He couldn’t move, could only follow her rhythm.
But she would pause to rest every now and then, then busy herself for a while before resting again.
He was left suspended in this unsatisfying state, feeling as uncomfortable as if his whole body were being bitten by ants.
Listening to her exhausted panting and her increasingly sluggish movements, Xiao Jingyi felt both apologetic and couldn’t help but resent the situation.
Why has she run out of strength again?
Did she not eat dinner?
Though he knew he should be tender with his wife, he really wanted to send her to the military camp with sandbags tied to her legs for training!
Ah!
After working intermittently for nearly half the night, she finally persisted until his release.
Completely spent, she collapsed onto his chest.
Her jade-smooth skin and the fragrance lingering in his nostrils constantly reminded him that he had fallen under her Pomegranate Skirt.
Feeling her thumping heartbeat, he felt his entire body go soft and tingly.
Though he had been well-read since childhood and broadened his horizons as he grew up, he couldn’t find suitable words to describe this feeling.
After resting for quite a while, Jiang Lingzhi felt somewhat recovered.
She was quite pleased, thinking today’s exhaustion wasn’t in vain – he now had sensation, meaning he was highly likely to wake up!
After resting a bit longer and regaining her strength, she got up to bathe, then retired to the adjacent room.
Since he had regained sensation, she thought it better not to share the bed with him anymore. Having been a restless sleeper since childhood, she didn’t want to disturb him.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jingyi grew somewhat sulky about this.
Was she just using him as a tool for Yansi?
Otherwise, why would she keep calling “husband” during intimacy, only to ignore him afterward?
But this resentment lasted only briefly before he realized how unreasonable he was being.
In his current unconscious, paralyzed state, wasn’t Yansi exactly why she was intimate with him?
How could it possibly be about feelings?
Then he reconsidered – perhaps this was for the best.
He didn’t know when he might wake up. In this vast Guogong Fu, if she could have a child for support, her life would be easier, and his parents would surely protect her.
With these thoughts, he smoothed away his resentment and fell asleep listening to her steady breathing nearby.
…
Dawn had barely broken when Jiang Lingzhi struggled to open her eyes.
The slightest movement made her whole body ache with fatigue.
It hadn’t been painful last night – in fact, there had been pleasure toward the end – but the exhaustion was overwhelming, even more tiring than transplanting rice seedlings all day.
She desperately wanted to burrow back under the covers and sleep until the world went dark.
Madam Xiao was considerate, requiring the younger generation to pay respects at Rong An Hall only on the first and fifteenth days of the month.
She could sleep all day here in Shun Yuan without anyone commenting.
But remembering last night’s events, she propped herself up and pushed open the door to instruct: “Di Hong, go wait at Doctor Mu’s place. When he rises, ask him to come examine the General.”
Di Hong immediately looked worried: “Madam, has something happened to the General?”
Jiang Lingzhi quickly reassured him: “The General is fine. No… he’s not fine, but it might be good news – he seems to have regained sensation… Ah, I can’t say for certain. Hurry, go get Doctor Mu!”
Upon hearing this, Di Hong became extremely agitated.
Having previously followed the General in military campaigns, he naturally didn’t believe in superstitious nonsense.
But the Fourth Madam… she… truly seemed to bring good fortune to the General!
Di Hong hastily acknowledged and turned to run out.
After two steps, he turned back and without a word, respectfully kowtowed to Jiang Lingzhi: “Madam, your great kindness to the General is something this subordinate will never forget!”
Jiang Lingzhi hurriedly tried to help him up: “Oh, you… I told you not to be so formal…”
How dare Di Hong let her assist him? He quickly stood up on his own, wiping his face with his sleeve: “Madam, please return to your room. This subordinate will go immediately.”
Since bringing Xiao Jingyi back from Medicine King Valley, Doctor Mu had been staying at Guogong Fu at the Old Madam’s request.
Though he carried an air of immortal detachment, he deeply respected General Xiao’s character. Not only had he agreed to stay, but he also came twice daily to check the General’s pulse.
When Di Hong arrived, Doctor Mu was practicing Five Animal Frolics in the courtyard. Upon hearing Di Hong’s report, he too became excited.
He immediately picked up his medical kit and hurried toward Shun Yuan.
While taking the pulse, he stroked his beard and asked: “Madam, how did the General show signs of sensation?”
Remembering last night’s events, Jiang Lingzhi felt somewhat embarrassed: “Last night when I touched his chest, he seemed to feel ticklish and got goosebumps.”
Doctor Mu pondered briefly, then turned to retrieve a packet of silver needles from his medical kit. After sterilizing them with liquor, he lifted the blanket and opened the General’s sleepwear. Selecting several acupoints known for strong sensation, he inserted the needles.
Sure enough, Xiao Jingyi’s forehead broke out in cold sweat.
“Exactly! Exactly!” Doctor Mu quickly withdrew the needles: “The General has indeed regained sensation! This old man will prepare a new prescription for the General!”
The servants in the room were thrilled beyond measure. In just these few days, the General had regained sensation! Surely, he would wake up soon!
Xiao Jingyi, sweating from the pain, felt utterly helpless.
Was there really no other way to confirm this?
Did they have to jab him so mercilessly with those needles?
It really hurt.
However, listening to the servants’ cheerful voices in the room, he felt his heart grow somewhat warmer.
It seemed many people were eagerly awaiting his recovery.
Jiang Lingzhi was particularly delighted. With a grand gesture, she announced to the attending maids and servants: “For your diligent care of the General, each of you will receive an extra month’s allowance at month’s end.”
“Thank you, Fourth Madam!”
Everyone was overjoyed. The Fourth Madam had already rewarded them with an extra month’s allowance last time, and now she was giving another month’s worth. The Fourth Madam was truly generous – they must serve with even greater care in the future!
“Bring in the Plain Litter. I’ll take the General to Rong An Hall to share the good news with the Duke and Old Madam!”
“Yes!”
Di Qing and Di Hong moved Xiao Jingyi onto the Plain Litter, positioning him in a semi-reclining posture before carrying the litter out of the room and down the steps.
Jiang Lingzhi carefully draped a thin blanket over him and pushed his wheelchair while chattering, “General, we’re heading to Huichun Garden now. First we’ll cross the bridge, then walk along the corridor…”
Xiao Jingyi wanted to retort that having grown up here, how could he possibly not know the way?
Yet listening to her voice while feeling the willow-adorned spring breeze brush through his hair brought him such comfort that he found himself wishing she would continue speaking.