Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 89 Juyan Oasis
"Yes, we've seen him. We were really scared when we first saw him. The child had been crying and refusing to go to sleep, but as soon as he saw him, he stopped crying and went under the covers," the woman said. "But he only looks fierce behind his mask. He's actually quite kind. He's the one who asked us to take care of you two and even gave us a lot of money."

"He... that man spoke to you? He can speak?"

"Of course he can speak. He's not dumb," the woman asked curiously. "Why, isn't he your friend? Hasn't he ever spoken to you?"

Tan Huaike was puzzled. He could clearly speak, so why was he silent in front of them? Even when misunderstood, he didn't defend himself. Was there something he couldn't say?
In response to the woman's questioning, she replied, "We met him by chance. Yesterday, he saved my life and the lives of...my cousin. We were in a hurry and didn't have the chance to speak. Such a great favor deserves to be thanked in person."

The woman nodded. "He also said that he rescued you from the sand bandits. But after entrusting you and your sister to my family, he left in a hurry. We don't know where he went."

"Oh, so that's it..." Tan Huaike was helpless. It seemed that the man was unwilling to reveal his identity after all.

"Oh, right, that person specifically told us not to keep you two in the same room, fearing it would damage your reputation," the woman said blushingly. "Well, to be frank, yesterday we thought...we thought you two had eloped from a wealthy family. We wondered if our efforts were unnecessary, but it turns out you really aren't a couple. Fortunately, we didn't mess things up."

"Are you worried that it will damage my reputation?" Tan Huaike was even more confused. Could it be that he recognized him?
"That's right! He is truly a thoughtful and righteous knight who saved you without expecting anything in return." The woman exclaimed.

"What else did he say? Did he mention why he sent us here?"

"That wasn't mentioned." The woman shook her head. "He just said that you should rest here for a few more days, and it won't be too late to leave until the young master's injuries are healed."

"Okay, I understand." Tan Huaike said, "Thank you, ma'am, for taking me to see my brother."
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This place is the Juyan Oasis on the outskirts of Zhangye County. Upstream of the Heishui River, there are more than ten herdsmen living here by the lake. Shentu Zhuo also came here when he drew the map of the canal.

The family's surname was Pu. They had one son and one daughter, and raised dozens of yellow sheep. Their family was quite well off.

Zhou Wencong was sleeping on the couch of Pu's son. He had been drugged by the incense yesterday and had fought hard. When Tan Huaike went to visit him, he had not yet woken up. He had suffered external injuries and was still running a low fever.

Tan Huaike lifted the cloth from his leg and carefully examined the wound. He found that it was covered with herbal mud, but it was still bleeding. He couldn't help but worry. Unlike in the city, there were skilled doctors and an abundant supply of medicinal herbs. If the wound was not treated properly and it festered, the Third Prince's leg would be useless.

However, there was no rush. The injured man was difficult to move, and she was afraid of encountering assassins again on the way back to the city. She was the only one caring for the Third Prince and could not take such a risk. It would be best to find a way to send a message and wait for someone from the city to pick him up.

Thinking of this, she waited patiently for Zhou Wencong to wake up, changing the cold towel on his forehead from time to time.

In the afternoon, Zhou Wencong slowly woke up. Seeing the situation in front of him, he was really confused for a while. He hurriedly adjusted his clothes and asked Tan Huaike what was going on. Tan Huaike told him everything he knew and asked him for advice.

Zhou Wencong thought for a moment and said, "That masked man went to so much trouble to bring us out of the city, just to let us be herders for a few days? I have a feeling he has other motives. We might as well wait a few days and see what else he has up his sleeve."

"That being said, we still need to be on guard," Tan Huaike suggested. "Third Prince, don't you and my uncle raise a wild goose together? It's called Qiaomao. Could you please call it over to deliver a message?"

"You even know this? Zhongqi really doesn't hide anything from you." "What's there to hide? It's not something shameful." Tan Huaike teased.

"There's really nothing shameful here, but in Andu, we have to be vigilant at all times." Zhou Wencong sighed, "There are too many eyes watching Donggong and me, so after so many years, Zhongqi and I have become quite estranged."

"In my opinion, the Third Prince and my uncle haven't become estranged much. A gentleman's friendship is as pure as water. In times of crisis, this clear water is still thirst-quenching and reassuring."

"That's absolutely right." Zhou Wencong smiled. "Let's wait for my close friend to release Qiaomao. If he can't find you or me in the city, he'll definitely think of sending a letter via the Shuoyan goose."

Tan Huaike nodded, and seeing that his wound was bleeding again, she reached out to change his dressing. Because the wound was on his thigh, to make it easier to care for him, she had cut open Zhou Wencong's underwear, lifting the fabric to reveal a bare leg.

Noticing her movements, Zhou Wencong shrank back into the quilt in shock, his neck flushed red. "This... it's not appropriate for men and women to touch each other. There's no need to trouble Madam Shentu."

Tan Huaike didn't take it seriously. "The young master of the Pu family has gone to herd sheep, or maybe the shop lady is here to help you change the bandage. I saw that they didn't bandage it carefully before, and if it wasn't done well, they had to reapply it. Why don't you let me do it instead? After all, I also run a medicine shop. Although I'm not proficient in medicine, my bandage skills are pretty good."

"This...I..."

"We've made the necessary decisions in this emergency. We've already changed sides several times before. It's too late for Third Prince to worry about etiquette," Tan Huaike said. "Besides, you and I are innocent, and we have a clear conscience. Third Prince, you're being so hesitant and evasive. Not only are your wounds healing slowly, but it also makes it seem like I, a widow, am forcing myself on you. I can't explain it."

"It's not... frivolous..." Zhou Wencong babbled incoherently for a while, but finally gave in and said self-deprecatingly, "I've finally seen that you Mohe women are really open-minded."

"Your Daxuan has too many rules. It's just a marriage, but you have to be specially taught etiquette and sent to the palace in advance to learn how to be a lady of honor. It's really tiring." Fearing that he would feel pain, Tan Huaike unwound the bandage and changed the dressing while chatting with him. Seeing the condition of the wound, he couldn't help but frowned.

"I actually hope my new bride can be more relaxed. It doesn't matter whether she learns the formalities or not."

"Your Highness is truly strict with himself and lenient with others."

Tan Huaike bandaged his wound calmly, thinking that the wound was too deep and the herbal mud here was not very effective. He wondered if there was any way to find a more appropriate doctor and herbal medicine. He had to make sure Zhou Wencong's wound got better first.

As she expected, Zhou Wencong developed a high fever on the second day of arriving at the Juyan Oasis. His wounds began to ulcerate, and the herbal mud provided by the Pu family was no longer able to heal them. He was completely delirious and even spoke nonsense.

While Tan Huaike was searching for a doctor among the herdsmen, he was anxiously waiting for the letter from Shentu Zhuo, delivered by the northern geese.

Fortunately, on the third day, a caravan from Wuxu passed by the oasis and stopped to rest. There was a young doctor in the caravan who was said to have a healing elixir, but only a small bottle cost a hundred strings of silver.
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　Next chapter: Isn’t this taking advantage of someone’s misfortune?

　　(End of this chapter)