Li Zhichen looked at the shocking bedsores on Qi Lixiao's body. In an instant, her mood plummeted from the heights, and a flash of hostility and anger flickered in her eyes.
"You're, after all, the legitimate son of the Prince of Qi. Didn't he even invite a doctor for you? And don't the servants even help you turn over? How dare they treat you so harshly!"
The room was extremely quiet. Qi Lixiao remained silent, but Li Zhichen could sense his embarrassment and desolation at this moment.
Li Zhichen took out the anti - inflammatory ointment from her spatial bracelet. Then she took off her shoes, stepped onto the bed, and sat down next to Qi Lixiao.
Qi Lixiao's bedsores were too severe. Li Zhichen didn't dare to use much force. She first moistened a handkerchief with water and gently wiped the dirt off Qi Lixiao's back and legs.
After that, she scooped up a little ointment with her fingertips and carefully applied it to Qi Lixiao.
"It might hurt a bit. Don't hold it in. If you feel uncomfortable, just tell me."
The moment the ointment touched the ulcerated and swollen skin, a sharp pain spread from Qi Lixiao's back to his whole body. His closed eyelids trembled, but he still didn't make a sound.
Li Zhichen saw it all. Suddenly, a sour feeling welled up in her heart. She couldn't tell whether it was pity or something else. All she knew was that her movements became even more gentle.
Half an hour later, Li Zhichen finally finished applying the medicine. She changed Qi Lixiao into clean fur clothes and trousers and whispered, "This medicine works quickly. The bedsores will heal in a few days. To avoid pressing on the wounds, you'll have to sleep on your stomach tonight."
Before Qi Lixiao could react, Li Zhichen's slender hands automatically landed on his calves and began to knead them with moderate strength. After massaging his calves for a while, she naturally moved up to his thighs.
Her hands were very dexterous. Her soft fingertips glided over Qi Lixiao's stiff skin that hadn't been touched for a long time, sending waves of numbness through his body.
Qi Lixiao tightened his lips. It felt as if something was gently scratching his heart. With each touch from Li Zhichen, there was a light and itchy tremor.
Just then, he heard Li Zhichen's sweet voice, like a cool stream, soothing the restlessness and desolation in his heart.
"You don't need to be embarrassed, and don't think you're a burden. You're just sick. It's quite normal for a patient to get bedsores. If the people in the Prince of Qi's Mansion don't care about you, I will. When you recover from your illness, I'll take you back to the Prince of Qi's Mansion and make all those who have bullied you kneel and beg for mercy!"
Li Zhichen's tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable determination.
Qi Lixiao was completely stunned. After a long while, he buried his face deeply in the pillow. His tense shoulders suddenly slumped, and then his whole body trembled silently.
Tears fell drop by drop down his cheeks, soaking the pillow and spreading infinitely.
He was the legitimate son of the mansion. Since childhood, there had been hundreds of pairs of eyes watching him. When his mother was still alive, she had taught him that dignity was more important than life.
If the royal clan lost their superficial dignity, their inner selves would also collapse.
Therefore, since Qi Lixiao became paralyzed, no matter how much humiliation or sarcasm he endured from others, he had never bowed his head to beg for mercy, let alone shed tears.
But at this moment, in this shabby temple, in front of Li Zhichen, whom he had just met, he let down all his defenses and couldn't help but shed tears.
...........
Li Zhichen spent the whole afternoon tidying up the room. She also washed and dried all of Qi Lixiao's dirty clothes.
Before going to bed, she checked Qi Lixiao's bedsores and whispered, "If you need to use the toilet at night, just call me. I'll help you."
She wasn't worried that Qi Lixiao would dirty the quilt. It was just that the clothes were easy to wash, but the thick mattress and quilt were not so easy to dry in winter. It would be troublesome if Qi Lixiao had no clean quilt to cover.
Li Zhichen said this as casually as eating and drinking, but Qi Lixiao's ears quickly turned red.
The oil lamp was extinguished. The temple was pitch - black, and everything fell silent.
Li Zhichen had always been highly adaptable. She lay on the small bed newly built next to Qi Lixiao's. Before long, she felt sleepy, and her breathing gradually became steady.
In the middle of the night, Li Zhichen felt her sleeve sink. It seemed that someone was gently tugging at her from behind.
Li Zhichen turned around and saw that Qi Lixiao was still lying on his stomach, but he had turned his head slightly.
His lips were tightly pursed. His index finger and thumb were nervously tugging at the bedsheet. There was uneasiness and embarrassment in his dark eyes.
"I..."
Li Zhichen immediately understood what Qi Lixiao meant. He should need to use the toilet.
Li Zhichen didn't feel embarrassed at all. She had touched Qi Lixiao's whole body when wiping him during the day. At this moment, all she cared about was taking good care of him.
"Okay, wait for me a moment."
Li Zhichen got up and lit the oil lamp. She placed the chamber pot beside the bed, then bent down and gently turned Qi Lixiao over. She put his two arms around her neck and slowly helped him sit up.
Li Zhichen's movements were extremely careful, but Qi Lixiao still found it a bit strenuous. A thin layer of sweat quickly appeared on his forehead.
So she tightly hugged Qi Lixiao's waist, let him lean on her shoulder, and deftly untied his belt. She helped him aim at the chamber pot.
Qi Lixiao closed his eyes tightly. A feeling of shame welled up in his heart, and his whole body was radiating heat from inside.
I don't know how long it took, but a rustling sound came from the chamber pot.
After Li Zhichen helped Qi Lixiao wipe clean, she tied his trousers and carefully carried him back to the bed.
The oil lamp was extinguished again. Li Zhichen tucked Qi Lixiao in and whispered, "Go to sleep."
But Qi Lixiao had lost his sleep after lying back on the bed. He lay there blankly, not knowing what he was thinking.
Just then, a soft hand suddenly reached out from beside him and gently hugged his waist.
Li Zhichen's breath fanned against Qi Lixiao's ear, carrying a reassuring fragrance.
Qi Lixiao held his breath. Just as he was about to say something, he felt Li Zhichen's hand around his waist tighten a bit. She gently patted him like coaxing a child. This originally somewhat ambiguous action was full of soothing at this moment.
"Go to sleep. I'll watch over you."
Listening to the gradually calm breathing beside him, Qi Lixiao inexplicably felt at ease. Sleepiness gradually came back to him.
That night, he had a good sleep for the first time in a long while, without a single dream...
Early the next morning, after feeding Qi Lixiao, Li Zhichen left the temple early. She planned to take a stroll around and try her luck. It would be best if she could find a way to make some money.
Li Zhichen observed the surroundings according to the map provided by the system. The temple they were in was located at the foot of a mountain. At this time of the year, the whole mountain was covered in white snow, which was quite spectacular. There was also a river at the foot of the mountain. Although it wasn't very big, it ran through the entire outskirts of the capital.
Li Zhichen looked at the river. It was the depth of winter, and the river was covered with a thick layer of ice. But there were groups of people gathered on the shore. It was extremely lively.
Li Zhichen squinted her eyes and asked the system, "What are they doing?"