After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms. Su Niyue climbed onto the kang (heated bed) and looked at Nangong Yunteng, lowering her voice: “Awake?”
Nangong Yunteng “…?” Had he been discovered?
“Don’t pretend—everyone else has gone to sleep!”
“…” Slowly, Yunteng opened his eyes. Though awake, he was still weak, his face pale, lacking color, yet it didn’t affect his striking appearance.
Su Niyue couldn’t look away. So handsome! This face would be a top star in the modern entertainment world!
“What’s this ‘entertainment world’… and a top star?” Yunteng wondered silently, though she hadn’t actually said anything.
Seeing his confused gaze, Su Niyue thought: He just woke up, and he doesn’t know me. Should I do a self-introduction now? Maybe awkward…
“…” Yunteng was at a loss.
“You are…” came a cool, hoarse voice.
“I’m your wife… whom you never married in ceremony!” Su Niyue said aloud, but in her mind she thought: This husband isn’t cheap—getting a wife like me for free… I wonder if he saved the galaxy in a past life or something.
A flicker of surprise passed through Yunteng’s eyes. He wasn’t shocked that Su Niyue was his wife—he was shocked because she had only spoken one sentence. Could he… hear her thoughts?
“I know!”
“You know?” Su Niyue was surprised too, thinking: He must have woken up earlier and is quite cautious… well deserved, war king!
“…How is it ‘well deserved’? Had I not been cautious, I’d have died a hundred times over!” Yunteng realized it—he truly could hear her thoughts. But why? Was it because he had been unconscious for several days?
“When did you wake up?”
“When you placed me on the bullock cart.”
“Yes… there are people from the emperor among the exiles.”
“Yes, I realized. I didn’t make a sound, afraid that grandmother and mother would be too excited to see me awake.”
Su Niyue thought: This guy really keeps his cool! Worrying me for nothing! She said aloud: “I didn’t tell them that there are spies among the exiles—they might have worried too much.”
Yunteng thought: She’s concerned for me… “Thank you for that.”
“Of course it’s hard work, but I can handle it.”
A slight embarrassment crossed Yunteng’s face. This woman was not polite at all. “How many people from the emperor?”
“Three. One is a woman—I drugged her; she won’t last past tomorrow. The other two I haven’t touched yet. Handling them now would raise suspicion, and the emperor will continue sending spies. But when he does, we’ll be prepared.” Su Niyue thought silently: That dog emperor is busy riding around, probably not worrying about you now.
Yunteng pinched his forehead. Her mind was truly rich. One thing was certain: her heart was not bad. She hadn’t harmed him, and considering how she cared for the family, ensured he could wake up, and even got a bullock cart—this woman was extraordinary.
“Then we’ll leave them for now.”
“Hey, are you feeling any discomfort?” Su Niyue instinctively checked Yunteng’s pulse.
His body stiffened immediately. “You… know medicine?”
“Of course! Otherwise, without my skills, you’d be seeing the underworld by now!”
Yunteng ignored the latter half of her unspoken thought.
“How’s your leg? Can you move it?” Su Niyue, facing a patient, was all business.
Looking at this tall but frail girl, Yunteng thought: She must have had a rough life in the Prime Minister’s mansion.
“Can you lift it?”
He lifted his injured leg slightly. “It hurts a bit.”
“Of course it does! But it’s healing well. With silver needles, it’ll be faster.” Su Niyue pulled out her acupuncture kit, prepared it, and reached for his pants.
“You… what are you doing?”
“Acupuncture! Do you expect me to do it over clothes?” She was completely frank, thinking: I’ve already seen what needs seeing.
Yunteng’s face flushed. “You…”
“What? A doctor doesn’t distinguish gender—only patients.” She spoke truthfully. Even if she had seen all, he was still just a patient to her.
Seeing the clarity in her eyes, Yunteng felt a bit disappointed.
Su Niyue ignored him, swiftly pulling down his pants: “Nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m only needling your leg, not anywhere else. How am I a lecher?”
Yunteng sighed and turned his head aside.
“Hey! Don’t act like I’ve assaulted you. Don’t tell me you expect me to be responsible?”
Clenching his fists, he opened his eyes: “Pants are off. Can we start now?”
“Much better! Don’t worry, you’re my husband—I’ll take responsibility!”
“Shut up.”
Su Niyue thought: By rights, I should be the one at a disadvantage. But watching a mighty war king fumble like this is quite amusing!
She exhaled and started acupuncture. Yunteng, watching this sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl, saw her deftly place needles; soon his whole leg was dotted with needles. He hadn’t noticed a few went into his thigh too. Seeing her forehead covered with fine sweat, he said nothing, though he heard her thoughts tracking meridians and needle order.
“After fifteen minutes, needles can be removed. Speak up if uncomfortable!” Su Niyue carefully manipulated the needles, twisting each one to make it vibrate, producing a soft buzzing sound.
Yunteng was stunned. Her medical skill was incredible.
“You’ve been needled several times before. Soon your leg will feel it. With fifteen to twenty days of treatment, it should fully heal.”
“Thank you!”
“Hah, family doesn’t speak like strangers,” Su Niyue said, realizing she might have been too forward.
“Good,” Yunteng thought. He disliked pretentious, overly delicate women.
“Going to keep playing dead?”
“Yes! Can’t let danger hinder you!”
“Fine, then stay put. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Alright!”
After removing the needles, Su Niyue lay beside him. Yunteng instinctively shifted closer, wanting her comfort, but she had her own idea: Why hide? I’m not even an adult yet!
Yunteng thought: Why did she get the ability to hear thoughts?
Su Niyue, utterly exhausted, didn’t bother debating. Too tired to plant vegetables, she simply fell asleep.