Chapitre 92: True Affection in Adversity (2)
Dizzy and aching all over, as if crushed by a carriage, Xianyue found herself in a haze, languid and dazed. She felt parched, her thick lashes fluttering as she struggled to open her eyes. Above her, the azure sky stretched wide, the golden sunlight warm yet not oppressive, streaming onto her face with a blinding brightness.
For a moment, Xianyue's mind went blank as she lay on the ground, motionless. She closed her eyes, suddenly sitting up, but the swift movement tugged at her wounds, sending sharp pains coursing through her body. With a gasp, she bit her lip, her brow furrowing involuntarily as she fought to prop herself up and survey her surroundings.
Before her lay a vast expanse of lush greenery, interspersed with white, pink, and peach blossoms—vibrant colors bursting forth on the verdant grass. The brilliant emerald seemed untouched, teeming with life, evoking an overwhelming sense of joy.
The tender green meadow stretched endlessly, the stones along the bank gleaming without a flaw, reflecting a lustrous, dazzling light under the sun. The boundless waves of green swayed like an expansive field, as mountains and streams meandered downwards like cascading waterfalls, merging into the lake, which transformed into a lustrous blue, reminiscent of a pristine sky.
Xianyue had no time to marvel at the beauty around her; her clear eyes were clouded with exhaustion and anxiety as she scanned her surroundings, clearly searching for something.
She inhaled sharply; she had never anticipated that Lanyixuan would forsake a safe escape to leap down after her. Could she have done the same? Xianyue curled her dry lips, already knowing the answer—no, she could not.
Not seeing Lanyixuan left her unsettled. In the moment of falling, he had dived down to embrace her tightly, she could feel his arms wrapped around her waist without letting go. Xianyue licked her parched lips, bracing herself against the ground, preparing to rise. Yet, so much had transpired in such a short time— the perils of the imperial tomb and the Death Valley. She found herself too drained to continue. Before she could stand, she faltered and sank back down. Her mind, still blank, jolted as she turned her head, finally noticing Lanyixuan beneath her. His face was pale, and dried blood lingered at the corners of his eyes.
Xianyue immediately stood up and crouched in front of Lanyixuan, reaching to wipe the blood, ensuring it hadn't flowed from his eyes before she exhaled in relief.
Due to dehydration, the corners of Lanyixuan's lips were cracked. Even in unconsciousness, he appeared listless, devoid of his usual charm. His once-neatly arranged hair was tousled by the wind, and he lay entangled in the grass, his regal bearing lost. One of his arms still clung tightly to Xianyue's waist, refusing to release her even in his unconscious state.
"Lanyixuan," Xianyue called softly, patting his face. He felt hot to the touch, and she withdrew her hand to press it against his forehead.
In his feverish stupor, Lanyixuan felt as if he were being roasted over an oil fire, the rising heat assaulting his body, especially his back, which burned as if on fire. Xianyue's cool touch felt like a gentle rain upon him; while it offered little relief, it was comforting enough to elicit a soft moan from him.
Compared to Xianyue, Lanyixuan was undoubtedly more gravely injured. The searing pain, penetrating to the marrow, was something most could not endure, yet it kept him alert. His closed eyes flickered with memories of the fall before descending into a chaotic haze, after which he remembered nothing.
Had he embraced Xianyue? Yes, but what had become of her?
"How are you?" Xianyue's hand remained on Lanyixuan's forehead, and upon hearing his hoarse voice, which sounded as if it were being torn apart, she saw his eyes open, locking onto hers, and her heart lightened.
He had sustained such severe injuries, yet his first words were to inquire about her well-being. Xianyue's heart was a whirlwind of emotions, and she could not pinpoint her feelings.
"It is good that you are awake."
Lanyixuan looked around, grasping Xianyue's hand as he attempted to sit up. The pain in his back sharpened, akin to needles piercing his flesh. He struggled against it, beads of cold sweat trickling down his forehead, tightening his grip on her hand.
"Do not move yet," Xianyue urged, sitting up straighter, taken aback. A large patch of purple fabric on Lanyixuan's back was stained with blood, barely discernible without the sun's reflection. The seemingly harmless verdant grass penetrated his purple garments, piercing into his back, with his right shoulder particularly marred by crimson.
Seeing Lanyixuan attempt to sit up, Xianyue was unsure if it was due to fever or something else. His pale face was tinged with a faint flush, as if adorned with fine rouge. "I will fetch water."
Initially believing he wanted water for himself, she then noticed him pointing to his dry lips, which struck her as bittersweet—truly, Lanyixuan was the finest person she had ever encountered.
"Stay here and do not move. I will get the water."
With that, she released his hand and turned to seek water.
She speculated that this place must be the Death Valley. Yet, this exquisite landscape was a stark contrast to the deadly place spoken of by Bai Ao. It likely lay at the edge of the valley, yet Xianyue remained cautious. Grateful for having grown up in the mountains and forests, she recalled how Liu Xinyou would not allow her to read ancient texts. Lacking theoretical knowledge, her accumulated practical experience over the past decade proved far more valuable.
The crystal-clear river water, and the fish swimming within, invigorated her spirit. She cupped her hands to gather water, washing her face and feeling considerably more alert. The icy river water quenched her previous thirst, and Xianyue licked her lips, a sense of satisfaction blooming within her.
She found a large leaf and filled it with nearly half a bowl of water. Compared to before, she now felt much better; she adapted to pain and fatigue faster than anyone else.
Lanyixuan selected a corner of the leaf, gently sipping, the cool water flowing into his mouth like a soothing broth. Even though he was parched, his movements remained calm and unhurried, and though he was in a state of utter disarray, he still exuded an air of grace and nobility.
Feigning indifference, Xianyue thought lightly, though she did not voice it, "Do you need more?"
Lanyixuan wiped the corner of his mouth with his fingertip. "No need."
"Can you walk?"
Lanyixuan raised his gaze, but Xianyue shook her head, unwilling to leave him. "You stay here; do not go anywhere."
Having said this, she tossed aside the large leaf, and as Lanyixuan watched her retreating figure, his shoulders moved slightly, and he frowned, though a smile crept onto his lips.
When Xianyue returned, she carried a water basin filled with a white ribbon and some green plants. She sat before Lanyixuan, exposing a large portion of her arm to the air, and pulled out some wild fruit that looked rather unremarkable, offering it to him. "Eat these to tide you over."
She straightened her posture, leaning closer to Lanyixuan. "Your wounds need to be tended to."
Before Lanyixuan could respond, Xianyue had already begun to unfasten his clothing.
"Feng Xianyue, you must take responsibility for this."
Xian Yue glanced at Lan Yixuan, her gentle eyes adorned with a faint smile. Apart from her face appearing slightly worse than usual, there was no discernible difference.
She softly murmured an acknowledgment and began to remove the purple coat he wore. Beneath it lay a vibrant red, reminiscent of blooming roses, a multitude of them intertwined. Xian Yue's gaze flickered with intent, but her hand was caught by Lan Yixuan. "I'll do it myself," he insisted.
His insistence only deepened Xian Yue's discomfort. Few had shown her kindness, whether it be Su Zhixin or herself, which was why she was so attuned to Feng Jiulan. She understood Lan Yixuan's intentions; he wished to shield her from distress. Yet, if she did nothing, it would only weigh heavier on her heart. All these wounds were a result of her own actions.
Suppressing the tumult within, Xian Yue lowered her long lashes, pried his hand from her wrist, and beamed at him like a blooming flower. "Rest assured, the charming Lan Gongzi, I will take full responsibility."
With half jest and half earnestness, Lan Yixuan smiled, recognizing that any words spoken now would be futile, yielding to Xian Yue's determination.
Cautiously, she stripped away Lan Yixuan's inner shirt. His chest appeared unscathed, but his right shoulder was a gruesome sight, blood and flesh mangled, with pus seeping through, revealing glimpses of white bone. The marks of her previous bite were no longer visible. The entire right arm was drenched in blood, yet the most severe injury lay upon his back. During their fall from the cliff, Xian Yue had been cradled in Lan Yixuan's embrace. The rapid descent from such a great height had thrust them into the jagged flora, which became like blades, penetrating deeply into his back, leaving a mosaic of red and white, punctuated by the visible puncture wounds.
"It will sting a bit; bear with it," Xian Yue urged, biting her lip. Hearing her hiss in pain, Lan Yixuan's smile deepened, understanding her pain as if it were his own. His capacity for endurance, whether through physical or mental torment, was equal to hers, having experienced trials no less formidable.
"Do you have any painkillers on you?" she asked.
Without a word, Lan Yixuan retrieved a small porcelain vial from his bosom, producing two black pills in his palm. He swallowed one and extended the other towards her, but Xian Yue shook her head. "You should keep it for yourself."
She could withstand this level of pain.
"Your palm—"
Xian Yue opened her hand to reveal a gaping, jagged wound, smiling lightly. "It's merely a minor injury; I'll tend to it myself."
Gone was the previous sharp exchange and sarcasm; fatigue had drained their energy for bickering.
With swift efficiency, Xian Yue cleaned Lan Yixuan's wounds, mashing the green plants from the dish to apply to his back, wrapping it securely, all the while noticing the once-clear river water turning crimson.
"Rest for now," she instructed.
The herbs she had gathered would reduce inflammation; with a few moments of application, he would drift into a drowsy state. Given his high fever and severe injuries, there was little she could offer, lacking the expertise of a seasoned healer. If his wounds became infected and the fever persisted, she would be utterly helpless.
She shifted him to a more comfortable position, gathering the purple garments and blood-stained inner shirt to place in the water dish.
Lan Yixuan lay on the grass, watching her retreating figure until she crouched by the river, washing his freshly changed clothes. He felt a wave of fatigue wash over him and slowly closed his eyes, inexplicably content.
When Lan Yixuan awoke, night had fallen. The moon shone brightly, stars scattered across the sky, and the air was rich with fragrance. As he opened his eyes, the golden light of the campfire illuminated a face marked by exhaustion yet still radiantly beautiful. Her arms were bare, revealing skin dusted with a delicate orange hue, and she sat cross-legged, lost in thought, fixating on the jade bracelet on her left hand. Her brow furrowed, then relaxed, only to furrow again, as if she were wrestling with a decision.
After some time, she removed the bracelet, gripping it tightly in her hand, raising it as if to cast it away. Yet, after a moment's hesitation, she waved it in front of her and placed it back on her lap, as though resolute in her choice to keep it close.
Lan Yixuan furrowed his brow, propping himself up and walking over to her. "Having trouble parting with it? Then don't throw it away."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone