However, Xue Shen was a devout believer in Buddhism, Taoism, gods, and ghosts. Even if she didn't believe, she couldn't show it, so she had to suppress her fatigue and force herself to keep watching.
Just as they were struggling against exhaustion and drowsiness, they suddenly saw Master Huodong put away his peach wood sword and walk over, performing a Taoist bow: "Please, Your Highness and Your Highness, cleanse yourselves and change your clothes."
Shen Youying was unaware that she was involved and looked at Xue Shen blankly.
Xue Shen patted her hand reassuringly and said, "Come with me. I'll have to trouble you again tonight, Your Highness."
Completely bewildered, Shen Youying followed him to the inner room for changing clothes. A maid brought her a Taoist robe for women, helped her put it on, and removed her hairpins and other jewelry, letting her long hair down.
Shen Youying had never worn a Taoist robe before, and she tugged at the large robe on her body with some unease. She walked around the screen, her gaze repeatedly falling on Xue Shen, who was sitting cross-legged on the carpet.
Sensing her unease, Xue Shen patted the seat next to him, gesturing for her to come and sit down.
Shen Youying had no choice but to sit cross-legged like him, and tugged at the hem of her Taoist robe, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
"The Fire Cave Immortal will exorcise evil spirits and pray for blessings for us later," Xue Shen explained to her. "The blessing ceremony requires us to change into Taoist robes, wear exorcism masks, and dance the blessing dance. The blessing dance was originally supposed to be a duet between my husband and me, but since my legs are weak, I can only trouble the Princess Consort. It doesn't matter if you don't know how to dance the blessing dance; just follow the Immortal's instructions step by step."
Shen Youying never expected to have to dance in front of so many people, and her expression became increasingly strange.
She hesitated several times before speaking, but remembering the unpredictable temper of the King of Qin, she held back.
Compared to angering the King of Qin, this is not such a big deal.
Xue Shen noticed her shifty eyes and asked, "Does Your Highness not believe in this doctrine?"
Shen Youying considered for a moment and shook her head: "I'm just a little nervous because I've never seen a scene like this before."
"We'll see each other again after today." Xue Shen chuckled, showing no sign of anger. Instead, he lowered his voice and said to her, "Do you know why I firmly believe in this path?"
Shen Youying shook her head and said she didn't know.
Xue Shen patted his numb legs, his tone becoming somewhat gloomy and low: "Others only know that I fell from my horse and crippled my legs, but they don't know that I also injured my internal organs at the same time. Although my father and mother sought out renowned doctors to save my life, this broken body is difficult to heal. Since then, I have been very weak, and whenever I fall ill, I cough up blood incessantly. My crippled legs are also in unbearable pain, like needles pricking and insects crawling."
"Have you ever experienced being pricked by a needle?" Xue Shen turned to look at her.
Shen Youying nodded, not daring to meet his gaze, and said softly, "When I was learning embroidery as a child, I pricked my fingers many times."
Xue Shen chuckled softly: "When my illness flares up, the pain is excruciating, worse than having a thousand needles repeatedly pricking your fingers."
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