“Why did you take so long to come back?!”
The accusation came with a faint tremble, almost as if the speaker were on the verge of tears.
Bai Zhi froze.
Then she smiled apologetically.
“Sorry.”
“I came back late.”
“I made you worry.”
In the darkness, Xiao Yu immediately looked embarrassed.
“Who was worried about you?”
“I was afraid you’d run off with the money.”
Afraid the returning guards might hear them, Bai Zhi humored him casually.
“All right, all right.”
“My fault.”
“I scared you.”
“Let’s go inside and talk.”
She nudged him forward.
Xiao Yu awkwardly dodged to the side.
This woman really doesn’t understand boundaries between men and women, does she?
Even while silently complaining, he helped remove the basket from her shoulders.
She had carried it all day.
Her shoulders must be aching.
The two went to the kitchen first.
Bai Zhi instructed him:
“Take the roast duck back to the room and warm it over the brazier.”
Meanwhile, she lit fires beneath both large stoves and set water to boil.
On the small stove, she began simmering medicinal herbs.
The physician had explained that the herbs intended for medicinal baths didn’t need prolonged boiling.
The important part was bringing them to a boil several times to release their medicinal properties.
After the herbs had boiled repeatedly, Bai Zhi extinguished the fire.
Then she added several large logs beneath the two big stoves.
Enough to bring the massive pots of water to a full boil.
Xiao Yu had already taken the cotton robe away.
Carrying the basket once more, Bai Zhi returned to their room.
“You’re back.”
Even Xiao Zelan’s voice carried unmistakable relief.
“Mm.”
An iron fire tong had been laid across the brazier.
The roast duck rested on top, slowly warming.
On the table sat three bowls of porridge, several steamed buns, and a large bowl of stewed potatoes that appeared to have been cooked in bone broth.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu had already begun rummaging through Bai Zhi’s purchases.
“What’s this?”
“A hat?”
“This padded jacket is ugly!”
“This cotton robe is pretty thick.”
“Wow.”
“These fur boots must have been expensive.”
“How much did they cost?”
The room was filled with the irresistible aroma of roast duck.
Bai Zhi’s stomach growled immediately.
“We can try on clothes later.”
“Come eat first.”
“Oh.”
Using a cloth to protect his hands, Xiao Yu carried the hot roast duck to the table.
Xiao Zelan slowly approached as well, leaning on his crutch.
“I bought medicine for you,” Bai Zhi said.
“Pills for taking internally.”
“And herbs for medicinal baths.”
“After dinner, Xiao Yu can go bring over the bathtub we found before.”
The brothers answered simultaneously.
“All right.”
The bone broth and potatoes had already cooled.
The porridge was still warm.
The steamed buns were cold but remained soft.
None of them touched the potatoes.
Instead, they immediately tore into the roast duck and ate it with the buns.
The duck was delicious after being reheated.
Everyone was too busy eating to talk.
After a few bites, however, Xiao Zelan stopped touching the meat and focused entirely on the buns.
Without saying anything, Bai Zhi stood up and retrieved the braised pork knuckle from her basket.
She placed it over the brazier to warm.
Xiao Zelan glanced at her.
“Shouldn’t we save that for tomorrow?”
“No.”
“The chicken arrived today and still needs cooking.”
“We’ll eat that tomorrow.”
“For these next few days, we need to eat well.”
“We need to build up our strength.”
She didn’t finish the sentence.
Otherwise we won’t survive the exile journey.
No one said it aloud.
But all three understood.
By now, even Xiao Zelan had largely accepted the possibility that Xiao Yu’s dream might be real.
One roast duck.
Half a pork knuckle.
Steamed buns and porridge.
The three of them ate until they were completely full.
Afterward, Xiao Yu went to fetch the bathtub.
Bai Zhi washed the dishes.
When she returned carrying a bucket of hot water, Xiao Yu had already cleaned the tub and brought in a bucket of cold water as well.
The tub wasn’t large.
Just big enough for one adult to sit inside.
Together, Bai Zhi and Xiao Yu made several trips before finally filling it halfway.
The medicinal herbs had already been added.
The room’s scent shifted from roast duck to a faint medicinal bitterness.
This time, the screen had been positioned around their bed.
Together, the canopy bed and folding screen enclosed a small private space.
It helped keep warmth inside.
After adding more charcoal to the brazier, Bai Zhi voluntarily sat on the couch.
Xiao Yu helped his brother into the bath before eagerly rushing back to try on the new clothes.
After several days together, he no longer felt embarrassed wearing only his undergarments around them.
After all, everything covered his body.
Nothing inappropriate showed.
He first put on the padded jacket and trousers.
Then the thick cotton robe.
Then the fur boots.
His eyes immediately lit up.
“So warm!”
“I feel like I’m about to sweat!”
“Try this hat.”
Bai Zhi helped place the hat on his head and wrapped the wide ties around his neck before fastening them.
“Wow!”
“It’s so hot!”
Excitedly, Xiao Yu ran toward the gap between the screen and the canopy bed.
“Imperial Brother!”
“Look!”
“It’s so warm!”
A smiling voice answered from behind the screen.
“Mm.”
“It looks excellent.”
Xiao Yu bounced around happily for another few minutes.
Eventually, the warmth became too much.
Reluctantly, he removed the hat and robe.
Then he carefully inspected every new outfit.
“Only one padded outfit per person?”
“That’s right.”
“Two sets take up too much space.”
“Besides, we each still have a lighter set.”
“We’ll bring those as backups.”
Xiao Yu nodded.
That made sense.
In his previous life, he’d worn the same outfit for more than three months.
Inside and out.
Everything.
“Two cotton robes each?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“You need spare underclothes and robes for washing.”
“But unless something unexpected happens, you’ll probably wear the same padded jacket and trousers the whole journey.”
Again, Xiao Yu nodded.
Bai Zhi then pulled out several pieces of wrapping cloth the fabric shop owner had included.
She packed Xiao Yu’s spare clothing:
A light padded jacket.
A cotton robe.
A set of underclothes.
A winter hat.
A pair of cloth shoes.
Everything was rolled tightly to save space.
After wrapping it all into a bundle, she made Xiao Yu carry it.
Not too bulky.
Acceptable.
“Everyone carries their own luggage.”
“Everyone should also keep some money and food.”
“In case we get separated.”
“Understood.”
Xiao Yu then noticed a folded piece of oilcloth.
“What’s this?”
“Oilcloth.”
“For keeping things dry.”
“But it doesn’t rain during winter.”
Bai Zhi smiled mysteriously.
“You’ll understand later.”
The medicinal bath only needed about fifteen minutes.
Afterward, Xiao Yu used clean water to rinse Xiao Zelan’s body.
A while later, the screen could finally be removed.
Xiao Zelan had already changed into fresh underclothes and settled beneath the blankets.
Bai Zhi stretched lazily.
“Tomorrow, the two of us should bathe too.”
“After that, we probably won’t get another chance for months.”
At those words, Xiao Yu’s spirits visibly drooped.
“All right…”
He sounded thoroughly depressed.
Bai Zhi then retrieved the moxa sticks and a wooden box.
“The doctor said moxibustion might help.”
“Let’s try it tonight.”
Opening the box revealed a copper lining fitted perfectly inside.
Two grooves had been built into the metal.
Just enough to hold the moxa sticks.
Bai Zhi inserted the sticks and lit them with a fire striker.
Then she closed the lid.
Thin wisps of smoke drifted from the small holes on top.
“Put it beneath your knee.”
“Thank you.”
Xiao Zelan accepted the box and positioned it beneath his injured knee.
Bai Zhi then handed him several bottles of medicine and a packet of medicinal patches.
“The doctor prescribed these.”
“The pills aren’t as effective as the medicine you used to take.”
“But they should still help.”
“Thank you.”
Beyond those two words, Xiao Zelan didn’t know what else to say.
No one felt like emptying the bathtub.
That could wait until tomorrow.
Bai Zhi crawled into the inner side of the bed.
Within minutes, she was asleep.
Xiao Zelan lay on his side.
Quietly watching her sleeping face.
For a very long time.
Unable to fall asleep.