Chapter 22
After settling down, Shen Aheng borrowed an axe from the old man and ran to the small valley in the backyard. After rummaging through the nearby bushes for a long time, he finally found some hemostatic and anti-inflammatory herbs.
After returning to the farmhouse, Shen Aheng found a clean stone in the yard, washed the herbs, and pounded them into a paste with the stone. He borrowed a piece of clean fine cloth from the old woman, cut it into long strips, and spread the herbal paste evenly on the cloth strips.
Finally, the remaining un-crushed Imperata roots were boiled in clean water and poured into a coarse porcelain bowl with a chip on it.
When I entered the room with the cloth strip and the medicine bowl, Ashina Yu was leaning against the window, her long hair casually spread out, with a few strands hanging down and sticking to her neck, and there was a hint of coldness between her brows.
The afterglow from outside the window fell in, making his already pale cheeks even more translucent.
Seeing Shen Aheng coming in with something in his hands, Ashina Yu consciously unbuttoned his inner clothes, revealing a very clear purple palm print on his thin chest.
You can tell how ruthless the attack is at first glance.
"How despicable! Bullying a child at your age is shameless."
Shen Ah Heng took a closer look and couldn't help but curse softly. He reached out to touch him but was afraid of hurting him.
Although Ashina Yu's face was still pale, her eyes were calm, like water without ripples. But when he saw her brows furrowed, full of heartache and worry, his fingertips curled up quietly.
"These are the only kinds of medicine we can find in this mountain. Their effects are inevitably not very good, so let's just make do with them for now." Shen Ah Heng put down the medicine bowl first. As he spoke, he carefully applied the medicine cloth to his wound, then gently wrapped it with a cloth strip. He then handed him the bowl of warm medicine and said, "Drink this. It can help you relieve your qi and stop the bleeding from your internal injuries."
Ashina Yu didn't say anything, took the bowl and drank it slowly.
The medicine smelled very bitter, but he didn't frown at all. Even when he was applying the medicine to his wound just now, he just gently retracted the skin that was touched, lowered his eyes to look at her, and his Adam's apple rolled slightly.
He didn't cry out in pain the whole time, he was quiet and docile like an obedient little animal.
After treating his wound, Shen Ah Heng glanced at the sky and said casually: "It's too dark tonight. I'll go out and try my luck tomorrow morning to see if I can find better medicine."
The best medicines are all in the sect. With the little money they have now, they can't even afford the most common herbs. Whether they can be cured depends entirely on luck.
Ashina Yu said "hmm" softly. Although the voice was very soft, it revealed complete trust.
That night, Shen Aheng and Ashina Yu stayed temporarily at the old woman's house. Not long after, the old woman brought her and Ashina Yu two bowls of corn porridge in coarse porcelain bowls, as well as two small dishes of pickled mustard greens in coarse sauce.
Although they were all simple meals, and the taste was not as good as that made by Ashina Yu, and there was no meat, but it was already very good to be taken in and have a full meal while on the run.
What's more, Shen Ah Heng has been used to eating it since he was a child. Although he has been living a fairy-like life in the past few months, he is still not picky and eats it with his head down and slurps.
When she put down the bowl, she found that Ashina Yu hardly moved his chopsticks. He just sat there quietly. There was no color on his handsome face. His eyes were staring at her solemnly. She didn't know how long he had been staring at her.
"What's wrong with you? Why don't you eat? The food in the bowl is almost cold!" Shen Ah Heng poked his arm.
Ashina Yu's Adam's apple moved, his voice hoarse from the injury, mixed with a bit of difficulty, his tone full of apology: "I'm sorry... It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't... suffer this hardship and endure these difficulties."
Listening to this, Shen Aheng felt a little happy in her heart. This was just the beginning. If her master had not taken her in, she would have starved to death long ago.
The master is a grown man and doesn't know how to take care of children, so she has often been hungry over the years. It was only during the time when he came that she lived a fairy-like life for a few days. Now, she is just the same as before.
Shen Ah Heng stared at him for a while, reached out and pinched his slightly cold cheek, and shook it gently: "What nonsense are you talking about? It's not a big deal. This meal is very good. Look, I'm eating it very happily. Besides, I have medical skills, I won't starve to death, don't droop your face, you will get better quickly if you eat well!"
Ashina Yu obviously didn't expect her to suddenly attack. His pupils shrank slightly, and he was a little dazed, even his breathing paused for a beat.
Seeing his reaction, Shen Aheng immediately withdrew his hand and said deliberately: "Why, you don't want me to pinch you, then I won't touch you."
Ashina Yu finally came back to his senses, his Adam's apple moved, his voice was a little hurried and hoarse, and he quickly shook his head: "No, no..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly turned his head, and his long hair fell to cover the embarrassment that flashed across his face, leaving only the tips of his ears slightly red.
The young man in front of him was born handsome, with a few strands of hair hanging on his cheeks, pale lips, and a pair of eyes like autumn water covered with mist. When he lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes cast a light shadow under his eyes.
The depression in my heart caused by guilt was quietly soothed by this sudden intimacy, and even gave rise to a kind of coveted warmth.
Before going to sleep, Shen Aheng looked at the bed. Although she had been with Ashina Yu day and night for so long and had never had any other thoughts in her mind, she still remembered the differences between men and women. So she simply did not take off her outer clothes. After a simple wash, she got on the bed and lay down directly next to the edge of the bed.
The next morning, just after daybreak, Shen Ahheng picked up her hoe and headed for the mountains. With her martial arts skills, she climbed two small slopes without feeling too tired. By a shady mountain stream, she finally found some good quality hemostatic herbs and elderberries, which were much more effective than the medicine from yesterday.
After digging the herbs, I caught a glimpse of the wild shepherd's purse and purslane that had just emerged by the stream. They were very fresh and tender. I made a simple trap and caught a few fat rabbits.
Before noon, Shen Aheng came back with a pheasant in one hand and a basket full of wild vegetables in the other. He waved to the old woman who came out to greet him, "Grandma, come and see. We're lucky today. We picked some wild vegetables and caught a few pheasants. Let's make a delicious meal for you and grandpa!"
When the old woman saw it, she smiled until her eyes narrowed into slits and she kept saying, "Oh, my daughter, you are so thoughtful. This pheasant is not easy to catch."
As he said that, he quickly took the basket and called the old man to help clean up.
After Shen Aheng handed the wild vegetables and pheasants to the old woman, he took the newly picked herbs, prepared them, and went into the house to replace the old medicine for Ashina Yu, applied new medicine paste, and handed him the boiled medicine juice.
I watched Ashina Yu finish drinking before I breathed a sigh of relief.
As I was packing up the medicine bowls, I suddenly heard the old woman's voice outside the door.
The old woman came in carrying two bowls of hot chicken soup. She caught sight of the wound on Ashina Yu's chest and was startled. She quickly put the bowls down and said, "Oh, how could this wound be so severe? My girls, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Stay here for a few more days while I stay. It won't be too late to leave after this young man recovers, okay?"
Shen Ah Heng felt warm in his heart, and hurriedly smiled and thanked him: “Thank you very much, old man. I’m really sorry to trouble you. Then we will bother you for a few more days.”
The old woman smiled and waved her hand, and gave a few more instructions to "take good care of your injuries", then turned and left.
During the few days he stayed at the old woman's house, Shen Aheng went up the mountain every day to collect herbs, and also picked some wild vegetables and game to help the old couple.
But living like this is not a long-term solution. They are penniless and will not even have enough money to travel when they leave. So these days, Shen Aheng has been thinking about how to make money.
That afternoon, Shen Ahheng quietly walked down the mountain and carefully observed the surroundings. He didn't see anyone with suspicious behavior who looked like someone from the Yaochen Sect, so he felt relieved. Just as he was about to go back, he heard two peddlers carrying loads chatting not far from the roadside. One of the men had a slightly louder voice and sounded shocked.
"See? The notice from Mr. Liu's house in the east city is almost posted all the way to the west city!"
Another person came closer and asked curiously, "What kind of notice is this? How could it be so strange?"
"Mr. Liu's mother is seriously ill. I heard that he has consulted several doctors but none of them have been able to cure her. He is now seeking help from famous doctors all over the world!"
The man who spoke first lowered his voice, but couldn't hide his amazement: "The most amazing thing is, a direct reward of one thousand taels of silver! One thousand taels!"
As he spoke, he gestured a number with his hands, with an exaggerated expression.
"Oh my God, so much?" The companion gasped, then sighed, full of envy and helplessness: "It's a pity we don't have that kind of medical skills. If we knew how to treat a disease, wouldn't we have this money? With this money, we won't have to worry about the rest of our lives!"
"Who says it isn't?" The man from before also sighed, "It's just to watch the fun. We farmers don't have such a blessing."
As they talked, they mustered up their courage and slowly walked away.
Shen Aheng stood there, his heart suddenly moving.
One thousand taels of silver... With this money, no matter where I go in the future, it will be enough to cover the travel expenses, and I can also buy the best medicine for Ashina Yu to recuperate.
So without any further delay, he hurried to the old woman's house with brisk steps, intending to go back and discuss this matter with Ashina Yu.
After returning, Shen Aheng originally wanted to let Ashina Yu recuperate at the old woman's house while she went to the county magistrate's house alone. However, after hearing her idea, Ashina Yu shook his head gently. His face was pale, but his eyes were filled with stubbornness. His voice was slightly hoarse, and he spoke in Central Plains dialect, but every word was clear: "I, I'll go with you..."
"Your injury hasn't healed yet!" Shen Ah Heng patiently explained to him, counting on his fingers: "There are many people in the County Magistrate's Mansion. You will stand out if you go out like this. What if you run into someone from the Yaochen Sect? Just rest and recuperate here. I'll be back in two or three days at most. Don't worry about me!"
Not very reassured.
Ashina Yu sighed in his heart.
Shen Aheng tried to persuade her for half an hour, and even her throat was about to smoke, but Ashina Yu showed no sign of giving in. She just looked at her quietly, and when her long eyelashes occasionally drooped, a faint shadow was cast under her eyes. Her sickly appearance revealed a sense of fragility.
As Shen Ah Heng was trying to persuade him, he suddenly raised his hand, his fingertips slightly cool, and gently grasped her sleeve. His knuckles turned slightly white from the force. His other hand subconsciously pressed the wound on his chest. With a hint of subtle grievance in his tone, he gently added, "I'm almost well... I won't hold you back."
“…”
Shen Aheng opened his mouth, and seeing him like this, that bit of anger instantly dissipated.
The way he clutched her sleeve was like a little animal afraid of being left behind. Even though he was still sick, he was still thinking about her.
Shen Ah Heng stared at him silently for a long time, and finally raised his hand, rubbed his aching forehead, and sighed heavily: "Okay, okay, just let you follow me! I'm really scared of you."
Seeing the fragmented light in Ashina Yu's eyes and her long eyelashes looking more like a butterfly with its wings spread, Shen Ah Heng quickly added: "But we have to make three rules first. If you want to go, you have to disguise yourself first. You may have to dress up a little ugly and cover your face tightly. You have to listen to me on the way, understand?"
Ashina Yu nodded immediately, and the fingers that were clutching her sleeve finally loosened a little, but she didn't let go completely. She just lowered her eyes, the tips of her ears slightly reddened, and replied softly, "I know, I know."
I'll do whatever you say.
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