Soon, Jun Huolan’s head, body, and feet were covered in silver needles, while Mo Yunzhu’s face grew slightly pale, with a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead.
“You can gently channel your Neili to stimulate the Xuewei—it will work faster and better,” Mo Yunzhu said, glancing up at Jun Huolan.
“Alright,” Jun Huolan replied, slowly circulating his Neili to stimulate the areas where the needles were inserted. The sore, swollen sensation made him frown slightly.
“That’s enough,” Mo Yunzhu said after a moment, beginning to remove the silver needles. Once finished, she added, “Try circulating your energy again and see if you feel more comfortable.”
Jun Huolan did as instructed, and soon a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his handsome face. The areas previously blocked or difficult to traverse due to the toxins had now cleared, flowing much more smoothly.
After completing a full cycle, he suddenly felt invigorated, as if his entire body had regained strength. The persistent itch in his throat that made him want to cough was also gone. He was utterly astonished, never expecting Mo Yunzhu’s medical skills to be so exceptional.
“Thank you. Earlier… I acted a bit impulsively. My apologies,” Jun Huolan said, somewhat embarrassed, his cheeks flushing.
Mo Yunzhu was taken aback, not expecting him to apologize, and her heart immediately felt lighter.
She smiled and said, “Alright, I accept your apology. After all, we’ll be living together for a long time, and I don’t want things to be too difficult.”
Then, she quickly changed the subject: “By the way, acupuncture only provides temporary relief to ease your discomfort. Try not to use your Neili for now. I’ll come back in a few days. I’ve been out for a while and should head back. Haojiang, fetch the blood.”
“Oh, right,” Haojiang said, handing a bottle to his master.
Jun Huolan silently glanced at her bright, lovely face before lightly slicing his finger over his pulse point with a fingernail. Blood immediately flowed out, dripping into the jade bottle.
“That’s enough,” Mo Yunzhu called out, watching the dosage. “Eat more nourishing foods to replenish your blood and energy. Also, your lung damage is severe, so it’s best to buy some high-quality fritillaria and cordyceps to brew into soup regularly.”
“Alright,” Jun Huolan replied, glancing at her and obediently agreeing.
Haojiang, however, looked somewhat uneasy.
“Haojiang, see me out,” Mo Yunzhu said, tidying her things and heading out. Haojiang glanced at his master.
Jun Huolan nodded, and Haojiang strode out after her.
“Lan Wang has been back in the estate for a month now. Why is it still so desolate here, with everything so old and worn?” Mo Yunzhu asked as they walked.
“Ahem… The master returned seriously ill and hasn’t had the mind to attend to such matters.”
“No time for servants either?”
Haojiang looked very awkward, coughing uncomfortably.
“It’s because there’s no money, isn’t it? The medicinal herbs I mentioned earlier are quite expensive, and you didn’t look pleased,” Mo Yunzhu said, glancing at him. “Since you regard me as the Princess Consort, you should be honest with me.”
Haojiang scratched his head and said, “Princess Consort, the master did bring some money back, but it was all lost when we were ambushed on the way. After returning, The Emperor gave some rewards, but they were mostly objects. The Ministry of Internal Affairs provided some silver, but the Prince has spent nearly all of it on various arrangements. However, the Prince said he’ll find a way to earn money once his health improves.”
“Arrangements?” Mo Yunzhu raised an eyebrow.
“The master has been away for ten years, and no one respects him anymore. Even the servants in the palace treat him poorly. The master still needs to enter the palace to meet people, so he has to make arrangements,” Haojiang sighed deeply. “The master has truly suffered too much.”
“I’ll have someone send some silver over later. Tell the Prince that since we’re bound in this marriage, I can’t let outsiders look down on Lan Wangfu. If he’s being overly sensitive about it, he can earn it back and repay me later.” Mo Yunzhu thought for a moment before speaking.
Haojiang was instantly moved to tears: “This humble servant understands. Thank you, Princess Consort. Heaven has finally taken pity on my master.”
“Better days are ahead. I’m leaving now.” Mo Yunzhu quickened her pace and ran out, boarding the General’s residence carriage to depart.
Upon returning to the General’s residence, Mo Yunzhu happened to run into Qin Shitu heading out.
“Young Miss is back.” Qin Shitu immediately stepped aside and bowed.
Mo Yunzhu glanced at him. In the original owner’s memories, this steward’s son seemed to have always disliked her, the Young Miss, often looking at her with a hint of disgust. The current Mo Yunzhu found it somewhat puzzling.
“Where are you going?” Mo Yunzhu casually asked.
“Ah, my father asked me to buy something. I’ll be back soon. Farewell, Young Miss.” Qin Shitu seemed flustered, as if he hadn’t expected the Young Miss to suddenly speak to him, and hurriedly ran off.
Mo Yunzhu frowned but didn’t dwell on it. Right now, she needed money more urgently.
She thought to herself that in modern times, she had been financially independent, so here too, she must be able to earn her own money.
Arriving at her parents’ courtyard, Mo Tiancheng was not there, so she went directly to find her mother, Feng Jinyu.
“Mother, could you lend me ten thousand taels of silver?” Mo Yunzhu got straight to the point.
Feng Jinyu was startled and anxiously asked, “Yunzhu, what do you need so much silver for? Has something happened? Don’t scare your mother.”
“Nothing’s happened. It’s just that I went to Lan Wangfu, sigh.” Mo Yunzhu began to complain about Lan Wang’s pitiable state, causing Feng Jinyu’s expression to change.
“Lan Wang is that pitiable?” Feng Jinyu’s heart softened immediately. “Yunzhu, what about Lan Wang’s health… Do you think he might not live much longer? Then you wouldn’t…”
“Mother, do we have any choice now? Since it’s already decided, I want to treat him well so he can at least live a few more years.” As she spoke, Mo Yunzhu’s eyes welled up with tears.
“Alright, alright, don’t cry. Mother will get you the silver.” Feng Jinyu promptly handed her several silver notes. “By the way, if Lan Wangfu is so poor, what about the betrothal gifts?”
“I was just about to discuss this with Father. Lan Wang probably can’t prepare much in betrothal gifts, but I don’t want the General’s residence to lose face. Have Father go before The Emperor and make a few sarcastic remarks. After all, Lan Wang is still a prince. If it’s too shabby, The Emperor won’t be able to bear the embarrassment! The Empress Dowager cares for me. Since I was framed, couldn’t become Taizifei, and have to marry Lan Wang, who is disabled, she will surely feel wronged on my behalf.”
Feng Jinyu’s eyes lit up, and she nodded. “Yunzhu, you’ve become clever.”
“The Crown Prince betrayed me. I must live better than him to show him it’s not that I couldn’t live without him!” Mo Yunzhu deliberately put on an act, pretending to be stimulated by the broken engagement.
“Yunzhu, don’t be too heartbroken. If it weren’t for the Empress Dowager’s arranged marriage when you were young, your father and I wouldn’t have wanted you to marry The Crown Prince. As long as Lan Wang’s health is manageable and he treats you well, it might actually be better. Oh, I have something to give you.”
With that, Feng Jinyu pulled out a piece of Xueyu hanging from a red cord around her neck, removed it, and handed it to Mo Yunzhu.
Mo Yunzhu was somewhat puzzled and took it to examine.
The Xueyu was not large, oval in shape. On the front was carved a small animal, exquisitely detailed and lifelike. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a little fox.
“Mother, why give it to me?” Mo Yunzhu looked up and asked, “Does Second Sister have one too?”