The Innocent Heart - Chapter 94

The following day, whether it was due to the medicine or the effectiveness of the physical cooling method—applying cold cloths to his forehead—Chen Zhi’s fever had indeed subsided. Although he had been ill for many days and still appeared sickly and weak, he had finally regained consciousness.

Huo Qubing and Guan Yueyao rose early, intending to visit Chen Zhi’s room. Yet, the moment they stepped out of their own quarters, they heard Chen Zhi’s roar emanating from within.

“Where is that Wu Sheng! Damn it, bind him immediately and send him back to Chang’an! Have Grandmother deal with him severely!” His words, filled with grievance and rage, were shouted so loudly that even the soldiers passing outside the courtyard could hear them clearly.

“Your foul language is truly contagious; now even Chen Zhi has started using it,” Huo Qubing said with a touch of helplessness, glancing at Guan Yueyao as he performed his warm-up exercises in the courtyard.

Meanwhile, the “chief culprit” of this trend—Guan Yueyao—was doubled over with laughter upon hearing Chen Zhi’s angry shouts.

“You can’t blame me for this. Who could have guessed that once he left the capital, Chen Zhi would start ‘letting himself go’? Perhaps he’s wanted to curse like that for a long time!” Guan Yueyao replied righteously while laughing.

“Then how do you explain that ‘Bullshit’ phrase that has been going around the military camp lately?!” Seeing that his friend not only felt no remorse but actually sounded a bit proud, Huo Qubing’s irritation flared.

In the military, the things that spread the fastest were naturally these extremely crude yet satisfying curses. Guan Yueyao’s outburst of “Bullshit!” when she berated the Great Shaman had, in just three to five days, become a trend within the fortress of Juyong Pass, turning into the soldiers’ favorite pet phrase.

“Hahahahahahaha!” Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, a string of unbridled laughter burst from his friend’s mouth.

Guan Yueyao hadn’t expected that Huo Qubing, who usually carried himself like a serious “little adult,” could keep a straight face while saying “Bullshit” in such a flat, calm tone. The contrast between the two was so immense that it achieved an indescribable, wonderful comedic effect.

“That’s what you call the simplest trash-talk for the ultimate enjoyment. Well? Didn’t saying it make you feel a lot better inside?” By the end, Guan Yueyao’s tone had turned to one of encouragement.

Huo Qubing was turned slightly red by Guan Yueyao’s laughter. Ordinarily, he would disdain using such foul language. However, having heard his friend’s skewed logic, while he couldn’t readily accept it, the momentary sense of liberation he just felt suggested her words weren’t entirely without merit.

Having spent a year together day and night, Guan Yueyao saw Huo Qubing’s silence and pensive look and had already guessed eighty or ninety percent of his thoughts. She leaned in, bumping the youth’s arm with her shoulder, and asked with a grin, “Do you want to learn more? I can teach you a few more curses.”

“Go on with you, stop making fun of me. You’d better watch yourself; you’ve grown too accustomed to acting wild here at the border. If you return to the capital to face the Son of Heaven and accidentally let something slip, causing a loss of decorum before the throne, I’d like to see how you handle it.” Huo Qubing spoke words of warning, but the smile on his face betrayed him.

Guan Yueyao paid no mind to her friend’s words. Instead, she tugged at him, and the two walked toward Chen Zhi’s room.

“Hmm? Why are those people acting so suspiciously, peering in at the door?” Before reaching Chen Zhi’s room, Guan Yueyao stopped and looked toward the entrance with curiosity.

Following her gaze, they saw several men dressed as soldiers. Some were pacing outside with their hands behind their backs, while two others were hunched over, peeking inside. They appeared hesitant, as if debating whether or not they should enter.

“What is wrong with these people? If you’re going in, go in; if not, then don’t. Why are they all standing there like door gods?” Guan Yueyao muttered as she walked forward.

Huo Qubing called out to the soldiers at the door: “What are you all doing?”

The men were startled by the sudden voice. Seeing that it was the young lords from Chang’an, their initial fluster vanished, replaced by a very awkward expression.

“Attendant Huo, Attendant Guan. We were thinking of asking Physician Yue to take a look at our ailments, but we weren’t sure if he would be willing.” A bolder young man looked at the two youths and replied. His tone was blunt and appeared somewhat rude.

“Oh, I thought it was something serious. Why don’t you just go in?” Guan Yueyao didn’t mind their tone; hearing they were seeking medical help and meant no harm, her attitude softened considerably.

To her surprise, as soon as she asked, the leading man’s face suddenly turned red. He scratched his head and said, “Previously, we only listened to the shaman’s words and weren’t very respectful to Old Master Yue. Now that we have to beg for his help, we truly find it hard to show our faces.”

“Oh—so that’s how it is—” Guan Yueyao looked back and forth at the embarrassed faces of the men with a teasing expression. “In that case, I happen to be going in to visit the patient anyway. I’ll ask for you!” Seeing the men growing more sheepish, Guan Yueyao waved her hand and stepped briskly into the room.

Per Yue Pengzu’s request, the windows in Chen Zhi’s room were open for ventilation. The gentle spring sunlight poured through, replacing the dead silence of the past two days with a sense of vitality.

Guan Yueyao saw a conscious Chen Zhi once again. Having broken a sweat the night before and not yet permitted to bathe, he looked somewhat disheveled and dispirited. He no longer resembled the meticulously dressed, annoying yet spirited noble scion they were used to seeing.

“Huo Qubing, Guan Yueyao, you’ve come.” Seeing familiar faces, a look of surprise appeared on his face. Perhaps he was too happy, as a hint of emotion crept into his voice.

“How are you? Feeling better?” Dealing with a patient, Guan Yueyao found no need to butt heads with him and was unusually pleasant.

Chen Zhi was somewhat overwhelmed by the favor. He hesitated for a moment before saying, “After taking the medicine and sweating last night, the fever is gone, but my head is still dizzy. And I feel terrible all over; I want to take a bath.”

Hearing this, Yue Pengzu, who was standing by, hurriedly advised, “Young Lord, your fever has just broken. Please endure for a while. Otherwise, if you bathe and the cold air enters through your open pores, I fear your condition will worsen.”

Chen Zhi shut his mouth sheepishly. Having suffered for several days, the memory of that pain was still fresh; he didn’t want to go through it a second time. The atmosphere in the room fell into a heavy silence for a moment, just as Guan Yueyao was wondering how to mention the soldiers waiting at the door to Yue Pengzu.

“I heard… that it was you who injured that damned Wu Sheng and had Chen Gui fetch the physician. Thank you.” Suddenly, Chen Zhi spoke up after a long silence, looking at Guan Yueyao and Huo Qubing. “This is a life-saving debt. I, Chen Zhi, am not someone who forgets a kindness. My previous rudeness was my fault. In the future, if there is anything you need, I am at your command.”

Guan Yueyao and Huo Qubing were both surprised by Chen Zhi’s sudden gratitude and looked at the youth on the sickbed.

“Forget it. I’m not looking for any reward. Just recover properly; I still prefer your previous arrogant and unyielding look.”

Guan Yueyao’s remark made everyone in the room laugh. The small room, once filled with gloom, became lighthearted again.

“By the way, Physician Yue, are you free now? There are several soldiers in the camp who seem to have some ailments and would like you to take a look.” Guan Yueyao finally found an opportunity to ask.

Yue Pengzu had just felt Chen Zhi’s pulse again to confirm he was improving and was busy packing his medicine box. He looked up with some surprise, thought for a moment, and then smiled. “What is so difficult about that? I have already promised Young Lord Chen that I will remain here for a few days to care for him until he is fully recovered. The soldiers in the camp are great heroes defending the country; if they seek my help for their pains, how could I possibly ignore them? I only ask the Attendant to arrange a place for me to conduct my examinations.”

Yue Pengzu spoke with a bright smile, yet his words were very solemn. His young face seemed to glow with the mission he held in his heart. Not only Guan Yueyao, but even Huo Qubing and Chen Zhi were secretly moved. This is a true healer, they thought. By comparison, shamans and sorcerers like Wu Sheng appeared even less worthy of trust.

“Chen Gui! Chen Gui! Where are you! Quickly, clear a spot in our courtyard for Master Yue to see patients. You stay and assist him. If Master Yue writes a prescription and those soldiers don’t have the money for the herbs, I’ll pay for them!”

Chen Zhi was the first to speak, shouting for the manager, Chen Gui, and ordering him to act as Yue Pengzu’s assistant.

Before long, a small clinic was set up within the military camp of Juyong Pass.

The first to seek a consultation was the soldier who had spoken in the courtyard earlier. He still sounded a bit skeptical, asking hesitantly, “Yue… Yue Pengzu, I insulted your father last time. You won’t take this chance to get back at me and put poison in my medicine, will you?” He rolled up his sleeve, offering his arm for Yue Pengzu to feel his pulse.

“What is wrong with you? You just asked him to see you, and now you’re being suspicious. If you like, I can go to the room next door, grab Wu Sheng, and have him ‘dance to the gods’ to drive out your evil spirits?” Before Yue Pengzu could respond, Guan Yueyao stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the man.

“No, no! Physician Yue is fine; no need for Wu Sheng.” The man hurriedly waved his free hand and shook his head like a rattle.

After the massive commotion yesterday, who in the camp didn’t know that Wu Sheng was just a fraud with zero healing ability? Their previous envy of the capital’s wealthy and powerful for being able to invite such “great men” had completely vanished; in fact, many felt a secret sense of schadenfreude. It seemed Wu Sheng had swindled a great deal of money from the Grand Princess of Guantao—just look at how furious the Young Lord of the Marquis of Tangyi’s estate was.

Poor Wu Sheng had not only suffered a beating for nothing but was also enduring cold words and ridicule throughout the camp without daring to retort. Having heard that Chen Zhi intended to send him back to the capital for the Grand Princess to deal with, he was currently in his room packing his valuables, preparing to flee.