Chapter 81: Shen Shilang, You’re Blushing!

Su Jinshi bought a thermometer.

It was a traditional mercury thermometer. She quietly slipped it into Shen Shilang’s clothing, gently pushing it into his closed armpit.

Shen Shilang felt something cool being inserted. Through a private communication channel only he could hear, Su Jinshi said, “Don’t move, I’m just taking your temperature.”

Hearing Su Jinshi’s voice in his dazed state, Shen Shilang responded with a soft “Mm.”

“Shilang?” Wei Jianlang, thinking Shen Shilang had woken up, called out urgently.

In his confusion, Shen Shilang heard Wei Jianlang’s voice. His eyelids began to flutter, his eyelashes trembling.

After a long pause, Shen Shilang slowly opened his eyes.

By now, the sky outside had turned a grayish-blue, with the first faint light of dawn appearing.

Wei Jianlang stared intently at Shen Shilang, not daring to look away. He quickly ordered Zhou Cheng, “Quickly, go call Father!”

Soon, Wei Zhaoxian strode into the tent. Shen Shilang had just opened his eyes, still looking a bit confused.

“Shilang!” Wei Zhaoxian exclaimed excitedly.

“General,” Shen Shilang’s hoarse voice made it sound as if his throat had been scraped raw.

“Quick, call the military doctor!” Wei Zhaoxian urgently instructed.

The time for the temperature reading had arrived, so Su Jinshi quietly retrieved the thermometer. It showed 36.8 degrees Celsius – the fever had completely subsided. Su Jinshi decided to continue checking Shen Shilang’s temperature throughout the day to ensure there was no relapse.

The doctor hurried in and, after examining Shen Shilang, let out a deep sigh of relief. “Lord Shen is truly blessed. Despite his serious injuries, he woke up overnight, and the fever has naturally subsided. As long as the dressings are changed and he takes his medicine regularly, he should recover well.”

The doctor marveled, as he had seen many soldiers die from severe injuries like Shen Shilang’s. He had been worried Shen Shilang wouldn’t make it through the night, but now he was amazed at Shen Shilang’s swift recovery. If he hadn’t witnessed the extent of the injuries firsthand, he would have thought Shen Shilang was exaggerating.

“I’ve never seen a case like Lord Shen’s before – he is a most fortunate man!” the doctor exclaimed.

“So he’s stabilized now? He just needs time to heal?” Wei Jianlang asked anxiously.

The doctor hesitated before replying, “I can’t say for certain, but the first night is always the most critical. Now that he’s made it through that, and considering his current condition, I don’t foresee major issues. However, to be safe, we should closely monitor him today. If he remains fever-free by tonight, then he’ll be out of danger.”

“I’ll write up a new prescription now to adjust Lord Shen’s medication,” the doctor said.

“Thank you for your efforts.”

After the military doctor left, Wei Zhaoxian said to Shen Shilang, “Don’t ever put yourself in harm’s way for me again.”

“I’ve spent half my life on the battlefield; I’ve had my share. But you, you’re still young and have much to do. You still have…” Wei Zhaoxian trailed off, but both Shen Shilang and Wei Jianlang knew what Wei Zhaoxian wanted to say – he still had to avenge the Shen family.

The lives of the entire Shen clan had not yet found peace.

If Shen Shilang were to die now, the Shen family might never find peace.

Shen Shilang managed a faint smile, but lacked the strength to say more. In a hoarse voice, he murmured, “My life was saved by you, General. Now it’s my turn to protect yours.”

“You’ve already done that once, that’s enough,” Wei Zhaoxian said sternly. “You don’t need to repay me by risking your life again.”

Shen Shilang remained silent.

Wei Zhaoxian’s voice grew heavier. “Have you forgotten what you said when you left the Wei family? And now you nearly died saving me – does this look like you’ve cut ties?”

Shen Shilang hesitated before replying, “I have my ways.”

Wei Zhaoxian was exasperated. This boy just wouldn’t listen!

Wei Jianlang also had a bone to pick. After Wei Zhaoxian finished, he said angrily, “And you knocked me out!”

Shen Shilang sighed helplessly, “If harm had come to the General, the Wei family would only have you left. The Northwest Army needs you. If something happened to you, the Northwest Army would be in trouble.”

“But did you think about what would happen to your own family if something happened to you?” Wei Jianlang stopped short, not wanting to continue. “Why didn’t you think about that?”

Shen Shilang said quietly, “At the time, I only thought my life held little value for the nation. But you carry the weight of the entire Northwest Army. As long as I prevent certain people from profiting, I’ll be content.”

“You’re just making excuses! You clearly didn’t want me to take the risk,” Wei Jianlang snapped, knowing Shen Shilang too well to believe his simple explanation.

With Shen Shilang’s intelligence, how could he think so simply? He was just saying this to placate him.

Shen Shilang gave a faint smile, which tugged at his wounds, startling both Wei Jianlang and Wei Zhaoxian.

“Alright, just rest,” Wei Zhaoxian urged.

Wei Jianlang knew arguing with Shen Shilang was futile. Seeing his friend seemed to be doing better, he pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed.

“Shilang, do you know you were calling out someone’s name while you were unconscious?”

Shen Shilang tensed, wondering if he had called out his family’s names. But he quickly dismissed the idea, as Wei Jianlang’s relaxed demeanor suggested otherwise.

If he had unconsciously called out the names of the Shen family members while unconscious, Wei Jianlang certainly wouldn’t have this expression.

“Whose name did I call?” Shen Shilang asked, suddenly remembering sensing Su Jinshi’s presence several times during his unconsciousness.

Could it be that he had called out Su Jinshi’s name?

Just then, he saw Wei Jianlang grinning mischievously, leaning in close.

His teasing smile was a bit too close to Shen Shilang’s face.

Seeing this, Su Jinshi almost couldn’t resist the urge to smack Wei Jianlang’s big head away.

Shen Shilang, seeing Wei Jianlang’s face getting closer and closer, also felt uncomfortable and quickly said, “Don’t get so close.”

“You called out ‘Jinshi,'” Wei Jianlang said.

Shen Shilang thought to himself, “As expected.”

He had indeed called out Su Jinshi’s name.

“Who is Jinshi? A girl you met in the capital?” Wei Jianlang asked, a string of questions following. “Is she your sweetheart?”

A hint of blush appeared on Shen Shilang’s pale face, causing Wei Jianlang to exclaim, “Shen Shilang, you’re blushing!”

…