Chapter 66
The sun was shining brightly that afternoon.
Su Zhelan had just finished drinking a bowl of bitter medicine under Su Yan's supervision. She was sitting on a bamboo chair under the eaves, holding a medical book and reading it quietly.
Su Yan squatted by the herb garden, carefully tending to a few newly transplanted herbs, muttering something under his breath as usual, only now the objects of his muttering had changed from Sheng Chi to the inconsiderate weeds and insects that were stealing the tender leaves.
Suddenly, a series of light and familiar footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, carrying the unique vigor of youth, as they approached.
Su Zhelan subconsciously raised her head and looked towards the courtyard gate.
The next second, the courtyard gate was pushed open with a creak.
A figure appeared in the doorway, tall and upright, with light steps, exuding a sunny aura. It was Sheng Xuan!
His face wore a long-lost, radiant smile, his eyes bright, sweeping away the previous sickly gloom. The injury on his shoulder blade had clearly healed considerably, and his movements were no longer sluggish.
"Ze Lan!" Sheng Xuan's voice was filled with undisguised joy and excitement, his gaze immediately locking onto Su Ze Lan under the corridor. "I've come to see you!"
He strode into the courtyard and hurried towards Su Zhelan, his face filled with pure, joyful relief at their reunion: "How are you? Are you feeling better? I heard you were resting and wanted to come see you, but my brother wouldn't let me go out, saying he was afraid I'd run around before my wounds had fully healed..."
He spoke quickly, like pouring out beans, with a hint of complaint, but mostly with the joy of reunion.
Su Zhelan froze the moment she saw Sheng Xuan!
The medical book in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud," and his eyes widened instantly, his pupils reflecting Sheng Xuan's vibrant, healthy, and energetic figure! A tremendous joy surged through his body like an electric current, making him almost forget to breathe!
He suddenly stood up, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but his throat seemed to be blocked by something, and he could only make a few muffled breaths.
All the worries, grievances, and longing of the past few days... at this moment, when I saw Shengxuan standing in front of me unharmed and with a bright smile, all of it turned into a surge of bittersweet emotions and indescribable excitement, and my eyes instantly turned red!
However, Su Zhelan's surprise and excitement lasted only a moment!
A roar like a volcanic eruption suddenly exploded beside him!
"Little beast——!!!"
Like a tiger whose tail has been stepped on, Su Yan sprang up from the edge of the herb garden! He was still clutching a handful of freshly pulled weeds, his fingers covered in dirt!
His eyes were wide open, almost bulging out, staring intently at Sheng Xuan who had suddenly barged in. His face twisted and deformed with rage, and the veins on his forehead bulged like dragons!
"You! You still have the nerve to come here—?!" Su Yan's voice was sharp and piercing due to extreme anger, filled with earth-shattering hatred! He had completely lost his mind, like an enraged lion, and rushed to Sheng Xuan in a few steps, his movements so fast that they created a gust of wind!
Sheng Xuan was stunned by the sudden roar and Su Yan's murderous look, her smile freezing on her face, leaving only astonishment and confusion in her eyes: "Su Yan... Mr.? What... what's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong?! You're asking me what's wrong?!" Su Yan didn't give Sheng Xuan any chance to react. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Sheng Xuan's shirt! The force was astonishing, almost lifting Sheng Xuan off the ground!
His bloodshot eyes were fixed on Sheng Xuan's innocent and confused face. His spittle almost landed on Sheng Xuan's face. His voice was hoarse and roaring, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying boundless anger and deep-seated hatred:
"You heartless bastard! How dare you step into this yard?! How dare you show your face in front of Zhelan?! Look at him! Look at the state he's in!"
Su Yan pointed sharply at Su Zhelan, who was standing beside him, her face pale and filled with panic. "He almost lost his life to save you! He had blood drawn from his heart! Every time he drew blood, he had his heart ripped out! He practically drained half his life from you! And you, on the other hand! You're alive and kicking! Your face is glowing! And you still have the nerve to smile?! Huh?!"
Su Yan's roar was like a thunderclap, exploding in the quiet Shuyu Courtyard! Every word was like a poisoned knife, stabbing deeply into Sheng Xuan's heart!
Bleeding from the heart? Day after day? Bloodletting? Draining half a life?!
Sheng Xuan was completely stunned! The color drained from his face instantly, leaving only a deathly pale complexion! His eyes widened as he stared incredulously at the enraged Su Yan, then abruptly turned to look at Su Zhelan beside him, her face pale and swaying precariously. His mind went blank! A tremendous shock and an indescribable panic instantly gripped him!
“Wh…what blood draw?…” Sheng Xuan’s voice was dry and trembling, filled with confusion and fear. He tried to break free from Su Yan’s iron grip. “Mr. Su! What…what are you saying?! I don’t understand! I…I just wanted to come and see Zhe Lan! I…”
"Don't you understand?! Pretend! Keep pretending!" Su Yan's anger flared even more, his grip on Sheng Xuan's collar tightening even more, his knuckles turning white from the force, the mud on the back of his hand staining Sheng Xuan's black outfit. "If it weren't for saving you! How could Zhe Lan have ended up like this?! How could she have almost died in Han Shui Courtyard?! You ungrateful little beast! Today I will..."
"Su Yan! Calm down!"
A deep, calm voice, clearly carrying a soothing tone, interrupted Su Yan's roar!
Gu Linzhao's figure appeared between the two like a ghost! His movements were as fast as lightning. He firmly grasped Su Yan's wrist, which was clutching Sheng Xuan's clothes, with one hand. The force was not heavy, but it carried a gentle strength that was not easy to break free from. His other hand gently pressed on Su Yan's violently heaving chest, with a soothing force in his palm. He pulled the furious Su Yan back half a step, while at the same time protecting the still-shaken Sheng Xuan behind him.
"Calm down, calm down." Gu Linzhao's voice was low and gentle, like a clear spring trying to extinguish the raging fire. His gaze was filled with understanding and a hint of helplessness as he looked directly into Su Yan's eyes, which were almost spitting fire. "Look at Sheng Xuan, does he look like he knows anything? His eyes and his reaction clearly show that he knows nothing at all!"
Gu Linzhao's words were like a bucket of cold water, causing Su Yan's violent actions to suddenly stop! His bloodshot eyes were fixed on Sheng Xuan—the young general's face was as pale as paper, and his eyes were filled with great shock, confusion, and a kind of panic of being wronged and at a loss, which did not seem fake at all!
Seeing that Su Yan's anger had subsided and his tense muscles had relaxed a bit, Gu Linzhao immediately pressed his advantage, his voice becoming even more steady and gentle, with a persuasive tone: "Think about it, why did Sheng Xuan become the bait when the trap was set? Hmm?"
His gaze was calm yet powerful, locking onto Su Yan: "Who was he doing this for? Wasn't it to expose the cult's mole hidden in the shadows? To find out about Zhe Lan's background? To help Su Zhe Lan get rid of those entangled past events? He was doing this for Zhe Lan! That's why he was willing to risk his life, and he almost lost his own!"
Gu Linzhao's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, carrying a comforting power that gently patted Su Yan's tense heartstrings: "He suffered all this because of Zhelan. And now, you're blaming him and putting all the blame on him? Why is he getting angry with a child who doesn't know anything? Hmm?"
"I..." Su Yan opened his mouth, but was rendered speechless by Gu Linzhao's gentle yet powerful persuasion.
His bloodshot eyes stared intently at Sheng Xuan, who was being protected behind Gu Linzhao and still looked bewildered and terrified. He then glanced at Su Zhelan, who was pale and swaying beside him. His chest heaved violently, and his Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty.
That overwhelming anger was quickly extinguished in the face of Gu Linzhao's gentle yet undeniable words and facts, leaving only a deep, unvented frustration and... a tremendous sense of powerlessness.
The grip on Shengxuan's clothes finally loosened.
Sheng Xuan was released by Su Yan, staggered back a step, panting heavily, his chest heaving violently.
He glanced at Su Yan, who was still furious but speechless, then at Gu Linzhao, whose expression was solemn yet gentle, and finally at Su Zhelan's bloodless face. A huge wave of panic and countless questions overwhelmed him.
“Ze Lan…” Sheng Xuan’s voice was choked with sobs and unprecedented panic. He rushed to Su Zhe Lan, grabbed her cold wrist desperately, and asked urgently, “What…what exactly did Mr. Su mean?! What bloodletting?! What heart-cutting blood?! What…what did you do for me?! Tell me! Tell me!”
Su Zhelan's wrist ached from Sheng Xuan's grip. Looking at the immense shock, panic, and genuine concern in Sheng Xuan's eyes, he felt as if something had struck his heart, causing a sharp pang of sorrow.
His throat bobbed, but tears did not well up as usual.
After the initial panic and Su Yan's thunderous rage, and the relief of learning that Sheng Xuan's poison had been cleared and her body had recovered, Su Zhelan felt a strange calm rising in her heart when faced with Sheng Xuan's questioning.
It was a kind of weariness after the dust had settled, and a kind of peace of mind that came from having fulfilled one's wishes.
He took a slow, forceful breath, as if trying to suppress all the emotions churning in his chest. Then, he looked up and met Sheng Xuan's eyes, which were filled with panic and inquiry.
Those eyes, once clear but now always wary or vulnerable, were unusually calm, like two bottomless ancient wells, all the ripples forcibly suppressed, leaving only a near-dead stillness.
He didn't flinch, he didn't cry, he just quietly looked at Sheng Xuan, at this young general whom he had pulled back from the brink of death with his own blood.
Under the anxious gaze of Sheng Xuan and the watchful eyes of Su Yan and Gu Linzhao, Su Zhelan shook her head very slowly, but with unusual determination.
His voice was soft, slightly hoarse from recovering from a long illness, yet exceptionally clear, calm and undisturbed, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself:
"It's fine."
He paused, his gaze falling on Sheng Xuan's face, which had regained its color. Looking at the injury on his shoulder blade, though not fully healed, it was no longer a serious problem. A faint, almost imperceptible warmth flickered deep in his eyes, but his voice remained steady:
"...As long as you get better..."
“Ze Lan…you…” Sheng Xuan’s voice choked completely. His fingers, which were gripping Su Ze Lan’s wrist, trembled uncontrollably, but the force loosened slightly.
He looked at Su Zhelan's calm face, at his eyes that seemed to see through everything yet seemed indifferent to everything, and a huge panic and an overwhelming sense of guilt instantly engulfed him! He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word. He only felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, freezing his entire body!
Su Zhelan felt a slight tremor in her heart as she saw his face turn deathly pale and the pain surging in his eyes, but she maintained her composure. He gently pulled away from Sheng Xuan's grip on his wrist, the movement light but carrying an undeniable distance.
"I'm tired." Su Zhelan's voice was still very soft, with a hint of weariness that was barely perceptible. "I want to go inside and rest for a while."
After saying that, he stopped looking at Sheng Xuan and ignored Su Yan and Gu Linzhao, who had different expressions beside him. He slowly turned around, his steps a little unsteady, but he walked towards the house with unusual determination.
That slender figure appeared exceptionally lonely and...heavy in the afternoon sunlight.
Sheng Xuan stood frozen in place, as if under a spell. He watched helplessly as Su Zhelan's figure disappeared behind the door of the main house. The door closed gently with a soft "click," but it struck his heart like a heavy hammer.
He suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes like those of a wounded and trapped beast, staring intently at Su Yan and Gu Linzhao standing to the side!
His eyes were filled with immense pain, disbelief and shock, and a near-collapse of anger and questioning, as if he had been blinded by the machinations of his closest relatives!
He needs an answer! A definitive, unquestionable answer!
Su Yan met Sheng Xuan's eyes, which were almost dripping with blood and filled with accusation and questioning. Instead of showing any sympathy or explanation, he let out an extremely harsh snort from his nose, full of mockery and anger!
"Hmph!" Su Yan crossed his arms, raised his chin slightly, and his eyes were cold and sharp, scraping across Sheng Xuan's pale face like a knife. "What are you looking at me for?! Why don't you go ask your 'good brother'?! Go ask him!!"
His voice rose, filled with undisguised sarcasm and hatred, each word like a whip lashing at Sheng Xuan's heart: "Ask him! What are those 'miracle drugs' you drink every day made of?! Ask him! Why did he keep it from you?! Did he treat you like a fool, making you run around in circles?!"
Su Yan's questions came like a barrage of bullets, each word piercing the heart! He gave Sheng Xuan no chance to breathe, directing all his attacks at Sheng Chi! He emphasized the words "good brother" with extreme force, filled with deep sarcasm and contempt!
Sheng Xuan trembled as she was shocked by Su Yan's merciless mockery and accusations!
He instinctively took a half step back, his face instantly turning from deathly pale to a deathly despair! Su Yan's words were like a red-hot iron, fiercely searing the place in his heart he least wanted to believe!
Sheng Xuan abruptly turned his head, his gaze fixed on the silent Gu Linzhao as if grasping at a last straw! His bloodshot eyes were filled with a desperate plea, fear, and a final, faint hope—he hoped Gu Linzhao would deny it! He hoped it was all Su Yan's nonsense! That it was all an exaggeration!
“Gu Linzhao… Brother…” Sheng Xuan’s voice was dry and hoarse, filled with heavy sobs and desperate trembling, “…Is what Mr. Su said… true?…Ze Lan… he really… took his heart’s blood for me…?”
Gu Linzhao looked into Sheng Xuan's eyes, which seemed to be torn apart by pain and fear, and at his deathly pale face and slightly trembling body. He sighed silently in his heart. He understood that at this moment, any lie would be futile and would only bring deeper harm.
He remained silent for a moment, then met Sheng Xuan's pleading gaze with a complex expression, and nodded slowly and heavily.
That nod was slow and clear, as if it carried a tremendous weight!
"Yes." Gu Linzhao's voice was low and hoarse, carrying an undeniable certainty and a deep sense of helplessness. "Ze Lan's blood... can indeed suppress the Gu poison in your body. To save you... he... paid a great price."
Gu Linzhao's admission was like the last straw that broke the camel's back!
The tension that had been building in Sheng Xuan's mind finally snapped!
A deafening roar exploded in his mind! All his hopes, all his attempts to escape, all his disbelief were crushed by the cruel reality in that instant!
His vision suddenly went black, his body swayed violently out of control, and he staggered backward until his back slammed heavily against the cold pillar, barely managing to regain his balance!
A tremendous wave of dizziness and overwhelming pain instantly engulfed him! His stomach churned violently, and he bent over abruptly, covering his mouth with his hand to barely suppress the surging, bloody nausea!
Sheng Xuan whirled around, no longer looking at Su Yan's mocking face, nor at Gu Linzhao's helpless and pitying gaze. With all his might, he stumbled and staggered towards the courtyard gate! His steps were unsteady, his back view frantic and desperate, as if a demon were chasing him!
He was going to ask Sheng Chi! He was going to hear it with his own ears—why...was all of this?!
Shuyu Courtyard fell silent once more. Only Su Yan let out a cold snort filled with anger and sarcasm, and Gu Linzhao let out a heavy, long sigh as he watched Sheng Xuan stagger away.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
