Chapter 1204: Then you tell me what to do (1/2)

Although Qin Min only slightly lifted her skirts, Gu Beiyue only glanced at it a few times before asking, “The princess helped you bind these?”

Not only had he personally witnessed the princess using needles and treating poisons, he’d also acted as her assistant. Han Yunxi had a unique way of binding bandages that didn’t need many layers to get the job done. Right now, Qin Min’s bandages sported Han Yunxi’s distinct binding style for injuries.

“You’re poisoned?” Gu Beiyue asked next before Qin Min could reply.

Qin Min then told him the ins and outs of the matter, leaving him astonished. However, he showed no signs of joy--at least, none that Qin Min could see on his face. She couldn’t help but explain, “Academy Head Beiyue, I only said this matter involves you because...if I can stand, then no one will say you married a cripple anymore.”

“Eldest Miss Qin, does it matter what others think?” Gu Beiyue retorted.

“Not in the past, but now it does. After all, I’ve taken the title of Academy Head’s wife,” Qin Min was very pragmatic.

Gu Beiyue then asked, “Even I don’t care, so why should you care about others’ opinions?”

Qin Min had no retort. When she saw that he still looked indifferent, she asked, “Doesn’t this count as good news?”

“Time is up. Let’s change the medicine first, we’ll discuss this later,” Gu Beiyue intoned.

Qin Min assumed he’d call for a servant girl, but he actually told her, “Eldest Miss Qin, apologies for being forward again.”

“W-we can call over a nurse. I know how to change the dressing, so I’ll just tell her what to do,” Qin Min grew nervous.

Gu Beiyue finally broke into a smile. “I’ve already dismissed all the servants. There’s no one left in this courtyard tonight except you and me.”

Qin Min finally remembered that this was their wedding night. It was truly inconvenient to call over a servant girl now and might even raise suspicions.

“Then...then I’ll do it myself,” she murmured, afraid to meet Gu Beiyue’s eyes. Unlike Han Yunxi, who felt there was no gender difference in the face of doctors, she was a lady of an established household with very prudent values. Although Gu Beiyue had seen her legs, it was a completely different situation than applying medicine to them!

“It’s no good if you touch the poison accidentally. I don’t have any antidote on me. How about you close your eyes? It’ll all be over in a moment,” Gu Beiyue said sincerely.

He knows I prefer to be modest, but why can’t I see a hint of embarrassment in his gaze?

A self-mocking lilt rose up to Qin Min’s lips. Maybe I’m just overthinking things. Gu Beiyue’s such a merciless and rational man. His heart is nothing but frank, so he probably doesn’t feel awkward about doing anything. My heart was beating out of my chest when I saw him holding me, but he stayed calm and pushed me away with only a simple apology.

So I’m the one who’s not frank enough? Is it my heart that’s hoping for something more?

Qin Min didn’t dare think further. She knew what kind of man Gu Beiyue was, and that their marriage was only a matter of formality at best.

“Then I’ll have to trouble Academy Head Beiyue. The princess’s medicine is right in the drawer over there,” Qin Min grew polite as well before closing her eyes like he suggested.

Gu Beiyue brought over salve and gauze before propping her legs on a chair. He carefully lifted up her dress to her knees. She only heard him say, “Indeed, it’s the princess’s handiwork,” before he starting taking off her bandages.

Soon enough, she felt the bandage lifting off her legs without much fuss or even the touch of her fingers on her skin. What smooth movements. They should be very similar to the princess’s own.

The room was so quiet that she even started feeling nervous. After all, she was facing Gu Beiyue! She felt like she had to say something to shift the pressure.

She said, “Academy Head Beiyue, your bandaging skills are like…”

Gu Beiyue took her by the calf and lifted her leg.

Heavens! Qin Min sucked in a breath as an inexplicable numbness spread from her calf. She couldn’t help opening her eyes, only to see…

Only to see him with his head bowed, eyes focused as he wiped off the various bits of medicine still stuck on her legs. He had no idea that she had opened her eyes, much less the chaotic state of her heart right now.

After wiping her down, he began to smear salve on her legs. Qin Min clearly trembled when she felt his fingers touch her muscles. She squeezed her eyes shut and told herself to endure and stay calm! Her confidence had taken a blow after seeing him so impassive.

Gu Beiyue was such a meticulous man that it was impossible for him not to notice Qin Min’s unease. After wrapping her up, he immediately stood up and explained, “Tonight was a special case, so I’ve overstepped my bounds. I’ll arrange for someone trustworthy to wait on you stating tomorrow.”

In other words, there would be no next time.

“Oh,” Qin Min said. She didn’t dare to raise her head.

Gu Beiyue cleaned up everything and washed his hands before sitting in front of Qin Min. He chose a chair, having not sat on the bed once so far. It was impossible to avoid helping her apply medicine, but he was even more particular than Qin Min when it came to rites and etiquette!

He sighed. “It was my oversight. I should have let the princess examine you sooner. Even putting off the marriage for a day later would be fine!”