Ji Cheng was breathless from Shen Che’s passionate kisses. She felt as if he wanted to devour every inch of her, even down to her toes. There wasn’t a spot on her body he hadn’t touched.
Poor Liuye brought in warm medicine, but hearing Ji Cheng’s heavy breathing from inside, she didn’t dare enter. The medicine was nearly cold when Shen Che finally called out, “Come in.”
After Ji Cheng drank the medicine, Shen Che personally helped her rinse her mouth. “Don’t rush,” he whispered, “I’ll make sure to satisfy you completely in the future.”
Ji Cheng nearly spat out her mouthwash, choking instead and tearing up. Shen Che quickly patted her back.
Blushing, Ji Cheng pushed Shen Che away. He had only been well for a few days and was already back to his suggestive comments. But Ji Cheng wasn’t one to back down easily. Once she caught her breath, she retorted, “Are your injuries healed?”
Ji Cheng was teasing Shen Che about his inability while telling her not to rush.
Shen Che’s injuries hadn’t fully healed, but his life was no longer in danger. His body was resilient, having been trained to endure beatings since he first began learning martial arts. Without such abilities, he would never have dared to pursue the golden silverfish.
Shen Che was always worried about others. Ji Cheng had been ill and mistreated, and now he was taking care of everything. Despite his severe injuries, he still had to manage various matters. He too felt weary and longed for a place to rest, for someone to care for him tenderly.
So Shen Che placed his hand on his chest and said, “The external injuries are fine, but I’ve suffered some internal damage. Sometimes when I use my Yuan Power, it still hurts. I can only recover slowly.”
Ji Cheng knew well that Shen Che’s secret activities were dangerous and that he likely had many enemies. Hearing that he couldn’t use his Yuan Power worried her. “How long will it take to heal?”
Shen Che replied, “It’s hard to say. At least a year, I suppose. Internal injuries are the most difficult to treat.”
“Let’s not talk about that,” Shen Che changed the subject. “By the way, I forgot to ask you. You said you dreamed of me being chased by a monster, covered in blood, right?”
Ji Cheng nodded. The dream had been so vivid that it had jolted her awake from her deep sleep.
Shen Che embraced Ji Cheng and said, “Now I have to believe that we are truly destined to be husband and wife, connected in spirit. The main ingredient I sought for you was the golden silverfish. Such a treasure is guarded by monsters, specifically an enormous octopus. I never imagined you would dream of it.”
Shen Che was telling the truth. At that time, the situation had been extremely perilous. Even he wasn’t sure if he would make it back alive. But it was his concern for Ji Cheng, knowing that he had no right to give up no matter what, that had sustained him until the end.
Hearing this, Ji Cheng found it incredible. She leaned back, resting her head on Shen Che’s chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, finally feeling safe. She nuzzled against his chest, “Mm, it must have been very dangerous then. In my dream, I was scared out of my wits.”
“It’s all over now,” Shen Che stroked the top of her head.
But it wasn’t over at all. Ji Cheng suddenly realized that Shen Che seemed to be changing the subject, which made her even more worried about his injuries. “Are you sure your internal injuries are alright? The Jingshi Army’s affairs are so dangerous. If you can’t use your Yuan Power for a year, what will you do in times of real danger? Isn’t there any way to help you?”
This was exactly what Shen Che had been waiting for.
After appearing to ponder for a moment, Shen Che said, “There are some methods, but they can’t be used.”
Ji Cheng asked curiously, “Why can’t they be used? What methods?”
Shen Che leaned down and whispered a few words in Ji Cheng’s ear, only occasionally letting the phrase “dual cultivation” slip out.
Ji Cheng had seen the Yab-Yum statues worshipped by Western Regions people, depicting embracing male and female figures. Even bodhisattvas are cultivated in such a way. “Is it like Zaina’s technique?” she asked.
Ji Cheng remembered Shen Che telling her that Zaina’s secret to maintaining youth was through the practice of male-female unified cultivation.
“Back then, on the great grasslands, did Zaina help heal your injuries?” Ji Cheng finally voiced the doubts that had been lingering in her heart. She and Shen Che had only recently reconciled, and she hadn’t dared bring up this topic, fearing it might remind Shen Che of past events and make him resent her, or that hearing about it might upset her.
However, this doubt had been constantly nagging at Ji Cheng, and now that she had the opportunity, she couldn’t help but ask.
“You want to know if I practiced dual cultivation with her, right?” Shen Che didn’t give Ji Cheng any room to backtrack.
Ji Cheng, imitating Shen Che’s manner, touched her nose and gave a sweet, ingratiating smile.
Shen Che snorted coldly, “If I said no, how could I live up to all your efforts to push me towards Zaina?”
Ji Cheng touched her nose again. Look at this, he was justifying his infidelity. But in this matter, Ji Cheng truly had no right to complain. Although it bothered her immensely, she couldn’t express any grievances.
So sometimes, pretending to be foolish might not be a bad thing. She shouldn’t have been so curious, Ji Cheng thought.
They both fell into silence. Ji Cheng couldn’t muster the spirit to talk to Shen Che anymore. Although this matter would eventually pass, Ji Cheng felt she should at least be allowed to silently sulk for three days, right?
Shen Che gripped Ji Cheng’s waist and said, “You still have the nerve to be angry with me?”
Ji Cheng twisted her waist, trying to shake off Shen Che’s hand. It didn’t hurt, but tears started flowing from her eyes, and even she felt she was being overly emotional. She had forgotten that back at Saiya’s house, she had even prayed that if Zaina could truly save Shen Che, she would be willing for Shen Che to marry Zaina.
How forgetful women can be.
Shen Che lowered his head to kiss away the tears on Ji Cheng’s cheeks, saying with a hint of exasperation, “Did I owe you something in my past life, you little vixen?”
Ji Cheng cried, “Can’t I be upset for a while? Am I supposed to be happy hearing that you practiced dual cultivation with her?”
“You’ve learned to throw tantrums now, haven’t you, Acheng?” Shen Che raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Ji Cheng was so angry with Shen Che that she wanted to slap him, but she had her way of dealing with him. She raised her hand to her temple and gently rubbed it without saying a word.
Sure enough, Shen Che softened his voice and took over massaging her temples. “Is your head hurting again?”
Ji Cheng closed her eyes without speaking, only hearing Shen Che say in a conciliatory tone, “Alright, alright, I won’t upset you anymore. Nothing happened between Zaina and me, we’re completely innocent. I could never accept her. At that time, I thought it would be better to die. If I died, I wondered if you would shed a few tears for me.”
Shen Che’s words made Ji Cheng’s heartache, and her eyes welled up again. She choked out, “Don’t talk nonsense. If you had died, I wouldn’t have lived on alone.”
Shen Che kissed Ji Cheng’s forehead, hearing her say softly, “Thank goodness we’re both alright.”
“Mm.” Shen Che helped Ji Cheng lie down. “It’s late, go to sleep.”
Ji Cheng held onto Shen Che’s sleeve, not letting go. Shen Che turned back reluctantly, “I’m going to the washroom to clean up. I’ll be back soon.”
Only then did Ji Cheng release him.
When Shen Che returned, Ji Cheng pressed her face against his chest, remembering the topic they had strayed from earlier. “Oh right, if it’s dual cultivation, can’t I help you?”
Shen Che said, “You haven’t practiced Yuan Power. How could you help me?”
Ji Cheng thought for a moment and said, “Back then, I learned some breathing techniques from Nan Gui. Does that count as cultivation?”
Nan Gui’s name hadn’t been mentioned for a long time. Ji Cheng didn’t want to think about her; it inevitably reminded her of her past disgrace and betrayal of Shen Che. Shen Che, on the other hand, was angry that Nan Gui had neglected Ji Cheng, causing her so much suffering and nearly costing her life.
So they had both tacitly avoided mentioning her. Nan Gui hadn’t done anything wrong. Shen Che said, “No wonder I thought your body was in such poor condition at that time, yet you could still maintain your spirit. So you had been practicing breathing techniques.”
Shen Che no longer avoided discussing Ji Cheng’s illness. After taking the golden silverfish, Ji Cheng’s body only needed time to gradually recover, and it wouldn’t be worse than before.
Ji Cheng asked, “In such poor condition?” She hadn’t realized how bad her health had been before, but this recent serious illness had indeed damaged her vital energy. However, Ji Cheng couldn’t help but think deeply, no wonder Shen Che had been so good to her lately, rarely leaving her side. It turns out it was because she had been extremely ill.
Shen Che caressed Ji Cheng’s cheek and said, “It’s fine now. You scared me back then.”
“You’re exaggerating,” Ji Cheng giggled. She couldn’t imagine anything that could scare Shen Che.
“You ungrateful little thing,” Shen Che playfully bit Ji Cheng’s ear.
Ji Cheng let out a yelp, “Ah! Don’t change the subject again. I was talking about dual cultivation for your sake.”
Shen Che teased, “Are you that eager? Seeing you like this, I think I need to take some kidney tonics.”
Ji Cheng angrily bit Shen Che’s shoulder. “Nonsense.” But the more Shen Che tried to derail the conversation, the more anxious she became, fearing she couldn’t help him.
Finally, Shen Che, seemingly “impatient” from Ji Cheng’s persistence, explained in detail in a low voice.
“Princess Anle’s cultivation technique?” Ji Cheng hadn’t heard of such ancient history.
“Mm,” Shen Che said. “That’s truly from our ancestors, several hundred years ago.”
Ji Cheng wasn’t interested in Princess Anle. She only cared about, “If I practice this technique, will it benefit your injuries?”
“The benefits would be immense. However, it’s more beneficial for men. Although it has youth-preserving effects for you, the daily practice is extremely tedious. I can’t bear to see you suffer,” Shen Che said.
Beneficial for Shen Che and youth-preserving—this already held great appeal for Ji Cheng. But she was naturally suspicious. If this heart method had so many benefits, why had Shen Che repeatedly refused to mention it? It seemed like he was trying to lure her in. Ji Cheng yawned, “Mm, let’s talk about it later then.”
Shen Che extinguished the candle and lay holding Ji Cheng, staring at the ceiling. He couldn’t help but smile, his smile growing wider. He knew this clever little ingrate wouldn’t fall for it so easily, but he wasn’t in a hurry.
Shen Che wasn’t in a hurry, but Ji Cheng was. She had noticed Shen Che coughing up blood several times. Although he tried his best to hide it from her, she was always attentive and could detect the subtle signs.
Ji Cheng had privately asked Ma Yuantong about it. Ma Yuantong replied irritably, “Coughing up a bit of blood is getting off lightly. He should thank the Bodhisattva he didn’t die from such severe injuries.”
Ji Cheng didn’t mind Ma Yuantong’s bad temper towards her. Back on the grasslands, he had already cursed her to high heaven. Who could blame him? He was a divine doctor after all, having saved his Second Brother’s leg, as well as Shen Che and Ling Ziyun. Ji Cheng could only feel grateful to him.
In the end, Ji Cheng couldn’t hold back and asked Shen Che to teach her the heart method. Even knowing there might be a trap, Ji Cheng chose to jump in.
This is what love is like. It’s not that someone becomes foolish, but because of affection and concern, they choose to pretend to be foolish.
Princess Zhenping of the Zhongwu Marquis household didn’t make it through the eleventh lunar month, passing away just after the winter solstice. For the Princess’s funeral arrangements, Li Rui was naturally released early.