Don't Raise A Black Lotus Flower; Use The Emperor As A Substitute [Transmigration novel] - Chapter 17

Ji Ruxue looked at Lin Ruoxuan’s distracted expression, hesitated, and gently took his hand, comforting him. “It will be fine.”

Lin Ruoxuan did not answer, merely staring blankly at the pale wound on the back of Ji Ruxue’s hand.

Ji Ruxue could feel that the palm of the eunuch’s hand was damp and slippery with cold sweat. He could not help but apply a little pressure, clutching the hand tightly as if to transmit some strength or comfort through their connection.

People slowly gathered around them, surrounding Ji Ruxue, Lin Ruoxuan, and the mangled corpse of the mad dog, discussing the incident in hushed, hurried tones.

“What happened to the dog?”

“It seems it went mad.”

Ji Ruhai said with lingering fear, “How could something like this happen?”

Ji Ruhan tapped his fan, looking thoughtfully at the gloomy Ji Ruyuan, but he remained silent.

Xue Jin followed Ji Ruhan’s gaze to Ji Ruyuan. He seemed to understand something, and his expression grew complex. However, as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he was tactful and unwilling to involve himself in royal private matters. He feigned ignorance and changed the subject with a laugh. “Superintendent Lin, do you know medicine? I heard from my subordinates that you can set bones and build wheelchairs. I thought they were making it up, but it appears to be true.”

Lin Ruoxuan replied vaguely, “Mm.”

Xue Jin looked at the horse lying nearby and sighed. “Its front hoof seems broken. The imperial veterinarian took leave yesterday, so this horse is likely ruined.”

A nearby guard interjected, “Why not let Superintendent Lin take a look? I feel that a horse’s broken bone cannot be much different from a human’s.”

Most martial artists loved horses, and the other guards nodded in agreement. “Yes, exactly.”

Lin Ruoxuan stared blankly at Ji Ruxue’s hand, his soul seemingly drifted away. He did not seem to notice what the men were saying.

Watching Lin Ruoxuan, Ji Ruxue felt a strange sense of acidity and softness in his heart. Feeling impatient with the guards’ endless chatter, he had no interest in the life or death of a horse and opened his mouth to refuse on Lin Ruoxuan’s behalf. “I fear it is not convenient.”

Before he could finish, he remembered Lin Ruoxuan’s previous instructions: to get along well with Xue Jin and Zhong Huaixiu.

Ji Ruxue paused, hesitated, and finally nodded. “Commander Xue, Superintendent Lin is too tired today. If you trust us, you may have the horse sent to the Cold Palace. When the Superintendent has time, he may be able to help take a look, though he cannot promise anything.”

Xue Jin was delighted. “That would be wonderful. We might as well treat a dead horse as if it were alive.”

“Mm.” Ji Ruxue nodded, then sensed something and slowly looked up.

His gaze collided with Ji Ruyuan’s.

Ji Ruxue looked calmly back at him. Ji Ruyuan had initially glared at him viciously, but after a moment, he felt an urge to retreat, yet his feet refused to move. What was happening? He felt like a frog being stared down by a venomous snake. The way the little beast looked at him…

Lu Heng whispered, “Your Highness, what is wrong?”

Ji Ruyuan felt humiliated and flicked his sleeves in a fit of rage. “Let us go!”

A long time later, Lin Ruoxuan finally recovered from his dazed state. The archery lesson could not continue, so he excused himself to Xue Jin, called for two young eunuchs, and had them carry Ji Ruxue back to the Cold Palace.

“The two of you, help the Prince clean up.”

“Yes, Superintendent.”

Back at the Cold Palace, Lin Ruoxuan pushed Ji Ruxue into the bedroom, letting the eunuchs clean him up, while he retreated into the study and locked the door to summon the system.

“System! System!”

[Beep! System is online. Do you have a question?]

“Ji Ruxue was bitten by a mad dog. Can I exchange for a rabies vaccine?”

[User, let me repeat the rules. Points can only exchange for virtual items like e-books. If the user is injured, points can exchange for medical supplies, but only three times. Exchanged items must aid the mission and cannot alter the world line. If points are negative, no items can be exchanged. Ji Ruxue’s situation does not fit the rules.]

Lin Ruoxuan pondered for a moment. “In that case, if I am injured, I can exchange for medical supplies, correct?”

[That is correct.]

Lin Ruoxuan said decisively, “I was not bitten by the mad dog, but I sucked the toxic blood from Ji Ruxue’s wound, and there is a possibility of infection. I need a rabies vaccine.”

[But if you exchange for a vaccine, are you planning to use it on Ji Ruxue?]

Lin Ruoxuan fully utilized his ability to find loopholes. “Rule two only states that if I am injured, I can exchange for medical supplies. It does not say that once I receive the supplies, they must be used on me.”

The system seemed to have never encountered such a rogue client and glitched out. [Beep! Beep!…]

Lin Ruoxuan grew anxious. “Is it possible or not? Answer me!”

[Beep! The rules are indeed as stated. Under the current circumstances, you may exchange for the rabies vaccine.]

“Really? That is great! Bring it here!”

[The rabies vaccine requires 1000 points. You currently have 20 points, so after the exchange, your balance will be negative 980. Until your points become positive, you cannot exchange for any other items.]

Lin Ruoxuan gritted his teeth and accepted the exorbitant price. “Done!”

[Beep! The vaccine has been issued. Please check your user panel. The method of use is the same as the Art of War; just think of it, and it will appear.]

Lin Ruoxuan closed his eyes, and a panel appeared in his mind. In the upper right corner was a bright red -980. Beneath the balance was a list: the first slot held the Sun Tzu’s Art of War (Illustrated Version for Children), and the second held five doses of the vaccine—exactly one course of treatment.

He thought “vaccine,” and one appeared in his hand.

Lin Ruoxuan let out a breath and immediately left the room. The first dose of the rabies vaccine had to be administered within twenty-four hours, the sooner the better.

He pushed open the door to the bedroom. “Your Highness, are you feeling better?”

Ji Ruxue was leaning against the headboard, looking up at Lin Ruoxuan. “Much better.”

Lin Ruoxuan walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling deeply conflicted. The little black lotus was highly suspicious; how could he trick him into taking the vaccine?

Ji Ruxue asked curiously, “What is the matter?”

Lin Ruoxuan could not think of a good idea, so he improvised. “Your Highness, you were bitten by the mad dog. It might have had rabies. I have an ancestral acupuncture secret recipe; if I needle you five times, I can treat the rabies. However, the technique is very special, and I once swore a poison oath to my father that I would never let anyone else see it. You must keep your eyes closed while I perform the acupuncture.”

“Rabies? Acupuncture?”

Ji Ruxue frowned. He had heard the young eunuchs talk about rabies; it seemed to be a strange disease transmitted by stray dogs, and it could be fatal. Was this why Lin Ruoxuan had been so anxious?

A sense of warmth spread through him, followed by doubt. What kind of acupuncture required the patient to close their eyes? Was there something wrong? He hesitated for a long time, then remembered Lin Ruoxuan throwing himself over him to shield him from the dog. The man’s body temperature had been so warm. Perhaps he would not harm him.

He could try to trust him. Regardless of the outcome, he was willing to gamble. If he were wrong, he would not be soft-hearted.

Ji Ruxue nodded slowly. “Very well.”

He closed his eyes and felt the other man gently hold his wrist. There was a cold sensation on the back of his hand, followed by a sharp sting.

What is happening? Ji Ruxue fluttered his eyelashes, struggling to open his eyes.

At that moment, a warm hand covered his eyelids, and a soft, husky voice spoke. “It will hurt a little, but it will be over soon. Please bear with it, Your Highness.”

Ji Ruxue gritted his teeth and stopped struggling. As expected, the pain vanished in seconds. When he opened his eyes, Lin Ruoxuan had pulled his hand back, looking at him with a smile, his expression one of relief. He reached out as if to touch Ji Ruxue’s hair.

Ji Ruxue was not used to being touched and subconsciously tried to dodge, but for some reason, his body did not move.

Seeing that he did not dodge, Lin Ruoxuan looked surprised and pleased. His long, cool fingers fell onto Ji Ruxue’s hair, tentatively ruffling it. He whispered, “So cute. If only I could pinch your cheeks too.”

Ji Ruxue doubted he had heard correctly. “What?”

Lin Ruoxuan quickly said, “Nothing. Right, are you hungry? I will go to the small kitchen to get some food. What would you like?”

Ji Ruxue thought for a moment and bit his lip. “Sesame-filled tangyuan. Cook a few more.”

“Understood. I cooked too little last time. Children growing up should eat more.” Lin Ruoxuan laughed, ruffled his hair again, and left.

Ji Ruxue watched Lin Ruoxuan leave and could not help but touch his own hair. It had been left in a mess, as if lingering traces of warmth remained.

He leaned against the headboard, staring at the white curtains, feeling the butterfly in his chest fluttering again. The feeling was warm and light, making his nose sting inexplicably. He had never felt such strange, weak emotions, and it made him feel as if he were no longer himself.

Ji Ruxue covered his eyes, suppressing the strange feeling. He did not need such weak emotions; he had more important things to do. The image of Ji Ruyuan’s vicious eyes slowly rose in his mind.

Thinking of Ji Ruyuan, Ji Ruxue’s expression darkened. He sat up, placed his left foot on the ground, and stood up by leaning on the bedpost, practicing taking a few steps.

His leg was healed.

He had simply pretended it was not because he did not trust Lin Ruoxuan. But now, thinking of Ji Ruyuan’s venomous gaze, he knew the Crown Prince would act again. He would not sit idly by. Never.

Even if the Crown Prince’s mother were a Noble Consort, his grandfather the Chief Grand Secretary, and his uncle the Regional Commander, he would make the foolish and cruel Crown Prince pay for his past deeds.

Ji Ruxue stood in the middle of the room, gloomily watching the tree shadows outside the window, calculating his myriad of plans. Some time later, light footsteps approached the door. He immediately returned to the bed.

The door pushed open, and Lin Ruoxuan entered with two bowls. He raised an eyebrow. “I cooked eighteen big tangyuan—six for me and twelve for you. That should be enough, right?”

Ji Ruxue bit his lip, his snow-white face showing a hint of shyness. “Did I eat too much?”