SC Chapter13

During the night, Xiao Ning felt as if he were holding a furnace. His sleepiness immediately vanished by half. He reached out to feel the forehead of the person in his arms, and felt the scorching heat through his palm.

“Shen Yunjie? Shen Yunjie, wake up…” Xiao Ning sat up and called him repeatedly, but Shen Yunjie was already delirious with fever and unresponsive. Xiao Ning quickly dressed him, wrapped him tightly in a cloak, and picked him up before heading out. The streets were pitch black, without stars or moon, only the occasional sharp cry of a wildcat hidden in a dark corner.

“Shen Yunjie, you have to hold on for me.” Xiao Ning quickened his pace. He skirted three alleyways and stopped in front of a small hut. A tattered flag hung outside with the words ‘Miraculous Hand, Return to Spring’ permanently stained and dirtied by years of wind and sun.

Xiao Ning kicked open the medical hall door. The person sleeping in the main room was immediately startled awake and looked ready to bolt.

“Old Zhou, it’s me.” Xiao Ning called out to stop him.

The man paused, stretched his neck to peer for a moment, then slapped his forehead. “I thought someone was here to smash the place up! Why are you running here in the middle of the night?” He fumbled for the candle lamp on the table and lit it. Only then did he see the person Xiao Ning was holding.

“Clear a clean spot.”

Old Zhou quickly shoved a wine jar aside to clear a space large enough for a person to lie down. Xiao Ning gently put the person down, grabbed Old Zhou’s sleeve, and urged, “Hurry and see what’s wrong with him.”

Old Zhou placed the candle lamp by the head of the cot, lifted the cloak, and saw the unconscious person inside. He couldn’t help but click his tongue. “You’re really capable ah kid. I thought the rumors on the street were false.”

Xiao Ning handed Shen Yunjie’s wrist to Old Zhou while pressing him, “Stop rambling. The patient is what matters.”

Old Zhou felt the pulse for a while, then frowned, “What in the world is wrong with him?”

“What is it?” Xiao Ning’s heart sank.

Old Zhou pondered for a moment and shook his head. “Something’s not right. Logically, his constitution should be quite good since he’s young, but his pulse is so deep, slow, and weak like that of an old man nearing his twilight years…”

Xiao Ning was frustrated. “Just tell me how to reduce the fever. He can’t keep burning up like this.”

“Oh, just to reduce the fever? That’s much simpler,” Old Zhou slapped his thigh. “I’ll grab a packet of herbs for you. Go back, brew it, and force it down his throat. Then pile on a few blankets to make him sweat, and he’ll be fine by tomorrow morning. However, I suspect he’s not just suffering from a chill. Does he have some kind of wound?” As he spoke, he reached out to lift Shen Yunjie’s clothes, but Xiao Ning grabbed his hand.

“Don’t touch him.” Xiao Ning’s face was grim enough to drip water.

Old Zhou threw up his hands. “Alright, alright, I won’t touch him. Young Master Ning, you can check yourself.”

Xiao Ning knew every inch of Shen Yunjie’s body thoroughly. He couldn’t recall any wounds on Shen Yunjie, except for…

“Old Zhou, I want the best medicine.” Xiao Ning’s expression was complex, as if he wanted to say more but held back.

Old Zhou immediately understood. While measuring the herbs, he grumbled, “Don’t be so rough. The person looks frail enough as it is. How can he endure you tormenting him like this? You’re lucky you brought him quickly. If you’d dragged it until tomorrow, he might have been burned into a fool already.”

“It will also be fine even if he becomes a fool, I’ll still raise him.” Xiao Ning muttered petulantly.

“Don’t say that! No matter where you picked him up, it’d be a terrible waste for such a good-looking ‘wife’ to become a fool.” Old Zhou genuinely advised.

Xiao Ning took the medicine from his hand, rewrapped Shen Yunjie securely in his arms before walking out without looking back, “I’ll send the silver tomorrow.”

Old Zhou’s heart aching as he touched his doorframes, “Since you used to treat me to drinks, forget the medicine cost. If you’re free tomorrow, come help me fix the door, and I’ll consider you a man with a conscience.”

Xiao Ning then brought Shen Yunjie home, brewed the medicine, pinched his chin, and fed him most of the bowl spoonful by spoonful. Shen Yunjie’s brows were tightly furrowed, and in his feverish stupor, he softly mumbled, “Young Master…”

“En, I’m here.” Xiao Ning placed a cold cloth on Shen Yunjie’s scorching forehead. He lifted the blanket a bit and separated Shen Yunjie’s legs.

Xiao Ning warmed the cool ointment in his palm, then slowly applied it to the wound with his fingertip.

Shen Yunjie let out a muffled groan and trembled while trying to close his legs. The slight swaying of his slender waist was full of resistance. Xiao Ning pressed down on Shen Yunjie’s knees, softened his movements, and continued to apply the ointment.

“Mmm… it hurts…” Shen Yunjie moaned softly, his consciousness unclear.

Now he knows that it hurts. Xiao Ning thought to himself. Why didn’t he hear a single cry of pain when they were in bed earlier?