Chapter 112: The Little Fool is the Best Medicine
Wei Wanlan’s hand tightened around the medicine bottle.
He tilted his head, his palm damp with sweat, feeling more confused and anxious than ever.
He felt that no matter what, he should wake the Regent King first to make sure he was alright. Sometimes people lost consciousness in their sleep and just drifted away, never to wake up again.
And now, that “part of the Regent King” was still very active, which was a good sign.
His tentative interaction indeed caused Su Jingzhi’s breathing to become erratic.
Thinking he had found a good way to wake Su Jingzhi, Wei Wanlan felt a glimmer of joy and worked even harder to rouse the Regent King. As expected, Su Jingzhi gasped for air, looking as if he were about to spring back to life.
Wei Wanlan was so excited he wanted to cry.
His interactions became more frequent.
“Don’t sleep, Regent King.”
“Don’t sleep yet… let me see that you’re still alive QAQ.”
And so he poked here and prodded there, stimulating him back and forth.
To make the Regent King bounce up from the bed quickly and stop lying there, Wei Wanlan worked tirelessly, his eyes brimming with tears of worry. Tears splattered onto the head of the bed, the droplets making faint splashing sounds.
Su Jingzhi was now regretting his decision to feign sleep.
His heart was in turmoil. His desire for the little fool was about to burn him alive.
He knew that with his body full of injuries and the residual poison not yet cleared, he shouldn’t be thinking about such things.
But this little fool in front of him was simply killing him!
And the worst part was that the little fool, Wei Wanlan, was completely unaware, doing something so impure with the purest of intentions. At this moment, Su Jingzhi suddenly felt that Wei Wanlan was about to wrap his entire little claw around it.
“Cough, cough cough cough… wait, wait.”
In the end, he hurriedly created an excuse for both of them. Su Jingzhi coughed a few times, pretending to be healed by Wei Wanlan, a layer of sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Only then did Wei Wanlan foolishly stop, giving a soft hum of acknowledgement.
Su Jingzhi felt helpless.
He wanted to see Wei Wanlan’s dazed expression right now, but he couldn’t. He felt that the late Emperor’s poison should have numbed his sense of touch first, so it wouldn’t be this agonizing torture.
Actually, Su Jingzhi somewhat understood that Wei Wanlan liked him.
But the feelings between them were separated by their identities as Regent King and Little Emperor, and by the grudges between monarch and subject, making things somewhat unclear. Plus, Wei Wanlan was particularly simple and clumsy, unable to clearly realize his love, so there was still no resolution between them.
This was fine too.
To receive a response from his beloved before dying was already enough to satisfy him. He actually hoped Wei Wanlan wouldn’t realize his feelings, staying in a state of not disliking him and being willing to get along, leaving a good impression on each other.
Otherwise, Little Wan would definitely be heartbroken.
If he were lucky enough to be detoxified…
Su Jingzhi’s heart trembled.
This assumption filled his heart with possessiveness and tenderness.
If that day really came, it would be sooner or later that Wei Wanlan realized his feelings. At that time, although he wouldn’t go so far as to make Wei Wanlan carry five cubs—of course, he couldn’t get pregnant anyway—he would at least make Wei Wanlan belong to him completely, body and soul, and help him become a ruler whose name would go down in history.
Unfortunately, it seemed he wouldn’t live to see that day.
Su Jingzhi’s overflowing thoughts dispersed slowly like clouds, then sank into boundless darkness and emptiness again.
It was ironic.
Several generations of the Wei royal family perhaps never thought that they didn’t need to guard against the Su clan with strange poisons. Every generation of Su descendants received the family motto of serving the country with absolute loyalty.
And this was especially true for himself now.
Su Jingzhi gave a faint, imperceptible sneer.
Beside the bed, Little Wan moved again, seeming to approach slowly, then put new undergarments on him, and took away his clothes to wash. These were things he had never done before. With so many people serving him in the Zichen Palace, having been pampered since childhood, the Little Emperor was willing to do laundry for him.
That bit of hatred Su Jingzhi held for the royal family, along with all his fear and despair of death, dissolved time and again in Wei Wanlan’s gentleness.
In the middle of the night, they squeezed into the small bed.
He slept fitfully and woke up, afraid Little Wan would fall off, hooking his thin shoulders and back, pulling him closer.
Usually, the little fool slept soundly, but today he was rarely woken up by him.
Waking up, he leaned over, pecking confusedly: “Does it still hurt? Detoxify?”
He pressed Wei Wanlan into the bed and kissed him thoroughly.
Kissing until Wei Wanlan was covered in his scent and warmth, wet and hot all over, finally curling up like a milk cat.
The little fool was a dose of good medicine.
Even if he couldn’t cure his poison, his appearance allowed Su Jingzhi to slowly remove his inner demons since discovering he was poisoned.
“Detoxify.”
…
Yichuan Village, mountain fields, bright sunshine.
This place was close to the Yi River and still under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Capital, but far from the main city. Surrounded by the Yi River, Yichuan Village was like a Jiangnan in the plains. According to Wei Wanlan’s description, it was surrounded by mountains and rivers, with many flowering trees and little birds flying everywhere.
“How do we return to Chang’an from Yichuan?”
This problem wouldn’t be difficult to solve if the Regent King could see.
But now Su Jingzhi’s condition absolutely didn’t allow him to take Wei Wanlan on the return journey.
He knew that Wei Wanlan’s face, whether appearing as a man or a woman, could stir hearts, and his innocent look especially attracted lechers. The powder given by the Lu family had miraculous effects on external injuries, but even so, he didn’t know what situations they might encounter on the road, and he couldn’t easily fight with people.
Su Jingzhi said: “Wait a few more days. This place isn’t far from Luoyang.”
Su Jingzhi planned to ask Old Lady Lu for some calming medicine again, afraid he might hurt them when the poison flared up again.
Wei Wanlan nodded obediently.
The two walked through the Lu family’s fields doing farm work, carrying water buckets with a shoulder pole, one at each end, carrying water from the Yi River to the hills to irrigate the fields. Wei Wanlan was in front, Su Jingzhi behind. This ensured Wei Wanlan led the way and wouldn’t burden Su Jingzhi’s injured shoulder too much.
Old Man Lu, with two wisps of goat-like beard, hung a board under a tree in the field, teaching the children to read:
“Heaven and earth are dark and yellow, the universe is vast and wild.”
“Cold comes and summer goes, autumn harvest and winter storage.”
“…”
Teacher Lu used the most traditional teaching method, just like in TV dramas, where the teacher read and the students followed.
Because Teacher Lu had few students, the tuition wasn’t enough for him to make a living by teaching, nor was it enough to support his son studying in Luoyang City, so Teacher Lu had to farm besides teaching.
This time Wei Wanlan and Su Jingzhi came, saving him from going to the fields himself.
Teacher Lu had free time, reading and savoring slowly.
Old Man Lu had only two hobbies in his life: one was playing chess, and the other was reading:
“When the water of Canglang is clear, I can wash my tassel.”
“When the water of Canglang is muddy, I can wash my feet.”
Well, in just a few sentences, he jumped from the “Thousand Character Classic” to the “Songs of Chu.”
Anyway, the children didn’t know what they were reading; they just followed along. Su Jingzhi passed back and forth carrying water, listening intermittently. Wei Wanlan, having been a good student since childhood, involuntarily hummed along.
The Regent King’s mother was a talented woman from a scholarly family, he knew that.
Did the Regent King shake his head and read like this when he was a child?
Did the Regent King attend a private school?
“What are you thinking about? Why did you stop?”
“Nothing.” He couldn’t say he was suddenly curious about the Regent King’s past, feeling a little shy and inappropriate to say. Wei Wanlan grabbed an excuse randomly, pouring water into the field while saying, “I’m listening to Teacher Lu reading.”
Su Jingzhi’s brow furrowed slightly, seeming a bit unhappy. Previously, when the little fool was taught by him alone, he had never seen him so diligent.
“Tell me then, what’s so good about Teacher Lu’s reading?”
At this time, the field they were in was only a few steps away from the tree where Teacher Lu was lecturing.
Teacher Lu and the children looked over at the sound, looking confused, and the reading stopped.
Actually, this was due to the Regent King’s gradual loss of hearing. His volume would uncontrollably be louder than before, but he didn’t know he had become conspicuous. Wei Wanlan naturally had to cover for the Regent King on this topic, after all, they were still living in the Lu family’s house.
“Teacher Lu’s chanting is continuous and catchy. I was mesmerized listening to it, simply admiring it!”
Is there anyone who doesn’t like hearing flattery?
No!
Where did Wei Wanlan get these words?
The obedient student attended Chinese class properly.
And Su Jingzhi naturally couldn’t see his eye signals. Although he respected the Lu couple equally, it didn’t conflict with his jealousy. Anyway, except for praising himself, he was unhappy whoever the little fool praised.
“You understand recitation too?”
“I’m a little expert at reciting!”
“Really?”
This couldn’t be considered baseless boasting.
Wei Wanlan patted his chest. From childhood to adulthood, because of his outstanding appearance and amiable personality, he was often selected to participate in various activities, of course including collective recitation, and had won awards.
Just to quickly divert his attention from Teacher Lu.
Wei Wanlan suddenly realized clearly again that the Regent King had a bad habit.
He seemed especially unable to tolerate hearing him praise anyone to his face. Wei Wanlan hurried to give him an impassioned recitation of “Ode to Young Great Wei.”
“Therefore, today’s responsibility lies not with others, but entirely with my youth. If the youth are wise, the country is wise; if the youth are rich, the country is rich; if the youth are strong, the country is strong; if the youth are superior to the Turks, the country is superior to the Turks; if the youth are superior to the universe, the country is superior to the universe.”
Wuwuwu, sorry, Mr. Liang Qichao…
Wei Wanlan secretly put his palms together, pretending to offer incense:
It’s really not intentional to tamper with your work!
It’s just that a certain Regent King is too petty!
After he recited like this, Su Jingzhi fell silent, seeming to ponder the origin of this article, but couldn’t figure it out no matter what.
—Superior to the Turks? Superior to the universe???
It sounded awkward no matter how he listened, not like the little fool’s writing style.
He jealously thought it was Xiao Mengshi’s work, and the little fool had memorized Xiao Ji’s work. He felt bitter, regretting why he didn’t write a few military books in his spare time from official duties. But Su Jingzhi pursed his lips and fell silent, also feeling it didn’t sound like Xiao Ji’s at all.
“Mrs. Su! Mrs. Su, please enlighten me!”
“Please be sure to teach me this beautiful article…”
Unexpectedly, Teacher Lu rushed over with a group of children.
Since just now, Old Teacher Lu had been listening to Wei Wanlan reciting the article. Hearing him recite the lengthy “Ode to Young Great Wei,” he felt it was magnificent and especially suitable for teaching children, and he had never heard it anywhere else.
Old Teacher Lu was so excited his goat-like beard almost curled up to the sky.
But unknowingly, the address “Mrs. Su” actually appeased the jealous Su Jingzhi.
Su Jingzhi and Wei Wanlan were instantly surrounded by several rural children. Children naturally liked to be close to good-looking people, constantly calling them brother and sister. Old Teacher Lu was incredibly sincere, preparing pen and ink for Wei Wanlan, just waiting to leave this article behind.
Wei Wanlan didn’t have the copyright originally, and tampering with it made him blush. Passing it down to future generations in this world line made him blush even more. To maintain his basic respect for the original author, he still said that this article wasn’t written by him but by a enlightenment teacher surnamed Liang.
Su Jingzhi fell silent, deciding not to bicker with the teacher Xiao Wan had when he was seven or eight years old.
Teacher Lu got the article, happily analyzing it repeatedly.
Some people become nerdy from reading too much.
Old Man Lu didn’t let the two water and weed anymore at this time, insisting on giving his stool to Wei Wanlan to sit on, bowing and asking Wei Wanlan if this enlightenment teacher had written any other similar shocking masterpieces.
No, of course not!
Can’t harm Mr. Liang anymore QAQ.
Wei Wanlan explained shamelessly: “My teacher is currently lecturing in Japan (Wa Country), and contact has long been lost between teacher and student.”
“So that’s it, what a pity, what a pity.” Teacher Lu finally gave up.
At this time, Su Jingzhi spoke up, changing the topic very appropriately, asking while Old Teacher Lu was in a good mood:
“We have disturbed your noble house for a long time. Once my injuries are better, we will embark on a long journey. Before leaving, I want to procure some calming pills. Since losing my sight, I often have difficulty sleeping. Your noble house’s wound medicine is very effective. Can you tell us the pharmacy that prepares it?”
But at this time, the surrounding children, some tilting their heads curiously, chattered:
“Big brother, you can’t sleep because you can’t see. Why treat insomnia instead of treating your eyes?”
“Isn’t that neglecting the root and pursuing the tip!”
“Our teacher’s chess friend is a doctor, very famous in Yichuan Village, especially good at treating illnesses…”
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