Chapter 46: A Frustrating Night

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Chapter 46: A Frustrating Night

“Hey, wake up, wake up!” Ye Tian felt someone shaking him, and slowly opened his eyes, only to be greeted by a pair of towering peaks. “Oh, you’re awake,” said the owner of those peaks, lowering her head so that Ye Tian could barely make out half of her face. “Are you alright?”

“If you’d left me lying there any longer, I don’t think I would be,” Ye Tian replied in a flustered tone. “What’s wrong?” Li Ji asked, puzzled. “Sister, I’m a perfectly normal man—what do you think is wrong?” Ye Tian covered his face helplessly, not daring to look at those two mounds again for fear of losing too much blood from his nose.

“What do you mean?” Li Ji still didn’t understand. Ye Tian pointed at her clothes and said, “I saw everything.” Li Ji glanced down at her attire, suddenly realizing, and hastily adjusted herself. “Pervert!”

“Oh, please! You come in dressed like that and call me the pervert?” Ye Tian was speechless—talk about the thief crying ‘stop thief’! “If I didn’t dress like this, how would I help you bathe?” Li Ji muttered in frustration. “Forget it. At this rate, you won’t be helping me bathe—I’ll be helping you instead,” Ye Tian said, curling his lip.

“Go out, you don’t like this either,” Ye Tian said. “No. I have orders from His Majesty, and I must obey,” Li Ji replied solemnly, her face set with resolve. “Just close your eyes. Don’t look!”

“No way!” Ye Tian objected firmly. “Absolutely not!” He sighed. “Miss, spare me. You’re tempting me to commit a crime.” “But…” Li Ji was flustered. She had always put the emperor’s orders first and completed every task perfectly, but she never expected to run into such a headache this time.

“No buts. You’re a very beautiful girl, and I’m a normal man. If you help me bathe, I’ll…” He leaned in and whispered something in her ear, making her blush instantly. “Scoundrel!” she cried, shoving Ye Tian to the ground and fleeing the room, clutching her clothes.

“Ow!” Ye Tian hadn’t expected that and landed hard on the floor. “Damn!” he grumbled, limping back to the bath to soak again. “I hadn’t realized—they really are huge!” Ye Tian mused, recalling that a single hand could never encompass them. His nose began to itch again.

“Damn!” Shaking his head, Ye Tian quickly submerged himself in the water. When he finally finished bathing and stepped out, he discovered his old clothes had vanished, replaced by another set. He stared at them, completely at a loss as to how to put them on.

“What now?” Ye Tian studied the garments for a long time but still couldn’t figure them out. “Damn!” He covered his forehead just as Li Ji entered, dressed in a maid’s uniform. Ye Tian sighed—why did it look so different there compared to before? Odd.

“What’s wrong?” Li Ji’s cheeks were still tinged with pink. “Where are my old clothes?” Ye Tian asked. “Your clothes were too worn out to wear before His Majesty. It would be disrespectful, so I prepared a new set for you. Is there a problem?”

“There is. If I tell you I don’t know how to put them on, will you laugh at me?” Ye Tian said gloomily. Li Ji’s lips curled into a faint smile, swiftly hidden. She walked over, took the clothes from Ye Tian’s hands, pulled open his bathrobe, and began to dress him.

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“Hey,” Ye Tian said awkwardly. “Be quiet, unless you can dress yourself,” Li Ji replied coldly, helping him into the new clothes from inside out. Watching the busy girl before him, Ye Tian’s mind heated up and he blurted, “You’ll definitely make a good wife someday.”

Hiss! Ye Tian sucked in a breath as Li Ji gave his hand a sharp pat. “Say that again and you’ll regret it, understand?” she warned icily. “Yes, yes!” Ye Tian nodded quickly. Li Ji released the tie she’d been pulling tight around his neck and adjusted it properly.

“Ouch!” Ye Tian rubbed his neck, sure there would be a mark. “Violent woman,” he muttered. “Hmph!” Li Ji gave a dissatisfied snort, squatted down to help him with his shoes, and tied the laces.

“All done,” she said calmly. “That’s it? What a hassle,” Ye Tian grumbled. “There’s a mirror here. Take a look.” Li Ji led Ye Tian to a full-length mirror. He found the outfit actually fit him quite well.

In the mirror stood a youth who looked more handsome than ever. “Wait,” Li Ji came over and carefully fixed his hair. “Alright.” “Done?” Ye Tian asked. “Yes.” “Then let’s go eat.”

Given the choice, Ye Tian would never eat at the palace dining table again. The table spanned nearly ten meters, and nothing was set out; every dish was brought to him by a maid after he finished the previous one. The food was exquisite, but the portions were minuscule.

Yes—just a little each time. Even after the tenth dish, Ye Tian’s stomach still felt empty. “I’m done!” he said in frustration, putting down his knife and fork. Using these utensils felt like torture to him—awkward and unfamiliar.

“What’s wrong?” Li Ji asked from the side. “I’m full,” Ye Tian lied. “By the way, where are the things I bought today? I need them now.” He pulled off the napkin around his neck, completely fed up.

“Wait.” Li Ji bent down and gently wiped the crumbs from the corner of Ye Tian’s mouth with her own handkerchief. “Oh, thank you.” Ye Tian dodged her touch nervously. “They’re in your room. If you’re finished, this way please.” Li Ji gestured him onward.

“Finally, the ordeal is over!” Ye Tian thought. Back then, eating had been a pleasure; now, it was suffering—and he wasn’t even full. The two stood to leave, and as they reached the door, Ye Tian nearly wept, for a beautiful maid was bringing in a whole roast pig!

“Why, why!” Ye Tian cried, tears streaming down his face. “Why!” “Sir Geer, this way please.” Noticing his expression, Li Ji allowed herself a faint smile before it vanished. “Hurry up.” “Yes…” Ye Tian replied weakly, watching the roast pig carried away.

Li Ji led Ye Tian to a room. “Please rest here tonight. If you need anything, just call,” she said, turning to go. “Wait, I have a favor to ask,” Ye Tian said.

“What is it?” Li Ji asked. “Bring me a pestle and mortar, and those papers, and a pair of scissors. That should do—just make sure there’s plenty.” “A pestle and mortar? And what do you need so much paper for?” Li Ji was baffled.

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“The paper is for wrapping things—these medicinal herbs. The pestle and mortar… Actually, just bring anything that can be used to crush the herbs, alright?” Ye Tian explained. “Fine, wait a moment,” Li Ji replied after thinking it over, then left.

Once she was gone, Ye Tian dumped all the herbs onto the floor, sorting through them for anything useful, and began planning how to use them with acupuncture techniques. Traditional Chinese medicine is a profound discipline. Some people spend their whole lives lingering at its threshold.

Different herbs have different properties, and even the same herb varies depending on where and when it was harvested. This requires the practitioner’s careful attention and selection. Medicine is a craft of patience and diligence.

“Sir Geer.” Li Ji returned, arms full, followed by a maid carrying packages. “Sir Geer!” Li Ji was startled to see the floor covered with herbs, and Ye Tian meticulously sorting and categorizing them.

“Just set them down over there,” Ye Tian said without looking up. “Eat something first,” Li Ji urged. “Just put them over there.” Ye Tian was completely absorbed in his work, so focused that nothing seemed able to disturb him.

At last, Ye Tian dusted off his hands and stood up, noticing Li Ji and the other maid. “Oh, you’re here.” “Eat first.” Li Ji pointed to the tray in the maid’s hands. The table was covered with herbs, so the maid could only stand, holding the tray.

“There’s food?” Ye Tian turned, delighted. “Sorry about the mess.” He quickly gathered the herbs to one side, clearing space on the table. The maid smiled and set the tray down.

“How did you know I wasn’t full?” Ye Tian washed his hands and picked up a pastry, not holding back. Li Ji said nothing. “It tastes great,” Ye Tian praised. “Of course—it was made by Li Ji herself,” the other maid chimed in.

“Lola!” Li Ji protested. “Really? You really will make a good wife one day,” Ye Tian laughed. Bang! A plate landed on Ye Tian’s head.

“That hurt!” Ye Tian complained. “Who told you to spout nonsense?” Li Ji retorted. “Heh heh,” Lola snickered at the side. “Still laughing?” Li Ji shot her an annoyed glare. Lola stuck out her tongue and retreated, closing the door behind her. “Good night, you two.” Bang.

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