Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Stay Well

Chun Zhi parted her lips, but the word “husband” would not come out. What Huo Zheng wanted was not a single word. He clearly wanted her to admit the bond of husband and wife they formed when they bowed to heaven and earth in Peach Blossom Lane and shared the same bed.

“Sister…” Song Wan’er wanted Prince Chang’an to help find the Revival Blossom for her elder brother, yet she did not want to make it hard for Chun Zhi. Her heart twisted with worry.

“Miss Chun Zhi!” Doctor Liang and Doctor Zhao called to her together, for Young Master Song’s condition could not wait any longer.

Chun Zhi clenched her teeth and was about to call him “husband,” when she heard Huo Zheng say with helplessness: “Forget it.”

He could not bring himself to trouble Chun Zhi. [He could not bear to force her.]

“Even if you refuse to admit I am your husband, in my heart I already take you as my wife,” Huo Zheng said: “Song An Lan saved your life. Now that he is so sick, how could I stand by and do nothing?”

Hearing this, Chun Zhi could not say she felt nothing. But facing this Huo Zheng, she truly did not know what to say.

Huo Zheng said to her: “I will go search for the Revival Blossom myself. You stay here in Song Manor and do not go anywhere. When I return, I want to see you first.” He was not doing it for Song An Lan, nor to make the Song Clan grateful. [He wanted Chun Zhi to know that even as a son of the Imperial House, he was not a cold person who cared only for gain. For her, he would go through fire and water.]

Chun Zhi looked at Huo Zheng and slowly nodded, saying: “I won’t go anywhere. I’ll be here.”

“You, you… do you really mean to find the Revival Blossom for my elder brother?” Song Wan’er asked in disbelief.

“Take good care of Chun Zhi,” Huo Zheng said: “I will do my best.”

Doctor Liang and Doctor Zhao bowed together and said: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

After speaking, Huo Zheng reached out and touched Chun Zhi’s face and said: “I’m leaving. Stay well.”

Chun Zhi nodded and said: “Mm.”

Huo Zheng turned and strode out. Chun Zhi watched his back until it slowly disappeared from sight.

“Sister,” Song Wan’er called to Chun Zhi, and Chun Zhi reached out to help her up. Song Wan’er said to the two doctors: “Don’t just stand there. Hurry and give my elder brother the Lifespan Pill.”

“Yes,” Doctor Liang answered. He took the Lifespan Pill at once and fed it to Song An Lan. Song Wan’er poured a cup of tea and brought it to the bed to help him swallow. The pill melted the instant it touched water, and the unconscious Song An Lan slowly swallowed it down.

Doctor Liang and Doctor Zhao wiped the sweat from their foreheads and said: “Young Master Song is saved for now.”

The two physicians urged Chun Zhi and Song Wan’er to go rest for a while. Song Wan’er would not leave, and Chun Zhi could not relax either, so they stayed at the side to keep watch. A maid brought soft stools for them to sit on.

Song Wan’er kept vigil for a long time. When she heard her elder brother’s breathing grow steady, she finally eased a little and sent Chun Zhi back to her small courtyard.

Song An Lan did not wake for three days. When he woke up, his spirit was much better than before. From Doctor Liang and Doctor Zhao he learned that Huo Zheng had taken out a Lifespan Pill to save his life and had now gone in person to search for the Revival Blossom.

When Song An Lan saw Chun Zhi while fully awake, he could not help feeling guilty and said: “Prince Chang’an…”

Chun Zhi did not want to be entangled with Prince Chang’an anymore. But this time he had not only given the Lifespan Pill to save Song An Lan, he had also gone himself to look for the Revival Blossom. Once this favor was owed, it would be hard for Chun Zhi to draw a clear line with him.

Chun Zhi knew what Song An Lan wanted to say and spoke first: “Elder brother, don’t think too much. It is best if he is willing to help search for the Revival Blossom. As for the rest, we can talk when you get better.”

Song An Lan had no time to answer before a cough seized him. Song Wan’er stayed by his side and gently patted his back to help him breathe.

He coughed for a long time before catching his breath. A maid came in with a bowl of black-as-ink medicine. He lifted it and drained it in one gulp. Chun Zhi picked up a plate of candied fruit from the table and held it to him. Song An Lan took one and let it ease the bitter taste in his mouth.

Doctor Zhao and Doctor Liang circled around Song An Lan every day. The Lifespan Pill had strong effect, and with their needles and medicines they could only hold the illness back. All they could do was hope the nobles searching would find the Revival Blossom soon so Young Master Song could be cured.

Another seven days passed. The Lifespan Pill’s effect was nearly spent. There was still no word from Huo Zheng. With Song An Lan tied to his sickbed, the whole of Song Manor grew quiet and heavy.

Song Wan’er began keeping watch day and night without rest. Chun Zhi found it harder and harder to walk. She wanted to keep Song Wan’er company, but Song Wan’er worried she would wear herself out. Song Wan’er seemed to grow up in just a few days and said: “I promised Prince Chang’an I would take good care of you. If he comes back and sees you tired and thin, how am I supposed to explain it?”

“You will wear yourself out keeping watch like this,” Chun Zhi said.

“I am the least able to suffer,” Song Wan’er said: “Don’t worry. I’m good at stealing naps. Even sitting by elder brother’s bed, I often doze off. Don’t worry about me. Taking care of yourself and the child in your belly is what matters most.”

Chun Zhi could not persuade Song Wan’er, so she did her best to steady the people of Song Manor instead.

On the tenth day after Huo Zheng left, Song An Lan felt himself failing. He called Chun Zhi and Song Wan’er to his bed to give his last instructions. He said: “After I am gone, the Song Clan’s property will be split in two. You sisters will take half each. If Chun Zhi does not want hers, you can give that half to Prince Chang’an, and ask him to look after you two sisters for me.”

As soon as he began to speak, Song Wan’er could not hold back anymore, and her tears fell like rain.

Song An Lan said to Chun Zhi: “When I saved you back then, it was by chance. I knew you were the person Prince Chang’an was looking for, yet I still kept you in Song Manor. That was me calculating…”

Even speaking was hard for him now. Prince Chang’an was noble, but he was fighting for the highest seat, and that used money in many places. In the eyes of officials and nobles, merchant families were not fit for the hall, but no one disliked having more money. Prince Chang’an was the same.

Chun Zhi held back her tears and said in a hoarse voice: “No matter what, elder brother saved me.”

So whether Song An Lan had planned it or not, Chun Zhi would not blame him.

Song An Lan gave a small smile, then began to cough hard again. He raised his hand to cover his mouth and coughed up blood.

“Elder brother…” Song Wan’er wept like rain. She hurried to wipe his hand with a handkerchief and cried, saying: “I’ll wipe it for elder brother. Once it’s clean, it will be fine.”

“Life and death are in fate, Wan’er… do not be too sad,” Song An Lan said. He reached under his pillow and took out a ring of keys and handed them to Chun Zhi, saying: “This is the key to Song Manor’s private treasury. Wan’er is innocent and kind. I fear someone will cheat her. Let her half be managed by you first. In the days to come, when she finds a good man… bring it out and make it her dowry…”