That evening, Zheng Boyuan developed a fever.
His face was burning red, and he was muttering something that Xu Zhi couldn't understand. Xu Zhi knew that Zheng Boyuan had been keeping his distance from her because they hadn't consummated their marriage, and he didn't want to be served by a maid, so she asked Xi Jing'an to come and help her take care of Zheng Boyuan who had a fever.
After the fever-reducing medicine was administered, Xu Zhi used a handkerchief soaked in strong liquor to have Xi Jing'an wipe Zheng Boyuan's armpits and groin. They were busy until the third watch of the night. Zheng Boyuan was covered in sweat. Xu Zhi helped Xi Jing'an change the bandages on his body and put him in a dry undergarment. Only then did Zheng Boyuan fall into a deep sleep.
While changing clothes, Xu Zhi noticed that Zheng Boyuan not only had a round wound on his back that was already somewhat festering, but also a long stab wound on his abdomen.
The circular wound was an arrow wound, and it had been there for quite some time. Not only did it not appear to have healed, but it also looked like the wound was turned inside out, with some yellow pus oozing out.
Xi Jing'an said to Xu Zhi, "When the general was shot with this arrow, we thought it was just an ordinary arrow wound. But when the arrowhead was pulled out, the wound turned black. The army doctor said that the arrow was poisoned, but we didn't know what kind of poison it was. The general was already unconscious at that time. I had no choice but to find the medicine you gave me and find an antidote to feed him two pills."
Xu Zhi felt saddened upon hearing this. Xi Jing'an continued, "General, this wound in your abdomen was inflicted on us halfway to the capital. Fortunately, the knife was not poisoned, but because there is still poison in your body, the wound is not healing very well. The military doctor who accompanied us back said that if the poison cannot be neutralized, these two wounds will remain like this."
Xu Zhi felt her throat was dry and her skin on her face felt tight. She lowered her head and went outside.
Hong Gu had been guarding the door. When she saw Xu Zhi come out, she said in a low voice, "Miss, it's getting late. You should rest first. I'll keep watch here."
Xu Zhi nodded and went to her room. She sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). Bai Ying wanted to help her change her clothes and go to bed, but Xu Zhi waved her hand and said, "I'll just sit here for a bit. If anything else comes up, that's fine."
Bai Ying didn't know what else to say, so she poured her a bowl of calming tea. Xu Zhi drank a couple of sips, put on her clothes, leaned against the headboard, and fell asleep without anyone noticing.
When Xu Zhi woke up again, she saw that it was bright outside. She rubbed her eyes, put on her shoes, and lifted the curtain. She saw Bai Ying and Hong Gu setting out the meal.
Seeing that Xu Zhi had gotten up, Hong Gu came over and said, "It's still early, why are you up, Miss?"
Xu Zhi glanced at the room opposite and said, "Brother Boyuan didn't have a fever again last night, did he?"
Hong Gu pulled Xu Zhi to sit down and said, "The fever hasn't gone up again. I just fed her a bowl of millet porridge. Are you hungry, Miss? Let's eat first."
Xu Zhi stood up and went into Zheng Boyuan's room. She saw Zheng Boyuan lying on the kang (a heated brick bed) with his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Xi Jing'an, on the other hand, was lying on the edge of the kang, fast asleep.
Xu Zhi gently patted Xi Jing'an's shoulder, roused him, and whispered, "Go to the front yard and have breakfast, then get some rest. I'll keep watch here."
Xi Jing'an rubbed his eyes, nodded, and got up, still half asleep, and walked outside. Zheng Boyuan opened his eyes at this moment and saw Xu Zhi standing in front of the kang (a heated brick bed), and smiled at Xu Zhi.
Xu Zhi sat down and said softly, "Brother Boyuan, how are you feeling now? I sent someone to wait at the gate last night. As soon as the gate opened this morning, I went home to ask my mother and uncle to come and treat you."
Zheng Boyuan nodded and said in a hoarse voice, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Xu Zhi tried to smile at him but failed. She turned away, wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, and turned back to say, "Brother Boyuan, my mother and uncle are so amazing, you will definitely get better soon."
Zheng Boyuan smiled and nodded, saying, "Go and have breakfast. After you eat, come and keep me company. Let's have a good talk, okay?"
Xu Zhi nodded, ate some breakfast haphazardly outside, and then went inside to sit with Zheng Boyuan.
Zheng Boyuan was in low spirits. After listening to Xu Zhi talk to him for a while, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Xu Zhi sat quietly, looking at Zheng Boyuan's sallow face, while wondering where her family members were by now.
The village was located twenty miles outside the city. The road was already icy, making it difficult for the carriage to travel. Xu Zhi was anxious and got up to go outside.
Hong Gu hadn't slept all night and was currently catching up on sleep on the daybed in Xu Zhi's room. Bai Ying, holding a sewing basket, was sitting by the brazier. Seeing Xu Zhi come out, she quickly stood up and asked in a low voice, "Miss, is there anything you need?"
Xu Zhi asked in a low voice, "Hasn't the messenger who went to the city returned yet?"
Bai Ying shook her head and said, "No word has come back yet, Miss. Don't worry, the journey is probably difficult and they're traveling slowly."
Xu Zhi sighed softly, stood at the door, looking at the thick snow in the yard, genuinely worried that the road would be difficult to walk on.
Bai Ying then reassured her, "Miss, don't worry too much. Although the road isn't easy to travel, our village is at the foot of the mountain. Madam will arrive soon."
It wasn't until lunchtime that someone from the gatehouse came to announce that the lady's carriage had arrived at the gate.
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi grabbed her cloak and put it on as she walked out. When she reached the gate, she saw Chen Zhaoci just getting off the carriage. She ran over and took Chen Zhaoci's hand. Chen Zhaoci saw that Xu Zhi's eyes were red and said, "Your uncle and I left here early this morning. The road was bad and we were delayed for a while. Let's go see Boyuan first."
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