Сhарtеr 268 Guangchun Наll 13
Zhu Yаn swаllоwed hard as shе wаtched Shеn Du’s exрrеssiоn dаrkеn аbruptly. Нer fear was genuine, but shе wаs alsо somеwhаt bеwildеred.
Тrulу wоrthу оf being сalled the Whitе Кing of Нell—his mood сhanged fаster than fliррing а раgе.
“It’s gеtting late. Yоu shоuld go bасk first tо bathе and сhаnge. Let Jing Lin арplу medicine fоr you and rеst а whilе. It won’t bе too latе tо intеrrogаtе thе рrisоnеrs aftеr dаybrеak.”
Аfter spеaking quiсklу, Zhu Yаn scurriеd аwау like a flash.
Wеll, if she couldn’t handle him, shе could at lеast avоid him. She hаd nо desirе to become the target of his vented anger.
Watching the figure that fled faster than a rabbit, Shen Du’s gaze darkened further. He let out a soft sigh, pressed his lips together, and returned to his room.
He called for hot water, bathed hastily, and originally planned to apply medicine haphazardly, bandage himself, and head straight to the prison—this matter could not be delayed.
But just as he dried off, put on his inner robe, and stepped out, Zhu Yan walked in with someone carrying a medicine chest.
Initially, Zhu Yan had intended to go directly to find Pan Chi and check on the situation. However, there was no need to guess—Shen Du must have been injured. Moreover, Shen Du had risked his life alone to rescue her from Guangchun Hall. She… simply couldn’t harden her heart against him.
So, she turned back and encountered a city physician who was treating those injured by the Half-Faced Ghost. She dragged him along to find Shen Du.
But…
The man before her stood tall and upright, with broad eyes, a prominent nose, and features as exquisite as a painting. His thin lips were pressed tightly together. His usually tied-up hair was now loose, cascading ink-black strands over his shoulders, still damp with the mist from his bath. Stripped of the imposing aura of his qilin official uniform and clad only in a white inner robe, Shen Du seemed less sharp and devoid of his usual fierce, imposing presence. Instead, he strikingly resembled the elegant, refined gentlemen often described in romantic tales.
The ties of his inner robe were still undone, revealing the distinct contours of his chest muscles, which captivated Zhu Yan’s gaze. Unbidden, her mind drifted to the firm, powerful chest she had felt when Shen Du held her in his arms.
Zhu Yan’s face flushed with heat, the warmth spreading from her ears down to her neck, turning her fair skin a delicate pink. Shen Du caught sight of this and couldn’t help but curl his lips into a faint smile.
That slight curve of his lips snapped Zhu Yan back to her senses. She hurriedly averted her gaze, only to meet Shen Du’s eyes directly…
She had been gone for about half a moment. Based on Shen Du’s usual habits, by now he should have finished bathing, dressed, and perhaps even left the room to interrogate prisoners in the prison.
So she had truly come here just to try her luck, but…
No wonder Jing Lin had seemed hesitant when he saw her, yet said nothing and simply let her pass. Damn that Jing Lin.
Zhu Yan’s eyes widened as she watched Shen Du, barefoot and without shoes or socks, step toward her, leaving wet footprints with each stride.
Before Zhu Yan could retreat, Shen Du closed in, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as he asked in a low voice, “What is it?”
Zhu Yan glanced at him, then awkwardly shifted her gaze away. “You’re injured. Let the physician examine you first so we can treat it properly.”
Shen Du’s cold expression cracked slightly as he finally noticed the physician standing to the side, holding the medicine chest and trying to make himself inconspicuous.
The physician nodded at him, appearing somewhat reserved.
Zhu Yan knew that the incident involving the Half-Faced Ghost, especially her own role in it, had left Shen Du in a sour mood. Feeling apologetic toward the physician, she said:
“Sorry to trouble you, Doctor.”
Zhu Yan’s polite attitude and striking beauty left the physician with little to say. He opened the medicine chest and waited for Shen Du to lie down.
Shen Du remained silent and took a few steps inward. Thinking he was unwilling, Zhu Yan followed behind, pleading earnestly:
“I know I held you back this time. You were willing to save me only because you value me…”
Shen Du shot her a cold glance.Zhu Yan swallowed, not understanding the situation:
"I know the Bureau Chief possesses extraordinary martial arts and a physique beyond ordinary people, but the matter isn't resolved yet. The people of Yingzhou City need you, the Inner Guard Bureau needs you, Jing Lin..."
"What about you?" Shen Du looked at her.
"I..." Zhu Yan froze. When she realized what he meant, the heat that had just subsided surged back, leaving her speechless.
Shen Du seemed to grow stubborn, leaning close to her ear and asking again, "What about you? Do you need me?"
His breath brushed against her earlobe, sending tingling, numbing sensations through her. Zhu Yan tried to turn her head away, but Shen Du's gaze held her in place. Before she could even open her mouth, she saw the disappointment in his eyes. Her mind went blank with urgency, and she blurted out:
"Of course, of course I need you."
Heavens, what had she just said?
But Shen Du was satisfied. The gloom in his eyes vanished instantly. He reached out to pinch her cheek and obediently lay down on the couch.
"Doctor, I'll trouble you."
The old physician could tell at a glance that Shen Du was no ordinary man and dared not put on airs, repeatedly saying it was no trouble.
Only then did he approach, taking Shen Du's pulse and saying, "The pulse is chaotic, the heartbeat rapid, and breathing accelerated. It's clear there's excessive blood loss. The young master must have suffered many flesh wounds."
"Doctor, are there any internal injuries? Or damage to his vital energy?"
Earlier on the city wall, she had witnessed him fighting the Half-Faced Ghost, and Mo Qianzhi's treacherous attack from behind, which left a gash on his arm.
The old physician shook his head. "None. He's deficient in qi and blood, but no medication is needed. Just prepare more nourishing soups daily to replenish them. I'll write you a prescription for a tonic soup later—just follow it when brewing."
The so-called tonic soup involved adding beneficial herbs to broths made from chicken, duck, or fish. 'Ginseng replenishes qi, pseudo-ginseng replenishes blood.' For Shen Du's current condition, using some pseudo-ginseng wouldn't overwhelm his weakened state.
Zhu Yan nodded repeatedly. "I'll remember that, Doctor. Then, please examine his injuries."
The physician hesitated, as Shen Du's expression clearly said "keep away." Finally, he pointed at Zhu Yan.
"Madam, please help remove his clothing."
Zhu Yan knew Shen Du usually kept people at a distance, so she understood immediately. She stepped forward to help him remove his inner robe, leaving only his trousers.
Shen Du kept his eyes on her, noticing her feigned composure and flushed face. He didn't make things difficult, cooperating as he stretched out.
Zhu Yan tried to focus on Shen Du's injuries rather than his excessively well-built physique.
Although the bleeding on Shen Du's arm had stopped, there was still a gash like a blood-sucking 'mouth.' Zhu Yan's heart ached at the sight.
Despite his own injuries, he had carried her out of the Dark Hall, ridden a horse while controlling the reins, and remained tense the entire way—no wonder the wound looked like this.
His body bore injuries too, along with scars from past wounds, making the sight truly shocking.
The old physician gasped at the sight. Though they were flesh wounds, they were severe. Yet Shen Du hadn't uttered a sound or even frowned, a testament to his endurance.
Since Shen Du had just bathed, the wounds had come into contact with water, leaving many areas pale and swollen, looking even worse.
Zhu Yan shot Shen Du a reproachful glance, wanting to scold him for bathing despite his injuries. But remembering it was her suggestion, she felt awkward when she looked at him again.
The old physician rummaged through his medicine chest while instructing, "Remember, the wounds must not get wet again. If they become inflamed and fester, it could be fatal.""Exaggeration. I have never had such a taboo," Shen Du retorted with a curl of his lip.
The physician visibly stiffened with awkwardness.
Zhu Yan quickly added:
"Yes, yes, we’ll remember that and be more careful in the future."
Only after this reassurance did the physician’s expression soften slightly.
Zhu Yan thought to herself that she had overthought things. Shen Du had always been particular about cleanliness. In order to infiltrate Guangchun Hall and investigate her whereabouts, he had even put on the Half-Faced Ghost’s clothes and gotten bloodstains all over himself. Asking him not to wash up would have been worse than killing him.
She had wondered if Shen Du had washed up because he listened to her, but clearly, she had indeed overthought it.
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