Chapter 61: Wipe the Sweat for Your Master

“Has anyone found out who the men in black were?” Ling Gurong looked calmly at Fei Yan and asked in a quiet voice.

Fei Yan had not rested well all night. His eyes were bloodshot as he nodded. “I suspect they may be people loyal to the Third Prince.”

At first, they had assumed it was assassins sent by the Meng clan to kill Fei Yan.

“He’s not dead yet?” When Ling Gurong heard the possibility that his third royal brother was still alive, a cold glint flashed across his eyes, though his demeanor remained composed. “Back then, you stabbed him in the abdomen, and he fell into the river. Who would have thought he’d be so hard to kill?”

Fei Yan stood up and knelt. “It was my incompetence, Your Majesty. Although the Third Prince has fallen from power, there are still some who remain loyal to him. You must be cautious whenever you leave the palace.”

Ling Gurong calmly reflected, and for a while, the study was silent. “Rise.”

Fei Yan stood, his expression cool and detached.

Ling Gurong then asked about something else. “How is your wife’s injury?”

The fact that Dong Xinrui was injured had been kept from the Empress Dowager, whose health could not endure any more shocks.

Fei Yan relayed what the Imperial Physician had said. “It was my failure to protect her.”

He should not have been planning to rescue Tang Chaoyang at the time, nor did he know who the man in red who carried her away was.

“Has her fever gone down?”

“It has, but she still hasn’t regained consciousness.”

Ling Gurong’s first thought was of Tang Chaoyang—she would surely have a way to treat Dong Xinrui. But given the hostile relationship between the two women, she likely would not be willing to help.

Do not impose upon others what you would not accept yourself.

He was not the sort to repay kindness with resentment.

Therefore, Ling Gurong did not mention that Tang Chaoyang knew medicine.

Instead, he proposed, “I can issue a decree, in the name of the Empress Dowager, to summon the most renowned physicians in the realm.”

Dong Xinrui’s condition could not be widely publicized, so only the Empress Dowager’s name could be used to gather doctors without raising suspicion.

“Your subject is most grateful for Your Majesty’s great kindness.” Fei Yan bowed, his tone full of gratitude.

＊

Ling Gurong left the Chancellor’s residence and headed to Vermilion Bird Lane.

Because the effects of the opium had flared up again last night, he had also slept poorly.

Tang Chaoyang had not yet arrived. He leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced over his abdomen, resting with his eyes closed.

After leaving Prince Cheng’s residence, Tang Chaoyang had Mag take her directly to Vermilion Bird Lane.

She felt for the silver notes tucked inside her clothes. Earlier, Li Momo, who served beside the Princess Consort of Prince Cheng, had given her several banknotes.

Tang Chaoyang squinted with satisfaction—just touching the notes made her happy.

She entered the house and saw Ling Gurong with his eyes shut, apparently resting. She deliberately lightened her steps.

Without opening his eyes, the man spoke. “Doctor Tang, how are your injuries?”

His voice was low and slightly hoarse from resting.

“My wounds will heal in a few days. Give me your wrist.” Tang Chaoyang pulled over a chair and sat beside him.

Ling Gurong opened his eyes. His thin lips curved faintly, and his dark gaze was deep as he rolled up his sleeve and laid his hand on the table.

Tang Chaoyang saw the rope marks on his wrist. She took a bottle of medicine from her pocket and began gently applying it. “Next time, there’s no need to tie it so tightly.”

Ling Gurong lowered his gaze to her, the corners of his mouth lifting in a slight smile. “Mm.”

Tang Chaoyang did not look up. Her fingertips carefully spread the liquid over his skin.

Once she finished, she took his pulse.

They worked together with practiced ease, preparing for acupuncture.

The man lowered his eyes slightly and unfastened his belt. Tang Chaoyang went out first to wash her hands. When she returned, she saw that he had already lain down on the couch without needing to be told.

“You need to hold on a while longer. Once you get through this phase, the cravings won’t be so frequent. Then we can focus on strengthening your body and treating your depleted yin essence.” As she inserted the needles, Tang Chaoyang explained in detail.

Beads of sweat gathered on Ling Gurong’s forehead. He lifted his gaze to her, sharp features accentuating his masculine air. “Doctor Tang, it hurts.”

Tang Chaoyang took out a handkerchief and calmly wiped his sweat. “I’ve adjusted your treatment. It hurts more, but you’ll recover faster.”

Ling Gurong’s lips twitched faintly. “Doctor Tang, this is how you repay me? Yesterday I risked my life to save you, and today you make me suffer.”

His gaze fell on the handkerchief she was using.

It was his handkerchief—the one he had draped over her head last time. He hadn’t expected she would keep it.

Tang Chaoyang shot him a sidelong glance, her red lips curling into a cold laugh. “Am I the doctor or are you the doctor?”

Ling Gurong sighed. “Fine, you’re the doctor. Wipe my sweat then.”

It truly did hurt. He had no idea which points she was needling, but the pain was both searing and sharp.

Tang Chaoyang nodded and smiled faintly. “In about half an hour, I’ll remove the needles. Hold on—I’m going to call Ling Yi to come wipe your sweat.”

Ling Gurong: “…”

Ling Yi was called in by Tang Chaoyang. When she handed him a dark handkerchief embroidered with gold, he froze for a moment.

Tang Chaoyang pointed to Ling Gurong lying on the bed and said with an easy smile, “Wipe your master’s sweat.”

Having said this, she ignored the reactions of the two men.

At a leisurely pace, she walked out of the room—she still had to decoct the medicine.

Ling Gurong spoke in a low voice. “Leave us.”

Ling Yi answered expressionlessly, “Yes.”

“The handkerchief stays.”

“Yes.”

When Tang Chaoyang returned again, she saw that sweat had soaked Ling Gurong’s hair.

His eyes were closed, thin lips pressed together, and his muscles were taut with pain.

She bent over to check on him.

Catching the faint medicinal scent from her body, Ling Gurong opened his eyes and saw her leaning down over him.

Today she wore a jade green gown. The collar was slightly loose, revealing a glimpse of her fair collarbone. A few black strands of hair nearly fell into the neckline.

Ling Gurong’s gaze darkened imperceptibly as he looked away, his Adam’s apple bobbing faintly. In a rough voice, he asked, “Can you remove the needles now?”

Tang Chaoyang assessed his condition and nodded. “Yes.”

This was her first time trying this particular acupuncture method. It seemed quite effective—though it put the patient through considerable pain.

After she removed the needles, Ling Gurong got up and went to fetch the water jug. He poured himself water and drank three cups in succession before he stopped.

“Go take a bath. Afterward, you’ll feel much more comfortable.”

Tang Chaoyang glanced at the sweat glistening on his chest. Clearly, this acupuncture had been… very painful.

If you wanted to heal quickly, you had to endure suffering first.

She gave him a meaningful look.

Tomorrow, she would continue using the same method.

Ling Gurong was about to pour himself another cup of water, but when he met her gaze, he stopped abruptly.

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Doctor Tang, what are you thinking?”

Tang Chaoyang: “…” This man was truly sensitive.

No wonder he was a Jinyiwei—his instincts were razor-sharp.

“I was thinking about how best to treat your condition.” She left the room right after saying this.

Ling Gurong smiled faintly. He went to the wardrobe for clothes and paused when he noticed several complete sets of men’s garments neatly arranged inside.

He turned to look around the room.

Water jug, teacups, tea leaves, clothing—this place was gradually accumulating all the items he typically used.

As if he already lived here.

After he bathed and came back out, he saw Ling Yi holding a bowl of medicine.

He accepted it, tested the temperature, and drank it all in one go. After rinsing his mouth, he asked, “Where is Doctor Tang?”

Ling Yi replied respectfully, “Doctor Tang went to check on the two white mice from last time.”

Ling Gurong left the room. Just as she had said, after bathing, his mind and body both felt relaxed and comfortable.

He found Tang Chaoyang squatting on the ground.

She was poking at the cage with a twig.

Hearing footsteps, she tilted her head slightly. Her gaze followed the length of his long legs upward, and the tip of her pink tongue flicked over her red lips. “I’ve figured out what these pieces of black stone are.”

Ling Gurong’s eyes shifted briefly to her tongue before he looked back at the white mice in the cage. His sharp jaw tightened. He inclined his head. “What are they?”

Tang Chaoyang gave a soft laugh. Her slender pale finger crooked toward him, signaling him to squat down so she could speak.

Ling Gurong couldn’t help but smile. If she ever learned his true identity, he wondered if she would still dare to beckon him like that.

He crouched beside her.

Tang Chaoyang gestured at the mice, her expression serious. “Look at what they’re doing.”