wushang as a sacrifice? You are so powerful, are you afraid that you can't beat them? Don't underestimate yourself!" Bei Gongminhao said half seriously and half jokingly.
Nan Xuzong's eyes darkened, but he didn't say a word.
“By sending Jueshi back to Wudang Mountain, you can avert a catastrophe. This way, you'll have one less worry. That's good.” Beigong Minhao looked up at the sky. “So, what use am I? I'm useless. Everything is already in your hands. There's nothing to worry about.”
“No, you’re wrong,” Nan Xuzong said. “Without you, I can’t accomplish anything. Minhao, don’t break our promise. It’s true, I’m selfish; I won’t let anyone share Wushang with me. But I only have one brother, and that’s you. No one else can help me but you!”
Nan Xuzong stopped speaking and directly channeled his internal energy into Beigong Minhao's body. "Remember our agreement. I don't know what the future holds, so I must prepare for everything! Beigong Minhao, do you understand?"
"Nan Xuzong," Beigong Minhao suddenly called out calmly.
Nan Xuzong looked at him, but his true energy did not diminish in the slightest.
"If things aren't as you imagine, are we still supposed to keep our promise?"
Nan Xuzong was taken aback, and after a long while, he said, "Don't ask me." How could he know about the future? With that, Nan Xuzong pressed his acupoint to silence him, then gave him a pill, and began to circulate his internal energy.
Beigong Minhao closed his eyes.
"I'm actually quite curious. You weren't actually seriously injured, so what was the reason?" Nan Xuzong withdrew his internal energy. "Did you want to see how much we care about you? Or did you want to know how all of this would end up?"
"Really?" Bei Gongminhao immediately perked up. "I'm not seriously injured? But I really have no martial arts skills left..." Bei Gongminhao looked at his face, then suddenly shook his head and softened. "No, you're lying to me."
Nan Xuzong looked at his every expression and every movement, and said, "I haven't lied to you." He was actually still the same positive person as before, he just sometimes hid himself.
Bei Gongminhao was taken aback. Could it be that Yi Yunshangcheng really meant that conducting an experiment wouldn't actually cripple his martial arts? But would it be useful? No!
"You remembered?" Nan Xuzong withdrew his inner energy. "As I see it, he was testing whether I could save you, wasn't he?"
Beigong Minhao shook his head.
"Why is that?" Nan Xuzong looked at him coldly. "Speak."
Bei Gongminhao shook his head, not answering his question. Instead, he stretched his arms and legs and found that he had regained strength. He didn't understand. In that instant, he had been in excruciating pain and then fainted. What exactly had Yiyun Shangcheng done to him? He didn't know!
Nan Xuzong coldly said, "You need to rest for three months. During these three months, you cannot practice martial arts or regulate your breathing!"
Three months—isn't that the time after their final battle? Bei Gongminhao struggled to his feet, "Three months? Can you bring it forward a little? I only need one month, okay? Three months is too long!"
“No.” Nan Xuzong shook his head. “He didn’t actually cripple your martial arts, but rather locked your meridians. To a certain extent, that’s equivalent to crippling your martial arts.”
Bei Gongminhao realized that Yiyun Shangcheng didn't actually want him involved, so he used this method to get rid of him! Did he still cherish their life-and-death friendship?
"Actually, this is quite good. This way, you don't have to get involved, which can help you avoid a lot of harm. And after the final battle, our agreement might be fulfilled, and you will become the King of Zhenbei. Then, hehe!" Nan Xuzong laughed.
"What are you laughing at!" Beigong Minhao sneered.
"Alright, you still haven't told me the truth. Why did he let you off so easily? I'm guessing you two have been friends for many years, haven't you?"
“It’s been many years,” Beigong Min laughed heartily, “but that’s in the past.”
"Past tense? Not necessarily! Heh!" Nan Xuzong sneered twice. "How do you feel about his dramatic change?"
"Love can turn a person into a demon, or it can turn a person into a Buddha." Beigong Minhao pursed his lips.
"Hahaha!" Nan Xuzong laughed loudly and coldly, "Good, good!"
“He told me to come and do an experiment,” Beigong Minhao suddenly said.
Nan Xuzong froze for a second...
"I will never let you do such an experiment! Bastard!" After a long while, Nan Xuzong shouted out, his hands tightly gripping Bei Gongminhao's collar. His anger made Bei Gongminhao unable to breathe!
"Don't you feel... the results are already in?!" Beigong Minhao managed to say with great effort, "She loves you very much!"
Nan Xuzong pushed him away. Beigong Minhao leaned against the headboard, panting heavily, and said with a helpless tone, "I found out. She only loves you, a very selfish love. As for me, I'm just a friend. You can figure out her inner struggle yourself. I won't say anything more!"
Nan Xuzong composed himself slightly. "I'm sorry, Minhao."
“No need to apologize, she belongs to you.” Beigong Minhao smiled. “She has done a lot for you, so be good to her.”
Nan Xuzong pondered his words, sensing a deeper meaning. "Explain yourself clearly."
"There's no such thing as clear or unclear. Just feel it for yourself. But I'm warning you, if you treat her even the slightest bit badly or make her suffer, I will take her away. Even though I've lost my martial arts skills, I will do everything in my power to get her away, even if it means my death!"
——
Ji Wushang finally found the Prince and Princess of Zhenbei and told them what had happened. The two were overjoyed. They believed that since Nan Xuzong could say such things, it meant that he was very confident in curing Beigong Minhao! They didn't want Beigong Minhao to become such a cripple, and seeing him so dejected just now had made their hearts clench!
"Quickly, have someone gather these medicines!" The Prince of Zhenbei immediately gestured to the Princess of Zhenbei, who promptly stepped forward. "Hurry!"
After a lot of work, everything is finally set up.
Nan Xuzong looked at Ji Wushang, who was busy at work, and saw her serious expression, which calmed him down a little.
She was diligently grinding the medicine, while Nan Xuzong was writing down several prescriptions.
Beigong Minhao was taking a medicinal bath in the next room.
Whenever Nan Xuzong wrote something, he would glance up at Ji Wushang. After being stared at so often, Ji Wushang, wondering what was wrong, looked up and met his gaze. Ji Wushang asked, "What's wrong?"
"No," Nan Xuzong said, then lowered his head.
"Are you hiding something from me? Is it about the Crown Prince? It would be wonderful if the Crown Prince could recover. It would be great if he could start over with your encouragement."
"Yes," Nan Xuzong nodded, "It is indeed very good."
"Your gaze is so strange," Ji Wushang muttered. That way, he wouldn't have too many regrets!
“For the next three months, he will be completely helpless. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing for him.”
"Well, as long as he stays at the Prince of Zhenbei's residence, he can use this time to learn other things and read books, which is quite good, isn't it?" Ji Wushang said after thinking for a moment. He didn't know his son's hobbies or whether he preferred quiet or excitement. If he preferred excitement, then these three months would be torture for him.
But I also hope he can hold on; three months will actually pass very quickly.
Actually, it's not that long.
Nan Xuzong nodded, "You're right. It's good that he can make the most of his time to do so many things."
Ji Wushang hummed in agreement, then looked at the contents of the medicine bowl, which were almost completely crushed. "The medicine is ready."
"Pour out the medicine."
"yes."
After some time, Ji Wushang finally finished extracting the medicinal liquid. He then covered the teapot with the lid. Looking at the sky outside, he asked, "Shouldn't we go back?"
It's dusk! Nan Xuzong frowned slightly. "It'll be fine in a little while."
After having the servants pull Bei Gongminhao out of the water next door, dress him, and get him ready, Nan Xuzong took Ji Wushang to the room on the other side.
The cup of medicine that Ji Wushang was holding was the one he had painstakingly prepared himself.
The two entered the inner room. At this time, Beigong Minhao was fast asleep and was unaware that there were two more people in the room.
Nan Xuzong used gold thread to examine him and then wrote down many instructions. Su Nu, the maidservant who served Bei Gong Minhao, followed humbly, waiting for their orders.
Guard Li Dong looked at Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang, wanting to ask about Beigong Minhao, but he was afraid of being too abrupt.
Nan Xuzong retrieved the golden thread. "Wu Shang, give him the medicine."
Ji Wushang nodded, then handed the teacup to the maid Su Nu, who respectfully accepted it and then fed Bei Gongminhao his medicine.
Seeing that it was about time, Nan Xuzong gave Ji Wushang a wink.
Ji Wushang withdrew, and Li Dong, seeing that the two were about to leave, quickly stepped forward, "This humble servant will see off the Prince and Princess Nan, and expresses his deepest gratitude to you both!" He was about to kneel down when Ji Wushang stepped forward and said, "Don't kneel, and don't see them off. Just take good care of the Prince! We'll come to visit him another day."
"Yes." Li Dong nodded gratefully.
Nan Xuzong nodded slightly. "Please treat him according to the prescription I wrote. That way, he won't have any major problems." Nan Xuzong pushed the wheelchair out.
Ji Wushang glanced back inside; he needed to schedule a time. It was good that he was alright, but he wondered how he would manage to get through the next three months.
In the carriage, Ji Wushang looked at him with his eyes closed, knowing he must be tired. After thinking for a moment, she went behind him and began to massage his back. Nan Xuzong suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Ji Wushang, "Wushang?"
“I see you’re too tired. You should rest. I’ll help you relax,” Ji Wushang said.
Nan Xuzong nodded. Bei Gongminhao was right; she was very considerate and loved him deeply. A woman like that was probably something he could only acquire after a thousand years of cultivation!
He closed his eyes, drowsiness washed over him, and her hand seemed to possess a touch of magic, giving him a supreme sensation.
That way, it's good to live a whole life like this.
Upon arriving at the Marquis's residence, Nan Xuzong quickly went to the annex and fell asleep.
Ji Wushang tucked him in, then reached up to his wrist, narrowing her eyes slightly as she looked at his face. She should cook something to nourish him. Today's events were already fortunate; as long as Beigong Minhao's martial arts weren't truly crippled, that was good enough.
Ji Wushang covered Nan Xuzong with a blanket and then went out.
Hongfei immediately stepped forward, "Princess Consort, where are you going? This servant will accompany you."
"Well, I'll go to the kitchen. The young master fell asleep without eating, so I want to make something for him." Ji Wushang said, putting on his trench coat and walking out. The small kitchen assigned to Moxuan Garden wasn't far, so Ji Wushang could go in and cook for Nan Xuzong.
Actually, he hadn't eaten much, but Ji Wushang didn't feel particularly hungry.
Upon entering the kitchen, all the maids and nannies immediately stood up, trembling with fear, wondering if the young master and princess's meals were not to their liking. Tonight's meal had been prepared long ago, but it hadn't been served because they hadn't announced it.
Is the Crown Princess angry now?
"Greetings, Crown Princess." All the servants stood to one side and bowed.
"Get up, everyone. It's alright. I just came to check. Who's the best at making soup?" Ji Wushang asked, trying to keep his expression gentle. In his heart, however, Ji Wushang thought, "Am I being too fierce?"
A middle-aged woman, probably around fifty years old, stepped forward and bowed her head, saying, "This servant is in charge of making the soup..."
Ji Wushang looked at her trembling legs, her low voice, and her inability to look him in the eye. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Okay, you can stand to the side for now."
The old woman listened with trepidation, but in the end, she stood nervously to the side.
Ji Wushang looked at them, then asked again, "Where are my and the young master's meals? Are they all prepared?"
"Your Highness, it's been prepared long ago and is still warm." A maidservant stepped forward and gestured for them to enter.
Ji Wushang walked over and looked at the prepared meal. Many of the dishes were his own favorites, with only two or three being Nan Xuzong's preferred dishes. Needless to say, this was definitely Nan Xuzong's idea.
"I will write a recipe for these dishes for you in the future, and you should follow the recipe exactly."