"Uh~"

Yan Xiao awkwardly forced a smile, but found that she couldn't manage to laugh at all.

It's not that she doesn't understand humor, but that the joke really wasn't funny at all.

She carefully examined the handprint on Shen Muzhi's forehead. She saw that the five fingers on it were clearly defined, and anyone with eyesight could tell at a glance that it was man-made, not from a collision.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked in a consultative tone:

"Do you have any important business to attend to today? If not, then you shouldn't go out. My reputation is fine, but I'm afraid that if someone sees me, it will damage your prestige as a general."

Upon hearing this, Shen Muzhi's lips curled into a slightly amused smile:

"There's nothing particularly urgent today, but are you sure you want me to stay home today, Madam?"

"Madam, have you thought this through? I went to great lengths last night to stay overnight at your place, and now I'm just staying indoors all day. The teahouses in Jiangbei City tomorrow morning will probably have something new to offer."

After saying that, he shook his head and analyzed with a serious expression:

"It probably won't be until tomorrow morning. Some teahouses that are quick to act might even have new programs for afternoon tea."

Yanxiao: mmm......

Yan Xiao was truly speechless. Was Shen Muzhi gloating? Had he forgotten that he was also one of the parties involved?

Moreover, without his tacit approval, who in the manor would dare to spread such a thing?

Yan Xiao realized she had misjudged Shen Muzhi; this man had absolutely no shame.

She didn't care much about other things, but she didn't want people to spread such scandalous gossip. It wasn't good for her or Shen Muzhi, and it seriously affected the quality of their second spring.

Besides, this wasn't even her first real spring with Shen Muzhi.

She hesitated for a moment, then walked directly to where the silver needles were kept, took them out, and looked at Shen Muzhi, saying:

"If the general trusts me, how about I give you a couple of acupuncture needles to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis? It works quickly, doesn't hurt, and everyone who's tried it says it's great."

Shen Muzhi glanced at the needle in Yan Xiao's hand, then at Yan Xiao's expectant expression, and nodded without much hesitation:

"It would be wonderful if Madam were willing to help. Seeing is believing, and I'd really like to try Madam's acupuncture techniques."

After a night, Shen Muzhi now addressed Yanxiao as "Madam" with unusual ease, while Yanxiao, upon hearing this, merely glared at Shen Muzhi with annoyance, thinking to herself:

Indeed, seeing is believing. Before meeting Shen Muzhi, she never imagined that he would be like this.

It's not fair to say the character is completely ruined, since the character in the book is portrayed as loyal and righteous, which is perfectly reasonable.

He's pretty much clueless about romance; he's practically a total straight man.

However, it was really nothing like the aloof, abstinent, and unsmiling person she had imagined.

She guessed that this must be related to the fact that she had saved Shen Qiyue.

Even if one has relatives still alive, and has not experienced the betrayal of a wife or the trauma of having their relatives devoured, one's temperament will still change to some extent.

Whether this change is good or bad, she doesn't know, and she can't care too much.

Shen Muzhi's changes also served as a reminder to her that people's temperaments can change due to unforeseen circumstances, so the character settings she previously believed in in books could only serve as a reference.

Thinking back on Jiang Xinrui's previous attitude towards her, she realized that she had been blinded by her own limited perspective and had taken things too seriously.

Fortunately, no irreversible damage was caused, but we should be more careful in the future.

She's been given a second chance at life, and if she were to fail miserably, she would truly be letting down the gods and Buddhas who gave her this extra life.

Yan Xiao withdrew her thoughts and said no more. She gestured for Shen Muzhi to sit down a little lower. After Shen Muzhi was seated, she began to treat him directly.

Shen Muzhi closed his eyes and let Yan Xiao operate. When Yan Xiao inserted the first silver needle, he first felt a slight pain.

He didn't take it to heart at first, since he had received acupuncture treatment before and the feeling was not unfamiliar to him.

But after a short while, as the needle pierced his skin, a soothing and warm sensation began to slowly flow out from the puncture site, then gently brushed across the skin of his forehead.

This aura was completely different from internal energy; it was indescribably comfortable, and it greatly reduced his fatigue from not getting enough rest.

He couldn't help but open his eyes, and just then he saw Yan Xiao pick up another needle and bring it closer to her face. Her eyes were very focused, as if she was looking for the right spot to insert the needle.

Yan Xiao met Shen Muzhi's gaze, paused slightly before dropping the needle, and then said with a hint of smugness:

"How do you feel? Don't you feel refreshed? This is my unique technique. It's only effective on you. If it were anyone else, they would have to pay first."

Upon hearing this, a smile appeared in Shen Muzhi's eyes:

"So, I still have to pay?"

"Of course!"

Yan Xiao answered decisively and matter-of-factly:

"The 'Three No-Medical Practices' written at the entrance of Woyuan Medical Hall are no joke."

Shen Muzhi had long heard of the three types of doctors who refused to treat patients. Upon hearing this, he simply smiled, then pointed to his own face and asked with a mournful expression:

"My lady, would you like me to help you recall how I got this handprint?"

Yanxiao: Uh...

There's absolutely no need for that.

The two lingered inside for a long time without going out, which made Shen Qiyue, who had been squatting in the yard since early morning, very anxious.

She beckoned to Qianqiu Wandai, signaling them to come over.

Qianqiu Wandai dared not neglect this young ancestor and hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects:

"Miss, what are your orders?"

Shen Qiyue peeked cautiously towards the door of Yanxiao's room, then looked at the two of them and asked:

"Are you sure you lit those dragon and phoenix wedding candles last night?"

"Yes, Miss, we lit it as you instructed, and it stayed on until late last night."

"Right?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy welled up in Shen Qiyue's eyes, but when her gaze fell upon the still tightly closed door, she became somewhat anxious:

"What time is it? Why aren't you up yet, brother and sister-in-law? Didn't we call you in to help them wash up?"

They exchanged glances and shook their heads.

"We heard the commotion earlier and had already sent water in, but the general only told us to put the water in the outer room and not to let us into the inner room."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiyue rested her chin on her hand, her little head lost in thought.

Didn't her sister-in-law tell her that she couldn't consummate the marriage because she hadn't been cured of the poison?

What were those two doing last night? They were just chatting under the covers, and they're still so tired they're not getting out of bed at this hour?

Could it be that his brother acted like a beast last night, disregarding his sister-in-law's health?

Upon realizing this possibility, Shen Qiyue couldn't sit still any longer and got up to run into the house.

As soon as she got up, she heard the door creak open. Looking up, she saw her older brother, looking quite respectable, walking out of the house alone.

She immediately perked up and hurried over.

After running to Shen Muzhi's side, she bypassed Shen Muzhi and looked into the inner room, but didn't see the person she most wanted to see:

"Brother, why are you alone? Where is my sister-in-law?"

The slap mark on Shen Muzhi's face had almost disappeared by now. Yan Xiao was afraid that the effect would be too good and seem too strange, so she deliberately only cured most of it.

It's only slightly red now, but the shape of the palm is no longer visible.

Even so, Shen Muzhi was greatly surprised, but did not ask any further questions.

After Yanxiao finished treating him, she half-pushed and half-chased him out. As soon as he came out, he saw his younger sister running towards him. He was happy when he heard this.

Shen Muzhi's face darkened. He looked down at his younger sister and found that Shen Qiyue was looking at him with a strange expression.

He didn't delve into the meaning behind that look, and simply asked a sarcastic question:

"You didn't even greet me when you saw me. Do you only have eyes for your sister-in-law?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiyue gave her brother a perfunctory greeting:

"Oh, good morning, brother. Where's my sister-in-law?"

Shen Muzhi:......