Chapter 171
Chapter 171
The Barbarian Army was driven away.
Ji Yan’an returned victorious, rescuing enslaved Ji Family Army brothers and bringing back over a hundred fine horses.
Together with his defense of Qiusha City, this earned the frail Young Master, despite his youth, the confidence of the entire Mobei army.
Ji Yan’an himself was ill.
As Shen Qingzhu predicted, he slept for three days and nights and grew thinner.
Jiang Yunsui leaned beside his bed, chin in her hands. “Poor, miserable Ji Yan’an.”
He laboriously tapped her forehead.
“You’re sick and you still hit me!”
“Stop making noise by my ear.”
Covering her mouth, she whispered, “I didn’t talk while you slept. I’m a polite child.”
Shen Qingzhu brought medicine. “Young Master, drink.”
Jiang Yunsui stretched her neck. “Is my Verdant Jade Mushroom in it?”
He nodded while giving her an odd look.
She hugged herself warily. “Why are you looking at me all creepy?”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means the way you’re looking at me is giving me the creeps.”
Both men fell silent. Where did she learn such phrases?
Ji Yan’an sat up and drank. Today’s medicine was not bitter or foul, but savory with a faint sweetness.
It was surprisingly good.
Shen Qingzhu asked whether she had grown the mushrooms after eating King Huxie’s herbs.
His research showed they treated colds, coughs, chills, sore throats, toothaches, minor wounds, and bleeding. Combined with herbs, they could heal old injuries and strengthen the body. It defied reason.
Hearing how many rare medicines Jiang Yunsui had eaten, he clicked his tongue. “Who could afford to raise you? Any left?”
She rubbed her belly and shook her head. “All digested. And they tasted awful.”
“No one has that many treasures to feed you anyway. Half your Snow Lotus remains. Pills, or eat it directly?”
She made a small request. “Can you make candy pills?”
Shen Qingzhu stared. He made medicine, not candy.
The Verdant Jade Mushroom worked well. Ji Yan’an’s fever eased, saving Jiang Yunsui from fearing he would become stupid.
She muttered by the bed, “I wouldn’t dislike you if you got dumb, but I hope you stay smart. Don’t worry. Even if you get dumb, I can support you.”
She proudly patted her chest.
“I’ve supported so many people. I can definitely support you.”
Ji Yan’an asked, “Like Chiliarch Lin and his men, dressed as beggars?”
Centurion Lin had been promoted after taking the head of King Huxie’s son and killing many Barbarians. He now served directly under Ji Yan’an.
Jiang Yunsui shook her head. “They looked like that before I came. But I fed them until they were full.”
What mattered more than a full belly?
Ji Yan’an pinched her cheek. “Mm. You’re impressive.”
Praised by her master, Little Mushroom shone like a tiny sun.
After several days, Ji Yan’an recovered, and Jiang Yunsui received her candy pills. Shen Qingzhu had made small white sweets flavored with milk, sugar, and Snow Lotus.
Delicious!
“Shen Qingzhu, you’re so nice.”
She rubbed against his hand like a kitten. He pinched one hair bun.
“Only this once.”
“Okay, okay.”
Carrying a basket, she had Shen Qingzhu lift her onto White Horse.
She, Mushroom, could ride now! Even if it was only a few steps.
“Let’s collect peach blossoms.”
The three Peach Trees in her courtyard were huge and flowered like more than a dozen trees.
On the way next door, she met Nanshu carrying a food box.
“Nanshu, what food is there?”
“Lazy thing. You won’t even walk this little distance. Peach blossom cakes, milk cakes, red-date cakes…”
Her eyes brightened. “Give me some!”
Rolling his eyes, he filled her hands. “Eat, eat, eat. You’re nearly heavier than the Young Master. Everyone lost weight outside except you. You’re rounder.”
She lifted her fleshy chin. “This is prosperity. Everyone says I’m well raised. That means Ji Yan’an is good.”
“What does that have to do with him?”
“He’s my master. He raised me well. If I raised him, I could make him plump too.”
“Then you do it.”
“Fine. Just wait.”
But first, peach blossoms.
She waved goodbye and rode proudly outside Ji Mansion. Passersby stared in wonder, making her hold her head higher. This enormous horse was hers.
Little Mushroom had vanity too.
Entering her own gate, she was so busy posing that she forgot the doorway’s height.
Thunk!
Her forehead struck the frame, nearly knocking her off the horse.