Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 445 - 443

Xiao’er remained calm amidst her excitement. "Bai Tian, how about the third prize?" she asked.

Bai Tian squinted its goose eyes. "Master, one should not be too greedy."

Xiao’er chuckled at this statement.

It meant there was no third reward. Still, Xiao’er wasn’t disappointed, actually, she was quite satisfied.

"When can my soul return to my body?" Xiao’er looked at Shangguan Xuanyi and her physical self held in his arms. They were both nothing but skin and bones.

She had lost weight due to her inability to eat, surviving only on a broth-like concoction every day.

Whereas Shangguan Xuanyi was neglecting himself. Having almost killed Xiao’er with his own hands, he was mentally deficient, with disheveled beard growth. He was a sight for sore eyes.

Xiao’er gave him a disdainful look and turned her head away.

"It should happen soon, I guess!" Even Bai Tian couldn’t give a precise answer, "although the spatial upgrade is already completed, your physical transformation isn’t, and it can’t be rushed. Otherwise, there will be a backlash. Please be patient."

A backlash? It was said to occur in martial arts training if rushed. Xiao’er wasn’t in a hurry, she would take her time with this transformation.

On their journey home, they took the official road. It was the beginning of winter, and the weather alternated between cold and warm.

The wind was blustery that day. With each passing two hours, the weather seemed to get colder. It had been at this rate, it was nearing a harsh winter.

Shangguan Xuanyi held Xiao’er’s hand and found it cold. He took out a cloak from the hidden compartment in the carriage and draped it over her.

Seeing that lunchtime was nearing and the weather was freezing, having a hot meal seemed far better than eating dry food on their journey. Jingrui suggested, "Sixth Prince, perhaps we could find a restaurant in the nearby County Town to have lunch before continuing our journey."

Considering Xiao’er’s cold body and her unconscious state, which would not allow her to eat anything but liquid food, Shangguan Xuanyi figured she must be hungry by now. Going to a restaurant to get a bowl of hot chicken porridge for her seemed like a good idea. Hence, he agreed, "Alright."

Hemu County was a large county. Not exactly prosperous, but with broad streets and an open-minded public due to its proximity to the northwest.

The party arrived at the largest restaurant in the county, Jiafu Tower.

Despite the open-minded public, Shangguan Xuanyi holding Xiao’er as they entered the restaurant still attracted curious stares and gossip.

A scholar even criticized under his breath, "This is obscene!"

The martial artists were quick to hear such comments. Zhao Yong shot them a glance and the entire restaurant became quiet. The scholar who had criticized became as meek as a goose, afraid to raise his head for quite some time.

The cashier noticed the party’s exceptional demeanor and took extra care in serving them. The men were intimidating, he hoped they wouldn’t trash his restaurant.

Zhao Yong requested the best private room. Shangguan Xuanyi ignored the public’s strange stares. Led by the waiter, he elegantly walked into the room with Xiao’er in his arms.

He took out a silver coin and handed it to the waiter, "Prepare a pot of soft, tender chicken porridge, and serve one of all your signature dishes."

The waiter gladly took the silver coin and went about his task. He had known this party was either wealthy or noble, with generous tips, but he hadn’t expected the tip to be so grand.

The dishes came quickly, but the preparation of porridge took longer, so it was served last, once the lunch was finished.

Yang Liu served a bowl of porridge and gave it to Shangguan Xuanyi, "Master, let me do it."

Shangguan Xuanyi shook his head and began to feed Xiao’er the porridge himself.

Xiao’er, in her unconscious state, could not open her mouth, but Shangguan Xuanyi had experience. He slightly lifted her head which naturally prompted her mouth to open a bit. He carefully poured in the porridge bit by bit, making sure not a drop spilled. He carried out the task with the attention and focus as though it was extremely important.

Xiao’er’s unconscious body instinctively swallowed the porridge.

Looking at Shangguan Xuanyi carrying out this task with such meticulous care, Xiao’er’s soul inside the space was left awestruck. But seeing herself in this condition, she couldn’t help but facepalm. She wasn’t a child or an old, feeble person needing to be fed. She felt too embarrassed.

But Xiao’er didn’t know that there was more embarrassment to come!

After feeding Xiao’er the porridge, Shangguan Xuanyi carried her downstairs. He overheard a conversation coming from one of tables and came to a halt.

"Did you know? The Lu family’s eldest son, who had been in a coma for many years, has woken up!"

"He woke up? Are you messing with me? The young master Lu fell off a cliff at a young age. He was rescued but had been severely injured and in a coma for five years. But how could he suddenly regain consciousness?"

"It’s absolutely true! I have a relative who works in the Lu mansion. The entire staff was given a month’s bonus because of this."

"How did he regain consciousness? Did they invite some famous doctor to treat him?"

Having heard this, Shen Jingrui’s ears perked up.

"I heard that Lu’s second young master received a divine healer’s kindness, who suggested treating the eldest young master. Following the treatment, the divine healer said that a bowl of soup made from a soul-reviving grass would wake him up!"

"This is so amazing. That divine healer was truly exceptional..."

After listening to this conversation, Shangguan Xuanyi no longer felt like continuing their journey.

"Zhao Yong, find a clean inn for us."

Zhao Yong, having heard the conversation, understood the master’s intentions and agreed readily.

Even Jingrui was filled with a sliver of hope.

They had invited many healers to treat Xiao’er. All of them had claimed that her health was returning to normal, the only issue was malnutrition.

A body recuperating from ailments would naturally take time to wake up, or perhaps she had lost her soul. The soul-reviving plant seemed plausible. Maybe if Xiao’er drank the soup the plant was boiled in, she could regain consciousness!

Shangguan Xuanyi carried Xiao’er into the carriage and the party continued their journey to the inn.

After a while, Shangguan Xuanyi felt a warm sensation spreading onto his thigh.

Shangguan Xuanyi maintained his calm. He carefully placed Xiao’er on a bench.

He then fetched a clean set of clothes from the hidden compartment.

Seeing this, Xiao’er, in her spiritual state, felt strange. Why did Shangguan Xuanyi want a new set of clothes?

Then she noticed a damp patch on Shangguan Xuanyi’s clothes!

Could it be what she thought it was!

Xiao’er’s face turned crimson. This wasn’t something she could handle by simply facepalming, she felt like collapsing from the embarrassment. She thought dying wouldn’t be so bad!

Could unconscious people also need to use the restroom?

God, she would rather die right now! She couldn’t go on like this!

How could she face Shangguan Xuanyi after this!

Despite this, Shangguan Xuanyi remained composed, not showing any hint of disgust. He removed his clothes, revealing his muscular body...

Xiao’er couldn’t bear to look, and covered her eyes. But she couldn’t help peeping from the gaps in her fingers. She hadn’t expected Brother Shangguan to be so well-built.