Chapter 252: Viper on the Border

The rain subsided, and Xiao Chiye retreated towards Duanzhou's city gates. The defending soldiers began to clean up the battlefield without pause. The water in the moat had overflowed, turning the road in front of the gate into a muddy mess. Every hoofprint was filled with sludge, and everyone was thoroughly soaked and dirty.

Shen Zechuan stood by the city gate, watching Xiao Chiye approach on his horse. Xiao Chiye leaned down from his mount, and Shen Zechuan raised his right arm, gently touching him. Xiao Chiye gazed at Shen Zechuan and did not withdraw his arm. He turned his hand to lift Shen Zechuan's chin, leaning forward in the rain until their foreheads touched.

Both men were immersed in the rain.

Shen Zechuan lowered his eyes. Raindrops trickled down his eyelashes and landed on Xiao Chiye's nose bridge. He slowly smiled, gradually breaking into laughter.

Qiao Tianya rode over but stopped halfway. Leaning over, he asked Ji Gang, "Where is Master going?"

Ji Gang stood by the entrance for a while, then threw the cloak he was holding to Qiao Tianya. He watched the rain falling.

Qiao Tianya draped the cloak over himself and said, "Master, the Ji Family's martial arts have once again gained fame through this battle. If Old Man Ji knew, he would be able to rest in peace."

Ji Gang looked up at the sky, raindrops splashing into his eyes. After a long while, he said, "Duanzhou will have a bountiful harvest this year."

Qiao Tianya smiled.

Ji Gang crossed his arms behind his back and turned away, sighing deeply without another glance at Shen Zechuan. "Go call the physician quickly!"

***

The rain ceased only by the next day's dawn, when the courtyard's bamboo tubes tapped gently against the moss-covered rocks. Ding Tao, wrapped in a small robe, stood with Li Xiong by the corridor, watching as the physician came and went.

Li Xiong said, "I'm thirsty."

Ding Tao clutched her notebook and whispered, "Go fetch some water for yourself then. I need to stay here."

Li Xiong looked troubled. He blocked the corridor, shaking his head vigorously, unwilling to go alone.

Inside, Kong Ling lifted the curtain and escorted the physician out, his expression grave. Fei Sheng had just woken up from his sleep to take over his shift. Seeing the physician exit, he hurried to receive him, instructing his subordinate to lead the doctor to a side hall. Turning to Kong Ling, he asked, "Mr. Kong, how is our master?"

Kong Ling shook his head and walked back into the room with Fei Sheng, whispering, "When we go in, don't disturb the Marquis. Second Master is on edge; he stayed inside all night without sleeping."

Fei Sheng dared not say more and followed Kong Ling into the room. He noticed that the inner chamber was veiled with a bamboo screen, behind which Xiao Chiye, now unarmed, was studying a prescription. The physician who had yet to leave stood respectfully opposite Second Master, bowing slightly as he softly spoke, "... it will be inconvenient to wield a sword in the future... those two fingers..."

Upon hearing these words, Fei Sheng sensed that something was amiss. He focused, observing Xiao Chiye's cold demeanor, which silenced all the attendants in the room like an icy breeze.

"The waist... the calf..."

And his right arm that Hason almost dislocated.

Shen Zechuan had just returned the previous day, appearing relatively fine at first glance. However, it was only after he washed his face that one could see how pale he was. His swollen right hand, which had been injured during his fight with Hason, had sunk into the moat and gotten scraped, then soaked in dirty water. He could only rely on his left hand to lift the Snow Mountain tea, as his right hand was completely immobile. He didn't mount his horse to return to the city, pretending it was no big deal when in reality, the wound on his waist had torn open when he straightened up. It was too difficult for him to get on his horse, so he could only put up a brave front and let Huo Lingyun lead the horse for him.

The moment Shen Zechuan's tense nerves relaxed, the chill from the rain began to set in. He thought he was asleep but was actually half-conscious. The fever from the previous night had yet to subside, and whatever he ate, he vomited out. His stomach was filled with hard steamed buns, and after vomiting those out, he started to spit up acidic water.

The curtains did not allow any light through. After the physician left, Xiao Chiye lifted a corner to look at Lan Zhou.

Lan Zhou's hair was spread across the bedding, and he couldn't curl up. He lay half-supported on the unharmed side of his body. A hint of his profile was visible, but the seductive lift of his eyelids was absent as if he were sleeping normally. Xiao Chiye stroked his eyelid; Lan Zhou didn't move. As long as Xiao Chiye was by his side, he dared to be defenseless. He looked so small, completely enveloped by Xiao Chiye's shadow.

Xiao Chiye found it hard to breathe, and every part of his chest hurt. He leaned over and kissed Lan Zhou's temple, his movements gentle as if stroking a young, furry creature.

Physicians came and went in the courtyard, administering medicine to Lord Ji. By the time it reached the ninth hour of the day, Shen Zechuan vomited again. Ji Gang deemed it unacceptable and dragged the physician back for another checkup. The main hall was packed with people, still rejoicing from their escape, but now shrouded in gloom.

The military reports from the battlefield arrived at the sixth hour of the afternoon, piling up with those from the border counties, all urging Xiao Chiye to read them. Xiao Chiye didn't dare leave Shen Zechuan's side, so he had them all sent to the side hall. Taking the opportunity to drink some water, he stood in the side hall, listening to the physicians' various prescriptions while scanning the military reports.

Ding Tao didn't dare cause a scene at this moment. Holding onto Li Xiong's sleeve, she said, "There's a water pot under the veranda. I'll pour you a cup."

Li Xiong didn't move, instead rubbing his nose in frustration and nodding.

Ding Tao couldn't budge him and asked in puzzlement, "Why aren't you walking?"

Li Xiong remained silent. He saw that someone had come from the entrance of the cave – Fei Sheng was leading a newly arrived physician inside. In a blink, they crossed the corridor, lifted the curtains, and entered the room where Kong Ling and other scholars were waiting in the outer chamber.

The new physician was well-built and spoke with a Fanzhou accent. "His Highness can't endure the rain; he's vomiting like this. The medicine surely isn't getting through," he said, rolling up his sleeves to let the accompanying apothecary open the medicine chest. He took out a needle case and showed it to Gao Zhongxiong standing nearby. "I'll give him a few injections."

Kong Ling stood up and said, "Let's not rush. We'll decide after Second Master arrives."

The physician spread his hands and continued, "Rescuing is like putting out a fire; time is of the essence. How about this – send someone to urge Second Master to hurry, and I'll prepare everything."

Gao Zhongxiong hurriedly agreed and started walking out, only to find Li Xiong blocking the door.

The physician turned his back, lifted the curtain slightly, and walked towards the inner chamber, still instructing the apothecary, "Carry the chest in—"

Fei Sheng sensed something as the apothecary began to put away the needle case. He suddenly grasped the hilt of his knife and called out, "Stop right there!"

But the apothecary immediately let go, revealing a glint of cold light from the needle case. Fei Sheng could evade, but the scholars wouldn't be so lucky. He could only draw his blade to block, creating a series of metallic clinks as he pushed Kong Ling aside amidst the clash of hidden weapons.

In the outer room, tables and chairs clattered to the ground as Kong Ling lost his balance, falling onto the luxurious carpet while still reaching out, urgently shouting, "Someone, quick, come here!"

The physician had already dashed into the inner chamber, and the bamboo screen fell with a swish, blocking everyone's view. Fei Sheng was drenched in cold sweat from the shock; just as he stepped out, he was blocked by a medicine boy wielding a chair.

Terrible!

Fei Sheng exclaimed, "Protect the Marquis!"

Before the guards on the veranda could break through the window, Gao Zhongxiong was suddenly knocked to the ground. Li Xiong rushed in with rapid strides, shouting, charging into the inner chamber, and tackling the physician to the ground. The two collided with the bedside footrest, causing the hanging curtains to sway. The physician, with a needle held between his fingertips, aimed for Li Xiong's eyes, but Li Xiong grabbed it and slammed the physician's head back to the floor.

Dazed and dizzy, the physician grabbed Li Xiong's neck in retaliation, twisted his body, and flipped Li Xiong onto the ground, choking him. As they rolled around, the low table in the inner chamber collapsed, and a teapot tumbled down, scalding tea splashing across Li Xiong's face. Gasping for breath, Li Xiong threw a punch at the physician's face, only to miss.

The physician pressed down on Li Xiong, whose face grazed against the shattered porcelain, leaving bloody marks. He cried out, "Snake! Snake!"

The physician raised the needle, only to feel a sudden weight on his back, sending him crashing to the ground. Covering half his face, he spoke in the Beishan dialect and quickly searched for the fallen needle. Xiao Chiye abruptly dragged the four-legged snake's collar and slammed it into the ground.

In the outer room, only a few muffled thuds were heard, followed by silence.

The guards restrained the medicine boy, and before Fei Sheng could catch his breath, the bamboo screen shook violently. The bloodied physician rolled onto the carpet outside, lifeless.

Xiao Chiye's expression was icy as he suppressed his fury and said in a frigid voice, "Post a guard every ten steps from the courtyard to the main gate. Whoever let them through, get out here on your own!"

In an instant, the courtyard inside and out was filled with those kneeling.

The entire household of guards had actually allowed the other party to brazenly enter the inner chambers. Fei Sheng's cold sweat never ceased, and he pounded his head on the ground without daring to make a sound.