Chapter 122: Acupuncture

“Mother guessed it? This is... the Divine Oil?”

When Ying Feng took out the small bottle, Emperor Luo Xi immediately recognized it as the Divine Oil.

This Divine Oil was crafted from the essence of a rare small fish found in the Northern Sea, exceedingly precious and known for its miraculous effects on internal injuries.

“The Sovereign has only this small vial in his collection and ordered me to bring it over,” Ying Feng said with a tone of admiration.

Long Chen lay on the blanket, his body densely covered with silver needles, while Su Yourong continued the acupuncture.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I am currently unable to express my gratitude properly. Please forgive me,” Long Chen said, only able to move his mouth. From head to toe, he was covered with silver needles, looking much like a porcupine.

Emperor Luo Xi accepted the Divine Oil. “Thank you, Mother. I appreciate your effort.”

Ying Feng glanced at Long Chen once more and smiled. “Then I shall take my leave.”

Emperor Luo Xi handed the small bottle containing the Divine Oil to Su Yourong and said, “Yourong, after the acupuncture, apply this Divine Oil to his body.”

Su Yourong, fully aware of the oil’s wonders, replied, “Princess, rest assured. I know how to use it.”

Long Chen, covered in needles, made Emperor Luo Xi’s heart ache. She turned and led the others out. “Let’s go. It’s too painful to watch.”

Zhang Qian and the others also felt sorrowful and unwilling to watch, following Emperor Luo Xi out of the chamber.

Su Yourong rolled up her sleeves, knelt on the bed, and bent over to administer the needles. Long Chen lay there, his eyes able to see the hanging clothes and other things—indeed, quite large and white.

Suddenly, Long Chen felt as if he had returned to the modern world, lying in a small room in a club under soft pink lights, with a skilled female practitioner bending over him in the same way.

Once all the silver needles were inserted into the acupoints, the Ren and Du meridians, as well as the eight extraordinary meridians, were all unblocked. Long Chen felt the pain in his body gradually dissipate and his qi and blood finally flow smoothly.

“Auntie’s technique is truly excellent,” Long Chen whispered, only able to move his mouth and eyes.

Su Yourong smiled softly. “You’re too polite, Sir Steward. I dare not be called ‘Auntie’; that’s what the palace maids call me.”

Long Chen looked at Su Yourong, resembling a hanging bell, and said, “Since you are older than me, I respect my elders. Calling you ‘Auntie’ is appropriate.”

Su Yourong had heard that Long Chen was easy to get along with, and now it was indeed so.

“As long as you don’t mind, I originally was a female doctor from the Western Palace, so I know acupuncture,” she said.

“It’s about time. I will now carefully withdraw the silver needles,” Su Yourong said.

Starting from the head, she carefully pulled out the needles along the Ren and Du meridians, then the eight extraordinary meridians—not from head to toe, but focusing on the key acupoints first to prevent qi and blood from flowing backward.

After all the silver needles were removed, Su Yourong took a hot towel to wipe the blood spots on Long Chen’s body. The white towel quickly stained red.

“You must eat some meat to nourish your body. You have quite a lot of bruising this time.”

The blanket beneath was also stained red. The bleeding was indeed heavier than expected.

Jing Tianlie was truly formidable; the internal injuries were so severe.

After cleaning the blood spots, Long Chen got up. Su Yourong replaced the blanket, as the one on top was too bloodied.

She brought another blanket, and Long Chen lay down again. Su Yourong carefully took the small bottle, gently pouring out the Divine Oil, then rubbed it in her palms, warming it slowly.

“The Sovereign treats you so well. This Divine Oil is worth more than a thousand gold coins,” Su Yourong said, as a female doctor who understood the oil’s preciousness.

Long Chen lay there as Su Yourong pressed her palms onto his body, gradually massaging the oil in.

Long Chen could feel Su Yourong using internal force to stimulate the medicine’s power.

“Hiss...”

Long Chen’s face twisted in pain, his teeth grinding.

“What’s wrong, Sir?” Su Yourong hurriedly stopped.

“The injury is too severe. It hurts like needles stabbing when pressed,” Long Chen gritted his teeth.

“How could that be? The bruising has already come out,” Su Yourong said, surprised.

Long Chen said helplessly, “Forget it. Let it be. The pain from applying the oil is too intense.”

Su Yourong urged, “Please endure a moment longer. Applying the Divine Oil can smooth the flow of qi and blood, or there will be aftereffects.”

Long Chen sighed, “I must disappoint the Sovereign’s kindness. I really cannot bear this pain.”

Su Yourong held the small bottle, uncertain what to do.

“Sir, perhaps I can be gentler. Even just applying the oil on the surface can be effective.”

Long Chen shook his head. “No, it’s too painful. It feels like needles piercing deep into the heart.”

Su Yourong was completely at a loss.

“However, maybe there’s a way, though I fear it might cause you embarrassment.”

Long Chen’s face looked somewhat awkward.

Su Yourong brightened up. “What embarrassment? As long as it helps, I’ll do anything.”

Long Chen wore an apologetic expression and said awkwardly, “Pressing with hands hurts too much, but if you use a part of the body without bones, perhaps it won’t hurt.”

Su Yourong’s face stiffened, and she unconsciously glanced at her boneless parts.

“I know this is difficult. Maybe it’s better not to. Although I often bathe and sleep with the princess and Zhang Qian at night, I’m familiar with them. But I just met you, Auntie. It would be too awkward.”

“I also know that without the Divine Oil, my cultivation will decline greatly, and there will be aftereffects. But I cannot trouble you.”

Su Yourong was silent for a long time, then blushed as she said, “Sir, you are the Princess’s trusted confidant. If you suffer aftereffects, how could I rest easy?”

With that, Su Yourong turned away, taking off her outer garment. Long Chen thought she would remove everything, but she did not; her pink undergarment remained on.

Turning back, Long Chen quickly estimated the size—at least G-cup.

“Auntie, applying the oil over clothes like that probably won’t be very effective,” Long Chen said seriously.

Su Yourong’s neck flushed red as she shyly replied, “I know.”

She then slowly took out the oil and applied it herself.

Long Chen watched quietly, once again feeling as if he had returned to the modern world—lying on a Simmons mattress under pink lighting, waiting for a beauty to ask, “Handsome, want to extend your time?”

...

Emperor Luo Xi, anxious outside, rose and entered the chamber. She saw Long Chen dressing, while Su Yourong, cheeks flushed, tidied up nearby.

“Auntie, you must be tired?” Qing Yue asked with concern.

Su Yourong’s forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, and she blushed. “It was a bit tough, bending over the whole time.”

Xuan Yi nodded. “Yes, applying the Divine Oil while bending over is very tiring.”

Emperor Luo Xi asked Long Chen, “Do you feel better?”

Long Chen smiled comfortably. “Thanks to Auntie Yourong. Her medical skill is excellent. The Divine Oil was evenly applied to every part of my body. I feel completely relaxed now.”

Emperor Luo Xi breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks to Yourong. Go fetch a hundred taels of silver as a reward for her.”

Su Yourong quickly thanked her and left with the box.

“It’s good you’re alright. Your cultivation must have dropped this time. You’ll need to train to recover.”

“Qianqian, escort him back to the Qiuxing Palace to rest,” Emperor Luo Xi said with concern.

Zhang Qian helped Long Chen back to Qiuxing Palace.

After closing the door, Zhang Qian’s pretty face turned stern. “Did you try to take advantage of Auntie Yourong?”

Long Chen laughed awkwardly. “Impossible. I’m a proper eunuch.”

Zhang Qian scoffed. “Auntie Yourong’s expression was clearly off. She was trying to trick me!”

Long Chen chuckled. “What advantage? It was just treatment. Don’t say nonsense.”

Zhang Qian packed the clothes and said, “Xiang Ning’s medicinal bath is ready. Go wash up.”

Long Chen asked, “What about you? Not joining?”

Zhang Qian looked at Long Chen’s pale face. “You’re not well. Wait a few days.”

Long Chen smiled. “If you don’t come, Xiang Ning will. Get it ready for me. I’ll be leaving the palace for a while later.”

Zhang Qian asked, “Leaving the palace? For what?”