Legend of the Female General

Chapter 74: Applying Medicine

After crossing the mountain ridge, the path became easier to traverse.

Xiao Jue urged his horse into a gentle trot. Unconsciously, He Yan fell asleep. She had no idea how much time had passed when someone patted her shoulder and called her name, "He Yan!"

She opened her eyes to see Instructor Liang standing before her. She had been dozing against Xiao Jue, and the inner sleeve of his robe bore a faint damp stain—perhaps from her drool.

He Yan wiped her mouth and began apologetically, "Sor—"

Before she could finish, the man dismounted briskly, nearly causing her to topple backward. Xiao Jue said to Liang Ping, "She's your responsibility now," and walked away without so much as a glance at He Yan.

He Yan: "..."

See? He didn’t even give her a chance to thank him. She shrugged. Liang Ping helped her down from the horse. Green Ears, ever obedient, trotted off to find its master the moment He Yan stepped away.

He Yan was covered in blood from head to toe. Though Liang Ping had countless questions, he couldn’t bring himself to ask them now. Instead, he said, "Can you still move?"

"Instructor Liang underestimates me," she replied with a smile. "No problem at all."

"Ah," Liang Ping sighed. "Never mind. I’ll take you back first. Get your wounds treated, and we’ll talk about everything else later."

He Yan agreed immediately.

In the room, Xiao Mai, Shitou, and the others were waiting. The moment He Yan entered, they swarmed around her, bombarding her with questions.

"How are you? Are you alright?"

"Why is there so much blood? Did someone die?"

He Yan even spotted Wang Ba sitting on a chest in the corner. When he saw her, he seemed about to approach but ultimately restrained himself, scoffing, "So you’re not dead after all."

"Thanks, little brother," He Yan said, having already learned from Liang Ping that it was Wang Ba who had gone to find Shen Han. She blinked at him and added warmly, "I’m touched that you care so much about me, boss."

"You—!" Wang Ba bristled like a cat, leaping up from the chest. He glared at her before storming out, nearly slamming the door off its hinges on his way.

He Yan was helped onto her bed. Shitou handed her a bowl of water, which she gulped down, finally soothing her parched throat.

Xiao Mai said, "Brother He, your hand is still bleeding. You should change your clothes quickly."

He Yan coughed lightly. "It’s really not that bad."

"Not that bad?" Hong Shan frowned. "If Commander Xiao hadn’t gone up the mountain to find you, would you even be alive by tomorrow morning?"

"You shouldn’t have played the hero," Jiang Jiao chimed in. "For people like that, it wasn’t worth it."

"Exactly," Huang Xiong agreed, fiddling with the prayer beads around his neck. "They should’ve been left to feed the wolves themselves."

He Yan: "..."

She surveyed the crowded room, realizing for the first time just how popular she was. But with so many people, the noise was giving her a headache.

Amid the chatter, the door opened again, and a voice as melodious as an oriole’s rang out, "All of you, out. I’ve brought medicine."

The room fell silent instantly.

Curious, He Yan looked over to see the crowd parting to make way for a young woman. The woman wore a plain white silk dress, her long hair tied back with a snow-white ribbon and adorned with a simple yet elegant jade lotus hairpin. Her face was fair, her brows arched like crescent moons, and her eyes sparkled like stars—radiant and graceful.In the Liangzhou Garrison, even the mosquitoes were male, so when had these men ever seen such an elegant and ethereal beauty? For a moment, they were as silent as cicadas in winter, afraid to disturb this delicate and moving fairy.

He Yan was utterly confused and only asked, "You are..."

"I am the medical attendant of Liangzhou Garrison," the girl said softly. "Shen Muxue."

He Yan found the name somewhat familiar but couldn't recall where she had heard it before. Shen Muxue had already gently placed the medicine bowl by the bedside and turned to the others. "Could you all please step outside for a moment?"

Hong Shan immediately flushed red and stammered, "O-okay." He herded the others out, casting an envious glance at He Yan before leaving.

He Yan: "..."

He Yan asked, "Is this medicine for me?"

Shen Muxue nodded. He Yan picked up the bowl and downed it in one gulp. Shen Muxue was momentarily stunned. "You didn’t have to drink it so quickly..."

"Huh?" He Yan scratched her head. "Well, it had to be drunk anyway."

Seemingly amused, Shen Muxue smiled. "Then, young man, please remove your clothes. I’ll apply the medicine for you."

Beside them was a basin of hot water. He Yan hesitated. "Um, Miss Shen, you can just leave the medicine here. I’ll apply it myself."

"You?" Shen Muxue shook her head. "It’s better if I do it."

"You’re so young, and a woman at that," He Yan said earnestly. "After all, I’m a man. It wouldn’t be proper for you to see me."

"In the eyes of a healer, there is no distinction between men and women," Shen Muxue replied.

He Yan thought for a moment. "You might not mind, but I do."

Shen Muxue looked up, and He Yan met her gaze fearlessly. "I have a fiancée, Miss Shen. My body can only be seen by her. My pure and chaste form—if you lay a hand on me, you’ll have to take responsibility. Understand?" She tightened her clothes around her, adopting a stance of unyielding resistance.

Shen Muxue had probably never encountered someone so shameless. For a moment, her hands froze, unsure how to react.

"Just leave the medicine here," He Yan said. "I’ll apply it myself. I must preserve my purity for the one I love. Don’t ruin me." Her expression was deadly serious.

Shen Muxue was silent for a long moment before finally conceding to He Yan’s brazenness. "The medicine and hot water are here. I’ll step out. Call me when you’re done."

He Yan nodded cheerfully. "Thank you for your understanding."

Once Shen Muxue had left, He Yan exhaled in relief and quickly stripped off her bloodstained clothes. She dipped a cloth in the hot water and hastily wiped herself down before changing into clean clothes. Rolling up her sleeves, she revealed the mangled flesh of her elbow where the wolf had bitten her—a gruesome sight. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed a fresh cloth to clean the wound.

Just then, the door opened again. He Yan, still busy cleaning, didn’t look up. "Didn’t I say not to come in? I’ll apply the medicine myself."

A cold voice rang out. "Your devotion to your fiancée’s chastity is truly moving."

He Yan looked up to see Xiao Jue standing a few steps away, arms crossed, watching her with amusement.

He Yan thought, That was close. Luckily, she had acted quickly and changed her clothes. She forced a smile. "Commander, what brings you here? You’re not here to settle scores, are you? I already told you—on the mountain earlier, I didn’t mean to touch your waist."Xiao Jue's expression stiffened, his eyes nearly blazing with anger. With a flick of his hand, he tossed a round object into He Yan's arms.

He Yan picked it up and examined it—it was an exquisite porcelain bottle, resembling a mandarin duck flask. She pulled out the stopper and sniffed it, finding the scent bitter and astringent.

"Is this... medicine?" she asked hesitantly.

"Treat your own injuries first," the man retorted irritably.

The words and the scene felt strangely familiar. He Yan's heart skipped a beat as she looked at him again. He must have just changed into fresh clothes, standing there pristine and elegant, his tall figure bathed in the moonlight streaming in from outside. For a moment, it seemed as if they had returned to those days long past.

Just like before.

(End of Chapter)