After flirting with the aloof prince, the concubine ran away pregnant.

Tao Yao's gaze was fixed on that spot, her jealousy almost overflowing.

She withdrew her hand, the handkerchief clenching between her fingers for a moment, then curled the corners of her lips into a smile, her tone carrying a hint of criticism:

"My back and legs have been aching terribly these past few days. The old women in the manor are too rough, and the maids don't know their own strength. I've heard that Sister Afu is very skillful; the young master even praised you a few days ago."

"In that case, why don't you give me a massage and let me see what kind of skill you have?"

It's impressive that she came up with such a foolproof way to torment her.

Afu glanced at the sky; the sun was already setting. This woman was always cunning and ruthless, never giving up until she achieved her goal. Before, when she served Xie Xun closely, she was able to use her position to intimidate him.

Now, on the eve of leaving the manor, she didn't want to cause any trouble and only hoped to get through tomorrow morning peacefully.

"Miss Taoyao flatters me; these are just some basic skills."

Tao Yao sat back down in the chair next to the narrow table, leaned back arrogantly, crossed her legs, and stared at her without saying a word.

Afu stood there and waited for a moment. Taoyao showed no intention of moving to another place, nor did she intend to sit on the couch.

She wanted to make Afu crouch on the hard brick floor and serve her at the narrow table.

If you're going to massage someone's legs, Afu either has to squat or kneel.

Afu sneered inwardly, said nothing more, and after a moment's thought, half-squatted down in front of her.

.

Sean-in, main house.

Changsong was standing under the porch when he suddenly heard a muffled thud from inside the house. He pushed the door open and went in. Xie Xun was leaning against the table, his hand pressed against his lips, and a dark red blood seeped out between his fingers.

"Young Master!" Changsong rushed over in three steps.

Xie Xun's face was frighteningly pale, but the corners of his eyes were burning with an unnatural red.

"Quickly, fetch a doctor!" Changsong shouted to the servant outside the door.

Doctor Lu arrived quickly. He took Xie Xun's pulse, his brows furrowing more and more. After a while, he released his grip, his expression grave.

"Young Master, the effects of the medicine in your body... have not been completely neutralized."

Xie Xun kept his eyes closed and didn't say anything.

Doctor Lu said carefully, "The Corrosive Incense is inherently potent, and ordinary antidotes cannot suppress it. Although the young master had some relief last night, it only suppressed most of it. The remaining poison has accumulated in his blood and essence, and has instead become even more deeply dormant."

"How long will it take to clean?" Changsong asked anxiously.

Doctor Lu wiped the sweat from his brow: "It will take anywhere from three to seven days. The young master will have recurring attacks during these days, each one more severe than the last. If it's not addressed promptly—"

He paused, then said, "If I may be so bold, Your Highness must continue to practice the Yin-Yang balancing method for at least three more days, supplemented with a calming and heat-reducing herbal decoction, in order to possibly eliminate the remaining poison."

Xie Xun looked up. "What did you say?"

Doctor Lu broke out in a cold sweat from that look, and forced himself to repeat, "...the method of harmonizing Yin and Yang."

Changsong stood aside, listening, and felt a sense of relief; thankfully, Miss Afu hadn't left yet.

If Afu is sent out of the manor by the young master today, he will have no one to get close to him. What will happen if he lashes out?

He thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Sir, Miss Afu's indenture hasn't been cancelled yet. Should we... let her stay a few more days? It won't be too late to let her go once you've fully recovered."

"Put the indenture away for now," Xie Xun said, his voice low and husky. "Have her serve in the side hall for the next few days, without informing anyone else."

Changsong responded and turned to head towards Afu's residence.

.

Inside the side room, Afu, who was currently dealing with Taoyao, was completely unaware that she would not be able to leave the mansion tomorrow.

She rolled up her sleeves, rubbed her hands together to warm them, and placed her fingertips on Tao Yao's calves.

Tao Yao hissed as soon as she pressed down.

"Why are you straining so much!" Tao Yao frowned.

Afu raised her head, her expression innocent and earnest: "Miss Taoyao, I pressed Zusanli. The soreness and distension are normal, which means that the cold is being expelled. Just bear with it and it will be fine."

Tao Yao frowned and stared at her, her eyes filled with doubt. For a moment, she couldn't tell whether the other party was playing tricks or was really giving her a serious massage.

She contracted a cold-related illness from saving the prince when she was young. Although the doctor said she had recovered well after all these years of recuperation, her body still had accumulated coldness.

Afu pretended not to see the doubt on her face, and moved her fingertip up half an inch to press on another acupoint.

For people with cold constitutions, pressing the Sanyinjiao acupoint is always effective, and she wasn't wrong about it.

Afu lowered her eyes and gently pressed with her fingertips: "This is the Sanyinjiao point, where the three Yin meridians of the liver, spleen, and kidney meet. Women often experience coldness and deficiency of Qi and blood, so this area is sore when pressed. I've already been very gentle."

As she spoke, she applied slight pressure with her fingertips, pressing the fingertips in half a step deeper.

Tao Yao let out an "Ah!" and suddenly pulled her leg back, her toe kicking Afu's shoulder.

Afu was already half-squatting, and her center of gravity was unstable. When she was kicked, she leaned back and her elbow hit the brick ground behind her, letting out a muffled groan.

Tao Yao was stunned for a moment, then sat up straight, her tone becoming angry: "What are you pressing! It hurts so much! I think you're just trying to get revenge."

Afu slowly sat up, supporting herself on the ground. Her elbows were scraped and burned.

She said calmly, "Please calm down, Miss Taoyao. The Sanyinjiao point is very sensitive, and people with cold constitutions are especially afraid of pain."

"Alright, alright!" Tao Yao pulled her leg back, her face very unpleasant. "I'm not pressing anymore. You're clearly just trying to torment me..."

Before she could finish speaking, footsteps came from the courtyard gate.

Changsong stood at the door, his gaze sweeping over the scene inside the house, and he paused slightly.

Afu sat on the ground, her clothes covered in dust, her hair disheveled, and a scrape on her elbow from which blood was seeping.

Tao Yao looked a little flustered and spoke first: "Chang Song, you've come at the right time. A Fu can't even massage a leg properly. She tripped and fell, and acted like she had suffered some great injustice."

Changsong didn't reply immediately. He first bowed to Taoyao and said, "Miss Taoyao, the young master has summoned Afu. If you have no other instructions, I will take her there first."

For Changsong to say this was already giving her enough face, considering that he was secretly ordering her around and making things difficult for the prince's personal attendants.

Seeing that Changsong didn't directly answer her question, Taoyao said awkwardly, "I don't have any instructions."

Changsong cupped his hands in greeting to her again, then turned to Afu and said, "Miss Afu, please come with me."

Afu tidied her disheveled hair, gave Taoyao a slight curtsy, and followed Changsong out of the side room.

Although she didn't know what Xie wanted from her, she really didn't want to be tormented by Tao Yao anymore.

After Afu left, Taoyao sat in a chair clutching a handkerchief, her face looking rather unpleasant.

At this hour, the Crown Prince summoned Afu to the main room.