The moment their fingers intertwined, Jiang Yushu felt burned by the palm of the feverish patient's hand, and then she felt the rough calluses. She subconsciously lowered her eyes and looked:
In the bitter cold of winter, the north wind blew like a knife. New recruits drilled daily and rode out on horseback to patrol the Cangjiang River's shoreline. Even though he was protected by armor, the wind and snow had ripped through the backs of his hands and fingers, leaving tiny scratches that pierced his eyes.
Jiang Yushu suddenly felt uncomfortable, sighed quietly, and thought to herself: I must apply some ointment on him later!
She calmed herself down and said disapprovingly, "Even if you recover, you still have to recuperate! You shouldn't go hunting in the mountains until you're fully recovered from all these injuries. We have enough food at home. We have three rabbits, which is more than enough."
"It's just a flesh wound, nothing serious. It's fine." Guo Honglei put the handkerchief aside and held her hand with his slender, strong hand. "Why are your hands so cold? Is it snowing outside?"
Jiang Yushu had just been wringing her handkerchief in icy water, her hands red and swollen from the cold, but now they felt warm. She sat down on the couch, leaning slightly forward as she was pulled. She glanced at the closed window and replied softly, "It's not snowing or windy today. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare take anyone up the mountain, fearing an accident in the snow."
"That's right. Strong winds and heavy snow can make people panic and disoriented, and they might get lost." Guo Honglei leaned against the headboard and said solemnly, "I don't know how many people have frozen to death in the mountains outside the capital. A cousin of my uncle's was caught in a snowstorm while hunting with his classmates and was trapped in the mountains. For some reason, they mistakenly headed deep into the mountains, and as a result, all five of them died. My cousin died at the age of eighteen." After a pause, he continued.
"Back then, my cousin ran around asking for help, and our family hastily sent help. Hundreds of people searched the mountains, but to no avail. It wasn't until the spring of the following year, when the snow melted, that the body was discovered deep in the mountains."
Jiang Yushu was stunned by what she heard, her brow furrowed in fear. She said with pity, "It's so tragic to die in an accident." Without hesitation, she suggested, "Let this be a lesson for me, and you too. Go hunting less! Alas, it's precisely because hunting is dangerous and difficult that people choose farming for the peace and security it offers."
"Don't worry, we never venture into the mountains when hunting. This village is remote, and most of the villagers left to escape the war. It's sparsely populated, and with so few people hunting year after year, it shouldn't be difficult to harvest prey." His injuries were taking their toll, and Guo Honglei suddenly felt dizzy. He closed his eyes to catch his breath, then changed the subject, asking in confusion, "Strange, why did Third Brother come to Heqin? When we suddenly met in the evening, I almost thought I was seeing things."
Jiang Yushu's eyes flashed. She pulled out her hand, soaked the handkerchief in water, pulled away the pillow, and urged, "You've been sitting for a long time. It's time for you to lie down."
Guo Honglei lay down as he was told and asked in confusion, "Why on earth would my mother allow him to leave Changping?"
"I'm not sure of the details. My third brother is frail and often ill, so it's inconvenient to ask him about household matters, but Doctor Fang brought a letter from the old lady." Jiang Yushu wrung out her handkerchief and spoke frankly, "The old lady's letter said: My third brother volunteered and was determined to come to Heqin. The elders couldn't persuade him, so they agreed. In short, my third brother will stay in Heqin to farm from now on!"
Guo Honglei's brows knitted together, and he understood. He said in a deep voice, "If it's as expected, there will probably be a few more quarrels at home."
Yes, it was said that the legitimate mother and illegitimate son had a big quarrel. Jiang Yushu remained calm, bent down to tuck in the quilt, and said soothingly, "It's not surprising that there are occasional disputes in family life. There's no need to worry too much."
Guo Honglei's fever hadn't subsided. He was forcibly awakened by the silver needles. He gradually became drowsy and asked worriedly, "Has Ah Zhe been sick recently?"
Jiang Yushu didn't want the patient to worry, so she evaded the issue, "He fell ill twice when he first arrived. Fortunately, Doctor Fang treated him promptly and he recovered. After he adapted to the local climate, he hasn't been sick since. Look at his spirits and complexion; he's much better, isn't he?"
"Well, he's gained some weight." Guo Honglei nodded happily and said apologetically, "Azhe has been a serious person since he was young. It's not easy to persuade him to be more relaxed and fat. It must have taken a lot of effort on your part. Thank you for your hard work."
Jiang Yushu shook her head and said truthfully, "No, he's very sensible and usually listens to advice. Aside from his congenital illness, he never causes trouble for others." She moved the candlestick away and said, "By the way, the last time Third Brother was sick, he said he had something important to tell you, and only you. Remember to talk to him about it, so he won't nag about it day and night."
"Oh? What's the important matter?"
Jiang Yushu placed the candlestick on the desk outside the screen, clapped her hands, and returned, smiling, "He didn't reveal it. But I guess it's probably some childhood story between siblings. My third brother is particularly dependent on you. As soon as he arrived in Heqin, he eagerly awaited your return. He was extremely worried and wanted to visit him at the garrison."
"So, what about you?" Guo Honglei asked nonchalantly. He stared intently, his face weary from his injury, but his eyes were still bright and focused.
Jiang Yushu paused, stood three feet away from the bed, and remained silent for a while before asking, "What do you think?"
Guo Honglei's eyes were bright, his voice slightly hoarse as he said seriously, "Actually, I'm also very curious and suddenly wanted to hear your opinion. I asked first, so you should answer first."
"You keep going around in circles and I'm dizzy... I don't understand what you mean. Let's talk about this later!" Jiang Yushu was inexplicably nervous and interrupted, saying, "You are sick. Go and rest. I'll go out and take a look." After she finished speaking, she left in a hurry without waiting for the other party's response.
Guo Honglei smiled and silently watched the other person's back.
A moment later, Zou Gui, as ordered to accompany him, trotted into the room, bowed and asked with concern, "Sir, are you feeling better?"
"Yeah." Guo Honglei looked calm, lying on his back with his eyes closed.
Zou Gui said, "Dinner will be ready soon. Please wait a moment."
"I see." Guo Honglei raised his hand, touched the damp handkerchief on his forehead, and the corners of his mouth curled up. On this winter night, the kang was heated perfectly, warm and comfortable, making the young head of the household, who had been busy since the beginning of the year, feel peaceful and comfortable.
He had been working for a long time, and once he completely relaxed, the fatigue and sleepiness that had accumulated over time surged up and he fell into a deep sleep again.
The patient was sleeping soundly like in a coma, and no matter how his family members shook him or called him, he showed no response.
Late at night, the wind started to blow, snowflakes fluttered and drifted all over the sky, and the cold outside was biting.
Fang Sheng held his breath, concentrating his attention and carefully examining the patient's pulse. After a long moment, he tucked the patient's hand back into the quilt and said helplessly, "The pulse is stable, the fever is gradually subsiding, and the injury hasn't worsened. In my opinion, the young master is exhausted, and with the combination of injuries and illnesses, his body can no longer sustain it. He urgently needs rest to recuperate."
"But he hasn't taken any medicine or eaten anything. He hasn't eaten anything, just resting. How can this be okay?" Guo Hongzhe was worried and asked with a sigh, "Does he need acupuncture again?"
Jiang Yushu frowned and said slowly, "I just had an acupuncture session in the evening. Isn't that inappropriate?"
"It's inappropriate, but there's no other way." Fang Sheng was at his wit's end. After careful consideration, he said cautiously, "You must take the medicine on time! If you're still not awake by dawn, I'll have to give you an acupuncture injection."
Everyone had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"Third brother," Jiang Yushu said, perking up, "It's getting late. Go get some rest. Be careful not to overwork yourself."
Fang Sheng had been caring for him for a long time, and with a compassionate heart, he reminded him, "Second Young Master is ill. To prevent the disease from spreading, you should stay in the wing room for two days."
Guo Hongzhe shook his head repeatedly and replied seriously: "I'm not afraid! I'll stay and take care of my second brother." @Infinite good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City
"It's not about being afraid or not, but just in case." Fang Sheng said frankly.
Jiang Yushu thought for a moment and chimed in, "In that case, then let's listen to the doctor! We live under the same roof anyway, so it doesn't matter if you wake up and take care of your brother, right?"
Guo Hongzhe hesitated for a long time, but when he saw that he couldn't get rid of her, he obediently went to the wing room.
That night, several people took turns looking after Guo Honglei, never leaving his side.
It was not until midnight that Jiang Yushu went back to her room to take a nap, yawning continuously.
The north wind grew stronger and stronger, making the windows rattle and people shiver with cold.
"Young lady?" Cuimei asked with sleepy eyes, "Is the young master awake?"
Jiang Yushu took off her cotton robe and lay down in bed, thinking about the patient. She murmured, "Alas, if he still doesn't wake up by dawn, I'll have to use acupuncture."
"Who's taking care of it now?"
Jiang Yushu yawned, covering her mouth. "Madame Pan and Zou Gui." She tugged at the quilt, then glanced at the head of the bed as she curled up. She asked in surprise, "Hey, where's Xiaotao? Didn't she go to bed early this morning?"
"Her? She went to sleep in Nanny Pan's room." Cuimei suddenly remembered something, and her sleepiness quickly disappeared, and she became more energetic.
Jiang Yushu closed her eyes and asked casually, "Why? It's winter, and it's so troublesome to move the bedding around."
"Because, because of her, she..." Cuimei turned over, and the two of them were facing each other. She hesitated and stammered, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.
Jiang Yushu suddenly sensed something was wrong and opened her eyes, "Just say what you want to say, why are you hesitating?"
"I really said it, please don't be angry."
Jiang Yushu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said angrily, "Humph, your tone makes people angry immediately! Tell me now, or you can't sleep."
"Okay, I'll tell you!" Cuimei lowered her voice and whispered what happened in the kitchen today. Finally, she said, "I am a servant born in the Jiang family and have been loyal to you all my life. Today's matter may be big or small, so I dare not hide it."
Jiang Yushu felt a headache, sighed deeply, and asked carefully, "Did you see clearly? Xiaotao really hid in the kitchen crying? And she was crying because of the Second Young Master's grief?"
"It's absolutely true!" Cuimei was anxious and said quickly, "If I lie, I will be struck by lightning!"
Jiang Yushu said hurriedly, "Okay, I've always believed in you! In fact, I've gradually figured it out." She stared at the ceiling of the tent and said calmly, "Since being exiled, things have been so busy and chaotic, and I still haven't found peace. Let me think it over carefully. I'll make a decision once I've made up my mind."
"Everyone in the mansion knows that Sister Tao, Biyue, and Juan'er, the three maids, were placed in the Second Young Master's room by the old lady." Cuimei was very careful, suppressing her embarrassment as she consoled him, "Well, the mourning period hasn't ended yet. Even if it had, the law wouldn't allow a man to have three wives and four concubines. So, you can rest assured."
I was lucky enough to come back to life, and tried my best to adapt to the local customs. I tolerated many things, but the only thing I could not tolerate was "three wives and four concubines sharing one husband". I absolutely could not tolerate it!
Instantly, Jiang Yushu became extremely anxious, and the worries that she had been deliberately suppressing surfaced in her heart, but she said calmly, "I understand. Forget it, I'll sleep first. I can think after I have enough rest."
"Yes! Let's go to sleep." Cuimei confided the secret, and a heavy stone fell from her heart, and she fell into a sweet sleep.
Jiang Yushu, however, tossed and turned, full of worries, thinking to herself: I was not born and raised here, and I have never really considered a "servant" as a "servant" in my heart.
If Xiaotao is like Cuimei, she should be willing to make her own decisions and choose a man she likes. Then I will do my best to help arrange a marriage, so that our acquaintance and the hardships we have shared will not be in vain.
But in fact, she was a maid in the Marquis of Jingyang's mansion, and was also the personal maid that her mother-in-law explicitly assigned to her second son. She was diligent, gentle and virtuous.
If she has fallen in love with me, what should I do? I wonder what the second son thinks? @Infinite good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City
…
She tossed and turned for an unknown amount of time before she finally fell into a hazy sleep.
The next day. Early morning
"ah--"
Jiang Yushu was startled awake by a nightmare. When she sat up, it was already daybreak and the room was quiet. She hurriedly washed, dressed quickly, and rushed to visit the patient.
"Oh, I got up too late today." Jiang Yushu pushed open the half-closed door and looked carefully:
The third brother and Zhou Yan were discussing with Doctor Fang, while Guo Honglei was leaning back and was being asked about his well-being and chattered by Nanny Pan.
Xiao Tao had a gentle demeanor as she scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it lightly, and fed it to the patient's mouth.
The author has something to say:
Jiang Yushu: You eat? You don’t eat? (⊙o⊙)
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