Volume 1 Chapter 7: Only a Fool Passes Up a Good Deal
Hua Xieyi and Lu Er returned to the main courtyard as dusk fell. The incense burners and fire basins in the yard had all been cleared away, replaced by large red lanterns that cast a festive glow.
Gong Jinxing lay half-reclined on the bed, covered by a bright red silk quilt embroidered with golden dragons and phoenixes. His face remained deathly pale, his eyelids lowered, and his thin lips pressed tightly together.
Bathed in the warm glow of the candlelight, his sickly appearance carried a touch of languidness, once again presenting the image of a peerless, jade-like gentleman—a breathtaking beauty unmatched in the world.
Without wasting words, Hua Xieyi sat sideways on the edge of the bed and placed her fingertips on his wrist to check his pulse. Her expression immediately turned serious and grave.
His pulse was extremely poor. The Cold Poison had invaded his liver, kidneys, spleen, and stomach, causing varying degrees of damage to each.
"How long has he been poisoned by the Western Region Demon Lotus?"
Lu Er had been closely watching the subtle changes in her expression and replied nonchalantly, "Over a month."
"Over a month!" Hua Xieyi couldn't help exclaiming in surprise. "Surviving even seven days with this poison is a miracle."
"My master refined Fire Cloud Pills for him to control the Cold Poison."
Even with the protection of the Fire Cloud Pills, the clash between the extreme yin cold and the extreme yang fire within his body—each gaining and losing ground—would make the poisoned person feel as though death would be preferable. What immense willpower must it have taken to endure this for over a month?
This man was ruthless.
She rolled up her sleeves, sealed Gong Jinxing's Chengman and Burong acupoints, roughly untied his belt, and opened the front of his brocade robe, exposing the wheat-toned skin of his chest and his well-defined abdominal muscles.
It had to be said—this sickly man had an excellent physique, without an ounce of excess fat. On his chest was tattooed a fierce wolf's head, rendered in intricate detail. The eyes were a deep, sapphire blue, giving the entire wolf head a soulful quality and adding a touch of wild arrogance to this invalid.
Behind her, Lu Er covered his mouth with his fist and coughed lightly twice. "Ahem, should I step out?"
Hua Xieyi pondered for a moment, sensing something off in his tone, and turned to face him. "What are you thinking? I took off his clothes so I can work on him—to unblock the meridians stagnated by the cold energy."
Lu Er chuckled mischievously. "I also thought the Princess Consort shouldn't take advantage of someone in this state. After all, there will be plenty of time in the future."
Ignoring him, Hua Xieyi leaned closer to examine the tattoo and curiously poked it with her finger. "Who said I wouldn't? Only a fool passes up a good deal."
The unconscious Gong Jinxing twitched a vein on his forehead, clenched his jaw, and a faint blush actually spread to the roots of his ears.
Lu Er struggled to hold back his laughter, not daring to make a sound.
Hua Xieyi turned to ask Lu Er, "Do you have a blade? Something sharp."
Lu Er retrieved a wrapped leather pouch from a nearby medicine chest, opened it, and handed it to Hua Xieyi. "See which one suits you?"
Hua Xieyi looked closely—it contained six neatly arranged thin willow-leaf blades of varying sizes and lengths, each as thin as paper.
They couldn't be more suitable—so suitable that she wanted to claim them as her own.
She casually picked up one of the blades, flipping it deftly around her fingertips a couple of times. Then, with one hand resting on Gong Jinxing's pulse and the other holding the blade, she moved it over his chest like a wandering dragon, making several swift strokes. Only white marks appeared, with no blood drawn—the depth was just right.
Only after she set down the thin blade did beads of blood slowly begin to seep from the cuts.
Hua Xieyi stood up and retrieved a set of bone china teacups from the nearby table. After heating them over the fire, she deftly pressed them against the incisions, where they immediately adhered firmly. After a moment, she removed them, and the cups contained several amounts of black, stagnant blood that had been drawn out.
Then, with practiced skill, she continued the procedure, focusing intently and falling silent.
For some inexplicable reason, she felt as though a gaze was shadowing her, fixed intently upon her. It was as if a heavy, dark cloud loomed overhead, carrying an invisible pressure.
Lifting her face, she saw Gong Jinxing with his eyes tightly shut, not even a furrow in his brow.
Hua Xieyi shook her head, striving to dismiss this uncomfortable sensation and concentrate fully.
After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Hua Xieyi neatly put away the knife and teacups, rubbing her sore wrists.
Gong Jinxing, who had endured months of torment from the Cold Poison, finally relaxed. His breathing became even, and a faint blush appeared on his pale face.
Hua Xieyi stretched wearily.
Lu Er glanced at Gong Jinxing, somewhat incredulous. "A few cuts and it's done? No need for medicine?"
Hua Xieyi rubbed her forehead, which ached more intensely from being bowed for so long—clearly a sign of injury.
"He's fine for now. But, ah—I ask you, why was I knocked out and stuffed into a coffin? Damn it, they hit so hard, it really fucking hurts."
Lu Er shook his head. "I don't know. I was in the front courtyard attending to guests. When I heard something had happened to both of you, I hurriedly rode out of the city to fetch a doctor. I heard it was either a suicide pact where you dashed against a pillar, or you killed yourself out of guilt."
Hua Xieyi grimaced. "Suicide pact my ass. The correct way to dash against a pillar is to strike it with your cranium, not hug the pillar and knock your forehead against it. I was definitely ambushed. If I ever find out which bastard knocked me out, I'll skin them alive and tear out their tendons!"
Both Gong Jinxing on the bed and Lu Er involuntarily shuddered.
Lu Er hastily changed the subject. "A guard just reported that someone from the General's estate has arrived and is waiting in the front courtyard. Will you see them or not?"
Hua Xieyi immediately perked up. Her family had come! Reinforcements had arrived!
Could it be that the woman from earlier had escaped the Prince's estate and gone back to call for help?
Suppressing her excitement, Hua Xieyi asked, "Who came?"
"General Hua and Madam Hua."
Naturally, Hua Xieyi assumed they must be her own parents.
Without a second thought, she eagerly replied, "See them, of course I'll see them."
In a flash, she was gone.
Inside the room, Elder Yao sat by the bed, one hand resting on the pulse as he pondered for a moment before slowly opening his eyes and letting out a soft sigh.
"The flow is like icy spring water; though there remains a sign of cold stagnation, it is unimpeded. It seems the Princess Consort's medical skills are truly extraordinary. This prescription is certainly no mere coincidence. Another day, I must have a proper discussion and exchange with her.
For now, the Prince's health is paramount. You stay here and watch over the Prince. I will return to the medicine hut immediately to try and gather all the herbs listed in this prescription. As for this medicinal catalyst, I must discuss it with Steward He. I fear there may be trouble."
Lu Er responded with a "Yes, sir," escorting Elder Yao out the door before returning.
Gong Jinxing still had his eyes closed, breathing evenly as if in a deep slumber.
Lu Er unceremoniously sat on the edge of the bed, propping one foot on a brocade stool.
"Stop pretending, they're all gone. Isn't it tiring to keep up the act?"
Gong Jinxing's eyelashes fluttered slightly as he opened eyes as dark as an abyss, giving Lu Er a faint glance before closing them again without a word.
"Keeping her would be as simple as a single command from you, the esteemed Prince Regent. Why go to such lengths with a self-injury ruse?"
"This prince has always kept his word. I just promised to set her free—if I went back on it now, would I not lose face?"
"You certainly have your pride," Lu Er shook his still sore and numb arm. "I nearly lost half my life trying to help you win your bride back."
Gong Jinxing snorted in displeasure. "Today, I instructed you to follow the bridal sedan to the General's residence to fetch the bride, telling you to act according to the situation and prevent the Hua family's daughter from boarding the sedan, thus canceling this marriage. Yet you, on your own initiative, brought her back for me and even shoved her straight into the bridal chamber. I almost died at her hands!"