The Foolish Husband of the Landlord's Family (GL)

Chapter 44: Form is Emptiness

The phrase "imprisonment" startled Jiang Yuan, her heart involuntarily tightening. She understood that fortune-telling was unreliable, but there was a part of her that couldn’t dismiss it entirely.

Thinking it over, she said hopefully, "Sir, we've been imprisoned before."

If it were merely a simple imprisonment, their previous experience could count. Yet, she knew it was unlikely to be that simple, constantly reassuring herself not to believe such superstitions.

Ceng Tu seemed to understand everything, remaining enigmatic, "I only glanced briefly. Just be cautious in the future. It's best if you can stay safe."

Jiang Yuan nodded, understanding, but once mentioned, the thought hung over her like a sword, leaving her perpetually uneasy as if a knot had formed in her heart, sitting there, unresolved.

Steadying herself, she glanced once more at the closed door, anxious, "Sir, can I see Kong'er during these three days?"

Ceng Tu said sternly, "It's best if you don't. It could agitate her, harming her body."

Seeing his seriousness, Jiang Yuan dared not risk Lin Kong’s health, casting one last look at the room before heading to the front yard to deal with refugee issues.

Refugee matters required constant attention; any lapse could lead to disaster.

Inside, Lin Kong sat naked in the bath, surrounded by thick, black medicinal liquid, contrasting with her fair skin. The pungent scent clung persistently.

Accustomed to medicinal baths, Lin Kong wasn’t too uncomfortable, though having Shiqi watching made her self-conscious. She’d only been naked in front of her mother and Jiang Yuan, her face slightly flushed.

Seeing Lin Kong staring, wanting to speak, Shiqi stood by, expressionless, assuring, "Don’t worry, I won’t look."

The liquid was too thick to see beyond Lin Kong’s collarbone, even if she wanted to.

"Okay." Relieved, Lin Kong treated it like a regular bath, splashing the warm liquid on herself, enjoying it despite the strong odor.

As time passed, the medicine seemed to think, pressing into her body, following the paths opened by acupuncture, unsettling her qi, making her skin sting.

Sweat beaded on Lin Kong’s nose. She feared heat, not cold. Initially soothing, the bath was warming, as if fueled by a fire beneath.

Looking to Shiqi for help, she floundered, "Sister Shiqi, how long do I have to stay in here?"

Shiqi, pained by her distress, said, "It’s only been an hour."

"Ah?" Lin Kong’s face paled, her body felt crushed by a powerful force, sweat streaming down her neck into the opaque bath, which grew hotter.

Two hours in, Lin Kong was muttering incoherently, reciting her cultivation technique.

Her exposed skin turned pink, her body constantly releasing internal energy, heating the bath to boiling.

Awakened by the searing liquid, Lin Kong panicked, gripping the tub’s edge to rise, but Shiqi pushed her back under.

Struggling, she asked, "Sister Shiqi, will Kong'er be cooked?"