Chapter 59 : I Want to Hug You

Fu An paced back and forth anxiously, frequently glancing in the direction Huo Zhen had gone.

He was worried but more than that, he was nervous.

He had always imagined that the sister-in-law his big brother was searching for must be beautiful and gentle…

Alas, thinking of how excited Yang Hu and Mo Qi had been when they talked about this sister-in-law, Fu An couldn’t help but wonder if the two had completely lost their minds after coming to the capital.

No wonder the old general sent my brother here. So this is what was going on.

Fu An looked up at the sky and sighed. “What a sin.”

Clip-clop, clip-clop…

Hearing the sound of approaching hooves, Fu An looked up and saw Huo Zhen returning.

He took a few steps forward but suddenly froze.

His brows furrowed so tightly it looked like they could crush a fly.

If he remembered correctly, Huo Zhen had been wearing clothes when he left, right?

Then why were he and Boss Fang now only in their underclothes?!

Where were their clothes?

Where were their clothes?!

Big brother, forget being shameless at least put your clothes back on properly. Are you planning to announce to the whole world what you and this “sister-in-law” did in the woods?!

Fu An’s heart was in chaos, but his face remained as blank as a cast iron pot.

He stepped up to take Huo Zhen’s reins. “General.”

“Quick, get a basin of hot water.” Huo Zhen carried Song Ying off the horse and rushed straight into the main tent.

Leaving Fu An to stand alone in the wind, disheveled.

Hot water… hot water afterward?!

Fu An slapped himself and cursed, “Damn it, what the hell am I thinking!”

He entered with the hot water, and only then did he feel a bit more at ease because what he saw wasn’t at all what he’d imagined.

“Ugh…”

Song Ying was lying on the couch, retching. Huo Zhen was gently patting her back. Seeing Fu An enter, he took the basin and said, “Alright, you can leave. Don’t come in again unless I say so.”

Fu An took one look at Song Ying and silently walked out.

Huo Zhen wrung out a handkerchief and wiped Song Ying’s mouth.

“Why are you still throwing up?”

Song Ying had already vomited everything she’d eaten for lunch, now she was just bringing up sour bile.

Back in the woods, Huo Zhen hadn’t cared about the mess on his body, he was just focused on getting her out of there fast and had discarded the dirty clothes entirely.

Song Ying took the bowl of water, rinsed her mouth, spat into the bucket, and exhaled, “Phew… I feel a bit better now.”

Seeing her face still pale, Huo Zhen couldn’t help but worry. “Are you really okay?”

He had just been so scared, thinking she might’ve been poisoned.

“I’m fine. Much better.” Song Ying took the warm water from the basin and washed her face. Then she said to Huo Zhen, “Have someone prepare some mung bean water for me.”

Huo Zhen: “Got it. You just rest.” He turned and went out.

Song Ying lay on the couch to rest, replaying what had just happened.

That stench in the air had been a mixture of rot and decay, far worse than what she’d smelled in the city.

She started to feel drowsy. Just as she began to doze off, she heard footsteps. She turned to see Huo Zhen walking in with mung bean water. “Here, drink this.”

Song Ying took a few sips, and the irritation in her throat gradually eased.

“How are you feeling now?”

“I’m alright. Where’s the ‘mushroom’?”

“Here.” Huo Zhen pulled the mushrooms, still wrapped in the cotton gloves, from his waistband.

As soon as the smell hit her, Song Ying instinctively backed away. “Take them outside and let them dry.”

“Oh.” Huo Zhen walked out but returned not long after. “They’re all set.”

Song Ying asked, “When that wind blew earlier, didn’t you smell anything at all?”

Huo Zhen shook his head. “No, just some mustiness. I didn’t feel sick.”

“Do you feel like throwing up or having diarrhea now?”

“I’m not some weak scholar like Yang Gu. I’m fine.” Huo Zhen had just finished speaking when—

Grrrrrrgle…

His stomach growled loudly.

Song Ying: …

Huo Zhen: …………

After that, Huo Zhen went to the toilet three times.

Maybe it was because his body had already endured a lot, after the third time, he didn’t feel much worse, just a bit dizzy.

Lying on the couch, Huo Zhen said, “Don’t worry, I’m not feeling that bad. I’ll be fine after lying down a bit.”

Song Ying pressed the back of her hand to his forehead. “No fever. You’ll be okay.”

Huo Zhen asked, “Do you think it was caused by that evil wind?”

Song Ying replied, “It’s not the wind, it’s the mushroom. If I’m not mistaken, the mushroom releases poisonous spores into the air, which people inhale and that makes them sick.”

Huo Zhen slapped the couch angrily. “Damn it, that thing is disgusting. I’ll have someone burn it right away.”

Song Ying asked, “Is that area still within Dayin’s territory?”

Huo Zhen replied, “It used to belong to Xiyue, but I defeated them. Now it’s ours. I was wondering why they retreated so easily they were clearly setting a trap for me. Damn! Waiting for me…”

Song Ying prompted, “Why’d you stop talking?”

Huo Zhen slapped his own mouth. “I’m saving the curse words for when I see them in person, hey.”

Song Ying asked, “Still dizzy?”

Huo Zhen sat up and shook his head slightly. “Much better. It’s strange though, I thought I’d be down like Yang Gu.”

Song Ying said, “Everyone reacts differently.”

Huo Zhen said proudly, “I’ve been through hundreds of battles. Of course I’d hold up better than Yang Gu.”

Song Ying pursed her lips and changed the subject, “Where did you put the mushrooms?”

Huo Zhen said, “With Fu An.”

When Song Ying stepped out of the tent, she saw Fu An nearby, holding a mushroom and letting the wind blow over it.

“Excuse me, Deputy General Fu. Please give that to me.”

Fu An, seeing that it was Song Ying, quickly handed it over and left.

Song Ying focused on the mushroom in her hand. When she smelled it again, the scent was much fainter. Without the soil, it had shriveled up.

She asked Huo Zhen to call the doctor and show him the mushroom.

“Mister, do you recognize this? I suspect it’s what made the soldiers sick.”

The doctor, his face covered in black dust from days of preparing medicine, squinted as he picked up the mushroom. He examined it, sniffed it, even licked it and finally swallowed it, frowning.

“This is my first time seeing this,” the doctor said.

Song Ying added, “There are two other doctors from the Chamber of Commerce. Please consult with them too.”

The doctor looked past her and straight at Huo Zhen.

Huo Zhen said, “What are you looking at me for? I got diarrhea just from smelling that thing. Go figure something out. Whether the soldiers can fight or not depends on you.”

His words struck a chord with the doctor, who immediately accepted the order and left.

Back in the tent, Huo Zhen sat down on the couch and asked Song Ying, “Do you think they’ll find a solution?”

Song Ying replied, “Yes. Didn’t you see the fire in his eyes just now? If he solves this, he gets major credit.”

Huo Zhen stroked his chin. “Why are you giving that opportunity to someone else?”

Song Ying winked. “I’m just a medicinal herb merchant.”

The doctor had years of experience. He was capable. There was no need for her to step in and take someone else’s job.

Huo Zhen pointed at himself. “If you’re just a herb merchant, then what am I supposed to do? Didn’t you promise to treat my injuries?”

Song Ying walked up to him, leaned down, and looked him in the eyes. “Since I promised General Huo, I’ll treat you. After all, you’re the first to use my new medicine.”

Huo Zhen smiled faintly. “Just because of that?”

Song Ying tilted her head, thinking. “Hmm… maybe also because of what General Huo said—‘wait for me’?”

Huo Zhen’s eyes lit up. He tilted his head back, Adam’s apple moving slightly. “Aying, I want to hug you.”