Chapter 144
Su Zhelan had just finished tying her sash when she heard a rustling sound from the bed. Looking up, she saw Xiao Qiyun trying to get up, but he was dizzy from the lingering effects of the medicine and swayed unsteadily.
Su Zhelan quickly stepped forward to support him. Their arms touched, and Xiao Qiyun's palms were burning hot, yet trembling slightly.
"I'm sorry..." Xiao Qiyun's voice was hoarse and his fingers gripped Su Zhelan's arm tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
His eyes were filled with self-blame and regret. When his gaze swept over the bruises on Su Zhelan's body, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his Adam's apple bobbed violently. "Last night..." The words were on the tip of his tongue, but they got stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say them anymore.
Su Zhelan felt a slight pang in his heart when he saw Xiao Qiyun's pained expression. He gently wrapped his arm around Xiao Qiyun's waist, rested his head on his shoulder, and said in a soft but firm voice, "It's okay, I know. It's not your fault." He patted Xiao Qiyun's back lightly.
Xiao Qiyun's body stiffened, then he hugged Su Zhelan even tighter. His face was buried in the crook of Su Zhelan's neck, his hot breath spraying on her skin, trembling slightly.
Su Zhelan felt the dampness on her shoulder, her heart softening. She gently ran her fingers through Xiao Qiyun's hair, stroking it tenderly. "You're really alright, Your Highness," he whispered. "I understand."
The two embraced quietly for a while before Xiao Qiyun's emotions gradually calmed down. He looked up, his eyes still a little red, but no longer trembling. His fingers gently traced the bite marks on Su Zhelan's neck, his eyes filled with heartache: "Does it hurt?"
Su Zhelan shook her head, a reassuring smile playing on her lips: "It's alright."
Seeing that Xiao Qiyun had calmed down, Su Zhelan asked softly, "Your Highness, would you like to take a shower as well? But we'll need to ask for another tub of hot water." His voice was still a little hoarse from fatigue, but it was still gentle.
Xiao Qiyun nodded, a hint of guilt in his eyes. Su Zhelan, supporting her aching body, walked to the tent entrance and summoned her personal guards.
He deliberately lowered his voice and ordered, "Prepare another tub of hot water." The guard obeyed and soon brought back a steaming tub.
Su Zhelan helped Xiao Qiyun slowly walk to the bathtub and gently helped him take off his clothes. When she saw the red marks on Xiao Qiyun's body that she had scratched, Su Zhelan's fingertips trembled slightly as she carefully avoided the marks.
Xiao Qiyun held his hand and squeezed it gently, as if to comfort him and tell him not to blame himself.
In the steaming heat, Xiao Qiyun's complexion gradually regained some color. Su Zhelan carefully wiped his body, her movements as gentle as if handling a fragile treasure. When her fingers touched the bruises, Xiao Qiyun only frowned slightly, but remained silent.
After cleaning, Xiao Qiyun seemed much better. He looked at the messy bed and frowned, saying, "It's time to change the sheets." He then got up to get clean bedding.
Su Zhelan rushed forward to help, but Xiao Qiyun gently pressed her shoulder down. "You rest."
Xiao Qiyun's voice had regained its usual composure, yet carried an undeniable firmness: "I've been a scoundrel enough already; leave these matters to me."
Su Zhelan wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from Xiao Qiyun. He could only sit on the chair to the side and watch Xiao Qiyun change the sheets neatly. Although his movements were still a little slow, he was very serious.
"Alright." Xiao Qiyun straightened up, turned to look at Su Zhelan, his eyes softening considerably. "You should get some rest too." He walked up to Su Zhelan and gently stroked the dark circles under her eyes. "Last night... you worked hard."
Su Zhelan shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his lips. Just as he was about to get up, Xiao Qiyun picked him up and gently placed him on the newly changed bed.
Just as he lay down, a respectful voice came from outside the tent: "Your Highness, the medicine is ready."
Xiao Qiyun rose and walked to the tent flap, taking the bowl of medicine. He looked down at the dark brown liquid in the bowl, gently blew on it to cool it, and was about to turn back when he heard Su Zhelan's weak but firm voice: "Your Highness, this medicine is for you."
Xiao Qiyun paused for a moment, then looked down at the medicine bowl in his hand. Su Zhelan had already sat up, her face pale, but her eyes were exceptionally clear.
Su Zhelan gently placed his fingers on Xiao Qiyun's wrist, his voice weak yet exceptionally earnest: "Your Highness... besides immediate relief," his fingertips unconsciously tracing Xiao Qiyun's pulse, "if further medication isn't used, it might damage the meridians."
Xiao Qiyun frowned slightly upon hearing this, looking down at the dark brown medicinal liquid in the bowl. Su Zhelan continued to explain, "This prescription contains something specifically added to neutralize any residual toxicity from the medicine."
He looked up at Xiao Qiyun, his eyes clear and firm. "I specifically had the apprentice brew it for an extra half hour to bring out its full effect."
The tent fell silent for a moment, broken only by the soft crackling of the candlelight. Xiao Qiyun's gaze shifted between Su Zhelan's pale face and the medicine bowl, finally settling on a sigh: "You're always like this." His voice held a mixture of heartache and helplessness. "Even in your own condition, you still think of brewing medicine for me."
Su Zhelan continued, "I know my own body best. These are just superficial injuries, nothing serious."
Looking at Su Zhelan's determined eyes, Xiao Qiyun finally sighed, brought the medicine bowl to his lips, and drank it all in one gulp. The bitter medicine made him frown, but he still obediently swallowed it.
Seeing this, Su Zhelan breathed a sigh of relief and was about to speak when Xiao Qiyun suddenly leaned down and gently pressed her back onto the bed. "Now it's your turn." His voice brooked no argument as he took out another small porcelain bottle from his sleeve. "I'll apply the medicine for you."
He gently lifted Su Zhelan's collar, his fingertips dabbing at the ointment, carefully avoiding the areas with the heaviest bruises.
Xiao Qiyun carefully applied the cool ointment to the bite mark on Su Zhelan's neck, his fingertips glistening with it. Su Zhelan closed her eyes slightly, feeling the coolness of the ointment, her tense nerves gradually relaxing.
The scent of medicine slowly filled the tent, mingling with the familiar aroma emanating from Xiao Qiyun. Su Zhelan's eyelids grew heavier, and his breathing gradually became long and even. Xiao Qiyun's fingers were tracing the bruises on his waist when he suddenly felt the body beneath his hand completely relax.
"Su Zhelan?" Xiao Qiyun called softly, but received no response.
Looking down, Su Zhelan was already fast asleep, his long eyelashes casting shadows beneath his eyes, a relieved smile playing on his lips. His chest rose and fell steadily, clearly indicating he was in a deep sleep.
Xiao Qiyun paused for a moment, his gaze softening unconsciously. He gently gathered Su Zhelan's clothes and carefully covered him with the quilt.
After doing all this, Xiao Qiyun did not get up immediately, but sat quietly by the bed, his gaze lingering on Su Zhelan's peaceful sleeping face.
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