Watching Ye Qingcheng, who had hurried over, skillfully take out her needle pack to treat him, Xiao Wangye's initially anxious heart felt as if it were being soothed by a pair of hands.
He looked at Ye Qingcheng sitting by his bedside.
In the past few days of rushing around Ye Shan Village, her attire had also become much simpler. Her originally flowing, wide robes had been altered into a simple, dirt-resistant style.
Xiao Wangye watched Ye Qingcheng's focused expression as she lowered her head to insert the needles, and he couldn't help but be deeply captivated by her.
Seeing a stray strand of hair fall out of place, he reached out, intending to help her tuck it back.
Although Ye Qingcheng was focused on inserting needles, she would still observe Xiao Wangye on the bed from the corner of her eye. This scoundrel, wasn't he complaining about leg pain? Why wasn't he crying out in pain now that she had entered? And why was he staring at her, plotting some scheme?
Thus, when Xiao Wangye reached out his hand towards her, Ye Qingcheng instinctively dodged.
Seeing the strand of hair slip past him, Xiao Wangye seemed to suddenly come to his senses.
He cleared his throat as a cover and spoke to Lin Xiao behind Ye Qingcheng, "Why have you been staying in Ye Shan Village for so long?"
Lin Xiao, witnessing the scene unfolding before him, found it difficult to expose the Prince. He cupped his hands and bowed his head in reply to Xiao Wangye, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort has been treating patients these past few days. Your subordinate has also advised the Princess Consort multiple times, but she insists on diagnosing and treating all the patients in Ye Shan Village."
Moreover, the commoners of Ye Shan Village were also very enthusiastic about the Princess Consort. Seeing her exceptional medical skills, they brought their families to seek treatment.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wangye expressed his displeasure, "The Princess Consort doesn't understand, but don't you and Yu Jian understand? For a dignified Princess Consort to practice medicine in a remote, impoverished village..."
Ye Qingcheng, hearing Xiao Wangye vent his dissatisfaction from the bed to Lin Xiao, knew he was actually speaking about her. She raised an eyebrow, pointed the fine needle in her hand at his calf, and inserted it, twisting it repeatedly.
Xiao Wangye felt a sudden surge of pain in his leg. He then looked at Ye Qingcheng, whose expression remained as usual as she continued to insert needles, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"You may leave now."
"Yes, Your Highness." Lin Xiao, being perceptive, withdrew.
After Lin Xiao left, the room fell into silence. Xiao Wangye's gaze was heavy. Under his imposing stare, Ye Qingcheng remained composed, showing no timidity and not rushing to speak.
"You seem to have forgotten your way back from Ye Shan Village these past few days," Xiao Wangye said, leaning back on the bed. "If it weren't for my leg ailment acting up, wouldn't you have not returned?"
Ye Qingcheng chuckled upon hearing this. "Your Highness, rest assured, your leg ailment has greatly improved. I was merely revisiting familiar grounds and wished to help the villagers."
"Don't forget our agreement. You cannot escape my control."
Hearing this, Ye Qingcheng felt like rolling her eyes. This control freak. "Of course, Your Highness. Until your leg is fully recovered, I won't leave."
"You'd best keep your word," Xiao Wangye snorted coldly and closed his eyes.
Ye Qingcheng looked at Xiao Wangye, who was resting with his eyes closed, thinking to herself: Judging by the current treatment progress, Xiao Wangye should recover before long. She needed to find a way to escape before he fully recovered.
Besides, the female lead had also returned to the capital after her rebirth. She should be reconciling with Xiao Wangye soon. Her role as the former wife needed to conclude promptly, otherwise, the subsequent plot of this drama couldn't unfold.
Ye Qingcheng had no intention of defying fate. Since Xiao Wangye and Murong Yun were destined to be together, it would be best to follow the plot. Otherwise, she didn't know what butterfly effect it might cause later.
However, having now become the Regent's Consort, she absolutely could not die. Having lived through the hell of the apocalypse, she cherished this second life more than anyone.
After a while, the acupuncture was finally completed. Ye Qingcheng let out a long sigh. This was also a physically demanding task that required concentration.
"Your Highness, please rest for a while. I will return in half an hour to remove these needles." With that, Ye Qingcheng packed her needle pack and prepared to withdraw.
"Wait a moment," Xiao Wangye called out to her.
"Does Your Highness have any other instructions?" Ye Qingcheng asked without looking up. "I'll have Lin Xiao come in to attend to you."
"You don't need to go to Ye Shan Village to see patients anymore. I will have Lin Xiao take two physicians there." Hearing Xiao Wangye's words, Ye Qingcheng paused her actions.
"Your Highness, I'm going to Ye Shan Village not just for the villagers," Ye Qingcheng said seriously. "I grew up there, and I'm most familiar with the terrain nearby. Your Highness's leg ailment will require medicinal baths in the later stages. There is an herb in Ye Shan Village that, when added to the medicinal bath, will be of great benefit to your leg."
"Just have Lin Xiao take people to pick it," Xiao Wangye raised an eyebrow. "You stay in the Prince's manor."
"The terrain there is peculiar, and the plant grows in a hidden location. I'm afraid Lin Xiao and his men won't find it easily."
To make Xiao Wangye believe her, Ye Qingcheng continued, "Your Highness can rest assured. I will have Lin Xiao and Yu Jian accompany me then."
Xiao Wangye stared at Ye Qingcheng for a moment. Ye Qingcheng did not flinch at all, meeting his gaze squarely.
"Alright, you go with those two. I will also dispatch a squadron of guards to protect you."
Wouldn't it be surveillance rather than protection! Ye Qingcheng grumbled inwardly.
"Everything will be as Your Highness arranges."
She hadn't intended to seize this opportunity to escape, but there were indeed other matters in Ye Shan Village that required her attention.
She wondered how Bi Xi was doing.
In Ye Shan Village, Bi Xi, following her young lady's instructions before her departure, pretended to go out for convenience. She evaded Yu Jian's surveillance and secretly ascended the back mountain, running in the direction Ye Qingcheng had indicated.
Her young lady had said there was treasure on the mountain. If they could dig up the treasure, she and her young lady would never have to worry about food and drink again.
Although puzzled, Bi Xi and her young lady had grown up together in Ye Shan Village and were almost inseparable. They had been to the back mountain before, but she had never seen any treasure.
Bi Xi pushed aside the weeds in front of her, diligently trying to discern the direction. She thought: But her young lady must have her reasons for saying so.
Finally, she spotted the giant Chinese tallow tree her young lady had mentioned. Bi Xi happily ran towards it and walked a hundred paces west from the tree.
Just as she rolled up her sleeves, ready to start digging, a voice suddenly came from behind her, "What are you doing?"
Half an hour passed quickly. Ye Qingcheng walked into Xiao Wangye's sleeping quarters. "Your Highness, the time has come. I will remove your needles."
Xiao Wangye remained silent with his eyes closed, appearing to have fallen asleep.
Ye Qingcheng secretly curled her lip. He looked best and most like himself when he wasn't speaking. Looking at Xiao Wangye's sleeping face, she couldn't help but think of another person. She wondered how he was doing now.
Xiao Wangye had woken up when Ye Qingcheng entered. He observed secretly and found her gaze gradually shifting from initial disdain to reminiscence and melancholy. What was she feeling so sentimental about?
The task of removing needles was much easier than inserting them. After removing the needles, Ye Qingcheng checked his leg again.
Seeing Ye Qingcheng about to leave, Xiao Wangye intended to speak.
Just then, Lin Xiao hurried in from outside. Xiao Wangye opened his eyes and asked, "What is it?"