Chapter 160
Upon hearing this, Sheng Xuan immediately nodded: "I'll go get the bowl." He released Su Zhelan's hand, turned around and quickly walked to the tea cabinet next to him to get the cups and saucers, deliberately leaving some space.
Su Zhelan walked alone to the table and slowly sat down in the chair opposite Xiao Qiyun. His movements still carried the weakness of someone recovering from a serious illness, but his back was straight and his eyes were much clearer. He raised his eyes, looked at Xiao Qiyun, whose expression was calm in the candlelight, and after a moment of silence, said in a soft but clear voice, "...Thank you."
Xiao Qiyun looked up at him, his deep eyes appearing exceptionally calm in the candlelight.
His lips curled up slightly, forming a very faint, almost imperceptible arc, his tone carrying a subtle gentleness and teasing: "Why are you bringing this up again? Didn't you say before that we don't need to say these things between us?"
As his words fell, something tense in the air seemed to quietly melt away.
Su Zhelan was slightly taken aback, then a faint, relieved smile appeared on her pale face. Yes, between them, such polite words were no longer necessary.
At this moment, Sheng Xuan brought three clean white porcelain bowls and placed them on the table. Xiao Qiyun naturally took the wine jar, broke the clay seal, and a richer, more mellow aroma of herbs mixed with rice wafted out.
"Have a little bit of both," Xiao Qiyun pushed one of the bowls in front of Su Zhelan, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "It will calm your nerves and ward off the cold." He then handed the other bowl to Sheng Xuan, "You've worked hard too."
Sheng Xuan took the bowl and said softly, "Thank you."
The three sat around the table, each holding a wine bowl. The warmth from their fingertips dispelled the chill of the night.
There were no many words exchanged, only the faint aroma of wine and incense mingling in the air. Su Zhelan sipped the warm wine, feeling a warmth slowly rise from her stomach and flow to her limbs, dispelling some of the deep-seated fatigue and chill.
Xiao Qiyun sipped his wine slowly, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Su Zhelan's gradually regaining color in her face, and the heavy worry in his heart eased slightly. He knew the road ahead was still difficult, but at least for now, this wounded soul was slowly finding peace.
Sheng Xuan sat beside Su Zhelan, silently keeping her company and savoring this moment of tranquility and warmth. He knew that such a night was precious, whether for Su Zhelan, for himself, or even for the seemingly calm Xiao Qiyun.
After finishing a jar of warm wine, a faint blush finally appeared on Su Zhelan's face, and her eyes became somewhat hazy, tinged with a long-lost sleepiness.
Xiao Qiyun put down the empty bowl and looked at Su Zhelan's face. That long-lost sleepiness, like a soft feather, gently swept across Su Zhelan's tired eyelids. Xiao Qiyun stood up, naturally walked around to Su Zhelan's side, and reached out to support his arm: "Tired? Let me help you to rest."
Su Zhelan obediently used Xiao Qiyun's strength to stand up, his steps a little unsteady, most of his weight leaning on Xiao Qiyun. The warm alcohol and the sudden relaxation after days of tension made him almost unable to stand.
Sheng Xuan immediately put down his bowl, took a few steps to Su Zhelan's other side, and steadily supported Su Zhelan's waist and back with his arm. His tone was full of unquestionable concern: "Slow down." He glanced at Xiao Qiyun, his eyes carrying a hint of "Don't even think about having her all to yourself."
The two men, one on each side, practically carried Su Zhelan to the bedside. Su Zhelan, still half-asleep, was settled in the center of the bed, the soft quilt carrying the warm scent of sunshine. He fell asleep almost instantly, his eyelashes falling down, his breathing becoming long and steady.
Xiao Qiyun gazed at Su Zhelan's peaceful sleeping face, then looked up at Sheng Xuan standing by the bed. Their eyes met briefly in the air, without a word, yet they seemed to have reached a silent understanding.
Xiao Qiyun did not leave. Instead, he naturally took off his outer robe, leaving only his inner garment, and gently lay down on the inner side of the bed—close to the wall. He turned to face Su Zhelan, his arm loosely resting on her waist, his gaze calmly fixed on her face, carrying a deep sense of protection.
Seeing this, Sheng Xuan didn't hesitate at all. He quickly took off his outer clothes and lay down on the outside of the bed. After lying down, he turned to his side and casually wrapped his arm around Su Zhelan's waist and abdomen, pulling her closer to his chest so that Su Zhelan's back was pressed tightly against his chest.
His movements carried the frankness and possessiveness unique to young people; his chin was almost touching the top of Su Zhelan's head, and his warm breath brushed against Su Zhelan's soft hair.
In her sleep, Su Zhelan seemed to feel this warmth and envelopment, unconsciously snuggling closer into Sheng Xuan's arms and letting out a satisfied, soft sigh.
Sheng Xuan extinguished most of the candlelight with a wave of his hand, leaving only a small candle in the corner, casting a hazy, yellowish glow that barely outlined the silhouettes of the three people on the bed. The air was filled with a faint scent of wine, herbs, and the warmth of their bodies mingling.
Xiao Qiyun looked at Su Zhelan's peaceful sleeping face in Sheng Xuan's arms, then at Sheng Xuan's undisguised possessiveness. His deep eyes were unreadable in the dim light. He didn't speak, but the fingers on Su Zhelan's waist curled up almost imperceptibly.
Sheng Xuan tightened his arms, holding the soft body in his embrace even tighter, feeling Su Zhelan's steady heartbeat transmitted through the thin fabric. He closed his eyes, the faint herbal scent from Su Zhelan's hair and his own unique fragrance filling his nostrils, a sense of unprecedented, grounded satisfaction filling his heart.
A few days later, under Master Su Yan's careful care and in the unique nurturing environment of Shuyu Courtyard, Su Zhelan's complexion improved significantly. Although she was still thin, the sparkle in her eyes had returned, and she had more strength in her movements.
However, this "improvement" only gave Su Yan more headaches. Su Zhelan was clearly no longer content to stay quietly in the courtyard taking medicine and resting.
That morning, after Su Zhelan finished drinking the last bowl of bitter medicine, she gently put the bowl down and looked out the window. Her tone was calm but carried an undeniable firmness: "Master, my body is much better now. I must go to Youzi Cave."
Upon hearing this, Su Yan, who was arranging the mortar and pestle, abruptly stopped, his white beard bristling. Without a second thought, he vehemently objected: "No! Absolutely not! Your health has just started to improve, and you want to run off to some desolate wilderness or some shady place?! Stay put! You're not allowed to go anywhere!"
Su Zhelan seemed to have anticipated his reaction, and was not discouraged. Instead, she turned her gaze to Gu Linzhao, who was quietly pounding medicine to the side, and a rare, almost pleading look appeared in her eyes. Her voice softened slightly: "Gu Linzhao... I'm just going to confirm some things. It won't take too long, and I'll be extremely careful..."
Gu Linzhao raised his head, looked into Su Zhelan's clear yet stubborn eyes, then glanced at Su Yan, who was fuming with anger, and sighed helplessly.
He put down the pestle and walked to Su Zhelan's side, his tone gentle but still disapproving: "Zhelan, it's not that I don't want to help you. Every time you've put yourself through the wringer, it's almost fatal. Your master and I are getting old and can't withstand your repeated scaring. Listen to me, rest for a while longer, and wait until your foundation is stable before we talk about it, okay?"
His words were full of concern and lingering fear, clearly indicating that he was still shaken by Su Zhelan's past "criminal record".
Looking at Master Su Yan's angry back and Senior Brother Gu Linzhao's helpless yet determined eyes, Su Zhelan knew that she would not be able to persuade them today no matter what.
A strong sense of loss and anxiety gripped his heart like vines, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. He pursed his pale lips, silently stood up, bowed slightly to the backs of his two masters, and turned and left the medicine courtyard without a word.
The early winter wind, carrying a chilling dampness, swept over him, making his thin clothes cling to his body and emphasizing his frail figure. He lowered his head and hurried across the courtyard, wanting only to return as soon as possible to the small, secluded space of Shuyu Courtyard, a place that could temporarily isolate him from the outside world's troubles.
He pushed open the courtyard gate, and a familiar warmth mixed with the smell of sulfur enveloped him. However, he stopped in his tracks as soon as he stepped into the courtyard.
Sheng Xuan was standing by the hot spring pool in the courtyard, his back to him, seemingly lost in thought as he gazed at the rising steam. His figure appeared somewhat hazy in the mist, the edges of his silver armor reflecting a cool light.
Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason. He stood there, watching Sheng Xuan's retreating figure, a thought flashing through his mind—perhaps, there was still a chance?
Going to Youzi Cave was like a sharp blade hanging over his heart, making him restless and unable to eat or sleep. Su Yan and Gu Linzhao's rejections blocked the conventional path. And the person in front of him... this seemingly rough and impulsive Sheng Xuan, who had stood up for him time and time again and protected him in his arms... perhaps he was his hope.
Su Zhelan took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions surging in her heart, and walked slowly towards Sheng Xuan with light steps.
Sheng Xuan seemed to notice the movement behind him and turned around.
Upon seeing that it was Su Zhelan, his handsome brows immediately relaxed, revealing undisguised concern: "Why did you come out? You look so pale. Did Master Su Yan scold you again?" As he spoke, he strode forward to greet her, instinctively reaching out to touch Su Zhelan's forehead.
Su Zhelan did not flinch, letting Sheng Xuan's slightly calloused fingertips touch her cold forehead.
He raised his eyes, his usually cool and calm eyes now veiled with tears, revealing a rare, almost helpless vulnerability. He tilted his head slightly, looking at Sheng Xuan's face, which was so close to his own, filled with worry. His lips moved, his voice low and hoarse, with a barely perceptible tremor: "...Sheng Xuan."
Sheng Xuan felt a pang of anxiety at his gaze, and her tone became even more urgent: "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Su Zhelan shook his head slightly, as if he had made up his mind. He reached out and tentatively, somewhat clumsily, gently tugged at the hem of Sheng Xuan's robe beneath his armor. The movement was so unfamiliar to him that it was almost stiff.
“I…” Su Zhelan’s voice was even lower, with a soft, pleading tone he had never used before, “I want to go to Youzi Cave… but Master and Gu Linzhao… won’t let me go…” He raised his eyes, his watery eyes looking straight into Sheng Xuan’s eyes, filled with helplessness and hope, “…Can…can you…come with me?”
Sheng Xuan froze. He looked down at Su Zhelan's hand, which was cautiously clutching the hem of his clothes, her slender, white fingertips turning slightly white from the force. Then, meeting Su Zhelan's pleading eyes... Sheng Xuan felt as if his heart had been struck hard by something, a mixture of soreness and tenderness, almost melting into a puddle of water.
He had seen Su Zhelan's resilience, Su Zhelan's forbearance, Su Zhelan's breakdown, and even Su Zhelan's occasional cunning... but he had never seen him like this... showing weakness, dependence, and even a bit... coquettish!
This feeling is so unfamiliar, so shocking, and so... terrifying!
Seeing that Sheng Xuan was just staring blankly at him without any response, Su Zhelan felt even more uneasy. He thought he hadn't done enough, so he bit his lower lip and, as if he was going to take a gamble, took another small step forward, almost touching Sheng Xuan's chest.
He tiptoed slightly, trying to align his gaze with Sheng Xuan's. His beautiful eyes shone even brighter with tears, and his voice carried a hint of aggrieved nasal tone: "...Please...help me...and also help me talk to Master...please?"
That trembling "Please" was like a feather gently scratching at Sheng Xuan's heart, making him shiver all over.
He looked at Su Zhelan's face, which was so close to his own, slightly flushed with nervousness, and saw the undisguised dependence and pleading in his eyes. All his reason and all his concerns crumbled instantly!
Mr. Su's ban! The perilous journey! My incomplete recovery! None of that matters at this moment!
"Okay!" Sheng Xuan blurted out, his voice hoarse with excitement. He suddenly grabbed Su Zhelan's hand that was clutching his clothes, holding it tightly in his palm. The cool, soft touch sent another surge of emotion through him.
He lowered his head, his forehead almost touching Su Zhelan's, his deep eyes burning with intense light, each word spoken with resounding force.
“I’ll go with you! I’ll go through fire and water with you! As for Mr. Su… I’ll talk to him! If he doesn’t agree, I’ll… I’ll…” He hesitated, as if thinking of some harsh “threat,” but in the end he just gripped Su Zhelan’s hand tighter, his tone filled with reckless boldness, “I’ll keep pestering him until he agrees! Wherever you want to go, I’ll take you!”
Su Zhelan was stunned by his sudden, passionate, and straightforward promise. Her tense body finally relaxed completely, and she even leaned forward slightly, gently resting her forehead on Sheng Xuan's shoulder armor, letting out a very soft sigh of relief: "...Thank you."
Sheng Xuan felt the slightly cool touch on his shoulder and the softness of the person in his arms after letting down their guard, and felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and protectiveness fill his chest.
He carefully wrapped his other arm around Su Zhelan's slender waist and back, holding him more securely in his arms. He gently rubbed his chin against the top of Su Zhelan's soft hair, his voice low and gentle: "Why are you thanking me? Wait here, I'm going to find Master Su Yan right now!"
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