Zi Xi seemed not to see his reaction, or rather, she didn't care at all.

She stated her conditions, her voice remaining calm.

This marriage to bring good luck was originally an equal exchange.

Freedom and the life of a mother.

That's why she agreed to marry a madman to bring him good luck.

A very soft chuckle came from the shadows.

The laughter was full of disdain and mockery, as well as an "I knew it" tone.

"You? A woman who learned some unorthodox methods from who-knows-where and was sent by the Su family to bring good luck? You think you can cure me?"

"Do you think you can cure madness that even Western doctors and famous doctors in the capital can't cure with a simple silver needle?"

Lu Qianhan leaned back in his chair, his voice filled with undisguised contempt.

His questioning is reasonable.

A young woman of unknown origin, spouting wild claims that she can cure his incurable disease, would seem like a pipe dream or something more sinister to anyone.

Despite his sneer and skepticism, Zi Xi remained completely unmoved.

"Because I can make you fall asleep."

Zi Xi did not try to prove her medical skills; she simply looked at him in the shadows and said the simplest words.

One sentence plunged the study into a deathly silence.

In the shadows, Lu Qianhan's body froze.

In those deep eyes, there was a sense of embarrassment at having one's soft spot exposed, as well as an uncontrollable longing for a normal night's sleep.

Last night's brief but deep, dreamless sleep was a long-awaited and extremely luxurious experience for him amidst this long and endless torment.

And that sachet hanging on the window frame, its faint fragrance was like a lifeline, appearing within his reach just as he was about to drown.

And this woman clearly grasped this point precisely.

The key point is that she wasn't showing off, but stating a fact he couldn't deny.

When all the doctors diagnosed him as insane and out of control, even the strongest sedatives had little effect or even had the opposite effect.

She brought him peace with just a needle and a small sachet.

This ability itself is a valuable asset that cannot be ignored.

But Lu Qianhan has never liked being threatened.

But it's also quite interesting.

This was the first time since he became an adult that someone had dared to threaten him to his face.

Time slipped away silently, little by little.

Zi Xi stood still, enduring the increasingly complex and sharp scrutiny cast from the shadows.

She neither urged him nor showed any unease; she simply waited quietly.

After an unknown amount of time, a very soft sigh finally came from the shadows.

Then, a peculiar smile slowly curved the corners of Lu Qianhan's lips.

The previous sneer and contempt were gone from that arc; in its place was a coldness tinged with interest and a sense of inquiry.

His gaze, like that of a beast that has spotted some interesting prey, was fixed firmly on Zi Xi.

"Yes, your suggestion is excellent."

"I'll only give you four months."

"If my condition improves in any way within four months... I can... consider your terms."

Lu Qianhan's deep voice rang out again.

He leaned forward, half of his face was exposed to the light again, and the amused curve of his face became even clearer.

"But if you're just being deliberately mysterious, or have ulterior motives..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the unspoken threat carried more weight than any direct words.

Four months is enough.