Chapter 94
After getting dressed, the two finally stepped out of the room.
The early summer sun was a bit dazzling, and a gentle breeze swept through the courtyard, bringing with it the fresh scent of growing plants.
Su Zhelan tried to straighten her back and walk normally, but her body had its own memory.
The aftereffects of last night's overexertion were clearly evident—with each step, my aching and weak lower back and the connection between my waist and legs caused my pace to become uncontrollably stiff and slow, with each step carrying a slight sense of sluggishness.
He frowned slightly, gritted his teeth, and tried his best to maintain his composure, not letting his disheveled appearance be too obvious.
Sheng Xuan always walked beside him, half a step behind.
He didn't say much, his expression was even calm and natural, and his gaze was fixed on the path ahead.
However, just as Su Zhelan's steps faltered and he lost his balance as he involuntarily stumbled over a slightly high threshold, a warm and steady hand gently and silently supported him from below the elbow.
That hand, steady and powerful, perfectly absorbed the weight that had been placed on Su Zhelan's waist and thighs when he lost his balance, gently lifting him up and helping him cross the threshold with ease.
Afterwards, the hand did not immediately withdraw, but slid down to his lower back in a very natural way, and through the thin outer robe, the palm skillfully supported the area where his tailbone and buttocks met, which was the most strained part of his body.
A warm and strong sense of support instantly permeated the fabric, relieving most of the soreness and allowing Su Zhelan's tense posture to relax.
Su Zhelan stiffened for a moment, and a faint blush crept up her ears.
He tried to break free from this overly direct and intimate support, but the slightest movement caused the soreness in his lower back to immediately and silently protest.
He glanced at Sheng Xuan sideways, but the man stared at the path ahead without changing his expression. It was as if the hand that had been supporting him was just casually placed there. He was calm and composed, and his steps were steady. There was no sign of intimacy, only a pure and natural protective posture.
Su Zhelan finally gave up his futile struggle. He pursed his lips even tighter, his gaze falling on the swaying shadows of the trees on the ground, only the faint blush on his cheeks betraying a hint of embarrassment.
With the help of invisible support, the steps underfoot became more stable, but a slightly unnatural slowness and stiffness could still be seen.
The two strolled slowly along the tree-lined path paved with bluestone slabs.
There were no extra words exchanged along the way. Only the occasional rustling sound of their clothes brushing against each other in the wind.
As they approached the courtyard of Su Yan's Pharmacy, where the familiar aroma of herbs wafted through the air, Sheng Xuan paused slightly.
He casually withdrew his supporting hand, glanced at Su Zhelan's still somewhat awkward posture, and whispered in her ear with a hint of barely perceptible laughter in his deep voice, "You can't even stand up straight, yet you want to act tough?"
His tone was as teasing as ever, but his eyes held a deep, unmistakable tenderness left behind by his silent protection all the way.
Su Zhelan, caught red-handed, glared at him irritably, her ears turning even redder. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure, before pushing open the creaking wooden door of the pharmacy.
The courtyard was filled with the aroma of herbs. Su Yan was sitting sideways beside the stone stove, staring at the bubbling clay pot. He was fanning the fire with a palm-leaf fan in one hand and adding dried mugwort leaves to the small clay stove with the other.
The courtyard gate creaked open.
Su Yan didn't turn around immediately, but paused in the movement of his palm-leaf fan. Without raising his head, he snorted, his tone filled with his usual complaining.
He raised an eyebrow, put down his fan, crossed his arms, and looked his young apprentice up and down, deliberately drawing out his words:
"Oh—finally you've decided to wake up? The sun's practically high in the sky! I haven't seen a single shadow all morning. Did you forget about your master in the back hill hollow?"
His tone was sarcastic, but his eyes darted over Su Zhelan like searchlights.
Su Zhelan lowered her head instantly, her voice barely audible: "I'm sorry, Master... I... I overslept..."
He tried to quicken his pace toward the table piled with medicinal herbs waiting to be processed, but the persistent weakness and soreness in his waist and legs made his movements even more awkward and stiff, and he even unconsciously rubbed his lower back with his hand.
These subtle movements, the weariness and vulnerability almost written on her face, and the obvious, carefully avoided-touch-painful gait... coupled with Sheng Xuan's strong presence beside her, whose gaze frequently fell on Su Zhelan without any attempt at concealment...
Su Yan's eyelids lifted sharply, a glint of light flashing across his eyes. His meaningful gaze swept back and forth between Su Zhelan's strained back and forth between Sheng Xuan, who was protecting her, and finally settled on Su Zhelan's ears, which were so red they could drip blood.
A knowing smile slowly curved his lips, a smile that carried a hint of mischief and "I knew it" in it.
Su Yan deliberately cleared his throat, and spoke in an exaggerated, "suddenly realized" tone.
"Oh—I overslept..."
He deliberately dragged out his words, walked to Su Zhelan's side, and patted him heavily on the shoulder.
"...Bullshit!! Do you think I'm blind?!"
Su Yan nearly poked Sheng Xuan's nose with his finger, and spittle almost flew out.
"You little brat! You think you're so tough, huh?!" His voice suddenly rose, filled with thunderous fury.
"Look at him! Look at the state he's in! He's like he's falling apart after just a few steps! Don't you know what kind of health he has? Huh?! He's just recovered from a serious injury, and he's as weak as a piece of paper! What did he do last night?! Are you some kind of animal?! How could you let him get into this state?!"
Su Yan's blunt and direct rebuke was like a bucket of ice water poured over Su Zhelan's head, leaving her feeling completely chilled!
"It's turned into this mess?!" These last few words were like a red-hot branding iron, instantly freezing Su Zhelan in place!
He felt all the blood rush to his head, his cheeks and ears burning hot, overwhelmed by shame, embarrassment, and the despair of being publicly executed.
He wished he could disappear on the spot, his fingers unconsciously clenching the hem of his clothes. He never expected his master to speak so directly and bluntly, leaving no room for negotiation!
Meanwhile, Sheng Xuan, standing nearby, was startled by Su Yan's finger that was almost poking his nose and his thunderous rebuke of "beast." He subconsciously shrank his neck and his eyes darted away quickly—Su Yan's aura when he got angry still made him instinctively afraid.
But then, Su Yan's incredibly straightforward use of the word "torture" struck him like a feather, tickling the deepest spot in his heart—this was a clear admission of what he had done to Su Zhelan last night! This feeling... was strangely satisfying.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he quickly stole a glance at Su Yan's furious face, then at Su Zhelan beside him, who looked ashamed and indignant. His lips twitched involuntarily, and the fear of being scolded was instantly replaced by a secret sense of smugness that said, "I did it, and now you know, so what?"
He straightened his neck, and although he didn't dare to grin like before, his tightly pursed lips and slightly raised chin still betrayed the little bit of carefree, "certified" smugness in his heart.
Right in the eye of this awkward storm, the pharmacy's curtain was gently lifted.
Gu Linzhao walked out carrying the medicine pot and immediately surveyed the situation in the courtyard: his partner was furiously pointing at Sheng Xuan and cursing him with spittle flying; Su Zhelan stood frozen in place, her face as red as a ripe shrimp, wishing she could disappear into the ground; and Sheng Xuan, the one being cursed, had his neck stiff, and although his eyes were a little scared, the smugness on his lips was impossible to hide.
Gu Linzhao sighed almost inaudibly, his eyes filled with the helplessness of "here we go again."
He put down the medicine pot, took a few steps forward, and without hesitation, wrapped his arms around the furious Su Yan from the side and behind, holding his shoulders and arms tightly, gently but irresistibly leading him towards the medicine furnace.
"Alright, alright..." Gu Linzhao's voice was gentle and soothing, like stroking a cat's fur. He pulled the cat back while coaxing it softly, "It's not a big deal, don't get angry. It's not worth ruining your health..."
He skillfully avoided all specific accusations, focusing only on calming his partner's anger.
Su Yan was grabbed and dragged back, struggling and still trying to fire: "Let go! I have to teach this reckless bastard a lesson..."
"Yes, yes, yes, teach him a lesson..." Gu Linzhao responded good-naturedly, but his steps did not stop, as if he were coaxing a child.
"Calm down first, okay? Look, the medicine's almost finished brewing..."
He successfully diverted Su Yan's attention from the brink of rage, pulling him away from the eye of the storm.
The air in the courtyard finally became less suffocating after Su Yan was dragged away.
Su Zhelan's stiff body swayed slightly, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, or as if a deeper sense of shame welled up inside him. He kept his head down, feeling the heat on his cheeks as if he were being roasted alive.
Gu Linzhao successfully dragged the enraged Su Yan back to the medicine furnace, half-carrying and half-persuading him. While blocking Su Yan's fiery gaze with his body, he coaxed him gently, "Calm down, calm down, it'll be a waste of time if the medicine boils dry..."
Taking advantage of Su Yan's temporary calm, Gu Linzhao quickly turned around, walked to the medicine cabinet, rummaged around for a while, and took out an inconspicuous small celadon medicine bottle.
He walked straight to Su Zhelan, who was still frozen in place, wishing he could curl up into a ball, and gently placed the small medicine bottle in his hand. His voice was very low, with a gentle reassurance: "If you're really not feeling well, go back and rest. There's no rush here."
His gaze swept over Su Zhelan's flushed ears and her forced posture, and he added in an even softer voice, with the knowing wisdom of someone who had been through it all: "If... your back and waist are really sore and aching, rub this medicated oil on them before bed, it will help."
Su Zhelan held the slightly cool medicine bottle, her fingertips trembling. She was so embarrassed that she didn't dare to look Gu Linzhao in the eye. She could only squeeze out a mosquito-like "hmm" from her throat.
After Gu Linzhao finished doing all this, he turned his gaze to Sheng Xuan, who, although she had suppressed her smugness, still stood there like a pillar of strength. He sighed helplessly and beckoned Sheng Xuan to come closer.
Sheng Xuan raised an eyebrow, but still took a step closer as instructed.
Gu Linzhao looked at him, his eyes filled with a gentle, disapproving reproach, his voice not loud, but clear enough.
“You…” He shook his head.
“Su Yan is right. His health has only just improved, and he's still quite weak. No matter how much he likes it… he has to know how to restrain himself and not go too far.”
He stopped short of repeating Su Yan's harsh words like "beast" and "troublesome," but the meaning was clear—last night had indeed gone too far.
Sheng Xuan was taken aback by Gu Linzhao's gentle yet direct "reprimand," and touched his nose, his eyes darting around. He didn't stick his neck out like he did when facing Su Yan, but he didn't say anything to admit his mistake either.
But his gaze involuntarily drifted to Su Zhelan beside him, who was looking down and clutching a small medicine bottle. Looking at the delicate skin on the back of his neck and his slightly trembling shoulders, the secret pride in his heart was somewhat diluted by a hint of guilt.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he nodded silently.
Seeing his expression, Gu Linzhao knew that she had already hit the nail on the head, so she said no more and turned to comfort Su Yan, who was still glaring angrily by the medicine furnace.
Su Zhelan kept her head down, clutching the small medicine bottle tightly in her hand, as if it were her only lifeline.
Gu Linzhao's words just now were like pouring oil on his burning sense of shame.
Looking at him like this, Sheng Xuan felt a strange sense of guilt that Gu Linzhao had pointed out earlier, which was now covered by another, stronger emotion—a complex feeling that mixed the smugness of having her possessiveness satisfied with his vulnerable state and pity for him.
He reached out, this time not with a forceful embrace, but gently grasped Su Zhelan's wrist, which was holding the medicine bottle and slightly cold. His thumb and forefinger gently and very slowly stroked the skin on the inside of Su Zhelan's wrist.
“Let’s go,” Sheng Xuan’s voice was deep and carried an undeniable tone, “Let’s go back.”
He grabbed Su Zhelan's wrist, ignoring Su Yan and Gu Linzhao who were still "communicating" by the medicine furnace, and led the humiliated and indignant Su Zhelan away.
Sheng Xuan pulled Su Zhelan by the wrist and led her silently across the courtyard. Su Zhelan kept her head down the whole way, the blush on her cheeks still lingering, as if she wanted to burn through the path beneath her feet.
She clutched the small, cold medicine bottle Gu Linzhao had given her tightly in her hand, as if it were her last fig leaf.
Back in her familiar room at Shuyu Courtyard, Shengxuan closed the door behind her, shutting out the outside world. The room was filled with the unique humid steam and faint sulfur smell of the hot spring, and sunlight streamed through the window, casting hazy beams of light into the misty air.
As soon as he stepped into the side room of Shuyu Courtyard, Shengxuan closed the door behind him, shutting out the outside world.
Just as Sheng Xuan was about to tell Su Zhelan to sit down and rest, Su Zhelan suddenly pulled her hand back! The action was filled with an uncontrollable sense of shame and indignation.
“You…” Su Zhelan raised her head, her beautiful eyes filled with an overwhelming sense of embarrassment and a hint of annoyance. Her voice was not like a roar, but more like a tearful accusation.
"You...you go! Go now!" He turned his face away, not daring to look at Sheng Xuan again, and just shoved Sheng Xuan's firm chest with his hands randomly, not with much force, more like a childish venting.
"It's all your fault! You've made such a fool of yourself in front of Master! Get out of here! Don't just stand there!"
Sheng Xuan was taken aback by his sudden shove and tearful accusation. He stood firmly, and Su Zhelan's force was like a tickle to him.
Seeing Su Zhelan's embarrassed and almost crying appearance, both angry and anxious, he was not annoyed at all. Instead, a hint of understanding and barely perceptible interest flashed deep in his eyes.
He knew all too well why—Su Yan had exposed him in public, and the woman was so ashamed and indignant that she was taking it out on him, the "culprit."
"Alright, alright..." Sheng Xuan's voice lowered, carrying a soothing tone. He gently grasped Su Zhelan's wrist, which was still futilely pushing away, stopping his useless movements.
"Stop fooling around, or you'll hurt your back again." He softened his tone, his voice carrying a hint of coaxing.
"Who's making a scene! Get out!" Su Zhelan struggled even harder as he grabbed her wrist, her cheeks flushed red. "I don't need your help! Just seeing you... annoys me!"
He tried to pull his hand back forcefully, but the sudden, sharp pain in his lower back, caused by the abrupt movement, made him gasp. "Hiss..."
The groan of pain made Sheng Xuan frown immediately. "I told you not to move around," he said, his grip lightening as he gently supported Su Zhelan, almost cautiously, afraid that he might actually hurt himself.
"Fine, fine, I'll leave, I'll leave, okay?" He reluctantly compromised, looking at Su Zhelan's furrowed brows and even more aggrieved expression due to the pain, and felt only amusement and pity.
He helped Su Zhelan to her feet, then let go of her hand. He watched as Su Zhelan immediately took a half-step back as if avoiding a plague, clutching the medicine bottle tightly to her chest, glaring at him defensively and with shame and indignation.
Sheng Xuan touched his nose, his gaze sweeping over Su Zhelan's flushed face and stiff back, a helpless yet indulgent smile curving his lips.
"...Remember to apply the medicine." His voice was deep, with an undeniable concern. "If you can't reach it yourself, ask someone for help. Don't try to be brave."
He paused, his gaze falling on Su Zhelan's hand tightly gripping the medicine bottle, and added, his tone now carrying a gentle insistence: "...I'll come over to help you again tonight."
After saying that, he didn't linger. He turned around briskly, opened the door, and his tall figure quickly disappeared outside. He also carefully and gently closed the door behind him.
A soft "click" sounded.
The room fell silent instantly, with only the soft sound of the flowing hot spring water and the slightly rapid beating of my own heart.
The burning sensation of embarrassment and annoyance that had overwhelmed me just now receded like the tide as Shengxuan left, leaving behind a strange, slightly cool sense of emptiness.
Su Zhelan's tense body finally relaxed, as if the strength to support her had been drained away.
He supported his aching back and slowly walked to the soft couch by the window, sitting down with extreme care. With each slight movement, the overused muscles at the junction of his waist and hips silently protested.
He looked down, staring blankly at the small, warm medicine bottle in his hand. The delicate, cool porcelain bottle felt like a branding iron, burning his fingertips slightly.
What just happened?
From the moment I opened my eyes in the morning, everything was like a runaway carriage, hurtling headlong towards the most shameful direction. I was woken up by Sheng Xuan's clingy rubbing against me, then publicly scolded by Master Su Yan for "making me look like this"... Finally, Mr. Gu Linzhao stuffed a medicine bottle into my mouth, and then Sheng Xuan drove me all the way back, half-coaxing and half-persuading me, saying, "Come again tonight..."
Su Zhelan's cheeks flushed again. He raised the hand that wasn't holding the medicine bottle, rubbed his temples hard, and let out a long sigh with a thick nasal tone.
Absurd, utterly absurd.
Why did he stay at the General's Mansion in the first place? To recover from his injuries, to use the mansion's protection to conceal his identity and that damned Gu worm! To exploit Sheng Xuan and Xiao Qiyun's sympathy to buy himself time!
But what about now? Su Zhelan belatedly felt a chill run down her spine.
It seems he... really got himself involved. Not through exploitation, not through scheming. But in a way he completely unexpected and out of his control.
It felt like a meticulously woven net that had finally enveloped me.
He looked down at the small medicine bottle. The cool porcelain bottle pressed against his palm, but it couldn't suppress the increasingly clear sense of powerlessness and...resignation in his heart.
The aching sensation in his lower back returned clearly, a stark reminder of the "evidence" of his actions last night and this morning. He resignedly closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against the cool window frame.
Now... it seems like... we really can't shake them off.
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