Chapter 242 Changes in Illness
In the Golden Palace, the conservative high-ranking officials looked at each other, unable to utter another word of objection.
The emperor was overjoyed and immediately agreed to Ye Wanning's plan, instructing her to hand over the improved basic formula to the Western Regions delegation.
They also bestowed a large quantity of medicinal herbs to aid in epidemic prevention in the Western Regions.
After the court session, Pei Zhi waited for her under the plum tree in the Imperial Garden.
The winter plum blossoms were in full bloom, their subtle fragrance filling the air. He looked at Ye Wanning as she approached, his tone softening considerably: "I was wrong; I shouldn't have doubted you."
Princess Chang Le never expected that Pei Zhi would be so spineless and irresponsible.
Her face turned pale and then red, and she was so embarrassed that she couldn't speak for a long time.
"Your Highness, I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave." Ye Wanning couldn't bear to see this any longer and offered her a way out.
"I'll take you." Pei Zhi immediately followed.
The two walked out of the peony garden side by side. The paths in the Imperial Garden were lined with willow trees, and the willow branches swayed gently in the wind.
"Were you jealous just now?" Pei Zhi suddenly asked, his tone tinged with provocation.
Ye Wanning's face flushed red instantly, and she quickly turned her head away: "No, don't talk nonsense!"
"No?" Pei Zhi stopped and turned around, his eyes full of laughter. "Then why did you look so pale just now?"
"When I took your arm, you saw Princess Chang Le touching me. Were you unhappy about that?"
"I...I just think Your Highness is being very rude," Ye Wanning stammered, trying not to look at him.
"Is that so?" Pei Zhi took a step forward, and the distance between the two suddenly closed.
He smelled the fragrance in her hair and saw the tips of her ears turning red: "I think you look really cute when you're jealous."
Ye Wanning's heart was pounding, like she was holding a little rabbit.
She looked up abruptly, meeting his gentle gaze, and for a moment forgot what to say.
Sunlight filtered through the willow branches, outlining his handsome features, and the affection in his eyes warmed her entire body.
"I...I should go back to the Heritage Hall." Ye Wanning hurriedly lowered her head and ran away.
Pei Zhi watched her flee in a disheveled state, his smile deepening.
So it turns out she does have feelings for me; this shy jealousy is so sweet.
On the night the epidemic was initially brought under control, Ye Wanning leaned against the floor of her temporary residence.
It was just an ordinary military tent, drafty from all sides, with only a layer of dry grass on the ground, and not even a decent blanket.
Dr. Li brought over a bowl of hot porridge: "Dr. Ye, you haven't had a proper rest these past few days, please have something to eat."
"Don't push yourself too hard. Health is the foundation of medicine. If something happens to you, the people and soldiers on the border will have no hope."
Ye Wanning took the porridge, the warmth flowing from her fingertips into her stomach, and only then did she regain her senses: "Dr. Li, how is the critically ill patient?"
"Thanks to you, most of them have recovered from their fevers, only a few are still weak and need special care," Dr. Li sighed.
Ye Wanning took a sip of porridge, picked up her medicine box and walked out: "I'll go check on them again, and I'll rest after they get better."
As soon as I stepped out of the tent, I saw a group of people galloping towards me from afar.
The figure in black at the very front was exceptionally dazzling, clearly visible even in the night—it was Pei Zhi!
Ye Wanning's heart seemed to skip a beat, and she ran towards the men and horses in disbelief: "Pei Zhi!"
His voice carried a barely perceptible sob.
Pei Zhi reined in his horse, saw that it was her, dismounted, and quickly went to meet her, pulling her tightly into his arms.
The force was so great that it almost rubbed her into his bones.
"Why are you here?" Ye Wanning leaned against him, listening to his heartbeat, and her eyes immediately reddened.
"I've entrusted the affairs of the court to my deputy, but I'm worried about you." Pei Zhi's voice was hoarse, full of fatigue and worry from his travels.
"You've lost so much weight and gotten so tanned, you must have suffered a lot, right?"
Ye Wanning shook her head, leaning against him affectionately: "I haven't suffered. The epidemic is under control, and we'll be able to lift the restrictions in a few days."
Pei Zhi released her and looked her up and down. He felt a pang of heartache when he saw the dark circles under her eyes and the cracked corners of her mouth.
"Come with me." He led Ye Wanning back to his military tent.
The large tent was spacious and clean, covered with thick felt blankets, and had a small stove in the corner, making it warm and cozy.
"You rest first, I'll go check on the patient," Pei Zhi said.
"I'll go with you." Ye Wanning didn't want him to be busy alone; she wanted to fight alongside him.
Pei Zhi did not stop them, and the two went to the tent for critically ill patients together.
Under her guidance, Pei Zhi clumsily helped feed her medicine and bathe her.
Ye Wanning felt a sweet warmth in her heart as she watched his busy figure.
They worked until late into the night, and after all the patients were settled, the two returned to Pei Zhi's military tent.
“Conditions at the border are harsh. This is the only decent tent we have. You’ll have to make do with it,” Pei Zhi said.
"I'll go outside and keep watch."
"No, it's too cold and unsafe outside." Ye Wanning pulled him back. "The tent is so big, we can sleep separately."
Pei Zhi hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
He took out his own bedding and laid it on one side of the felt blanket, then laid it on the other side for Ye Wanning.
Ye Wanning was so tired that she fell asleep soon after lying down.
Pei Zhi sat to the side, gazing quietly at her sleeping face by the dim candlelight.
Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were having a nightmare, but a faint smile played on her lips.
He reached out to smooth her brow, but just as his fingertips were about to touch her forehead, he quietly withdrew his hand.
I was afraid of disturbing her sweet dream, and I was also afraid that I wouldn't be able to suppress the feelings in my heart.
After an unknown amount of time, Ye Wanning turned over, groggily moved towards the warmer side, and finally leaned against Pei Zhi's shoulder.
Pei Zhi's body stiffened as he felt the soft warmth on his shoulder, and his heart suddenly raced.
He looked down at her, who was leaning on his shoulder, her breathing even, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows, making her exceptionally endearing.
He didn't move and didn't sleep all night.
I was afraid of waking her, and I was also afraid of losing this rare intimacy.
As dawn approached, Ye Wanning slowly opened her eyes.
Finding herself leaning on Pei Zhi's shoulder, her cheeks instantly flushed red. She hurriedly tried to get up, but he held her down.
"Sleep a little longer, it's still early." Pei Zhi's voice was hoarse from just waking up, but it was exceptionally magnetic.
Ye Wanning looked up and met his deep eyes.
The two were very close; she could see herself reflected in his eyes and smell the comforting scent of ink mixed with gunpowder on his body.
Pei Zhi's gaze fell on her lips, his Adam's apple bobbing as he slowly leaned closer.
Ye Wanning's heart pounded even faster. She closed her eyes, filled with anticipation.
Just as their foreheads were about to touch and their lips were about to brush, the sound of a soldier coughing came from outside the tent.
Then came Dr. Li's voice: "Dr. Ye, Lord Pei, a patient's condition has changed, come and take a look quickly!"
The two snapped back to their senses and hurriedly separated.
Ye Wanning blushed like an apple, not daring to look at Pei Zhi again, and hurriedly got up: "I, I'll go take a look."
Pei Zhi composed himself, suppressing the pounding in his heart, and followed her out of the tent.
The ambiguity just now, like a pebble thrown into a lake, created ripples in their hearts that lingered for a long time.
In the following days, the two worked side by side to fight the epidemic, showing great tacit understanding.
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