In the glow of the candle, Xiao Jingcheng's lean yet broad back was revealed before her eyes.
Since he had spent a long time in carriages or rooms and rarely been exposed to sunlight, his skin was fairer than most people's. Even though the light of the candle was not very strong, his skin still glowed with a pale sheen.
It was not a good thing for a man to have overly fair skin, as it could detract from his masculinity and make him seem too delicate. But Xiao Jingcheng had scars of various sizes on his back. Although the wounds had long since healed, they left indelible marks on his skin, becoming even more prominent against the backdrop of his fair complexion.
Jiang Mian still remembered that when he was carried back to Qianren Mountain by Zhao Hu and the others, his back was covered in many wounds. The floating log had not only hit his head but also left numerous cuts on his body.
These were all the marks of his heroism in saving the people of Cangzhou.
The candle gradually moved to the right, reaching the area where Xiao Jingcheng had complained of pain.
He wasn't lying. That patch of skin was redder and more swollen than the rest, presumably having been scraped when he fell just now.
After a moment's hesitation, Jiang Mian said, "I... I'm going to touch you. Don't make a sound."
Her parents' room was not far away. She didn't want them to misunderstand.
Xiao Jingcheng raised his eyebrows and said, "Don't worry. I'm not that fragile."
Jiang Mian then reached out her hand to touch the swollen area and pressed firmly.
Although Xiao Jingcheng didn't cry out, he took in a sharp breath, "Jiang Mian, can you be a bit gentler?"
It seemed that this place really hurt.
Guilt overcame the shyness that came with touching him. But she was also stubborn and mumbled, "Next time, try standing behind me without making a sound."
Xiao Jingcheng said, "You're wronging me. I just wanted to pat your shoulder to get your attention. Who knew you'd suddenly turn around as if you'd seen a ghost."
Jiang Mian grumbled as she took out the blood - activating and stasis - removing ointment she had made on the road. She scooped out a bit and applied it to the bruised area. Then she coughed twice and deliberately said fiercely, "It's not that I'm being rough on purpose. There's stasis inside this bruise, and I need to rub it hard to relieve the pain."
Xiao Jingcheng snorted and said, "You're the doctor. You can say whatever you want. I'm just like a fish on your chopping board now."
Jiang Mian placed her entire palm on the area and started to knead. Xiao Jingcheng really didn't cry out in pain, but his breathing became a bit heavy. Perhaps due to the pain, a thin layer of sweat broke out on his body, making his skin, as white as moonlight, even more translucent.
It was just an ordinary medical treatment, but for some reason, Jiang Mian felt her heart beating faster and her cheeks burning hot. His heavy breaths made her feel inexplicably restless.
But she couldn't explain why she was restless.
After a while, Jiang Mian withdrew her hand and said, "The stasis has been dispersed. It will heal in a couple of days."
Xiao Jingcheng knew it was about time and didn't want to overdo it and push her away. So he put on his clothes and tied his belt.
Jiang Mian lifted the candle and looked at his head.
The wound on his head was the most crucial one.
It was because of the blow from the floating log that he had been in and out of consciousness ever since.
When Jiang Mian's fingers gently landed on the back of his head, Xiao Jingcheng's movements paused for a moment.
"Actually, I've always wanted to ask you. Do you often feel headaches since you woke up?"
For martial artists, the back of the head, chest, and abdomen were always the most vulnerable areas and were usually not allowed to be touched casually. But at this moment, as the girl's fingers lingered on the healed wound on the back of his head, Xiao Jingcheng felt his heart soften.
He remembered the scene of the girl crying while treating his wounds, and the way she had been heart - broken and dejected for him.
Xiao Jingcheng's voice softened, "I still feel a dull pain occasionally."
"Why didn't you...," Jiang Mian choked up a bit, "Why didn't you ever mention it?"
Xiao Jingcheng said, "I'm a man. If I cry and complain about a little pain, how can I be considered reliable and steady?"
It wasn't that he had never cried out in pain.
When he was a child, he was forced to practice martial arts, and his mother was very strict with him and never allowed him to cry out in pain. Even when he was exhausted and in great pain, his mother never relented.
His mother had said, "Cheng'er, you are the crown prince. You have to endure more hardships than others. If you can't even bear a little pain, that pain will become an excuse for others to attack you, suppress you, or even replace you."
Since then, he had known that as the crown prince, he had no right to complain about hardships or pain, let alone cry.
Because there were plenty of people who wanted to be the crown prince if he didn't.
His mother had always had a cold relationship with his father. If he lost the title of crown prince, both he and his mother would soon be killed by others.
Over time, he had forgotten about pain and got used to it.
However, after meeting Jiang Mian and experiencing the feeling of being protected, he suddenly thought that it wasn't so bad to show a bit of weakness and cry out in pain occasionally.
Jiang Mian scooped out some ointment and applied it to his temples and the back of his head respectively. Then she started to knead for him.
Xiao Jingcheng closed his eyes and stopped teasing her. Instead, he enjoyed her active concern at this moment.
Jiang Mian also didn't say a word. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, her emotions would be revealed.
It was really strange.
She actually felt sorry for a man.
And it was a man who had once made her life miserable.
But it had all been a misunderstanding. They had both been set up by others. Xiao Yixuan had coveted his position as the crown prince, and the Ye family had coveted her good fortune. In a way, they were in the same boat.
"All done," Xiao Jingcheng said, and Jiang Mian stopped her movements. "My head doesn't hurt anymore."
"Okay," Jiang Mian replied and withdrew her hand.
Xiao Jingcheng turned his head and caught the look of concern on her face that she hadn't had time to hide. But perhaps she was good at disguising herself, and she immediately put on a straight face, "There should still be blood clots in your head from the cliff - fall. This can be life - threatening if not taken care of. You should be more careful in the future."
Xiao Jingcheng smiled and said, "Okay. I'll listen to Dr. Jiang."
Jiang Mian packed up her things and couldn't help but say, "But don't worry. When we get back to the capital and I see my master, I'll ask him to take a look at you. He will surely find a way to remove the blood clots in your head."
Xiao Jingcheng nodded, "Doctor Wang was able to help my uncle seize the throne. His medical skills must be remarkable."
"Well, I'll go back first," Jiang Mian said. Without waiting for Xiao Jingcheng's reaction, she immediately ran out of the door.