After hearing Yan Xinmeng’s words, Wu Yangfeng was certain that he hadn’t misidentified the legendary Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill. He exchanged looks with Shang Bieye and Duan Shiyun.
Seeing Wu Yangfeng’s gaze, Duan Shiyun sincerely said to Yan Xinmeng, “Madam Shang, I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?” Yan Xinmeng inquired.
“I know this pill is precious, but to save our big brother’s life, could you please give us this Soul Returning Pill to detoxify him?” Duan Shiyun pleaded.
“I…” Yan Xinmeng hesitated.
With a thud, Duan Shiyun knelt on one knee. “Madam Shang, if big brother can be saved, anything you need in the future, just say the word, and I will do it even if it costs me my life.”
“Second Master, don’t do this. Big Brother, Brother Wu, please help him up!” Yan Xinmeng exclaimed.
The two were unprepared for Duan Shiyun’s action and were deeply moved by his loyalty to Nie Kuang, momentarily forgetting to help him up until Yan Xinmeng reminded them.
“Second Master, get up first, I haven’t said I wouldn’t save him,” Shang Bieye quickly helped Duan Shiyun to his feet.
“Right, I didn’t say I wouldn’t save him, you don’t need to be so agitated. Plus, I’m not stingy. If that black pill can really save someone, let it do its job. I have no use for it anyway,” Yan Xinmeng said with a smile.
Wu Yangfeng took the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill from Shang Bieye and placed it in Nie Kuang’s mouth. Moments later, Nie Kuang’s breathing suddenly became rapid, his body curled up, trembling incessantly.
“How could this be?” Duan Shiyun exclaimed in shock.
Shang Bieye and the others were also taken aback by the unexpected reaction.
“Could it be that the medicine is fake?” Duan Shiyun widened his eyes.
Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, Yan Xinmeng rushed to Nie Kuang’s side, using all her strength to pin him down. “Big Brother, Second Master, quickly hold down the boss’s hands and feet, and stuff some soft cloth into his mouth, hurry!” Yan Xinmeng shouted.
Hearing her words, the two hurried over and did as instructed.
“Brother Wu, use acupuncture to treat him as if he’s having a seizure, target the points that would prevent muscle spasms,” Yan Xinmeng commanded Wu Yangfeng.
Wu Yangfeng quickly spread out his needle pouch, took out gold needles, and inserted them into several acupoints on Nie Kuang. As soon as the needles went in, Nie Kuang stopped trembling, his breathing stabilized, and his complexion slowly returned to normal from the dark hue it had turned.
Seeing Nie Kuang recover, Yan Xinmeng suddenly felt weak and collapsed. Shang Bieye, seeing her fall, rushed over. “Xinmeng, what’s wrong?”
Yan Xinmeng shook her head with a smile. “Nothing, just exhausted from using too much energy.”
Relieved to see she was fine, Shang Bieye lifted her up into his arms. “Let me take you back to your room.”
Holding Yan Xinmeng, Shang Bieye turned to Duan Shiyun and Wu Yangfeng, “The boss should be fine now. I’ll take Xinmeng back to rest first.”
“Yes, please take Madam Shang back to rest. We can talk later!” Seeing how Shang Bieye cherished Yan Xinmeng, Duan Shiyun grinned, while Wu Yangfeng stifled a laugh with interest.
Yan Xinmeng, embarrassed by their expressions, couldn’t say a word. After Shang Bieye brought her back to her room and sat her down, he asked, “Xinmeng, are you really okay?”
“Big Brother, I’m really fine,” Yan Xinmeng assured him, shaking her limbs to prove her strength.
Shang Bieye looked at her affectionately, knowing he too would have been exhausted if he hadn’t used his internal energy to resist Nie Kuang’s strength.
“By the way, Big Brother, can I wash off this black ointment from my face? It’s so sticky after all this commotion,” Yan Xinmeng asked shyly.
“Go ahead, I’ll keep watch outside,” Shang Bieye nodded with a smile.
Excited at the prospect of washing off the sticky ointment, Yan Xinmeng hopped into the inner room. This girl, even at her age, still acts like a child, Shang Bieye chuckled to himself.
Soon, the sound of water splashing could be heard from the inner room, accompanied by Yan Xinmeng’s singing. Shang Bieye went to the outer hall, casually picking up a book to read.
After a while, the water stopped, and so did the singing. Knowing she had finished bathing, Shang Bieye entered to remind her to reapply the ointment before going out. Upon entering, he was greeted by the sight of a stunning beauty, fresh from the bath, standing by the bed.
Shang Bieye’s breath caught as he stared at her. Her delicate eyebrows, deep eyes that seemed to pull one in, rosy lips that needed no adornment, a straight nose, and skin so fine it seemed it could be broken by a puff of air, all made him want to take a bite.
He knew she was beautiful when he first saw her without the dogskin plaster, but now, after her bath, her beauty was enhanced a hundredfold. Her graceful figure, her enchanting smile, all could captivate one’s soul. Shang Bieye’s heart raced.
“Big Brother, why are you looking at me like that?” Yan Xinmeng asked, lowering her head in embarrassment.
Shang Bieye didn’t speak, just walked over to her side.
“Big Brother…”
“Shh, don’t talk,” Shang Bieye hushed her, gently touching her lips before leaning down to taste her sweet, inviting mouth.
“Mmm…” Yan Xinmeng moaned.
Shang Bieye looked up into her dazed eyes, his desire deepening. He lifted her gently onto the bed, his gaze full of love. Feeling his tender gaze, Yan Xinmeng softly asked, “Big Brother, can I truly be your bride?”
Shang Bieye gazed at her deeply and asked, “Are you sure?”
Yan Xinmeng shyly nodded.
