C107. Chickenpox.
In the evening, the two of them freshened up and then arrived at the Yuan Mansion.
Upon seeing Chu Hechao also present, the expressions of those seated subtly changed, somewhat unexpectedly.
It was a family banquet, attended by Yuan Li's two brothers and several wives.
Because they didn't unexpected Chu Hechao's presence, they abandoned some formalities and all sat together.
Yuan Song quickly reacted, "Quick, bring the screen up!"
He hurriedly apologized to Chu Hechao, "We are a simple family, not many formalities here, please forgive us, General."
Chu Hechao squinted and quickly scanned the dining hall, "It's fine. It's just a family banquet, no need for so many formalities."
Yuan Song smiled and invited him to take a seat.
After everyone had sat down, Yuan Li smiled and inquired about his parents' health.
Behind the screen, Madam Chen smiled, "Very well, your father has been walking without any discomfort these past few months."
This remark sparked a conversation, and the atmosphere improved significantly. Yuan Song had a servant pour wine for Yuan Li and Chu Hechao.
As the servant poured wine for his brothers, a concubine's voice came from behind the screen, "Eldest son, I heard you are looking for someone to serve as the magistrate in Bingzhou? Yuan Lou has already been sent, but what about your other two brothers? Charity begins at home, there's no need to look for outsiders again."
Another concubine quickly added, "Exactly, you are already the governor, you should support your brothers."
A hint of subtle complaint was evident in their tone.
The smile faded from Yuan Li's face, and Chu Hechao's expression turned cold.
The tense atmosphere that had just been eased quickly became strained again. Yuan Song felt embarrassed and annoyed, while the two brothers looked at Yuan Li with eager anticipation, their ambitions clearly visible.
"What nonsense are you all talking about?!" Yuan Song put down his chopsticks and scolded, "Shut up immediately!"
The two concubines felt wronged, "Master..."
In a prestigious family, such a situation would never occur. If it were just Yuan Li, it would be one thing, but with Chu Hechao present, Yuan Song felt his dignity slipping away.
Behind the screen, Madam Chen let out a silent cold laugh.
No wonder these people were so eager to come to the dining hall today, all of them crowding in. It turned out it was all for this scene.
Did they really think Bingzhou was under her son's sole authority?
General Chu even dared to intercede for his incompetent son. Besides being made fun of, it could even lead to suspicion towards her own son by Chu Hechao. Madam Chen could not tolerate this.
"Lady Liu, Lady Yue," Lady Chen said lightly, "Didn't you hear the master's words?"
The two concubines, usually under Madam Chen's authority, had no choice but to reluctantly close their mouths.
Yuan Li remained silent, quietly lifting his cup and taking a sip of water.
The two younger brothers exchanged glances, unable to resist the temptation of the magistrate position. They spoke bluntly, "Elder brother, if you can use Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan, why can't you use us?"
Yuan Li gave them a faint glance.
The dissatisfaction in their hearts froze at that glance, feeling a chill creeping up their backs, making them shiver. It had only been two years since they last saw Yuan Li, but his aura was so strong that just a glance made them tremble.
"Without even establishing yourselves, you want to be a magistrate?" Yuan Li said flatly, "Do you know the responsibilities that come with being a magistrate? You have confused studies, can barely recognize a few hundred characters. This isn't ambition, it's arrogance. If I were to appoint you as magistrate, who would suffer, the people or myself?"
Ignoring the two younger brothers, Yuan Li looked at Yuansong, "Father, you should find someone to educate these two."
Yuan Song's expression darkened, nodding, "I should find someone to discipline them."
The two younger sons showed fearful expressions simultaneously.
Chu Hechao, reminding himself that they were Yuan Li's family, restrained his anger and calmly said, "If the two young masters don't learn well in your home, I can have them learn in the military camp."
Taking a deep breath, Yuan Song said, "General, you need not worry. I will educate these two unruly sons."
Chu Hechao nodded and wanted to leave without finishing his meal. However, this action would affect Yuan Li's father's reputation. While Yuan Song's face was not important, he was still Yuan Li's father.
Both Yuan Song and Madam Chen were afraid that Chu Hechao would leave abruptly, but seeing his calm demeanor, they were relieved. The meal was quickly finished, and only after that did Yuan Li and Chuhe Chao walk back to the mansion.
When they were alone on the road, Chu Hechao cursed, "Your two brothers are really dumb."
Yuan Li smiled, "When I was at home before, they were somewhat sensible. I guess when I left, my parents couldn't find the time to discipline them, so they slowly became like this."
"Don't worry," Yuan Li said calmly, "After this incident, my father won't allow their mischief to continue."
Chu Hechao suddenly laughed, and in the darkness, he held Yuan Li's hand, "You're not much older than them, but you speak to them as if you were their elder."
Yuan Li pushed his hand away, giving him a stern look, "Take it easy."
Chu Hechao chuckled softly.
Upon returning, they both went to freshen up. When they returned to the room, Chu Hechao began to kiss Yuan Li again. He felt like he was getting addicted to kissing, the more they kissed, the more he wanted to continue, unable to stop.
But as they kissed, Yuan Li suddenly furrowed his brow, uncomfortably pushing Chu Hechao away, saying, "Wait a moment."
The man stepped back, his breath quickening, his eyes burning with desire and urgency, his throat rolling as he asked, "What's wrong?"
Yuan Li raised his hand to his throat, coughing gently, "My throat feels a bit itchy."
Chuhe Chao got off the bed to pour him a glass of water. After Yuan Li drank the water, he felt slightly better but still slightly itchy. He handed the glass to the man, then curled up, resting his head on his arm.
"Still itchy?" Chu Hechao asked, standing by the bed, ready to pour him more water, "Do you want more?"
Yuan Li shook his head wearily, then suddenly reached out his hands towards Chu Hechao, "Hold me."
Chu Hechao's heart raced as he immediately reached out and embraced Yuan Li. Yuan Li's hands clasped around Chu Hechao's neck, burying his head in the man's shoulder.
Feeling a bit unsure, Chu Hechao carefully helped Yuan Li onto the bed, leaning against the bedpost as Yuan Li snuggled against him.
"Like a child. What's wrong?" Chuhe Chao's rough fingers lightly rubbed the nape of Yuan Li's neck, his voice low and gentle, "Uncomfortable?"
With a hint of displeasure, Yuan Li replied, "Why do mosquitoes always bite me?"
Among all seasons, Yuan Li felt most helpless during spring and summer, simply because of the abundance of mosquitoes, especially in July and August when they became more rampant.
Chu Hechao's heart softened, feeling both pity and amusement. He kissed Yuan Li's hair and comforted him, "What kind of mosquito can bite you in the throat? Open your mouth, let me see."
Although Yuan Li complied and opened his mouth, Chu Hechao didn't see anything.
Fortunately, Yuan Li's throat soon stopped itching. However, he began to feel itchy on his arm. When he pulled up his sleeve, he found two red spots.
"This mosquito is venomous," Chu Hechao exclaimed.
Yuan Li nodded in agreement, "My back was itchy before as well. Can you check if I was bitten there too?"
Chu Hechao lifted Yuan Li's shirt and carefully inspected. He found a mosquito bite on Yuan Li's pale and slender back near the shoulder blades.
"You indeed got bitten," Chu Hechao used his finger with a little saliva to soothe the bite, asking, "Does it itch?"
Yuan Li couldn't help but scratch his arm, "A little."
Chu Hechao rubbed it for him, his fingers causing a mixture of pain and relief, making Yuan Li instantly feel comfortable. After Chu Hechao finished rubbing the mosquito bite on his back, Yuan Li willingly extended his arm for further relief.
Not long after, Yuan Li fell asleep. Chu Hechao patiently waited for him to fall into a deep slumber before pulling down the bed curtains. He then searched for some herbs to relieve the itching, crushed them, and applied them to the mosquito bites on Yuan Li's skin.
He even hunted down a few mosquitoes in the room, which he killed to avenge Yuan Li, then climbed into bed to sleep beside him.
The next morning, Chu Hechao woke up. Glancing beside him, he saw Yuan Li still sound asleep. Chu Hechao kissed him on the cheek, intending to leave after, but when their lips touched, he suddenly noticed a change in Yuan Li's complexion.
Hastily checking Yuan Li's forehead, cheeks, and palms, Chu Hechao felt the heat radiating from his skin—a fever!
Startled by his actions, Yuan Li woke up and groggily asked, "What's wrong?"
Speaking made his throat ache, and he felt fatigued all over.
Chu Hechao hoarsely said, "You have a fever, stay in bed, I will call for a physician."
Yuan Li coughed, "My arm is itching."
Sensing something amiss, Chu Hechao's eyes twitched, pulling up Yuan Li's sleeve. To his dismay, he found five or six red spots on Yuan Li's arm, and upon lifting Yuan Li's shirt, he discovered a few more on his abdomen.
This couldn't possibly be just mosquito bites!
Chu Hechao's breathing grew heavy, his hands trembling as he felt Yuan Li's face, trying to reassure him. He quickly got dressed, even putting his shoes on the wrong feet in his haste.
Ignoring the shoe mishap, Chu Hechao dashed out in a frenzy.
Meanwhile, Yuan Li lay in bed as the drowsiness slowly faded, pulling up his sleeve to take a look and then hesitating.
These were... chickenpox?
Feeling the itch all over his body, he refrained from scratching, the familiar sensation confirming his suspicion—he indeed had chickenpox.
Recalling a childhood bout with the illness, Yuan Li thought he wouldn't get it again in this life. It was strange to have chickenpox at twenty. He couldn't help but feel perplexed as he wondered, wasn't chickenpox a children's illness?
Soon, hurried footsteps echoed outside the door.
Chu Hechao, accompanied by a physician, hurriedly arrived before Yuan Li with bloodshot eyes, exclaiming, "Quick, take a look at the Governor!"
Lin Tian followed suit, his face pale with worry.
The physician, alarmed by Chu Hechao's demeanor, nearly mistook Yuan Li's condition for something incurable. However, after assessing Yuanli's symptoms and pulse, he let out a sigh of relief.
Wiping the sweat off his forehead, the physician assured, "Governor and General, there's no need to worry. This is just chickenpox, easily treatable. Luckily, the medical texts passed down by the Governor contain remedies for treating chickenpox. Please rest assured, in no more than ten days, this chickenpox will be fully healed."