Chapter 100 Sweet Moments [IF Route] (Part 5)
Mu Meng felt guilty for a moment, but seeing that Mu Qingheng seemed to be only murmuring her name in his sleep and showed no signs of waking up, she slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
She wasn't afraid that Mu Qingheng would open his eyes and scold her if he saw her beside him, but she was worried that he was injured and that if he got angry, it would aggravate his wounds, and she would feel guilty.
But judging from the looks of it, her brother was sleeping soundly and probably wouldn't wake up immediately, so Mu Meng felt a little relieved and obediently stayed by his side.
She held Mu Qingheng's hand, pressed his cold fingertips to her lips, and slowly breathed on them to warm them.
"misty……"
Mu Meng subconsciously replied, "Mm."
Mu Qingheng frowned slightly.
He seemed disturbed by a vivid dream, his expression extremely uneasy. His thin lips were slightly parted, and he shook his head a couple of times, ruffling his dark hair slightly. His face was already pale, and this expression made it even more clear that he was in a state of unbearable inner conflict.
However, he only frowned, occasionally uttering his own name, and nothing else. Mu Meng felt a little sorry for him, so she reached out her slender white hand and gently placed it on his brow, carefully rubbing it for him.
The next moment, Mu Qingheng suddenly raised his hand and grabbed her fingers. His palm was broad and strong, completely enveloping her hand in it. As if he felt that the first touch was a bit too strong, he immediately loosened his grip and gently rubbed his fingers, as if to soothe her.
"Mengmeng..." Mu Meng heard him murmur softly, almost in a whisper, "We can't..."
What can't you do?
Mu Meng didn't hear what was said after that, so she quickly leaned closer and tried to hear it clearly by pressing her lips to his. But the next moment, the Ancient Doctor Immortal lifted the curtain and walked in.
"Waterweed, what are you doing? Have you finished treating His Highness's external injuries?" The Ancient Physician lowered his voice to a whisper.
As soon as he entered, he completely drowned out Mu Qingheng's already barely audible mutterings.
When Mu Meng tried to listen more closely, Mu Qingheng, like a quiet child, obediently closed his eyes and fell asleep without making a sound.
Mu Meng felt a great sense of regret and could only nod to the Ancient Physician: "Yes, it's all taken care of."
The ancient physician squinted and glanced at Mu Qingheng, quickly checking the gauze on his wound. He stroked his beard and gave Mu Meng an approving look: "Well done, you can go now."
He slapped his forehead and whispered, "Right, right, go back and get some more gauze to send to General Yan. I'll draw out the poison from His Highness the Crown Prince here, and then... you don't need to come over. Go back and rest."
Mu Meng nodded in agreement. Although he was reluctant, he couldn't say anything given his current status, so he had to prioritize business.
She turned back and looked at Mu Qingheng with lingering reluctance, her gaze fixed on him with affection.
"Water plants?" Seeing that Mu Meng was in a daze for a long time, the Ancient Doctor nudged her elbow with some confusion.
Mu Meng realized what was happening and said, "I understand, I'll go right away."
After thinking for a moment, she still couldn't help but add, "Immortal Physician, when you remove the poison from His Highness the Crown Prince, please be very gentle. Although he is a strong man, he still feels pain, doesn't he? He hasn't had any rest and has suffered such an injury, so... please make him as comfortable as possible."
The ancient healer raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but grin: "I didn't realize, little waterweed, that you were so loyal, and you even know how to care for His Highness the Crown Prince. Alright, you don't need to worry about this anymore. Do you think I don't know what's important?"
Mu Meng curled her lips, secretly thinking: If you knew what was important, would I have needed to remind you of this? Judging from how you handled things yesterday, you weren't careful at all.
Although she thought this in her heart, Mu Meng didn't dare to say it out loud. After bowing, she did as the Ancient Physician instructed. However, after delivering the gauze, she was still a little worried about Mu Qingheng, so she concealed her presence and secretly slipped back to the main tent.
Judging from the sounds inside, my brother should have woken up.
"Your Highness, most of the poison from the hyena demon has been removed from your body. There are still some deep-seated toxins that need to be drawn out with agarwood flowers before they can be removed. However, this won't take too long; the poison can be removed again in about three or four hours. But the climate here is extremely hot, so it's best to change the bandages on the wound every two hours, otherwise it will hinder recovery and may leave scars."
The older brother's voice sounded somewhat absent-minded: "Thanks, I understand."
"If possible, it's best to rest for the next three or four hours. Don't overexert yourself. Although the hyena's poison doesn't have a significant impact on your mind, you are the commander of an army, and you are different from others. At this crucial moment, you should try your best not to be distracted."
"I understand, thank you for your trouble, Ancient Physician."
“Uh…and one more thing,” the ancient physician smiled sheepishly, “I have to say something to Your Highness: if you feel any discomfort, you must immediately send someone to summon me. You can no longer keep quiet like before.”
"Um."
Mu Meng frowned as she listened from outside the door. Her brother's voice sounded like he was still in good spirits, but he seemed to be preoccupied with something.
I don't know what happened, why didn't the ancient physician care?
Just as she was hesitating about what to do, she saw the Ancient Physician slowly emerge with small, quick steps. Mu Meng's face lit up with joy, and she quickly ran to his side to ask, "Healer, is His Highness the Crown Prince feeling better?"
"Oh, you're fine, don't worry."
Mu Meng glanced back at the main tent and subtly reminded him, "His Highness the Crown Prince has never taken good care of his health; he certainly needs your continued attention."
“That’s right,” the ancient physician was very perceptive. Hearing Mu Meng’s words, he shook his head repeatedly as if he had found a kindred spirit. “I’m afraid whatever I say to him will just go in one ear and out the other. Sigh, I’ll come back in two hours!”
Hearing him say that, Mu Meng felt relieved. Just as she was thinking about how to ask the next question, the Ancient Doctor asked first, "Shui Cao, didn't I just tell you to go back and rest? Why did you come back again?"
Mu Meng immediately went along with it: "How could I go back to rest and leave you to work alone? I didn't know if you needed any help, so I came over, but I saw that everything was taken care of, so I didn't want to go in and bother you."
The ancient physician felt very pleased and praised him generously, saying, "You are very sensible."
Mu Meng smiled, cleared his throat, and continued subtly, "However, Immortal Physician, I was waiting outside the tent just now, and His Highness the Crown Prince seemed a bit preoccupied. Is there something wrong with his health?"
"Oh, no, that's not it."
Mentioning this, the Ancient Physician smiled and said, "Even if His Highness the Crown Prince has boundless spiritual power, he is not invincible. Having been poisoned by the Hyena Demon, he must be just coming to his senses about some things. Judging from his appearance, he should be pondering them."
Mu Meng nodded: "Oh...so what is he thinking about?"
"I wouldn't know that. Only His Highness the Crown Prince would know. Who knows what hidden emotions he might be harboring that he himself hasn't even realized have been unearthed?"
The ancient physician waved his hand, "Alright, this is His Highness the Crown Prince's private matter, and it's not something you or I can interfere with. In any case, he's fine, so we don't need to worry."
In fact, Mu Meng also felt that the ancient physician should not have the ability to read people's expressions and see what his brother was thinking.
Hearing that her brother was alright, she was relieved, nodded, and asked no more questions. She quietly went back with him.
...
Mu Qingheng sat there for a long time before finally raising his hand and wearily pinching the space between his eyebrows.
He remained in a daze for a full fifteen minutes, something that would have been absolutely impossible for him in the past. While he remained silent and expressionless, his demeanor appeared somewhat cold, but in reality, his inner turmoil was far more profound than his outward appearance suggested.
His long, clean hands weakly supported his forehead, and a flash of self-loathing crossed his eyes.
Had he truly remained oblivious to the hidden changes in his own heart all this time? He loved her dearly and doted on her, but when did he unknowingly cross the line of what a brother should do for his sister? When did he unknowingly give his heart away?
Mengmeng was his sister, or at least not his biological sister, she had called him "brother" for so many years. And yet he harbored such feelings for her—how could he face her? How could he possibly show his face in front of her?
Mu Qingheng suddenly closed his eyes, his fingernails digging deep into his palms, leaving bloody marks.
He dared not recall the scene from his dream; it could never become reality. If Mengmeng were to discover his secret thoughts, how would she see it? How could she possibly see it?
They must be afraid, disgusted, and never want to be close to themselves again, right?
This can't be... This can't be. Whether as an older brother or anyone else, he wants to cherish Mengmeng and ensure her a peaceful and carefree life. He doesn't want to cause her any pain, and he certainly doesn't want any misfortune to be caused by him.
He might as well have died from the beginning; it would have been better than hurting her.
It can't be hidden. Even if Mengmeng can't see it, how could her father and Luoluo, who are so intelligent, not see it?
By then, will he still be Mengmeng's brother? Will they still let him see Mengmeng? If he never sees her again in this lifetime, he...
what to do?
Mu Qingheng bit his lower lip hard, his eyes gradually turning crimson.
After lost in thought for an unknown amount of time, Mu Qingheng felt a dull ache in the wound on his left shoulder. He unconsciously touched it with his hand and gave a helpless, bitter smile.
He's gone mad.
That's insane.
*
She quickly got up, tidied herself up, and went outside. As soon as she came out, she found that it was indeed raining outside. The hot and humid air made the smell of earth even stronger. Mu Meng reached out and caught the raindrops. Judging from the weather, it might be raining heavily soon.
The next moment, she saw the Ancient Doctor emerge from a tent not far away. She had gotten along well with him these past two days, so she went straight to him without thinking.
Although Mu Meng was somewhat inexperienced, he was quick-witted. After a moment's thought, he guessed, "Is it because His Highness the Crown Prince anticipated that the enemy might launch a sneak attack, which is why he gave such an order?"
She overheard something that day and learned that the hyenas preferred darkness. It was the deepest time of night, and they had just suffered a great loss of energy. She thought it was very likely that they would launch a sneak attack while everyone was asleep.
"I didn't expect you, a seemingly honest child, to be so quick-witted. You're a promising talent. It's a waste to have you as a medicine apprentice. I'll have to mention it to His Highness the Crown Prince tomorrow and have you assigned to his service." The ancient physician praised with a kind and benevolent expression. "Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince is a brilliant strategist who anticipates every move. We'll just follow his plans and wait on the sidelines."
Mu Meng nodded. His brother's order to retreat meant that the Tianhe Army must have already laid an ambush in their camp. The Xingyao Army wasn't the main force to begin with, so they only received the order to retreat.
In that case, they waited quietly in the distance.
There are no rules on the battlefield. The rain gradually intensified, and with nothing to cover themselves, they were buried in the dense forest, enduring the wind and rain.
Sure enough, within half an hour, the camp was brightly lit, accompanied by a crackling sound of burning and countless howls that pierced the silent night sky.
The light of the Celestial Clan's spiritual power was silvery-white, and upon closer inspection, it was even brighter than firelight. Mu Meng glanced in that direction a few times and could vaguely discern countless hyena demon figures struggling in the tents, but they were trapped by something and could only be torn apart by the spiritual power without being able to escape.
The rain pelted down on her, soaking her thin clothes completely. Strands of her hair clung to her cheeks, making her fair face look even more radiant, truly like a lotus emerging from the water.
Mu Meng didn't care about any of that and casually wiped the rain off his face, but the next moment his heart started pounding: Oh no, oh no, her disguise, her beard!
Her fair hands were covered in yellowish disguise marks, and a comical little mustache was stuck between her index and middle fingers.
While he was still dumbfounded, the light in front of him suddenly dimmed considerably, and a series of footsteps approached. Mu Meng suddenly sensed an extremely familiar aura.
Sure enough, a voice came from the other side the next moment:
"Thank you all for your hard work, my esteemed healers. You're all alright now, you can go back and rest."
It's all over, it's all over now.
Mu Meng panicked, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She quickly took two deep breaths to calm her heartbeat.
Mu Meng inwardly cried out that she was doomed. She secretly glanced at the person in front of her and saw that he was composed and elegant, and even in the pouring rain, he possessed unparalleled grace and poise. She dared not look any longer and quickly looked away.
Fortunately, it's quite far away.
Mu Meng comforted herself while covering her face with her hands and inching to the side, trying to slip away before her brother got too close.
At the crucial moment, the ancient physician looked at Mu Meng's back and inexplicably shouted.
Ancient Healer: "Huh??"
Mu Meng was speechless for a moment, then decided to give up and ignore him, turning around and running away.
Her disguise was gone, and her beard was gone. If she looked like this, her brother would immediately recognize her, so she might as well take a gamble. As long as she was fast enough, all that would be left was a wet, fleeting, disheveled silhouette. In the darkness and the downpour, who could recognize her?
Unbeknownst to Mu Meng, the ancient physician's shout had successfully attracted Mu Qingheng's attention.
In the downpour, his eyes were wet, washed clean and clear by the rain, his features exquisite and beautiful, appearing even more lustrous like jade due to the glistening rain.
He glanced casually in that direction.
With just one glance, his expression became incredibly stern.
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