Lan Ji looked at Ling Yue with sympathy. He took out a bottle of medicinal powder from the medicine box on the table, opened it, and said to Ling Yue in a gentle voice: "This is a special injury treatment powder made by our Valley of Divine Doctors. It's very effective, but it will sting a little when applied. Bear with it."
"Okay." Ling Yue nodded. The wounds on her face were created by disguising talismans, looking terrifying but without any pain.
Lan Ji carefully sprinkled the medicinal powder on Ling Yue's face, gently applying and blowing on it.
Ling Yue only felt a soothing coolness on her face, very comfortable.
"Done." Lan Ji capped the bottle and handed it to Granny Xu beside him. "Granny, could you please take care of Yue-Yue's other wounds?" Although he was a doctor, he was still a man, and Ling Yue would not agree for him to apply medicine on her body.
"Sure, Young Master Lan Ji," Granny Xu took the bottle.
Lan Ji took out fresh bandages from the medicine box and re-bandaged Ling Yue's face. "Don't wash your face or take a bath for a few days. Granny Xu and I will help you change the dressing every day. With our Valley's medicine, your wounds should heal within a month at most. Our medicine is priceless – even the Battle Wolf Team scrambles for it."
Besides treating Ling Yue's injury this time, he also came to trade with the Battle Wolf Team. Last time, they placed an order with the Valley for injury treatment medicines. He had an appointment with the Team Leader to deliver the goods tomorrow.
"Okay," Ling Yue obediently nodded.
After Lan Ji finished bandaging Ling Yue, Granny Xu took her to the room to help change the dressings on her body. She hoped the young lady's wounds would heal soon and she could regain her original appearance.
On the other side, after a long surgery, Ling Meng was pushed out of the operating room back to her ward, her face and body still heavily bandaged.
"Doctor, how is my daughter? Will her wounds heal?" Yang Xiner approached the doctor anxiously. This doctor was an authority on burn treatment, whom she had hired at a high price.
"She will need two more surgeries for her facial wounds to fully recover, but her appearance may be altered after healing," the doctor replied.
"I understand." Yang Xiner saw the doctor out, then sat by Ling Meng's bedside, watching her closed eyes. "Meng-Meng, I've asked the doctor. Your wounds will heal, don't worry."
Ling Meng turned over, not wanting to acknowledge Yang Xiner. She had heard the doctor's words too.
"Meng-Meng, I know you want to see Zhou Mucheng. Let me call him over now." Yang Xiner took out her phone and dialed Zhou Mucheng's number again. She had already called dozens of times earlier, and could get through at first, but it was turned off later. She guessed Zhou Mucheng must be busy.
Ling Meng opened her eyes and looked at Yang Xiner expectantly.
"The number you dialed is switched off, please try again later..." Yang Xiner heard the mechanical female voice on the line and hung up helplessly. "His phone is off. He must be busy. I'll call him again later."
Ling Meng glared at Yang Xiner and closed her eyes again.
"Don't worry, Mom will definitely call Mucheng over," Yang Xiner thought of Zhou Mucheng's mother and found her number in her contacts to call.
Zhao Yu was getting a facial at the beauty salon when her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she scoffed and tossed the phone back on the table.
She never liked Yang Xiner and disliked associating with her. She only had Yang Xiner's number because of Ling Yue. Although Yang Xiner was Ling Yue's stepmother, she handled all of Ling Yue's affairs, so they had discussed the wedding details between Ling Yue and Zhou Mucheng before.
"Why don't you answer the call?" The wealthy lady getting a facial with Zhao Yu asked curiously.
"Someone I dislike. Don't want to answer," Zhao Yu closed her eyes, letting the beautician massage her face. After the treatment, she would block Yang Xiner's number.
Yang Xiner made several more calls, but no one answered, so she had to give up.
Ling Meng sneered contemptuously. As expected, Yang Xiner was useless. Once she recovered a bit, she would call Zhou Mucheng herself.
At dusk, the night breeze was gentle.
Granny Xu had specially bought a large watermelon today. She cut a small half for Ling Yue, gave her a spoon, and said, "I've chilled this watermelon. It's so sweet, young lady and Young Master Lan Ji, try it."
Ling Yue took the watermelon and spoon, scooped a spoonful into her mouth, and the icy sweetness was delightful. She nodded, "Very tasty."
Lan Ji took a bite of the watermelon Granny Xu handed him. "Eating watermelon on a day like this is so refreshing. When we return, I'll bring more watermelons back." The Valley of Divine Doctors was located in a remote area, and their daily necessities and food were all transported from the outside. Although the Valley had its own influence in the outside world, few people knew about it.
"Cousin, where is the Valley of Divine Doctors?" Ling Yue had become very curious about the Valley after hearing Lan Ji talk a lot about it today. She knew it was not only proficient in medicine but also an ancient martial arts sect.
Lan Ji wiped his mouth with a napkin. "In the Shennong Mountain area. When your wounds heal, I'll take you to the Valley. I've sent word to my grandparents and they're eager to meet you."
"Okay," Ling Yue smiled and nodded. Since getting along with Lan Ji, she was no longer as averse to those relatives in the Valley. However, she still needed to meet them in person before deciding if they were worth her affection.
In her previous life, she was born a candidate for the throne. Those so-called brothers, sisters, and relatives only felt fear and hatred towards her. They hated her and wished for her death, yet also feared her, because she was ruthless and cold-blooded, a bloodthirsty monster in their eyes.
But who would willingly be a monster? She was human too, longing for familial love, but she was born with responsibilities and a mission. As the emperor, she had to protect her subjects, so she had to force herself to be merciless, without any weakness, lest her enemies exploit it.
Until he appeared – his gentleness, care, and protection caused her heart to soften uncontrollably. She discarded all her disguises and developed a weakness.
The three chatted and laughed, time passing unnoticed.
After returning to her room, Ling Yue waited until Lan Ji and Granny Xu were asleep before going to the courtyard to begin her daily practice.
