033 Jealousy
With Yuan Chongjing's assurance, the old doctor applied more pressure when inserting the needles again.
Yuan Chongjing sat on the stone bench, closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and endured the pain. The pain gradually spread from the needle marks, gradually intensifying, and finally pierced the depths of his mind with an unstoppable force.
Like his first acupuncture session, sweat gradually seeped from his forehead, condensing into drops that flowed down from his temples.
The old doctor hesitated, saying, "Young master, perhaps you should give up. You've been going on for days, and there aren't many days left."
Yuan Chongjing bit his lip and waited for the pain to subside before saying, "No need, I can bear it. Please insert the needle."
Since he had already said that, the doctor stopped trying to persuade him and continued to insert needles using acupuncture techniques.
After a while, the pain becomes unbearable. When the acupuncture needles were inserted, he still hadn't reacted, but the old doctor was covered in sweat: "I can't take it anymore, I really can't deny getting old. Xiao Han, come and help me rest."
Xiao Han quickly helped him sit down: "Old Yue, you're not old at all. I could study your acupuncture technique for a hundred years and still not learn even a fraction of it."
Old Yue stroked his white beard and laughed heartily. Seeing that Yuan Chongjing was still sitting calmly, he said, "Come on, while I'm in a good mood today, I'll give you a few more pointers."
Seeing that Yuan Chongjing had nothing else to say, Xiao Han helped Yue Lao to his feet and said, "That would truly be my honor."
The two walked away chatting and laughing, while Yuan Chongjing remained immersed in his own world of resisting pain, completely unaware. It wasn't until he adjusted his breathing that his hearing and sense of touch returned somewhat. The pavilion was drafty, and the continuous autumn wind did nothing to ease the sweat on his face; instead, it plunged his entire body into a state of alternating heat and cold.
He didn't know how much time had passed when he felt the touch of gauze on his face, along with a faint fragrance.
It must be Li Yang who has returned.
Yuan Chongjing turned his head away from her hand, complaining irritably, "You still know how to come back!"
No one answered.
Yuan Chongjing opened his eyes in confusion, only to see that the person who came was not Li Yang, but Xu Biyun dressed in plain clothes.
She wore a light-colored dress, her hair styled in a simple updo adorned with white silk flowers. Her small face, no bigger than a palm, was framed by eyes brimming with tears, a look that seemed to hold both resentment and affection, making her appear even more delicate and vulnerable, pitiful and endearing, evoking a sense of tenderness in one's heart.
"Young Master Yuan~" Xu Biyun called softly when she saw him open his eyes.
Accustomed to Li Yang's boldness and straightforwardness, Yuan Chongjing was startled to hear her speak so softly, feeling a chill run down his spine. With his head full of silver needles, he stood up in fright and backed away repeatedly.
Seeing this, Xu Biyun reached out to help him, but Yuan Chongjing stopped her, saying, "No need, no need, I'm fine."
“Young Master Yuan.” Xu Biyun timidly withdrew her hand, glanced at him, and then quickly lowered her head: “I came to thank you. I am very grateful to Young Master Yuan for saving my life yesterday. If there is anything I need, Biyun is willing to serve you like a slave, without hesitation.”
Yuan Chongjing refused without hesitation, saying, "Don't worry about it. We were classmates after all. Anyone would help if they were in this situation."
“No. I…” As if gathering her courage, Xu Biyun bit her lip and said, “I know you are special. Young Master Yuan, do you know why I married Yan Zhi?”
The affection in her eyes seemed to find an outlet, bursting forth in an instant, rushing towards him: "I was forced into this situation by my family. Back then, you went to Chenzhou without a second thought, without leaving me a single word. My parents also accepted money from the Duke's mansion, forcing me to marry Yanzhi. These past few years of being treated coldly by others have gradually worn away my hope for life. I was thinking of just letting things be, of dying an ordinary death. But just when I was in despair, you came back."
Hearing her heartfelt sobs, Yuan Chongjing's eyes flickered slightly.
"Young Master Yuan, please save me! If we stay in the Duke's mansion any longer, Song'er and I will die. Please, for the sake of our childhood friendship, give Song'er and me a way out. I'll give you anything you want in this life." Xu Biyun looked at him pleadingly, as if she had grasped at a straw.
Yuan Chongjing asked with pity, "How can I help you?"
Xu Biyun was overjoyed and said urgently, "I want to ask to be divorced. My parents and the people from the Duke's mansion will definitely make things difficult for me then. Young Master Yuan, can you help me?"
After a day and night of reflection, Yuan Chongjing had lost the fervor of yesterday. He pondered for a moment and said, "At this time, the Duke's Mansion and the Xu family are involved, so we cannot act rashly. Let me think about it."
Unable to persuade him, Xu Biyun felt a pang of disappointment. However, she quickly changed her tone, saying understandingly, "I know you have a family now, and you and Li Yang have a harmonious relationship. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to get involved with a widow like me, who is surrounded by rumors. I'm already very grateful for your help yesterday. Well, our statuses are different now, so I'll be going now."
"Don't!" Looking at her thin and frail figure, as if a gust of wind could blow her away, Yuan Chongjing reached out to pull her, but paused in mid-air and stopped. "Biyun, I will find a way. You and Song'er stay here for the next few days. I will talk to the divine doctor."
"Really?" Xu Biyun looked up in surprise, her eyes brimming with tears, her emotions seemingly about to burst forth. She opened her mouth to speak, but then she heard Xiao Taozi's shrill laughter again, so Xu Biyun quickly composed herself: "They're back. I'm not ready to see Li Yang yet, so I'll be going now."
Yuan Chongjing hummed in agreement and stood there watching her turn and leave.
When Xu Biyun reached the artificial hill opposite the pavilion, she stopped and looked back. She saw Yuan Chongjing still staring blankly in the direction she had left. She felt a mix of pride and guilt. The Duke's mansion was pressuring her, and they were using Song'er as leverage. No one from her parents' side was willing to help her. She was isolated and helpless. For the sake of Yan Zhi and Song'er, she couldn't care less about anyone else.
***
This place was one of Song Xi's private residences in Kyoto. Because the scenery in the courtyard suited his taste, he came here several times as a place to rest. As a result, some of his personal belongings were moved here by the servants.
Later, when Song Xi became too lazy to move around, he would bring along the consultation fees and gifts from his patients and their families when he went out to see patients again as a miracle doctor.
Over the years, the precious items he had deliberately kept filled the entire room.
Seeing that Xiao Taozi liked the sparkly decorations on his clothes, Song Xi carried her directly into the room: "Go on, Xiao Taozi, see what you like in here, Uncle Song will give it to you."
The various pearl and jade pendants on the wooden shelf shimmered in the sunlight. Little Peach exclaimed in surprise, jumped off him, and excitedly ran around the room, determined to see all the treasures in the room.
Seeing her casually pick up a jade pendant and shake it, Li Yang worriedly reminded her, "Be careful, Little Peach. These are all Uncle Song's treasures. Don't break them."
"It's nothing, just some material possessions," Song Xi said nonchalantly.
Li Yang stared at Xiao Taozi, and after a long while, not hearing Song Xi's words, she turned to look at him and found him intently watching her. Li Yang smiled, "How did your plea to him go?"
Song Xi's smile froze for a moment. He had originally wanted to explain to her, but he didn't know how to begin.
“I asked around. His mother came from Chenzhou to seek refuge with him, but she was captured by a group of men in black. They threatened Qiuqiu to lure you out and also to deliberately sabotage your relationship with Yuan Chongjing. That’s all he knows. Yangyang, I know Qiuqiu. Although he is a bit selfish, he’s not a bad person.”
Li Yang had thought of this before, so he wasn't too surprised to hear it: "It's okay, I'll find out about those things sooner or later anyway."
She was referring to the incident where Yuan Chongjing caused a scene at the Duke of Luo's mansion in public for Xu Biyun and Luo Song. Seeing that she didn't seem to be faking it, Song Xi asked, "Yesterday you said your relationship with Yuan Chongjing was fake, so what about Xiao Taozi?"
Li Yang looked at Xiao Taozi with loving and doting eyes: "I don't know, Brother Jing brought her from somewhere else. But it doesn't matter anymore, now Xiao Taozi treats me like her mother, and I treat her like my own daughter."
Song Xi looked at her and asked, "So what are you planning to do next?" According to the plan, Yuan Chongjing will soon regain his memory. When that time comes, the relationship between the two of them will certainly never be the same again.
This was also what Li Yang was worried about. She shook her head: "I don't know, let's wait until Brother Jing regains his memory."
Little Peach pulled out a box of gemstone rings from somewhere and started putting them on her chubby fingers one by one. Song Xi smiled at her and said as if to assure her, "Yangyang, no matter what happens in the future, you can come to me. This mansion will always be open to you."
"Thank you, Young Master Song," Li Yang said sincerely.
Song Xi said, "I already told you before, there's no need to be so polite with me. You're a close friend that I've finally met."
Li Yang nodded in agreement: "It is my honor to have a close friend like the Divine Doctor."
The two smiled at each other. Little Peach finally covered all ten of her fingers with rings, and toddled towards them, raising her hand and asking Li Yang, "Mother, look, isn't it pretty?"
Li Yang squatted down and helped her up: "Beautiful, our little peach is the most beautiful."
Little Peach smiled smugly, stood in her arms, and showed off to Song Xi, "Uncle Song, isn't Little Peach pretty?"
Song Xi said, "It looks good. Little Peach, don't call me Uncle Song anymore."
"What should it be called?"
Song Xi tilted her head like her and said, "Call me Sixth Uncle. That way, Sixth Uncle and Little Peach will be very, very good friends. Would Little Peach like to be Sixth Uncle's good friend?"
Little Peach nodded emphatically: "Sixth Uncle has lots of sparkly rings here, Little Peach is willing!"
"Little money-grubber!" Song Xi tapped her nose and said with a smile.
Li Yang, standing beside him, was somewhat surprised: "Young Master Song?"
Song Xi knew her concerns and explained, "It's alright, no one else knows anyway. Yangyang, just let me be myself in front of you."
He played the Sixth Princess for twenty-four years, and now someone finally knows his secret. In front of her, he has no desire to continue acting at all.
Li Yang nodded: "Okay. Little Peach, how about calling me Sixth Uncle?"
Little Peach bounced twice in her arms, calling out, "Sixth Uncle, Sixth Uncle~"
Song Xi's eyes stung with tears, but he held them back and reached out to pat Xiao Taozi's head: "Xiao Taozi is such a good girl."
Little Peach held up her finger, revealing a gemstone ring: "Sixth Uncle, are these all for Little Peach?"
"Of course, whatever Little Peach likes, Uncle Liu will give it to you."
"Yay~ Thank you, Uncle Six! Little Peach likes you the most~"
Song Xi was completely captivated by Xiao Taozi's sweet words. When the three of them came out of the room again, Xiao Taozi was not only wearing rings on all ten fingers, but also had many jade and pearl necklaces around her neck.
Little Peach looked at herself covered in sparkly things and smiled so hard her eyes narrowed: "Mother, come quick, I want to show Father!"
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