Circulating her energy would trigger the odd condition, provoking reactions in her body that were too embarrassing to mention.
The Family Head Yu Lu hesitated a little. She naturally had no desire to expose such an unsightly side of herself in front of others. But her visitor was Son-in-Law Yan Zhen, the “attending physician” for her and her sisters’ peculiar afflictions—he knew every detail about them. There was no point in hiding anything.
She had even learned the Acupoint Control Method from him previously, a lesson laced with a touch of intimacy that had become their little secret, known only to the two of them.
—Well, it wasn’t the first time he’d walked in on it.
—She hoped it would be the last.
With those thoughts in mind, the Family Head Yu Lu slowly began to circulate her technique. She drew the Water Mystic Force from within her body and let it spill out across her skin, draping herself in what looked like a layer of exquisite water-blue gauze.
Yan Zhen extended two fingers once more and placed them on the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law’s fair wrist. He channeled a thread of Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire into her.
A flash of purple lightning arced through the air before vanishing into the Family Head Yu Lu’s meridians. It raced along in tandem with the flow of her Water Mystic Force.
Water conducted electricity, which was precisely why Yan Zhen had chosen Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire for the examination.
A moment later, Yan Zhen had mapped out the basic circulation path of the Timely Rain Scripture. He discovered that the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law’s Mystic Power grew unstable whenever it passed through her chest. This caused the power to gradually seep outward, merging into crown-like glandular leaves that ultimately produced a flood of milky fluid.
That left one burning question: why did her Mystic Power destabilize specifically in her chest?
The Family Head Mother-in-Law was a Mystic Ancestor expert, with exquisite control over her Mystic Power. It could not possibly be a failing on her part.
Yan Zhen furrowed his brow, pondering as he continued his probe.
Some time passed before the Family Head Yu Lu finally spoke up, unable to hold back any longer.
“Son-in-Law Yan Zhen, have you finished examining me?”
Her chest felt swollen. The fluid born of her Mystic Power was on the verge of overflowing.
Yan Zhen glanced at the Family Head Mother-in-Law. He caught the flicker of embarrassment on her face and withdrew his hand at once.
“You can stop circulating now, Mother-in-Law.”
Relief washed over the Family Head Yu Lu like a wave. She halted her Mystic Power’s flow immediately and let out a soft breath.
“Did you discover anything?”
Yan Zhen relayed his findings.
“Mother-in-Law, didn’t you notice the point where your Mystic Power destabilized?”
The Family Head Yu Lu shook her head.
“I felt like I was circulating it perfectly steadily… Son-in-Law Yan Zhen, do you have a way to fix it?”
Yan Zhen considered for a moment before replying.
“The strange condition in Mother-in-Law’s technique has indeed been cured. This must be a lingering side effect.”
“A side effect?”
“Due to that condition, a section of the meridians in Mother-in-Law’s chest appears to have twisted. That’s why her Mystic Power destabilizes as it passes through, triggering the lactation symptoms. To cure it completely, we’d need to straighten those meridians.”
“Straighten the meridians… Could we use a Meridian Mending Pill? The storehouse has some on hand.”
“Meridian Mending Pills are for repairing broken meridians. Mother-in-Law’s aren’t damaged—they’re just twisted.”
Yan Zhen paused, then added, “The standard method for correcting meridians is the Golden Needle Acupoint Method. It’s extremely difficult, and I’m not entirely confident. Besides, the location is… delicate. It wouldn’t be proper for me to handle it. Why don’t I escort Mother-in-Law to see my master?”
The Family Head Yu Lu fell silent for a long moment before speaking slowly.
“It’s just a minor issue. No need to trouble the Technique Saint Lord over it. And besides, this isn’t the sort of problem one discusses lightly.”
Yan Zhen realized his mistake immediately.
“My apologies, Mother-in-Law. I wasn’t thinking straight. Please don’t take it to heart.”
The Family Head Yu Lu gazed wistfully at her son-in-law’s handsome young face.
“Son-in-Law Yan Zhen, if you were to treat it yourself, how confident are you?”
“About eighty percent,” Yan Zhen said, scratching his cheek. “This falls under medical arts, and I only know the basics. My master could fix a short segment like this without breaking a sweat.”
“Eighty percent is more than enough. Even if something went wrong, I could protect myself.” The Family Head Yu Lu spoke calmly. “As for everything else, didn’t you say it yourself? There’s no shame in seeking a cure.”
She intended to use this opportunity to draw closer to Yan Zhen.
The Family Head Yu Lu had no experience with romance. Unlike ordinary young women, she had never read those romance novels laced with steamy scenes, so she had no idea how to bridge the gap with the opposite sex.
In her straightforward view of the world, the most direct and effective way to attract a man was to bare her skin.
Sharing intimate secrets would bring them even closer.
That was simply human nature!
She could cure this humiliating ailment once and for all and strengthen her bond with Yan Zhen. It was a win-win—why pass it up?
“Since Mother-in-Law insists… all right, then.” Yan Zhen looked troubled but nodded. “Do you have golden needles on hand?”
The Family Head Yu Lu produced a set of golden needles and a set of silver ones from her storage ring.
“After you taught me the Acupoint Control Method, I prepared these. Using needles for acupuncture is more precise than fingers.”
Yan Zhen smiled faintly.
“Mother-in-Law is always so thoughtful.”
“What do I need to do? Just tell me.”
“Well… the treatment can’t be done through clothing, and the twisted meridians are right in the center of your chest.”
She understood at once, nodding slightly. Her fingers found the tie at her waist and tugged gently. The knot came undone, and the taut fabric of her robe loosened, revealing the Water Cloud Bellyband beneath.
Yan Zhen quickly averted his eyes, but then felt it would be rude—after all, he was in the role of physician now. He looked back.
The Family Head Yu Lu slipped her robe down from her shoulders, letting the layers bunch at her elbows. Her beautiful curves were laid bare before him without reserve.
From her earlier circulation, a new patch of cloud-like dampness had bloomed across the Water Cloud Bellyband—conspicuous and out of place. A faint, sweet fragrance wafted from it, intoxicating in its allure.
The Family Head Yu Lu noticed it too. She blinked in a daze, her eyes meeting Yan Zhen’s startled gaze.
In that instant, an overwhelming wave of shame surged from the depths of her heart, drowning her rational thoughts. Her hands, poised to untie the bellyband’s strings, froze in place.
To Yan Zhen’s astonishment, the Family Head Mother-in-Law was blushing. It was only a faint flush, but it unmistakably made her seem shy, her eyes even darting away.
“…”
The Family Head Yu Lu said nothing. She turned her back to Yan Zhen. Only after a long pause did she quietly untie the bellyband’s strings. Then, cupping her chest with both arms, she turned back around.
“Is… is this all right?”
Yan Zhen blinked. The Family Head Mother-in-Law’s maneuver was ingenious—like she was wearing a hand-shaped bikini. It covered her while leaving room for the needles, though it was arguably even more tantalizing. Still, it was some small comfort.
—Wait. Why hadn’t he thought to suggest she change into a proper chest wrap first?
He had a prototype in his storage ring, one the shopkeeper had given him. It was rougher than the final product, but it would serve as a makeshift cover.
—Should he mention it to Mother-in-Law? Nah, better not. It was a new design; some traditional women might not accept it. If Mother-in-Law thought him a pervert, that would be a disaster.
Yan Zhen steadied himself. His gaze sharpened as he drew a golden needle from the case and pinched it between his fingers. Purple lightning promptly coiled around it.
Zzzzt.
“I’m starting the treatment now. It might hurt a bit midway—please bear with it, Mother-in-Law.”
