Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Call Me Husband

Chun Zhi stepped forward and lightly patted Song Wan’er’s back, saying: “Wan’er, don’t be afraid. I’ll keep watch with you at elder brother’s side.”

Song Wan’er nodded, wiped away her tears, and reached to support Chun Zhi as they walked out.

Outside, the ground was silver-white, and the snow was already deep.

Song Wan’er was crying so hard she could hardly look after herself. Afraid Chun Zhi might slip, Huo Zheng strode up and lifted her into his arms.

Chun Zhi frowned and said: “Put me down.”

Huo Zheng said: “I’ll carry you. It’s faster.”

Song Wan’er wanted to speak, but after crying so hard, no sound came out.

Huo Zheng looked at Song Wan’er and said: “Lead the way.”

Carrying Chun Zhi, he crossed the courtyard in big steps and headed to Song An Lan’s quarters. He was tall and long-legged, and Song Wan’er had to half run to keep up.

Before long, Huo Zheng set Chun Zhi down by Song An Lan’s bed. In the courtyard, the maids and attendants were in tears, and the steward’s brows knitted into three deep lines like the character for “river.”.

Two physicians who lived long-term in Song Manor were already inside. One was placing needles in Song An Lan’s back, and the other was so anxious he kept pacing in circles. The anxious one muttered: “This attack is truly fierce. Whether he can pull through depends on Young Master Song himself.”

Huo Zheng carried Chun Zhi into the room and gently put her down. The instant her feet touched the floor, she went straight to the bed. Through the gauze canopy she tried to see what state Song An Lan was in.

Song Wan’er stood behind her without a word, tears streaming down her face again and again.

Chun Zhi turned to Doctor Zhao and asked: “Didn’t you say before that if we found the last guiding herb, elder brother’s illness could be cured?”

Doctor Zhao said: “That is true, but that last guiding herb is extremely rare. Young Master Song has sent people to search for ten years and they still have not found it. His life is like a lamp running out of oil.”

Neither physician had the heart to say this too bluntly in front of Chun Zhi and Song Wan’er. After a pause, Doctor Zhao added: “There is still no news at all about that guiding herb. I fear Young Master Song may not be able to wait.”

“Sister… elder brother, he…” Song Wan’er tugged at Chun Zhi’s sleeve, tears falling nonstop.

Chun Zhi’s eyes turned red as she said: “Keep searching. Even if the Song Clan spends all its wealth, we must find that guiding herb.”

The steward answered “Yes” and turned to order everyone to continue the search.

Huo Zheng stepped forward and asked: “What exactly is this guiding herb? Tell me.”

“Sister…” Song Wan’er lifted her eyes to Huo Zheng and finally remembered he was the powerful Prince Chang’an. If he helped them search, the work would be half the effort for twice the result. She looked at him as if he were a stalk of life-saving straw.

Chun Zhi realized this too and said hoarsely: “Revival Blossom.”

Song An Lan had saved Chun Zhi on the Lishui River on his way back from a failed trip to find the Revival Blossom. Chun Zhi had lived in Song Manor for over half a year and knew that Song An Lan had spent years seeking that rare blossom.

Seeing at a glance that Huo Zheng was a noble, Doctor Zhao quickly explained the matter to him. He said: “The Revival Blossom is a miraculous herb. It is said that if you find it, no matter how serious the illness is, it can bring a person back. But the blossom only appears once in a hundred years and grows in ice and snow on sheer cliffs. Finding it depends entirely on luck. Young Master Song is a good man, but he searched for ten full years and did not find it. It seems he lacked that last bit of luck.”

“Rumors cannot be trusted completely,” Huo Zheng said in a deep voice: “Is there truly no other way?”

“There is not,” Doctor Zhao said: “All these years, Young Master Song has invited the famous physicians of the land. He even visited Imperial Physicians in the capital and hermit divine physicians in the wilds. All said that for his illness, normal medicine is useless. Only the Revival Blossom might work. And while it is legendary, there is an actual record in medical casebooks. A hundred years ago, someone really did find a Revival Blossom and saved a dying person.”

“Then I will go,” Song Wan’er said as she wiped her tears with her sleeve: “Elder brother gave me his luck. That is why he became like this. I will give my luck back to him. Maybe then I can find the Revival Blossom.”

“Wan’er!” Chun Zhi grabbed her at once and said: “It’s snowing so hard outside. Be careful, or you will catch cold.”

The Song siblings were both frail by nature. Such heavy snow pressed hard on their bodies.

“Sister…” Song Wan’er really wanted to save her elder brother.

While they were speaking, the unconscious Song An Lan suddenly spat a mouthful of blood, staining the pale blue bed curtain red.

“Elder brother!” Song Wan’er cried out in shock and threw herself to the bed.

“Elder brother…” Chun Zhi hurried forward too and asked the busy Doctor Liang: “How is elder brother?”

Doctor Liang pulled a silver needle from Song An Lan’s back, helped him lie flat, wiped the sweat from his own forehead, and stepped back with a sigh, saying: “I have done all I can.”

Song Wan’er’s tears would not stop. Chun Zhi’s eyes also filled with water. [How could it be this fast?] She knew Song An Lan was gravely ill and would not live long, but she had never thought the day would come so soon.

The two physicians spoke in low voices, faces full of shame. They had stayed in Song Manor for so many years, and still had not cured Young Master Song’s illness. Inside and out, the whole place was full of weeping.

Huo Zheng took a white jade bottle from his sleeve and handed it to Doctor Zhao, saying: “Please look and see if this Lifespan Pill can slow Young Master Song’s condition for a time.”

“A Lifespan Pill? You actually have a Lifespan Pill?” Doctor Zhao opened the bottle, poured the pill into his palm, looked closely, then sniffed it. He was overjoyed and said: “It truly is a Lifespan Pill.”

Doctor Liang also took a look and said again and again: “It is, it really is. I heard the whole Imperial Palace has only one.”

The two physicians asked in unison: “Your Highness, where did this Lifespan Pill come from?”

Chun Zhi’s gaze also settled on Huo Zheng.

“Gained by chance,” Huo Zheng said calmly.

It was not gained by chance. He had been flogged a hundred times in the palace. He returned to Nanzhou with his wounds to continue searching for Chun Zhi, and on the road his injuries and sickness almost took his life. Empress Wang, afraid he would die outside, sent someone to deliver this very pill to him. He endured and survived that time, so the Lifespan Pill was left unused.

The pill was priceless, but Huo Zheng could not bear Chun Zhi’s tears. He said in a low voice: “If it will help, give it to him.”

“Thank you for the medicine, Your Highness!” Song Wan’er dropped to her knees to thank him and said: “I offended you before in many ways. Thank you for giving the medicine to save my elder brother. I am grateful beyond words.”

Chun Zhi stepped forward, about to kneel, but he caught her at once and said: “Song An Lan saved your life. I return him a Lifespan Pill. We are even.”

Chun Zhi’s eyes shone with tears as she whispered: “Huo Zheng.”

Doctor Liang said from the side: “Only, Young Master Song is at death’s door. With a Lifespan Pill, he can only live for a time. If we want him truly cured, we still must find the Revival Blossom.”

The money of a merchant house could not match a single order from Prince Chang’an, who could set ten thousand people searching. What was more, he was of the Imperial blood, blessed with fortune and luck.

Doctor Zhao said: “If Your Highness would help us seek the Revival Blossom, everyone in Song Manor would be grateful to you forever.”

Chun Zhi opened her mouth to speak, but Huo Zheng spoke first. He fixed his eyes on her and coaxed in a low voice: “Call me husband once, and I will help you search for the Revival Blossom.”