Li Shuchen buried his face in her neck and shoulder, gently biting down: "If Ah Huan keeps teasing, I won't be able to control myself."
"I'm sorry," Qi Huan stuck out her tongue. "I accidentally treated you like a mount. I would pat a horse to make it run, and patting you would make you fly..."
Li Shuchen chuckled softly: "Alright, I'll be your mount in the future."
...... Reciting the Heart Purification Mantra ......
The next day.
After breakfast, Qi Huan helped Li Shuchen put on his necklace, then slipped into her dimensional space to enjoy the air conditioning. Feeling bored, she took out her diary and wrote: The 16th year of the Longshun Era, September 7th. Last night, Ah Shu said he'd be my mount in the future. Looking forward to it.
After writing, she casually placed it in the storage compartment by the side door, then took out a bottle of ice-cold cola and began sipping it.
Meanwhile, sounds from the outside world continuously filtered into her space.
Li Shuchen asked the Imperial Physician: "How's the situation?"
The Imperial Physician replied: "Not very optimistic. Patients are fluctuating between low and high fevers. The doctors are relying solely on observation, inquiry, and palpation, which consumes a great deal of time daily. Furthermore, the city's medicinal herbs are being depleted too quickly. We're short on astragalus, red peony root, schizonepeta, and others, making it impossible to test many prescriptions."
After hearing the Imperial Physician's words, Qi Huan said to her system: "Search for thermometers."
"Certainly, host. I've found five models for you. Which one would you like?"
"Choose the cheapest one."
"Also, purchase 99 more."
As soon as she finished speaking, the passenger seat was piled high with deliveries.
Upon returning home, she took out a thermometer and handed it to Li Shuchen.
"Ah Shu, this can accurately measure a person's body temperature. If you give it to the Imperial Physicians at the infirmary, it can help reduce their workload and better monitor patients' temperatures."
"How do you use it?"
"First, hold the end of the thermometer and shake it until it reads below 35 degrees. Then place it under the armpit and wait for about 15 minutes before taking it out. Look at the reading - if it's between 36°C and 37°C, it's normal. Above 37°C is a fever, and above 38°C is a high fever."
"However, the Imperial Physicians might not recognize Arabic numerals, so you'll need to explain it to them."
After explaining, Qi Huan took back the thermometer, shook it, and demonstrated how to use it.
As she pulled open her collar, Li Shuchen's pupils suddenly contracted, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
...... Reciting the Heart Purification Mantra ......
Qi Huan noticed his reaction when she lowered her gaze.
She muttered inwardly: "Young blood is truly terrifying."
"... Frequent suppression, is that not good?"
"Let me put it this way: imagine there's a bowl of fatty meat in front of you, but you can only look at it every day without eating, always hungry. How do you think that feels?"
"That's too much!" Qi Huan fumed. "How dare you compare me to fatty meat!"
"Well, with your figure, you're more like a rack of ribs at best."
"......"
That evening, Qi Huan tearfully ate two large bowls.
Lying in bed at night, the system's words echoed in her ears. She frustratedly ruffled her hair, tossing and turning.
"Ah Shu, I'll purchase more water, steamed buns, masks, and alcohol to store at the magistrate's office. I think I'll go back to stay with the Yunying Caravan."
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Shuchen's arms tightened around her.
Qi Huan looked up, meeting his deep gaze, and earnestly explained: "Ah Shu, don't worry. I'm not leaving you. I just think we should keep some distance temporarily, so you don't have to keep reciting the Heart Purification Mantra and suffer."
Hearing this, Li Shuchen pressed his lips together, remaining silent for a long time.
At the same time, Qi Huan was also engaged in an internal struggle.
She knew that in Li Country, many men Li Shuchen's age already had wives and concubines. Even unmarried men had bedchamber attendants.
But Ah Shu only had the Heart Purification Mantra.
In her previous life, she grew up in an open and tolerant environment, but some people still said she was a wild child abandoned by her mother after an unwed pregnancy. So she felt somewhat hesitant.
Suddenly, a condom appeared in her hand.
The system whispered slyly: "Don't worry, host. With this, what you're concerned about won't happen."
"Mute."
Qi Huan clutched the box tightly in her hand, took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and looked at Li Shuchen again.
Before she could speak, Li Shuchen finally responded: "I don't find it difficult to control myself. All the experiences Ah Huan brings me are joyful."
"If you don't like me frequently reciting the Heart Purification Mantra, I can take a bath instead. The weather is hot now, so I won't fall ill. Or I could ask Seventeen Yan to develop a suppressant when he has time."
"Can Ah Huan stay by my side?"
Qi Huan's eyes grew slightly moist. All the solutions he proposed involved him making changes, never putting pressure on her.
No matter how difficult it was for him to control himself, no matter how many times he recited the Heart Purification Mantra, he always respected her. Even with her lying right beside him, he never crossed the line.
He was so good that in this moment, she was willing to be with him unreservedly.
Because he was worth it.
Qi Huan leaned in and kissed Li Shuchen, a tear falling onto his cheek.
The warm teardrop made Li Shuchen instantly open his eyes. Seeing Ah Huan's moist eyes, a flash of panic crossed his gaze.
His heart felt as if it were being squeezed tightly, aching so much he could barely breathe.
Ah Huan was crying. Was it because she disliked his improper thoughts about her? Did she think his mind was dirty? He wouldn't let her go back to the Yunying Caravan, so was that why she was upset?
Li Shuchen felt like his throat was stuffed with cotton. He struggled to part his lips: "Don't cry, Ah Huan. We'll do as you wish. I'll take you back right now..."
He had barely finished half his sentence when suddenly, a small hand began to wander mischievously.
Li Shuchen abruptly stopped, looking down at her intently. He asked in a hoarse voice: "Ah Huan, do you know what you're doing?"
Qi Huan's face flushed red: "You don't need to recite the Heart Purification Mantra anymore. You have me."
"You can exercise your rights as a husband in advance."
An overwhelming tide of joy rapidly engulfed Li Shuchen. For a moment, his mind went blank, and his prided rationality crumbled completely.
Being teased like this, if he continued to hesitate, wouldn't Ah Huan think he was incapable?
Moreover, he knew that the Qi couple weren't Ah Huan's real parents, and it had been over two years since they passed away. On the other hand, he was absolutely certain he would marry Ah Huan.
After an internal struggle, he followed his instincts and accepted her invitation. He leaned down and passionately kissed the soft, delicate person in his arms.
......
When the distant sound of a rooster crowing could be heard, a faint dark blue light began to filter through the window.
Li Shuchen got up and tidied the chaotic room. After dressing the sleeping Qi Huan, he held her in his arms as they both drifted off to sleep, satisfied.
......
When Qi Huan woke up again, her entire body ached as if she had been beaten with eight hundred sticks.
The system congratulated her: "Congratulations, host, for completing the hidden task. You've taken the first step towards creating an heir for the prosperous dynasty."
"Am I pregnant?" she asked.
"Don't misunderstand, host. Li Shuchen protected you very well. What I mean is, there's hope for a little host now!"
"You are rewarded with one thousand points."
"That's so little," she complained.
"If you don't want them, host, you can give them to me. I don't mind if it's a small amount."
"Dream on."
Qi Huan smiled as she blocked out the system, only to meet a pair of passionate eyes staring at her.
