The Eldest Brother is Handsome but Sick. - Chapter 30.2

Just then, Wen Wu seemed to hear movement. He rose to look over, and his eyes met Yan Jin’s directly.

His hair was now loose, cascading down in a dark waterfall. Amidst the ice and snow, his body looked even more frail. Yet his posture was beautiful three parts scholarly elegance, seven parts the upright crispness of a martial artist. That face was even more beautiful and alluring; his eyes tilted slightly at the corners, as if born with a natural charm that transcended the boundaries of gender. One could even use the word “demonic” to describe him.

Wen Wu scanned the group, his gaze lingering on Yan Jin’s face for a few moments before he gave a light laugh. “Yan Jin, Su Huai. I heard long ago that Doctor Yin had taken two excellent disciples; seeing you today, your reputations are well-deserved.”

Yan Jin hurriedly said, “The Marquis overpraises us.”

Wen Wu smiled at him and opened the door to his room. “Come in.”

The “Gilded” Cage

Within the Hall of Three Lives, if one spoke of talent, Yan Jin was first; but if one spoke of medical skill, Su Huai was the best. Thus, it fell to Su Huai to take Wen Wu’s pulse.

Within moments, Su Huai withdrew his hand. “Raging internal fire, toxins in the body, and injuries on the frame. To treat him, we must first neutralize the poison.”

Before Wen Wu could speak, Wen Luopu, sitting beside him, said, “I have a way to obtain the antidote, but it will take some time. Can you two temporarily suppress the toxins?”

Yan Jin and Su Huai exchanged a look. On a small scale, this was helping the Marquis Estate; on a large scale, if they failed to suppress the poison before the antidote arrived, they would become the scapegoats for the Marquis’s death. No one would take this on easily.

But there was no other choice at present, and as healers, they could not watch someone die.

Yan Jin’s expression turned serious, and he was about to agree when Su Huai beat him to it: “I will be responsible for the Marquis’s poison.”

He answered so quickly that Wen Wu glanced between the two, likely understanding what was going on. He raised an eyebrow, intending to tease them, but just then, a knock came at the door.

“Master, Officer Qiu has an urgent memorial.” The two children from earlier pushed the door open. They were Wen Wu’s young attendants a pair of twin brothers he had picked up. The elder was Lin San, the younger Lin Si.

Wen Wu ignored the presence of outsiders and said, “Read it.”

“Officer Qiu reports: a rare snow disaster has occurred in the Northeast. Many commoners have been affected; he requests reinforcements.”

Wen Wu tapped his finger and said, “Give the order to dispatch more men and grain. If there is no more grain, go to the palace and ask the Emperor. If the Emperor won’t give it, strip the officials layer by layer someone will have it.”

“Yes.” Lin San and Lin Si bowed and respectfully retreated.

“Then I shall trouble Doctor Su to prepare the medicine.” Wen Wu rubbed his temples and said to Wen Luopu, “Luo-Luo, take Doctor Su to rest first.”

Wen Luopu led the way, and Su Huai followed. Yan Jin also said his farewells to follow them.

However, before he could take two steps, he was called back by Wen Wu. “What’s the rush? Doctor Yan, stay and accompany me.”

Yan Jin looked left and right, finally pointing to his own nose to confirm: “Me?”

“Yes, you.” Wen Wu propped up his chin, smiling like a fox. “You are very beautiful; you are good for my eyes.” Pointing at Su Huai, he added, “He is also good-looking, but I don’t like him. He looks very calculating at a glance. You look a bit stupider cute.”

Yan Jin: “…………”

I am angry but dare not speak.

Su Huai’s brow furrowed, and he was about to step forward when Wen Wu stopped him. “Don’t worry, I won’t eat your Senior Brother. I’m just borrowing him; I’ll return him to you later.”

Thus, regardless of how much Su Huai disliked it, he could only watch as Yan Jin was taken away by Wen Wu.

To be honest, even if the “Young Marquis Wen” he saw now differed from the rumors, the fact that he had dominated the court for years with a ruthless hand was indisputable. When he wasn’t smiling, just standing there radiated a terrifying, murderous aura. Consequently, Yan Jin was still a bit “cowardly” following behind him.

But cowardly or not, his momentum couldn’t falter. He quietly bounced on the spot twice, took a deep breath, lifted his chin, and put on the same “cloud-and-wind-like” aura he used when battling his eldest uncle.

The two walked one after the other to a separate courtyard. This courtyard was remote, but its advantage was its quietness and lack of interruptions. As soon as they entered the room, Yan Jin was drawn to the mountains of books inside.

“If you are interested in the books here, feel free to take them. The other items in the room are also for your amusement. If you’re hungry or thirsty, there is food and tea on the table. You may do whatever you wish, except for one thing,” Wen Wu turned and leaned in close, tapping Yan Jin’s nose with a light laugh. “You are not allowed to be noisy.”

Afterward, he sat at the desk to handle official business, while Yan Jin was like a “lucky mascot,” sitting there with nothing to do.

The “Succubus” Encounter

Time passed until near the time for the midday meal. Wen Wu finally set down his brush. He looked up to see Yan Jin counting tea leaves out of boredom. He couldn’t help but laugh. “I heard from my subordinates that you were ambushed by assassins on your way back. What does Doctor Yan think of it?”

What do I think? I saw it with my eyes. Can you officials stop asking me about court matters? I am just an ordinary doctor whose mission is to treat you and then leave. I have no desire to get involved in those murky affairs!

But since the Marquis was asking, he had to reply. Yan Jin pondered for a moment and asked, “Aside from Censor Zhu, does the Marquis have other enemies?”

Wen Wu said without hesitation, “Quite a few.”

Fine.

Yan Jin was choked by the answer, then said, “Then it was someone with a grudge against both you and Censor Zhu.”

“Why?”

Nonsense. Censor Zhu isn’t an idiot; he wouldn’t send assassins while letting them carry his medallion.

Yan Jin didn’t say that out loud. Instead, he said, “Has the Marquis heard the saying ‘The more you know, the faster you die’? I don’t want to die yet; the Marquis should ask someone else this question.”

Wen Wu seemed not to have expected him to say that. He was stunned for a moment, then laughed. “You certainly cherish your life.”

He leaned on the desk and beckoned Yan Jin with his finger. “Then do you want to know who holds the deepest grudge against me?”

Yan Jin didn’t know a single official at court. He wanted to refuse, but Wen Wu had already begun talking to himself: “That would be Ao Bozhou (应泊舟).”

“Oh.” Yan Jin drank a sip of tea with little interest; he was feeling a bit greasy from the pastries. Halfway through the sip, he suddenly reacted. He nearly choked to death on the tea. “The famous Young General Ao Bozhou who is loyal to the Emperor?”

Ao Bozhou, the son of a truly loyal lineage. Since the time of the Taishi Emperor, his family had always been loyal to the throne. He loathed villainous officials like Wen Wu who disrupted the court—especially since Wen Wu had also shamed the loyal reputation of the Marquis of Dingyuan.

The two were always at odds in court. The biggest incident involved Wen Wu publicly beating Ao Bozhou to the ground, which incensed the entire court.

However, the resolution was quite surreal. There was no apology or dismissal; instead, the Emperor personally set up a ring and told them to go up and have a real fight. The winner would get his frustration out, the loser would accept the outcome, and no second scene was allowed.

The outcome of that match was unknown, but it was effective; at least they never fought openly again.

But based on Wen Wu’s tone, they likely hadn’t stopped causing trouble for each other in private.

“Is General Ao currently at court?” Yan Jin asked.

Wen Wu nodded. “Naturally. He returned at the end of the year to report on his duties, and the Emperor kept him in the Capital.”

Yan Jin’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that very disadvantageous for the Marquis?” That man was a hard-to-kill opponent.

“Why? Are you that worried about me?” Wen Wu smiled until his eyes were slits. His upper body remained on the desk, his red robes spread across the floor he truly looked like a red fox that had revealed its tail to seduce someone.

Anyone who wasn’t a fool knew Wen Wu was teasing him. He wasn’t arrogant enough to think the Marquis had actually fallen for him, so he didn’t take it seriously.

However, almost instantly, Su Huai’s face flashed through Yan Jin’s mind. He shuddered violently and retreated several steps. “I wouldn’t dare worry. Marquis, please withdraw your ‘divine powers.’ If someone sees this, I’ll be in deep trouble.”

“Oh? Is it that Junior Brother of yours?” It was rare for Wen Wu to have someone to talk to; he was quite interested. “I could tell you two didn’t look like ordinary brothers. Have you confessed your feelings to each other?”

Yan Jin hadn’t expected him to be so direct. He touched his nose embarrassedly. “He has confessed; I haven’t answered yet.”

Wen Wu nodded. “You have good looks and good character. Such a person deserves the best man in the world.”

“No, no, no, Su Huai is very good.” Yan Jin hurried to deny it, but felt he was being too hasty. He wanted to find words to fix it, but he met Wen Wu’s teasing gaze.

“Alright, Ao Bozhou won’t do anything to me; you needn’t worry.” Wen Wu tidied the desk. “As for you if you like someone, just like them. Why hesitate? Life is fleeting, and you have nothing else in your way; why not follow your heart?”

“It’s not quite like that…” Yan Jin said in a low voice.

“Then what is it?” Wen Wu laughed as he pulled him up from the chair. “Anyway, my poison won’t flare up for a while. After the midday meal, Lin San and Lin Si are going to their studies; do you want to go out and play with Su Huai?”

“It’s rare to visit the Capital; you should see the scenery of the city.” With that, he held Yan Jin by the shoulders and turned him toward the door. “Go on. Your Junior Brother has been waiting at the door for quite a while.”

What? Su Huai is outside?

Yan Jin’s heart rate suddenly increased. He took a deep breath and opened the door—

The two stared at each other in silence.

Su Huai looked at him for a long time. Suddenly, he raised a hand to brush against the red mole between Yan Jin’s brows. His cool fingertip followed the brow bone down to rest at the corner of the eye. His palm cupped the side of Yan Jin’s face, and his voice held a tender, overflowing smile.

“Senior Brother, I heard that you are fond of me?”