Xiao Jinyu only then noticed that Chu Chu was nowhere to be found in the sleeping tent. "Where is she?"
"She went to brew your medicine. Afraid you'd be cold, she asked me to get into bed and keep you warm in her place..."
"...!"
"I'm just following orders here, Wang Ye. You should try to understand my position..."
Had it not been for his precious consort's instructions, Jing Yi wouldn't have dared to do this even with ten extra doses of courage. Xiao Jinyu could only take a deep breath. "Speak. What have you found out?"
"Well..." Jing Yi pursed his thin lips and pointed at the blanket covering Xiao Jinyu. "Can we talk under there?"
"No."
Jing Yi hugged his knees and curled into a ball. The bandage wrapped around his left leg even had convincingly realistic bloodstains seeping through. He looked pitifully at Xiao Jinyu, whose expression was frosty. "I'm cold..."
Unfortunately, Xiao Jinyu had seen this act many times before. "Get down and put your clothes on."
Grumpily, Jing Yi climbed down and leisurely picked up the clothes he had thrown on the ground. After rummaging through the dirty military uniform for a while, he pulled out two pieces of paper and placed them on the small table by Xiao Jinyu's bedside. "Those dung beetles in the jar were fed by several medicine assistants taking turns helping the old physician, using horse dung from the military camp... All the medicinal formulas commonly used in the camp that involve dung beetles are listed here." He then added with clear resentment, "If that old physician hadn't been watching me like a hawk, I wouldn't have taken this long to deliver them to you."
"Watching you?"
"He was afraid I'd touch his dung beetles... He said that after the last bet, the dung beetle I took died."
Xiao Jinyu frowned slightly. "Only the one you took died?"
"Yes... That's why he glares at me whenever I ask about the dung beetles."
"Go back again... Bring me a few dung beetles."
Jing Yi was stunned. "Huh?"
"Also... Tomorrow at the hour of the Goat, we will hold a public trial in the central army tent," Xiao Jinyu gently closed his eyes. "The relevant documents will be sent to Leng Yue. Tomorrow, I will preside over the trial, and you will be responsible for the court records."
Jing Yi sprang up so quickly it betrayed the thick bandage wrapped around his calf. "Me? Recording?!"
"Either you preside, and I'll record."
"No, no..." Jing Yi looked on the verge of tears. "Wang Ye, you know whose military camp this is... For the sake of me keeping you warm, please spare me!"
Xiao Jinyu didn't hesitate. "Organize all the relevant documents tonight. After the trial tomorrow, compile the case files immediately and ensure they are delivered to the palace within two days."
"Wang Ye, it's already the third watch of the night..."
"Hmm... First, bring me the dung beetles. Be careful, don't alert anyone." Xiao Jinyu glanced at Jing Yi's bare upper body. "Besides General Leng, the Liangzhou Prefect Magistrate's Office and the Turkic Prince Ashina Suwu will also be attending the trial tomorrow... Remember to wear your clothes properly."
Jing Yi was taken aback. "You're having Ashina Suwu come to the camp to observe the trial?"
"The public trial requires his assistance."
As soon as Jing Yi left, Chu Chu slipped into the tent carrying a bowl of medicine, grinning as she scurried to the bedside. "Wang Ye, you're awake?"
Unable to bring himself to glare at her, Xiao Jinyu simply kept his eyes closed.
"I saw Brother Jing leaving."
Xiao Jinyu remained silent. A warm, soft hand touched his forehead.
"Why are you still so feverish...? The medicine is ready. Drink it while it's hot and sweat a little. It might help you feel better."
Hearing her concerned and worried tone tugged at his heart. Xiao Jinyu had no choice but to open his eyes. "I've already been sweating...""Ah?" Chu Chu slipped her hand under the blanket and felt his clothes—they were indeed damp. "Did you have too many blankets? Was it too hot?"
"Scared..."
"Scared?" Chu Chu blinked, her face full of sympathy as she touched his pale cheek. "Did you have a nightmare?"
Before falling asleep, he had been held by the woman he loved, but upon waking, he found himself lying in the arms of a grown man—and he had even been unconsciously rubbing against him in his drowsy state... How was that any better than a nightmare?
"Pretty much..."
Chu Chu stroked his sweaty forehead, her heart aching as she complained, "Didn't Brother Jing pat you to comfort you?"
Xiao Jin Yu nearly choked, his pale face flushing red. "Chu Chu... how could you... let someone else hold me..."
Chu Chu laughed cheerfully. "Brother Jing isn't an outsider! Last time, wasn't he the one who carried you out of Doctor Qin's cellar? You weren't wearing a single piece of clothing back then, and he even gave you his own clothes to wear!"
"...That's a different matter..."
Chu Chu looked puzzled. "Why? Weren't you being held both times?"
"..."
"You said that in the military camp, aside from yourself, you could only trust Master and Brother Jing," Chu Chu pursed her lips. "I'd still prefer having Brother Jing hold you..."
"Chu Chu..." Xiao Jin Yu looked at her weakly. "I only want you to hold me..."
Chu Chu beamed with joy. "Really?"
Seeing her delighted expression, Xiao Jin Yu felt both annoyed and amused. "If you let someone else hold me again, I won't let you hold me anymore..."
"No, no! I won't let anyone else hold you from now on!"
"Feed me the medicine..."
"Okay!"
"Then hold me while I sleep..."
"Okay!"
After helping Xiao Jin Yu finish his medicine, Chu Chu changed him into dry clothes and slipped under the blanket, wrapping her arms around his still-chilly body. "Wang Ye, are you feeling better now?"
"Mmm..."
Chu Chu held him a little tighter.
Remembering what Jing Yi had said earlier, Xiao Jin Yu raised his hand and patted her back. "Don't hold me so tightly..."
"Huh?" Chu Chu immediately loosened her grip and looked up at him anxiously. "Did I hurt you?"
"No..." Xiao Jin Yu's face flushed slightly as he gave a faint, bitter smile. "Holding me this tightly—isn't it uncomfortable? I'm all bones."
Chu Chu gently stroked his prominent ribs through his clothes. "A little, you're too thin... but I still like it! I like you no matter how you are!"
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