Lu Zhaoling finished explaining the conditions required to trigger the curse, and Prince Jin's heart sank further.
He had indeed been injured and bled on the day he returned to the Capital. At the time, that person had acted quickly to press down on his wound and stop the bleeding.
And just the day before yesterday, he had met that person again.
It had happened exactly twice. Each time he saw them, his curse flared up.
How could there be such a coincidence?
"I need to see your knees now."
Lu Zhaoling was only pointing out who the culprit might be; she had no intention of meddling in his personal affairs beyond that.
She hesitated for a moment, pointing at his legs. "I'm going to pull up your trouser legs, alright?"
Prince Jin pulled himself away from his thoughts, his lips twitching slightly.
"You're being polite now? Where was this courtesy when you were busy feeling my chest earlier?"
She usually had skin as thick as a brick wall why was she acting hesitant now?
"I'm mostly giving you a bit of psychological preparation. Don't go getting ideas about me having to take responsibility just because I've seen your legs," Lu Zhaoling said as she moved to pull his trousers up past his knees.
"Your legs are quite fair," she remarked.
Prince Jin was momentarily speechless.
However, as his gaze fell upon his own knees, the pain seemed to intensify.
Fine, dense scars covered both of his knees. Looking at the patterns, it was clear that shards of some sharp object had been driven into the bone. The edges of the scars were tinged with a purplish-red hue, looking as if tiny insects were crawling beneath the skin.
Seeing her staring so intently, Prince Jin felt a sudden urge to pull his trousers back down. It was too hideous. He didn't want her to see something so nauseating and ugly.
But he forced himself to remain still.
Lu Zhaoling reached out and poked his knee.
"Ngh..." Prince Jin let out a muffled groan of pain, his legs trembling.
"What kind of pain is it?" she asked.
"It feels like tens of thousands of fine needles are drilling into the gaps of the bone. It hurts, but there's also a deep sense of numbness from within. From the knees down, everything freezes up. Every time it flares up like this, I can neither stand nor walk."
This was why he was always so careful. If it flared up in public, he would collapse instantly, exposing his vulnerability to the world. If his enemies discovered this, they would surely send assassins to target his legs, leaving him completely defenseless.
Lu Zhaoling began to gently massage his knees.
Prince Jin endured the agonizing pain, watching her hands knead his scar-covered skin. Somewhere deep in his heart, something softened.
When his Senior Sister had seen his knees years ago, she had screamed in horror. Thinking of her, his expression turned cold again.
"The injury you sustained is very strange, but there is definitely a curse involved. It would be best to find that Cold Ice Coffin from back then; I need to see what kind of incantation is on it."
"The Ancient Tomb is still there, but it's quite far from the Capital."
"There's no rush. I can't go anywhere right now anyway," Lu Zhaoling said as she stood up. "Since there's no other way for the moment, I'll sell you a few Pain-Relief Talismans. You can use one whenever a flare-up occurs."
"Sell?"
Prince Jin fixated on that one word.
Lu Zhaoling immediately shot him a glare. "No way, surely you don't expect to get my talismans for free?"
"We are fiances," Prince Jin reminded her.
"It's just a partnership. You act as my backer, and I keep you alive. That covers my effort and skill, but for things like talismans, medicinal herbs, or other materials you still have to pay."
Lu Zhaoling tilted her chin up. "I'm just a poor girl who grew up in the countryside. Surely Your Highness wouldn't take advantage of me?"
Seeing her "fake couple, clear accounts" attitude, Prince Jin felt his teeth itch with irritation.
"Fine. I will pay you."
"Let's be clear: pay me in silver, not with your body," Lu Zhaoling huffed.
Prince Jin froze as a sudden flush of heat rushed through him. What on earth was going on in her head!
"Burn this Pain-Relief Talisman and add it to the medicinal water Physician Fu prepared. Soak for fifteen minutes and it will take effect. From today on, have Physician Fu prescribe more medicine to strengthen your constitution and dispel the cold. Take a medicinal bath every three days; it will be good for your body."
Lu Zhaoling reached out again and grabbed his wrist, actually taking his pulse.
"You know medicine?"
Lu Zhaoling shook her head, then immediately nodded.
"A little bit. Sometimes Mystical Arts need to be combined with medical skill."
Outside, Physician Fu and the others were waiting anxiously.
Nanny Qing had her hands pressed together, bowing toward the heavens repeatedly.
"Lord Buddha protect him, Bodhisattva protect him... nothing must happen to the Prince..." she murmured.
Fu Cheng brought a cup of tea to his grandfather. "Grandfather, does Miss Lu really not need help?"
He was dying of curiosity, barely able to restrain himself from going in to see exactly how Lu Zhaoling was saving the Prince. But the doors were tightly shut, and since even his grandfather hadn't gone in, there was no way he would be allowed.
"When help is needed, the second Miss will call for us," Physician Fu replied. He had already prepared the water for the medicinal bath.
They were all just waiting for the signal.
Qingyin and Qingbao were much calmer. Having spent time with Lu Zhaoling, they had considerable confidence in her.
Qingfeng and Qinglin stood guard outside the door, ears pressed toward the room to catch any sound. They were the most nervous of all. Their Prince was in the middle of a flare-up and only Lu Zhaoling was with him—if something went wrong...
Could the second Miss Lu truly be trusted?
Unknowingly, both men had tightened their grip on their sword hilts. If they heard anything suspicious, they would charge in immediately.
"Qingfeng."
Lu Zhaoling's voice finally rang out from inside.
Qingfeng released his hilt and pushed the door open instantly. "Here."
Inside, Lu Zhaoling had just realized something. This was the perfect chance to siphon off a bit more of the Prince's Fortune to replenish herself. Since she was here, Prince Jin certainly didn't need so much Merit and Fortune to fight off the curse anymore.
She had been holding his pulse, but on a whim, she simply slid her hand down to grasp his.
Palm to palm, the harvest was even faster.
Prince Jin didn't realize what she was doing at first, but his hand reflexively moved, interlocking his fingers with hers.
Once their fingers were fully interlocked, both of them sensed something was off at the same time. Their gazes fell simultaneously to their joined hands.
It was at that exact moment that Qingfeng pushed the door open, his eyes landing directly on their tightly gripped hands.
All three of them froze.
Lu Zhaoling was the first to regain her senses, but as the Prince's Fortune flowed directly from his palm into hers, she found herself truly unwilling to let go!
Though the scene was awkward and suggestive, he simply had too much Fortune to offer!
Lu Zhaoling instinctively tightened her grip.
Prince Jin: "..."
Seriously, is this girl's skin thin or thick?
Qingfeng spun around violently.
"Your Highness, I saw nothing!"
Prince Jin cursed under his breath. "What is wrong with you? Nothing is happening. Turn back around!"
"Yes, sir."
Prince Jin raised their joined hands, looking at Lu Zhaoling. "How much longer do you plan on holding on?"
"Your Highness has such slender fingers; they make my hands look so small. Hahaha," Lu Zhaoling said, finally releasing him.
Tsk, holding hands really is the best way to siphon Fortune.
What if they cuddled or hugged?
She shook the thought away. No, we're just partners. I have to maintain my integrity.
"You can help your Prince into his medicinal bath now," Lu Zhaoling said, stepping back. "By the way, my talisman costs three thousand taels. I should collect the silver from Uncle Yun, right?"
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