Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Xie Zhiyu did not expect to see the old Taoist again.

"Oh my, my good disciple is here. No more readings, no more. I'll get to them later." The old Taoist immediately tried to get up upon seeing Xie Zhiyu. A nearby servant helped him to his feet, while the others bowed respectfully.

The matron sent them all away, and the courtyard quickly thinned out.

Xie Zhiyu looked at the old Taoist. After all these years, his appearance had not changed at all.

Same age, same energy, same nonsense.

He frowned slightly, glancing between the old Taoist and Lu Yuanzhi. "You two know each other?"

The old Taoist said with a grin, "Back then I figured out she was a living corpse, and she wouldn't believe it. Later she came around and hunted me down, asking me to teach you what I know. At first I thought she was pissed and embarrassed, and wanted to kill me to keep me quiet."

Thinking back to when she first met the old Taoist and everything that came after, Lu Yuanzhi looked a little wistful too. It felt like all of that had happened in another lifetime.

Xie Zhiyu said, "Neither of you ever said a word about it."

The old Taoist shook his head and said with a wry laugh, "Stubborn boy, some things aren't about not telling—they just can't be told. Understanding too much, knowing too much, seeing too clearly—that's not always a good thing. If you'd known sooner, you'd have done something reckless. If you found out later, it wouldn't hit the same. Now that the time's right, if you're meant to know, you know, right?"

"And how do you know I'd act reckless or feel happy?" Xie Zhiyu said with displeasure.

Seeing the discomfort Xie Zhiyu was trying to hide, the old Taoist got a bit nostalgic. "You were exactly like this as a kid—saying one thing while thinking something else."

He asked Xie Zhiyu, "Now that everything's settled, aren't you gonna call me Master?"

Xie Zhiyu lowered his gaze, and after a moment of silence, said, "Master."

"Hahahahaha, good, good, good. This master's got a gift for you and your future husband."

The old Taoist rummaged through all the junk hanging off him, muttering that it couldn't be gone, it was definitely stuffed in there somewhere.

Unable to find it, he called Xie Zhiyu over to help search. "It's a drawn talisman paper. Check if it's in the gourd behind me—that one opens all the way."

"Can't you just pull the strap and grab it?"

"Stubborn kid, what's the harm in opening it? Can't you see I'm looking through the front!"

"I've told you before not to carry so much crap on you. Even a peddler's cart doesn't hold as much as you."

"Bullshit, they carry way more than I do."

Knowing the two of them needed time to catch up after all these years, Lu Yuanzhi left the courtyard with the matron.

The old Taoist's gift was a talisman.

He'd hidden it in a secret compartment behind a Bagua mirror.

Holding the talisman, the old Taoist chuckled. "I thought it'd be safe here, but didn't expect it to be this hard to find."

He handed the talisman to Xie Zhiyu. "Take this and give it to your future husband."

Xie Zhiyu knew the old Taoist was damn good at drawing talismans, so if he'd hidden one away so carefully, it had to be something incredibly hard to make and really important.

He asked, "What kind of talisman is it?"

The old Taoist said, "A mind-calming talisman."

Xie Zhiyu had a bad feeling and immediately pressed for more.

The old Taoist, tired of standing, plopped down on the ground. He told Xie Zhiyu to sit too. "Look at you, all scared. If this master could give you the talisman, that means there's nothing to worry about. Sit down and talk. My neck's killing me from looking up."

Xie Zhiyu didn't care that the ground was dirty and sat down too.

Only then did the old Taoist recount an old story.

"Over ten years ago, I passed through here and ran into a family at a temple fair. This family had a young man with them who caught my eye—his soul had left his body. Not only that, but I also figured out I had a deep karmic tie to this kid."

At that, the old Taoist couldn't help but sigh. The connection really was something.

"Your mother gave me the birth chart of the person you liked last year, asking me to help with the marriage compatibility. It matched that kid's chart from back then exactly. I never expected the connection to show up here. That kid had soul-separation illness as a child, which made him seem slow.

At sixteen, he'd face a life-or-death trial. If he made it through, his soul could return to his body. But even after the soul returns, the illness still has hidden dangers. So before coming, I drew this mind-calming talisman."

The old Taoist instructed Xie Zhiyu, "This master put all his lifelong cultivation into drawing this—I can only make one. Don't lose it. As long as he's got it on him, nothing'll happen."

Xie Zhiyu had no idea such a thing had occurred. He treasured the talisman, tucked it away carefully, and bowed deeply to the old Taoist with his hands clasped, his voice shaking a little. "Thank you, Master."

"I'm telling you this so you can keep an eye out in daily life. But I've already checked out your future husband—he's run into other lucky breaks. Barring unexpected circumstances, his life will surely be smooth and worry-free."

Xie Zhiyu hoped so.

"By the way, your mother said you were poisoned with Gu Poison and were on the verge of death several times. Let this master take a look at you." The old Taoist made a move to take Xie Zhiyu's pulse.

Xie Zhiyu was puzzled. "Master, do you also understand Gu Poison?"

"I found it interesting. I've spent quite a lot of time with bugs over the years and raised quite a few. If your mother hadn't written to me, I'd still be down south raising them."

With that, the old Taoist placed his hand on Xie Zhiyu's pulse and asked in detail about the symptoms when the Gu Poison flared up. He also mentioned that Shen Song could suppress the Gu Poison—initially, just being near Shen Song was enough to suppress it, but later, when the gu worm burrowed into his heart, it required combining with Shen Song's blood.

Xie Zhiyu said, "It hasn't flared up in a long time. Qi Yuanjing said that at most three more flare-ups, combined with Shen Song's blood, would completely kill the gu worm."

Upon hearing this, the old Taoist gave his disciple a strange look.

"Song Geer being able to suppress this Gu Poison is likely related to the fortuitous encounter that came with his soul-separation illness. But this Gu of yours..."

Xie Zhiyu frowned. "Could Qi Yuanjing have been mistaken? Is it incurable?"

The old Taoist gave Xie Zhiyu another strange look, even standing up with his hands behind his back, pacing around Xie Zhiyu in circles.

"Master, you're going to make my head spin." Xie Zhiyu grabbed the old Taoist's leg to stop him. "What exactly is going on with this Gu Poison of mine?"

The old Taoist sat back down and explained to Xie Zhiyu, "This Gu is called Yin-Yang Gu, also known by the common name Union Gu. A person infected with the Yang Gu, after engaging in intercourse with the person infected with the Yin Gu, cannot engage in intercourse with anyone else, and must do so once every month to suppress the Gu Poison.

If either condition is not met, the Yang Gu host will have their meridians bitten through by the gu worm and die.

The Yang Gu has one characteristic—even if the Yin Gu host dies, it remains unsolvable. If the Yin Gu host dies, the Yang Gu host must not ejaculate, or the gu worm will also bite through their meridians.

The person who had you poisoned likely wanted your offspring to remain within their control."

Xie Zhiyu nodded. He didn't know who had planted the Gu.

Previously, he had suspected his nominal stepmother and Prime Minister Xie, and now perhaps the late emperor as well.

"Once the Union Gu forms between Yin and Yang, it can only be undone by death." The old Taoist's smile grew deeper as he spoke. Xie Zhiyu could tell from his expression that there was more to this Gu Poison.

Sure enough, he heard the old Taoist continue, "If one never forms the union with the Yin Gu host after being poisoned, the gu worm will flare up, causing excruciating pain. Only by being near the Yin Gu host can it be calmed, transforming into desire and hastening the union."

Xie Zhiyu asked worriedly, "When did Shen Song get the Yin Gu worm?"

The old Taoist raised his hand and tapped Xie Zhiyu on the head. "I've told you, his special situation comes from his own lucky encounter, and has nothing to do with the gu worm."

Xie Zhiyu rubbed his forehead and asked somewhat awkwardly, "I have never engaged in intimate relations with anyone, so there's no question of forming a bond with a Yin Gu host. How am I supposed to resolve this gu?"

The old Taoist couldn't help but laugh. "I can tell you've never done it, otherwise the person by your side wouldn't be Song-ge. Not only that, I can also tell that since you were poisoned, you haven't had a single release."

Xie Zhiyu hadn't expected that this could be discerned. Previously, because he couldn't eat and could only survive on medicinal pills, he was already frail. After being poisoned, he suffered attacks every month, tormenting him to the point he couldn't sleep. Qi Yuanjing had told him to cut back on losing his vital energy, or his body would deteriorate further.

Since then, when he could no longer bear it, he would only soak in cold baths. More often, he relied on calligraphy, painting, and reading to calm his mind and keep it settled.

"Once this gu worm bonds with a host, it becomes extremely vicious and can only be broken by death. However, if it hasn't formed a bond, the solution is very simple. Just have a release—each time you do, the gu worm weakens. Your gu poison is still active..." The old Taoist looked at Xie Zhiyu with a smile and asked, "In all these years, have you never even masturbated?"

Xie Zhiyu's ears burned red, but his expression remained composed as he lifted his chin slightly. "I just think it's boring. Qi Yuanjing also said I need to practice self-discipline and cut back on that kind of thing."

The old Taoist knew Xie Zhiyu's temperament—he's just saving face.

But that skilled physician Master Qi had a point too; it made sense.

Even if what he said was "cut back," not "completely abstain."

As his master, he shouldn't call him out, so he said it wasn't too late to learn this now, and besides, he was about to get married.

Xie Zhiyu nodded solemnly. "Mm."

Seeing Xie Zhiyu's serious, red-faced expression, the old Taoist couldn't resist teasing him. "But your gu worm is quite docile. If you really don't want to, you could postpone the wedding."

Xie Zhiyu frowned and directly rejected the suggestion. "No, I'm getting married tomorrow."

His eagerness made the old Taoist laugh for a good while.

That evening, Qi Yuanjing sneaked over to see Xie Zhiyu and handed him a small porcelain bottle.

"My master and I made these based on the medical formulas passed down in our sect. If we hadn't had the right herbs planted, we couldn't have made these. Take one pill at a time. The side effect is that it'll take you a long time to finish, and it'll definitely feel uncomfortable."

"How would you know?" Xie Zhiyu opened the cloth stopper and sniffed—a faint medicinal scent, not strong. "Have you used it?"

Qi Yuanjing widened his eyes. "It's in the medical books!"

Xie Zhiyu put the pills away. "Make more of these."

"This bottle's got twenty-five pills. One a day would last you twenty-five days." As a friend, it was awkward, but as a doctor, he had to say it. "If you take too many, it'll take even longer to finish later on. Aren't you worried about being stuck and uncomfortable? Even if you don't care about yourself, think about your husband. A Gē'ér can't handle that."

Qi Yuanjing, sensing danger, met Xie Zhiyu's murderous look and emphasized, "This is a physician's medical advice. I don't mean anything else by it."

Xie Zhiyu said, "Make extra to keep around. I don't plan on having kids with Shen Song for a few years."

Hearing this, Qi Yuanjing nodded and said he would.

Xie Zhiyu stayed up all night, waiting for dawn to marry his beloved.

On the other side, Shen Song slept like a log, couldn't be woken up.

San Qiu and Chi Jiu took turns trying to wake him but no luck. It wasn't until Liu Chunxia came over and wiped Shen Song's face with a wet towel that he blinked groggily, still half-asleep.

After that, Shen Song didn't remember a thing.

He just remembered being pushed and pulled around, and because he was so sleepy, he kept dozing off.

The palace staff arrived at the Shen residence before dawn to help get things ready.

The palace attendants handled Shen Song's outfit and everything else.

The Shen family watched in awe as their little Xiao Ba slept through the palace folks styling his hair, dressing him, and cleaning his face perfectly.

Amazing, just as expected from a great household.

Shen Family Gully was even more lively today than when the Xie family had sent the betrothal gifts.

At the auspicious hour, the wedding procession arrived.

Xie Zhiyu rode a tall horse, dressed in red embroidered brocade wedding robes with gold thread, wearing a jade crown and gold-framed ruby earrings.

He had always been as handsome as jade, exceptionally striking, and now, on the happiest day of his life, his face carried a constant smile, making him shine even more brilliantly than usual.

The festive music played as the procession entered the village. Many of the Xie household's people carried baskets filled with sugar cubes wrapped in red paper, pastries, and baskets upon baskets of copper coins.

Once inside the village, they began scattering wedding treats—small red packets held sugar cubes, large red packets held assorted pastries, and copper coins were tossed by the handful.

People from the surrounding villages knew that Shen Family Gully had a grand celebration today, and everyone who could come had arrived.

At this moment, both sides of the road, the rooftops, and the trees in Shen Family Gully were packed with people.

Everyone swarmed to grab the treats, but the Xie family had prepared more than enough, so there was no worry about anyone missing out.

Those specifically tasked with scattering treats slowed their pace while the rest of the procession continued at a steady speed.

Xie Zhiyu held the reins, drawing closer and closer to the Shen residence, his palms beginning to sweat.

Upon arriving at the Shen house, Shen Chong, Chi Jiu, Shen Zhun, and Zhao Lu blocked the front, with the other brothers forming a second line behind them.

Shen Chong had taken the imperial examinations before and passed both the county and prefectural tests on his first try, though he failed the college-level exam. He was currently a child scholar and would sit for the next examination cycle.

Shen Chong and Chi Jiu handled the literary challenges, while Shen Zhun and Zhao Lu took on the martial ones.

The other brothers were tasked with stopping anyone who tried to force their way through the door.

Xie Zhiyu called for Zhao Feiyin to step forward. As soon as he appeared, Shen Lin's face began to redden, and he couldn't bring himself to look at him. Shen Jue scolded Shen Lin from the side for being bewitched by beauty and forgetting his brother.

However, when Qi Yuanjing pulled Zhao Feiyi out, Zhao Feiyi smiled at Shen Jue, and he too became entranced.

Even worse than Shen Lin.

Shen Lin could at least control himself, but Shen Jue practically wanted to stick to Zhao Feiyi's side.

Shen Chong and Chi Jiu teamed up to present couplets, determined to stop Xie Zhiyu.

Xie Zhiyu called on Qi Yuanjing to handle that, while he himself competed with Zhao Lu and Shen Zhun.

Otherwise, Qi Yuanjing couldn't match those two in physical strength.

Xie Zhiyu had trained in martial arts with the old Taoist since childhood. Even when his health was at its worst, he managed to endure, and once he could eat properly again, he picked up everything he had learned before and refined it considerably.

The first contest was pitch-pot.

Zhao Lu stepped up.

Xie Zhiyu breathed a slight sigh of relief—if it came down to brute force, he wasn't sure he could beat Zhao Lu.

The two were both skilled in archery, and they were both pretty accurate at pitch-pot. However, this was something Xie Zhiyu had been playing since he was a kid, while Zhao Lu had not.

Unsurprisingly, Zhao Lu ended up losing to Xie Zhiyu.

Next up was an arm-wrestling match against Shen Zhun.

They arm-wrestled.

It was a real nail-biter.

Meanwhile, Qi Yuanjing had already gone up against Shen Chong, and his match with Chi Jiu was just as heated.

Chi Jiu threw everything he had at Qi Yuanjing, keeping him stuck at the door.

Inside, Shen Song had gotten dressed and was feeling a lot more clear-headed. He was feeling a little hungry and wanted a snack, but when he patted his waist, his usual little pouch wasn't there.

Just as he was about to ask his fifth brother-in-law for something to eat, he heard a voice from outside the window: "The master got hit!"

Hearing that, Shen Song bolted outside.

Who hit Xie Zhiyu? How could anyone hit Xie Zhiyu!

"Xie Zhiyu!"

Seeing Shen Song run out, the dark guard who'd been given the job vaulted onto the rooftops and vanished.

The palace attendants were all Xie Zhiyu's people, so of course they didn't stop him. Liu Chunxia, Xu Hongmei, and Zhou Gu were yelling from behind for Shen Song to come back, saying he had to wait for the groom to come in first.

Shen Song said, "No way, Xie Zhiyu got hit! I gotta go help."

The Shen family courtyard was just a few steps, so the moment Shen Song stepped out, everyone outside spotted him.

The young master's wedding outfit wasn't like a woman's, but it was fancier and more detailed than a man's, with an extra flowing train at the bottom. A woman's was a softer pleated skirt instead.

The train was gilded, catching the light with every step Shen Song took.

Shen Zhun was just about to pin Xie Zhiyu's wrist when he heard his brother's voice, going on about Xie Zhiyu getting hit and needing to help. A moment later, Shen Song squeezed out of the courtyard, looking at Xie Zhiyu with worry, and rushed over in three quick steps. He cupped Xie Zhiyu's face, checking him over frantically, and said, "Where'd you get hurt?"

Xie Zhiyu lowered his head, letting Shen Song fuss over him, his eyes full of hidden love and tenderness. The more worried and frantic Shen Song got, the deeper the smile at the corner of Xie Zhiyu's mouth grew.

Shen Chong strolled over to Shen Zhun and said dryly, "No point blocking the door anymore."

On the other side, Qi Yuanjing said to Chi Jiu, who was staring at Shen Song, "You can't beat Shen Song. There's no way he doesn't love Xie Zhiyu."

Chi Jiu was a little taken aback. "You could tell?"

Qi Yuanjing nodded. "You can't hide that look at all; only Shen Song doesn't catch it. The Shen family's never dealt with feelings like that, so they probably wouldn't even think of it. But even if they did notice, they wouldn't say anything—that'd just clue Shen Song in."

"I stopped thinking about it a long time ago; I only see him as family now." Chi Jiu watched Shen Song's back. "He really loves Xie Zhiyu. Even before he understood his own feelings, he instinctively wanted to be near him. I knew a long time ago I never stood a chance."

It had nothing to do with gender, or who came first, or who spent more time with him.

It was just that Shen Song's heart was only ever willing to give itself to Xie Zhiyu.

"I lost." Chi Jiu told Qi Yuanjing. "You win the battle of wits."

Qi Yuanjing raised an eyebrow and headed over to Xie Zhiyu.

Once Shen Song confirmed Xie Zhiyu wasn't hurt, Liu Chunxia and the others pulled him back inside, Shen Jing carried him out on his back, and he was helped into the sedan chair.

After the wedding procession left, the open-air feast stretching from one end of Shen Family Gully to the other got underway.

People from the neighboring villages came to eat, and the Shen family hosted them all.

There were way too many people, and the Shen family was swamped, so they didn't have time to be sad about Shen Song leaving for long.

The wedding procession made it to Yunxi County, tossing out wedding candies, cakes, and lucky money the whole way.

The guests at the Xie residence were all officials, rich merchants, and local bigwigs. Xie Zhiyu barely knew them, but since he wanted the wedding to be lively, he invited a ton of people. Even the prefect showed up with his whole family from the prefectural capital.

Fang Zheng was in charge of the front reception. This was Xie Zhiyu's wedding banquet, so there couldn't be a single slip-up.

After the groom was welcomed in, Fang Zheng officiated. The couple bowed to heaven and earth, bowed to the elders, and then bowed to each other.

The young master didn't wear a bridal veil; his hair was tied up just like a man's.

Shen Song had been well looked after all these years—rosy lips, white teeth, big bright eyes, and a striking red cinnabar mole between his brows, looking like some kind of heavenly child.

During the bow to each other, Shen Song couldn't help glancing up at Xie Zhiyu and giving him a playful wink. Xie Zhiyu just wished the ceremony had a part where they could kiss in public; he really couldn't take Shen Song teasing him like that.

When they bowed to the elders, Lu Yuanzhi sat behind a screen, so no one could see her face.

Finally seeing her eldest son happily married, Lu Yuanzhi couldn't hold back her tears.

The old maid beside her handed her a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

After the ceremony, Shen Song and Xie Zhiyu headed to the bridal chamber for the nuptial cup. The gourd ladle was split in two, tied together with a red thread.

Shen Song didn't like alcohol, but when he heard that drinking it meant he'd grow old with Xie Zhiyu, he downed it.

Xie Zhiyu had to go out and greet the guests in the front hall. Even though he didn't want to, he had no choice—otherwise, as the host, it'd be rude.

You An stayed in the room with Shen Song. He'd somehow gotten his hands on a food box packed with all kinds of goodies.

"Wow, You An, you're amazing—you knew I was hungry."

You An smiled and said, "You're joking, young master. The master had me prepare this ahead of time."

"You An, why don't you call me Song Ge'er anymore?" Shen Song asked between bites of pastry.

"Now that you've married into the household, your status has changed, so I can't address you like before. Otherwise, if people heard, they'd think you don't keep your servants in line, and that even the help can take liberties with you." You An explained to Shen Song.

Shen Song said, "Well, they'd be right—I'm really not strict. I like it when you call me Song Ge'er. You An, I think of you as my friend."

You An's eyes got a little red, but he didn't know what to say.

Shen Song patted You An on the shoulder. "When Xie Zhiyu gets back, I'll get him to say yes. How's that?"

It was Xie Zhiyu's say-so before that had kept You An from being punished. Shen Song figured this still needed Xie Zhiyu's okay.

You An nodded and handed Shen Song more snacks.

When Xie Zhiyu got back, it wasn't too late. Shen Song had eaten his fill, You An had ordered hot water for a bath, and he was now fast asleep, all cozy.

He hadn't planned on sleeping—he wanted to wait up for Xie Zhiyu—but the bed here was too comfy, and he'd dozed off without meaning to.

When Xie Zhiyu heard Shen Song was asleep, he asked how he'd eaten. You An answered honestly.

"He ate well and slept like a baby."

Xie Zhiyu nodded and ordered water for a bath.

After drying his hair, Xie Zhiyu came back to the bedroom in a red under-robe.

Standing behind the screen, he saw the lamplight flickering on the other side, casting a warm, dim glow. The incense in the room today was somewhat different—something mildly aphrodisiac had been mixed in, harmless to the body.

It came from the palace—Fang Zheng had added it, so it was totally safe.

Xie Zhiyu had heard Fang Zheng suggest burning this incense before, and he'd said it wasn't needed. But Fang Zheng said since it was his first time, better to burn it just in case. Hearing that, Xie Zhiyu didn't say anything else and silently went along with it.

Xie Zhiyu was young and hot-blooded, and he'd been holding back for a long time. Standing behind the screen, just the thought of Shen Song sleeping in that bed made his breath catch.

The longer he held back, the worse it got, so he just stepped around the screen.

Shen Song slept like a log.

He was lying on his side near the edge of the bed, his face all flushed, looking a little hot and uncomfortable. He was hugging a corner of the blanket with both hands, legs curled up, looking totally well-behaved.

Xie Zhiyu leaned down and reached out to touch Shen Song's face.

He leaned in, throat bobbing, and kissed Shen Song's forehead, his cheeks, the corner of his mouth, then his hands.

Shen Song felt something tickling his face. The second he opened his eyes, he caught a familiar scent, and then his mouth was covered, his hands pinned to the bed. A weight pressed down on him as he got kissed hard.

"Xie..."

Shen Song couldn't talk, only managing faint little sounds.

Xie Zhiyu had gotten under the covers at some point, and Shen Song was already dizzy from all the kissing.

When he really couldn't breathe anymore, Xie Zhiyu finally pulled away. In the dim candlelight, he looked at Shen Song, his eyes fixed on his face, tracing every line of it.

Shen Song's head was spinning, and he vaguely realized his under-robe had come undone, leaving most of his skin bare. Xie Zhiyu's was the same.

In his daze, Shen Song felt something off. He shifted his leg and reached down to push at it, his voice still breathy from lack of air, complaining, "Xie Zhiyu, why did you bring a hot iron rod into bed? That's dangerous—it'll burn the skin."

Xie Zhiyu let out a muffled groan, his eyes going red.

Shen Song realized what it was and froze, scared stiff.

Oh god.

How did this happen? He wasn't like this.

You An and a bunch of servants were waiting outside.

They could hear the newlywed groom crying on and off, with some energy at first, but later his sobs got weaker.

It wasn't until almost dawn that the master called for them to boil water.

Xie Zhiyu bathed the half-asleep Shen Song, and after they were cleaned up, the bedding had already been changed to fresh sheets. Xie Zhiyu held the limp Shen Song and fell fast asleep.

They slept until the sun was high, and Shen Song woke up.

Xie Zhiyu had woken earlier, already washed and dressed, but had lain back down to hold Shen Song.

Newly married and completely hooked, Xie Zhiyu couldn't stand to let go for even a second.

Shen Song opened his eyes, saw Xie Zhiyu, and quickly squeezed them shut again.

His long lashes trembled.

He silently chanted to himself, *Can't see me, can't see me... I'm asleep, I'm asleep...*

"I saw you open your eyes."

Xie Zhiyu mercilessly called him out, then kissed Shen Song's fluttering eyelids.

"Don't want to see me?" Xie Zhiyu asked.

Shen Song's eyes were swollen from crying and a bit uncomfortable. He didn't speak, just raised a hand to rub them. Xie Zhiyu grabbed his hand and told him to wait.

Soon Xie Zhiyu brought over a damp cloth, first wiping Shen Song's eyes, then getting a clean one for a cold compress.