"I cannot disclose that, just as I would not reveal the details of Young Master Zhou’s illness to anyone who might ask in the future," Yun Jinnian flatly refused.
Surprised by her response, Zhou Yunshen’s appreciation for Yun Jinnian only grew.
She was neither servile nor arrogant, calm and composed. Even having been kidnapped to this place, she didn’t seem the least bit frightened.
Yun Jinnian shook her head, "I don’t know if the people who brought me here took my medicine kit."
At her words, Zhou Yunshen turned to look at the guard Teng Fei, "?"
"It has been taken, I’ll go fetch it right now!" Having said this, Teng Fei glared at Yun Jinnian.
This child, so young yet cunning.
He had looked inside the medicine kit himself; it was full of valuable items. The knives were thin and sharp, the vials were filled with precious elixirs and powders, and the silver needles were of excellent quality.
When the medicine kit was brought before Yun Jinnian, she didn’t open it but asked indifferently, "Has anyone opened it?"
Zhou Yunshen looked again at Teng Fei, whose face turned red as he said quietly, "I have opened it."
Zhou Yunshen rubbed his forehead.
Yun Jinnian, however, just smiled faintly, opened the medicine kit, and took out the silver needles, "I shall administer acupuncture to Young Master Zhou now."
Being observant, he still noticed the subtle change in Yun Jinnian’s demeanor during the moment.
"Please fetch me a bowl, the strongest liquor you have, and prepare ink, brush, paper, and inkstone. After I administer the acupuncture, I need to write a prescription!"
She had originally intended to prescribe some harsh medicine for him, followed by a gradual treatment. But now Yun Jinnian thought it best to take it slow, lest his servants think she was young, easily bullied, and deceived.
With this in mind, she addressed Zhou Yunshen again, "Young Master Zhou, please remove your clothes now."
Once everything was prepared, Yun Jinnian methodically placed the silver needles in the burning liquor to sterilize them, washed her hands, and slowly dried them with a clean towel.
Teng Fei wanted to speak several times, but each time he was silenced by Zhou Yunshen’s gaze.
Teng Fei was puzzled; why had Yun Jinnian asked Zhou Yunshen to remove his clothes so early?
With everything ready, Yun Jinnian looked at Teng Fei and asked, "Are you puzzled?"
"Your master is frail, with a deep chill in his body, yet his skin is burning hot. Acupuncture should not be administered lightly. Have you not noticed that with each session, your master’s condition worsens?" Yun Jinnian softly explained.
Teng Fei’s head exploded with realization.
Because what Yun Jinnian said was exactly right. Every time Zhou Yunshen received acupuncture after disrobing, there was an initial improvement, but days later his condition worsened, repeating this cycle several times until they dared not to continue with the treatment.
Teng Fei immediately knelt down, "Miss Yun, Teng Fei apologizes to you!"
"?" Yun Jinnian feigned ignorance.
"Teng Fei should not have opened Miss Yun’s medicine kit, nor should I have coveted its contents. I am willing to do something to make amends," Teng Fei admitted.
"Anything?" asked Yun Jinnian.
"Except betraying the young master!"
Yun Jinnian raised an eyebrow, "What if I asked you to die?"
"How would you like me to die, Miss Yun?" Teng Fei said, pulling out a dagger and pressing it against his own throat.
Yun Jinnian was jolted, then laughed, shaking her head, "Forget it. Your master has already granted me three wishes; how could I be insatiate? Stand up. If you truly feel guilty, simply do not doubt me while I treat your master in the future!"
"Miss Yun, you jest!" Teng Fei was somewhat stunned, stood up, sheathed his dagger, scratched his head, and seemed slightly embarrassed.
Yun Jinnian didn’t say anything further, accurately located an acupuncture point with one hand, and with the other, swiftly and adeptly inserted a silver needle.
Zhou Yunshen groaned with pain.