plumnovel Chapter 55: Where is this?
Chapter 55: Where is this?
The crisscrossing fields spread out in the twilight.
The freshly turned soil, mixed with the scent of grass, filled the air.
In the distance, a touch of indigo had quietly crept onto the eastern horizon, and wisps of smoke were rising from the low rooftops of thatched cottages.
It soared into the air, only to be dispersed by a gentle breeze.
In the twilight, a group of weary travelers were heading towards the edge of the winding field.
"Father-in-law, where is this place? Is there a doctor here?"
Zou Yun, with his sharp eyes, spotted an old man carrying farm tools, heading home, and quickly stepped forward to block his path.
He suppressed his anxiety and bowed respectfully to the old man.
The old man was startled by the sudden obstruction.
Through his cloudy eyes, he could see that Zou Yun was dressed in luxurious clothes, and that his companions behind him also had an extraordinary air about them.
Suddenly, things seemed awkward.
"I have...I have met the gentleman."
The old man subconsciously tightened the farm tools on his shoulders, and said with slight nervousness.
"This place is called Pingqiu Village, and it belongs to Puyang County."
He paused, his gaze drifting to the palanquin behind them, pulled by a horse, on which lay Meng Xuande, unconscious and with a flushed face.
Somewhat hesitantly replied, "As for the physician, I'm afraid... I'm afraid you'll need to travel to Puyang County, which is about a two-day journey from here."
"Two days...?"
Zou Yun's heart sank.
He slowly turned around, his gaze fixed on the trailer behind him, hastily cobbled together from simple wooden planks.
Meng Xuande's heavy breathing was particularly jarring in the quiet twilight.
His brows were furrowed, and even in his unconscious state, he seemed to be enduring immense pain. His exposed neck and forehead were burning hot, and sweat soaked through his hair.
Wei Shuqing, who was taking care of him, already had tears in his eyes.
After hearing the old man's words, I felt as if I had been pricked by a needle.
He suddenly raised his head, his shoulders trembling violently, and said with self-reproach.
"It's all the child's fault! If he hadn't fallen into the river, Lord Meng wouldn't have caught a cold while saving him!"
Yesterday, the group was passing by a wide river.
Wei Shuqing lost his footing and slipped off the bridge, rolling into the water.
Before anyone could react, Meng Xuande jumped into the water without hesitation and rescued him.
Although spring has arrived, the chill of winter still lingers, and the river water is bitterly cold.
Although Meng Xuande was physically strong, Feng Zhixue immediately found firewood after they went ashore and used his personal alchemy furnace to boil ginger soup, which the two of them drank in large gulps to ward off the cold.
However, the seeds of disaster were sown nonetheless.
No one expected that the young Wei Shuqing would be fine, but the usually strong and healthy Meng Xuande would suddenly collapse.
Moreover, the high fever came on very quickly.
Meng Xuande was initially able to manage to ride the horse, but later he tumbled off the saddle and lost consciousness due to the jolting.
Upon seeing this, Zou Yun immediately used his ice control technique to secretly dissipate heat from the affected area.
He then used a sharp sword to carve out a simple carriage platform and carefully placed him on it.
But Meng Xuande's condition did not improve; in fact, it worsened. His breathing became increasingly rapid, and his cheeks burned like charcoal.
Therefore, Zou Yun worried that Meng Xuande's condition might worsen over the next two days.
"Damn it, what's cold medicine made of again? Dandelion, kudzu root, bupleurum, and what else?"
"Even if I knew, where would I find the herbs to identify them in this desolate wilderness?"
Zou Yun frantically pondered his memories of his past life.
Just when everyone's hearts were filled with gloom.
The old man hesitated for a long time, but still hesitated before speaking.
"My lord...my lord, in Pingqiu Village, there is no physician."
"But there was a young teacher. Whenever people had minor illnesses or aches, they would get better by having him gather herbs and prepare them."
"You...could you go there and see if there's a glimmer of hope?"
What a twist of fate!
"Father-in-law, please lead the way."
A glint of light suddenly appeared in Zou Yun's dim eyes, and he quickly bowed.
"Huh?! Okay."
The old man nodded and walked towards the inner gathering place.
The group perked up and quickly followed, passing several outhouses before finally stopping in front of a secluded house.
This small courtyard is neither as cramped and cluttered as a farmer's house, nor does it have the high walls and spacious courtyards of a wealthy family.
With only rammed earth walls and woven bramble fences, a quiet little world is enclosed.
No vulgar objects are hung on the fence, only a few withered vines are climbing on it, sprouting new buds, which gives it a touch of elegance and charm.
"Mr. Koyasu! Mr. Koyasu!!"
The old man skillfully pushed open the simple wooden door and called out loudly.
The group looked at each other, then followed them inside.
Several layers of reed mats were laid out on the open ground in the courtyard, and many herbs were drying on the mats.
When the wind blows, a faint fragrance of herbs and plants spreads, pure and refreshing, completely different from the smell of firewood smoke in farmhouses.
No melons, beans, vegetables, or fruits are planted in the courtyard; only a clump of wild orchids grows in a corner, with a few slender bamboo stalks planted beside it.
Upon entering this place, everyone felt a sense of peace and tranquility, which naturally arose within them.
At the same time, at the old man's call, the wooden door of the simple thatched cottage facing the courtyard gate was pushed open, and a figure slowly walked out.
The man was no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a slender figure, simple clothes, and a scholarly air.
Her hair was simply tied up with a black cloth turban, without a crown or hairpins. A few strands of hair hung down at her temples, not appearing messy, but rather adding to her relaxed demeanor.
He was wearing a dark gray linen robe, which was well-tailored but not too tight.
As she walked, her clothes fluttered lightly, and she was relaxed and at ease, without any sense of restraint.
His face was as bright as the moon, his eyebrows and eyes were clear and gentle, and his gaze was bright but not sharp, like distant mountain clouds and mist.
At first glance, everyone felt a sense of goodwill towards him.
Zou Yun and the others all sighed inwardly, "What a handsome and refined gentleman."
"Old Mr. Li, I don't know...?"
The man, referred to as Mr. Koyasu, spoke slowly and clearly, with a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant.
His bright gaze swept over the group of people behind the old man, only lingering briefly on Zou Yun's face.
Then the question fell on the old man who opened the door, awaiting his explanation.
"Please don't take offense, Mr. Zi'an."
Before the old man could answer, Zou Yun stepped forward and pointed earnestly at Meng Xuande outside the door.
"In truth, my companion caught a cold and had no choice but to ask you for help. I hope you will forgive my unauthorized visit."
As he spoke, Zou Yun bowed deeply to the man in front of him.
Zhang Shan's gaze followed Zou Yun's pointing finger and landed on Meng Xuande's face, his brows immediately furrowing slightly.
He didn't offer any unnecessary pleasantries; his eyes instantly became focused and sharp, as if he had become a different person.
Zhang Shan strode into the courtyard, precisely picked up several medicinal herbs, and said to Zou Yun.
"Alright, let's bring it in first."
Upon seeing this, the group immediately and carefully lifted Meng Xuande and placed him on the bed in the room designated by Zhang Shan.
Without Zhang Shan saying anything more, the group got to work on their own.
Feng Zhixue went to fetch water, Wei Shuqing helped carry firewood, and Zou Yun stayed close to Zhang Shan, ready to obey orders at any time.
Wipe the body to cool it down, chop firewood to start a fire and boil water, and clean and process the medicinal herbs according to Zhang Shan's instructions...
The lights came on in the courtyard, and shadows moved about.
Working tirelessly through the night under the bright lights, Meng Xuande's burning forehead finally broke out in fine beads of sweat.
"Mr. Ziyasu, Mr. Meng, everything should be alright now."
Wei Shuqing, who had been staying by Meng Xuande's bedside, was both delighted and worried as he watched the changes in Meng Xuande.
"Don't worry, he's fine."
Zhang Shan patted Wei Shuqing's head to comfort him, and then began to tidy up with the others.
"It's getting late, so please rest for a day in this humble abode."
"Although the patient's fever has subsided, he still needs to rest and be observed. He should not travel immediately."
After finishing everything, Zhang Shan spoke gently to Zou Yun.
In our brief interaction, Mr. Zi'an was unconventional in his manners, yet he was perfectly tactful. He neither deliberately tried to be friendly nor feigned distance.
The people's opinion of him had long since evolved from initial goodwill to a deep respect.
Seeing that he had offered to stay overnight to rest, Zou Yun bowed without hesitation.
"That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask!"
"Mr. Zou, you're too kind."
After saying this, Zhang Shan arranged for the group to stay in a side room and then returned to his own room to rest.
The lights gradually went out, and the night passed without incident.