Chapter 21: Too Many Good Things

Yuan Shen had returned. He arrived almost at the same time as Yan Zhaonian. Before she could ask why he had come back early, he strode toward her with a joyful smile. Reaching her, he scooped her up in his arms and spun her around.

"What are you doing?"

Startled, Yan Zhaonian clung to his neck. When her feet touched the ground, she was still dazed, then her face flushed red, and she struck his chest with her fist. "What are you doing? Ouch, that hurts!"

His iron armor shimmered with a cold light. Her punch didn't even tickle him, but it caused her considerable pain.

"Scared you?" Yuan Shen took her hand, examined it carefully, and blew on it. "Why are you such a coward?"

"Your husband has been gone for so long, and you didn't even run to greet me?"

Only then did Yan Zhaonian believe he had truly returned early. "I thought you wouldn't be back for a few more days. What a surprise! You looked like such a handsome gentleman when you left, but look at you now."

She turned to instruct Shuiyun to prepare hot water and food, but Shuiyun smiled and said, "It is already being prepared."

Yan Zhaonian then noticed her mother standing under the eaves, holding little Xun'er and watching them with a smile. Seeing her look over, her mother brought the child over. The baby stared at the man with curiosity, and under his grandmother's repeated guidance, he called out a crisp "Dada."

Yuan Shen was thrilled. When he left, his son was less than a month old; now, he could already speak.

"Good lad!" He grabbed the boy by the waist, hoisted him high, and bounced him. "You’ve been eating well."

The boy had been lifted high by his great-uncles before, but never this high. Perhaps it was the bond of blood, but he instantly took a liking to his father, grinning and calling out happily, "Dada!"

"Yes," Yuan Shen replied.

"Dada!"

"I hear you."

"Dada, hahahaha!"

Mother Yan stood by, beaming. Only after the game of call-and-response ended did Yuan Shen hand the child back to Yan Zhaonian and bow to her mother. "Thank you for all your hard work, Mother."

When he left for the campaign, his wife had not yet finished her postnatal recovery, and the child was even smaller. Everything had relied on her support, and Yuan Shen felt deeply grateful.

"What is this for? She is your wife, and he is my daughter and grandson. We are family; there is no need for such formalities. I'll go check on the water. You should go and change your clothes..." She paused, suddenly remembering something. "Are you wounded? Should we call a doctor?"

"Old Madam, I am here." The military doctor, who had been an invisible presence three paces away, stepped forward and bowed. "Old Madam, Madam, the General is injured—and quite severely at that. He refuses to rest properly. I cannot control him, so you must speak to him firmly."

After speaking, he glanced back at Yuan Shen. He had told him he would report him; those who ignore medical advice deserve no sympathy, hmph!

Seeing the concern on the faces of Mother Yan and Yan Zhaonian, Yuan Shen rolled his eyes. "Don't listen to his nonsense. It's just a superficial wound; he likes to make a mountain out of a molehill."

Yan Zhaonian insisted, "Why would Doctor Liu lie? It must be your fault. Come into the room; let me see."

Mother Yan ushered Doctor Liu away to rest. "You must be exhausted. Wash up, change your clothes, and have a meal. I will trouble you to check his wounds later. Young men think they have strong constitutions and don't take injuries seriously. I've made you worry."

Doctor Liu nodded happily, casting a triumphant look at Yuan Shen. He knew that once they were back at the garrison house, there would be people who could keep him in check.

Little Xun'er fussed to be held by his father, but knowing about his injuries, they wouldn't allow it. Mother Yan coaxed him away to see the new puppies in the backyard, while Yan Zhaonian pulled Yuan Shen into the room.

"Take off your armor."

Seeing his wife was not smiling, Yuan Shen obeyed. As he removed the armor, Yan Zhaonian saw the wound under his arm, already seeping blood. "You call this a small wound? Look, it’s bleeding."

"Did you rush back early? Why couldn't you have rested for a few more days?" She examined the wound closely, her eyes welling with tears. "It’s always like this. How many times has this happened now?"

He never took his injuries seriously. "I told you, no matter if it's a big or small wound, you can't be careless. Why don't you listen?"

Yuan Shen, who had stood his ground even when the enemy nearly took his head, immediately surrendered. "I was treating it properly. I was just in a hurry to come back and see you. It didn't hurt, so I didn't realize it had torn open. I'll apply medicine in a moment."

Yan Zhaonian gave him a sharp tap. "Are you a bull? It’s like this and you still don't feel pain?"

Yuan Shen chuckled, saying he was used to being hurt. "A little scratch like this doesn't hurt." He pulled her into his arms. "Even if it did, seeing you makes the pain go away. Have you been well while I was gone?"

"I've been just fine." Yan Zhaonian felt helpless. She didn't want to nag, but this man always let her words go in one ear and out the other. She remembered a soldier who hadn't taken a wound seriously; it had become red, swollen, and festering, followed by a high fever, and in the end, he couldn't be saved.

"You are not allowed to do this again."

Hearing footsteps, Yan Zhaonian pushed him away. Soon, servants entered the side room with hot water. Yuan Shen could only manage a quick wash. Yan Zhaonian carefully wiped his upper body for a long time before inviting Doctor Liu to apply the medicine.

"See? See? I told you this would happen," Doctor Liu grumbled as he saw the wound. "The Madam is right here, she isn't going anywhere. Why the hurry?"

Yan Zhaonian stepped forward. "Please, stop scolding him. I had someone bring a batch of medical supplies from the capital a few days ago. See if they are useful."

"Medicine from the capital?" Doctor Liu became interested. Yan Zhaonian led him to a chest. "Everything is inside, and each medicine is labeled with its purpose. Would you like to take a look?"

The chest was filled with bottles and jars. Finding the medicine for external wounds, Doctor Liu opened a stopper and sniffed it, his face lighting up with surprise. "This is the wound powder from the Wu Pharmacy in the capital. This is a rare treasure; it’s very expensive."

"I managed to get a bottle once. It has miraculous effects on stopping bleeding and helps wounds heal quickly. A tiny bottle costs two taels of silver."

Looking at the rows of identical bottles in the chest, Doctor Liu’s eyes burned with excitement. Yan Zhaonian urged, "It’s usable, right? Please, use it quickly."

"Yes, it is." Wanting to verify the efficacy of the medicine, Doctor Liu quickly turned to remove the blood-stained white cloth from Yuan Shen’s wound. As he cleaned it, Yuan Shen finally felt the pain, but having bragged earlier, he bit his lip and remained silent, pretending to be nonchalant.

Fortunately, Yan Zhaonian's attention was entirely on the wound, and she was kept busy by Doctor Liu, fetching scissors, strong wine, and fresh bandages.

"Madam, these bandages are excellent—delicate and soft, perfect for dressing wounds." Doctor Liu only now realized how many treasures were kept here.

Yan Zhaonian said, "Fabric is the easiest thing for me to acquire. I noticed the bandages you were using before were too coarse, so I had some softer ones woven. I even steamed them with wine vapor, and the boxes they are stored in were treated the same way. They are clean and safe for wounds."

Doctor Liu’s eyes brightened again, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind, his hands trembling with excitement.