Everyone saw the Prince of Pingyang's reaction.
"Your Highness, did you feel something?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang and Ling Feng asked excitedly at the same time.
The Prince of Pingyang seemed a bit unsure of his own sensation.
He shook his head.
Duoduo carefully removed the silver needles from his leg one by one.
The Prince of Pingyang reached out and pinched the last spot. No feeling.
Just a moment ago, there had been a fleeting prick of pain, like an ant bite.
But in the blink of an eye, the feeling was gone.
Even though it was extremely faint, a massive wave of shock surged in the Prince of Pingyang's heart.
It had been two years. His legs hadn't felt a single thing.
Even last time, when his kneecap was shattered, he had felt nothing.
"Do it again."
The Prince of Pingyang wanted to confirm if he had imagined it.
But Duoduo put the silver needles away. Holding the cloth pouch, she hid both hands behind her back.
"No! If I poke you again, you'll break!"
"My legs are already broken!"
"That still won't do! I won't!"
The Prince of Pingyang and Duoduo stared at each other, locked in a stalemate.
Duoduo glared with her big eyes, looking at the Prince of Pingyang without yielding an inch.
Duoduo had also seen the Prince of Pingyang tremble just now.
Duoduo felt she must have poked the wrong place, hitting somewhere she shouldn't have.
If she did it again and accidentally ruined her father, what would she do?
Therefore, Duoduo absolutely refused to compromise!
The Princess Consort of Pingyang hurriedly tried to mediate.
"Your Highness, did you really feel something? How about we have Ling Feng bring that doctor back?"
Ling Feng nodded eagerly, "Yes, Your Highness, this subordinate will go immediately!"
"Come back!"
The Prince of Pingyang stopped Ling Feng, who was about to head out.
"There is no need. I know my own body best."
"Alright, these silver needles are yours now. Keep them safe." The Prince of Pingyang looked at Duoduo, who was still glaring at him.
"Ling Feng, go and find out if there are any doctors in Xianyang City willing to take a female apprentice."
"If there are, invite them to the manor immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ling Feng walked out, his heart full of doubts.
Was the Prince of Pingyang actually hiring a tutor to teach the young princess medicine?
The Princess Consort of Pingyang was equally puzzled.
"My word is my bond. What I have said, I will naturally fulfill."
"Why, does the Princess Consort think there is a problem?" The Prince of Pingyang's tone was calm and flat.
"Your Highness, Duoduo is only four years old. Isn't she learning too many things?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang felt a bit of heartache for Duoduo.
Duoduo now not only had to learn the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but also had to wake up early to learn martial arts, embroidery, and household management. She was kept dizzyingly busy.
Now, with medicine added to the list, the child would have absolutely no time just to play.
"Duoduo, are you afraid of hardship?"
The Prince of Pingyang did not answer, but asked Duoduo directly.
Duoduo shook her head.
"I'm not afraid! I don't feel it's hard!"
"Mother, you don't need to worry. I feel very happy every day!"
"You're still little, you can take your time. You don't need to work so hard." The Princess Consort looked at her with an aching heart.
Duoduo shook her head.
"Father said, only by enduring the bitterest of hardships can one rise above the rest!"
"Mother, being able to do things I like makes me truly happy."
After saying this, Duoduo gave the Princess Consort of Pingyang a comforting smile.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang sighed.
This child Duoduo had been taught by the Prince to be a bit too ambitious.
Actually, in her heart, the Princess Consort of Pingyang didn't want Duoduo to work so hard.
For a girl, the days spent at home were the happiest.
Duoduo just needed to properly enjoy a happy life, why did she have to push herself so desperately?
When Duoduo grew up, they would find her a good husband so she could support him and raise their children, living a perfect and fulfilling life. How wonderful would that be!
But the Princess Consort of Pingyang didn't dare say these things out loud.
She also understood that the Prince was raising Duoduo as if she were a son.
It was all her fault for failing to bear the Prince a son or daughter!
The Princess Consort of Pingyang stroked Duoduo's cheek.
"If you get tired, just tell Mother."
Duoduo nodded sensibly. "Mhm! Don't worry, Mother!"
Duoduo saw her father's hands clasped together, seemingly lost in some kind of emotion.
She reached out her small hand and grabbed the Prince of Pingyang's large hand.
"Father, your legs will definitely get better. Once I learn medicine, I will definitely cure you!"
The Prince of Pingyang raised his eyes. He saw his own reflection in Duoduo's crystal-clear eyes.
"Alright! Father will wait for you. You must keep your word!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked at the Prince of Pingyang in astonishment.
Duoduo, however, happily reached out and hooked her little finger around the Prince of Pingyang's little finger.
The Prince of Pingyang froze.
Duoduo smiled brightly and shook their hooked fingers.
"Pinky swear, hang it up high, it won't change for a hundred years! Whoever breaks it is a little puppy!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang covered her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.
The Prince of Pingyang pursed his lips. "Alright, whoever breaks it is a little puppy!"
Satisfied, Duoduo pulled her hand back.
"I hurt Father with the needle just now, didn't I? Once I learn properly, it won't hurt anymore!"
Duoduo's words stunned the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
"Your Highness, is what Duoduo said true?"
The Prince of Pingyang nodded.
"Yes! It hurt a little, she still needs to work hard!"
Hearing this, the Princess Consort of Pingyang looked at the thigh that had been pricked.
"Your Highness, is it here? It hurts? What kind of pain is it?" The Princess Consort of Pingyang was pleasantly surprised.
"Your Highness, how about we call a doctor to take a look at you?"
The Prince of Pingyang slowly shook his head.
"We cannot call a doctor! This news must not be leaked out at all! Not even to Ling Feng!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang covered her mouth. Only now did she understand the reason why the Prince of Pingyang wanted to hire a tutor for Duoduo.
"Your Highness, can Duoduo really do it?"
"How about letting me learn? At the very least, I've held an embroidery needle for so many years, so my hands are bound to be steadier than Duoduo's."
The Prince of Pingyang did not object.
"You have to manage all the matters of the manor every day, and your health is not good."
"Learning medicine is very strenuous work. Pingting, I don't want you to work so hard."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang gritted her teeth. For her husband, she was not afraid of hardship.
"Your Highness, let me try. What if I can do it?"
Duoduo was very happy. She took the Princess Consort of Pingyang's hand.
"Father, let Mother learn with me, okay? That way, I'll have a companion!"
Before, when she learned from Nanny Li, there was also Pangya.
Now, Duoduo was all alone, and she felt a bit lonely.
Seeing the longing in Duoduo's eyes, the Prince of Pingyang agreed.
"Alright, but you must not tire yourself out. If you find it too hard to learn, just give up."
Duoduo's eyes widened. "Father, that's not how you taught me!"
"You said that when facing difficulties, one must persevere, and things will be fine once you push through!"
The Prince of Pingyang twisted the jade thumb ring on his finger.
"Your mother is different from you! Her health is poor!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang blushed.
Duoduo stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Mother, you just need to keep me company. You don't have to learn."
"Once I learn it, I'll treat you and Father. Then we won't have to spend silver to hire a doctor!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang reached out and lightly tapped the bridge of Duoduo's nose.
"Little money-grubber!"
The Prince of Pingyang's eyes, however, flickered with a hidden light.
