“You’re too kind. It’s not for your sake, but for your loyalty to your master that I decided to help. Let’s go.”
Wanqing faintly smiled at Zhao Zhong’s gratitude, then turned to call Qingfeng to lower the curtain as their carriage followed.
“Wanwan, you’re here.” At the Prince of Ning’s residence, the prince greeted her with a warm smile as she arrived.
“Yes, after promising you for so many days, I finally have time to treat your leg today. Brother Ning, have you been taking the medicine I prescribed for you?”
The gentle man before her, especially his spring-like smile, instantly lifted Wanqing’s gloomy mood. She responded cheerfully and, without hesitation, took his hand to check his pulse while asking.
“Hmm, is there anything wrong?”
Her rare serious expression made the Prince of Ning’s heart skip a beat. Though overjoyed to see her, he grew anxious at her slight frown and hurriedly asked.
“No, it’s fine. Most of the toxins in your body have been cleared. Now, with daily acupuncture to unblock the meridians in your legs, they’ll improve day by day.”
Noticing the tension beneath his calm smile, Wanqing chuckled and lightly tapped his leg.
She carefully rolled up his pant leg, inserted silver needles into key acupoints, and applied a herbal paste to his legs while gently rotating the needles to enhance absorption.
An hour later, she sighed in relief and meticulously removed the needles.
“That’s it for today. Can you feel anything now?”
As the prince looked up at her, Wanqing smirked and playfully pinched his calf.
“I… I actually feel something! It’s a bit painful—ouch! You’re pinching harder! Qingfeng, my leg has sensation now! I can feel pain! For years, I couldn’t even feel my own punches!”
At first puzzled by her boldness, the prince soon winced as she pinched harder, her lips pursed as if holding a grudge. The warmth and numbness gradually gave way to pain.
Seeing his reaction, Wanqing grinned and pinched even harder, her cheeks puffing with effort. The prince, though scolding her with a light tap on her forehead, couldn’t hide his delight as he turned to Qingfeng.
Despite his childlike excitement, his inherent grace and restraint remained.
“Brother Ning, you hit me so hard! I was just stimulating the acupoints, and you thought I was teasing you. Now you’re celebrating your recovery while I’m the outsider. Honglian, pack up. We’re leaving.”
Rubbing her forehead in mock hurt, Wanqing pretended to sulk, though the prince’s tap had been light.
“Wanwan, I’d never hurt you. If I did, I’d be heartbroken. Are you angry?”
Her playful complaint made Qingfeng chuckle. The brothers exchanged a glance and discreetly left with Honglian.
The prince, worried, took her hand. “Was it really that bad?”
“Hmph! I stayed up late to treat you, and you hit me!”
Feigning indignation, Wanqing reveled in his rare flustered expression.
“My apologies. Let me make it up to you.” He reached to rub her head.
“Ha! Just kidding. Even if you hit harder, you couldn’t hurt me. Rest well—it’s late, and I must go.”
Laughing, she stood to leave.
“Let me see you out.”
The prince, moved by her care, tried to rise, but she stopped him.
“No, your legs need rest. Qingfeng can escort me.”
“Then travel safely. If there’s trouble, send Honglian to me.”
Reluctantly, he watched her go.
Outside, Wanqing turned to Honglian. “I forgot something. Fetch the paper under my desk. I’ll return with Qingfeng.”
Once alone with Qingfeng, she smiled. “Actually, I stayed to ask you something.”
“Ask freely. I’ll answer what I can.”
Walking beside her, Qingfeng hid his excitement. What could she want to discuss privately?
(To be continued.)
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