TPATTHU Chapter 42
by VolareShen Zhejiang hadn’t expected to survive. He dazedly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the snow-blue curtains above for a moment before realizing the place was somewhat familiar.
The few sparse decorations, the landscape painting hanging on the wall, and the rows of Phoebe wood bookshelves, all wafting with the scent of paper.
It turned out to be his courtyard.
How could he be here?
He tried to move his body, but a sharp pain shot through every limb, causing him to gasp. He must have been choked by the air, as he began to cough violently.
“Cough! Cough cough!!”
Because of the pain, he didn’t dare to cough too hard, his face turning red from holding it in.
The next moment, that familiar face appeared before him. Xiao Zhinian half-helped him sit up, gently patting his back while speaking in a tense voice, “Your lungs are injured, Teacher. You were already in poor health, and now it’s even worse. It’s all my fault.”
Shen Zhejiang covered his mouth and coughed a few times, biting his lower lip until he finally felt some relief. Panting, he said, “…It’s not your fault.”
Xiao Zhinian supported him as he leaned against the headboard, placing a soft pillow behind his back. He grabbed a teacup, his movements somewhat stiff, and fed him some water.
Then, he gently rested his head on Shen Zhejiang’s shoulder, not putting much weight on him, just leaning.
Shen Zhejiang quickly felt the dampness in that area. He knew Xiao Zhinian was blaming himself again. He sighed softly, and because his chest still hurt, he didn’t dare to move much. He only turned his head slightly and gently rubbed against Xiao Zhinian.
“Accidents always happen, no one blames you,” he paused, and continued, “Zhinian.”
“I was just so scared, Shen Zhejiang. You don’t know how dangerous your situation was back then. You bled so much and slept for so many days without waking up. I was afraid you would…”
Xiao Zhinian choked up, as if something was blocking his throat, and he couldn’t say anything.
Shen Zhejiang couldn’t bear to see Xiao Zhinian sad and upset. He leaned closer to him and said, “But I’m fine, nothing happened.”
After a long while, Xiao Zhinian finally raised his head. His eyelashes were wet, and his eyes, like a misty rain, looked into Shen Zhejiang’s. His voice was hoarse and low, “It’s my fault. I’ve been reflecting on things these past few days. It’s always you who makes concessions for me, always you who walks ahead of me. Even when blocking arrows, it’s the same. The one lying here should be me, not you.”
Xiao Zhinian must not have rested well while he was unconscious. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he hadn’t shaved, making him look much more haggard than before.
It seemed that if Shen Zhejiang didn’t comfort him, he would blame himself until the end of time.
Words were too weak.
So, after saying, “Come a little closer,” Shen Zhejiang mustered his courage, closed his eyes, and kissed the side of Xiao Zhinian’s face.
Perhaps Xiao Zhinian was shocked, or perhaps he was overjoyed. In any case, the gloom between his brows vanished completely.
His mind was filled with one thought:
Shen Zhejiang kissed him?!
It was only a light touch, and Shen Zhejiang pulled away, slightly embarrassed, and averted his eyes. He cleared his throat and said, “Alright, don’t say such depressing things anymore.”
Xiao Zhinian, wagging his wolf’s tail, brought the other side of his face, the side Shen Zhejiang hadn’t kissed, closer and greedily pointed, “Kiss this side too.”
Shen Zhejiang naturally wouldn’t agree. He pretended to be stern and changed the subject, word by word, “How did I end up here?”
Just then, the wooden door was pushed open from the outside, and a woman dressed in plain clothing walked in.
“Miss Han?”
Shen Zhejiang recognized the woman’s face and was slightly puzzled.
Han Weiwei, holding a bowl filled with medicinal liquid, greeted Shen Zhejiang and Xiao Zhinian, “Greetings, Lord Xiao, Greetings, Mr. Shen.”
Xiao Zhinian explained to Shen Zhejiang, “That day, I was taking you to seek medical treatment when we ran into her on the road. Coincidentally, she knows some medical skills. She was the one who treated the arrow wound on Teacher’s body.”
Hearing this, Shen Zhejiang immediately thanked her, “So it was Miss Han.”
Han Weiwei placed the bowl of medicine on a small wooden table beside the bed and smiled gently, “My family used to run a medicinal herb business. I often went out with my parents when I was young and got to know many medical practitioners. I learned some basics, but I didn’t expect it to be of help. I’m so glad.”
Shen Zhejiang said, “A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring. Miss Han saved me, Shen Zhejiang. If there is anything you need that is within my ability, I will do my best.”
“It is I who should be thanking Mr. Shen. If it weren’t for Mr. Shen and Lord Xiao, my father would have died unjustly. Serving Mr. Shen is what I should do,” Han Weiwei paused for a moment and then said, “By the way, I have a question I would like to ask Mr. Shen.”
“What would Miss Han like to ask?”
“I would like to ask if Mr. Shen’s parents or blood relatives have ever suffered from lung disease with coughing?”
Mentioning his family, Shen Zhejiang’s eyes dimmed slightly, but he still recalled, his voice somewhat somber, “In my memory, my parents were healthy and rarely suffered from physical discomfort. I’m not very clear about the rest. Has Miss Han discovered something?”
Han Weiwei seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and her tone became much lighter, “That’s good. I just took Mr. Shen’s pulse and found that it was very similar to a disease recorded in the books. I just asked casually. Perhaps my medical skills are not proficient enough, and I can’t distinguish the subtle changes in the pulse. With Mr. Shen’s words, I can rest assured.”
Xiao Zhinian, who was listening to their conversation with great interest, felt very uncomfortable. Moreover, he didn’t dare to be careless about Shen Zhejiang’s health. He looked at Han Weiwei and asked, “What is the disease you mentioned?”
Han Weiwei flipped through the books in her mind, reciting the contents recorded on them word for word, “It’s called ‘Water Lung Disease’. People with the disease mainly have coughs and phlegm, and the sound of bubbles bursting can be heard. The most serious thing is that once the disease reaches a certain point, it is bound to be incurable, with swelling throughout the body, festering and death.”
“…”
Xiao Zhinian felt that he shouldn’t have asked. Anyway, he didn’t understand it.
What kind of nonsense was that, similar to what those old doctors in the palace always said.
Shen Zhejiang said, “I have never heard of anyone in my family dying from such a disease.”
Han Weiwei waved her hand and said, “It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter. Since that’s the case, I’ll take my leave first and not disturb Mr. Shen’s rest.”
“Wait,” Shen Zhejiang called out to her, taking a breath, “What are Miss Han’s plans for the future?”
These days, Han Weiwei had been suffering from the huge blow of her father’s death. From the funeral arrangements to now, she had been handling the affairs of the family all alone. Hearing Shen Zhejiang’s words of concern, she suddenly teared up.
“…I haven’t made any plans yet. Perhaps I will leave Luo City after a while. We’ll talk about the future later.”
Xiao Zhinian was not a heartless person either. Since Han Weiwei had pulled Shen Zhejiang back from the brink of death, it was equivalent to saving his Xiao Zhinian’s life. He said, “I have some connections in the capital. If you need anything or want to settle down in the capital, you can use this item to find me.”
Xiao Zhinian took off a jade ornament engraved with words from his waist and handed it to Han Weiwei.
Shen Zhejiang glanced over and saw the bright yellow tassel of the jade ornament hanging down from Xiao Zhinian’s palm, swaying back and forth.
Han Weiwei seemed startled and repeatedly refused, “This jade pendant is too valuable. I can’t accept it.”
Shen Zhejiang knew that Han Weiwei had a sense of pride. He pinched Xiao Zhinian’s leg under the blanket. Xiao Zhinian shuddered and blurted out, “I heard that the imperial palace is recruiting talents. With your medical skills, you can give it a try.”
“Are women allowed?”
“Of course,” Xiao Zhinian nodded, “In our Great… cough, Great Yan dynasty, there is no shortage of women with real talent and learning who hold important positions in the court. Nothing is impossible. Women can also be strong and self-improving, writing books and establishing themselves, leaving behind a good name for posterity.”
“Thank you, Lord Xiao!”
Han Weiwei accepted the jade pendant, thanked him, and then left without disturbing them further.
Seeing her leave, Xiao Zhinian picked up the bowl of medicine and spooned a mouthful to Shen Zhejiang’s lips. Shen Zhejiang wanted to take the spoon, saying, “I can do it myself.”
“Teacher’s injuries were caused by me, so let me take care of Teacher.”
Xiao Zhinian refused and still held the spoon to his lips.
Since that was the case, Shen Zhejiang let him do as he pleased.
The medicine was bitter, but Shen Zhejiang was already used to it and didn’t even frown.
He wasn’t weak, but now, seeing Xiao Zhinian busying around taking care of him, such a favored son of heaven willing to put down his status to do these things for him, Shen Zhejiang felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.
He thought, maybe he didn’t have to be so strong, maybe he could try to rely on him.