"Sir?" Xiao Tao's voice trembled, her voice as soft as a mosquito's whisper, her heart beating like a drum. She said tentatively, "Please wake up quickly. I have something important to report to you."
The room was dead silent.
Guo Honglei suffered from knife wounds and high fever, but he was unconscious and fell into a deep sleep.
Xiao Tao bit her lip and knelt, her whole body leaning on the edge of the couch, silently gazing at the handsome young man with infatuated eyes, scanning his forehead, eyebrows, nose bridge, nose tip, lips, chin... over and over again.
She was born timid. Although she had served in the Marquis's mansion for a while, she was always reserved and shy, and never dared to look Guo Honglei in the eye.
This was an unprecedented moment, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for the two of them to be alone together, and he was injured and unconscious, allowing everyone to stare at him!
Xiao Tao breathed rapidly, mustered up her courage, and for the first time, stared at someone without any scruples, thinking to herself:
The second son is handsome, talented in both civil and military affairs, calm and reliable, but because of his stubborn nature he is not favored by his mother and is often scolded.
The old lady even nicknamed her second son "Stupid Wood", which was really inappropriate.
"呆木头" sounds unpleasant, it should at least be "俊木头"!
With his appearance, talent and temperament, even if he is no longer a noble son of the Marquis of Jingyang, and even if he has become a convict in exile, he can still make women fall in love with him at first sight.
Gradually, Xiao Tao became inexplicably dazed and whispered in her ear, "Master, wake up. I have prepared the medicine. You must get up and take it."
Guo Honglei lay quietly without any response.
"Alas." Xiao Tao sighed softly, staring blankly at the patient. Suddenly, as if possessed by a ghost, she raised her hand, her fingertips trembling as she reached for his eyebrows, intending to touch them.
But when she was about to touch him, she hesitated and stopped, her face flushed, she felt ashamed and thought: I was originally the old lady's maid, and the old lady praised me for being "obedient and diligent", so she chose me for the second young master.
Although she was arranged as a concubine by the elders, the young master never accepted her.
My behavior today is similar to what I have heard of as a "slutty maid climbing into the bed". I feel ashamed of the old master's trust and the young lady's kindness... Besides, no matter he is a nobleman or a fugitive, he will always be superior to me. How can I allow a mere servant to get so close to him?
If I am discovered, how will I save face?
The next moment, a joyful voice suddenly came from the courtyard gate: "Second sister-in-law, you are finally back! Oh, I was almost worried to death."
Guo Hongzhe was extremely anxious. He rushed forward, grabbed Fang Sheng, and ran into the house, urging him, "Second brother is unconscious. We tried everything but couldn't wake him up to take the medicine. Doctor Fang, go take a look."
"Okay, okay, I got it. Don't worry, take care of yourself." Fang Sheng nodded, panting heavily from the long journey, and turned to order: "Xiao Zou, go to my room and get the medicine box."
"Oh!" Zou Gui ran away.
Jiang Yushu didn't bother to wipe the sweat off her face and hurriedly instructed: "Send the backpack to the woodshed next door. Be careful, it's poisonous. No one is allowed to touch it."
"Yes." Hu Gang picked up the backpack and went to the deserted house next door.
Jiang Yushu's heart was in her throat, her clothes fluttering as she ran straight to the bedroom.
Oh no, the young lady is back!
Would she notice something? Would she get angry and chase me away?
Xiao Tao woke up from her dream, and instantly felt like a thief. She jumped up in fright, her soul was out of her body, she was terrified, and she ran out of the door and hid in the kitchen in panic.
Therefore, when Jiang Yushu pushed open the half-open door, there was only a sleeping patient in the room.
She took two steps at a time, stood in front of the bed and bent over, reaching out her hand to touch the patient's forehead, but then she retracted it and hurried to the corner to wash her hands. She rubbed them vigorously, making a messy sound of water splashing, and reminded him, "He has injuries. We have been busy in the back mountain for a long time. Doctor Fang, there is no rush. Wash your hands first."
"It's really urgent, but there's no time to rush. My medicine box hasn't arrived yet." Fang Sheng was panting heavily. Someone had already brought him warm water for him to wash.
Jiang Yushu washed her hands and returned to the bedside. She hurriedly removed the handkerchief covering the patient's forehead and reached out to feel it. Her face changed and she cried out in a choked voice, "Oh my God, it's too hot! If the fever continues like this, I'm afraid—Doctor Fang, what should we do?"
"Don't panic, let me take a look." Fang Sheng dried his hands. Zou Gui offered him the open medicine box, but he waved it away. He first took his pulse, then checked his shoulder wound, and then identified the prescription written by the military doctor, busying himself. Soon, he nodded and said, "This prescription is suitable for the symptoms, and the herbs are authentic. It can be used."
"Second brother? Second brother? Wake up!" Guo Hongzhe was restless, anxious like an ant on a hot pan, and at a loss as to what to do. In his mind, apart from his father and aunt, only his second brother was reliable.
The eldest brother, Guo Hongyao, the crown prince, is deeply favored by the Wang family. Mother and son share a common camaraderie, disdaining illegitimate children and treating them with indifference. The frail illegitimate son, precocious and intelligent, yet sentimental, has relied on his second brother since childhood... often seeking his affection, both overtly and covertly.
His elder brother, whom he had always regarded as a support, was injured and unconscious. Guo Hongzhe was so panicked that he was about to have a seizure, his face was pale and his lips were blue.
Several people gathered around the bed and filled a basin with ice water. Jiang Yushu wrung out two wet towels and covered the patient's forehead tightly, fearing that the high fever would damage his mind.
"Alas, I can't wake him up. It seems that I can only try acupuncture." Fang Sheng washed his hands again, picked up a slender silver needle from the medicine box, bent down and got close to it, carefully inserted the needle, twisting it slowly and lifting it lightly.
Jiang Yushu gave up her seat to the doctor and waited anxiously by the side. She forced herself to remain calm and whispered, "Where's the medicine? If it's ready, bring it over quickly. Even if you have to force-feed him, you have to find a way to feed him!"
"Hey, I'll get it," Cuimei responded immediately. Turning around, she stumbled into Peng Changrong's arms. Her face flushed, and she quickly pushed him away, whispering, "Why are you standing behind me, scaring me? You're disgusting! Humph!" Then, she hurried away.
Peng Changrong was pushed aside obediently, scratching his head and muttering, "I, I was closer, but I didn't move at all. It was clearly you who bumped into me."
Everyone in the house was busy taking care of the patient, and Xiaotao was the only one in the kitchen.
Cuimei rushed over and pushed the door, but it wouldn't open. "Huh? Who's in there?" She banged on the door. "Open it quickly. I'll get the young master's medicine."
"Oh, here it comes!" Xiao Tao had calmed down, secretly groaning inwardly, filled with remorse. She gritted her teeth and moved forward. As soon as she opened the door, she turned around, lowered her head, and walked to the stove. She put away the bowls, spoons, and trays, and said as calmly as possible, "The medicine has been boiled long ago and has been kept warm. Is the young master awake?"
Cuimei shook her head and said worriedly, "She's not awake yet. Doctor Fang is giving her acupuncture. But the girl said that even if she has to drink it, she has to feed it to the patient." As she spoke, she approached suspiciously, leaning against the stove and twisting her waist, asking with concern, "Sister Tao, why are your eyes so red? Did you cry?"
"Who's crying? Hurry up and bring the medicine. I have to prepare dinner." Xiao Tao lowered her head deeply, made up her mind, and vowed to keep what happened today to herself and not tell anyone.
After experiencing Peng Changrong, Cuimei finally understood. After a moment's reflection, she suddenly realized and asked, "Oh, I see! I guess you cried out of worry after seeing that the young master was injured and sick?"
"I didn't! Cuimei, please don't make blind guesses." Xiaotao denied it flatly. She felt uneasy and could not hide her panic.
Cuimei sighed, wanting to say something but stopping herself, picked up the tray and said, "Well, I'll go deliver the medicine first and come back later. We can cook together. There's no point in leaving you alone."
"Yeah." Xiao Tao clenched her fingers, not daring to meet her companions' gazes.
As night falls, lights are lit everywhere.
The candlestick was placed on the table and moved in front of the couch.
Jiang Yushu stared intently, feeling extremely tortured; Fang Sheng concentrated all his energy and started the needle one by one.
After a while, under the anxious gaze of everyone, Guo Honglei's eyelids finally trembled, as if he was about to open his eyes.
"Second brother?" Guo Hongzhe's eyes lit up, and he squeezed closer and asked, "Can you hear me?"
Jiang Yushu was startled and said anxiously, "He should be able to hear it! His ears are not injured."
Guo Honglei slowly half-opened his eyes, a golden star flashed before his eyes, and his consciousness slowly returned. He replied in a hoarse voice, "Ahem, I can hear you."
"Oh, that's great!" Guo Hongzhe was so happy that his heart was jumping and he let out a long sigh.
Everyone was beaming with joy. Jiang Yushu couldn't contain her excitement and kept asking, "Does the wound hurt? Are you feeling dizzy? Are you experiencing alternating hot and cold temperatures? What's bothering you? Tell Doctor Fang quickly and he'll treat you one by one."
Fang Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and urged, "Give the medicine quickly while the patient is still conscious."
"Oh, that's right!" Zhou Yan and others worked together to support the patient, and Nanny Pan stuffed two pillows behind the patient's back.
Guo Honglei sat back, pulled his right hand out from under the quilt, touched the handkerchief covering his forehead, looked at his wife, frowned, and asked, "My third brother said you went hunting in the mountains?"
"Yeah." Jiang Yushu lifted a chair and sat in front of the couch, stirring the medicine. "Come, drink the medicine first." She scooped a spoonful and fed it to the patient's mouth.
Guo Honglei was stunned for a moment, took only one sip, and then raised his hand to take the bowl.
"Be careful of the heat." Jiang Yushu was a little worried, so she didn't let go and helped to hold it steady.
Guo Honglei drank it all in one gulp, rinsed his mouth, rubbed his brow, and said tiredly, feeling sleepy and weak, "I'm fine, I'll be fine after a few days of rest."
"You've been traveling and working hard for a long time, you're overly tired, and you've been injured many times. Naturally, your body can't take it anymore, so you're sick." Jiang Yushu knew what was going on and said without hesitation, "It's rare that Master Pan has shown understanding and granted you ten days of leave. You must rest well and recuperate!"
"That's right." Guo Hongzhe said worriedly, "Brother, you look very bad. You need to rest for a while."
Guo Honglei began to sweat, his face soaked with sweat. He was indeed running low on energy, so he nodded and said, "You guys go and do your work. I'll rest for a while."
"Yes." Nanny Pan, Peng Changrong and others felt relieved and left one after another.
In a blink of an eye, the young couple were the only ones left in the room.
Jiang Yushu wrung out a handkerchief and gently wiped the patient's face. She said thankfully, "Very good, you're sweating. Maybe you'll be well again tomorrow morning after you wake up from a nap! You just finished taking the medicine. Sit down for a while and calm down. You can eat later."
"Hmm." Guo Honglei was still worried and said sternly, "This place is not peaceful. It's a remote village and we lack reliable helpers. Don't go hunting in the mountains anymore. If you encounter bandits or wild animals, wouldn't it be disastrous?"
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Jiang Yushu rolled up her sleeves, revealing her long black hair, her wrists frosted with frost. She looked elegant and graceful in the dim candlelight. She dipped her handkerchief into the wooden basin, wringing it dry as she explained, "Actually, I didn't intend to hunt. In October, we followed the village head and his family into the mountains to collect autumn fruits. We picked up a lot of hazelnuts, chestnuts, and pine nuts. Living off the land, nuts are enough to save lives in a famine. During that time, I stumbled upon a rare plant that no one in the village recognized. It happened to be growing in the back mountains, so I was curious, so I dug some up and brought it back to study."
"I see. I saw that my third brother was in high spirits, so I thought he was really taking people hunting." Guo Honglei sat back and let his wife wipe the sweat off his face.
They were so close to each other that Jiang Yushu blushed and said awkwardly, "Oh, forget it. You're not here, and there's no one at home who knows how to do it. We toiled for half a month, carefully digging five traps, but we only caught three rabbits. It was all in vain!"
Guo Honglei smiled and praised seriously, "Not bad, at least we gained something. It's better than I expected."
Jiang Yushu couldn't help laughing and said cheerfully, "Never mind. I'm not a hunter at all and I have no interest in it. Please rest assured, sir, I will discourage my family from going into the mountains in the future."
"That's good." Their eyes met, and Guo Honglei suddenly raised his hand, pressing down the handkerchief. He also held the other's hand, interlocking their fingers, and whispered comfortingly, "When I recover, I will go into the mountains and try to catch a few more rabbits to comfort you."
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Hare: What did I do wrong? [He was so scared that he dropped his carrots.]
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