Xu Wang glanced at Lin Xiao, then at Ye Qingcheng, a smirk playing on his lips as he playfully fanned himself with the folding fan in his hand. He accepted the silver coins from Lin Xiao, saying, "Since you're from the Prince's mansion, we'll let this slide. I'll take this silver and consider it for my brothers' injuries."
Ye Qingcheng watched the scene with curiosity. This man didn't show the usual deference to the Prince Regent, Xiao Wangye, in this era where imperial authority was paramount. Who exactly was he?
After taking the silver, Xu Wang glared at Ye Qingcheng, then, with his dramatically parted hair flying, he led his men away.
Lin Xiao guided Ye Qingcheng forward, and they soon arrived at the largest pharmacy on the street. Lin Xiao pointed to the pharmacy and told Ye Qingcheng, "We're here."
Ye Qingcheng looked at the pharmacy before her. It was quite impressive, with a plaque above the door bearing the bold characters "Xu Family Pharmacy." Even Ye Qingcheng, who couldn't appreciate calligraphy, could tell the writing was excellent.
Ye Qingcheng entered the Xu Family Pharmacy first. Inside, there was a shopkeeper and two assistants busy dispensing medicine. Ye Qingcheng walked directly towards the shopkeeper. As someone in this trade, he was good at reading people. Although Ye Qingcheng's attire wasn't luxurious, her composed demeanor and the unapproachable aura of Lin Xiao following her clearly indicated she was no ordinary person.
The shopkeeper hurried over and respectfully inquired, "What medicine do you two wish to purchase?"
Ye Qingcheng listed the herbs she needed. Lin Xiao, though not understanding the names of the medicines, guessed they were for the Prince's leg.
As they were speaking with the shopkeeper, a person walked in. The shopkeeper immediately approached him, "Master, you're here."
Ye Qingcheng turned around and saw the man with the dramatically parted hair she had encountered on the street earlier.
"Why is it you again? What a coincidence," Xu Wang said, fanning himself as he entered. He glanced at Ye Qingcheng and added, "It truly is a narrow path for enemies."
Ye Qingcheng rolled her eyes inwardly. *You stole my line, dramatically parted hair.*
Xu Wang then looked at Lin Xiao. "Guard Lin, is this medicine for the mansion?"
"Yes, Mr. Xu. Do you have all of it in stock?" Lin Xiao nodded and asked.
Xu Wang had the shopkeeper pack the requested herbs into several large bags. Lin Xiao produced a silver note and handed it to Xu Wang, who slowly folded it and tucked it into his clothing.
Ye Qingcheng and Lin Xiao returned to the Prince's mansion with the medicine. Ye Qingcheng began to prepare the purchased herbs.
That evening, Xiao Wangye came to Ye Qingcheng's room, asking her to treat his leg.
"Ye Qingcheng, you promised a three-month period, yet you haven't come to find me. Must I come to you myself?"
"Your Highness, it's your good maid who caused trouble for me. Otherwise, I would have treated your leg long ago," Ye Qingcheng said, rolling her eyes at Xiao Wangye.
"How dare you speak to me like that! You're becoming increasingly unruly."
"Your Highness, if you hadn't watched that maid bully me and Bixi, and even kicked us when we were down, it wouldn't have delayed my treatment for you. This is your own doing," Ye Qingcheng said, her anger rising at the memory of how his inaction allowed Bixi to suffer so much.
Hearing her words, Xiao Wangye was so angry he wanted to storm off. However, remembering his purpose for coming, he decided to stop arguing.
"Spare me the pleasantries and quickly treat my leg. I want to see if you truly have any skill."
Seeing that he was angered, Ye Qingcheng chuckled inwardly. She walked over and looked down at Xiao Wangye, saying, "Take off your trousers."
Xiao Wangye's head snapped up, his face tinged with embarrassment. "How shameless are you? Still thinking of such things."
Ye Qingcheng saw his expression and realized he had misunderstood. "Your Highness, what are you thinking? If you don't take off your trousers, how can I examine your acupoints? If I were to poke the wrong one, your future happiness might be ruined." As she spoke, Ye Qingcheng deliberately glanced between his legs.
Xiao Wangye finally understood her words, blaming her for not being clearer. He deliberately said with a touch of petulance, "I won't. You serve me and help me take them off."
Hearing this, Ye Qingcheng took a deep, exasperated breath. "Your Highness, you are the one who needs the leg treated. If you don't take off your trousers, the leg cannot be treated tonight. Please leave." With that, she moved to open the door.
"Ye Qingcheng, I advise you to hurry and finish treating me so you can go tend to your little maid. She's still running a fever."
Hearing this, Ye Qingcheng remembered she still had to care for Bixi. She walked over and began to help him with his trousers. As she did, she examined his legs. His skin was fair, and his legs looked strong and healthy. How could they suddenly be unable to move? Although Ye Qingcheng had a general idea of how to treat him, she couldn't yet discern the cause.
While helping him with his trousers, Ye Qingcheng was lost in thought, her eyes inadvertently fixed on Xiao Wangye's groin. Xiao Wangye, noticing her prolonged gaze, impatiently asked, "Where are you looking?"
His voice brought Ye Qingcheng back to her senses. Realizing she was staring at his private parts, she felt no shame and deliberately replied, "Your Highness, can't you see where I'm looking?"
Annoyed by her shameless remark, and knowing she was shameless, Xiao Wangye simply ignored her response. "Why haven't you started yet?"
Ye Qingcheng went to a nearby table to prepare the silver needles and began to insert them into the acupoints on Xiao Wangye's legs.
Xiao Wangye lay on the bed, intending to watch her acupuncture technique. He saw Ye Qingcheng intently examining his leg, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed. Xiao Wangye found Ye Qingcheng to be even more beautiful than usual at that moment. As he was watching her, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his leg, spreading from where the needles were inserted. It wasn't his imagination; the needles Ye Qingcheng had used were actually working.
After finishing the acupuncture, Ye Qingcheng looked up at him. "Your Highness, may I ask how your legs became immobile?"
Xiao Wangye looked at her, seemingly reluctant to answer.
Ye Qingcheng could tell. "Your Highness, if you don't tell me, I may not be able to provide a complete cure. To treat an illness, one must find its cause."
Xiao Wangye thought for a moment before speaking. "I don't know myself. I only remember that I was leading troops in the northwest, fighting battles. After several victories, on the morning we were preparing to return to the capital, I found I couldn't move my legs when I was about to get up. Over the years, I've seen countless imperial physicians and renowned doctors from around the country, but my legs remained numb. Only when you pricked me that day did I feel any sensation of pain. This is the first time in many years."