Chapter 72
Inside Shuyu Courtyard, a warm mist hung in the air, and wisps of smoke rose from the bronze incense burner in the corner, mingling with the calming aroma of incense.
Su Zhelan sat back on a low couch covered with thick, soft brocade, her back resting against several pillows. The dull pain in her chest had turned into a faint, dull sensation, and the fatigue in her body had been relieved considerably by the warmth of the hot spring and the brief rest.
The sliding door was gently pulled open, letting in a cool night breeze, along with a familiar yet richer herbal scent.
Su Zhelan looked up and her eyes lit up instantly when she saw who it was. A pure and relaxed smile bloomed on her face: "Master! You've come!" Her voice was a little hoarse from just waking up, but it was full of undisguised joy.
In front of Su Yan, he could always let down his guard and reveal his most authentic self.
Su Yan walked in carrying a medicine chest, the hem of his dark medical robe still seemingly damp with the night dew from the medicinal garden.
He glanced at the scroll in Su Zhelan's hand, then carefully examined Su Zhelan's complexion—although still somewhat pale, her eyes were bright, and she looked much better than before.
He hummed in response and casually placed the medicine box on the small table beside the tatami. The warmth unique to the hot spring dispelled the slight chill of the night breeze.
"Did you take your medicine today?" Su Yan's voice was as flat as ever, as if he were asking a very ordinary question, but his gaze swept sharply over the empty medicine bowl that Su Zhelan had placed on the low table. There was still a little dark brown medicine stain at the bottom of the bowl.
“I drank it!” Su Zhelan nodded quickly, his tone certain. “As you said, I drank it warm, and not a drop was left.” He even pointed to the empty bowl, as if to prove it.
Su Yan's gaze then fell on the area on his chest covered by gauze, where his clothes were slightly open: "Where's the wound? Has it been dressed?"
“Change…” Su Zhelan began instinctively, but as soon as the words left his mouth, the chaotic scene from that afternoon—the excruciating pain from Sheng Xuan’s clumsy pressing, his own uncontrollable tears, Xiao Qiyun’s controlling embrace and commands, and Sheng Xuan’s pale and guilty face at the end—rushed into his mind like a tidal wave. His voice faltered, his ears involuntarily flushed slightly, and his eyes flickered, avoiding Su Yan’s probing gaze, instead focusing on the intricate lotus pattern on the brocade quilt.
"...Yes, Master, it's all taken care of." He quickly regained his composure, trying his best to keep his voice steady, but the slight pause and momentary awkwardness did not escape Su Yan's notice.
Su Yan didn't press further, but simply hummed in agreement. His gaze lingered on Su Zhelan's face for two seconds, his eyes seemingly able to penetrate her skin and see the suppressed emotions beneath.
But in the end, he said nothing. He simply walked to the bedside, reached out to feel Su Zhelan's forehead, and then squeezed his wrist pulse. His fingertips were slightly cool from the night dew, but the touch was steady.
"Your pulse is much more stable." Su Yan withdrew his hand, his tone calm. "Is your chest still aching badly?"
"Much better, just a little stuffy, but it's nothing serious," Su Zhelan answered honestly, secretly relieved. It was good that her master hadn't pressed for details.
"That's fine then." Su Yan nodded, turned around and walked to the medicine box, took out a small porcelain bottle from it, "This is a newly prepared calming powder. Take one dose before bed and you'll sleep more soundly."
He placed the warm porcelain bottle on the small table next to Su Zhelan and added, "I, Lin Zhao, just went to the small kitchen to get dinner. He'll be here in a bit. With your health, you need to eat on time."
Looking at the warm porcelain bottle beside her, and hearing that Gu Linzhao was coming, the tension in Su Zhelan's heart caused by the afternoon's turmoil completely dissipated in her master's seemingly calm but practical concern.
The warm mist from the hot spring seemed even gentler. He curved his lips into a genuine smile: "Yes, I understand, Master."
As soon as Su Zhelan finished speaking, there was a gentle knock on the door of Shuyu Courtyard, which was then pulled open. Gu Linzhao walked in carrying a mahogany food box, his gentle smile dispelling the slight chill from outside.
"The food is here." Gu Linzhao's voice was clear and gentle, like hot spring water gliding over jade. "The kitchen specially cooked fish porridge and also served some light side dishes. It's just right for Zhelan right now." He placed the food box on the small table beside the tatami mat and opened the lid with light movements.
A warm, fragrant aroma of rice mixed with the sweet scent of fish instantly filled the air, dispelling the medicinal smell. Inside the food box was a bowl of thick, snow-white fish porridge, the rice grains plump and the fish tender and white, garnished with a few sprigs of bright green scallions and ginger. Beside it were several small dishes of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, smooth steamed egg custard, and a small dish of crisp pickled cucumbers.
Su Yan glanced at the food box and said to Su Zhelan, "Come and eat."
The tone was the usual command, yet it carried an unmistakable concern.
He casually snatched the medical book from Su Zhelan's hand, closed it, and placed it aside. "You can read the book anytime. Cold food will upset your stomach."
Su Zhelan obediently put down his book and tried to sit up straight, leaning against the edge of the couch. The slight pain in his chest made his movements a little slow. Seeing this, Gu Linzhao immediately stepped forward and gently helped him up, his movements natural and considerate: "Slow down, be careful not to aggravate your wound."
Su Zhelan glanced gratefully at Gu Linzhao, then moved to the small table under their gazes. The warm steam from the porridge wafted onto his face, carrying a comforting and enticing aroma that made his stomach, which had been empty all afternoon, rumble softly.
He picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it, and carefully put it into his mouth.
The porridge was cooked perfectly; the rice grains were soft and tender, and the fish slices were fresh, boneless, and melted in the mouth. The warm rice broth slid down my throat, soothing my slightly tight esophagus and warming me all the way to my stomach. The lingering, indescribable discomfort from the afternoon's commotion seemed to have been somewhat diluted by the warm porridge.
"How does it taste?" Gu Linzhao sat down beside him and asked with a smile, "I specially asked the kitchen to put less salt in, in case it was too salty for you."
Su Zhelan swallowed the porridge in his mouth, nodded, and a satisfied look appeared on his face: "It's very delicious, very fresh, and not salty at all." He then picked up a piece of stir-fried greens with his chopsticks; they were crisp, tender, and refreshing, with the sweetness of vegetables.
Su Yan didn't speak, but simply sat to the side, watching Su Zhelan eat in small bites. He picked up his own bowl and chopsticks, ladled some porridge, and ate slowly and methodically, his movements steady.
Occasionally, she would glance at Su Zhelan and see that he was eating quite well, at which point the barely perceptible scrutiny in her eyes would slowly fade away.
Inside the Shuyu Courtyard, a warm mist hangs in the air, and the aromas of medicine, calming incense, and food intertwine, creating a strange and comforting atmosphere.
The soft light from the wall lamps illuminated the figures of the three, master and his two disciples, quietly enjoying their meal. Only the slight clinking of bowls and chopsticks and Su Zhelan's occasional satisfied sighs broke the tranquility.
Su Zhelan sipped her porridge, feeling the warmth and fullness of the food, and the last bit of tension in her body completely relaxed.
Su Zhelan finished the last mouthful of porridge, put down the spoon, and let out a satisfied sigh. His stomach was filled with warm food, and the warmth seemed to dispel the last lingering tightness in his chest. He leaned back in his chair, his cheeks slightly flushed from the steam, carrying a hint of post-meal languor.
Su Yan also put down his chopsticks. He glanced at Su Zhelan's visibly relaxed expression, then at the empty bowl of porridge, and said in a deep voice, "If you're full, go to bed early. The effects of the medicine haven't completely worn off yet, so get some more sleep to rejuvenate."
He stood up, walked to Su Zhelan's side, reached out and touched Su Zhelan's forehead again to confirm that his temperature was normal, and then casually straightened his clothes, which had been slightly open while eating. His movements were quick but meticulous.
Su Zhelan nodded obediently: "Yes, I will listen to Master." He did feel sleepy and longed to fall into a dreamless sleep.
Gu Linzhao also stood up, deftly clearing away the dishes on the table and putting them back into the food box, while gently saying to Su Yan, "Alright, the child has been tired all day and has eaten his fill, let's not disturb his peace here. Let him sleep well."
He naturally reached out and gently tugged at Su Yan's sleeve, his tone slightly coaxing, "You've been working hard all day, go back and rest. I've even prepared a foot bath for you."
Su Yan wanted to give a few more instructions on how to use the calming powder, but after being pulled by Gu Linzhao and glancing at Su Zhelan's tired face at the table, he ultimately said nothing more.
He withdrew his hand, slung his medicine box over his shoulder, and gave Su Zhelan one last deep look: "If you feel unwell at night, just call for help." These words were both an instruction to Su Zhelan and a reminder to the people on duty outside.
"Understood, Master," Su Zhelan replied, her voice already nasal.
Gu Linzhao picked up the food box and smiled at Su Zhelan: "Sleep well. I've closed all the doors and windows tightly and put the brazier down properly. Don't worry."
As he spoke, he pulled Su Yan, who seemed to want to check the candles one more time, and walked towards the door.
Su Zhelan watched Gu Linzhao's retreating figure, who was almost half-embracing and half-persuading his master as he led him away, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.
His master was always like that—cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He wouldn't say it, but he always thought of him. Gu Linzhao, on the other hand, always managed to smooth out his master's rough edges, making his heavy concern less tense.
The sliding door was gently closed by Gu Linzhao, making a soft "click" sound. In an instant, only Su Zhelan remained in the Shuyu Courtyard.
Outside, Gu Linzhao's gentle voice, as if he were speaking to Su Yan, drifted in and out, gradually fading into the distance.
Inside, the wall lamp's flame continued to burn steadily, emitting a soft crackling sound.
Warm mist flowed quietly in the light, the aroma of medicine and the lingering scent of food blending into an incredibly comforting atmosphere. My stomach felt warm and cozy, my body was enveloped in the unique warmth of Sogyokin, and drowsiness gently enveloped me like the soothing waters of a hot spring.
He leaned on the edge of the food counter and slowly stood up. The dull pain in his chest still made his movements a little slow, but it was much better than before.
He walked to the tatami mat, unscrewed the cork of the small porcelain bottle, poured out a little brown powder, and drank it with the warm water beside the tatami mat.
The powder has a slightly bitter taste, but leaves a cool and sweet aftertaste after swallowing.
He felt the warmth of the bedding, turned to his side, and buried himself deeper into its softness. The light from the wall lamp filtered through the curtains, leaving only a hazy and peaceful glow. He listened to the night outside, now completely still, and felt the dullness in his heart slowly being soothed by the effects of the medicine and sleepiness.
As his consciousness faded and he sank into a warm yet dark, silent ocean, his last thought was:
I should be able to get a good night's sleep tonight.
The warm spring water seems to still be flowing silently, guarding this small, tranquil corner together with the wall lamp.
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