One cut after another, though it seemed that only half an incense stick had not burned, Xin He felt as if she had been tortured for an entire year.
Finally, the Imperial Physician put away his knife, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "Alright, I’ll re-bandage Lord Mu, and it’ll be fine as long as the dressing is changed on time." As he spoke, he had already begun taking care of the wound with swift and efficient movements.
Xin He felt like a weight had been lifted off her heart. She was so drained, she could hardly muster any energy, "Thank you, Imperial Physician."
"It’s nothing, it falls within my duties. I’ll go and tell the others to prepare the medicine. The dressing on his wounds needs to be changed morning and night. Remember not to move too much, or the wound will open again." He advised before leaving with his medical box.
The others in the room, who had been attending to them, tactfully withdrew, leaving only Xin He and Marquis Mu in the large room.
"Are you still hurting? Do you want to drink some water?" Xin He asked, her eyes were visibly red though she held back her tears. Her voice was hoarse, making her speak sound distressed.
Marquis Mu lay on the bed, practically depleted, but he managed to lift his hand and touched her face. His voice was soft, almost a whisper, and seemed to be infused with laughter, "Are you going to cry? Like a little kid? Are you scared just because of this small wound? You used to always show off in front of me."
Xin He turned her head away in irritation, her eyes growing even redder, "I didn’t."
Seeing her like this, Marquis Mu felt a pang, "Don’t cry, I’m not in pain anymore."
Hearing his words, the tears that had been lingering in Xin He’s eyes couldn’t be held back anymore. They rolled down in distinct droplets, wetting her pale little face. She glared at him angrily, "Where are you not hurting? You promised me previously not to lie anymore, yet here you are, lying again! I don’t believe you!"
Her tone was juvenile, but at that moment, she didn’t care about appearing mature. The moment he collapsed, her heart nearly stopped. She was so afraid he was going to die.
Regret filled Xin He. She regretted the time she spent being angry at him, and trying to push him away. Only when it seemed that she was about to lose him did she realize how foolish she had been. He was like a poison that had deeply seeped into her marrow – how could she ever be free of him?
Xin He crouched beside the bed and started to sob. She was not even sure why she was crying. She had held back her tears all this time because she knew they wouldn’t solve any problems. She had to find a doctor, to ascertain his survival, to see his wound cleaned. She had so many tasks to accomplish. She knew that crying was a waste of time.
Yet, when the danger had passed and his life was out of immediate peril, she collapsed at his light compulsion: "Don’t cry."
It was as if she was intent on shedding all the tears she had swallowed.
Marquis Mu watched her and his heart ached. He had almost never seen her cry. This little woman had a stubborn streak to her, wanting to bear all her burdens alone. The only time she cried was when he found her in the Capital City, where she was both angry and feeling wronged. The sight of her tears then had quelled his rage.
Since then, he had made a secret vow to himself never to make her shed a tear or feel wronged, because just seeing her even slightly upset felt like a stab to his heart.
However, he made her cry again. Marquis Mu hurriedly tried to comfort her, "Stop crying, Xin He, Xin He."
Yet, her crying only intensified, resembling a willful child, who cried even harder when fussed over by an adult.
Marquis Mu sighed in exasperation. He had no experience in comforting people, and at this moment, he was clueless about what to say. The last time she cried so intensely, she immediately stopped when he said he would give her some space. What should he say this time?
He told her his wound was minor, yet she cried even harder.
Marquis Mu couldn’t help laughing ruefully. He increasingly had no idea how to deal with this little woman.
"Xin He, you’re my greatest nemesis. You always leave me at a loss." said Marquis Mu in a soft voice, sighing.
Xin He looked up, her face was now a tear-streaked mess. She looked like a tearful kitten, her face smeared with tears. Yet, her lips twitched in a small smile, "Do you regret meeting me?"
Marquis Mu laughed and raised his hand to wipe her dirty face, "No, I willingly fell into your hands."
What he regretted was not meeting her sooner. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had to spend his previous years in lonely bitterness. Having met her, he gradually found a meaning to live.
Xin He’s face flushed slightly, and she awkwardly avoided his gaze. This man always appeared cold, but when he spoke romantic words, he was utterly serious. Unfortunately, she fell for it every time.
"Then, you should rest well. I’ll be leaving now." As Xin He prepared to stand up, Marquis Mu gripped her hand, "Stay with me a little longer."
Whether it was due to the severe injuries or other reasons, he didn’t have his usual sharp aura, instead radiating a sense of warmth. As he held her hand and uttered those words, his eyes even seemed somewhat pitiful.
Xin He stared, What expression is this man wearing?!
She suddenly realized that he was increasingly becoming adept at manipulating her. He knew that she didn’t like forcefulness, so he was being gentle. Now he was even pretending to be pathetic!
Xin He felt that she shouldn’t spoil him too much. Otherwise, she would end up completely under his control. As she struggled, she said, "It’s so late. A moment ago, someone from the house of Le Yuanhou asked me when I would be returning. It’s not proper for an unmarried girl like me to spend the night here!"
"What’s there to fear? I’m going to marry you anyway," Marquis Mu said, regretting not taking the chance to marry her earlier. Then he wouldn’t have had to spend every day alone, watching her being fawned over by other men.
Xin He glared at him, "Did I agree to it?"
While speaking, Xin He tried to pry his hand off and leave.
Just then, Marquis Mu let out a hiss of pain and furrowed his brow.
Xin He’s heart constricted. She quickly sat down, "What’s wrong? Is your wound hurting?"
Marquis Mu nodded slightly, "It hurts."
Then, he gave her a deep look and asked, "Will you stay with me a little longer?"
Xin He was seriously suspecting that this man was pretending to be in pain!
He had just endured the painful process of surgery without a peep, but now he was whimpering like a delicate maiden! Did he take her for a gullible fool?!
While grinding her teeth together, Xin He continued to stay still, "Fine..."
Marquis Mu’s lips curved into a subtle smile. Even though she was hard to deceive, she was soft-hearted.
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