Chapter 10 - Cold Exterior, Passionate Interior
As the extremely fine silver needle entered her body, a coolness seemed to seep in.
Luo Qian Qiu gently pinched the head of the silver needle between her thumb and forefinger, carefully twisting it.
Suddenly, a sharp pain spread rapidly from her chest, and Leng Xinnan's beautiful face turned pale, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
She clenched her fists tightly, enduring the pain.
A burning sensation swept through her back, as if her spine was being ripped out.
For a moment, she felt like she was stepping into the gates of hell.
It wasn't until Luo Qian Qiu withdrew the silver needle that the pain gradually subsided. Leng Xinnan finally caught her breath, her skin glistening with sweat, adding a touch of alluring charm.
"As I thought."
Luo Qian Qiu sighed.
"Have you figured out what's wrong, Doctor Luo?"
Leng Xinnan put her dress back on, her beautiful, clear eyes filled with a glimmer of hope.
Luo Qian Qiu first cleaned the silver needle with a special medicinal solution several times and put it back in the wooden box before speaking calmly,
"The cultivation technique Lord Leng practices should be the Water element branch of the Five Elements of Tianshan, right?"
"That's correct."
Leng Xinnan's eyes lit up.
Being able to discern her cultivation technique in such a short time, this Doctor Luo was indeed quite capable.
Luo Qian Qiu said, "The Five Elements of Tianshan emphasizes the method of blood and Qi harmonization. The second quarter of the Chen hour (7:30-7:45 AM) is the optimal time for practicing this technique to regulate the Yin energy within the body. Quietly cultivate and circulate your Qi at the end of the Hai hour (9-11 PM), harmonizing the three Yin and three Yang, to ensure smooth flow.”
“However, your constitution is special, with a seductive physique and Yin essence. Cultivating the Water element has caused an excess of Yin energy within your body. Coupled with practicing at irregular times, over time, your True Essence and spiritual energy have become disordered and affected your internal organs."
"You seem to be very familiar with the cultivation techniques of my sect," Leng Xinnan said with surprise.
Luo Qian Qiu didn't answer and continued.
"When there's an excess of Yin energy in your body, it leads to an overabundance of Qi and a surge of blood. Qi stagnation and blood stasis occur, and your spiritual energy is suppressed, unable to stimulate the flow of Qi outwards. This is why you experience pain in your body. If not treated in time, it will lead to Qi deviation."
Hearing this, Leng Xinnan was stunned, her face filled with disbelief.
"It's that serious!?"
Her shock was understandable.
She had initially thought it was just a minor ailment, but she hadn't expected it to be serious enough to lead to Qi deviation.
Was it a misdiagnosis by Luo Qian Qiu, or was this truly the case?
Or... was she deliberately deceiving her?
However, Luo Qian Qiu was able to quickly identify her cultivation technique and explain it in detail with evidence, which showed that her medical skills were excellent, and the possibility of misdiagnosis was low.
Moreover, they had just met for the first time, so there was no reason for her to lie.
Luo Qian Qiu asked curiously:
"Logically speaking, this cultivation technique is not suitable for you. Even if you were to cultivate it, you should combine it with the Fire element branch of the Five Elements of Tianshan to harmonize it. Didn't your master realize this when they taught you this technique?"
"This..."
Leng Xinnan moved her lips, seemingly hesitant to speak.
After a moment of silence, she looked up and asked, "Is there a cure?"
"It's not too serious yet. We'll first harmonize your body. You must refrain from practicing your cultivation technique for three months. Once the excess Yin energy is expelled, we'll reassess the situation. Of course, it's also best not to engage in combat during this period, as it will aggravate your injuries."
Luo Qian Qiu took out a brush and inkstone, her tone gentle.
"I'll write you a prescription, to be taken for three months. In addition, your Yang energy is too strong, and your temperament is too cold. Relax and calm your mind during your free time. This will also be greatly beneficial for your future cultivation."
Hearing the words 'not too serious yet,' Leng Xinnan's worries eased.
However, seeing that Luo Qian Qiu was about to write a prescription, she hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice, somewhat embarrassed,
"Besides taking medicine, are there any other treatment methods?"
Luo Qian Qiu paused in her writing and looked at her in surprise.
Leng Xinnan forced a smile and feigned indifference.
"Just asking casually."
Luo Qian Qiu smiled gently.
She didn't expect this proud and aloof Lord Leng to be afraid of taking medicine.
She put down the brush and thought for a moment, then said softly,
"It's fine if you don't want to take medicine. There's a simpler and most effective method. Not only can it help you recover in a short time, but it can also help you break through in your cultivation."
"What method?"
Leng Xinnan asked quickly, unable to contain her surprise.
For someone who had disliked taking medicine since childhood, it was best if she didn't have to, even if it meant enduring some physical discomfort.
After all, medicine was so bitter that swallowing it was an extremely painful experience.
"Find a man."
"Huh?"
"Find a man."
Luo Qian Qiu repeated, explaining patiently.
"You have a seductive physique and Yin essence, with an excess of Yin energy. Especially since you're cultivating the Water element techniques of the Five Elements, it becomes increasingly difficult to harmonize over time. If you have a man, then—"
"Are there any other methods?"
Leng Xinnan's expression turned cold, interrupting her.
Perhaps realizing her attitude was a bit out of line, she softened her tone and said,
"I'm sorry, Doctor Luo. I won't consider the method you mentioned. If I really have to take medicine, then I'll take it."
Luo Qian Qiu seemed to have anticipated her refusal and smiled faintly.
"There's also massage and acupressure."
"That works too?"
Leng Xinnan looked at her with surprise.
Luo Qian Qiu nodded.
"Yes, but it's a bit more troublesome. You'll need to come over every other day, and I'll use external herbal applications to massage your meridians and acupoints, which can help regulate your body. Of course, if you have a female subordinate who is familiar with massage, she can also help you at home."
"I see."
Leng Xinnan lowered her thick eyelashes and considered her options.
The only female subordinates she was close to were Meng Xiao Tu and the Caiyun Caiyue sisters. Having them massage her for treatment was completely unreliable.
Especially Meng Xiao Tu.
She would probably fall asleep drooling on her while massaging.
It seemed she could only ask Luo Qian Qiu, the professional physician, for help.
Luo Qian Qiu added, "But this is only a temporary solution, not a cure. If possible, it's best to cultivate the Fire element branch of the Five Elements of Tianshan to complement your current practice and achieve the state of 'Ice and Fire Harmony.' Moreover..."
The woman paused and continued, "Moreover, when you have a husband in the future, it can also help you to have a more harmonious relationship in the bedroom."
"A husband is out of the question. I don't plan to get married in this life. I have no interest in that aspect."
It was clear that Leng Xinnan wasn't enthusiastic about matters between men and women.
Afraid that Luo Qian Qiu would bring up those matters again, Leng Xinnan quickly changed the subject.
"Doctor Luo, I heard that you moved here from Hailing Prefecture?"
"Yes."
"Why did you move all the way from there?"
Leng Xinnan was curious.
Luo Qian Qiu smiled faintly, her slender figure looking delicate and exquisite under the lamplight, her voice soft and pleasant.
"Just some personal matters."
"Personal matters?"
Leng Xinnan's occupational habit kicked in, and she subconsciously started asking,
"What personal matters?"
However, she immediately realized it was inappropriate and shifted the topic to Li Nan Ke.
"How long have you two been married?"
"We're not married yet."
"Huh?"
Leng Xinnan was stunned again.
Luo Qian Qiu smiled serenely.
"Our marriage was arranged by our elders. We haven't officially performed the wedding ceremony yet, nor have we consummated the marriage. However, we are destined to become husband and wife. So, in terms of addressing each other, we do so as such."
"Oh, I see."
Leng Xinnan was quite moved.
She thought to herself that with such a handsome and gentle husband-to-be, any other woman would be satisfied, but this one in front of her didn't seem happy.
Indeed, sometimes the human heart was the hardest to understand.
Leng Xinnan couldn't help but remind her.
"Your husband, with his fair and delicate... that type, is quite popular with young girls outside. It would be good to solidify your marriage sooner."
Luo Qian Qiu just smiled without saying a word.
Perhaps out of gratitude for the treatment, or maybe because this short meeting had inexplicably given her a good impression of Luo Qian Qiu, Leng Xinnan thought for a moment and added,
"If he continues to work at the yamen in the future, I'll help keep an eye on him."
"Men can't be watched."
Luo Qian Qiu politely declined her offer.
Leng Xinnan raised an eyebrow.
"Not necessarily. As long as I'm here, I won't let any vixen ruin your relationship."
…
Coming out of the room, Leng Xinnan saw Li Nan Ke sitting by the pond, basking in the moonlight.
The man's green robe fluttered gently, and the lines of his face were accentuated by the soft moonlight, making him look even more three-dimensional. He exuded an air of nobility and elegance.
The snow-white goose in his arms inexplicably added a touch of ethereal beauty to the scene.
"Thank you for today."
The woman came to the man's side and spoke.
If Li Nan Ke hadn't discovered the abnormality of the corpse in time, a disaster would have been unavoidable.
"It's just my job," Li Nan Ke said with a smile.
The man's casual attitude made the woman mistakenly think that he was unhappy about being overlooked, so she explained,
"I was too nervous earlier and forgot to thank you. I'll ask the magistrate to reward you for your contribution. If it's appropriate, I'll suggest that he find you a better position."
"No, being a coroner is quite good."
Li Nan Ke quickly waved his hand in refusal and then asked, "Is your health alright?"
With such a major incident happening in Dongqi County, and her still having the time to seek medical treatment, it meant her condition was quite serious.
"It's alright."
Leng Xinnan tucked the soft hair by her temples behind her ear and looked at the pond.
The two fell silent.