[TCFO] Arc 3 – Chapter 132

The Vicious Princess Wants to Reverse Fate (26)

​​When Zhou Min was fast asleep, he carefully examined her right hand. The wound was deep, probably to the bone at the time. If it hadn’t been delayed for too many years and treated promptly with his Plum Blossom Five Elements Needle and precious medicinal herbs, her right hand wouldn’t have been crippled. Even now, using the same method on himself, he couldn’t restore her right hand to its former state where she had freely wielded knives and swords, but she could at least handle light objects like an ordinary person.

However, Shangguan Qi couldn’t help but self-deprecatingly smile at this moment. His inner strength was erratic, sometimes present and sometimes absent, and he couldn’t find a reason, which made him feel strange.

Shangguan Qi’s words were as understated as his demeanour, devoid of unnecessary emotional leakage, yet impossible to ignore. Upon hearing his words, Zhou Min was initially puzzled. Subconsciously, she lifted her gaze and looked into his deep, well-like black eyes, which caused a shiver to run down her spine.

“Give me your hand,” Shangguan Qi repeated the phrase. His brow tightened imperceptibly, but it was fleeting. She wouldn’t have noticed the fleeting emotion if she hadn’t been so focused on him.

Zhou Min looked at her hands, unsure which one he meant. Eventually, as Shangguan Qi took action, he grabbed Zhou Min’s left hand. He then applied a layer of crushed green substance on the red and swollen area grazed at some point on her left hand.

As Shangguan Qi treated Zhou Min’s hand in the quiet space, the silence allowed both to hear each other’s breaths. “How is the poison on your body? Has it improved?” Zhou Min, unfamiliar with this atmosphere, tried to find a topic. However, as soon as she spoke, she realised it sounded strange. She saw Zhou Min’s expression as if she wanted to press the backspace key and start over a sensitive topic.

Upon hearing Zhou Min’s words, Shangguan Qi’s eye twitched slightly, and his cool expression showed a hint of cracking. However, he quickly composed himself.

“The antidote is effective. While the poison hasn’t been completely cleared, there’s a noticeable improvement. I believe there will be further breakthroughs in the coming days...” Listening to Shangguan Qi’s solemn response, Zhou Min felt her mind couldn’t catch up. Why did she feel like Shangguan Qi had something more to say?

However, she couldn’t directly ask what he meant; it was impossible because she didn’t think this was a topic they could discuss.

“When did you know that your body could neutralise my poison? Or rather, when did your body become like this? I remember checking your body five years ago when you left the valley, and there was nothing unusual!” Zhou Min didn’t want to discuss this topic, but Shangguan Qi had no intention of ending it.

“Huh?! Oh... I, uh, accidentally ingested some fruit three years ago, and my body became immune to all poisons. I read in a strange book that it can be used for detoxification...” Zhou Min awkwardly explained, deliberately choosing three years ago because it was the time when significant events occurred between them after she saved Shangguan Qi.

“As for the book? What book?”

“...A tattered book... with no name...”

Zhou Min felt like she was running out of excuses.

“Mmm.” Shangguan Qi nodded lightly, seeming to understand. “Was your hand from the incident three years ago?”

“...Mmm.” When Zhou Min thought he would continue asking, he suddenly changed the subject, leaving her momentarily stunned. When she realised he might ask something else, she lowered her voice as she responded.

“Why didn’t you go to the Valley of Divine Physicians then? You should know, if you had gone to the Valley of Divine Physicians when you left the valley, your hand wouldn’t have ended like this.” Stating the facts in a cold, unfeeling tone, Zhou Min couldn’t help but give a bitter, sardonic smile when her eyes fell on the already dried, fresh bloodstains on the cloth. The memory of last night came to mind, and Shangguan Qi, remembering something from three years ago, seemed to recall a specific incident when he thought Yin Mei was his saviour.

Shangguan Qi didn’t know what to say or where to start. After treating Zhou Min’s left hand, he tore off a piece of his inner garment and used it for a simple bandage. “We can’t keep waiting here passively for rescue.”

“I know. A few days ago, I wandered around this jungle and found a swift river not far from here. If we follow the river, we should be able to get out.” Zhou Min gained knowledge of the wilderness in her previous life by following her three older brothers around.

Shangguan Qi looked at Zhou Min with some surprise, then nodded in agreement. “Rest for two more days before we go.” Shangguan Qi’s gaze darkened as it fell on the dried red bloodstains on the fabric. Recalling last night’s events, he spoke in a slightly dry tone and then turned to leave.

Watching Shangguan Qi leave, Zhou Min lowered her head, lost in thought.