dmims Chapter 24 The alluring fragrance enters the temple, stirring the heart of a mortal.
Chapter 24 The alluring fragrance enters the temple, stirring the heart of a mortal.
Chapter 24 The alluring fragrance enters the temple, stirring the heart of a mortal.
[First paragraph]
Sunlight slanted into the Temple of the Divine Turtle. Chen Shanhe was putting away his medicine box with his head down. His fingertips had just touched the silver needles when he heard light footsteps outside the courtyard. He didn't look up, assuming they were just ordinary worshippers, until a soft laugh drifted into his ears, and his whole body inexplicably stiffened.
Wu Meiniang approached slowly, her moon-white soft satin dress clinging to her voluptuous figure, neither too tight nor too loose, perfectly accentuating her gentle curves. Her shoulders were rounded, her waist supple, and every movement exuded the charm of a mature woman. She stood before the table without haste, only slightly lowering her eyes to gaze at Chen Shanhe, her gaze as soft as water.
Chen Shanhe then looked up, and his breath hitched for a moment when their eyes met.
Wu Meiniang smiled sweetly, her voice soft: "Dr. Chen, you've become even more composed and handsome these past few days."
Chen Shanhe composed himself and nodded slightly: "Madam, you flatter me. May I ask what is troubling you today?"
Mei Niang slowly reached out, her slender, white fingertips resting lightly on the edge of the table. Her wrist was as smooth as snow. "It's nothing serious. My lower abdomen has been feeling cold these past few days, and I haven't been sleeping well at night. I feel weak all over. Everyone says that in the entire Qinglong Town, only Doctor Chen's medical skills are the most reliable. I only trust you."
As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, and a faint, warm fragrance enveloped her breath, gently brushing against the back of Chen Shanhe's hand.
Chen Shanhe's fingertips trembled slightly. He quickly steadied himself and placed three fingers on her wrist. Mei Niang, however, was not so well-behaved. Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly chuckled, "Doctor Chen, why is your face so red when you take my pulse? Is there something on my body that makes you uncomfortable?"
Chen Shanhe's throat tightened slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "In the presence of a healer, there is no distinction between men and women. Madam, you need not overthink it."
Mei Niang raised an eyebrow, her smile deepening: "Is that so? But I noticed that Doctor Chen's hands seem to be trembling slightly. Could it be that he's thinking about something else?"
[Second paragraph]
Wu Meiniang allowed him to take her pulse, but her posture became increasingly relaxed, her shoulders slightly slumped, and a soft line of her collar was revealed, showing off her slender and fair neck. She didn't look anywhere else; her gaze was fixed on Chen Shanhe's face the entire time, without blinking, as if she wanted to see into his heart.
Chen Shanhe felt tense under her gaze. He had just grasped her pulse when he hurriedly stopped and picked up his pen to write a prescription.
Mei Niang suddenly spoke, her voice lower and more affectionate: "Doctor Chen, is it only you who can cure my illness? I really don't trust anyone else."
Chen Shanhe paused, writing, "His blood and qi are slightly cold; after a few rounds of treatment, it will improve. It's not a chronic illness."
"But I don't trust others." Meiniang gently moved her stool forward, and the distance between the two suddenly closed, so close that they could see each other's eyelashes. "I would find it dirty if anyone else touched me. Only a clean person like Doctor Chen would make me willing to let you treat me. I wouldn't come even if someone else asked me."
The implication was clear, and Chen Shanhe understood perfectly, but he pretended not to: "Don't worry, Madam, I'll prescribe some medicine; just take it on time."
Mei Niang suddenly frowned slightly, gently pressing one hand on her lower abdomen. She shrank back slightly, revealing a hint of fragility in her eyes: "But now, I suddenly feel a bit sore and swollen again. Doctor Chen, won't you massage it for me? I've heard that acupuncture is the most effective. I don't want to take medicine; I just want you to give me a few acupuncture needles."
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a soft, pleading gaze, but a faint smile played on her lips—clearly a deliberate act.
Chen Shanhe's heart skipped a beat, and he said in a deep voice, "Acupuncture needs to be performed on the bed. If Madam is willing, I will make the preparations."
Mei Niang immediately got up, walked lightly to the bedside, turned around to look at him, and gently swayed her waist: "Doctor Chen, I will wait for you here. Don't keep me waiting too long, I'm not a very patient person, especially with someone I like."
[Third paragraph]
Su Wanjing had just stepped into the courtyard with a bowl of warm water when she spotted Wu Meiniang by the bed. Her feet froze on the spot, and her heart sank.
Wu Meiniang seemed to have known she was there all along. She deliberately turned slightly to the side and said softly in Chen Shanhe's direction, "Dr. Chen, please be gentle. I'm afraid of pain. You have to be considerate of me."
The voice was soft and sweet, and Su Wanjing felt a tightness in her chest. She gripped the rim of the bowl tightly with her fingers until her knuckles turned slightly white.
Chen Shanhe picked up the silver needles, walked to the bedside, and said in a deep voice, "Madam, relax and don't be nervous. One needle will do."
Mei Niang lay on her back with her eyes slightly closed and her long eyelashes trembling gently, looking gentle and weak. However, the smile on her lips never faded and instead became more and more obvious.
Chen Shanhe held his breath, his fingertips pinching the silver needle, about to drop it, when Mei Niang suddenly let out a soft "hmm," her body trembled almost imperceptibly, and her breathing became slightly disordered.
"What's wrong?" Chen Shanhe asked subconsciously, a hint of panic in his voice.
Meiniang opened her eyes, gazing at him with watery eyes, her gaze sparkling: "It's nothing, it's just that the thought of Doctor Chen making the move makes me feel a little flustered, yet also a little happy."
Su Wanjing stood outside the door, feeling hot all over, both ashamed and angry, but she had no reason to go forward and interrupt. She could only bite her lip tightly and watch helplessly as the two were alone in the room, tears welling up in her eyes.
Meiniang had already caught a glimpse of the figure outside the door out of the corner of her eye, but she deliberately spoke in an even softer voice: "Doctor Chen, come closer, I'm a little scared. I feel more at ease when I'm closer to you."
Chen Shanhe hesitated for a moment, then leaned down slightly. In that instant, their breaths almost mingled. Mei Niang's smile deepened, while Chen Shanhe's ears turned completely red, and even his neck flushed slightly.
[Paragraph 4]
As the needle was inserted, a soft moan escaped from Mei Niang's throat. The sound was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear, and it seemed particularly alluring in the quiet temple.
Chen Shanhe paused, then quickly composed himself: "Bear with it, it'll be over soon, don't move around."
Mei Niang nodded gently, but said nothing more. She lay with her eyes closed, trembling slightly with each needle insertion. Her expression was tender and alluring, and her body was as soft as water.
Su Wanjing watched from outside the door, her mind in turmoil. A strong sense of crisis swept over her. She was almost certain that if things continued like this, Chen Shanhe would be seduced by this woman in no time, and she would have no chance at all.
Mei Niang suddenly opened her eyes again, staring straight at Chen Shanhe with a direct and burning gaze: "Doctor Chen, do you think a woman like me is very disliked?"
Chen Shanhe was taken aback: "What makes you say that, Madam?"
Mei Niang smiled softly, a hint of melancholy mixed with blatant provocation: "Because, once I set my sights on a man, none of them can escape. Which man in Qinglong Town doesn't want to fawn over me?"
These words were like a needle, gently pricking Chen Shanhe's heart. He suddenly looked up and met Mei Niang's burning gaze, which clearly showed her greed and determination to have her.
After a moment, Chen Shanhe withdrew the needles and stepped back, his voice slightly hoarse and his breathing somewhat unsteady: "That's enough for today. I will perform acupuncture on Madam again tomorrow."
Mei Niang slowly sat up, straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, and walked towards him with a smile, almost touching him: "Alright, I'll come again tomorrow. Doctor Chen, don't even think about avoiding me. Once I've made up my mind about something, I won't easily let go, and the same goes for you."
After saying that, she walked out slowly. As she passed by Su Wanjing, she glanced at her indifferently, her eyes carrying a hint of disdain and a sense of certainty.
After Mei Niang walked away, Su Wanjing quickly entered the house. Looking at Chen Shanhe's reddened ears, her eyes reddened slightly. Her heart was both sour and hot, flustered and confused. She opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word. She only felt a tightness in her chest.