When Xi Fuhong heard the word “beautiful,” her proud heart felt as if someone was tickling it, making it unbearable.
“…Ah Fu…” She leaned forward, intending to bite Xi Fuhong’s ear, but Xi Fuhong tilted her head to avoid it.
“Divine Doctor, the water’s getting cold.” Breaking free from Xue Baihua’s embrace, Xi Fuhong awkwardly moved to the side of the bath to check the water temperature.
In truth, the water was still quite warm, but Divine Doctor Xue’s inexplicable actions made her heart race, so she just said it without thinking.
She was puzzled as to why Xue Baihua didn’t react, but then she suddenly heard the sound of clothes rustling behind her.
She immediately realized that Divine Doctor Xue must have stripped completely, and without thinking, she grabbed a cloth from beside the bath and quickly covered her eyes.
“Divine Doctor, take your time bathing, I’ll leave first!” She groped along the wall, not daring to peek.
“…Ah Fu… what are you doing?” Xue Baihua, sitting in the bath, watched Xi Fuhong’s amusing actions with a smile.
She saw Xi Fuhong bumping into things with her eyes covered, almost knocking over a decorative vase, yet she refused to remove the cloth.
Finally reaching the door, Xi Fuhong blushed and said before leaving, “Don’t look at what you shouldn’t!”
The author has something to say: Although I still have some drafts, my inspiration has been severely lacking lately (crying)… Daily updates will continue this week, so you can still enjoy them every day~
☆ Chapter 23: Spring Water Attire
On the bumpy road, the narrow front seat of the carriage was crammed with three people, two small and one large.
“Eat.” Cao Er handed a steamed bun to Xi Fuhong, ordering coldly.
The warm bun felt soft in her hand.
Looking at the white, tender skin, Xi Fuhong happily took a big bite, completely ignoring Cao Er’s cold words.
As long as her stomach was full, that was the happiest thing for her.
Seeing her eat so contentedly, Cao Er couldn’t help but pout.
She thought about how this medicine person had been sticking to the master recently, and she felt a surge of resentment.
When she wasn’t around, Cao Er and Mu Er only needed one person to drive the carriage, and the other could serve the master inside, occasionally sneaking a few hugs.
But now…
“Damn it!” The more Cao Er thought about it, the angrier she got.
She pinched Xi Fuhong’s thigh hard, making her yelp in pain.
“Why did you pinch me?” Xi Fuhong looked innocently at Cao Er, who had a dark expression, with a mouthful of bun.
“Do I need a reason to pinch you? I could kick you out of the carriage without telling you!” Cao Er lifted her foot as if to kick.
Mu Er shook her head and calmly said, “The master is resting, don’t make a fuss.”
Hearing this, Cao Er indeed quieted down, while Xi Fuhong continued to nibble on her food helplessly.
She wondered what she had done to provoke this little ancestor, who always wanted to hit or kick her.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t understand Cao Er’s awkward feelings of loyalty to the master.
As for Mu Er, she was much more composed and wouldn’t stoop to Xi Fuhong’s level.
She understood that the master was merely interested in new things and would soon treat her like the previous medicine people… with disdain.
“Where are we going?” Xi Fuhong asked, swallowing the last bite of her bun and looking at the long road ahead.
Cao Er glared at her, and Xi Fuhong turned her head to look at Mu Er, who remained silent.
“This must be far from Wu Feng Valley…” she muttered to herself.
Even if she returned, who knew when that would be? She wondered where her grandmother was hiding and if she was safe.
Hopefully, she hadn’t been captured by martial arts sects.
Wu Feng Valley should be fine, right? Those flowers must have withered, and the hard-grown vegetable seedlings must have died too…
Seeing her worried expression, Cao Er bit her lip.
“Juan An Mountain has a hot spring that helps alleviate cold poison.
The master goes there every year,” Cao Er said sullenly.
The master went every year, suffering from cold poison each time…
“Hot spring? What’s that?” Xi Fuhong, lacking Cao Er’s protective instincts, was only curious about the new term.
“Hmph, you’re truly a wild person,” Cao Er scoffed.
“A hot spring is natural geothermal water that emerges from the ground, with effects that heal all ailments and relieve cold and pain.”
“Isn’t that like a divine spring?” Not only could it heal all ailments, but it could also relieve cold and pain.
What else could it be but spiritual water?
“You’re so stupid! That’s just a metaphor! If it could really heal all ailments, the master wouldn’t be suffering from poison,” Cao Er said, punching her.
Xi Fuhong nodded in understanding, but another question popped into her mind.
“Why did Divine Doctor Xue get poisoned with cold poison?” Isn’t she a Divine Doctor?
Cao Er remained silent, turning her head to look at Xi Fuhong, who was full of questions.
“Did someone poison the Divine Doctor without her noticing?” That shouldn’t be possible, right?
Not getting an answer, she asked again, and this time, the usually silent Mu Er suddenly grabbed Xi Fuhong’s arm.
“The medicine person doesn’t need to know.” She didn’t turn her head, but her voice was full of warning.
Mu Er, usually calm, was quite intimidating when she warned someone because her words were always very reasonable.
Xi Fuhong swallowed hard and nodded, prompting Mu Er to release her grip.
After that, she indeed remained quiet, making the two-hour journey surprisingly peaceful and harmonious.
By the time they reached Juan An Mountain, it was already late.
Cao Er parked the carriage in a secluded forest and let the horse roam freely.
Mu Er took a cloth bundle and stood by the carriage, gazing at the mountain path.
After a while, Xue Baihua emerged from the carriage without assistance, her shaky figure catching Xi Fuhong’s eye.
She immediately went to support the frail body.
“Divine Doctor, why did you come out by yourself?” Xi Fuhong’s tone carried a hint of reproach.
If Cao Er knew she hadn’t taken good care of the master, she would surely scold her again…
But to Xue Baihua, these words sounded like deep concern.
She shook her head and leaned into Xi Fuhong’s embrace, her hands weakly clinging to her shoulders, her cold, haggard face resting against the warmth of Xi Fuhong’s neck.
“…Ah Fu… did I worry you?” she murmured softly, feeling the other’s body tremble slightly.
“Divine Doctor, Cao Er is coming,” Xi Fuhong said just as Cao Er approached with a stern expression.
“Master, we can go up the mountain now.” Her tone was respectful, but her gaze made Xi Fuhong break out in a cold sweat.
Xue Baihua heard but had no intention of leaving the warm embrace.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Xi Fuhong’s neck, her cheek brushing against him ever so slightly, then pressed her body closer to Xi Fuhong.
Feeling the softness of Xue Baihua’s chest, Xi Fuhong’s cheeks immediately flushed with embarrassment, unsure where to place her hands, she awkwardly stood straight with her hands by her sides.
“…Ah Fu… carry this doctor up the mountain…” she whispered with a low laugh in Xi Fuhong’s ear, “…this doctor can’t walk the mountain path…” “Master!” Cao Er immediately frowned in protest.
“Divine Doctor, let Cao Er carry you instead?” Xi Fuhong also felt it was inappropriate and shook her head, trying to push Xue Baihua away.
But those hands refused to let go.
Xi Fuhong pushed twice and realized Xue Baihua had no intention of leaving.
Seeing her body go limp, Xi Fuhong, afraid of dropping her, quickly embraced her tightly.
Now she dared not push her away.
Cao Er saw Xue Baihua’s demeanor and understood she couldn’t persuade her master, so she pouted silently.
“…Carry this doctor up the mountain.” It was an order, not a joke.
Xi Fuhong hesitated, looking at Cao Er, who stomped her foot in anger and said, “What are you looking at! Didn’t you hear what Master said!” Now she truly couldn’t disobey.
Carry? How to carry? Awkwardly spreading her arms, Xi Fuhong thought for a while, bent down, wrapped her left arm around Xue Baihua’s back, and scooped up her legs with her right arm, holding her horizontally against her chest.
Xue Baihua’s arms were still around Xi Fuhong’s neck, fitting perfectly.
“If you dare drop Master, I’ll poison you!” Cao Er shouted, turning to lead the way.
Fortunately, Xue Baihua was seriously ill, and although slightly taller than Xi Fuhong, her body was surprisingly light, making it easy for Xi Fuhong to carry her.
However, Xue Baihua occasionally…
