The lamp was soon extinguished by the rain. He was both scared and anxious, and could only grope for the life-saving medicinal herb in the darkness.
Rainwater streamed down the brim of my hat, blurring my vision.
"It absolutely must be there," Gu Fengyan prayed.
He actually found it; a tender sprig of Elsholtzia, its leaves wilted by the rain, drooping its head.
Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, and Gu Fengyan had no light. He felt like a monster was watching him, so he hurriedly plucked a plant and ran back.
He was relieved when he encountered Liang Chengze, who was looking for him, on the way.
“Mr. Liang, what brings you here? I’ve found you. Now I’ll head back.” He waved to Liang Chengze.
By the light of the lamp, Liang Cheng could see clearly the medicinal herb in his hand... it really was Elsholtzia ciliata.
Despite the heavy rain and the lack of lights, Gu Fengyan was not only unafraid but also able to accurately locate the medicinal herbs he needed.
This demonstrates his familiarity with medicinal herbs.
Liang Cheng immediately made up his mind to cooperate with Huo Duan and his group!
"Let's go quickly, go back and prepare the medicine." He didn't say it immediately.
The most important thing right now is Huo's illness.
The two returned to the Huo family and began preparing medicine for Huo Duan. They worked until midnight, and only after Huo Duan's breathing stabilized did they send Liang Chengze away.
Gu Fengyan told Huo Adie to go to sleep, and then looked after Huo Duan himself.
By the time the fever finally subsided, it was already broad daylight. Gu Fengyan held Huo Duan and stayed up all night.
Chapter Twenty-Four
In the morning, the rain finally stopped, and the peach tree leaves in the yard were scattered in all directions, with green peaches the size of a baby's fist lying all over the ground.
They were almost ripe, but this rain ruined everything.
Father Huo got up early and didn't disturb Huo Duan and his wife. However, Gu Fengyan heard him sweeping the yard and came out with two dark circles under his eyes to say that Huo Duan was all better.
“The weather isn’t very good either. I’ll peel off the oilcloth later and let the herbs dry,” Father Huo finally felt relieved, but seeing that he hadn’t slept well, he felt very sorry for him. “Go and get some sleep, my good child, you’ve suffered.”
Having heard those rumors before, Father Huo was worried that Gu Fengyan would look down on Huo Duan, but seeing how anxious he was last night...
It was hardly like they were treating Huo Duan as an outsider.
With his son recovered and the family harmonious again, Father Huo was overjoyed. "What do you want for breakfast? I'll make it after I sweep the floor."
Huo Duan was ill, and Gu Fengyan was also covered in sweat. He took a handkerchief, soaked it in cool water, and wiped his face. "Father, don't bother. We'll clean up ourselves when Huo Duan and I wake up... He probably doesn't feel like eating right now."
“Alright then, I’ll have some peace and quiet then,” Father Huo joked.
They gathered all the peaches from under the peach tree into a bamboo basket, intending to use them to feed the chickens and ducks.
Gu Fengyan glanced at the peach tree and found that there were only a few peaches left. "This rain is really annoying. How could it knock all the good peaches off?" he said with regret.
Father Huo could only sigh, feeling heartbroken. He had been hoping to save some peaches for Yan Ge'er to try, but now they were all gone.
Gu Fengyan picked up the peach and looked at it.
"Father, let's keep these peaches. It's a waste to throw them away. I'll use them to make some perilla peaches and brew some green peach wine while I'm not busy today." The peaches have grown quite big and will be ripe in about half a month.
Although the peaches at this time of year are sour, they don't have much astringency. Huo Duan had been seriously ill and naturally had little appetite, so pickling peaches with perilla for him helped to stimulate his appetite.
Upon hearing this, Father Huo readily agreed and, with trembling hands, carried the peaches into the kitchen using a thin bamboo basket.
Gu Fengyan wiped his face and finally woke up a bit. It was only about six or seven in the morning.
The herbs in the yard are all soaking in water; I need to take advantage of the time this afternoon to process them quickly.
He needs to rest for a while first.
The air after the rain was very clear, with a scent of grass and earth. Gu Fengyan took a deep breath before returning to his bedroom.
...
When Huo Duan woke up from his serious illness, there was no one in the room.
I felt completely weak, and my mind was a complete blank, but my limbs felt incredibly light, as if I had been reborn.
Last night, it seemed that Gu Fengyan was busy taking care of him, and in the end, Mr. Liang was also invited, but he couldn't quite remember.
However, he knew that Gu Fengyan must not have slept all night, because there was a crease on the blanket covering him, and it was still warm... He must have just left.
Huo sat up, put on his coat, and put a pillow behind his back. He opened the window a crack, and the damp breeze was refreshing.
"You still dare to stand in the wind, Mr. Huo? Are you trying to get sick again and work me to death?" Gu Fengyan quietly pushed open the door and immediately saw Huo Duan opening the window.
He now realized that Huo Duan's illness in the latter half of the day was inextricably linked to the crack in the window.
Huo Duan turned around and smiled, "Young Master Gu."
"Are you all better? Is there anything else that's bothering you?" Gu Fengyan half-lay on the bed and closed the window tightly again.
Huo Duan nodded, glancing down at the dark circles under his eyes. "Cough cough... much better, thank you."
Gu Fengyan got out of bed and didn't mention the events of last night. "No need to thank me, we're like family. It's good that you're alright... You scared me to death."
He started to take off his outer garment. Estimating that he wouldn't sleep for very long, he didn't bother to change into his nightgown and simply put on his undergarments.
Huo Duan smiled and looked at him. "Didn't sleep all night?"
"Yes, it rained heavily last night. We harvested about two or three hundred catties of medicinal herbs, and they all got soaked. We need to get them out as soon as possible this afternoon. I'll take a nap first, and wake me up around noon." Gu Fengyan's pillow and blanket were still on Huo Duan's bed, and he didn't take them.
I'm so sleepy.
Huo Duan didn't answer, but quietly got out of bed, grabbing the blankets and pillows. "Get your head up a bit, you can't sleep like that."
Gu Fengyan opened his eyes and let Huo Duan put a pillow still warm to his head on his back and tuck the blanket in.
He was happy to be served, a smile playing on his lips, but then he suddenly remembered something important and quickly grabbed Huo Duan's hand, "Mr. Huo... there's something I need to tell you."
"What's wrong?" Huo Duan stared at Gu Fengyan's hand that was gripping his.
Gu Fengyan's gaze darted away, somewhat embarrassed. "Well... last night Mr. Liang and Father both came into our room. They'll probably ask you why you and I are still sleeping in separate beds. You'd better think about how to handle it."
Father Huo usually doesn't enter their room, probably assuming they sleep together, but after last night, he probably knows everything.
He didn't ask then because Huo Duan was ill and couldn't care less. Now that he's realized it, he definitely can't escape it anymore.
Huo Duan only then realized the problem, and when he thought of how his father usually disliked him, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.
“Living under the same roof, you can’t hide anything forever… I think you should go to sleep.” Huo Duan turned his back to Gu Fengyan and began to change his clothes.
At worst, we can just say he angered Gu Fengyan and got kicked out. Father Huo certainly won't pry into matters between the young couple.
Gu Fengyan smiled, covering his eyes with the back of his hand, and said, "Why don't you move in and sleep here? That way, we won't have people gossiping."
Huo Duan turned his head. "Are you serious?"
"Of course, we're husband and wife, we can't stay like this forever." Gu Fengyan turned his head and smiled, his black hair spread out on the pillow, which complemented his fair complexion.
Gu Fengyan's thinking was simple: Huo Duan and he, both men, had the mindset of modern people beneath their tough exteriors... They couldn't give Huo's father a grandson, but they could still share a bed.
At worst, we can just say he and Huo Duan are infertile.
In short, let the elderly rest assured.
However, Huo Duan's heart was pounding, and all she could see was his smooth, curved profile and the small red mole on his earlobe.
Huo Duan dressed and covered Gu Fengyan with a blanket, staring at him for a long time before leaving in a daze.
In the courtyard, Old Man Huo was lifting the oilcloth to let the fresh, water-soaked medicinal herbs dry. The old man was trembling, and it was a sight to behold.
"Father, let me help." Huo Duan hurriedly went to help.
Father Huo folded the oilcloth and glanced at Huo Duan. "Why are you only getting up now? Is Yan'er asleep?"
Huo Duan was surprised that his father hadn't asked him about sleeping in separate beds from Gu Fengyan.
"Yes." He nodded.
Seeing his absent-minded look, Father Huo said with exasperation, "Sigh! What can I say to you... Last night, in such heavy rain, Yan'er went up the mountain alone in the dark to gather medicinal herbs for you. What if something had happened to him?!"
Huo Duan was taken aback.
What... Why didn't Gu Fengyan mention this?
The forest on the mountain was so deep that even a man would be afraid to go up the mountain during the day, yet Gu Fengyan went up the mountain alone in the middle of the night just for him.
"I'm afraid he stayed up all night watching over you, didn't he?" Seeing that he finally reacted, Father Huo continued, "Yan-ge'er didn't treat you well before, but you can see how he is now. You're a man, if you like someone, you should take action... Why are you waiting for him, a mere boy, to make the first move?"
Father Huo doesn't interfere too much in his son and daughter-in-law's affairs, so when he entered the room last night, he found out that his son and daughter-in-law had been married for half a year but were still innocent and hadn't even slept together.
This won't do.
He couldn't help but feel anxious, but he couldn't understand the two of them. Judging from Yan Ge'er's expression, he must like his son, not to mention his own son.
But how did the two of them end up like this...?
"Sigh!" Thinking about it, Father Huo sighed again.
Out of sight, out of mind. He hobbled towards the kitchen, leaning on his cane. "That's all I have to say. Anyway, this old man can't interfere in your affairs..."
Huo Duan responded blankly from behind, his mind a complete blank, filled with the image of Gu Fengyan groping around in the pouring rain.
It was so dark; he must have been terrified.
...
Gu Fengyan didn't sleep for long either. His body had already developed a habit, and sleeping for too long made him feel uncomfortable.
Around the time of the hour of Wei (1-3 PM), he opened his eyes.
"Awake?" A voice, smiling gently, came from beside the bed.
Gu Fengyan shuddered in fright. He turned his head and saw Huo Duan sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at him with a strange smile.
He almost blurted out a vulgar word, but managed to hold it in and looked at Huo Duan tentatively, "Mr. Huo, are you alright?"
Huo Duan smiled and stood up. "I'm fine. I came to wake you up. The sun is out now. I've prepared some of the medicinal herbs. Let's start processing them after we eat."
Gu Fengyan pushed open the window with one hand and sat up on the bed with the other. Sure enough, it was bright outside. In the courtyard, there were many medicinal herbs that Huo Duan had sorted and cut. Some of them were untouched, probably because he didn't know how to prepare them.
"Alright, I'll get up now," he said, starting to get dressed. He paused and then asked, "Did Father give you any trouble?"