HXC Chapter75

“Divine Physician Sai—”

 

The moment he heard that voice, Divine Physician Sai, who was pounding herbs, froze as if he’d heard a death knell. He dropped his pestle and looked for a place to hide.

 

But he wasn’t quick enough. He was only halfway behind a big tree when Ji Zhen appeared in the courtyard.

 

Ji Zhen ran up to Divine Physician Sai in a few strides and yanked him out by the arm. He was a bit out of breath from rushing over.

 

“I finally found you. There’s something I need to ask you. It’s been two months, why haven’t Shen Yanqing’s eyes gotten any better even though he drinks so much medicine every day? And, and, he often coughs at night. Is there something wrong with his heart and lungs again? Does your medicine even work? Should we increase the dosage or is there some herb we’re missing? I’ll have someone go look for it…”

 

Ji Zhen said all this in one breath while panting.

 

Divine Physician Sai cried out, Aiyo, Aiyo, “Young Master Ji, it’s no use for you to come here every few days ah. I’ve told you, it needs time…”

 

The sun was hot, so Ji Zhen wiped the thin sweat from his forehead and went to sit on a stone stool in a shady spot. He grumbled, “You’re not related to Shen Yanqing, so of course you’re not in a hurry.”

 

Divine Physician Sai stroked his beard and put a handful of dried tangerine peel in Ji Zhen’s hand while chuckling merrily. “Yes, yes. Of course, it can’t compare to Young Master Ji’s deep feelings for Lord Shen.”

 

Ji Zhen’s cheeks flushed. He casually shoved the freshly dried tangerine peel into his mouth and scrunched up his face from the sourness. He chewed it messily for a bit and swallowed, then said, “It’s really bad, you can have it back.”

 

Divine Physician Sai packed up his medicine box as he said, “This is a good thing.”

 

No matter how good a thing is, if it tastes bad, it’s a bad thing. Ji Zhen clapped his hands, got up, and left with Divine Physician Sai.

 

He had gone to the market to buy some things today and happened to pass by Divine Physician Sai’s residence, so he picked him up to go to the mansion.

 

The seals on the Shen Mansion’s door were removed, but the Shen family had already moved to a different residence. Now everyone outside thought that Shen Yanqing was dead. Shen Yanqing didn’t mind either and was happy to have the peace and quiet.

 

When the two of them arrived at a residence in the east, Ji Zhen was the first to jump off the carriage. He took Divine Physician Sai, who hadn’t caught his breath, and pulled him inside.

 

“Young Master Ji, slow down, slow down.”

 

They ran into Mother Shen before they could even reach the courtyard. Ji Zhen’s steps finally slowed, and he said “Mother” with a bit of restraint.

 

Ever since Shen Yanqing returned, in order to pray for her son, who had been brought back from the brink of death, Mother Shen had been a vegetarian and a devout Buddhist, spending four to five hours a day in the Buddhist room chanting scriptures. The estrangement between her and Ji Zhen was hard to dissolve. While she wouldn’t make things difficult for him, she could only be polite.

 

Mother Shen gave a slight nod in response, then said to Divine Physician Sai, “Thank you, Physician.”

 

Ji Zhen watched her walk away. Remembering the scene where Mother Shen had been hysterical and questioned him at the back door of the Ji Mansion, his heart felt heavy and it took him a few moments to snap out of it before pulling Divine Physician Sai to the courtyard again.

 

It was quite lively today. Yi Zhi, Wang Lingzhi, and Lu Chen had apparently arranged to visit together.

 

Yi Zhi was as witty as ever. When he saw Ji Zhen, he smiled and said, “Saosao has arrived.”

 

Wang Lingzhi and Lu Chen covered their mouths and giggled.

 

Ji Zhen shyly walked to Shen Yanqing’s side. “Divine Physician Sai is here to give you acupuncture.”

 

Hearing this, everyone got up to say their goodbyes.

 

As the host, Ji Zhen naturally went to see them off.

 

Four months have passed since the new emperor ascended the throne and the imperial court has not yet completely settled down. Yi Zhi has a calm disposition and no desire for power or influence. He continues to serve as a fifth-rank official, diligently fulfilling his duties. He is quite content with his life of leisure.

 

Wang Lingzhi went against her father and brother to risk her life in supporting the new emperor, and she still hasn’t been forgiven by them. However, it was because of her that the defeated Wang family was spared from disaster in this political power struggle. The common folk relish in discussing her actions; some scold her as an unfilial daughter, while others admire her courage and spirit. Wang Lingzhi has always ignored these good and bad judgments.

 

As for Lu Chen, he is highly regarded by the new emperor and was promoted last month. His career path is bright, and in ten or twenty years, he will surely become a high-ranking official.

 

It was said that Lu Chen will be going to the Wang family to propose marriage soon. He and Wang Lingzhi are truly a match made in heaven, arousing the envy of others.

 

The weather is getting warmer. Yi Zhi, with a fan always in his hand, slowly fanned himself and complained about court affairs to Lu Chen. “It’s clearly not my responsibility, yet they all push it onto me. Brother Lu, isn’t that infuriating? When my wife was in postpartum confinement, I asked for leave to go home and take care of her, but they only gave me five days. What good is that… once I’ve saved enough gold, I’ll resign and travel the mountains and rivers with my wife and child to avoid this constant aggravation.”

 

Lu Chen couldn’t help but laugh. “Brother Yi, be careful of walls having ears.”

 

Yi Zhi turned to look at Ji Zhen. “It’s just the few of us here. Saosao has a tight lip and surely won’t speak of it.”

 

Lu Chen heard Yi Zhi say “Saosao” repeatedly and couldn’t help but agree. “I naturally trust Saosao’s character.”

 

Ji Zhen’s face turned red from their teasing. He didn’t know whether to object or agree.

 

Wang Lingzhi said with a laugh, “You only dare to tease Ji Zhen. Since you’re all men, why don’t you call Lord Shen ‘Saosao’?”

 

Yi Zhi snapped his fan shut and had a sudden realization. “Miss Wang is right. Next time, next time, I’ll definitely call Shen Yanqing!”

 

Everyone burst into hearty laughter.

 

Ji Zhen saw them to the door, then Wang Lingzhi said, “Things have taken a turn for the better now. Ji Zhen, I sincerely wish you both a long and happy life together.”

 

Lu Chen walked to the steps and extended his hand back. Wang Lingzhi naturally placed her hand in his palm and they walked side-by-side into the brilliant sunlight.

 

Ji Zhen looked at the affection in their eyes, and it was as if a warm current flowed through his heart.

 

After all that has happened, the greatest fortune is that things have gotten better after a long period of adversity.

 

—

 

Divine Physician Sai carefully examined Shen Yanqing’s pupils. “How is it?”

 

Shen Yanqing answered truthfully, “I can see about seventy to eighty percent clearly.”

 

“I knew there couldn’t be a mistake with the medicine I concocted,” Divine Physician Sai said with a smile. “Young Master Ji was truly being overly worried. If things go well, he’ll recover in about half a month.”

 

Don’t talk about people in the daylight [mfn]Basically, speak of the devil[/mfn]. Just as Divine Physician Sai mentioned Ji Zhen, Ji Zhen walked into the room.

 

Hearing that Shen Yanqing had improved, Ji Zhen was overjoyed. “Really?”

 

“Is that even a question?”

 

Ji Zhen was so happy that he walked around the room twice. He then ran up to Shen Yanqing and waved his finger back and forth in front of him. Shen Yanqing caught his hand and hummed in a slightly raised tone.

 

Divine Physician Sai saw their intimate posture, cleared his throat, and left the room.

 

Ji Zhen knelt down in front of Shen Yanqing, tilted his head, and asked with anticipation, “Can you see me?”

 

Shen Yanqing caressed his eyebrows and eyes with his thumb, lifted Ji Zhen’s chin and leaned in to get a closer look. Being so close, Ji Zhen couldn’t help but hold his breath as their breaths mingled together. Ji Zhen stared at Shen Yanqing’s lips while darting his eyes around. Taking advantage of the other party not paying attention, he quickly gave him a peck and was about to pull away.

 

But Shen Yanqing was quick and pressed his palm against the back of Ji Zhen’s neck. Ji Zhen, who was remembering the past, deliberately grumbled, “Why aren’t you avoiding me anymore?”

 

Shen Yanqing, who was suddenly reminded of the past, was slightly stunned. He lowered his eyes and chuckled softly. “I’m a blind man; I can’t avoid you.”

 

Ji Zhen pretended to be fierce as he cupped Shen Yanqing’s face and kissed him. Shen Yanqing didn’t dodge and let Ji Zhen lavishly kiss his lips and tongue. He slowly released his palm and allowed Ji Zhen to stand up. Then he wrapped his arms around Ji Zhen’s waist, holding him between his legs and tilted his head back for Ji Zhen to kiss him.

 

Ji Zhen, who was the one who had started it, was the first to run out of breath, his cheeks flushed red. He put his hands on Shen Yanqing’s shoulders. “Ngh…”

 

Shen Yanqing’s arms were like shackles, he did not let Ji Zhen escape at all. After he had had enough of kissing, he leaned against Ji Zhen’s chest, feeling the rise and fall of Ji Zhen’s breathing. He sighed. “From now on, you can kiss me whenever you want.”

 

Ji Zhen panted as he wiped the moisture from his lips. He said with a pout while pretending that he didn’t care, “Who wants to kiss you?”

 

Shen Yanqing lifted his eyes, which were half-veiled in mist and half-clear, flipped him over, and pressed Ji Zhen down onto the couch. He precisely found the two rosy lips again and his hand slowly moved into Ji Zhen’s robes.

 

Ji Zhen’s breathing came in puffs as he was dazed by the kiss. Shen Yanqing pressed him, “Who wants to kiss me?”

 

He answered muddle-headedly, “Me…”

 

Just as sparks were about to rise, footsteps suddenly came from outside the door. Ji An’s voice was loud. “Young Master, it’s time for Lord Shen to take his medicine!”

 

Divine Physician Sai hadn’t closed the door, so Ji An stepped into the room. He saw the two of them embracing on the couch and was so startled he nearly dropped the medicine bowl in his hand.

 

Ji Zhen quickly pushed Shen Yanqing away and stood up, he was so embarrassed that even his neck was red. Yet he still pretended to be calm and stammered, “P-Put it on the table.”

 

He quickly straightened his disheveled clothes. When he looked back, Shen Yanqing had also sat up and his expression was as normal as ever.

 

Ji An half-closed his eyes. “I didn’t see anything!” He quickly placed the porcelain bowl on the table, then scurried out and closed the door behind him with a bang. Outside, he patted his chest. “I saw no evil, I saw no evil…”

 

Ji Zhen didn’t even have a chance to explain, and of course, he didn’t know where to start either. He bit his lip and looked at Shen Yanqing. “It’s all your fault.”

 

Shen Yanqing turned his ear to him. “My fault for what?” Without waiting for Ji Zhen to retort, he added, “You were the one who kissed me first.”

 

Ji Zhen was both angry and shy. He took the dark medicine bowl to feed Shen Yanqing while mumbling, “Next time, I’ll have Divine Physician Sai make you the bitterest herbs to drink.”

 

Shen Yanqing drank the medicine without a change in his expression.

 

It was at this moment that a cool breeze seemed to blow, dispersing the thin mist that always floated before his eyes.

 

As the white fog cleared, the face behind the haze became clearer and clearer.

 

It was like a painting suddenly splashed with color; Ji Zhen’s dark, lustrous eyes, delicate nose, rosy cheeks, and crimson-tinted earlobes all broke into Shen Yanqing’s sight, so vivid, so full of vitality, and so pure and bright.

 

The mountains and rivers had their colors, and the jade-like person in front of him was exquisite.

 

Shen Yanqing’s dark pupils gradually lit up with a brilliant light and became clear and transparent.

 

Ji Zhen took the porcelain bowl back, still unaware of Shen Yanqing’s change, and continued to talk endlessly. “You’re the patient, so I won’t argue with you. Once you’re better, I won’t give in to you like this anymore…”

 

He was clearly the one who couldn’t win an argument with Shen Yanqing, yet he insisted on using the word “give in.”

 

Ji Zhen turned around and met a pair of bright eyes. His voice came to an abrupt halt. “You…”

 

Shen Yanqing looked at him with a smile, and a hint of laughter appeared in his clear and lucid eyes. He retorted, “What about me?”

 

Ji Zhen stood there in a daze as his eyes slowly turned red.

 

Shen Yanqing held out his palm. “Come here and have a closer look.”

 

Ji Zhen slowly walked over to him, allowing Shen Yanqing to hold his hand and scrutinize him carefully.

 

“I can see that it’s you, Ji Zhen.”

 

“Give me a smile.”

 

Ji Zhen pursed his lips. Stunned by the sudden, joyful surprise, he couldn’t smile and instead started to cry.

 

Shen Yanqing pulled him into a tight embrace and closed his eyes as he held him close.

 

From now on don’t cry anymore. Let this be the last time.

 

The author has something to say:

Ji An with stye (righteously indignant): So what if someone’s in love! Rotten lovebirds!