Chapter 13
Tempted
“I am not a well-learned person. I’m afraid I may not be able to undertake such great responsibilities. I’m sorry I cannot help you, General Gan.” Zhao Chuchu did not want to agree to Gan Maosheng’s request immediately.
It was inconceivable for a girl, once mute, to suddenly possess such extraordinary medical skills. Xie Heng had helped her explain herself to the people, but her secrets could be revealed when the others regained their senses and thought about the matter more carefully.
“Official Li must have told you I chanced upon the prescription while reading a medical book. Besides, I learned my skills through self-study after my husband taught me how to read and write. I’m afraid…”
Zhao Chuchu lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers uneasily.
Lin Xiang raised his eyebrows, scoffing inwardly, “I thought she was bold when she first came here.”
Gan Maosheng raised his hand to pat her shoulder and reassure her. On second thought, he put his hand down, embarrassed. It would not be appropriate for him to instigate physical contact with a lady. “Even if the medicine cannot save everyone, as long as you can prevent the disease from infecting more than half the village population, you will still be able to save them. Ms. Chuchu, please don’t worry. I will bear all the responsibility. I will not implicate you in this matter.”
Zhao Chuchu was taken aback.
“If you don’t trust me, I can write a letter of assurance for you and state that you are innocent.”
Zhao Chuchu thought, “I’m only a village girl. How can I go against a general who holds great military power?”
Even if he only commanded a thousand men, they were still soldiers.
“General Gan, what is it you need me to do?”
“Do you dare to come with me to Yuanjiang County?”
“Huh?”
Zhao Chuchu pretended not to understand what Gan Maosheng meant.
“Since the plague is spreading mostly in Yuanjiang County, I need you to make a trip with me around Yuanjiang County and provide them with the cure. If you could help contain the virus, I would ask the court to reward you for your great contribution.”
Reward?
Zhao Chuchu was a little tempted.
She had planned to leave this place after treating Xie Jun.
It would be helpful to have the court’s backing.
Since Zhao Chuchu had initially planned to save the infected villagers, she agreed to Gan Maosheng’s proposal.
However, she had one request.
“General Gan, can you please let my husband accompany me on this trip?”
Zhao Chuchu figured that if Xie Heng followed her, there would be a lesser chance of her accidentally exposing her situation.
Gan Maosheng looked at Li Jiang, who hurriedly explained that Zhao Chuchu was already married. “Her husband is Xie Heng. He was labeled a child prodigy a few years back.”
“Oh, it’s Xie Heng.” There was a tinge of sadness in Gan Maosheng’s voice. “I feel such pity for him. Ms. Chuchu, can you cure him of his blindness?”
“At the moment, there is no cure. My husband taught me how to read and write and also encouraged me to read medical books so that I can find a cure for him.” Zhao Chuchu’s voice grew softer. “But he doesn’t want anyone to know about it. Hence, he told everyone I was secretly reading the medical book.”
Li Jiang understood everything at that moment.
Gan Maosheng thought it must be difficult for a young girl to be married to a blind man. He did not want to press further lest it would upset her. He instructed Lin Xiang to bring Xie Heng over and sent Li Jiang back to Lengshui Village.
By the time Xie Heng arrived at the inn, it was already nighttime.
Since Zhao Chuchu and Xie Heng were supposed to be husband and wife, they were arranged to sleep in the same room.
Zhao Chuchu smiled. “Sorry for getting you involved in this.”
Xie Heng looked at Zhao Chuchu and quickly withdrew his gaze. “It’s all right. We’re in the same boat.”
“Will he kick me out of the boat? Hmm… I know he won’t do that,” Zhao Chuchu muttered to herself.
Xie Heng then pointed to the bed. “You’ll sleep there tonight.”
“What about you?” Zhao Chuchu looked around the room. There was no other place he could sleep.
“I’ll just make do with whatever there is for the night,” Xie Heng replied nonchalantly. He took a seat by the table.
Although Xie Heng was pretending to be blind, he still had the body and desires of an ordinary man.
Worried that he might fall sick again in the morning, Zhao Chuchu said decisively, “Forget it. Let us dispense with the formalities. We’ll sleep on the same bed.”