First Love: Mo Xue (12)

The court turn their attention toward the entrance of the hall, simultaneously gasp at the beautiful ger that just step across the threshold. Despite their constant request to denounce the ger before, right at that moment, all of them seem to have forgotten about it.

Wearing a formal attire, the Consort look dazzling, with a hint of innocence, as his pale porcelain skin seems to contrast with the deep shade of red on his robe. His long luscious hair is being pull up in a simple do, without any lavish accessory, enough with a single silver pin, with a single pearl in the colour of his equally luscious lips.

"This servant greets Your Majesty."

His melodious voice float to the hearts of those who heard, bringing smile to their faces, even to the stoic Forth Prince. The Prince steps by the side of the kneeling ger, pulling him up, even before the command's of the Emperor.

"You really have the look that can bewitch others, Consort Jae Hee."

The Emperor let out a playful remark, breaking the trance of the court. The ger in question keep his head low, while his husband is holding him, slowly massaging his back with his hand. The Prince, without anyone noticing, is sending a small burst of chi with his palm, intending to give him energy, as he notice how his bride slightly limping walk just now.

"Consort Jae Hee, the court has summoned you as This Emperor had received a petition, to annul your marriage with the Fourth Prince, Mo Xue. The reason is, you have bewitched the Prince and make him imprisoned one of his loyal concubine."

As the Emperor regaled the proceeding, the pale ger tremble slightly. The Prince smiling features grow colder by seconds, as he keeps smoothing his hand on his bride's back, trying to calm him down.

"The Prince however has stated that the concubine in question has poisoned you and you may as well be with child. Thus, this court wants the royal physicians to take your pulse. Will you agree to it?"

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"This servant agrees, Your Majesty."

Well, what more can I say.

I'm glad that the Prince stays by my side at this time. His massage really helps me relax. Ah... hubby~

"Royal Physicians, if you please."

The Prince guides me to take a seat at the side. He patiently walks slowly with me. Argh... did he notice my limping walk? It's so embarrassing!

But, it was his fault too.

As soon as I turn, after taking a seat, on a full fluff cushion, a few men in a dark maroon robe, with a gold leaves emblem embroidered on their right chest, make their way towards me.

"Zero Three, who are these guys?"

"They are the Royal Physician, host."

"So many?"

"The Emperor wants to have you check by multiple physicians, so that no one can claim you nor the Prince lie on the results."

Ah, it seems like my father-in-law favours me. Thank you, father-in-law.

"Please, Consort, put your hand here."

One of the eunuch, the same one that guide me and Xiao Er here bring forth a small green cushion and put it on the table by my right. Xiao Er gently pulls out my hand and places it, palm up on the table, and cover it with a thin silk handkerchief.

The Prince is still standing, on my left, still keeping his hand on my back. I glance up at him, offering a small smile, thanking him. He smiled back.

Ah... my hubby so handsome~

Shit! Jae, focus please!

I turn my head back to the front when I feel my wrist is being held. The first physician, hold my wrist for a few minutes, before he step back and let the next one proceed. This was repeated on all five of them before they huddle together at the side, discussing something. One of them come back, and bow in front of my husband... I mean, the Prince.

"Your Highness, this servant seek permission to conduct search acupuncture on Your Consort."

I saw the Prince frowned a moment, after hearing this request. He gaze a worried look at me, seemingly hesitant with it. Why?

"Host, search acupuncture means that they will stick needles in your feet to detact the poison."

"Then, why did he look so worried? Didn't I already have a few acupuncture sessions before?"

"The needles that will be use are different and the process will be painful, host."

"How painful?"

"...very painful."

Shit! But if I didn't do that how can I proceed with my plan. Remember Jae, you are now acting as a semi white lotus. Shy and graceful but must have a bit of courage. Even when you will surely faint after that. Oooh... then perhaps you can lie in your husband embrace.

Jae, focus.

I snap away from my imagination and tug at the Prince's sleeve, nodding a yes.

"Are you sure, my dear?"

I give him another nod as he crouches in front of me, massaging my hand. He drops a chaste kiss on both on my palm before standing up and address the waiting physicians.

"Granted."

They bow at my Prince before retreating. One of the physician roll out a silk bag, filled with silver needles. However, the needles are not the thin needles that they usually used for acupuncture. Or at least, not the one that the last physician used on me. They look slightly... bigger, thicker and longer.

Sigh. It's going to be painful.

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The court murmur their astonishment with the Prince act of love, while the ministers that had their daughters send in was teething in anger. The Emperor look delighted, jerking his brows together and hold his head with his palm while watching everything.

As soon as the Prince give his permission to let the physicians conduct a search acupuncture on his own bride, some ministers are smirking in ridicule, wanting the ger to make a fool of himself. They had notice how that said ger give his acknowledgment and pity his stupidity.

A search acupuncture is painful, even a normal grown man can barely handle it. So how can a delicate ger manage such thing?

An attendant of the court carries forth a small cushioned stool and put it in front of the ger. His maid helps him to prop up his leg and carefully take off his shoes. However, when she wants to take off his stockings, the Prince intercepts and do it himself. Afterwards, he stays at the same position, standing at the feet of his bride, blocking the ger's feet from being seen by the rest of the court.

The Emperor chuckled over his son possessive nature. He would never thought, the one that have been sub as ice block have finally been thawed. It's seems like his decision to grant marriage with the ger is a good one. Ah... He can't wait for his future grandchild.

The physicians start to approach the ger's feet, but seemingly nervous with the Prince that stands so close to them. But, they have a job to do. Strengthening their will, they start to administer the search acupuncture, boldly asking the Prince to step aside. This act leaves a tiny gap, making the courtiers of the court at the left side able to see the administration.

"Consort, we will start. Before that, I will beg your pardon, first. This will hurt a bit."

A gentle nod was given from the pale, porcelain skinned ger that seems to have smile hung on his face. The physicians feel a bit guilty about having to hurt this gorgeous creature, but...

The first physician turns their gaze away and starts to dab an alcoholic solution on a piece of silk handkerchief, before use it to wipe the sole of the ger's feet. The second physician starts to pull out a couple of needles from the silk bag, and hand it over to the first physician.

With a guilty smile on his face, he slowly punches in one of the needle on the sole of the ger's right foot, waiting for him to wail in pain. However, the scream he's waiting for and the screech that the rest of the court is counting for never come.