Chapter 58 : The pain is in my body, the hurt is in your heart

Huo Zhen blushed, turned around, and walked out of the tent, calling to Fu An, “No one is allowed to come in without my orders!”

Fu An stared at Huo Zhen’s flushed face, his expression tinged with disbelief, and replied stiffly, “Understood.”

Back inside, Huo Zhen eagerly began untying his belt.

He wanted to touch Aying.

Song Ying said, “No need to take it off. Just come sit down.”

Huo Zhen paused, a little disappointed, and sat down.

“Turn around.”

“Oh.”

Song Ying raised her hand and gently placed it on Huo Zhen’s back, pressing lightly. “Does this hurt?”

Huo Zhen replied, “No, not at all.”

She pressed another spot. “Here?”

Huo Zhen’s mouth twitched. “A little, but I can handle it.”

Song Ying said, “This is the most serious part of the injury. It might take a while to fully heal.”

When she pulled her hand back, Huo Zhen asked, “Are we done?”

Song Ying replied, “Yes.”

Huo Zhen: “Didn’t you say you were going to change my dressing?”

“I’ll change it tonight.” Song Ying pointed at the medicine box on the ground. “I won’t be leaving for the next few days.”

Hearing that she’d be staying, Huo Zhen was overjoyed.

“What are you grinning about?”

“I’m happy.”

Song Ying said, “I heard your military advisor is sick too?”

Huo Zhen: “Yeah, but unlike me, he’s really sick. Started with vomiting and diarrhea, then began coughing up blood. The doctor gave him some medicine, he stopped coughing up blood, but now he’s groggy all the time. A few other brothers in the camp have the same symptoms. The doctor’s been so busy he’s lost half his hair.”

Song Ying: “Take me to see him.”

Huo Zhen: “Come with me.”

As they left the tent, Song Ying noticed Fu An giving her a strange look.

She asked, “Is there something wrong with my face?”

Fu An shook his head, glanced at Huo Zhen again, and saw him staring back.

Finally, Fu An sighed and said, “Sorry, I think my vision’s messed up.”

Huo Zhen threw him a “you’re the one who’s sick” before leaving, holding Song Ying’s wrist.

Fu An’s face went pale.

‘They’re holding hands…’

When they entered Yang Gu’s tent, the strong scent of medicine hit Song Ying immediately.

Yang Gu tried to get up, but Huo Zhen stepped forward and said, “No need, just lie down.”

Yang Gu looked at Song Ying. “General, who’s this?”

Song Ying introduced herself. “Hello, Military Advisor. I’m Fang Xiawen, owner of the herbal medicine shop.”

Yang Gu looked suspicious. “Hello, Boss Fang. And what brings you here?”

Huo Zhen said bluntly, “She’s here to check on your condition.”

Song Ying asked, “Advisor Yang, can you tell me when you first started feeling unwell?”

It was Yang Gu’s first time meeting Song Ying. He didn’t trust her and thought she was meddling, but because of Huo Zhen, he answered honestly: “Five days ago. I was out surveying the terrain and started coughing when I got back.”

Song Ying: “Where exactly?”

Yang Gu glanced at Huo Zhen. When he saw him nod, he said, “Ten miles northwest.”

Song Ying: “No place name?”

Yang Gu: “It’s wilderness. No name. But it’s full of ravines, some deep, some shallow. Easy to fall if you’re not careful.”

Song Ying: “Anything else?”

Yang Gu glanced at Huo Zhen again. Seeing him nod, he said, “Not really.”

When Song Ying fell silent, lost in thought, Huo Zhen asked, “What is it?”

She asked again, “Military Advisor, aside from the ravines, was there anything unusual about that place?”

Yang Gu thought for a moment. “Nothing much. Just a little cold. The ground was covered in moss and white mushrooms.”

Song Ying: “Got it. I won’t take up more of your time.”

Just as Huo Zhen was about to leave with her, Yang Gu stopped him.

“General, aren’t you going to properly introduce your friend to me?”

Huo Zhen smiled. “You’ll find out soon enough. But keep it a secret for now.”

Yang Gu rolled his eyes. “Always playing games.”

As they walked back to the main tent, Huo Zhen asked, “Do you have any ideas?”

Song Ying opened the medicine box and rummaged through it. “Are you busy today? If not, can you take me to that place now?”

Huo Zhen: “Sure. Uh, but shouldn’t you talk to the doctor first?”

Song Ying pulled out two clean cloths and dripped some medicine on them. “He has his job, I have mine. Here, put these on.”

Huo Zhen took one of the cloths and touched it curiously. “What’s this for?”

Song Ying put it on herself first. “As soon as I entered Wucheng, I smelled a strange scent in the air. It made me very uncomfortable. I suspect it might be related to the forest.”

Huo Zhen immediately put on the scarf, and the faint fragrance that drifted into his nose and mouth made his eyes light up. “It smells nice.”

Song Ying took out another pair of cotton gloves and said, “Let’s go.”

Fu An, who was standing outside, saw the two go in and come out wearing scarves not long after. Before he could ask anything, he heard Huo Zhen say, “Boss Fang and I are going to the forest to do some work. You’re not allowed to tell anyone.”

Fu An’s heart skipped a beat. The words “doing things in the woods” kept echoing in his head.

By the time Fu An snapped out of it, Huo Zhen and Song Ying had already walked off into the distance.

It’s over!

They just met, and they already couldn’t hold back!!

Huo Zhen was the first to mount his horse and extended his hand to Song Ying. “Come on up.”

Song Ying took his hand, and with his help, easily got onto the horse and sat in front of him.

Huo Zhen said, “The woods are damp, you should lean on me so you don’t catch a cold.”

Song Ying was afraid of pressing on his chest and stomach injuries, so she kept some distance and said, “Let’s go.”

Huo Zhen: “Hold on tight. Giddy up!”

They galloped at full speed and soon disappeared into the forest.

Following the path they had scouted earlier, they arrived at the place Yang Gu had mentioned.

Huo Zhen dismounted first, caught Song Ying in both arms, and gently set her on the ground.

“Careful, it’s slippery here, don’t fall.”

Song Ying asked, “Were you planning to set an ambush here?”

Huo Zhen: “Yeah, but Yang Gu fell ill, and the setup is nearly done.”

He held her hand and said, “Stick close to me.”

His broad, warm palm enveloped Song Ying’s soft hand. Her heart stirred slightly, but she quietly followed him.

Huo Zhen was very attentive, he always made sure the path ahead was safe before letting her proceed.

“The place Yang Gu mentioned is just ahead.”

He opened his arms. “It’s hard to walk there. I’ll carry you across. If you fall, it’ll break my heart.”

Song Ying teased, “The pain’s in my body, but it hurts your heart?”

Huo Zhen was stunned. “That’s not what I meant. I just don’t want you getting hurt.”

Song Ying stepped cautiously onto solid ground. “I’ll be careful.”

Huo Zhen jumped into a shallow pit ahead and said in a bossy tone, “You can’t get across this part. Come into my arms.”

Song Ying declined. She looked around and walked toward the side. When she was about ten steps from the area Yang Gu mentioned, a cold wind blew past. Song Ying frowned, the smell made her nauseous, and she squatted down, dry heaving.

“Aying!”

Huo Zhen rushed over in alarm. “Are you okay? Are you feeling sick?”

Song Ying grabbed his hand and stood up with difficulty. She fixed her gaze on a mushroom-like plant nearby and handed him a pair of cotton gloves. “Put these on and help me pick two of those.”

“Alright.”

Huo Zhen moved quickly and came back shortly with two of the mushrooms.

Song Ying covered her mouth and nose. “Let’s go. I can’t take the smell anymore.”

Worried she might stumble, Huo Zhen picked her up directly and said, “Hold on tight.”

Just then, another gust of cold wind blew.

“Ugh…”

Song Ying threw up…