Princess Changle was overcome by a rush of unspeakable emotions in an instant.
Was it…his lips? Changle thought.
Due to the low-quality life potion, her consciousness significantly improved, and she perceived her surroundings much better than before.
In prolonged darkness, humans tend to improve their other senses. This heightened awareness made Princess Changle perceive the warmth around her lips with extraordinary clarity.
They were his lips…had he kissed me? Changle thought.
Princess Changle was enraged upon him. How could he do this? He was not a peasant but rather an imposter, She thought.
She was young and beautiful, and even though she was engaged, she never had any intimate contact with a man before.
At times, she had secretly pondered what it would be like to get married, and she had even witnessed her elder brother kissing a maid in the mansion. In her mind, this was what marriage was all about. Although, what just happened was completely different from anything she had ever imagined, as in Princess Changle's fantasies, a kiss should be more gradual and planned out, not an unexpected action like Su Li's sudden kiss.
Princess Changle's senses were much improved now. She could even feel the dryness and slight cracking of Su Li's lips and the roughness of his stubble against her skin. But she was powerless to do anything and forced to endure Su Li's actions.
Adding to her distress, Princess Changle recalled that the governor of her palace had already left to search for a physician. She couldn't shake the feeling that Su Li might have purposely sent her away to carry out this deceitful act.
Princess Changle was filled with anxiety and confusion, and she couldn't understand the emotions swirling within her. She didn't want Su Li to take advantage of her in this vulnerable position, yet she couldn't deny the heat radiating from his hands and lips that caused her to feel conscious.
This subtle emotion was similar to tasting forbidden fruit and fearing punishment. Princess Changle was at a loss as to what to do next.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for unlocking a new intimate action!][Congratulations to the host for receiving the primary stage reward, Introduction to Medicine!]
Following the thought in his mind, Su Li also noticed that when he kissed Princess Changle, the rate at which points accumulated changed to one point per second, three times faster than before. Although, when their lips parted, the point accumulation rate returned to normal.
" Ikki, at this level of intimacy, you earn 3,600 points per hour and over 80,000 points per day… Behave yourself ." "I simply helped Princess Changle up, and it took about two seconds to earn one point." "Wouldn't it be more intimate to scrub Princess Changle's body?" "What about intercourse?" A daring idea crossed Su Li's mind. "Could it be possible to earn ten points per second? That would be over 800,000 points a day!" "And are there rewards for unlocking new intimate actions?"
Su Li pondered this for a while until he obtained specific information about the system. As it turned out, the generation of points was not constant, it was actually related to the level of physical contact and intimacy.
Merely holding Princess Changle's hand would earn a steady rate of one thousand points per hour. If the interaction involved closer contact, such as sharing a bed and a pillow, the constant rate would be one point every two seconds. Regarding kissing, the constant rate would be one point per second.
As for higher levels, the specific speed of point acquisition could only be seen after unlocking them. It might sound absurd, but upon further consideration, it did seem a bit nonsensical.
I couldn't keep my mouth on Princess Changle's lips 24 hours a day, right? Moreover, I was only a nominal husband. Even when female officers assisted Princess Changle with her bath, I had to turn away. This kiss was a bold step only in the absence of female officers. It could only be considered a short-term plan. Currently, it was even impossible for me to hold Princess Changle's hand all the time.
With this in mind, Su Li could only shake his head helplessly and then look at the stage rewards given by the system. One was a "Medical Introduction," which included a vast amount of basic knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine that would enlighten him. The adjective used to describe this course was similar to the one used for the summary of the military strategy on the system's product page, indicating that the reward was probably of similar value, estimated at around 10,000 points.
It was possible that the "Medical Introduction" reward from the system could contain a way to revive Princess Changle since the field of traditional Chinese medicine had a wide range of knowledge and techniques. Su Li didn't hesitate and immediately clicked to use it.
In a trance, a lot of basic theoretical knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine flooded his mind, as well as more experience in curing diseases and saving lives. It covered various areas and diseases, from gynecological issues to bone adjustment for wind-cold, treating acne, and various types of illnesses in internal medicine, orthopedics, neurology, and trauma.
"But it's quite basic…" Su Li muttered.
The theoretical knowledge Su Li had acquired was quite complex yet basic, putting his current level at that of a clinic. He could cure ordinary diseases and provide general medical care but needed the expertise to handle complicated cases. Although he had a wealth of theoretical knowledge but lacked practical experience.
It was widely known that traditional Chinese medicine was an experiential discipline. One's proficiency in this field was not merely a matter of theoretical knowledge but also the result of extensive practice and experience. In other words, the various theories in traditional Chinese medicine were like mathematical formulas. While they might appear simple at first glance, they were challenging to apply in practice.
Therefore, Su Li realized that even with the knowledge he had gained from the system's reward, he still had a long way to go in mastering traditional Chinese medicine.
It was true that exceptional individuals could solve various types of problems with a single formula, while less capable individuals struggle to determine which formula to apply. This concept was often discussed among medical students.
Although, when it came to medical practice, there existed a significant gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The reality was that patients did not always present textbook cases, and finding the appropriate approach could be challenging. This was especially true when facing complex conditions like Princess Changle's, where even modern medicine lacked a systematic cure for vegetative states. In such cases, the focus was often on rehabilitation therapy, and the outcome depended on a combination of fate, luck, and the intricate nature of brainstem function. The uncertainty surrounding these situations made it difficult for anyone to guarantee a specific outcome.
Su Li had also searched for Baidu in his previous life due to the boss's vegetative father. Chinese medicine had some understanding of vegetative individuals, referred to as stupors by Sun Simiao. Being a doctor in a general clinic, Su Li couldn't do much about it.
Fortunately, the introduction to medical skills covered a broad range, including techniques like massage. This knowledge could prove useful in handling the daily maintenance of Princess Changle's body. It was crucial to prevent muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, and poor blood circulation resulting from long-term inactivity in a vegetative state. Su Li was afraid of harming Changle's body, as he lacked expertise in this area.
With the introduction to medical skills and the nursing methods he had observed in his previous life, Su Li could easily assist Princess Changle in maintaining her body. He sighed, realizing that relying solely on studying medicine might not save Changle.
The only reliable hope for saving Changle was in his system mall, refreshing with better options.
The knowledge gained from the introduction to traditional Chinese medicine not only helped Princess Changle in her daily recovery and upkeep but also helped to convince the imperial physician.
The fates of Su Li and Princess Changle were intertwined, and he was determined to find a way to facilitate her recovery. For instance, he formulated food plans and prepared a sequence of massages and daily body care, all of which were current rehabilitation therapies. Although Su Li was proficient in implementing these techniques for the recovery of Princess Changle, but he couldn't convince the imperial doctors of this era.
With the benefit of medical education and a solid grounding in traditional Chinese medical theories, Su Li could understand and make connections between various medical concepts. He even incorporated modern rehabilitation techniques to verify his findings. Through his studies, he discovered that everything could be explained from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine.
For instance, in the theory of food supplements, it was advised against blindly consuming light porridge for health preservation. The idea of light health preservation only applied to those with weak appearance and who needed to avoid over-oiled and over-seasoned foods. Blindly consuming porridge and water was not the solution.
Similarly, in medical texts on herbal medicine, it was noted that paralyzed individuals often developed back sores. These sores were caused by blockages, preventing proper breathing and disrupting the flow of energy in the meridians. In short, modern care for vegetative patients had a basis in medical classics.
During this era, there was a lack of distinction between individuals in a vegetative state and those in a coma, resulting in a shortage of specific care methods for vegetative individuals. Most of the available information regarding care for such patients was scattered across various medical books.
Su Li's advantage was that he recognized the vegetative state as a new medical condition, and he possessed knowledge regarding the specific manifestations and daily care requirements for these patients. Consequently, he clearly understood how to address these issues, and his approach to problem-solving was much more straightforward.
If he could convince the imperial doctor, he could take responsibility for Princess Changle's daily care. While Su Li might not be proficient in treating complex medical conditions, his knowledge was more than sufficient for routine maintenance tasks.
Through massage, exercises for the muscles and bones, and other similar techniques, Su Li could assist Princess Changle in maintaining her physical health. Since she was unable to move actively, Su Li would have to help her with these tasks, which would require some degree of physical contact.
In this way, he could become more intimately involved in Princess Changle's care and could gain more points.
It would be reasonable for Su Li to consider taking Princess Changle outside to bask in the sun while carrying her on his back. Even though he might not be able to share the same bed with her or have more profound intimacy, this could still earn him thousands of points each day, adding up to hundreds of thousands of points per year.
Furthermore, this action could help to stabilize Princess Changle's condition and improve her health, resulting in even more points. It would be a win-win situation for both of them, providing Su Li with valuable points while also benefiting Princess Changle's well-being.
In the realm of consciousness, Princess Changle's mind was in turmoil. She was a young girl who had recently reached adulthood and never had any intimate contact with the opposite sex. She had married a man whom she had never seen with her own eyes. When he took her hand and placed a soft kiss on her lips, she felt her heart stir with emotion.
Princess Changle found Su Li to be a completely uncivil person, but she didn't find it annoying because he treated her like a human being. Although her husband seemed a little strange, he always held her hand, which made her wonder why he didn't dislike her now. This thought suddenly popped up in her mind, and inexplicably, her emotions surged.
Su Li provided her with the greatest psychological comfort during her most embarrassing time, even though they had never met before. They were already in a legitimate husband-and-wife relationship. Princess Changle suddenly felt that it was inappropriate to call Su Li an uncivil person, as he was her own husband, and they had held a wedding approved by her parents. However, she was worried if he liked her or not, as she was in a vegetative state and he was forced to marry her. Princess Changle was suddenly worried about the gains and losses of the situation.
Su Li gently helped Princess Changle to lie on the bed and began massaging her. This was originally what Su Li had intended to do, but he was interrupted at the time and accidentally gained some knowledge of medical skills. He had been worried about not being professional enough and causing harm, but now he didn't have to worry anymore.
Princess Changle felt puzzled about Su Li's intentions once again as he proceeded with his actions. She noticed her socks being taken off and became even more anxious. Originally anxious, Princess Changle felt uneasy about Su Li's actions, but due to her immobility, she found herself completely at the mercy of her husband while the governor of the Princess Mansion was away.
He won't… Princess Changle thought and wanted to safeguard her body, but her inability to move rendered her helpless in this situation.
Su Li examined the jade feet in his hands. They were beautiful, but he had no impure intentions. Instead, he applied the medical skills he had acquired through his studies. Princess Changle could feel her feet being grasped by Su Li's large hands. She wondered why he was holding her feet and feared he might do something inappropriate. However, Su Li only removed her socks and held her feet without doing anything else. This provoked Princess Changle's curiosity.
She thought, His hands are so big.
One of his hands was even larger than her feet. As Su Li began to apply pressure, a mixture of soreness and pain emerged from the soles of her feet. Princess Changle had seen her mother massage her father's feet before, and he always had a content and uncomfortable expression on his face. She imagined that if she could express herself now, she would have the same expression as her father.
It's itchy …, she thought. It hurts …, she continued. Sour !
This seemed to be an imitative expression of the sensations she was experiencing. Perhaps it indicated that Princess Changle was feeling an acidic sensation. She was in pain and pleasure simultaneously.
Professional medical and targeted massage primarily cause a sour sensation rather than comfort. Despite the indescribable sourness, Princess Changle sensed that the blockage and discomfort in her feet were softening.
It seems that my husband is not someone who takes advantage of others , she thought.
Princess Changle was initially worried that Su Li would engage in improper behavior while the governor of the princess's mansion was away, but she didn't expect him to simply give her a massage.
That's not right… he also kissed me… Princess Changle thought about Su Li's dry yet gentle lips.
Alongside the indescribable bitterness, Princess Changle diverted her thoughts. She couldn't help it. She couldn't show her expression, couldn't voice it, couldn't scream. It would be too uncomfortable if she didn't redirect her thoughts and focus her attention elsewhere.
He has such rough hands and calluses too… Princess Changle silently pondered in her heart.
Su Li remained focused on massaging Princess Changle, starting from her feet and moving up to her calves. Massage and exercise were crucial to prevent muscle atrophy and maintain mobility. If a vegetative person woke up without regular movement, they would still be unable to move, not much different from not waking up at all.
It feels so comfortable… If only he could massage me every day! she pondered.
Lying motionless on the bed for twenty consecutive days, Princess Changle's consciousness hadn't fully recovered. It was fine, and the sensations weren't real. Whenever she consciously felt her body, she only experienced stiffness and overall soreness. Yet, every area that Su Li touched seemed to magically become smooth and lively. Although, the pleasant moments were short-lived.
With the sound of the door opening, the female officer who had gone to call the imperial doctor returned with the doctor. Upon entering, they caught sight of Princess Changle's bare feet dangling off the side of the bed, with Su Li sitting on a low stool, holding her small leg.
"Su Li, what are you doing!"
The female officer called out Su Li's name with a severe tone, indicating that she was very angry. It seemed that Su Li's status as a son-in-law was completely disregarded. Even if Su Li was a legitimate son-in-law, he had no authority to criticize the governor of the princess's mansion.
What was the governor of the princess's mansion's status? It was equivalent to the head butler of the entire princess's household, and this position was conferred by the royal harem, not chosen by the princess herself. Therefore, even the princess could not decide who would hold the position of the governor of the princess's mansion.
Additionally, most of the governors of the princess's mansion had taken care of the princess since they were young, so their status was extraordinary. Some of the more authoritarian governors of the princess's mansion could even control when the son-in-law could have intercourse with the princess and how frequently it could occur. In short, their power was immense.
Regarding the son-in-law position, to be honest, it was not a prestigious job and didn't carry any status. Fang Yiai 'Fang Xuanling's 2nd son' couldn't even control Princess Gao Yang's affair and had to stand guard outside the door. One could only imagine how low the status of a son-in-law was during the Tang Dynasty.
The governor of the Princess Mansion always spoke respectfully to Su Li, not because he held any power, but rather to give him some face. However, when the female officer saw Su Li taking off Princess Changle's socks and massaging her legs, she was enraged. How dare this peasant perform such a bold and obscene act on an unconscious princess!
Su Li replied calmly, stating that he was massaging the princess to unblock her meridian. Despite the calmness in Su Li's expression, the female officer was still skeptical, putting the well-being of the princess first.
She turned to the imperial doctor for evidence, who confirmed that Su Li's massage technique was genuine and came from the school of manipulation in Vegetarianism. The imperial physicians were highly skilled medical practitioners with vast medical knowledge, and their approval reassured the female officer.
"The servant bumps into the son-in-law in a hurry. Please forgive my rudeness!" The female officer saluted. Su Li shook his head and waved his hand. "It's okay. You must be very worried about the princess as well."
The other party apologized, but it didn't have any effect. Su Li knew very well what his status was. Even if his father were the prime minister, he wouldn't dare to act tough when facing the governor of the princess's mansion. Compared to some arrogant and overbearing female officers, Su Li found the female officer in front of him to be quite reasonable. She knew when to advance and retreat, understood social hierarchy, and genuinely cared for their lord.
After Su Li finished speaking, the female officer stood up straight and turned to the imperial doctor. She said, "Please, sir, take another look at the princess." The imperial doctor nodded and approached, but he didn't feel Princess Changle's pulse. In fact, he had already checked her pulse several times since she fell into a coma.
The strange thing was that during the first two days, her pulse was abnormal for a coma patient—fast and irregular. They prescribed medicine accordingly, assuming it was a traumatic coma. Although, the situation changed later on. A few days after taking the medicine, Princess Changle's pulse became normal, just like that of a healthy person. But she still didn't wake up.
This particular illness was known among the people as the "lost soul disease." It belonged to the realm of metaphysics and was not within the expertise of the palace's imperial physicians. As a result, Princess Changle's subsequent treatments included summoning spirits, seeking blessings, and performing dances for the great gods. The layout of many areas in the Princess Mansion had even been rearranged according to Feng Shui principles. Although, all these efforts proved fruitless.
Unfortunately, there were very few records about the lost soul disease in medical books, and no treatment plan existed. The cause and nature of the disease were vague, and since the pulse condition appeared normal, there were no clear clues to follow. The disease remained incurable, and the exact nature and cause of it were unknown. Therefore, the approach to Princess Changle's daily diet had to be extremely cautious.
Currently, the governor had informed Su Li that feeding the Princess with protein, fruits, and vegetables might be more beneficial. Su Li had read about such practices in a book on treating illnesses.
The imperial doctor leaned in, observing Su Li's massage techniques, and asked, "Do you have any knowledge about this disease? I can see that your technique is quite professional, although it appears somewhat conventional, as if following a set of instructions. But it seems to be sufficient for activating blood circulation and clearing meridians."
Su Li furrowed his brow at the imperial doctor's question. Initially, he had intended to persuade the doctor to prioritize Princess Changle's health. Additionally, he saw this as an opportunity to gain favor by providing nursing care close to the princess. Although, such an intimate matter involving Princess Changle would require the approval of a medical professional and would likely need to be reported to Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun.
"How much do you know about this disease?" Su Li didn't answer but asked in return.
"We don't know much about it. Most people believe it is caused by the loss of a soul, but I don't think that's the case… Furthermore, the opinions of the imperial doctors are unclear, and some people think it's a coma…" The imperial doctor said with a furrowed brow.
No way. There were too few explanations of this disease in medical books. "I've read about this disease in a book, and it's called wood stiffness!" The condition was described in Sun Simiao's Thousand Gold Prescription as "wood stiffness," which referred to a vegetative state and the typical symptoms of the brain being impaired, resulting in the mechanical non-response of the body.
Its main symptom was that the brain was stimulated, leading to uncontrolled behavior of the body. This indicates that Sun Simiao had formally categorized this mental illness, separating it from metaphysics.
"Wood stiffness?" the imperial doctor exclaimed. "It's simply the brain being stimulated to the point where it can no longer control the body…"
Su Li listed some typical diseases mentioned in medical books where the brain was shocked and resulting in abnormal intelligence and behavior.
"Is there a solution?" The imperial doctor asked eagerly upon hearing those words.
"No solution… The book divides this condition into many subtypes, most of which have no known cure. They can only recover autonomously. In severe cases, individuals may be paralyzed and bedridden, but there are instructions on how to care for their bodies." Su Li explained.
Then Su Li proceeded to share the vegetative nursing methods that had been prepared long ago, combining ancient and modern Chinese medicine. Additionally, Su Li provided evidence of corresponding medical skills for each nursing method. In simple terms, the aim was to differentiate the complications caused by long-term bed rest and a monotonous diet from those directly related to the vegetative condition.
"In this way, bedsores and physical weakness have nothing to do with this disease…" The imperial doctor nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, the challenge lies in the inability to move or control one's body, and the combination of these factors makes it difficult to manage." Su Li explained.
"So, I believe I understand now!" The imperial doctor nodded.
From Su Li's perspective, Princess Changle's illness was caused by a brain problem, and apart from losing consciousness, everything else seemed normal. Therefore, everyone, except for her head, had to be viewed as a normal person. The level of imperial doctors was not low, and the issue was merely a matter of their thinking.
In other words, Princess Changle couldn't be treated as a patient. Instead, the goal was to make her, someone who had lost the ability to care for herself, appeared like a normal person. However, a normal person couldn't lie in bed for an extended period, eat all their food at once, remain in one position, stay out of the sun constantly, or remain still. But since Princess Changle couldn't control her own body, an external force was necessary to help her move.
Otherwise, even normal individuals would become weak and frail after lying in bed for an extended period. Some elderly individuals who were previously active were unable to get out of bed after being sick and bedridden for over ten days, as their muscles had atrophied.
"In this way, the princess truly cannot always lay on the bed!" The imperial doctor agreed, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation.
The female officer struggled to understand, but upon seeing the imperial doctor's cheerful expression, she hastily spoke up, "Excuse me, sir, do you have any leads?"
The imperial doctor's smile faltered, and he shook his head. "All I have is what the Duke(son-in-law) said and did, which sparked an idea in my mind. I am ashamed that I cannot cure the princess. Following this approach, I can only improve her condition slightly, giving her more vitality. However, as for when she will wake up, I do not yet know…" the imperial doctor explained.
"Please, sir, I request you to help!" the female officer pleaded, clasping her hands together. So she wouldn't wake up, but at least it would be beneficial to improve the princess's condition. Helplessly, she watched as the princess grew weaker and thinner with each passing day.
"Upon being reminded by the young master, I remembered a nourishing food recipe. If ordinary people follow this formula, they can extend their lives and maintain good health. It would be fitting to administer it to the princess. As for the massage, the son-in-law's medical skills are adequate," the imperial doctor proposed.
They suggested treating Princess Changle's body as that of an ordinary person. Although the imperial doctor regarded Su Li's massage techniques as mediocre, they seemed sufficient for this task. Furthermore, it was not a simple matter that could be completed in a short time. They needed to find a way to provide enough exercise for Princess Changle's body to prevent muscle atrophy, at least three or four hours a day.
The imperial doctor himself was elderly and lacked the physical strength required. On the other hand, Su Li possessed good medical skills and had proposed the plan.
Additionally, as Su Li was the son-in-law, using him would avoid suspicion. Clearly, there was no one more suitable for the job than Su Li. After a brief pause, the female officer gazed at Su Li and nodded in agreement.
"I request the son-in-law's assistance. If you require anything, do not hesitate to ask," she declared. Su Li's face lit up with joy.
Finally, he had been granted permission to rehabilitate and attend to Princess Changle! He would be justified in feeding, massaging, and exercising her muscles and bones from now on. Even the imperial doctor recognized the legitimacy of his professional expertise, leaving no room for objection from Li Er. Wouldn't this result in an increase in the number of points he could receive every day?
Technician No. 18 Su Li, applying for the job!
Su Li had finally fulfilled his wish of personally rehabilitating Princess Changle. Still, he was disappointed when the female officer didn't seem inclined to let him handle the task of scrubbing the princess's body.
"Do you think I'm an outsider?" Su Li muttered.
After completing Princess Changle's rehabilitation on the bed, Su Li got out of the room with the princess in his arms.
"It's important to engage in outdoor activities for a certain period of time," Su Li explained to the female officer who stood nearby. "People can't stay cooped up in one room all the time."
"Thank you, consort!" the female officer nodded, her tone slightly gentler than before.
Su Li noticed a change in her attitude. While she had rarely disrespected him, in the past, she always gave him a strong sense of detachment. He felt like an outsider, with most of her interactions characterized by ignorance with him. Now she barely even showed that she was on guard against him. (ED Note: The term "consort" is used here to refer to Su Li as the husband of Princess Changle, denoting his status.)
Su Li brought Princess Changle to the courtyard, where the sun had already risen. He carefully supported her under the armpits and began helping her with stretching exercises. This time, he noticed that the female officer was standing in the corner of the courtyard and was observing him from a distance. She still seemed responsible and focused, but the gap between them had closed.
In truth, caring for someone in a vegetative state or someone who was paralyzed was quite similar. The main focus was on preventing joint and muscle atrophy caused by immobility. The awakening of a vegetative person wasn't as dramatic as portrayed in melodramatic TV shows, where they suddenly open their eyes and spring back to life.
The initial signs of consciousness returning for a vegetative individual might involve the ability to see things or slight movements, along with some response to external stimuli. Unfortunately, due to improper care, many vegetative patients suffered from joint and muscle atrophy. Even if they regained consciousness, they would remain bedridden and paralyzed.
The brain was the most amazing center, unparalleled in its complexity. No one could determine whether the person in a vegetative state was truly alive and responsive or merely confined to a motionless existence. Although, Su Li was determined to help in Princess Changle's rehabilitation, giving his utmost effort.
In the realm of consciousness, Changle also sensed that she was being whisked away by Su Li, leaving behind the suffocating confines of her room. She experienced the touch of sunlight for the first time since she fell into coma.
"I want to help you recover!"
The voice of Su Li echoed in Changle's ear. She barely had a moment to relish the sensation of being cradled in someone's arms before she felt something beneath her feet. Once again, she touched the ground with her feet due to Su Li's support. It was the first time Princess Changle felt truly grounded, a profoundly joyful feeling.
Later on, she realized that Su Li was moved her body into various unusual positions. This level of intimate physical contact was even more intense than receiving a massage from Su Li. She noticed that her body could feel these poses because a significant portion of her body was curled up within Su Li's arms.
Curiously, it was nothing more than physical contact, yet it felt like Su Li's body was a scorching flame. Wherever he touched her, his warmth radiated intensely. Su Li left no joint untouched from knuckles to wrists, elbows to ankles, knees to waist.
To be frank, Princess Changle possessed a supple and fragrant body. Although, Su Li had no impure thoughts because the young girl was still in a coma state. For Su Li, the gratification came from witnessing the remarkable increase in the speed of earning points.
Considering the possibility that little Changle might be in an awakened state of consciousness and felt shame while undergoing body exercises, Su Li felt it was necessary to motivate her through his words. Even if she could only vaguely hear a few words, it could still be a source of great psychological comfort to someone trapped in darkness for a long time.
"This is a necessary process for your recovery," Su Li said as he manipulated Changle's body and settled her against his chest. He held her two toes with both hands and stretched them gently.
"Do you know why many elderly people cannot stand up after falling or being bedridden for some time?" he asked. "It's because their muscles and joints atrophy. Muscle and joint atrophy in the elderly is more rapid than that of the young. Although you are still very young, if you do not take the necessary care, you may only be able to lie on the bed when you wake up."
Princess Changle felt embarrassed by the various poses Su Li had performed with her but also grateful for his explanation. The governor of Princess Changle did not stop the process, and it dawned on her that it might be necessary after all. Despite this, the whole experience remained highly embarrassing for her.
Princess Changle felt like a rag doll being manipulated, a feeling similar to her own childhood when she used to play rough with dolls. Although Su Li's movements were gentle and careful, treating her with a different kind of posture.
"Don't worry. I will take care of you from now on. After all, I am your husband, no matter the circumstances. Although others may see me as an unfortunate son-in-law… no one will ever lay a hand on your body," Su Li reassured her as he diligently attended to her nursing needs. "After all, we are already married. Although some people may argue that it was a rushed celebration, I hold a sincere commitment towards you."
Princess Changle unconsciously held her breath, although she had no control over it. It was merely an illusion brought on by her heightened awareness. In truth, she longed to hear Su Li's genuine thoughts about her, particularly after this person unexpectedly entered her darkness and brought a glimmer of light. Even though Su Li had already expressed his devotion, Changle would occasionally still feel a sense of guilt, fearing that she had caused Su Li to suffer in some way.
Although she had to admit, Su Li's unexpected visit was a wonderful thing for her. After all, only Su Li would talk endlessly to her even though she didn't respond. He treated her like an ordinary person. It was only after Su Li arrived that she experienced different flavors beyond traditional Chinese medicine and millet porridge. It was only after Su Li came that she truly felt the warmth of the sun and the gentle touch of the breeze.
Su Li breaking into her life was a positive change for her, but what about himself? Even though Su Li once claimed that he was living the happy life he had dreamed of because of her…
"I've heard a saying, 'Five hundred lifetimes are exchanged for one encounter in this life,'" Su Li said, holding Princess Changle's hand. "Maybe in our previous life, we didn't do anything and just gazed at each other so that I, a peasant who should have toiled in the fields all my life, ended up marrying a princess. But regardless, I believe it's fate."
Princess Changle couldn't describe what she felt, but something seemed to constrict her heart.
When Princess Changle heard Su Li talking about what could have been their past lives, she felt a mysterious sensation spread through her heart. However, Su Li was only delighted because of his rapid increase in points. These points were gained because he had physical contact with Princess Changle by helping her fight off joint and muscle atrophy with whole-body exercises. Yet, this was no easy task.
Su Li's personal attributes were average, but once his physicality reached 60 and all his attributes surpassed the average, he possessed abilities beyond that of ordinary people. Although Princess Changle was not heavy and weighed only about 100 pounds, engaging in an activity lasting over two hours was quite challenging for Su Li.
Despite Princess Changle's beauty and attractive presence, Su Li was drenched in sweat from exhaustion.
I'm still a small puppy… Su Li sighed with emotion.
Nevertheless, considering the rewards in terms of points and the growing intimacy between them, Su Li speculated that he could effortlessly accumulate an additional 3,000 points each day. It would be even more advantageous if he could share a bed with Princess Changle at night, potentially earning him six or seven thousand more points. If he were responsible for attending to all of Princess Changle's needs personally, without any female officers present to supervise, Su Li estimated that he could accumulate a staggering 40,000 points in a single day.
It's quite common to refresh small attribute point gift packs, Su Li thought.
He reflected on the previous refresh rate, estimating that approximately ten to twenty packs could be released in a month. With each gift pack opening two attributes, it meant that a total of twenty attributes could be increased within a month.
Su Li was still enthusiastic about the system when he first traveled through time. Even though he didn't have any points initially, he eagerly checked the daily refreshed products. Most of the items had not been seen in a long time since they were only refreshed once, but small gift packs for attribute points were relatively common. Su Li had been observing them for several months, and sometimes there were more than 20 copies available in a month, while at other times, there were only a few or even less than a dozen refreshes.
As for other commodities, it varied greatly. Sometimes they were cheap but useless, while other times, they were extremely expensive. Although, with Princess Changle's ability to earn points, he was earning more than 20,000 points daily. Even if he disregarded the fixed expenditure of attribute points, he could save over 300,000 points in a month.
This meant that Su Li could buy almost all the commodities in the system as long as they weren't too expensive. It was also advantageous to frequently refresh the attribute point gift packs since there was a minimum attribute increase limit each month. Attribute points were considered high-quality and affordable, as they provided significant bonuses with each point. While the difference between 60 points and 61 points might not be substantial, there was a significant gap between 99 points and 100 points.
Moreover, Su Li could continuously add attribute point gift packs to his innate attributes through the system. This was a terrifying prospect, as it meant he could potentially accumulate unlimited attribute points. It was even possible to reach a level where he could rival an entire country with his attributes alone. The highlight of the system shop was that, as long as one had enough money to spend, one could attain unparalleled power.
With Princess Changle's help, Su Li could easily become an influential figure. Although, he wondered if, after ten or twenty years, he would still be considered human with attributes at such an extraordinary level.
...
On the opposite side, the female officer silently observed the scene happening before her. While assisting Princess Changle in her recovery, Su Li engaged in a one-sided conversation with the unresponsive princess. It took considerable time before a smile finally graced Princess Changle's face. It had been a while since she had last laughed, ever since falling into a coma.
The female officer witnessed the furrowed brows of the imperial physicians and the various peculiar metaphysical rituals. Ultimately, His Majesty had placed all his hopes on one option, following Yuan Tiangang's suggestion and selecting a commoner for wedding benediction. The female officer couldn't voice her discontent with Li Er's decision, as it was beyond her place to question it.
While most people pitied Su Li, the unfortunate soul destined to be buried with the princess, the female officer only believed that Su Li had won favor with Princess Changle. She had watched Princess Changle grow up and considered her as her own daughter. Naturally, she didn't want Princess Changle to marry a crude peasant. It was like a father in today's world who wanted his well-behaved daughter to marry someone respectable, but would rather she didn't end up with a lively person who was involved in supernatural activities.
The female officer smiled, finally finding a hint of appreciation for Su Li. Nonetheless, she was merely a female officer and couldn't question Li Er's decision, regardless of her dissatisfaction. If the son-in-law proved capable of taking care of and protecting the princess, it would be a positive development. While the marriage could not be changed, the female officer hoped that everything would progress smoothly.
"Excuse me, please hurry up with the princess's bath," the female officer instructed a maid. Having already stayed up all night, she needed to be relieved. From her current viewpoint, it was impossible to entrust Princess Changle's care solely to Su Li.
Before anything else, she must report to Li Er that Su Li had participated in Princess Changle's treatment. While it was reasonable for the son-in-law to be involved in his wife's care, it was also necessary to obtain the emperor's approval for daily involvement.
The governor of the princess's mansion was responsible for managing this matter. Su Li also had to inform Li Er of his participation in Princess Changle's treatment. This was not a decision that the governor of the mansion could make on her own.
In the Temple of Manna, the Empress of the Great Tang, Zhangsun Wuji, gently shook Li Shimin's arm and said, "Your Majesty, you must eat something."
Li Shimin replied sorrowfully, "The palace physicians have tried various methods, including witchcraft, feng shui, and seeking blessings from temples and Taoist priests, but there has been no improvement in the princess's condition. How can I eat in such circumstances?"
Yesterday, Li Er again visited the temple to pray for a miracle, but there was still no good news. He could hardly bear to look at his daughter's increasingly frail and pallid face. It felt surreal how she had been vibrant and full of life just a short while ago, and now she lay motionless on the bed, showing no signs of response.
"No matter what, Your Majesty, as the ruler of the country, you must sustain yourself," the Empress continued. "And according to Yuan Tiangang… the wedding should bring news about her awakening soon…"
"That's wishful thinking!" Li Shimin exclaimed, pounding his fist on the table. The thought only enraged Li Er further.
Yuan Tiangang had promised Li Er that Princess Changle would wake up after the wedding benediction, but the news so far had been displeasing. Li Er had hurriedly consulted with doctors and followed Yuan Tiangang's suggestion to marry his daughter off to a commoner, but it had not brought any improvement to her condition. When he consulted with the old Taoist again, the latter had brushed him off, saying that they would have to wait for some time.
Li Shimin was frustrated with the situation. None of the priests, monks, or doctors seemed capable of helping his daughter. To make matters worse, Princess Changle had to marry a peasant in her current state.
At that moment, a eunuch interrupted Li Er's thoughts, informing him that the magistrate of the Li Quality Mansion had something to report.
Female officer informed Li Er about Su Li's medical skills and his dedication for the recovery of Princess Changle.
"Does he know medical skills?" Li Er frowned and looked at the female officer in front of him. Despite the turmoil in his heart, Li Er had not neglected the female officer from the Princess Mansion when she had requested to see her daughter, Princess Changle. He longed to hear that his daughter had awoken from her illness, but sadly, this was not the case.
As per the female officer's report, Su Li 'the son-in-law chosen by Yuan Tiangang for wedding benediction', possessed some medical skills and had a certain understanding of Changle's condition. Though the imperial doctors had declared that there was no way to rouse Changle from her slumber, there were some leads.
This was one of the few glimmers of hope they had received thus far. Concerning Princess Changle's illness, besides the mystical explanations given by the group of monks, the imperial physicians were entirely in the dark as to what kind of disease she was suffering from. Even as a king, the most exalted person in the world, he could only watch helplessly as his daughter faded day by day.
"Since the imperial doctor said that it is good for Changle's body, let him do it!" Li Er said after a moment of pondering. Li Er did not know where Su Li 'a peasant' had acquired his medical skills.
"How does Su Li treat the princess once he enters the mansion?" Empress Zhangsun asked, curious about his methods.
Changle's wedding had been arranged hastily for the sake of celebration. Before that, Empress Zhangsun and Li Er had not given much thought to the kind of person Su Li was. To them, he was merely a servant, a person to be used and discarded, much like a disposable tool.
It was a sad truth that happiness often became the last resort in desperate situations, despite any other considerations.
"The son-in-law… genuinely cares for the princess," the female officer replied after a moment of consideration. "He spends the nights by Princess Changle's bedside, helping her fall asleep. During the day, he aids in her recovery, communicates with the imperial doctor, and engages in conversations with her…"
Despite this, neither Li Er nor Empress Zhangsun expressed any opinions, and the female officer chose to resign gracefully in the end.
After Empress Zhangsun and Li Er were alone in the room, Empress Zhangsun broke the silence.
"One day, one hundred days of grace," she pondered for a while. "I was worried that Su Li might feel resentful, so I had the female officer keep an eye on him…"
In fact, Empress Zhangsun had given many instructions to the female officers in the Princess Mansion, which was also the main reason why Su Li felt he wasn't trusted. Despite being a peasant, Su Li had become a tool to be buried with her. It was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't feel resentful and do something rash.
Now, based on the female officer's report, it could be said that Su Li was a loyal and considerate person who understood the meaning of "a day husband and wife a hundred days grace." He had calmly guarded the bed on the first night of the wedding, refraining from touching the bride, and the next day, he went out of his way to show affection by hanging on to her chest.
"This is a great blessing for him," Li Er commented.
Changle's marriage had been a last resort. How could Li Er easily accept his daughter marrying a commoner? Although the wedding had taken place, there was still a long way to go before Li Er could fully accept it. Furthermore, the lives of Su Li and Princess Changle were intertwined, and diligent care might be nothing more than an illusion.
Nevertheless, the fact remained that Changle was now married to Su Li, and they could only hope that it would lead to a successful awakening of Princess Changle.
The room fell into silence once again, and it took a while for Li Er to speak. "I'm going to see Lizhi…"
...
In the courtyard of the Princess Mansion, Su Li had been assisting Princess Changle with various activities for a long time. After ensuring that every joint and muscle of Princess Changle felt relaxed, Su Li finally stopped.
Glancing at the points balance, it now showed 7434 points. Su Li had spent approximately two hours on massages and activities for Princess Changle. Throughout this period, the points increased consistently in every two seconds.
Considering the level of contact involved in simply holding hands, the points should have been around 4000 at this point. In just four hours, they had gained over 3000 points. The point balance, which had previously been reset due to the purchase of low-quality life potions and attribute point gift packs, had once again become abundant. It was getting close to the 10,000 points mark, and it was only around two o'clock in the afternoon.
With ten hours remaining until midnight, Su Li realized that he could easily accumulate 10,000 points. With that amount, he could acquire an overview of the art of war. Although he didn't want to become an instant famous player in the world, he could quickly gain a wealth of theoretical knowledge about the art of war and apply it in basic ways. His goal was to acquire the necessary skills without attracting too much attention.
After taking Introduction to Medical Skills, Su Li gained a level of knowledge similar to that of a doctor in a small country – comprehensive but with relatively ordinary medical skills.
Upon acquiring Introduction to the Art of War, Su Li believed he now possessed instant knowledge of the art of war and could become a general of a thousand people. He felt confident in his ability to win in all aspects, whether it be cavalry, infantry, or archers. Though it might not have been impressive, he knew it laid a strong foundation, and he could continue to study and improve.
Despite the rising trend of his points, Su Li decided to save the remaining points after purchasing Introduction to the Art of War. He knew that 99 dragon ball fragments could be combined into one dragon ball, and seven dragon balls could summon a dragon. The system mall refresh was based on randomness, so he wasn't sure when the next dragon ball fragment would be available. Therefore, he believed it was better to save his points and accumulate less to make more in the future so that he wouldn't miss out on expensive system products.
Su Li smiled contentedly as he looked at his points continuously increasing and held Princess Changle in his arms, thinking, It can only be described as comfortable!
...
For Princess Changle, the prolonged and disgraceful intimate physical contact had finally ended. She no longer had to fear the various strange positions that Su Li put her in. Now she was securely cradled in Su Li's arms.
Is it over? Princess Changle wondered silently. Will you put me back in bed again?
Princess Changle disliked being confined to the bed, as nobody enjoyed lying down all day. Before Su Li's arrival, she would lie stiffly in bed every day. In comparison, even though Su Li manipulated her body into peculiar postures for treatment, Princess Changle still felt it was better than lying motionless on the bed.
Now that she had regained consciousness, Princess Changle suddenly realized a problem. If Su Li wasn't present, there would be no one to talk to her while she remained unconscious and unable to respond, just like Su Li did. She could only listen without the ability to reply or move. When she was unconscious before, she would only awaken when stimulated by excretion or eating. Once Su Li left, it seemed that she would have to endure the lonely silence of her own consciousness.
"Do you want to hear a story?" Su Li sat on the ground with Princess Changle in his arms, basking in the pleasant warmth of the sun. Instantly, any lingering worry in Princess Changle's heart vanished completely.
Princess Changle experienced inexplicable emotions as Su Li shared a story with her.
Does he tell me a story? she wondered aloud.
That's wonderful! she thought.
The days following her coma had been challenging and filled with bitterness for Changle. So, she was pleasantly surprised by Su Li's willingness to engage in extensive conversations with her, as if he was certain she could hear him.
After accepting the reality that she might be in this state for a long time, Princess Changle felt that the happiest thing was Su Li's sudden arrival in her life. He was willing to talk to her like a normal person, although she couldn't answer Su Li.
Su Li was unaware of Changle's joyful response. In truth, he merely used storytelling as an excuse to keep Princess Changle by his side and earn more points within the system.
Deeply committed to help Princess Changle's recovery, Su Li had resolved to purchase any beneficial item available in the system mall. Based on his past experiences, Su Li knew that the system mall would refresh its inventory approximately every ten days to half a month. He eagerly awaited the next refresh, hoping to find something valuable that could assist Princess Changle.
The cost of miraculous medicine and rare herbs might be high, but with Changle being a treasured individual, even if he couldn't afford it initially, he could permanently lock the product permissions using the system. It wouldn't be costly, typically only hundreds of thousands or a few million points. Su Li believed that with his utmost efforts, he could earn enough points within about a month.
Although, Su Li faced a dilemma. After Changle woke up, she would have to adjust to her unfamiliar husband and might find it difficult to immediately accept his excessive intimacy. It would be challenging for him to earn points daily while maintaining a justifiable distance in her eyes.
Therefore, Su Li had to seize the opportunity each day to accumulate more points. As Princess Changle had not yet awakened, she had no means to resist their intimate interactions, despite the lingering strangeness in the air. Storytelling served multiple purposes for Su Li—it provided psychological comfort to Princess Changle and potentially deepened her impressions and positive feelings toward her yet-to-be-met husband. This way, when Changle eventually awakened, there might already be a foundation of emotional connection.
Perhaps he would care for and accompany Princess Changle so attentively that she would yearn for his love upon awakening. The exact time when the comatose person regained consciousness was unknown, but it didn't dismiss the possibility that Princess Changle's consciousness would remain active. Therefore, she could perceive Su Li's words and actions. As a result, when Princess Changle awakened, she would already possess a profound emotional connection with him. This could potentially enhance his ability to earn points and speed up the process of accumulating points.
Princess Changle felt a question mark emerging in her mind as she heard about "The Fighting Continent." Despite her noble status and exposure to numerous books and stories, she had never come across this tale from Su Li. She wondered if Little Xiao Kaoru, a supposed genius, had experienced a decline in strength due to some unknown reason.
Su Li intended to share a serious story, initially planning to recount the tale of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. However, he realized that he only knew one name associated with that story. Considering the four famous novels, he realized he had a basic understanding of their overall content but was unsure where to begin. He believed that the essence lay in the details of character dialogues and their development.
On the other hand, the previous white paper story was easier for him to tell. It didn't require specific details but rather a grasp of the various plot points. Su Li decided to adapt the story for Princess Changle, replacing the male lead with a female one, considering her as a female audience.
Princess Changle had never been exposed to contemporary slang. She felt that Su Li's story was incredibly straightforward and easy to understand. In short, it was easily comprehensible without requiring much thought. However, it was quite captivating.
She heard that the main character, Xiao Kaoru, was being mocked by everyone due to an unexpected setback that caused her strength to decline. Fortunately, Xiao Kaoru had a childhood sweetheart named Xiao Yan, who always believed in her. But why did her fiance, Nalanran, come to visit? "Does he come to break off the engagement?"
Princess Changle had never encountered such straightforward emotions before. The sense of identification was immediate and intense.
What will Xiao Kaoru do? She can only accept this humiliation! She will surely seek revenge… Princess Changle eagerly anticipated the continuation, but an unexpected visitor arrived in the courtyard.
Calling the visitor a "guest" might not be appropriate, as it was Li Er, Princess Changle's father, who had come to visit. It wouldn't be accurate to call it an accident either, as a father visiting his daughter was a normal occurrence.
"Your Majesty, I greet you!" the maids saluted.
Su Li sat on the ground, cradling Princess Changle in his arms, making it difficult to salute. Li Er stared directly at Su Li. This wasn't their first encounter, but for Su Li, this meeting felt somewhat uncomfortable. After all, he was sitting there, earning points openly while holding someone else's daughter. Unfortunately, he couldn't put Princess Changle down now. There was no way to do so. It was evident that suspicion was clearly visible in his eyes despite the other party's calm expression.
"I'm narrating a story to the princess…" Su Li began.
Li Er remained silent and simply observed Su Li sitting on the ground with his daughter in his arms. He then glanced at the maid from the princess's residence, who was bowing nearby.
"The son-in-law is indeed telling stories to the princess," the maid replied.
"Is this also part of the treatment?" Li Er asked after receiving the maid's confirmation.
Although Princess Changle was already married to Su Li and Li Er made him his son-in-law. Even though Su Li held a legitimate position, it was ultimately for the sake of joy of Princess Changle. Also, it was justified.
In reality, Li Er never intended for Su Li to have any contact with his daughter, even if it was merely a nominal pleasure. Seeing his drowsy daughter being held in the arms of a commoner, Li Er felt a mix of complex emotions.
Perhaps… Su Li pondered for a while before responding.
"I have always believed that even though someone in a comatose state cannot be physically touched, they can still be awakened and experience normal sleep," Su Li said while looking at Princess Changle in his arms.
"It should be reasonable to do some psychological construction for a conscious rather than unresponsive person, right?" Su Li asked.
After Su Li's words, Li Er was momentarily taken aback. "Are you suggesting that Lizhi can hear?" he asked softly.
"I can't say for certain, but I heard a story about someone who planted two flowers separately – one facing words of negativity every day and the other facing words of praise. As a result, the former withered early while the latter was exceptionally beautiful," Su Li replied.
This was a modern experiment conducted by Su Li. In reality, plants couldn't understand human language as praise or curse. However, regardless of whether they could hear or not, if one was to mourn in front of a patient constantly, he would inevitably feel as though his time was running out and he would lose confidence.
Li Er was moved by Su Li's words and began to reconsider his actions.
When I think about it, since Changle went into a coma, t he goddess of mercy and I have always been sad. Before I thought Changle was in a coma, so I couldn't hear or feel it. Now that I think about it, if you hear parents so sad, I'm afraid the heart is more panicked.
"Give me Changle," Li Er said, stretching out his hand.
Su Li calmly got up, handed over Changle to Li Er, and then retreated knowingly. It was evident that Li Er had listened to his advice and planned to appease Changle. Unfortunately, Su Li didn't know how long he would talk this time, and he wasted his time collecting points.
Princess Changle, who was taken over by Li Er, was conscious and aware of everything. The story isn't over yet… isn't he going to divorce? Changle thought.
Princess Changle couldn't control her body and spent her days in silence and tears, with no entertainment at all.
Su Li told her a story that made her ecstatic. Although Su Li's story sounded a bit strange, Changle had taken a lot of interest in it.
However, the story ended abruptly at the most critical moment. Nalanran had encountered the Xiao family and had retired. What happened next? How did they deal with it? Changle was curious and wanted to know more.
The most significant characteristic of the small white text was its ability to evoke emotions and mood swings in people easily. Princess Changle, who had not experienced the modern network bombardment, found it challenging to withstand such emotional upheavals. Moreover, she had no entertainment at all, so even if she didn't usually enjoy this type of story, it was a rare pastime for her.
Although, just as the story was getting exciting, the chapter abruptly ended, and Changle felt a sense of hatred for the first time. It wasn't Su Li's fault. Rather, it was Li Er's sudden arrival that brought the story to an end. Changle couldn't help but feel a bit resentful towards Li Er's sudden visit, thinking that it would have been great if her father had come later so that she could have finished listening to the story.
Li Er noticed that his daughter Lizhi looked pale and had dull eyes, and he felt a surge of emotion in his heart. He couldn't help but feel a little sad, completely unaware that his caring little daughter was complaining that he had come at the wrong time and had ruined her pastime.
Upon seeing his daughter's pitiful state and reflecting on her helpless marriage to a peasant, Li Er couldn't help but feel sad. However, after remembering what Su Li had told him earlier, he put on a brave face and tried to appear relaxed as he began to chat with Lizhi.
After talking for a long time, Li Er finally finished around five o'clock in the evening. He then carried Princess Changle out of the yard and handed her over to Su Li's arms before leaving. Su Li sighed, lamenting the fact that he had lost out on earning more points due to Li Er's unexpected visit.
With the sky already dark, Su Li knew that there was no excuse to have more intimate contact with Princess Changle. She had to go back to bed, and a female officer was appointed to prevent any inappropriate behavior. Su Li realized that the only option left for him was to use small hand gestures to communicate with her.
Su Li calculated that he might only be able to save three or four thousand points after buying Introduction to the Art of War that day. He sighed and carried Princess Changle back to the house. Even though he could earn points, the Princess Mansion was always full of people, and Changle was unconscious, so Su Li had to be careful not to attract any attention to himself.
" Alas…" sighed Su Li as she placed Princess Changle on the bed. He sat back down on his little stool and held the little princess's hand, watching the rate of points increase and then slow down once again.
What about the story…why doesn't he tell me? Princess Changle had been listening to Li Er's chat for a long time, but her mind was still focused on the broken story.
However, when Su Li put her on the bed, she hoped that Su Li might continue the story, but there were no more words.
Why did he sigh? Princess Changle suddenly thought of the sigh she had heard just now and couldn't help but start to wonder.
Meanwhile, Li Er had returned to the palace and was sitting face-to-face with Empress Zhangsun Wu Fei inside the bedroom.
"How is Lizhi doing now?" Zhangsun Wu Fei asked.
"She's still not getting better…" Li Er shook his head and let out a sigh.
He had talked to his daughter for a long time, but in the end, he couldn't help feeling sad. Even though he didn't show it, considering what Su Li had said, he went straight back to the palace.
"How about taking care of Changle? Will her husband 'Su Li' be able to do it?" Zhangsun Wu Fei asked.
Initially, both Li Er and Empress Zhangsun viewed Su Li as nothing more than a source for wedding benediction, not as a real son-in-law. However, when the imperial doctor suggested that Su Li could assist in the treatment and rehabilitation of Changle, they had to consider his character.
Su Li was capable of performing the same tasks as the imperial doctors and even better. However, the nature of the actions involved close and prolonged contact. Although Su Li was the legitimate son-in-law, there was still some awkwardness involved in it.
Additionally, considering the imperial doctor's approval of Su Li's suggestions, it was not possible for Changle to be surrounded by a group of elderly doctors.
Regardless, Su Li was the legitimate son-in-law and Changle's husband. If something were to happen to her, he would be buried with her. Therefore, it was only natural that he would do his best to assist in her care.
Li Er was conflicted, as he didn't believe that Su Li was a suitable son-in-law, being nothing more than a peasant. Although, the reports from the Princess Mansion's female officer indicated that Su Li had been taking care of Changle in ways that were not visible to the outside world.
He slept beside Changle's bed on the first night of their marriage and woke up several times during the night to turn her over to prevent her from remaining in one position for too long and becoming stiff. Later, he even proposed his own suggestions for Changle's diet and daily care, which were approved by the imperial doctor.
Although Su Li's time with Changle had been short, there was no denying that his actions, as reported by the female officer, were commendable.
As Li Er witnessed more occurrences, he became more convinced that Su Li was somehow involved in Princess Changle's recovery. After all, he had never been satisfied with Su Li as his son-in-law, believing that Su Li was not worthy of Changle.
If it were not for such a significant event happening to Su Li, he would have never given him a second thought. He did not believe in Su Li's so-called "one-day couple hundred days of grace" or that he was genuinely treating Princess Changle well. Perhaps it was merely for survival.
As long as Princess Changle was alive and well, even if she never woke up, Su Li would live a life he had never dared to dream of before. Might be it was just a show, acting like he was doing his best so that if Princess Changle died of illness, he would have a softer heart and let him go.
"Your Majesty has said it before," Zhangsun Wu Fei shook his head. "In any case, he is willing to put his mind to being good to Changle. In this situation, what else can we ask for?"
The conversation fell silent, and both of them went into thought. What was the use of talking so much when Changle had yet to awaken? What was the use of pondering whether Su Li was worthy of Changle?
"If he can truly revive Changle, as Yuan Tiangang said, then I will recognize him as my son-in-law," Li Er said.
Indeed, if recognizing Su Li as his son-in-law would undoubtedly wake Changle up, then even if Su Li were a beggar, Li Er would gladly welcome him into the family.
Meanwhile in the mansion of Zhangsun Wuji, Zhangsun Chong looked at Zhangsun Wuji in front of him, hesitant to speak. Zhangsun had a stern expression, dark like the bottom of a pot, with a deep and serious countenance. Today, he caught his son, Zhangsun Chong, in the dancing studio.
"What kind of place is this?" Zhangsun Wuji inquired.
"It's a place for leisure and entertainment!" Zhangsun Chong replied.
"What is the current situation? How long has Princess Changle been in a coma? How long has she been married?" Zhangsun Wuji questioned.
"If His Majesty were to find out about this, how would he feel?" Zhangsun Wuji continued, his frustration evident. He kicked Zhangsun Chong to the ground in anger.
"You haven't visited your cousin since she fell into a coma. How many times have you gone to see her?" Zhangsun Wuji berated.
"I… I…" Zhangsun Chong tried to respond, but was interrupted.
Zhangsun Chong's emotions were complex. It wasn't that he didn't like Princess Changle. After all, she possessed a gentle and graceful personality, making her a rare match. However, ever since their engagement, Zhangsun Chong had to remain virtuous, refraining from indulging in the company of his friends. He could only rely on their descriptions of the places and activities he was forbidden to take part in.
After Princess Changle fell into a coma, Zhangsun Chong visited her a few times, hoping for her recovery. He even confronted his father angrily upon learning that Princess Changle had married someone else.
But when his father informed him that his fiance was plagued by a strange illness, likely to never wake up from her slumber, and that the marriage was merely a result of tradition, Zhangsun Chong felt a mix of sorrow and relief.
Fortunately, it wasn't him who was compelled to marry due to the tradition. Fortunately, Princess Changle, who lay comatose, was not his bride.
Thus, due to various reasons, Zhangsun Chong had not visited Princess Changle again. After all, Princess Changle no longer belonged to him, she was now married to a peasant.
He couldn't express his emotions, and deep down, he didn't even wish for Princess Changle to wake up. What would that make him? Now that the royal engagement was no longer binding, Zhangsun Chong entertained different thoughts. Unfortunately, his plans were cut short as he was caught by his father right after entering the singing and dancing studio.
"Now that my cousin has married someone else, and she had a marriage contract with me before, how can I step into the princess's mansion?" Zhangsun Chong retorted.
"Even if there's no engagement, she's still your cousin!" Zhangsun Wuji scolded. "If you wish to marry someone else, you must choose another princess!"
Zhangsun Wuji looked at his son, Zhangsun Chong, and let out a sigh. "In a few days, I will propose to His Majesty again. You must not step foot in that inappropriate place again." "Moreover, take some time to visit your cousin!''
Upon seeing his father's stern face, Zhangsun Chong dared not think otherwise and could only nod.
He thought that if Changle married someone else, he would have no restraints. But if he expected him to marry another princess, he had to keep himself pure.
After all, Princess Changle was the most outstanding among all the princesses. When he thought about it, his former partner mistakenly married a vulgar peasant, and even though she fell unconscious and passed away soon after, Zhangsun Chong still felt uneasy. After all, he had previously made a marriage contract with Princess Changle.
Meanwhile, Su Li sat honestly in the princess's mansion on the other side and held Princess Changle's small hand. Although the rate of earning points was relatively slow, the rewards were still significant.
As he waited quietly, the points steadily rose and reached 10,000 at around nine o'clock in the evening. Without hesitation, Su Li immediately purchased Introduction to the Art of War.
After glancing at Princess Changle, who was tightly closed-eyed, and the female officer standing by, Su Li expressionlessly clicked to use it.
It was still enlightening!
Su Li quickly absorbed a lot of practical military knowledge from the Introduction to the Art of War, which was just like a basic but comprehensive manual on military skills, much like an introduction to medical skills. With this newfound knowledge, Su Li had a solid foundation in training, setting up camp, forming troops, fighting, and other military tactics.
Despite being a military novice before, Su Li now possessed a certain foundation that could be applied to any unit, which was quite impressive. The depth and comprehensiveness of military knowledge that Su Li had gained from the manual would have taken two to three years to acquire through regular study.
However, Su Li knew there were already many famous generals in the current Tang Dynasty, and it would be challenging to stand out among them. Moreover, Su Li was still just a tool person, so the situation seemed hopeless.
Even with this, Su Li felt encouraged because the Introduction to the Art of War was an excellent foundation to build on. The product enriched his knowledge and saved him a lot of time, which would have been spent acquiring the same knowledge through regular study.
"It appears that obtaining the Dragon Balls is not in my destiny," Su Li murmured, thinking about whether he should spend his remaining points on buying Dragon Balls. He had pondered this decision for quite some time, but Li Er's sudden intrusion had disrupted his plan. With insufficient points, Su Li had no choice but to move on.
After purchasing the manual, Su Li got up and helped Princess Changle to turn over her posture. He stretched and then sat on his small bench, letting out a sigh of emotion.
When will we be able to share the same bed, he pondered wistfully.
In the following days, Su Li carried on with his usual routine of working tirelessly and taking advantage of every opportunity to earn points. At night, he would lie by Princess Changle's bedside, holding her little hand as he slept. He did this in order to keep track of her condition and assist her in turning over her posture.
During the day, he would personally feed Princess Changle and entertain her with stories after his massage activities. Unless there were exceptional circumstances, Su Li would spend his entire day by Princess Changle's side. He even shortened his meal times to the bare minimum, as he knew that there were limited opportunities to earn points, and he wanted to make the most of them.
To Su Li, the marriage contract that many regarded with pity had changed his fate for the better. Without it, he would still waste his time toiling away in the fields. While others saw him as unlucky for marrying a dying princess and being forced to be buried with her, Su Li saw Princess Changle as a beacon of hope that had saved his life.
He knew that the system mall page would eventually refresh with a panacea that could heal Princess Changle. Without this marriage contract, he would be nothing. Thus, even if he had to work tirelessly to earn points, he did it not just for show but also for Princess Changle's sake.
For Princess Changle, Su Li's arrival had initially caused panic. No one would want to suddenly marry a stranger, especially when they were in a state where they could not control themselves, see, speak, or move. However, Su Li's presence in her life made her happier. He brought light into her dark prison of consciousness, which might have been her only ray of hope.
Overall, Su Li's commitment to his duties and his compassion for Princess Changle demonstrated that this marriage contract was not just a burden but a gift that brought unexpected blessings to both parties.
Every night, she could feel a pair of large, rough hands holding her palms as she fell asleep. Even if she became conscious at night, she no longer had to fear the dark and empty silence. The pitch-black cage of consciousness was no longer icy, as she could always feel the warmth of his palm. And every morning when she woke up, the warmth was still there.
He would gently feed her food, and after Su Li's arrival, Princess Changle's diet finally began to diversify. Though it was still only liquid food, there were other tastes in her mouth – crushed egg whites, juiced fruits, and vegetables. Finally, the bitterness in her mouth was no longer the same after years of monotony.
Princess Changle found that she gradually grew used to Su Li and began to adapt to this kind of life. This was truly an incredible situation, considering that marriage was still a long way off for her. In a sudden and unexpected turn of events, she became someone's wife, but she couldn't do anything herself. However, her husband 'Su Li' had already taken care of everything.
He was careful. After taking the bitter Chinese medicine, Su Li would often give her some sweet honey water to drink, spoonful by spoonful. Although she couldn't speak, he seemed to have heard everything.
He would take her to move her body every day, and she could finally feel the warm sunshine and the earth. He would describe everything around them vividly, even though she couldn't see anything. And he would tell her many strange stories, such as the soul ring of a dead wife who turned into a fighting spirit, making their dull days a little more interesting. 1
Even though Princess Changle had grown quite used to Su Li's existence, she was still shy whenever there was physical contact. Even after a month, she still vividly remembered their first kiss.
"My lady, it's time to go out and bask in the sun!" Su Li leaned over and picked up Princess Changle.
Princess Changle paused her wild thoughts and looked up at Su Li, feeling overjoyed. She really wanted to respond, but unfortunately, she was still unable to speak. She began to celebrate in the sense of security and rich life that Su Li had given her. She had truly accepted Su Li.
The governor of the princess mansion watched as Su Li picked up Princess Changle again and walked out of the room, heading towards the warm sun. A trance flashed in the female officer's eyes.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. Initially, the female officer had doubted whether this inexplicable newcomer's son-in-law was just posturing. She did not believe in love, nor did she believe in so-called love at first sight. However, she never stopped Su Li. She felt that even if it was an act, as long as Su Li acted well enough and Princess Changle could feel it, she might feel a lot better.
After all, she had watched Princess Changle grow up with her own eyes and knew Princess Changle too well. As Su Li said, if Princess Changle was conscious, how terrible would it be for her?
That was right… She had always thought that Su Li's initial gesture was just a faux pas.
From the very beginning, Su Li did not sleep in bed, but when he first arrived, he was considerate and kind, and his intent to show off was too obvious.
However, now his heart was shaken. It had been a month, and while others might not have noticed, the female officer could see everything. Su Li had been taking care of Princess Changle meticulously. Apart from grooming and cleaning the princess after excretion, which was the responsibility of the female officer, Su Li took the initiative to do everything else. He would massage and stretch the princess's body, tell stories to her, and even sleep next to her on a small bench at night, even though there were two beds in the room.
Even more commendable was that Su Li had not overdone it during this period. For a month, he had been extremely gentle every moment. There was no dissatisfaction against Princess Changle, no moments of laziness or dislike. The female officer saw all of this. Su Li's tenderness seemed inexhaustible, and even when the female officer looked at him suspiciously, there was nothing to criticize.
This newly arrived son-in-law had stayed with Princess Changle all the time for a month, except for eating and going to the bathroom. Even his hair was a little knotted, his beard was a little messy, and even his clothes were a little dirty. He had not even been groomed in a month. With such intensive care, he was still as gentle as before, and the female officer could tell that Su Li was genuinely willing, without any dissatisfaction or compulsion.
As the saying goes, there was no dutiful son before bedtime for a long time. The same was true between husband and wife. Su Li was able to provide such care when facing a partner who could not move or talk. In her heart, the female officer had completely recognized Su Li as a son-in-law.
Walking towards the door, the female officer observed Su Li sitting with his arms around Princess Changle, as always, carefully describing the surrounding scenery to her. His voice was still gentle, and a smile appeared on the female officer's face. It did not matter what Su Li's origin was, whether he was a peasant or something else. There was no doubt that he was the perfect match for the princess.
"Go and boil some water," the female officer instructed the maid beside her, a smile still on her face.
"Look at our son-in-law. He's already very busy!" Several maids looked at each other in confusion before hurrying off to prepare things for bathing joyfully. If the female officer saw it, then why didn't they 'the maids' see it?
Whether Su Li deserved to a princess was another matter, but what he had done had already convinced everyone in the princess's mansion of his worth.