“The kind of thing described in the book?”

Feng Jiu’er looked utterly bewildered. The kind of thing described in the book — what kind of thing was that?

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, I don’t know…”

She had only meant to say she didn’t know what he was referring to, but those words “I don’t know” instantly threw Zhan Qingcheng’s breath into turmoil. He opened his mouth, and once again, a mouthful of fresh blood came spilling out.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle!” Feng Jiu’er was nearly frightened out of her wits. Never mind what the thing was — whatever it was, it was surely something bad.

She cried out urgently: “No! No! Absolutely not!”

Zhan Qingcheng’s breathing finally eased a little, yet he still gripped Feng Jiu’er’s hand tightly, his expression stubbornly unyielding.

“That thing — it can only be done with this Prince!”

“I know, I know — only with Ninth Imperial Uncle!” Whatever the thing was, nothing mattered more right now than his safety.

Though Jiu’er had a vague feeling she had somehow walked into a trap, there was no time to dwell on that now.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, let me administer acupuncture first. Your poison…”

To her surprise, Ninth Imperial Uncle continued to grip her hand tightly, his tone softening ever so slightly. “When?”

“Huh?” What did he mean? Feng Jiu’er couldn’t quite make sense of it.

She saw his brow furrow again, his breathing growing heavier.

Jiu’er’s heart lurched. Without thinking, she immediately said, “Anytime you like!”

“Truly?”

“Absolutely! Ninth Imperial Uncle, do you want me to swear an oath?” She gave a firm shake, and this time, finally managed to pull her hand free from his large grasp.

“Whatever the thing is, Ninth Imperial Uncle, you at least need to recover first. In this state, what can you possibly do?”

How many times had he vomited blood already? What great deeds could he accomplish like this?

Zhan Qingcheng said nothing, only staring at her without blinking.

Feng Jiu’er immediately helped him lie back down and began administering the needles, pressing on his pressure points. Her technique was extraordinary — something no physician of this era could come close to matching.

Even so, the poison within Ninth Imperial Uncle was truly formidable. The Gu Poison had been seeping through his bloodstream for far too long — it had already taken root so deeply!

This Gu worm, having lived for so many years, had previously been sealed into slumber by some skilled physician using methods unknown. But now, it faintly showed signs of wanting to revive.

Driving a silver needle into the heart meridian — in this day and age, apart from Feng Jiu’er, there were perhaps very few who would dare attempt such a thing. The act was dangerous, but it allowed her to sense the current state of the Gu worm.

None of this did Feng Jiu’er tell Zhan Qingcheng. She simply sealed his pressure points and, once his condition had stabilized somewhat, helped him sit up and lean against the headboard.

Jiu’er sat down on the bed, drew a deep breath, and began to undo her own clothing.

Zhan Qingcheng, who had still been holding onto some measure of anger, saw this and a suspicious flush rose across his otherwise pale face.

Had Jiu’er turned around at that moment, she would certainly have witnessed a side of Ninth Imperial Uncle that was entirely out of the ordinary.

This was a side that absolutely must not be seen by the young women outside. If they saw it, it would cause an uproar.

Who could withstand Ninth Imperial Uncle’s particular charm? — that air of cool aloofness laced with just a trace of guileless inexperience, and within that inexperience, a thread of commanding intensity that one simply could not ignore.

What woman, upon seeing that, could resist the urge to throw herself at him?

The man’s hand came to rest on her arm. A strangely scorching heat caused the temperature of the room to rise in an uncanny way.

“You…” Zhan Qingcheng’s gaze fell upon her gradually bared shoulder, and his throat moved instinctively. “You truly… are willing?”

Jiu’er frowned slightly, unable to work out why he had suddenly turned polite. Had he not already resorted to forcing her just moments ago? She exhaled and said, at a loss, “Willing.”