After Marrying a Vegetative Princess, I went crazy with joy! - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: First Close Encounter!

Su Li had finally fulfilled his wish of personally rehabilitating Princess Changle. Still, he was disappointed when the female officer didn’t seem inclined to let him handle the task of scrubbing the princess’s body.

“Do you think I’m an outsider?” Su Li muttered.

After completing Princess Changle’s rehabilitation on the bed, Su Li got out of the room with the princess in his arms.

“It’s important to engage in outdoor activities for a certain period of time,” Su Li explained to the female officer who stood nearby. “People can’t stay cooped up in one room all the time.”

“Thank you, consort!” the female officer nodded, her tone slightly gentler than before.

Su Li noticed a change in her attitude. While she had rarely disrespected him, in the past, she always gave him a strong sense of detachment. He felt like an outsider, with most of her interactions characterized by ignorance with him. Now she barely even showed that she was on guard against him. (ED Note: The term “consort” is used here to refer to Su Li as the husband of Princess Changle, denoting his status.)

Su Li brought Princess Changle to the courtyard, where the sun had already risen. He carefully supported her under the armpits and began helping her with stretching exercises. This time, he noticed that the female officer was standing in the corner of the courtyard and was observing him from a distance. She still seemed responsible and focused, but the gap between them had closed.

In truth, caring for someone in a vegetative state or someone who was paralyzed was quite similar. The main focus was on preventing joint and muscle atrophy caused by immobility. The awakening of a vegetative person wasn’t as dramatic as portrayed in melodramatic TV shows, where they suddenly open their eyes and spring back to life.

The initial signs of consciousness returning for a vegetative individual might involve the ability to see things or slight movements, along with some response to external stimuli. Unfortunately, due to improper care, many vegetative patients suffered from joint and muscle atrophy. Even if they regained consciousness, they would remain bedridden and paralyzed.

The brain was the most amazing center, unparalleled in its complexity. No one could determine whether the person in a vegetative state was truly alive and responsive or merely confined to a motionless existence. Although, Su Li was determined to help in Princess Changle’s rehabilitation, giving his utmost effort.

In the realm of consciousness, Changle also sensed that she was being whisked away by Su Li, leaving behind the suffocating confines of her room. She experienced the touch of sunlight for the first time since she fell into coma.

“I want to help you recover!”

The voice of Su Li echoed in Changle’s ear. She barely had a moment to relish the sensation of being cradled in someone’s arms before she felt something beneath her feet. Once again, she touched the ground with her feet due to Su Li’s support. It was the first time Princess Changle felt truly grounded, a profoundly joyful feeling.

Later on, she realized that Su Li was moved her body into various unusual positions. This level of intimate physical contact was even more intense than receiving a massage from Su Li. She noticed that her body could feel these poses because a significant portion of her body was curled up within Su Li’s arms.

Curiously, it was nothing more than physical contact, yet it felt like  Su Li’s body was a scorching flame. Wherever he touched her, his warmth radiated intensely. Su Li left no joint untouched from knuckles to wrists, elbows to ankles, knees to waist.

To be frank, Princess Changle possessed a supple and fragrant body. Although, Su Li had no impure thoughts because the young girl was still in a coma state. For Su Li, the gratification came from witnessing the remarkable increase in the speed of earning points.

Considering the possibility that little Changle might be in an awakened state of consciousness and felt shame while undergoing body exercises, Su Li felt it was necessary to motivate her through his words. Even if she could only vaguely hear a few words, it could still be a source of great psychological comfort to someone trapped in darkness for a long time.

“This is a necessary process for your recovery,” Su Li said as he manipulated Changle’s body and settled her against his chest. He held her two toes with both hands and stretched them gently.

“Do you know why many elderly people cannot stand up after falling or being bedridden for some time?” he asked. “It’s because their muscles and joints atrophy. Muscle and joint atrophy in the elderly is more rapid than that of the young. Although you are still very young, if you do not take the necessary care, you may only be able to lie on the bed when you wake up.”

Princess Changle felt embarrassed by the various poses Su Li had performed with her but also grateful for his explanation. The governor of Princess Changle did not stop the process, and it dawned on her that it might be necessary after all. Despite this, the whole experience remained highly embarrassing for her.

Princess Changle felt like a rag doll being manipulated, a feeling similar to her own childhood when she used to play rough with dolls. Although Su Li’s movements were gentle and careful, treating her with a different kind of posture.

“Don’t worry. I will take care of you from now on. After all, I am your husband, no matter the circumstances. Although others may see me as an unfortunate son-in-law… no one will ever lay a hand on your body,” Su Li reassured her as he diligently attended to her nursing needs. “After all, we are already married. Although some people may argue that it was a rushed celebration, I hold a sincere commitment towards you.”

Princess Changle unconsciously held her breath, although she had no control over it. It was merely an illusion brought on by her heightened awareness. In truth, she longed to hear Su Li’s genuine thoughts about her, particularly after this person unexpectedly entered her darkness and brought a glimmer of light. Even though Su Li had already expressed his devotion, Changle would occasionally still feel a sense of guilt, fearing that she had caused Su Li to suffer in some way.

Although she had to admit, Su Li’s unexpected visit was a wonderful thing for her. After all, only Su Li would talk endlessly to her even though she didn’t respond. He treated her like an ordinary person. It was only after Su Li arrived that she experienced different flavors beyond traditional Chinese medicine and millet porridge. It was only after Su Li came that she truly felt the warmth of the sun and the gentle touch of the breeze.

Su Li breaking into her life was a positive change for her, but what about himself? Even though Su Li once claimed that he was living the happy life he had dreamed of because of her…

“I’ve heard a saying, ‘Five hundred lifetimes are exchanged for one encounter in this life,'” Su Li said, holding Princess Changle’s hand. “Maybe in our previous life, we didn’t do anything and just gazed at each other so that I, a peasant who should have toiled in the fields all my life, ended up marrying a princess. But regardless, I believe it’s fate.”

Princess Changle couldn’t describe what she felt, but something seemed to constrict her heart.