“What are you still doing?” Doctor Zhou pointed to the hard couch at the side. “Put your wife there and lie down for a while. Let her drink the medicine after it’s done. You can take the rest of the medicine back and boil it yourself tomorrow. Just boil one bowl.”
“Doctor Zhou, will the medicinal properties be destroyed if licorice is added to the medicine?” Thinking about how his lover told him that the medicine was too bitter, Zhao Zhan couldn’t help but ask, “If it doesn’t destroy the medicinal properties, can you add a little more?”
“I know, I know. Your wife is a treasure. I’ll grab some licorice and put it in now.”
Zhao Zhan nodded repeatedly and carried Yue Jiaojiao to the side of the bed. He only opened the blanket a little and carefully held her in his arms.
There were so many people coming and going and lying on the beds in the hall every day that he could not bear to place his lover on them.
Half an hour passed.
The medicine boy brought over the medicine that was almost cold with a tired face.
“Drink your medicine and go back quickly.”
Zhao Zhan thanked them and took the medicine. He coaxed her in a low voice, “Jiaojiao, the medicine is ready. Get up and drink some.”
Yue Jiaojiao had been in a light sleep. When she heard Zhao Zhan’s voice, her eyelashes fluttered and she opened her eyes weakly. Her voice was a little hoarse as she asked, “Is it bitter?”
Zhao Zhan lowered his head and took a sip.
“It’s a little bitter. I took some candied plums from home when I came out. I’ll feed you one after you finish the medicine.”
Yue Jiaojiao used the strength of Zhao Zhan’s arm to sit up, and with a bitter face, she finished the medicine in one gulp.
“Here. Eat this.” Zhao Zhan placed the fruit by her lips in time, his face was gentle. “It won’t be bitter anymore.”
Yue Jiaojiao put the candied fruit in her mouth and buried her head in Zhao Zhan’s chest. “Zhao Zhan, I want to go home.”
After all, this was the medicinal hall, not his own home. Although she was delicate, she would never cause trouble regardless of the occasion.
“We’ll be going back now.”
Zhao Zhan returned the bowl of medicine to the medicine boy, picked up the medicine prescribed by Doctor Zhou, wrapped Yue Jiaojiao up again, and carried her back to the house.
After drinking the medicine, Yue Jiaojiao broke out in a cold sweat.
Seeing that she had finally fallen into a deep sleep, Zhao Zhan’s heart, which had been raised high up in the air, was finally put at ease for the time being. He leaned against the bedpost and closed his eyes to rest for a while.
By the time she finished the second set of medicine at daybreak, Yue Jiaojiao’s high fever had completely subsided. However, she still had a nasal voice when she spoke, so she lazily lay on the bed, not wanting to move.
“Zhao Zhan,” Yue Jiaojiao turned to look at the man who had been sitting by the bed and staring at her. “You’ve been staring at me for half a day. If this goes on, I’m sure I’ll have a few more holes in my body. I’m really fine. Do you want to go to the shop and take a look?”
It was just a fever. She was feeling uncomfortable at night and needed care, but once daybreak came, Zhao Zhan was still protecting her as if he was protecting his life.
Yue Jiaojiao knew that he had a lot of things to do and didn’t want him to waste his time at home because of her.
Seeing that he wasn’t moving, Yue Jiaojiao’s eyes darted around slyly. “I want to eat barbecued meat. Can you go to the shop and use the grill to make some for me?”
“You can’t eat such greasy food now. I made some porridge in the jar. Shall I get a bowl?”
“I can eat barbecued meat and congee at the same time. Otherwise, it won’t taste good.” She shook Zhao Zhan’s arm. “Zhao Zhan, you should go to the shop and take a look. Didn’t I ask you to ask Fang Tianliu about that matter last time? If he likes her, you must make sure he explains it clearly to Xiangjun.”
Zhao Zhan’s empty right hand had been shielding her from behind the entire time, afraid that she would fall off the bed if she got dizzy. Hearing her say this, he hesitated for a long time before nodding.