After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth] Chapter 85

Li Chanxiu had come out in a hurry and was still holding a cloth soaked in strong liquor. As he carefully wiped the blood from his hands, he said with a smile: “Miss, let’s talk over there.”

Miss Chen had been curious earlier when she saw the blood on his hands. Now, watching him wipe each finger clean one by one, she only felt that this “cousin’s” hands were also extremely beautiful. Then, seeing at the tent entrance a wounded soldier whose arm had just been stitched, she immediately understood why Li Chanxiu had blood on his hands, and her admiration grew even stronger.

After all, she hadn’t come without inquiring, after entering the camp and asking around, she already knew that this “Shen Xiu” had excellent medical skills and had treated many wounded soldiers.

The imposing air Miss Chen had when she arrived immediately diminished by more than half. Somewhat embarrassed, she said: “My surname is Chen. You can call me Lingwan.”

After saying this, she couldn’t help her eyes lighting up slightly as she asked: “Miss Shen, did you treat all these wounded soldiers? You’re really amazing.”

Li Chanxiu smiled and shook his head, then turned and told the wounded soldier who had followed out worriedly to return to the tent. Only then did he lead Chen Lingwan to the side of the tent and explain: “Not all by me, there’s also Physician Hu. I treat these wounded soldiers together with him.”

“That’s still very impressive.” Chen Lingwan couldn’t help but admire him. She had heard that Gu Heng’s “cousin” had a very hard life, being exiled here, yet remained resilient and saved people with medical skills, truly an extraordinary woman.

She had even heard that he once saved a wounded soldier whose intestines had been cut, a miracle doctor. Not only that, he was also so beautiful and could even tell at a glance that she was disguised as a man…

Chen Lingwan couldn’t help stepping forward, her eyes seeming to sparkle: “Sister, can I call you sister?”

Li Chanxiu let out an “uh,” somewhat confused: “Weren’t you here to talk to me about Gu Heng?”

Chen Lingwan immediately felt embarrassed upon hearing this, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum: “Originally, I came to visit Young Master Gu’s cousin, but…”

More precisely, she had come to see what kind of person this “cousin” was. But after arriving and seeing how beautiful he was, her mind went blank for a moment and she forgot her purpose.

“Actually, Gu Heng isn’t important. Sister, can I be friends with you?”

“Uh, I suppose so.” Li Chanxiu grew even more confused.

Chen Lingwan’s eyes lit up at once. She immediately affectionately linked arms with him, like close young ladies in a boudoir, and happily said: “I knew my instinct wouldn’t be wrong, sister, you really are easy to get along with.”

Then she couldn’t help chattering: “By the way, sister, how did you learn your medical skills? I admire people with excellent medical skills the most. Speaking of which, I had an uncle who, while escorting goods, encountered bandits and was also struck in the abdomen, his intestines cut. Unfortunately, he didn’t meet a doctor as skilled as you and passed away. And also my father…”

Li Chanxiu: “…No, miss…”

He awkwardly tried to pull his arm free when suddenly, from beside them, a low, slightly hoarse voice sounded: “Wife?”

Li Chanxiu froze, then looked up to see Pei Zhen standing not far away by the roadside.

Seeing him look over, the other immediately strode over. His dark eyes were deep, his gaze falling directly on Chen Lingwan’s hand linked around Li Chanxiu’s arm.

Li Chanxiu stiffened, and almost instinctively pulled his arm back.

Beside him, Chen Lingwan also froze, then turned and asked in a small voice: “Sister, is he your husband?”

Li Chanxiu coughed lightly and nodded.

Chen Lingwan’s expression suddenly became complicated. Before coming, she had heard people say that Gu Heng stayed in Yongfeng because of his cousin, which made it seem like he had feelings for her. So she had gone to ask Gu Heng about it.

After all, she wasn’t set on Gu Heng. If he truly had someone else in his heart, she would return and persuade her father to cancel the engagement.

But Gu Heng had coaxed her, saying he only stayed because his cousin had been exiled here and unfortunately married a rough and uncouth man. She had come to seek his help, and he couldn’t bear not to assist, so he stayed a few extra days, there was absolutely nothing else.

After hearing this, she felt some sympathy for this “cousin’s” situation, but was also worried Gu Heng hadn’t told the whole truth, which was why she came to take a look. If the “cousin” needed help, she could also assist.

But she hadn’t expected… that husband was anything but rough and uncouth. He was clearly even better-looking than Gu Heng!

While she was still stunned, Pei Zhen had already walked to Li Chanxiu’s side and quickly took his hand. He casually swept a glance at the “fair-faced youth” in front of him and asked without revealing anything: “And this is…?”

Li Chanxiu coughed lightly and introduced: “This is Miss Chen. She is… a friend of my cousin.”

After all, Chen Lingwan had not explicitly admitted her relationship with Gu Heng. And even if she had, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to directly say whose fiancée she was. But with this introduction, the implied meaning, he believed Pei Er would understand.

Pei Zhen was startled when he heard this. Miss Chen? A woman?

The vigilance in his eyes lessened slightly, but then he frowned again: What kind of taste does this young lady have? She actually took a fancy to someone like Gu Heng.

Thinking of how Yang Yuanyi had found out that Gu Heng relied on his prospective father-in-law, Master Chen, to spend money greasing connections, he couldn’t help saying, “So it’s Miss Chen.”

Then, in a tone of unclear meaning, he reminded, “Speaking of which, when making friends, one must look at character. I think that Young Master Gu has rather poor morals. Miss Chen would do well to be cautious in making friends.”

Hearing this, Li Chanxiu looked at him in slight surprise. That sentence had said exactly what he himself wanted to say.

Noticing his gaze, Pei Zhen tilted his head and smiled at him, then said to Miss Chen, “My wife and I still have matters to attend to, so we won’t keep you company for long. Also, outsiders are not allowed to enter and leave the military camp at will. Miss, it would be best not to stay long and to leave as soon as possible.”

After speaking, regardless of the other party still being stunned, and without exposing that she had entered using someone else’s identity, he tightened his grip on Li Chanxiu’s hand and prepared to leave together.

Li Chanxiu was helpless. Before leaving, he turned his head and smiled at Chen Lingwan, saying gently, “Miss Chen, please don’t misunderstand. There’s nothing between Gu Heng and me. However… my husband is right, one must be cautious in making friends. Some matters still require careful consideration.”

Pei Zhen frowned. For some reason, even though the other party was a woman, seeing his wife being close to her still made a sour feeling rise in his heart. But upon hearing that last phrase, “my husband,” he felt much more at ease.

After they had gone far, he no longer concealed it. He gathered both of Li Chanxiu’s icy hands into his palms to warm them, frowning as he said, “Didn’t I tell you to rest at home today? Why did you come to the wounded soldiers’ camp again?”

Naturally, Li Chanxiu couldn’t say that he wanted to find an excuse to stay overnight in the pharmacy, so he smiled lightly and said, “I had nothing to do at home anyway, so I came here to take a look.”

Pei Zhen was clasping his hands together, rubbing them, then blowing warm air on them. He glanced at him carefully and, after some hesitation, asked, “Just now… when I spoke ill of your cousin, you’re not angry, are you?”

Li Chanxiu was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. “How could I be? I’m no longer close with him. We’ve only met twice recently, I haven’t even spent as much time with him as I have with you.”

Hearing this, Pei Zhen let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief. Afraid he might catch a chill, he quickly pulled him closer and walked briskly back to the tent.

From afar, Chen Lingwan watched this scene, momentarily stunned, then puzzled: They clearly have a very good relationship, and Sister Shen doesn’t look like she’s asking for help, so why did Gu Heng lie to her?

Although Chen Lingwan was naïve, she wasn’t foolish. Realizing that Gu Heng had deceived her, she couldn’t help frowning as she left, her mind heavy with thoughts.

She had wanted to say a few more words to Sister Shen, but… sigh, that person’s husband seemed a bit clingy to her.

With some regret, Chen Lingwan returned to the inn in town. The little maid Chun Cao, who had come with her to Yongfeng, hurried forward and carefully asked, “How was it, Miss? What is that cousin lady like?”

Chen Lingwan was startled for a moment, then couldn’t help recalling with admiration, “Truly pure and refined like ice and snow, with the bearing of a celestial being, kind-hearted, and with exceptional medical skills.”

“Huh?” Chun Cao immediately grew worried upon hearing this. “Then if she likes the young master…”

“How could that be? I feel that someone like Sister Shen wouldn’t take a liking to Gu Heng.” Chen Lingwan immediately defended her, emphasizing, “And her husband isn’t like what Gu Heng described either, some rough and uncouth brute. When the two of them stand together, they truly are a talented man and a beautiful woman, extremely well-matched.”

“Huh?” Chun Cao hesitated. “But… even so, her husband is just a minor military officer. He shouldn’t compare to the young master, right?”

Hearing this, Chen Lingwan suddenly clapped her hands and praised, “You know, her husband really is more handsome than Gu Heng, and he looks more imposing too. Maybe people who’ve fought on the battlefield are just different from frail scholars. When he stands together with Sister Shen, they’re truly a perfect match…”

Chun Cao: “…” Why are you boosting others’ prestige while diminishing your own?

“And they’re both very good people, too. They advised me to be cautious when choosing a marriage partner.” At this point, she couldn’t help sitting down by the table in the room, resting her face in her hands and sighing.

As for her, she had always had little resistance to good-looking people. So when her father arranged Gu Heng as her future husband, she didn’t resist. After all, Gu Heng looked quite decent and had a gentle, refined demeanor. Those around him all praised him as having the bearing of a gentleman.

Moreover, noble families did not intermarry with humble ones. Although her family was wealthy, they were ultimately of humble origin. So for Gu Heng, a member of a collateral branch of a noble family, to be willing to marry her, everyone said she was fortunate, that she was marrying above her station, and that once she married, she would go from a humble-born girl to a lady of a noble house.

Chen Lingwan had never thought there was anything wrong with this marriage before. But today, after discovering that Gu Heng had deceived her, she suddenly felt… he didn’t seem so gentlemanly after all. He seemed a bit… different on the inside than he appeared.

“Sigh.” She sighed again, feeling somewhat lost. If she were to break off the engagement over just this matter, her father would surely say she was being childish and refuse to agree.

And besides… should she really break off the engagement? Would that be too rash?

Just as she was tangled in indecision, suddenly a guard came in from outside to report: “Bad news, Miss, Young Master Gu… had his legs broken.”

“Huh?” Chen Lingwan and Chun Cao both cried out in shock.

Chen Lingwan quickly asked, “Who did it? Which leg is broken? How serious is the injury?”

Guard: “This… both legs are broken. We don’t know who did it. It seems like there were two groups of people.”

“…” Inside the room, mistress and servant couldn’t help exchanging a look, staring at each other in bewilderment.

***

Li Chanxiu still didn’t know that both of Gu Heng’s legs had been broken. After finding an excuse to leave Pei Zhen’s tent, he returned to the pharmacy to brew a medicine that could temporarily suppress the cold poison.

Unexpectedly, before long, Pei Zhen wandered over again.

Li Chanxiu’s heart skipped a beat. Fortunately, the medicine was already finished. Seeing him come in, he could only smile helplessly and say, “I told you I only came back to brew medicine, why did you come too?”

Pei Zhen was looking around the pharmacy, touching this and that. Hearing this, he gave a light cough and pretended to say casually, “Nothing to do, so I came to take a look.”

After speaking, he walked over. Seeing the thick, ink-like medicinal decoction in front of Li Chanxiu, he subconsciously asked, “What medicine is this?”

Just from the smell, it wasn’t an ordinary kind of bitter.

Li Chanxiu said lightly, “Medicine for treating a cold.”

Without waiting for him to ask further, he picked up the bowl, furrowed his brows tightly, and drank it down.

Because the medicine was still scalding hot, he could only take small sips each time. By the time he finished the entire bowl, his beautiful brows and eyes were almost distorted by the bitterness.

Just as he set down the bowl, a candied fruit was suddenly brought to his lips.

It was just like when he was still with his father, every time he finished taking medicine, a hand would immediately offer a sweet candied fruit.

Li Chanxiu froze for a moment, then subconsciously opened his mouth. As he bit into the candied fruit, he slightly raised his head.

Pei Zhen was standing beside him with a smile. The fingers holding the candied fruit accidentally brushed against his lips, warm and dry.

Li Chanxiu held the candied fruit in his mouth and chewed lightly. The bitterness on his tongue mixed with the sweetness, a very strange sensation, but at least it was no longer so unbearable. As soon as he finished one, another was quickly offered.

Like a cat being fed, Li Chanxiu lowered his head and bit into it again, his voice muffled, “No need.”

Only then did Pei Zhen withdraw his hand. He rubbed the pad of his finger that had just accidentally touched the soft tongue, his gaze obscure, and said with concern, “I’ve never seen this kind of medicine for treating a cold before, how is it this bitter?”

Li Chanxiu shook his head. “This kind of medicine works quickly.”

The medicine indeed worked quickly, but the cold poison also flared up quickly. Before long, Li Chanxiu felt threads of chill seeping out from deep within his bones, but Pei Er still hadn’t left.

He was already unable to suppress his trembling and urged, “If you have things to do, go take care of them first. I’m a bit cold, I’ll warm myself by the fire here.”

As he spoke, his voice couldn’t stop trembling.

Pei Zhen felt that something was wrong. He had clearly taken medicine, so why was he getting even colder?

He didn’t want to leave, but Li Chanxiu kept urging him, so he had no choice but to turn and go.

Seeing that he had finally left, Li Chanxiu could no longer hold on. Shivering, he climbed onto the bed and quickly wrapped himself tightly in the only two quilts, his entire body aching from the cold down to his bones.

After stepping out of the pharmacy, Pei Zhen still felt something wasn’t right. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly turned back.

“My wife, are you alright?” he asked softly through the curtain.

There was no reply from inside. Instead, a few faint, intermittent sounds of pained moaning drifted out.

Pei Zhen’s heart skipped slightly. He frowned, suddenly seized by an inexplicable unease.

He immediately stopped asking and directly lifted the curtain. The moment he saw the scene inside, his expression changed drastically.

On the bed, Li Chanxiu was curled up within the worn quilts, already unconscious from the pain. His refined brows and eyes were tightly shut, his eyelashes seeming to be coated with frost, his face pale as snow, and his body trembling uncontrollably.

Pei Zhen hurried over. Raising a hand to test, he discovered that his cheek was as cold as snow, and there wasn’t the slightest warmth inside the quilts.

Perhaps sensing warmth, Li Chanxiu almost immediately followed his fingers. His snow-like cheek lightly rubbed against them, quickly pressing tightly into his palm. At the corners of his reddened eyes, tears welled up, and his voice trembled, “Cold…”

Without thinking further, Pei Zhen immediately lifted him up together with the quilt and strode quickly outside.

Li Chanxiu almost immediately clung tightly to him. His icy fingers slipped into his collar, his cheek pressed tightly against the side of his neck, his voice like a kitten’s whimper: “It hurts… cold… Father, it hurts…”

In an instant, Pei Zhen’s arms tightened around him.