My name is Su Li.
I traveled through time, and because of an accident, Princess Changle became a vegetative state, and I became the candidate for the celebration and sacrifice.
Everyone is sorry for my miserable experience, but I almost went crazy with joy!
Because I am bound to a system, as long as I have physical contact with noble people, I can get so many points, buy various commodities, and even call myself the ancestor, and return to modern times!
…
My name is Li Lizhi, usually they will call me Princess Changle.
I fell into a coma, because of an accident. In fact, I was mu*dered into a vegetative state by my jealous sister Princess Gao Yang.
Originally I was planning to end my life, but inexplicably gained a husband.
He loved me so much, cared everything about me, and gave me the confidence to persevere, but… the shame is, why do you have to hold me every second no matter what a situation it is?
Well, I admit it, this feeling is really delicious!
Darling… I miss your hold so much even if I am just in your hold at this moment!
It was the sixth year of the Zhen Guan era, and spring had arrived on the farmland on the outskirts of Changan City!
Su Li was wearing a short coat and was working hard. The spring sun wasn't too hot, but he was sweating profusely due to overwork.
While seeing the sun rising, Su Li wiped the sweat from his forehead and took out the steamed pancakes he had made last night. The pancakes turned hard overnight, and he could only break them open and eat them with water.
"The system…please do something, the system…" Su Li slumped on the ground, gasping for breath, like a salted fish without dreams.
As a time traveller, Su Li possessed a system, but his situation was far from ideal compared to other seasoned travellers. He envied those who didn't have a system but still managed to survive.
Su Li had been struggling to manage the ten acres of land he inherited from his deceased parents all by himself, which had taken a toll on his energy.
Su Li had fuzzy memories of iron smelting and brewing, but without sufficient funds and manpower, he could only rely on trial and error based on his limited knowledge. Being a peasant, he couldn't afford the luxury of trial and error.
Joining the army was also not an option for him, as his body was weakened from years of labour, and he couldn't go without meals for days. Going to the battlefield was a fantasy, and he might become someone else's military achievement.
Perhaps he could try his hand at being a copywriter? Su Li dismissed the idea quickly, knowing that he lacked education during this period. He was a simple peasant's son and didn't belong in the literary world.
Moreover, Su Li had alimited amount of knowledge about the current trends that were necessary to write proper poems and other such writings. He felt inadequate in both literary and martial skills. He spent his days eating in the mud, facing the loess with his back to the sky.
Fortunately, the early Tang Dynasty was a time of relative peace and prosperity. Since the emperor Li Shimin killed his brother at the Xuanwu Gate, the world had finally entered a year of calm.
The peasants had a peaceful life. At least the taxes could be easily managed. There was no threat of war and corrupt officers in the early Tang Dynasty. This was already rare prosperity. Su Li couldn't help but feel grateful for the peaceful times he lived in.
Then, as a reader, you will now question, "How about the system".
...
Su Li's system was hard to describe. His system was called the Random Shop System.
Every day, the system would randomly refresh five items for purchase. Su Li had the option to keep one item at the top of the list, which would not be updated, while the remaining products would be restocked the next day if they didn't sell.
Thinking of the system, Su Li subconsciously looked at the contents of today's store.
[Permanent top product: one-time shuttle door (you could specify time travel to return to modern times.) Value: 9999w points. (Editor Note: W=10K)
Commodity 2: Attribute point gift pack (1-3 attribute points could be randomly obtained.) Value: 10,000 points.
Commodity 3: Photographic memory (did you know what hyper memory was?) Value: 200,000 points.
Commodity 4: Overlord Physique (Amplify in all directions based on existing attributes.) Value: 100w points.
Commodity 5: Salt-making method (a complete salt-making strategy in the manual era, teaching you to build a large-scale salt-making industrial environment from the most primitive environment.) Value: 100,000 points]
The host's currently available credits: 0
Host personal attributes (click to expand)
"Fuck you…" Su Li stared at the products refreshed in the store today. These items were precious and could benefit Su Li in his current situation. However, his available points were still zero, and he felt frustrated.
Su Li's system was powerful, with a wide range of products available daily. However, obtaining points to buy these products was not easy for him.
The main way to earn points was through physical contact with people of high status, but as a humble peasant, it was challenging for Su Li to contact such individuals.
Su Li was just a peasant…
The highest status that he could meet was the three elders of the township. Although the three elders were not considered official, they had a high status and prestige which meant that Su Li could easily approach them.
Finally, he got in touch with them during the autumn festival last year, but he didn't get any points.
No points…
This was also the main reason Su Li was still so disappointed.
This created a frustrating cycle for Su Li. He needed points to improve himself and access better products, but he couldn't earn points without coming into contact with people of high status.
Thus, Su Li fell into an endless loop.
There was no difference whether there was a system or not because Su Li still had to think about what to eat tomorrow, how much to eat, and how to wait for the harvest like a real peasant.
When will these difficult days end , Su Li fell into deep thought with the hoe on his back.
Su Li, who is still begging for a living with a hoe on his back, will never have imagined that he will soon become the center of public opinion in the entire Changan City.
Chapter 2 - Congratulations, Princess Changle Has Become A Vegetative State!
In the sixth year of Zhen Guan, on the eighth day of February, there was some news that caused a sensation in the entire city of Changan. Princess Changle, the first daughter of the Tang Emperor, was getting married! This was great news to the people of this era since they desired peace in this newly settled world.
Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty needed no further introduction. Although he made the people's mind somewhat disgraceful due to the fact that he killed his brothers at Xuanwu Gate and forced his father to abdicate, but after General Li Jing defeated the Turks in the fourth year of Zhen Guan era and avenged the previous national humiliation, the people of the world now recognized the new emperor's ability and power.
Furthermore, because the scandal of Princess Gao Yang cheating on her husband had not yet spread, the great Tang Princess's status was still undeniably high.
Princess Changle, 'Li Lizhi' had a good reputation and behavior since she was a child. Even her natural beauty was hard to ignore too. Plus, she had inherited her mother, 'Empress Zhangsun' gentle and reasonable character, making her a rare and ideal match. Her physique, appearance, family background, and accomplishments were unmatched in the era of women. So, Princess Changle had naturally become the target of countless dignitaries since her growing age.
People in Changan City speculated about who would marry Princess Changle. Was it Zhangsun Chong, the eldest son of Tang Prime Minister Zhangsun Wuji, or the son of a real estate agent? Princess Changle's marriage undoubtedly became a hot topic among the crowds of Changan City.
...
"Your Majesty, how can a royal daughter marry a peasant?" asked Zhangsun Wuji unhappily as he spoke in the House of Nectar. (ED Note, this should be one of the royal palaces)
Two years ago, Princess Changle had entered into a marriage agreement with Zhangsun Chong, the eldest son of the Zhangsun family. Although this news had not yet been made public, the agreement had been finalized. Now, Li Shimin suddenly regretted the arrangement, but Zhangsun Wuji was unwilling to accept this change.
Li Er listened grimly to the empress's elder brother and remained silent before speaking. "Lizhi hasn't woken up since she fell into a coma half a month ago!"(ED Note: Li Shimin is the 2nd son of his father, so his pet name is Li Er, Er=2, two, second, in chinese. Zhangsun Wuji is the elder brother of the Empress Zhangsun.)
Princess Changle had fallen into a coma due to a sudden illness. For the past two weeks, she had been unable to do anything other than breathe and swallow normally. She couldn't even control her daily urination and defecation, and Empress Zhangsun had been taking care of her for half a month with no improvement.
Despite trying various remedies, including decoctions, Li Shimin could not wake Princess Lizhi from the coma. The imperial doctor was helpless and declared that it was a soul loss disorder. Li Er and Empress Zhangsun were deeply concerned and prayed for her recovery day and night. They even sought help from renowned monks and Taoists, hoping that their spiritual practices could summon her soul back to her body. Although, their efforts proved to be fruitless.
Indeed, in ancient times, there was no precise definition of a vegetative state, and people did not understand the difference between a coma and a vegetative state. Many people believed that it was a disorder of soul loss, and the treatment method was primarily to summon the soul through spiritual practices.
Sun Simiao first described the condition of a vegetative state as "wood stiffness" and distinguished it from a coma.
Wood stiffness… As the name suggests, stiffness as a wooden block…
Apart from being able to breathe and swallow, the patient could not respond to the outside world. Even people still lack the means to deal effectively with vegetative people. Except for the daily feeding of water and food, to deal with defecation, most of the patients were left to lie on the bed and face the end of their lives due to various complications such as muscle atrophy and back sores.
Li Er was about to cop out, despite the fact that the marriage contract had been arranged. Zhangsun Wuji asked with a trembling mouth, "Lizhi…hasn't recovered yet?"
Princess Changle was also the niece of Zhangsun Wuji, so it was natural for him to feel distressed about her as well.
"What the imperial doctor and the eminent monk said means that there is little hope…" Li Er said in despair.
Li Shimin, known for his toughness, couldn't help but feel a tremble in his heart upon accepting this fact. Changle, his beloved daughter was his favorite above all others. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Er placed more importance on his family, and for Princess Changle, there was much more pampering. Although, his daughter was suffering from an incurable disease, lay unconscious and was likely to leave this world before him.
"But Your Majesty… why would Changle…" Zhangsun Wuji intended initially to ask why she would get married in her current condition. Then, suddenly a thought struck him, and he looked at Li Er, who nodded heavily in confirmation.
"Wedding-Benediction!" (ED Note: 冲喜, Wedding-Benediction is a special Chinese term about the wedding, that means, through some rites that can bring happiness and joy like a wedding to make a dying patient get well, people believe it will banish bad luck on the patient in this way.)
"I can only use this desperate measure as a last resort!" Li Er said after a moment of silence. "According to Yuan Tiangang's hexagram, the horoscope for this boy's birthday is the most suitable with Changle," Li Er added, indicating that the marriage proposal was based on auspicious signs and astrological predictions. "If it doesn't work… Lizhi will have a companion in the underworld anyway, so she won't be alone…" Li Er's expression turned bitter as he spoke.
Zhangsun Wuji was taken aback by Li Er's words. He understood what Li Er was thinking in this situation.
Everyone was helpless in the face of this incurable disease now. It was called Wedding-Benediction, but in reality it was equal to a human sacrifice. Indeed, the life of the unknown boy was now intricately linked to that of Princess Changle, and his fate was tied to her. How long he would live would depend on how long Princess Changle could survive, making the situation even more heartbreaking.
Zhangsun Wuji felt an indescribable emotion welling inside him, a mixture of love for his niece Lizhi and pity for the unknown boy whose fate was tied to Princess Changle's survival. He was the elder brother of Li Shimin's empress, so it was clear that this responsibility could not fall on Zhangsun Chong.
Chapter 3 - After Marrying A Vegetative Princess, I Went Crazy With Joy!
Su Li had no idea about Li Er's decision. He was desperate to climb up the social ladder and wanted to earn enough points to return home.
The thought of digging for food in the dirt-filled days was unbearable for him. Even if he had known that he was being used for the Wedding-Benediction as a human sacrifice, it would not have made any difference. He had no power to change the situation.
Su Li stumbled into the palace in a daze and arranged a wedding date with Princess Changle, who was in a coma.
As the date of Princess Changle's grand wedding drew nearer, there seemed to be nothing new happening in Changan. However, the rumors surrounding the event continued to grow and spread like wildfire.
"Wait, hold on… do you hear that the one marrying Princess Changle is just a lowly peasant?" exclaimed one gossipmonger.
"Princess Changle has lost her mind and can't even wake up from her slumber. What kind of mess is this?" chimed in another.
"Is this something to celebrate?" wondered a third voice.
As the wedding day loomed, the chatter and gossip only intensified. "Honestly, it seems more like a funeral than a wedding," some whispered behind closed doors.
"That's not a bad idea. I've heard that some of these patients deprived of their souls can live for decades. If it's this case, at least this pitiful peasant will enjoy a life of luxury and abundance until Princess Changle is really dead…"
"But what of it? I'm afraid he'll be stuck inside the princess's mansion for the rest of his life without any children to carry on his family bloodline."
"No matter how luxurious life he was living, so what? Marrying a paralyzed person on the bed who can't speak or move, he has to serve her respectfully and carefully. It's even better to marry a piece of wood…"
In the Tang Dynasty, this was not a time where people were convicted because of their words, and it was common for people in Changan City to discuss things in the palace. With only two days left until the wedding, the big news of Princess Changle's marriage had been cleared up.
It was revealed that Princess Changle was afflicted with the soul-loss disease, causing her to be unable to wake up or even control her basic bodily functions aside from breathing and eating. The peasant set to marry her was used for the Wedding-Benediction, and if Princess Changle died, he would be buried alongside her. With this shocking revelation, people could hardly digest this news any longer.
Princess Changle was known for her beauty and grace, now lay in bed, unaware of the passage of time and uncertain of what the future held. Despite her once-exalted status, she was now afflicted with an illness that had rendered her unable to move.
That lucky peasant was actually unlucky. He was going to marry a princess who couldn't speak, move, and couldn't carry on the family bloodline, and if Princess Changle died, he had to be buried with her. All of them, including Zhangsun Wuji and other courtiers thought Su Li was unfortunate. But they dared not question Li Er's decision.
After all, Li Er's favorite daughter suffered from the soul-loss disease and seemed to be dying soon. It was impossible for them to provoke Li Er's grief just because of a peasant son's unlucky fate. Even Wei Zheng, the number one elite in the Tang Dynasty, did not dare to touch Li Er's grief at this moment.
In this oppressive and sympathetic atmosphere, the wedding day approached.
A few days ago, Su Li, who was struggling to make ends meet, unexpectedly became the newly appointed Prince Consort of the Tang Dynasty. Due to the rushed nature of the wedding, it was not organized on a grand scale. However, there were still quite a few individuals who came to offer their congratulations and well wishes.
As the new Prince Consort, Su Li encountered many prominent individuals whom he had never imagined meeting before.
Zhangsun Wuji…
Wei Zheng…
Kong Yingda…
Fang Xuanling…
Du Ruhui…
Su Li even had the privilege of meeting Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty and Empress Zhangsun.
Su Li noticed that the people who participated in this happy event were unhappy. Li Er was deeply sad, and all the civil and military officers did not smile. As the groom's official and son-in-law, Su Li felt it was his duty to raise the spirits of those people, and thus he made several toasts and shared many glasses of wine.
Su Li also noticed that many people showed some sympathy toward him. Because he was marrying Princess Changle who was in a vegetative state, he suffered an indiscriminate disaster. Marrying someone who couldn't move or bear children and who might even make him a human sacrifice was undoubtedly a situation that demanded sympathy.
Li Er and Empress Changsun appeared quite serious and sad as the most senior figures attending the banquet. It was as if nobody dared to smile without first receiving their approval. Everyone was aware of the unique circumstances surrounding this wedding, and it was clear that it was not a joyous occasion for the imperial family.
Most officers at Princess Changle's wedding had heard about her condition. It was commonly known that she resembled the Empress Zhangsun and was considered the jewel of the Tang Dynasty.
Despite her tragic circumstances, Princess Changle was highly respected and admired by many, and her marriage to Su Li was a matter of great significance to the imperial family. Some officers couldn't help but feel regretful that the brightest jewel of the Tang Dynasty, 'Princess Changle' was now in a vegetative state and unable to care for herself.
They also expressed sympathy towards Su Li, who had endured an unexpected tragedy. However, despite wearing a serious expression like everyone else, Su Li was pretending. He knew that his marriage to Princess Changle was not based on genuine affection but rather a strategic move by the imperial family.
Su Li had initially hesitated about marrying Princess Changle, knowing she was in a vegetative state and would require constant care.
However, he quickly realized the benefits of the situation. With his system, the longer he spent close contact with people of higher status, the more points he earned. And few people in the Tang Dynasty had a more noble status than Princess Changle.
The thought of providing round-the-clock care for her seemed like a small price to pay for the potential reward of breaking 10,000 points and eventually reaching the ultimate goal of one million points.
Su Li felt that if the banquet didn't end as soon as possible, he couldn't hold back his laughter.
As a commoner, he had never had the opportunity to interact physically with people of high status, and he had only been able to admire them from a distance. But now, as the husband of Princess Changle, he was in close proximity to the most esteemed members of the Tang Dynasty.
It was difficult for him to control his excitement, especially as he looked at Princess Changle, who was no longer a vegetable in his eyes, but rather a unique treasure at the point of cheating
Su Li felt like he was going crazy with joy!
When Su Li gazed upon Princess Changle lying on the bed in her stunning red dress on their wedding night, his happiness began to fade away. Despite her extraordinary beauty and her status as one of the most renowned heroines of the Tang Dynasty, it still seemed surreal for Su Li actually to be in her presence. Such an encounter was once only possible within the pages of a novel.
Princess Changle was adorned in a red garment, with a complexion resembling that of delicate pink gemstone. Her eyes were tightly shut, and her facial features seemed afflicted with a feeble frailty that could be attributed to her prolonged vegetative state.
Su Li inquired, "How long has the princess been in a coma?"
"It's twenty-three days…" replied the female officer by her side.
Although Su Li was just a son-in-law who had recently joined the royal family, the female officer treated him with the utmost respect. As a female officer serving in the palace, she adhered to strict protocols. Unlike the arrogant and disdainful behavior often depicted in novels, the female officer did not embarrass Su Li, even if she might not particularly like him.
Su Li gently took Princess Changle's hand, and the female officer standing nearby was about to remind him of the impropriety of the gesture. However, when Su Li made no other moves, she refrained from doing so.
Su Li was merely a minor peasant, and Princess Changle's current condition made it impossible for him to engage in a husband and wife intimate relationship on the wedding night.
This was why the female officer in the princess' mansion was accompanying her. After all, Princess Changle's current state required someone to take care of her body, even for daily scrubbing. The female officer was here to take care of her personal needs and to prevent Su Li from doing crazy things.
As Su Li held Princess Changle's hand, he felt a familiar sensation in his mind. The balance of points which had been zero previously had begun to pulsate, indicating that he had gained a few points. And he could perceive that each increment of 1 point took about three seconds.
Su Li couldn't help but feel satisfied at this small victory. However, as he looked at Princess Changle's delicate hand, he realized that there were more important things in life than just accumulating points.
He pushed aside his thoughts of points and focused instead on his new wife. He knew that she required his care and attention, especially in her current vulnerable state.
As Su Li listened to the female officer's report on Princess Changle's condition, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and concern. He rubbed the center of his brows, deep in thought.
"Maybe she can open her eyes?" Su Li asked, hopeful for any sign of improvement.
"She can open her eyes during the day, but she won't listen or move no matter what I say," the female officer replied.
Su Li sighed, realizing that Princess Changle's condition was more serious than he had initially thought. He considered the situation carefully and softly said, "Her body is still functioning, albeit in a limited capacity. She is able to open her eyes and swallow, and the fact that she is resting with deep breaths leaves no doubt in my mind that she is in a vegetative state.""
As Su Li thought about Princess Changle's condition, he couldn't help but reflect on the limited medical knowledge of ancient times. At that time, a vegetative state was often mistaken for a disease of lost souls, as there was little understanding of the underlying causes.
In modern times, there was a much clearer distinction between a vegetative state and a coma. While a person in a coma might exhibit muscle spasms and breathing difficulties, a vegetative state was characterized by a stable pattern of body work and rest, as well as the ability to swallow and breathe normally.
Despite the advancements in medical knowledge, both conditions remain serious and challenging to treat.
As Su Li continued to contemplate Princess Changle's condition, he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. He knew that a severe coma was often a precursor to a vegetative state and that the road to recovery would be long and difficult.
In ancient times, medical technology was not advanced enough to treat such conditions effectively. If Princess Changle had been in a coma for more than 20 days, it was likely that she would be too sick to eat, and there were less chances of her recovery.
Su Li's heart felt heavy as he thought about the gravity of Princess Changle's condition. Su Li knew that Princess Changle's road to recovery would be difficult, but he remained committed to support her in any way he could. He hoped that with time and care, she would be able to overcome her condition and regain a normal life.
In the past, individuals had two distinct beliefs regarding those in a vegetative state. Some believed that those in a vegetative state were essentially devoid of consciousness, exhibiting no response to external stimuli and entirely lacking self-awareness.
Others believed vegetative individuals could perceive their surroundings to some extent, including experiencing sensations such as pain, temperature, and sound in specific environments. Su Li leaned more towards the latter perspective, suggesting that vegetative patients possessed a certain level of conscious cognitive ability.
Princess Changle's situation was especially cruel as she was only 22 years old. Her consciousness was plunged into an endless darkness, where she was invisible to the outside world. Occasionally, she could hear, feel, and even think, but she was trapped in a cage and unable to move.
The cruelest part was that she could feel her own bodily excretions, trapped in a helpless state like a normal person locked in a dark room. She was aware of being covered in feces and urine, but she could not do anything about it. Someone was cleaning her up, but she didn't even know who they were. The state of being in a vegetative state was utterly incapacitating.
Su Li recalled a case in which a person in a vegetative state had been declared brain dead by the hospital. However, the individual's consciousness remained alert and active throughout. A research team used the latest equipment in a chance experiment to identify the subject's subjective consciousness. After processing and analyzing the data, the first message transmitted by the patient was a chilling one – "Kill me!"
The revelation that vegetative individuals could possess a subjective consciousness was a frightening prospect. Life would be an unbearable nightmare for anyone in such a state.
After enduring numerous struggles, most individuals in vegetative states would eventually choose to shut themselves off from the world, voluntarily relinquishing their will to survive and becoming truly brain-dead.
Unfortunately, Princess Changle, a young woman of only 22 years old had faced this grim reality. It was a cruel sight to behold.
Even though Su Li was known for being heartless and only caring about himself, he still considered other people's emotions. His ultimate goal was to earn points as many as he could by keeping himself near to Princess Changle.
But it was impossible for Su Li to laugh heartlessly in this situation after his system could be really used, because he understood that most people in a vegetative state could still perceive their surroundings and even hear sounds.
Just as he was about to speak, a strong, unpleasant, foul smell suddenly filled the air.
"My lord, please step out of the room for a moment," the female officer said to Su Li responsibly. Having taken care of Princess Changle for so long, they knew all too well that the source of the odor was from her.
Su Li hesitated for a moment, considering whether or not to say something, but ultimately decided to remain silent.
Princess Changle gradually became aware of her surroundings. At first, her consciousness was shrouded in darkness. She could not perceive any light or sound and even not sense her own body.
Princess Changle was overwhelmed with panic and helplessness, as she was just a 22-year-old girl. The worst part was that she couldn't even cry or have a hysterical outburst to release her emotions. Her mind was consumed with boundless anxiety and fear, making her unable to calm down. No one could see the turmoil that raged inside her as she appeared normal with her eyes closed.
Princess Changle was unsure of the passage of time, but she could faintly hear voices. She recognized her parent's voices and the voices of many others. She longed to open her eyes but found herself unable to do so. The frustration of being unable to regain her sight added to her distress.
She recalled the experience of ghosts pressing down on her bed when she was a child. She was fully awake but found herself completely immobile, no matter how much effort she exerted. Her closed eyelids felt as heavy as a massive boulder rendering her unable to open them. It was a distressing and helpless feeling for her, just like her childhood memories of encountering ghosts.
Gradually, Princess Changle began to hear the voices around her more frequently. After her mother held her hand and wept for some time, she finally realized that she had fallen into a coma and was unable to wake up.
Despite her efforts to regain consciousness and move her body, Princess Changle remained paralyzed. The voices around her grew more distinct, though they still came and went in waves, sometimes clear and other times muffled.
As time passed, Princess Changle began to perceive a faint sensation in her body. It was a subtle feeling, but it was enough for her to realize that she was lying down. She could feel the texture of the bed beneath her and the softness of the pillows under her head. Occasionally, she would also experience the taste of food when she was fed.
That's so bitter… was it medicine? she thought, but she couldn't bring herself to spit it out. In the past, her mother would always use sugar to coax her into situations like this.
Princess Changle tried to convince herself that she had taken a lot of medicine. Even though it tasted incredibly bitter, she didn't feel any discomfort in her heart. Her father had once advised her that taking medicine was the key to healing. So, despite the bitterness, she believed that she would eventually recover if she took her medicine diligently.
Princess Changle's consciousness was hazy, and she couldn't recall how many times she had taken the medicine. Unfortunately, it wasn't working at all. She made numerous attempts to open her eyes, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to wake up. It was as if her consciousness was trapped in a cage, unable to break free.
As time passed, Princess Changle began to notice that she could sense other sensations in her body. During her baths, she could faintly feel the touch of her maid servants as they cleaned her. But there was one realization that shattered her spirit. She had lost control of her bladder and bowel movements. She could feel the discomfort of soiling herself and the shame that came with it. It was a constant reminder of her helplessness and dependence on others, and it filled her with despair.
Despite her maidservants' responsible care, Princess Changle still felt deeply distressed by the loss of her bodily control. The loss of her dignity was overwhelming, and she understood that it was something that could shatter a person's spirit. She was aware that some people, unable to bear the destruction of their dignity, chose to end their lives before their natural time.
As a young Princess, she was at a stage in life where her self-esteem was extremely high. As she was only 22, she considered her dignity to be more important than life itself.
She tried many times to control her body, but she couldn't. Every excretion was an extreme destruction of self-esteem for Princess Changle. She couldn't even save her dignity by committing suicide.
No one would care about the turbulent waves in a vegetative person's heart. No matter how responsible the female officer was, she would not give Princess Changle any psychological support after cleaning up.
Princess Changle felt that death would be preferable to endure such a state of constant degradation. Though she could not resist the torturous cleaning process, she wished for the ability to numb herself from the painful experience. To her, this repeated destruction of her dignity felt like a form of torture. Each time the female officer finished cleaning her, Princess Changle was left on the brink of an emotional breakdown.
Every day, Princess Changle was unsure of how long she would have to endure such emotionally draining experiences. There was no one to comfort her, not even her own parents, who only cried to her about their own thoughts and feelings. She felt that she was like a piece of wood, not like a real person. Princess Changle faces such torture every day.
For Princess Changle, the tears shed by her parents aside her bed were no different from crying at her grave.
At this moment, Princess Changle felt as if her palm was being held by another rough hand. The heat in this palm made her slightly stunned, and an unusually gentle voice of a young man rang in her ears.
"Let me introduce myself, my name is Su Li, and I am your husband!"
Su Li took Princess Changle's small hand into her own once again. As Su Li understood it, a patient in a vegetative state was not entirely unconscious but had a hazy consciousness.
Some patients might have a vague sense of their condition, while others could even fully perceive the outside world during certain moments. After experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence, there was a high likelihood that their consciousness was in a clear state.
The human body had a certain response to the stimulation of excretion. In this situation, it could often stimulate the recovery of consciousness. Although they couldn't react, comatose patients could feel clearly that they were experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence. Because of this incontinence their self-esteem would also be severely affected.
Su Li was unsure whether Princess Changle was currently in a conscious state and could hear external sounds, but providing psychological support was necessary after experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence. If the patient was entirely unconscious, it would be better because they would not feel embarrassed by their incontinence, and their self-esteem would not be significantly affected.
However, if the patient was conscious during incontinence, it could be an extremely challenging situation. The patient would often feel intense shame, and without proper psychological support, relying solely on self-encouragement, they could quickly experience a psychological breakdown and lose the will to live.
Princess Changle was a young girl, only twenty-two years of age. She was in the prime of her life, a pure and flawless beauty, and shone like the brightest pearl in the entire Tang Dynasty. Now, she couldn't even control her bowel movements, significantly contrasting her previous state. It was a jarring reality for a young girl who had not yet experienced the fullness of adulthood. How could she cope with such a distressing situation of falling from grace?
Although Su Li had initially regarded Princess Changle as a means to earn points, it did not mean that Su Li was inhumane or didn't want Princess Changle to recover. Especially when he could see her present condition, if we took a step back and examined Su Li's life, we could see that it was intertwined with that of Princess Changle. Though he held the title of prince-in-law, in reality, he was just a destitute man hurrying to make it to the wedding.
Once Princess Changle completely gave up her will to survive for psychological reasons, her physical condition got worse and worse in a short time. If Princess Changle died, Su Li had to be buried with her. So it was necessary for Su Li to help Princess Changle.
"I am a peasant's son," Su Li slowly spoke, trying to help Princess Changle with some psychological support. He didn't know whether Princess Changle was conscious or not, but even if she could hear him just a little, it might help the 22-year-old princess.
In the dark prison of her consciousness, Princess Changle, who was going through a breakdown of her self-esteem, suddenly became dazed.
Did I…get married? Princess Changle thought, feeling a bit confused.
Her consciousness would intermittently awaken, and most of the time, she only had a complete perception of the outside world during defecation or eating, so she was unaware that she had already gotten married. When she first heard the news of her marriage, Princess Changle felt some inexplicable emotions stirring within her heart.
Princess Changle was actually engaged to her cousin, Zhangsun Chong, at an early age. Her Mother and Father also mentioned her future marriage occasionally. So, she was supposed to marry her cousin, Zhangsun Chong, next year.
As a mother and a philanthropist, Princess Changle's mother had a vision for the future, but most of the future she envisioned was peaceful. The idea of getting married was very close to Princess Changle, yet it still felt so distant.
How did I get married? she thought.
I was in a coma, and now I'm married to a peasant's son instead of my betrothed, Zhangsun Chong?
At this moment, facing the major events in her life, curiosity overwhelmed the shame of collapse.
"As for me…the reason I married you is because of Wedding-Benediction," Su Li said.
"His Majesty and the Empress both love you deeply. They sought medical help, offered prayers, and even consulted eminent monks and Taoists, but to no avail. Therefore, guided by Yuan Tiangang, they chose me, a peasant's son, to perform the wedding ceremony and bring you good fortune," Su Li explained in a gentle tone.
The female officer who was standing nearby was looking at Su Li with a curious gaze. She wondered why he was sharing this information with Princess Changle, who was unresponsive. Did he harbor some dissatisfaction in his heart?
She considered that even though he was a peasant, he was still a son of a respectable family.
In this peaceful era, even if one had to endure some hardships and work hard, at least, there was enough food to eat, and in the future, one could get married and have children without worrying about the family bloodline being cut off.
The female officer had a certain understanding of this newly arrived son-in-law.
It seemed that Su Li got married to Princess Changle and became a noble son-in-law of the royal family, but after all, it was nothing more than a facade. His Majesty even ordered him not to step out of the princess's mansion, which meant he couldn't marry anyone or have children. If Princess Changle passed away, the son-in-law would also be buried with her. It was normal for him to feel dissatisfied.
The female official was hesitant about whether to stop Su Li from continuing, afraid that his dissatisfaction might cause him to blurt out something shocking. Meanwhile, Princess Changle listened to Su Li's words, feeling inexplicably saddened. Everything had changed with her prolonged sleep, including the surrounding people.
She couldn't even see the wedding she was most looking forward to with her own eyes. She didn't even know what her husband looked like. After her death, she would even have to be buried with this completely unfamiliar person.
Princess Changle worried that Su Li might resent her since she passed away, and they would be buried together as strangers. She seemed to struggle with her own emotions and circumstances but was reluctant to blame Su Li entirely. She could not pity him either, as her own life had also been ruined.
Su Li seemed to take the situation in stride and tried to reassure Princess Changle by saying that it was not so bad.
"Do you know what it's like to be a peasant? Wake up before dawn to plow the fields. You can only rest when the moon is high in the sky. You can only eat two meals daily, and your stomach growls at night when you try to sleep hungry." Su Li rambled on.
"I think it's not bad to become a marquis. At least I can wear silk clothes I've never worn before and eat delicacies I've never tasted before. Even after I die, I don't have to be buried in a small plot of land that's only two feet wide. You probably don't know, but a peasant has to count every penny in his entire life, even when buying a coffin. If you die, I have to be buried with you. I heard the imperial tomb is very large. I estimate our tomb will be bigger than the fields I've worked on for my whole life." Su Li spoke softly and tenderly.
Princess Changle found it oddly amusing to hear Su Li talk about death so seriously. "Can you hear me, my lady?" Su Li asked while gently scratching her palm.
"I think that's enough for now, but if it's for me, please keep insisting!" Su Li spoke softly, and his words lifted Princess Changle's spirits.
This was a crucial aspect of psychological rehabilitation for patients to feel that they were not always a burden and didn't need to ask for help constantly. Many patients gave up on surviving because they couldn't bear the collapse of their self-esteem and felt like they were endlessly dragging and demanding.
The shame in Princess Changle's heart went away. No one would want to recall that shameful scene repeatedly if they could distract their attention elsewhere.
She couldn't believe that her own husband was a peasant. Princess Changle felt a significant sense of relief now, inexplicably. It had been a long time since anyone had spoken to her in such a manner.
The female officers and servants, who served Princess Changle wholeheartedly, never uttered a word of extraneous dialogue. Every humiliation was met with cold silence. Visits by her parents were emotional and tearful, and she felt like a mere object for them to confide their emotions in. It was as though they never considered Princess Changle's own feelings.
She longed for her parents to talk to her, even if she couldn't respond. The darkness of her surroundings made it impossible to see anything. She yearned to hear something new and bask in the sun, but she couldn't express her desires.
Princess Changle felt conflicted as she pondered her husband's words. On one hand, she felt guilty for implicating him in her predicament. On the other hand, she couldn't change her father's decision, and Su Li seemed to do well despite everything.
She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to die. Would there be nothing left? She longed for the comfort of talking to someone everyday. But could she even wake up on her own?
As she thought about her husband, she wondered what he looked like. Was he a peasant? Was he old, thin, and small? The uncertainty only added to her anxiety and fear.
It's nice to hear his voice , Princess Changle thought. In the past few days, most of the voices she had heard were filled with tears and complaints of grief and sadness. As a result, Su Li's gentle voice was like a beautiful string of emerald pearls falling onto a bed of jade.
"Are you curious about what I look like?" Su Li asked softly while gently scratching Princess Changle's palm. Princess Changle felt the urge to nod in response to Su Li's question.
Despite the unexpected nature of the wedding and her lack of choice in the matter, Princess Changle couldn't help but feel the desire to see her future husband's face. After all, as a woman, it was natural to know what her spouse looked like.
As Su Li continued to scratch her palm, Changle could feel a slight throbbing and warmth spreading through his hand.
She couldn't help but think to herself, What a lothario he is!? (Ed note: If a man touches a woman at will, this man will be thought a lothario)
But then she remembered that this lothario was her husband. Despite this realization, Princess Changle couldn't shake the feeling of shyness that had taken hold of her heart.
"Secretly, I'm pretty," Su Li continued to speak softly. There was no trace of grief in his voice, only tenderness. While many people cried bitterly in front of a patient's bed, it was actually quite inappropriate to do so. Strong emotional fluctuations could cause the patient's mentality to collapse, leading to a loss of will to survive. The best form of companionship was emotional stability and gentleness, not a doomsday image of compassion. That was why Su Li's voice was always gentle. Even if Princess Changle's consciousness was blurred, she wouldn't feel panicked.
To be honest, Su Li didn't know how much Princess Changle could hear, and she might have heard nothing at all. After all, it was hard to say when the consciousness of a vegetative person was clear. However, it comforted her fearful heart even if she only heard it once.
Princess Changle's shyness seemed to disappear at that moment, and she was completely caught up in Su Li's curiosity.
Is he good-looking? she thought, conjuring countless images of handsome men.
She couldn't help but wonder what her husband looked like. Had Su Li been lying to her? Princess Changle had seen people from poor backgrounds before, and they were often yellow and thin, not particularly attractive. After all, her husband was a peasant. Could he be as good-looking as the rich lord she had seen? She had a hard time believing it.
Good-looking? He must be lying to himself! she thought.
"I guess she won't believe it!" Su Li smiled, anticipating Princess Changle's reaction.
"Come on, Will you tell the princess whether I look good or not?" Su Li turned to the female officer, gesturing for her to answer Princess Changle.
The female officer was momentarily taken aback, looking at Su Li with a perplexed expression. She had thought that Su Li would complain about something, but she never expected that he would speak to the princess.
Although the princess couldn't hear him, Su Li continued to speak freely. The female officer thought he was quite strange, but she didn't intend to disobey him. She had watched Princess Changle grow up, and while Su Li was speaking, the female officer couldn't help but imagine how wonderful it would be if Princess Changle suddenly opened her mouth to respond.
"Reporting to the princess, the son-in-law is quite a handsome man!" the female officer said, responding to Su Li's prompt.
The female officer was telling the truth. Despite being a peasant and looking thin from overwork, Su Li was undeniably handsome.
He's really handsome! Princess Changle felt a sense of surprise wash over her. The governor wouldn't lie to me , she thought.
The female officer was the governor of the Princess Residence, an elderly woman who oversaw all the affairs in the Princess Residence. She had also volunteered to take care of Princess Changle. Princess Changle trusted the governor of the Princess Mansion more than others.
Ah…I really want to take a look! Princess Changle couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. It had been a long time since she had felt this way.
Su Li continued to hold Princess Changle's hand and speak in a soft voice while the governor of the Princess Mansion watched them with a strange and sad expression. She never expected that the newly arrived son-in-law would be so attentive to the princess. Despite any criticisms or past deeds, as long as Su Li had this level of care for Princess Changle, the governor was willing to respect him.
After talking for a long time, Su Li checked Princess Changle's breathing and found that she had entered a sleep cycle. He stopped talking, and the female officer suggested that they should both rest.
I was a lowly servant, treated like a beast of burden harnessed to a horse. Moreover, Princess Changle was in a vegetative state, so how could it be allowed for me to share the same bed with her? Su Li shook his head in disbelief.
"As the saying goes, a married couple should honor each other every day, no matter what happens. We are already married, so how can we ignore our marital duties?" Su Li said with a hint of irony.
Su Li wasn't really joking earlier. He had ulterior motives for holding Princess Changle's hand and talking to her for an hour. He was trying to earn points from the system, which had suddenly jumped from zero to 2000 points, and was still increasing at a rate of about 1000 points per hour.
At this rate, he could earn 24,000 points daily, which was enough to buy two gift packs of attribute points. In five days, he could acquire enough points to purchase the salt-making technique, and within ten days, he could afford a photocopy of the Overlord's Power.
Since the only way to acquire system points was through physical contact, Su Li was reluctant to separate from Princess Changle. He was determined to earn as many points as possible from her.
That's all the points! Su Li thought, satisfied with his plan.
"I'm not going to bed. I'm just lying here," Su Li clarified as he pointed to himself. He then grabbed a small stool from the side and sat down on it. Holding Princess Changle's hand, he made himself comfortable.
But it was all a joke – Su Li knew that if he separated from Princess Changle, his points growth would stop, which would give him heartache. Besides, how could he even separate from her? Even if he was sitting on a stool, he would still be right next to her bed.
The female officer observed Su Li as he was sitting quietly by Princess Changle's side, holding her hand. She then looked at Princess Changle and decided not to say anything.
As a female officer, it was her duty to attend to Princess Changle's needs. Su Li had clarified that he was not going to bed, so she had no reason to object. Besides, Su Li had just mentioned that a married couple should honor each other every day, which suggested a certain level of commitment.
Although the female officer had initially been skeptical of Su Li's intentions toward Princess Changle, his dedication to her care was a positive sign. After all, nobody was perfect, and it was important to focus on the good in people.
So she decided to let Su Li continue his vigil by Princess Changle's bedside without any judgment.
Su Li had a restless night, sitting on a small stool and sleeping face down on the bed. He would wake up with a startle at the slightest movement.
It was worth noting that furniture such as tables and stools were referred to as "Hu stools" during this era. However, in the Tang Dynasty, the overall sitting posture was still kneeling, so if anyone was hoping to make money by selling tables and stools, you could throw this idea to Timbuktu. The reason why tables and stools became popular in later generations in the Central Plains was not due to their convenience but rather the chaos caused by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms after the Tang Dynasty, which disregarded all rules and etiquette.
It wasn't a bad thing for Su Li to wake up multiple times due to body shaking. Even when he slept on the bed, he had to control himself to get up halfway to help Princess Changle change her posture.
"Long-term bedridden causing bedsores, the princess can't move, we can not neglect this just because of her peaceful sleep," Su Li explained to the female officer who watched his behavior carefully.
In this era, most people lacked scientific knowledge when it came to caring for patients who were bedridden for extended periods of time. Consequently, many people who had been bedridden for a long time ultimately died from sores and ulcers. When the body remained in one position for an extended period, the skin in that area was compressed, leading to poor blood flow and causing sores and ulcers.
Su Li's task was to help Princess Changle change her posture regularly to prevent any particular area of skin from being compressed for an extended period and causing ulceration. In reality, many complications could be avoided with proper care. Patients who received scientific care generally did not suffer from chronic sores.
The female officer observed Su Li gently assisting Princess Changle in adjusting her sleeping position, carefully covering her with the quilt, tidying her hair, and then settling down to sleep on the bed's low stool. As the governor of the princess mansion who had watched Princess Changle grow up, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
"Got it, thanks!" the female officer saluted, silently stepping back and resuming her watchful duties. Her responsibility was to serve the eldest princess personally. She would take over during the night, so she would not sleep at night, remaining vigilant in her duties.
Su Li looked at the points on the system panel, which were continuously increasing and had already surpassed 4,000. It seemed that he didn't let go even when he fell asleep. He adjusted his posture and placed his hand under Princess Changle's arm to prevent his hand from falling down when he fell asleep. He knew that every hour of sleep was worth a thousand points.
However, Su Li didn't sleep soundly. He woke up from time to time to help Princess Changle adjust her posture, resulting in intermittent sleep. Moreover, Princess Changle had a bowel movement during the night, and the female officer woke Su Li up to assist in turning her over.
Su Li woke up with a sore back. He stretched lazily and felt mentally refreshed. When he checked the system panel, he saw that he had earned a full 10,000 points during the night. Now, he finally gathered the courage to open the system mall panel.
The system mall would randomly refresh five items each day. Using the permanent lock, one item would be locked and the other four items would refresh daily. In truth, Su Li rarely looked at the product page after acquiring the system. It was almost unbelievable that he, a peasant, could earn points for having physical contact with high-status individuals. Furthermore, what was the point of refreshing the page daily if he couldn't afford anything.
However, things were different now. Since he had married Princess Changle, who was in a vegetative state, Su Li had developed more confidence in the system. He eagerly opened the product page to see what he could purchase with his newly earned points.
He could earn a thousand points every hour, which added up to 24,000 points daily. That was almost nine million points in a year. He simply turned on the system to check out the latest refreshed products.
[Permanent top product: one-time shuttle door (you can specify time travel to return to modern times.) Value: 9999w points
Commodity 2: Attribute point gift pack (1-3 attribute points can be randomly obtained.) Value: 10,000 points
Commodity 3: Inferior life potion (Slightly improves the physical condition, slightly stabilizes the deterioration of the physical condition and injury.) Value: 2000 points
Commodity 4: Dragon Ball fragments x 1 (collect ninety-nine fragments to get a complete dragon ball, collect all seven dragon balls to summon the dragon, boy, what do you wish for, please speak boldly.) Value: 8000 points
Commodity 5: Summary of Art of War (obtains a complete basic theory of the art of war, and improves like enlightenment!) Value: 10,000 points.
Points balance: 11238
Su Li nodded with a sense of satisfaction, feeling great to be rich. As he looked through the products refreshed by the system, he felt that they were quite affordable. His point balance was increasing steadily, he could easily afford four out of the five available commodities, ignoring the first one that was permanently locked.
It was morning, and there were still many hours until the system refreshed its products at midnight. Su Li could accumulate a product balance of about 28,000 before the next product was refreshed. However, the total cost of the four affordable items he wanted was around 30,000, which meant he had to let go of one of the products.
Su Li couldn't discard attribute point packs as they directly enhanced a person's foundational attributes. Su Li believed in buying as many as he could afford and eagerly awaited the chance to purchase five attribute point packs in one day.
As for the inferior life potion, Su Li didn't currently need it, but he recognized its potential future value. He glanced over at Princess Changle lying on the bed and felt responsible for her well-being.
Su Li's optimism stemmed from the fact that the system mall had already refreshed pills and celestial herbs of life and death multiple times. He believed that with patience, Princess Changle would eventually wake up. However, Su Li was also aware that the physical condition of a vegetative person was fragile, and unforeseen complications could arise.
Additionally, Princess Changle's hereditary asthma posed an additional risk. While the poor-quality life potion could not wake her up, it could stabilize her physical condition and prevent potential accidents, giving Su Li more time to find a solution. Therefore, Su Li decided that it was necessary to purchase the potion.
Su Li knew about the Dragon Ball Fragments and how collecting all seven could summon a dragon capable of granting a wish. It sounded amazing, but after calculating, he realized that a complete Dragon Ball required 800,000 points, and all seven amounted to 5.6 million. Since the system's product refreshment was random, Su Li felt that it was unlikely for him to collect all seven, so he gave up on the idea. Instead, he decided to take the remaining summary of the art of war.
Su Li was feeling rich and confident, and he was willing to buy anything that was not entirely useless. He felt like a happy little hamster, hoarding things with his newfound wealth.
Despite being unable to leave the princess's mansion and unable to fight on the battlefield, Su Li hoped that Princess Changle would wake up and that anything he bought could be useful in the future.
However, Su Li's point balance was now just above 11,000, which meant that he could only afford to purchase one item at first. After pondering, he decided to prioritize buying a small gift pack of attribute points and a low-quality life potion. The attribute points would help to strengthen his body, so if a product already included them, there was no need to purchase them separately.
The low-quality life potion was essential for stabilizing Princess Changle's health. While there was still plenty of time left in the day, some of it would inevitably be spent apart from her, and physical contact wasn't always possible. Therefore, it made sense to prioritize purchasing items that would benefit them both.
On the other hand, while the summary of the art of war was undoubtedly valuable, it wasn't an urgent need. Su Li felt a twinge of greed when he saw it, but he knew that it wouldn't be a big loss if he didn't have enough points to buy it today. After all, he wouldn't have an immediate use for it anyway.
Su Li quietly made his decision and selected the option to purchase a small gift pack of attribute points. As he did so, the product page for the gift pack suddenly went blank, indicating that the purchase had been successful. At the same time, a new kit appeared in Su Li's system space, containing the attribute points he had just purchased.
[Small gift pack of attribute points: Open it to randomly get 1-3 points of free attributes.][Click to open]
As Su Li clicked open the small gift pack of attribute points, the system page in his mind was illuminated by a burst of golden light. He watched as the classic goose factory lottery animation played out in a fancy display.
The animation eventually stopped, and the message "You opened the small gift package of attribute points, and you are very lucky. Congratulations, you have obtained three free attributes!" appeared on the screen. Su Li's face lit up with joy – he had been lucky today, and it seemed his extended contact with little Changle had paid off.
Su Li knew that the small gift packs of attribute points had varying rewards based on luck. The number of attribute points one could obtain from a pack ranged from one to three, with rewards varying greatly between the European Emperor and the African Chieftain. (Ed note: European Emperor means very lucky, African Chieftain means very unlucky) 1
Su Li's eyes widened as he saw the classic personal attribute page appeared in his mind. It was like a page from an online game, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
He clicked on the "Personal attributes" tab, and the attribute panel appeared on the screen.
Name: Su Li
Age: 23 (points can be added) 1
Strength: 61 (points can be added)
Constitution: 57 (points can be added)
Acuity: 63 (points can be added)
Comprehension: 69 (points can be added)
Charisma: 63 (points can be added)
Free attributes available: 3
Su Li took a moment to review the attributes and their meanings as described by the system. He noted that the average adult had around 60 points for each attribute, with slight variations depending on the individual's emphasis.
As he understood it, strength was related to explosive power. This attribute could help Su Li become physically stronger and more capable of delivering powerful blows.
Physique, on the other hand, represented overall physical fitness and resilience, such as the ability to recover from injuries, withstand blows, and fight off viruses.
Acuity was linked to agility and included factors such as perception and intuition. This attribute could help Su Li become more agile and better at anticipating danger.
Comprehension was related to a person's ability to learn and innovate. Su Li realized that this attribute was particularly important for him as a scholar and strategist.
Finally, there was Charm, which included appearance, temperament, and command ability. Su Li understood that this attribute could help him inspire trust and loyalty in his subordinates, making it easier for him to lead and command.
He reminded himself that these attributes were innate and couldn't be improved through experience. The only way to increase them was through the acquisition of attribute points, such as the ones he had just obtained from the gift pack. 1
Su Li realized that no matter how much he learned, his innate attributes would always play a major role in his overall performance. The system confirmed this, explaining that innate attributes served as multiplication bases for physical fitness performance.
He understood that a set of complex algorithms was involved in calculating physical fitness performance, which considered various factors related to innate attributes. The final result was determined based on a series of calculations.
Su Li also realized that acquiring attribute points was crucial for improving his innate attributes and his physical fitness performance.
Su Li realized that his slightly lower physique attribute was the reason why he had slower recovery times when he got sick, slower improvements in physical exercise, and less endurance when working.
He decided that he needed to focus on improving his physique attribute to address these issues. He also knew that he could use attribute points to improve his physique attribute, and he made a plan to acquire as many attribute points as possible to help him achieve his goal.
Su Li felt satisfied with his decision to invest all three free attributes into his physique attribute. With his physique now at the level of a normal person, he felt more confident in his ability to handle physical challenges.
He also realized that he would need to continue to work on improving his physique through exercise and healthy habits. He made a mental note to prioritize his health and fitness to achieve his goals.
Attribute points were invested, and 57 became 60, reaching the standard line of normal people.
Su Li's feeling of subtle changes after investing his attribute points could be due to a psychological response to the perceived improvement in his physique. The actual physical changes might not be noticeable after a period of time, but the improvement in his overall physical health could manifest over time with consistent training and exercise.
"Prince-in-law, please have a meal!" The female officer suddenly said.
When Su Li was setting up the system, the female officer prepared a meal for Princess Changle and Su Li to keep themselves occupied. Princess Changle's meal consisted of porridge as she was unable to consume solid food due to her dietary restrictions. On the other hand, Su Li enjoyed a sumptuous spread of eight dishes and soup.
Su Li frowned slightly as he looked at the millet porridge in the female officer's hand. The idea of eating porridge to maintain good health was not entirely false. However, it was important to note that not every individual's body was the same, and thus, porridge might not be the most suitable meal for everyone to stay healthy.
In Princess Changle's case, despite being in a vegetative state, she could not solely rely on porridge as her diet. She needed to consume protein and vitamins to fulfill her body's nutritional requirements.
"How long has Princess Changle been consuming porridge?" Su Li inquired, with a crease on her forehead.
"She has been having porridge since she fell into a coma," the female officer responded, glancing doubtfully toward Su Li.
Millet porridge was a highly popular and widespread dish that was often used to nourish individuals. Moreover, given Princess Changle's current condition, porridge was the only viable option for her as she was unable to consume any other type of food.
Due to her vegetative state, Princess Changle's swallowing movements were limited and instinctive. Thus, if she ingested any other type of food, it could easily become stuck, potentially leading to dire consequences.
"Are there any fruits available in the Princess Mansion?" Su Li inquired.
"Yes, there are some seasonal fruits," the female officer responded.
Su Li pressed on with his questions, "And what about vegetables?"
"Of course, there are vegetables as well. The servants at the Princess Mansion are well-provided for, with access to vegetables, fruits, meat, and pastries," the female officer answered.
Su Li gazed at Princess Changle's pale face, feeling a sense of unease. He had seen a similar case in his previous life, where his boss's father had fallen into a vegetative state. In that instance, the boss hired the most skilled nurses to provide round-the-clock care. Despite being in a vegetative state for eight years, his body remained clean and well-maintained, with his hair neatly combed and his face retaining a healthy glow.
Typically, vegetative individuals exhibit stable bodily function, and their complexion tends to remain healthy. As such, Princess Changle's pallor was concerning, especially after having consumed millet porridge exclusively for over 20 days.
Although millet porridge could be nourishing, it could not provide all the necessary nutrients required by the body. Other dietary supplements must be incorporated as well.
"Let's do this. I'll feed her first. Please go and get some protein to break down into a powder, as well as some vegetables and fruits to extract their juice." Su Li spoke up. 1
Millet porridge was indeed a healthy dish, but it was wrong to rely solely on it for sustenance. According to Princess Changle's current condition, she urgently required protein and vitamins. Since protein powder was not available in this era, Su Li incorporated protein-rich foods into her diet after balancing.
In addition to the protein supplement, juicing vegetables and fruits would provide Princess Changle with the necessary vitamins she was currently lacking.
The female officer was taken aback by Su Li's understanding of Princess Changle's dietary needs. However, it was evident that the princess was bedridden and unwell, making it impossible for her to consume just anything. Furthermore, the imperial doctor had warned against feeding her randomly.
"Can't you see how pale the princess's face is?" Su Li frowned.
Caring for a vegetative person was a challenging task, and it involved many aspects beyond the comprehension of this era, including diet and daily life.
Su Li had previously witnessed how the boss's father was taken care of when he was in a vegetative state, but doctors of this era might not have accepted such care practices. In this era, the authority was with the imperial physician, not Su Li.
Nevertheless, Su Li was determined to do what was necessary. Proper care was crucial, not only to prolong Princess Changle's life but also to improve the likelihood of her awakening.
The female officer observed Su Li's serious demeanor for a moment. Despite his attitude, Su Li was merely a son-in-law in name only. The primary caretaker for Princess Changle was a female officer, with doctors stationed at the princess's mansion. Su Li's movements were restricted, and he didn't even have the authority to decide what to eat for the day.
Although, as the magistrate of the princess's mansion, the female officer was responsible for Princess Changle's well-being, even if she didn't have to take orders from Su Li. Additionally, Su Li's words seemed to hold some truth. While millet porridge was nourishing, it wasn't a typical meal for everyday consumption. Also, Princess Changle appeared to have a pale complexion.
The female officer was concerned, so she nodded and said, "I'll ask the medical officer again!" After saying that, the female officer left, leaving only Su Li and Princess Changle in the room.
Su Li gazed at the screen for a moment and noticed that his attribute points had increased from just over one thousand to two thousand, which was enough to purchase a low-quality life potion. Without any hesitation, he promptly clicked to buy the potion, and a red glass bottle materialized in his hand.
Su Li immediately opened the potion and administered it to Princess Changle himself. He had to be cautious of his surroundings while giving her the medicine. For the time being, Su Li couldn't explain the potion, and as he only had one bottle, it was impossible to have someone test it out first.
Fortunately, no one disturbed him while feeding her the medicine. Su Li managed to feed Princess Changle the entire bottle of low-quality life potion, and as the last drop was consumed, the glass bottle disappeared instantly.
What a pity , Su Li thought, considering that the transparent glass bottle might have been costly in ancient times.
As he looked down at Princess Changle, he saw that there didn't seem to be any noticeable changes. She still had a pale complexion.
"Hmm… that's not right," Su Li murmured. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that Princess Changle's eyes had opened slightly at some point.
At first, Su Li was taken aback, thinking that Princess Changle had woken up. Although, he found no response after calling out to her and attempting to rouse her. Upon closer examination, he realized that although her eyes were open, they were unfocused and empty, a typical physiological reaction of a vegetative state.
It was worth mentioning that the vegetative people were not motionless. Most vegetative individuals would open their eyes and blink, as it was an instinctive reaction of the body.
Thinking too much… System has said it's a low-quality life potion… Su Li thought.
He knew that the low-quality life potion could only stabilize and recover the disease to a certain extent. It seemed improbable to restore Princess Changle from her vegetative state.
Despite having the goal of earning points in mind, Su Li's primary concern was for Princess Changle's recovery. He didn't want to see a young and beautiful girl like her lose consciousness and fall into a vegetative state. He feared that Princess Changle's vegetative state could lead to complications and even result in her death. He didn't want her to miss out on her life and be buried without experiencing it fully.
It's a pity that if she wakes up, I won't be able to collect points all the time! Su Li thought.
Su Li couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. Even if he were to become the consort of Princess Changle, he might not be able to enjoy the privilege of being intimate with her. After all, the imperial court had strict rules regarding the relationship between a consort and a princess.
For instance, when Princess Gao Yang and the monk were extramarital in a sexual relationship, her husband Fang Yiai had to stand guard outside the door. Fortunately, Su Li was an orphan throughout his life. Otherwise, his parents would have been expected to show respect to the princess whenever they saw her.
"Let's think positively here… perhaps Princess Changle will wake up and see how good I look. Then she'll be moved to tears and actively seek flirting with me," Su Li playfully joked as he assisted Princess Changle to her feet.
"Hmm?" Su Li noticed that the speed of point Increase seemed to have enhanced. But after holding Princess Changle's hand, Su Li felt the rate return to normal. It was still 1 point about every 3 seconds.
As if when Su Li touched Princess Changle's body, the rate increased even more. It was about 1 point every 2 seconds.
That's strange , Su Li thought. The system just said that physical contact generates points, so why is the duration changing?
He pondered for a moment and considered the possibility that the more intimate the physical contact, the more points he would receive. Su Li glanced around sneakily and whispered, "Ummmm, no matter what, I am her husband after all…Some more intimate contact is also very normal, right?"
As Su Li gazed into Princess Changle's vacant and lifeless eyes, he couldn't help but feel like a heartless beast. He knew that the panacea required to cure her was not cheap, but he was determined to do whatever it took to save her.
"Princess, I am doing this for you!" Su Li muttered.
...…
Trapped in the dark cage of her consciousness, Princess Changle suddenly felt a faint movement in her throat.
Is it time to eat again? she thought, the taste of millet porridge filling her senses once more.
To Princess Changle, most of her waking moments in her coma had been marked by the discomfort of incontinence or the monotony of eating. Every time she regained consciousness, it was like enduring another form of torture.
For Princess Changle, excretion was a source of psychological humiliation, and eating was always physically uncomfortable. Every meal consisted of the same bland and repetitive millet porridge, which was always followed by a dose of bitter and unpalatable traditional Chinese medicine.
Since falling into her coma, Princess Changle had lost her sense of taste for any other flavors. Every meal was the same, with no variation or relief from the monotony. And this time was no different, as she tasted the familiar, tasteless millet porridge. She couldn't help but long for other flavors.
She missed the taste of fruits, vegetables, and other foods she used to enjoy. She wished for something different, something that would break the monotony of her bland diet.
Later on, Su Li and the female officer seemed to be having a vague argument. "She can't seem to eat," the female officer said.
"But you can squeeze fruits and vegetables to make juice," Su Li replied. "It makes sense!"
For Princess Changle, every bite of food was a precious commodity. She longed for something more than just bland porridge and bitter medicine. The thought of drinking fruit juice made her mouth water, and she wished the female officer would follow Su Li's advice.
Later on, the female officer left, saying that she wanted to consult with the medical officer. Princess Changle wondered if the imperial physician would agree to Su Li's suggestion.
She recalled the imperial doctor had always been a part of her life. Princess Changle relied on the imperial doctor to prepare traditional Chinese medicine for her as she had suffered from asthma every autumn and winter since childhood.
She couldn't help but wonder if a group of white-bearded old imperial doctors would be willing to agree to Su Li's proposal. Despite her doubts, Princess Changle hoped that they would see the sense in it and allow her to taste something different for once.
As the female officer left and the meal ended, Princess Changle's consciousness began to fade again. She rarely woke up and only did so when stimulated by the outside world. However, she now felt a warmth in her palms and something on her lips, as if he was feeding herself.
Is it fruit juice? What a pity…I'm about to fall asleep… Princess Changle's consciousness was so blurry that she was about to log off at any moment. However, with the inferior life potion entering her throat, her consciousness miraculously became clearer.
So fragrant…so sweet… Princess Changle's sense of taste was clear this time, no longer vague and muffled.
Princess Changle's consciousness stabilized, and she became more aware of her bodily sensations due to the low-quality life potion. The warmth in her palm, which had been vague before, now felt scorching hot and incredibly clear.
His hand is so hot… Princess Changle thought absentmindedly for a moment, even forgetting that she was still in a coma. Every sensation felt so vivid and real.
Princess Changle felt Su Li assisting her to stand up, but then he seemed to pause. She could hear him murmuring to himself.
"Princess, everything I have done is for you…" Su Li's tender voice spoke into her ear.
Is it Su Li? Did he give me some medicine that made me feel better? Princess Changle wondered, her mind racing to understand the situation.
She couldn't understand what Su Li meant as he continued muttering to himself, leaving her perplexed and lost in thought. As Princess Changle tried to make sense of the situation, she recalled having consumed something before losing consciousness. The female officer had left the room, leaving only her husband, Su Li behind. Had he given her something to help in her recovery?
Considering how much it had helped her recover, it must have been quite valuable. Her mind was still racing with questions when suddenly, she felt something odd on her lips. She was struck by the sensation of a pair of warm, slightly dry lips pressing against her own…