Chapter 6

Fine beads of sweat kept forming on Imperial Physician Li’s forehead.

Ning Changqing handed him the handkerchief beside him and asked in confusion, “Doctor Li, are you feeling hot?”

Under Xiao Mixing’s unwavering, suffocating gaze, Imperial Physician Li quickly withdrew the hand he had placed on Ning Changqing’s wrist, not daring to accept the offered handkerchief.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, Imperial Physician Li said, “Young Master Ning’s health is not in any immediate danger. However, his pulse is somewhat weak, so he will need careful treatment and recuperation.”

“But I can’t muster any strength right now. I can’t even lift a bronze mirror.” Ning Changqing clenched his fist, but his muscles remained sore and powerless.

“Young Master Ning’s body was already extremely weak before this, and he remained unconscious for five consecutive days. Cold has invaded his body, so it is only natural that his meridians, blood, and bones are weak at present. He should gradually recover after some time,” Imperial Physician Li explained. “This official—I mean, I will prescribe a few doses of medicine to help the young master recover.”

Ning Changqing turned toward Xiao Mixing and exclaimed in shock, “I was unconscious for five days?!”

Seeing Xiao Mixing nod, Ning Changqing immediately felt a little dazed.

He had thought he’d only slept for a day. Who would have guessed that he’d actually been unconscious for five whole days…

Xiao Mixing looked at Imperial Physician Li. “Are there no other ailments?”

Imperial Physician Li wiped away his sweat and tentatively asked, “May I ask what Your Majes—Young Master Xiao means?”

Xiao Mixing raised his eyes and glanced at him. “He doesn’t seem to remember anything from the past.”

Ning Changqing was startled by those words. He looked nervously at Imperial Physician Li, his heart filled with unease.

Would Xiao Mixing discover that he wasn’t from this era?

Even more sweat broke out on Imperial Physician Li’s forehead. He lowered his head in alarm. “This humble physician’s medical skills are inadequate. I cannot determine the cause of Young Master Ning’s condition.”

Ning Changqing quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he didn’t know why he’d suddenly transmigrated here after falling asleep, this clearly wasn’t something he could explain in just a few sentences.

If something so unbelievable hadn’t happened to him personally, he wouldn’t have believed it either, much less expected anyone else to believe him. They might even think he was crazy…

Xiao Mixing lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions within them, and said nothing further.

“You may leave.”

“Yes…”

Imperial Physician Li was halfway through packing his medical case when he suddenly remembered Su Changzai’s instructions.

Looking at the wound on Xiao Mixing’s wrist, he said, “Your Majes—Young Master Xiao, please allow this humble physician to examine your wound.”

Xiao Mixing refused. “There’s no need. You may leave.”

If His Majesty refuses, just look toward the person lying on the bed. Once that young master speaks up, His Majesty will certainly let you examine him.

Su Changzai’s words echoed in his ears, and Imperial Physician Li immediately turned toward Ning Changqing.

Ning Changqing completely failed to understand his hint, but he remembered the wound on Xiao Mixing’s wrist that had been bleeding continuously that night.

He exclaimed in shock, “You haven’t let Doctor Li treat your wound?”

It had already been five days, and the wound was still crudely wrapped with his sash?

Thinking that Ning Changqing had understood his [stolen content]signal, Imperial Physician Li breathed a sigh of relief.

“Young Master Ning, you may not know this, but throughout the five days you were unconscious, Young Master Xiao personally took care of you without allowing anyone else to do so…”

Xiao Mixing’s cold gaze swept over him.

Imperial Physician Li immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.

Ning Changqing’s gaze settled on Xiao Mixing’s pale face.

There were dark circles beneath his eyes, making it obvious that he hadn’t slept properly for several days. There was even a faint trace of blood still staining the side of his face.

My buddy actually treats me this well!

Who says that if you don’t get married, there’ll be no one to look after you when you’re old? I’ve still got my buddy!

With complicated feelings, Ning Changqing lowered his head and grabbed Xiao Mixing’s left hand.

“I’m fine…” Xiao Mixing covered his sleeve, unwilling to let Ning Changqing look.

Ning Changqing frowned at him. “If you’re fine, why won’t you let me see?”

Regardless of how close Xiao Mixing had been to the original owner of this body, if Xiao Mixing hadn’t taken such meticulous care of him, he might already have died.

“Changqing…”

Xiao Mixing gazed at Ning Changqing’s animated face, momentarily lost in thought.

Was his Changqing worried about him?

Just considering that possibility made all the blood in Xiao Mixing’s body turn scorching hot.

Ning Changqing stubbornly took Xiao Mixing’s hand and pushed up his wide sleeve, exposing the wound on his wrist.

The once pure-white sash had long since turned reddish brown, with some areas so heavily soaked in blood that they were almost black. The fabric had stuck tightly to the wound.

“Doctor Li, please help him treat his wound.”

This young master actually dared to order His Majesty around in such a forceful tone, yet not only was His Majesty unoffended, he was remarkably obedient.

Imperial Physician Li was secretly astonished.

Eunuch Su truly deserves his position at His Majesty’s side. He certainly understands the emperor’s thoughts!

He hurriedly nodded and looked toward Xiao Mixing.

“Young Master Xiao, then please allow this humble physician to examine your wound.”

Under Ning Changqing’s watchful gaze, Xiao Mixing did not refuse this time. Instead, he obediently extended his hand.

Imperial Physician Li took a small pair of scissors from his medical case.

“Young Master Xiao, the cloth wrapped around your wrist must first be cut open…”

“No cutting.”

Before Imperial Physician Li could finish speaking, Xiao Mixing interrupted him.

“Well…”

Imperial Physician Li was immediately at a loss and instinctively looked toward Ning Changqing.

Ning Changqing frowned slightly. “Why can’t he cut it? Doctor Li needs to treat your hand. He has to remove the bandage to see what the wound looks like.”

Xiao Mixing lowered his eyes and stared at the sash wrapped around his wrist.

Changqing had personally tied it for him.

He didn’t want to undo it.

He didn’t want anyone else touching it, much less cutting it apart.

But he couldn’t say that.

It would frighten Changqing.

Xiao Mixing looked coldly at Imperial Physician Li. “You only need to expose the wound, correct?”

How could Imperial Physician Li possibly dare say no?

He nodded repeatedly. “Y-yes. As long stolen contentas this humble physician can examine the wound and apply the medicine, that will be enough.”

“Xiao Wu, have someone bring hot water.”

Xiao Mixing spoke toward the empty air.

Ning Changqing blinked his almond-shaped eyes. He looked left, then right, and even raised his head to look above them.

Just as he was about to peer beneath the bed, Xiao Mixing reached out and cupped his face.

“What is Changqing looking at?”

Ning Changqing blinked. “Who were you talking to?”

There were clearly only three people in the room.

“Master, the hot water is here.”

Xiao Wu answered from outside, and a maidservant entered carrying a wooden basin of water.

Ning Changqing’s eyes widened. He looked curiously at Xiao Mixing.

“Who is Xiao Wu? Where was he hiding just now?”

The corners of Xiao Mixing’s lips lifted slightly.

His fingers brushed across Ning Changqing’s smooth chin before he called toward the door, “Come in.”

Xiao Wu immediately pushed open the door and entered, lowering his head.

“Master.”

Xiao Mixing’s eyelids drooped. He seemed completely uninterested in everything around him, his dark eyes fixed solely on Ning Changqing.

“Tell him.”

Xiao Wu replied clearly, “This subordinate is Xiao Wu. I was on the roof just now.”

“Little Wu?”

Ning Changqing’s eyes lit up. He craned his neck to look at him.

“Are you a secret guard? Does that mean you’re really good at martial arts? Do you…”

Ning Changqing was especially interested in the secret guards he’d only ever seen on television.

One question after another came pouring out of him.

He failed to notice that the corners of Xiao Mixing’s mouth were growing increasingly flat.

Sensing the oppressive atmosphere radiating from the emperor, Xiao Wu lowered his head even further, not daring to breathe too loudly.

The explanation he’d prepared—My name is Xiao Wu, not Little Wu—was silently swallowed.

“Mmph…”

Xiao Mixing let out a faint groan.

Ning Changqing immediately withdrew his gaze and looked at him nervously.

“What’s wrong? Is your wound hurting again?”

Xiao Mixing’s complexion seemed even paler than before. His handsome brows were slightly knitted together, but he was still enduring the pain without making a sound.

Ning Changqing had grown up surrounded by boys, most of whom had been mischievous troublemakers since childhood.

When had he ever encountered a boy as handsome, delicate, and sickly-looking as Xiao Mixing?

The protective instincts of this straight man immediately surged.

“It’s all right. It suddenly hurt a little just now,” Xiao Mixing said, his eyelashes trembling faintly. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Really?”

Ning Changqing’s worried gaze remained fixed on his wrist.

“What do you need the hot water for?”

The maidservant carrying the basin stepped forward.

Before Ning Changqing could react, Xiao Mixing submerged his injured wrist in the hot water.

Thin streams of blood immediately began seeping from the wound again.

Ning Changqing’s pupils widened.

“What are you…”

Xiao Mixing untied the knot.

As the strips of cloth stuck to his flesh were pulled away, a strong smell of blood immediately filled the room.

Layer after layer of fabric was unwound. The scabbed edges of the wound were torn open again, and raw, crimson flesh was dragged outward along with the cloth.

Ning Changqing couldn’t bear to keep watching.

When his gaze landed on the fine beads of sweat continuously forming on Xiao Mixing’s forehead, he leaned forward and gently wiped them away with a handkerchief.

“I’m sorry. It’s all because you were taking care of me that your wound went untreated for so long…”

By the time all the fabric had been removed, the wound looked even more horrifying.

The last faint trace of pink disappeared from Xiao Mixing’s lips.

“It’s not your fault. I was the one who didn’t want Doctor Li to treat it.”

Xiao Mixing looked at the maidservant.

“I’ll deal with that later.”

“Yes.”

The maidservant carried the basin containing the blood-soaked sash out of the room.

Ning Changqing was still wondering what there was to deal with when it came to a dirty sash.

Couldn’t he just throw it away?

But Imperial Physician Li had already hurriedly taken a clean cloth from his medical case and begun carefully dabbing away the water and continuously seeping blood around Xiao Mixing’s wound.

Ning Changqing watched [stolen content]in alarm, completely forgetting to ask what Xiao Mixing intended to do with the sash.

He swallowed and looked toward Imperial Physician Li.

“Shouldn’t you use anesthesia?”

Imperial Physician Li took a moment to understand before asking, “Is the young master referring to Mafei Powder?”

Ning Changqing nodded repeatedly.

“Yes, exactly. Mafei Powder.”

Young Master Ning had been unconscious the entire time and had no external injuries, so naturally, there had been no need for anesthetic powder.

And since the emperor had refused treatment, Imperial Physician Li hadn’t brought any in his medical case.

“This humble physician came in a hurry today and forgot to bring Mafei Powder.”

Imperial Physician Li set aside the blood-soaked cloth and carefully examined the wound.

“There’s still some rotten flesh deep inside the wound that needs ​Read on BaiLianTales​to be removed. I’m afraid it will be quite painful. I’ll have someone bring some Mafei Powder as quickly as possible…”

“Just treat it like this.”

Xiao Mixing interrupted him.

Treat it like this?!!

Ning Changqing couldn’t react for a moment and stood there in a daze.

Hiss… My buddy really is ruthless toward himself.

“…Yes.”

Imperial Physician Li didn’t dare delay any longer. He selected several instruments from his medical case and lowered his head to begin treating the wound.

When a piece of rotten flesh was removed, even more blood immediately gushed out, spreading across Xiao Mixing’s pale wrist.

“Does it hurt?”

Ning Changqing frowned deeply and sucked in a sharp breath, as though someone had switched on a device that allowed him to share the pain.

“Mm,” Xiao Mixing answered weakly. “Changqing, would you let me hold your hand?”

Without thinking twice, Ning Changqing immediately clasped Xiao Mixing’s hand tightly.

“Does this make it feel better?”

“Mm.”

As though he could no longer endure the pain, Xiao Mixing buried his face against Ning Changqing’s shoulder.

Ning Changqing turned toward Imperial Physician Li.

“Could you be a little gentler? He’s trembling.”

Imperial Physician Li had grievances he couldn’t possibly voice.

Not daring to look at the two people embracing each other, he simply nodded and continued working with movements that were both gentle and swift.

Xiao Wu, who stood guard nearby, looked thoroughly bewildered.

He clearly remembered that his master had an extraordinarily high tolerance for pain.

Even when injured in the past, he had refused to make a sound.

So why was he suddenly so afraid of pain now?

Ning Changqing gently patted Xiao Mixing’s back, comforting him in a soft voice as though coaxing a child.

“It’s almost over. Just a little longer.”

“Mm.”

Xiao Mixing turned his face and nuzzled Ning Changqing’s slender neck, murmuring a vague acknowledgment.

The darkness in his eyes was completely concealed beneath his long eyelashes.

His Changqing smelled so good.

So warm.

Xiao Mixing greedily breathed in the fragrance of Ning Changqing’s neck, and the blood throughout his body began boiling uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, Imperial Physician Li was drenched in sweat.

The bleeding from the wound had clearly stopped just moments ago, yet for some inexplicable reason, blood had suddenly begun flowing again.

Imperial Physician Li wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

He could only nervously apply another layer of medicinal powder.

“Young Master, please remember that the dressing must be changed every day.”

By the time Imperial Physician Li finally finished bandaging the wound, his clothes were completely soaked with sweat.

He handed two small bottles of medicinal powder to Ning Changqing and instructed him, “Apply the medicinal powder first, then finish by using this scar-removal ointment.”

“I’ve also prescribed two nourishing medicinal formulas to replenish blood and promote the growth of new flesh. They must be prepared and taken every day, three times a day.”

Xiao Wu voluntarily stepped forward and accepted the prescriptions.

“Young Master Xiao should avoid using his left hand as much as possible over the next few days.”

Imperial Physician Li packed his medical case and rose to his feet.

Out of the corner of his eye, however, he saw that His Majesty was still nestled against Young Master Ning’s neck.

Imperial Physician Li hurriedly lowered his eyes, afraid of disturbing the two of them.

“Then this humble physician shall take his leave.”

Only then did Xiao Mixing reluctantly lift his head from Ning Changqing’s neck.

“Xiao Wu.”

“Yes.”

Xiao Wu immediately followed Imperial Physician Li.

“Imperial Physi—Doctor Li, I’ll escort you out.”

Their figures gradually disappeared into the distance.

Ning Changqing unconsciously murmured, “How fascinating. So there really are people who can’t distinguish between t and d sounds…”

“Young Master, Young Master Ning’s medicine is ready.”

Seeing Imperial Physician Li and Xiao Wu come out, Su Changzai hurriedly entered with a bowl of medicine.

Ning Changqing’s nose twitched slightly.

His gaze landed on the pitch-black medicinal decoction in Su Changzai’s hands.

Instinctively, he pinched his nose and shrank into the corner of the bed.

“I’m not sick. I don’t wanna drink herbal medicine.”

Su Changzai found himself caught in an awkward position, unable to advance or retreat.

He could only look toward Xiao Mixing.

“Young Master, this…”

Xiao Mixing glanced at Ning Changqing, who was vigorously shaking his head at him.

The corners of his lips curved upward slightly.

“Give it to me.”

Author’s Note:

Xiao Mixing: My wife smells so good, so good! (Trembling from nuzzling his kitty.)

Ning Changqing, horrified: “Doctor Li, he’s practically fainting from the pain! Hurry up and check on him!”

Imperial Physician Li: “…Am I supposed to look or not? (Tears)”