Chapter 34

At the moment, Rong Shu was inside the room, so Heng Ping and Chang Ji found it inappropriate to enter. Since Doctor Sun would be arriving shortly to apply acupuncture, they entrusted the task of grooming Gu Changjin to Yingyue, who was meticulous in her work.

Gu Changjin had long been awake, lying silently without a sound.

When he deliberately kept quiet, he could truly make people forget his presence entirely.

This morning was no exception. When Rong Shu first stirred awake, her bones felt as if they had been soaked in the dampness of southern China's plum rain season. She couldn't resist sitting cross-legged, stretching her hands, turning her neck, and twisting her waist.

She had learned this routine from an old herbalist back when she was at the Shen family residence. The herbalist had said that spending just a short while each day on these exercises could help loosen the bones, stretch the tendons, and strengthen the body. The herbalist had also taught a set of incantations to accompany the movements, but Rong Shu didn't recite them, assuming Gu Changjin was still asleep.

To her surprise, when she turned her head, she met a pair of dark, profound eyes staring back at her.

She had deliberately glanced at the canopy bed when she sat up, noticing that his eyes were closed, and his breathing even and deep, suggesting he was sleeping soundly.

Rong Shu quietly put her hand down.

The two of them gazed at each other silently for a moment before instinctively averting their eyes, sharing an unspoken understanding.

Chapter 16

Ying Que had just returned from the small kitchen. Entering the room, she failed to notice the slightly eerie silence and continued to smile as she said, "Chang Ji brought in several large baskets of fresh vegetables and fruits a while ago. He said they were specially delivered by the local citizens for Second Master."

Yesterday, when Gu Changjin was carried back, his wounds had reopened, staining his green official robe with blood. Many citizens had witnessed the scene.

Some bold ones even asked out of curiosity and learned that Gu Changjin had sustained these injuries while seeking justice for a mother and daughter in distress. This inevitably aroused their deep respect.

Quite a few citizens followed him all the way to Wutong Lane. The vegetables and fruits Ying Que mentioned were likely gifts from those citizens from yesterday.

These items were not worth much money, but the thought behind them was precious. What mattered was the sincere concern of the people.

Rong Shu smiled and said, "Make sure nothing goes to waste. Tell the kitchen maid to cook some vegetable porridge for Second Master using those vegetables. As for the fruits, preserve them in sugar and put them in porcelain cups."

The young girl's soft voice carried a gentle and meticulous tone, devoid of any contempt.

Gu Changjin lifted his gaze, staring at the canopy for a moment before lowering his eyes again.

Ying Yue and Ying Que served in their respective ways. After half an hour, Sun Daoping's rhythmic voice was heard from outside the door.

"Lord Gu, Lady Gu."

Ying Que warmly greeted Sun Daoping and, with a bright smile, bowed before him. Then, she joined Yingyue in the small kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Sun Daoping examined Gu Changjin's pulse and, after a moment, said, "Your Excellency is recovering better than I anticipated. Today, we can proceed with the acupuncture while you're sitting."

Turning to Rong Shu, he continued, "Mrs. Gu, I'll need your assistance."

Rong Shu was startled, suddenly recalling that Sun Daoping's request for help involved holding Gu Changjin's shoulders firmly after unbuttoning his upper garment, allowing Sun Daoping to perform acupuncture on his back.

She knew this because, in her previous life, she had done the same.

Previously, she hadn't recalled this detail and had simply stood there, dazed, within the room.

If she had known, she should have followed Yingyue to the kitchen, where supervising the servants preparing the fire would have been less awkward than facing Gu Changjin bare-shouldered, as if they were about to engage in a staring contest.

Both Sun Daoping and Gu Changjin's eyes turned towards her.

Rong Shu put down her folding fan and approached them.

Sun Daoping produced his needle case and said to Rong Shu, "After Lord Gu sits up, Lady, you may undo his upper garment and firmly support his shoulders to ensure that Lord Gu remains still."

Rong Shu acknowledged him gracefully but did not move, waiting for Gu Changjin to speak first.

Given her understanding of him, she knew he would not allow her such assistance.

As expected, he promptly replied, "I can undress myself and don't need anyone to hold me up. Doctor Sun, I can remain seated steadily."

"How can that be? Lord Gu, I'll be using the Jia needle today. It causes both itching and pain when inserted into the acupoints. Given your current weakened state, you might not endure it. Any movement will nullify my efforts during this treatment." Sun Daoping's face turned stern, then he added as if he had just remembered something, "Lord Gu, there's no need to feel embarrassed."

How could Gu Changjin feel embarrassed?

In truth, Rong Shu understood what he was concerned about – he disliked being touched by her.

Oh, and he also didn't wish to undress in front of her.

Considering his dislike for her, Rong Shu understood his reluctance and interjected at the right moment, "I'll call Chang Ji in. My strength is limited, so it would be more secure to have Chang Ji assist."

Before Gu Changjin could respond, Sun Daoping waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "No, no, that fellow is unreasonable. I wouldn't want him to ruin my work." As he spoke, he curled his lips in disdain.

Rong Shu felt helpless and suggested, "What about Heng Ping?" Immediately, she remembered that Heng Ping had been sent to the Ministry of Punishments by Gu Changjin earlier.

Gu Changjin seemed to have recalled this as well. After a moment of silence, he said, "Heng Ping isn't in the residence, so I'll have to trouble you, Madam."

Rong Shu paused but didn't respond any further.

Sun Daoping was oblivious to romantic affection and couldn't sense the estrangement between Rong Shu and Gu Changjin. He removed his shoes and climbed onto the bed, taking out a long needle from his sewing kit.

Seeing that Gu Changjin remained motionless, Sun Daoping urged, "Lord Gu, please undress quickly. I need to start the acupuncture session."

Gu Changjin wore an undergarment of frosty white, topped with a pine-green robe. With an expressionless face, he lowered his gaze and began to unfasten the robe with his slender, pale fingers, followed by the ties of his undergarment before slowly removing them.

His chest, waist, and left shoulder were wrapped in white bandages. His naturally fair skin, accentuated by the cloth, took on a refined, jade-like hue.

His broad shoulders contrasted with his narrow waist, while his collarbones resembled undulating mountain ridges, like a master painter's delicate depiction of distant mountain silhouettes.

Rong Shu was very proper, keeping her eyes lowered the entire time without lifting them once.

Kneeling in front of Gu Changjin, she followed Sun Daoping's instructions, placing her hands on his broad shoulders and applying gentle pressure with her fingers.

After all, it was something she had done in her past life, so the actions came naturally to her. Her movements were gentle yet firm, and she delicately avoided the arrow wound on his left shoulder.