Inside the Anle Residence, the afternoon sunlight spilled through the window lattice, casting warm yellow patches of light on the floor. Pei Cijing lay on the bed, eyes wide open, staring straight at the bed canopy.
The canopy was embroidered with intertwining lotus patterns. The pale green silk threads shimmered faintly in the light and shadow. The flowers bloomed vibrantly, one after another, but the more he looked at them, the more irritable he became.
He rolled over.
He rolled over again.
And he rolled over once more.
After rolling around on the bed repeatedly, Pei Cijing suddenly did a kip-up and sat straight up. He scratched his hair and let out a silent wail.
He couldn't sleep!
He simply couldn't sleep!
He turned his head to look at the empty spot beside him. The mattress was spread out neatly, and the pillow was placed perfectly straight without a single crease, as if mocking him—Your wife isn't here!
Pei Cijing stared at the empty pillow.
His gaze was resentful.
He looked like an abandoned loner guarding an empty room.
The two hours following lunch was supposed to be his unwavering nap time. This period was sacred and inviolable, an excellent tradition he had maintained since his previous life.
After working hard all morning, one had to strike a balance between work and rest, right?
In the past, taking a nap to recover his energy meant he could continue wandering around and enjoying gossip in the afternoon. Now, if he didn't take a nap to recharge, he would have absolutely no energy to struggle with those classical essays and policy dissertations.
Before getting married, he slept alone.
After getting married, he could sleep holding his wife.
That soft body, that faint fragrance, that warm touch—just thinking about it made Pei Cijing's eyelids feel heavy and his whole body comfortable. He wished he could dive into the covers immediately.
But what about now?
The wife who should have been held in his arms had gone to someone else's room. Every day without fail, for two full hours, she gave lessons to that Miss Cheng Lu.
Two hours!
A whole two hours!
Sometimes even more; staying for an entire afternoon was not impossible.
Pei Cijing tilted his head back and let out a long sigh, falling backward and crashing back onto the bed.
His initial prediction had come true.
The Ninth Prince was actually fighting him for his wife!
Although he knew Cheng Lu was a woman, although he knew Shen Ninghuan went to teach her needlework and the etiquette a woman should know, and although he knew his wife did all this to settle the former prince down without any mishaps—
This did not prevent a faint sourness of jealousy from emanating from him.
He was just jealous.
That is right, he was simply jealous.
Pei Cijing rolled over, buried his face in Shen Ninghuan's pillow, and took a deep breath.
The pillow still held a faint fragrance, the scent of the sachet she usually used. It was fresh and clean, making one feel at ease just by smelling it.
But this scent also reminded him—
His wife was not here.
His wife went to accompany someone else.
Pei Cijing lay gloomily on the pillow, his mind buzzing with all sorts of chaotic thoughts.
The Ninth Prince had previously been raised as a boy. She had been a prince for sixteen years, read the sages' books for sixteen years, and practiced archery and horsemanship for sixteen years.
Even though she was now wearing women's clothing, and even though she wanted to be a woman in her heart, what if her sexual orientation had not changed along with it?
What if—
What if she still liked women?
What if, by spending day and night with his wife, they developed inappropriate feelings for each other? Would she finish learning what she needed to learn and then continue to fight him for his wife?
Pei Cijing sat up with a shudder, his eyes going wide.
No!
Absolutely not!
He had to guard against everything; he had to take action!
Sitting on the bed with his arms hugging his knees, Pei Cijing began to seriously think of a countermeasure.
First, he needed to confirm one thing—Cheng Lu was currently in a state of being male on the outside, female on the inside. Although her pulse was that of a woman and she suffered from menstrual cramps every month, the focal lesion was still there. The part that made her look like a man had not yet been removed.
In other words, biologically speaking, she was not yet a complete woman.
And only when the other party became a true woman could Pei Cijing feel at ease.
He had to speed up the process!
That Imperial Physician Hua should be the Ninth Prince's attending physician, and he must be aware of this condition and have a treatment plan in mind. Otherwise, the Sixth Prince wouldn't have sent him to the Marquis's mansion to take Cheng Lu's pulse. Pei Cijing had also seen the prescriptions he wrote; they were all for nursing the body, likely preparing for the subsequent surgery.
After all, they had to use a scalpel.
Whether in his past life or the present, having a good pre-operative condition was crucial for the success of the surgery. There was nothing wrong with this medical approach.
But it had been so long, and they were only nursing her health without taking action.
Clearly, they were not entirely confident.
Pei Cijing frowned, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knees.
He could understand.
After all, with this kind of condition, even if there was research in ancient times, it might not be very deep.
After all, it was that kind of surgery. With one cut of the knife, cutting a fraction too much wouldn't work, and cutting a fraction too little wouldn't work either. The slightest error, and the Ninth Prince's life would be ruined.
Imperial Physician Hua was right to be cautious.
But—
It was too slow!
What if, during the time he spent being overly cautious, Cheng Lu and his wife developed feelings for each other? The more Pei Cijing thought about it, the more he felt the need to give things a push.
Anyway, without his wife, he couldn't take a nap.
He might as well do something productive.
He did a kip-up, jumped out of bed, strode to the desk, and sat heavily in the chair. He spread out some paper, ground the ink, and picked up a brush.
What to write?
A medical book.
Pei Cijing held the brush and closed his eyes in deep thought for a moment. Then, he opened his eyes and began to write rapidly. He wasn't some medical genius, but he had something great—a system.
Back at the flower viewing banquet, relying on the Divine Healer skill, he had recognized the Ninth Prince's condition at a glance and deduced that it was congenital pseudohermaphroditism.
That skill wasn't just for looking.
When he redeemed it, the system had directly poured a complete set of medical knowledge into his brain. Those details about human anatomy, disease mechanisms, and treatment methods were just like the texts he had memorized fluently in his past life. As long as he wanted to use them, he could recall them at any time.
Now, these things were going to come in handy.
Pei Cijing's brush did not stop, and lines of writing spread out on the paper—
The congenital syndrome of mixed yin and yang, also known as pseudohermaphroditism. Manifesting a male appearance on the outside while possessing a female body on the inside, the root cause lies in the mixing of yin and yang energies in the womb. The male root does not achieve full function, and the female body does not achieve full form...
This condition can be divided into three categories: The first is called outer yang and inner yin, having the appearance of a man but possessing the organs of a woman inside; the second is called outer yin and inner yang, having the appearance of a woman but possessing the organs of a man inside; the third is mixed yin and yang, where both the exterior and interior are indistinct...
In the congenital syndrome of outer yang and inner yin, the exterior manifests a male appearance, while the interior possesses a woman's womb and the tide of menstruation. Its male root is the focal lesion, having no practical function and carrying the risk of pathological changes...
Pei Cijing wrote in great detail.
He not only wrote about the mechanism, classification, and symptoms of the disease, but also drew diagrams.
Dozens of diagrams.
Each one was meticulously detailed, clearly depicting the possible shape and location of the lesion, as well as its connection with the surrounding organs.
As he drew, he secretly rejoiced—
Thank goodness he had studied sketching in his past life, otherwise he really wouldn't have been able to draw this.
After finishing the diagrams, he began to write the surgical steps.
To excise the lesion, one must choose a time within seven days after the end of menstruation. At this time, the qi and blood are peaceful, making it the most suitable time to perform the surgery...
Pre-operative preparations: Mafeisan anesthetic, golden needles, hemostatic powder, mulberry bark thread, goose feather tubes...
"When performing the procedure, the patient should lie on their back with their legs apart, using a soft pillow to elevate the waist and buttocks. The practitioner sits in front of the patient, securing the lesion with the left hand and holding the knife with the right..."
"The knife must be heated until slightly red and wiped clean with spirit wine. The incision should be small rather than large, shallow rather than deep, and it is better to cut less than to cut too much..."
"After the lesion is removed, golden needles must be used to stimulate acupoints to stop bleeding. Acupoints: Guanyuan, Qihai, Sanyinjiao..."
"After bleeding has stopped, suture the incision with mulberry bark thread. The suturing needle should be fine, and the stitches should be dense, ensuring the skin and flesh fit together closely without leaving any gaps..."
"Once sutured, apply golden sore medicine and insert a goose feather tube. The goose feather tube must be fine and soft, boiled in water, and soaked in spirit wine before use..."
After writing the surgical steps, he began to write about postoperative care.
"For seven days after the surgery, the patient must rest in bed and not walk on the ground. The diet should mainly consist of liquid food, avoiding raw, cold, and spicy items..."
"After seven days, the patient can gradually walk on the ground, but still needs to maintain a light diet. Wash the wound daily with medicinal soup and change the dressing..."
"Once the wound has healed, a sitz bath with medicinal soup is required. Prescription: Angelica, Chuanxiong, Red Peony, Salvia, Motherwort, Xiangfu... in appropriate amounts, decocted in water for a sitz bath, once a day, for the duration of one incense stick..."
"After the sitz bath, internal conditioning medicine is needed. This prescription is specifically designed to harmonize Yin and Yang and stimulate a woman's fundamental nature—"
Pei Cijing paused, the tip of his brush hovering over the paper for a moment before landing steadily.
"Ginseng, Atractylodes, Poria, Licorice, these are the Four Gentlemen, supplementing Qi and invigorating the spleen; Angelica, Chuanxiong, White Peony, Rehmannia, this is the Four Substances Decoction, nourishing blood and regulating menstruation; add Motherwort, Salvia, Xiangfu, and Rose, to invigorate blood, remove stasis, soothe the liver, and regulate Qi; further add Placenta, Deer Antler Glue, and Tortoise Shell Glue, to replenish essence and blood and stimulate the source..."
"Taking this prescription for three consecutive months will regulate the menstruation, fill the Qi and blood, and gradually restore a woman's state. If combined with acupuncture, targeting the Guanyuan, Qihai, Zhongji, Zigong, and Sanyinjiao acupoints, the effect will be even better..."
He finished the last stroke, set down the brush, and let out a long breath.
His wrist was terribly sore.
But looking at the thick stack of manuscripts on the desk, he felt inexplicably reassured.
He had written it in enough detail, right? If he handed this stuff to Imperial Physician Hua, that old man should be able to complete the surgery smoothly, right? If not, then the title of the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau was a scam!
Pei Cijing stretched and was about to organize the manuscripts when footsteps sounded outside the door.
He looked up.
The door creaked open, and Shen Ninghuan stepped in, lifting her skirt, a faint smile in her eyes: "Husband, did you not rest at noon today?"
Pei Cijing's eyes lit up, he jumped up, and rushed to her in a few strides, grabbing her hand.
"My wife is back!"
That tone, that look, the joy radiating from his whole body, made him look exactly like the Second Young Master of the Marquis's mansion who had waited all afternoon for his wife to return to their room.
Shen Ninghuan couldn't help but curve her lips at his appearance.
"I'm back," she said gently. "Sister Cheng learned earnestly today, so I accompanied her a little longer."
The smile on Pei Cijing's face stiffened for a moment.
Accompanied her a little longer?
Doesn't that mean longer than usual?
That sour feeling welled up in his heart again, but it was inconvenient to show it, so he could only chuckle dryly: "Oh, that's, that's good, being earnest is good, learning earnestly is fast..."
Seeing his "I'm very happy but actually I'm not that happy" look, the smile in Shen Ninghuan's eyes deepened.
She was about to say something when she suddenly caught sight of the thick stack of paper on the desk.
"What is husband writing?"
Pei Cijing followed her gaze and only then remembered the things in his hand.
"Oh, this—" He pulled Shen Ninghuan to the desk and handed her the stack of manuscripts. "Wife, this is what I just wrote. It's about some things concerning the Ninth Prince's illness."
Shen Ninghuan took it.
She lowered her eyes to look.
After reading just a few lines, her expression condensed slightly.
Flipping further down, her gaze paused when she saw those meticulously detailed drawings, and she looked up at Pei Cijing.
"Husband, is this...?"
Pei Cijing scratched his head, having already thought of an excuse: "It's recorded in an ancient book I happened to see before. I don't know which senior physician left that book, but it details the ins and outs of this illness and the method of treatment. I thought it was rare at the time, so I read it a few more times and remembered some of it."
He paused and pointed to the stack of manuscripts.
"Today, thinking that Imperial Physician Hua had come to check the pulse, I wrote down what I remembered. If Imperial Physician Hua comes next time, you can give it to him, wife. Perhaps it can help."
Listening to his words, Shen Ninghuan's gaze fell on the stack of manuscripts.
Every stroke and line was neat and tidy, without a single alteration. The dozens of drawings were meticulous, clearly illustrating every shape the lesion might present.
The surgical steps, postoperative care, and prescription combinations.
Written clearly and plainly.
It was as if it were the crystallization of an old physician's life's work.
An ancient book he happened to see? Read it a few more times and remembered it? Shen Ninghuan raised her eyes to look at Pei Cijing, her clear eyes carrying a somewhat meaningful smile.
Don't think she didn't know; this was an ability exchanged from the system.
Her husband's medical skills.
They should be unmatched in Great Qian, right?
Helping the Ninth Prince restore her female body was a piece of cake, but he had scruples and didn't want to do it himself, so he hid the fact that he was proficient in medicine.
Shen Ninghuan naturally wouldn't continue to question him.
She just gently closed the stack of manuscripts and said warmly: "Husband is thoughtful. Next time Imperial Physician Hua comes, I will give it to him."
Pei Cijing nodded, but muttered silently in his heart—
'Old Man Hua, you have to do your best!'
'Turn the Ninth Prince into a real woman as soon as possible, let her complete the transformation both physically and mentally, let her be a thorough girl from the inside out!'
'This way—'
'She won't develop any inappropriate feelings for my wife, right?'
Shen Ninghuan covered her mouth and chuckled softly. She really didn't know what to say about this husband; he was actually jealous of a girl, and the sour smell was about to drift out of Anle Residence!
"Husband worked hard today," she said softly, her voice as gentle as the spring breeze in March, but with a bit of mischief in her tone. "Why did you suddenly start writing this? Could it be that you couldn't sleep alone just now?"
Pei Cijing's face flushed slightly, but he still stiffened his neck and said: "Who, who said that? I slept very soundly by myself! I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow!"
Shen Ninghuan burst out laughing.
Her laughter was crisp.
Like wind chimes tinkling, echoing softly in the afternoon sunlight.
Pei Cijing was a little annoyed by her laughter and was about to say something when he saw Shen Ninghuan stop laughing and look at him earnestly, saying softly, "Husband, I've neglected you a bit these past few days."
Pei Cijing was stunned.
Shen Ninghuan continued: "Sister Cheng is new to the mansion, unfamiliar with the place and people, and with that kind of background, I always keep her in mind. If outsiders were to teach her the things a woman should know, flaws would inevitably be exposed, so I can only do it myself."
"During that hour every afternoon, I really couldn't accompany you, husband."
She paused.
And reached out to hold Pei Cijing's hand.
"But don't worry, Husband, I know what I'm doing. I will properly settle Sister Cheng, and I won't neglect you either."
She took a step closer, leaned into Pei Cijing's ear, and lowered her voice: "Tonight, I will make it up to you."
Her voice was light and soft, carrying an indescribable, ambiguous undertone.
The tips of Pei Cijing's ears suddenly turned red.
He opened his mouth.
He wanted to say something, but it felt as if something was blocking his throat. He couldn't utter a single word and could only watch helplessly as Shen Ninghuan took a step back, looking at him with a beaming smile and a hint of slyness in her eyes.
"If you don't speak, Husband, I'll take that as a yes," she said. "I'm going to the kitchen first to see how dinner is coming along. You should rest a little longer."
With that, she turned around and walked out the door with brisk steps.
The door closed gently behind her.
Pei Cijing stood rooted to the spot, stunned for quite a while before he finally snapped out of it. He raised his hand, touched his burning ears, then his burning cheeks, and suddenly broke into a wide grin.
His wife was truly something else.
It was clearly him being jealous, and her having no time to accompany him, yet after she put it that way, it somehow felt like he was the one taking a huge advantage.
However...
There would be compensation tonight?
Pei Cijing's eyes lit up, but then he remembered something and quickly restrained the smile on his face.
No, he couldn't make it too obvious.
He had to stay calm.
He had to maintain his reserve.
He took a deep breath, trying hard to return his expression to normal, but the upward curve of his lips simply refused to be suppressed.
Forget it.
He wouldn't suppress it anymore.
Pei Cijing turned around and plopped back down into his chair.
But then...
Pei Cijing suddenly remembered something else, and the smile on his face fell a few notches.
He looked up and gazed out the window. His gaze passed through the layered courtyards, as if trying to pierce through time and space to land on some unknown place.
That bastard Li Chengyu!
He just had to shove someone into the Marquis's estate!
Not only did it ruin his afternoon nap, but it also exhausted his darling wife!
Every afternoon for two hours, his wife had to go keep someone else company while he was left alone in an empty room—when would these days ever end!
Pei Cijing withdrew his gaze and sighed.
Forget it.
He would just have to endure it for now...
