Chapter 13

Editor: DarkSapphire, Uncia

The next day, Bai Zhu and Bai Tu took the Yu Family’s carriage and arrived at the Yan Mansion. Bai Zhu entered and checked Yan Xixia’s eyes while the others, including Yan Xidong, Housekeeper Yan, his wife, and daughter, were waiting nervously outside the room. Yan Xidong was not his usual hyper self, being unusually well-behaved and with a hint of red around his eyes. 

There were two sweet osmanthus trees planted in the yard. Unlike the usual osmanthus tree, the sweet osmanthus tree is not very resistant to cold. In the bitterly cold winters, their leaves would dry up, turn yellow, and fall off of the branches. Now, in mid-October, the flowering period has passed. Some orange-red leaves refused to fall, while the greener leaves emitted a pleasant sweet scent.

Jian Bao pulled Xiao Lian and Bai Tu outside to poke at an ant nest under a sweet osmanthus tree. Xiao Lian was worried about his husband and the result of the examination, but Jian Bao did not notice Xiao Lian’s mood—he was having his fun. Bai Tu moved closer to Xiao Lian: “Don’t wor-worry, master is v-very strong!”

This was the first time Xiao Lian heard Bai Tu talk, but his tendency to stutter did not bother him. He smiled gratefully toward Bai Tu: “Thank you.”

Bai Tu went on: “Master is the s-strongest person I have ever me-met. He e-even saved someone who couldn’t move a sing-single inch of his body. I al-almost died too, but ma-master saved my life. Please don-don’t worry.” 

Xiao Lian gazed at Bai Tu, who was comforting him, and patted Bai Tu’s head like a little rabbit: “Thank you for comforting me.”

Jian Bao suddenly cut between them, saying with a slight grievance: “What are you guys playing? Why didn’t you invite Jian Bao? Jian Bao wants a head pat too!”

Xiao Lian reached out and patted Jian Bao: “Aren’t we looking for ants with you?”

Jian Bao raised a branch coated with honey. There were many ants stuck on the branch. Xiao Lian did not expect there to be so many ants in the winter. It took some time for him to accept that he wasn’t seeing things. Looking at the world with childish, wide eyes, Jian Bao said happily: “I found so many, and you have zero. You are more stupid than Jian Bao!”

Xiao Lian said with a smile: “Yes, Jian Bao is the smartest.”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Bai Tu agreed seriously: “That’s right, little fool, you are n-not stupid.”

Aljc Djb ibbxfv vbeyaoeiis ja Djl Ke: “Po atf ilaaif obbi lr cba raeqlv, kts lr atf ilaaif raeaafg ralii raeaafglcu?”

Wljb Oljc jcv Djl Ke kfgf jwerfv ys tlr defralbc. Aljc Djb vlv cba xcbk kts atfs kfgf ijeutlcu, yea ralii ijeutfv klat atfw. 

Aljc Djb mbcalcefv ab qbxf ja atf jca cfra ktlif Wljb Oljc ibbxfv ja Aljc Djb’r yjmx. Pa kjr tlr aegc ab wbnf mibrfg ab Djl Ke jr tf jrxfv ufcais: “Jbeiv Aljc Djb’r tfjv yf megfv?”

Bai Tu shook his head with some disappointment: “Can’t be cu-cured. Master said little fool’s br-brain is not damaged; he was bor-born like that.”

Xiao Lain sighed: “If only it could be cured.”

Bai Tu cheered him up, reaching out to pat at Xiao Lian’s shoulder: “It doesn’t ma-matter, little fool is v-very happy every day. Moreover, he is n-not stupid, he un-understands a lot. He also le-learned how to wr-write his name!” ” 

Xiao Lian watched Jian Bao, who was having a blast with the ants and smiled: “You are right, he is very happy.” A carefree and unworried little fool was just as good.

It didn’t take long for Bai Zhu to come out. Xiao Lian greeted him and Housekeeper Yan asked: “Doctor Bai, what is your diagnosis?”

When Bai Zhu shook his head, everyone’s hearts sank, even Yan Xidong, who almost dropped the golden beans.

Xiao Lian inquired: “Please explain?” 

Bai Zhu sighed: “The situation is not looking so good. There is some hope, but it will take a long time. I heard that Master Yan came first in the provincial imperial exam. If only I had seen him sooner, he would have been able to participate in the next examination next spring, but I am afraid that’s not possible now.”

When the crowd heard there was hope, their hearts cheered up. When Xiao Lian saw Bai Zhu shaking his head, he broke out in cold sweats from fear Now he could sigh in relief: “As long as he can regain his sight.”

Bai Zhu caressed his beard and smiled: “I am to blame for being hard to locate. It is fortunate I arrived now. If it was any later, I am afraid that even the great immortal from above can’t save his sight. If the clotted blood in his skull stayed untreated for too long, his eyes would have crippled to the point of disrepair.”

Xiao Lian hastened to show his gratitude to the doctor, and the other Yan Family members soon followed. They even kneeled, which was quickly stopped by Bai Zhu: “My age is not what it used to be. How could I stand with so many of you kneeling before me; I still want to live for a few more years.” He laughed. 

Bai Zhu called Bai Tu to study the prescriptions and treatment methods with him. Housekeeper Yan and his wife followed them, so they could handle acquiring the materials needed. Yu Luyuan took Jian Bao to poke at another ant nest elsewhere.

Before Xiao Lian could check on Yan Xixia, Zimian, standing by the window, called his name. Although he didn’t know what she needed, he went over to her.

Zimian knew the reason they could find Bai Zhu so quickly was because of Xiao Lian’s connection. She also heard from her father about how Xiao Lian walked to the south of the city for Yan Xixia’s gift, so she finally realized how much Xiao Lian cared for Yan Xixia. He really likes Yan Xixia, from the bottom of his heart. During the day, Xiao Lian would ask after people and see how they were doing. Zimian witnessed everything, and she took everything in, bit by bit. In fact, she wanted to apologize to him for a while now, but could not bring herself to do it. But now she had this opportunity to speak with him: “May I call you Brother Xiao Lian?” ”

Xiao Lian looked at Zimian, not understanding what she was trying to do: “Yes, you may.” 

Hearing the positive reply, she relaxed: “Brother Xiao Lian, I want to apologize for my behavior from before, I should not have acted toward you with that attitude, you are really a good person. In fact, I have long wanted to apologize to you, but I could not put down my self-esteem. After this, you and Brother Xixia will always be my brothers. I sincerely wish happiness to both of you.”

Xiao Lian bowed his head and laughed silently: “It was nothing. I forgave you already, thank you.”

He could relate to her. Her mood was the same as his was before he married Yan Xixia, for he would be happy as long as Yan Xixia could be happy. Now, hearing the blessing from her made him feel that he was recognized by someone who also wished for Yan Xixia’s happiness. It was precisely because he could understand that it was double the joy in getting her blessing.

She still seemed not used to getting along with him. Her head was lowered, and she fiddled with her fingers: “Then I will take my leave.” 

Xiao Lian replied: “Alright.”

As soon as they ended their conversation, Xiao Lian went to see Yan Xixia when he heard the window next to them open, revealing Yan Xixia’s face. Spotting his face, Zimian immediately turned and ran away. Yan Xixia crooked his head, listening to the sound of her footsteps, and reached out to Xiao Lian: “Come a little closer.”

Xiao Lian walked to the other side of the window and held Yan Xixia’s hand: “Your eyes can be cured, but you can’t participate in the examination next spring.”

Yan Xixia didn’t care for the exam as much: “What’s wrong with waiting another three years.” 

“That’s right!” Xiao Lian smiled: “It’s good enough to be able to see.”

Yan Xixia squinted his eyes: “I heard everything Zimian said to madam.”

“En?”

“Madam needs to accept his own outstanding qualities. Does madam still feel like he isn’t a good match with me?” 

Xiao Lian also felt that he might have been a little hard on himself. Fortunately, Yan Xixia was very patient. He smiled, curving his browns: “Not anymore.”

Yan Xixia smiled when he heard the words and pulled Xiao Lian toward him. His hand caressed the back of Xiao Lian’s neck, landing a gentle kiss on the corner of his mouth.

At that moment, Xiao Lian smelled the sweet scent of the osmanthus. They were somewhat lackluster but also intoxicating.