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墨書 Inktalez
Suddenly, dozens of torches were thrown towards the Thatched Cottage.
Fortunately, it was freezing cold, and the throwers were not very skilled; only two of the torches landed inside the Thatched Cottage, while the others fell outside. However, there were also two torches that landed near the Firewood Stack. Xia Muxin panted heavily as she watched the torches slowly ignite, eventually spreading to the Firewood Stack.
Suddenly, her pupils dilated as she stared in bewilderment at the roaring flames of the Firewood Stack. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to get up and took one step after another towards the Thatched Cottage.
Outside, the snow was deep, but inside the cottage, there was none; only the eerie sound of the howling wind echoed from the roof of the Thatched Cottage.
Moreover, this was a house covered with Thatched Grass, supported by four wooden beams at its corners. The torches that had been thrown in quickly ignited a corner of the Thatched Cottage. As the Thatched Grass caught fire, a long tongue of flame shot out, swaying in the biting cold wind.
In an instant, the entire Thatched Cottage began to crackle and burn.
Xia Muxin rummaged through her belongings and found several bottles of medicine. She then ran back to her room to grab a small package. Due to exhaustion and a dislocated arm from being thrown by two guards, she moved particularly slowly.
Each step required heavy breaths. When she finally exited her room, she discovered that the entire Thatched Cottage was ablaze. The flames danced like an elusive dragon, swaying with the cold wind. Xia Muxin found herself at a loss; with thick snow piled on top of the cottage, smoke could not escape and filled the cramped space.
At that moment, thick smoke rolled in, choking her and making it impossible to breathe. Tears streamed down her face from the smoke, further blurring her vision and sense of direction.
Xia Muxin clutched the package tightly against her chest with her dislocated arm and closed her eyes as she groped through the smoke-filled room in search of an exit.
Yet despite her efforts, she moved slowly. Her throat burned from inhaling smoke. Suddenly, she reached out and grasped something that felt like a stick. Using it for support, she slowly made her way forward.
Outside in the yard, Zhao Qiushui and others watched as thick smoke billowed from the Thatched Cottage and flames shot up high. Feeling pleased, they signaled for several guards carrying Xia Muxin to leave. He Cong and members of the Royal Family followed suit like eager lapdogs.
“Muxin…”
“Muxin!”
“Sister…”
The area outside the Thatched Cottage was already crowded with villagers; however, members of the Royal Family blocked their entry. A scuffle broke out between both sides. The four guards were no pushovers; they knocked down several villagers including Er Dan and Black Bull. Once they left, dozens of people sprinted towards the Thatched Cottage, crying out in anguish.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash as the beam of the Thatched Cottage was engulfed in flames, causing the entire structure, now devoid of support, to collapse under the weight of the thick snow.
Xia Xiaosong was just a few steps away from entering when the Thatched Cottage fell. His face turned pale, and he sank to his knees in the deep snow, tears of terror welling up in his eyes as he cried out for his sister.
The villagers were stunned by the scene, frozen in place as they watched the snow compress and then melt away...
In an instant, a fierce wind swept toward the Thatched Cottage with an overwhelming force. Dozens of villagers clung to each other tightly to avoid being swept away by the sudden gust. Before their eyes, the snow and mud before them were lifted, forming a long column that shot into the sky.
The Thatched Cottage was scattered into pieces by the wind, and a dark figure flitted by like a ghost. The villagers struggled against the wind, unable to open their eyes, but they faintly glimpsed the furious expression on the man's face, which resembled that of a deity.
As the wind passed, everyone could only catch a fleeting glimpse of a shadow darting away.
*
On the second floor of the new house, Xia Muxin lay pale and weak on the bed, her breathing shallow. Six people knelt in the room, including Ming Yi, all too afraid to make a sound as they awaited Shen Muhan's punishment after he finished administering acupuncture.
Ming Yi hung his head low, filled with guilt. He had no idea that such a disaster would occur during his brief absence.
At this moment, all he could do was pray for Xia Muxin's safe awakening; otherwise, no one would be able to bear their master's wrath.
“Cough... cough... Mother...”
Suddenly, Xia Muxin furrowed her brow and coughed lightly before weakly calling out for her mother. Shen Muhan paused in his work and tightened his gaze before saying:
“Go find Aunt Xia.”
His words were directed at Ming Yi and the others, but his attention remained fixed on Xia Muxin's slightly furrowed face.
Ming Yi and the others did not dare delay; they quickly rose to carry out their orders.
Shen Muhan put away the silver needles and poured a glass of water on a nearby table, slowly feeding it to Xia Muxin with a spoon.
After spending so long in the burning house and being choked by the thick smoke, Xia Muxin felt her throat on fire. Suddenly, water flowed into her tightly pressed lips, and it was as if she had seen an oasis in a parched desert. She moved her lips slightly, wanting to drink more.
Shen Muhan was not skilled at feeding water, and the spoon was a bit too large, causing most of it to spill out. In his flustered state, he hurriedly searched for a clean cloth to wipe the water from her mouth while loosening her collar. A lot of water had seeped down her neck, and it was probably cold. However, in his chaotic attempts, he ended up tearing Xia Muxin's cotton jacket in half with too much force.
The shredded cotton flew around the room like fluff.
Shen Muhan felt a bit regretful and simply removed the jacket, using a cloth to wipe the water off Xia Muxin's neck before covering her snugly with a blanket.
Yet, Xia Muxin still seemed thirsty. Her small face scrunched up, and her lips parted slightly. Shen Muhan frowned, feeling heartbroken as he looked at her. He picked up a bowl of water nearby, took a large gulp, and leaned down to press his lips against Xia Muxin's small mouth.
This method of feeding worked much better, and he did it skillfully—feeding her little by little. Once she swallowed, he would give her another sip. This continued for what felt like an eternity...
Eventually, Aunt Xia was brought back by Ming Yi and others. Shen Muhan administered an injection that not only stopped the bleeding but also saved the fetus. It was mainly because she had taken a pill earlier; otherwise, if they had delayed any longer, even the Great Immortal would not have been able to guarantee their safety.
It seemed that the child would be born soon.
However, the fetus was already in an improper position, and after this incident, she would need daily injections. Fortunately, he had returned just in time.
After finishing with Aunt Xia, Shen Muhan hurried to Xia Muxin's bedside without allowing anyone to disturb him.
He had always been curious about the small cloth bag that Xia Muxin had clutched during that perilous moment. Now it lay at the head of her bed. He had initially intended to discard it when he first picked her up but ended up bringing it along anyway.
At this moment, he picked up the cloth bag with curiosity and opened it.
Inside was a moonlit robe with gold-threaded edges adorned with embroidered bamboo patterns. The robe was nearly complete; only half of the sleeve's design remained unstitched, with light-colored silk thread still attached.
The ordinary fabric appeared elegant and understated against the backdrop of the precious bamboo and intricate patterns. Wearing it would exude an air of unique nobility.
Shen Muhan examined the robe closely, not missing a single detail—the length and width were almost identical to his own physique. Suddenly, his gaze lifted as his large hand brushed against Xia Muxin's slightly cool face. His lips trembled slightly as he thought about how foolish she was for nearly losing her life over this robe.
At that moment, he also recalled that they had bought this fabric together. He had felt a twinge of jealousy back then because she hadn’t bought any fabric for him; she had only purchased five pieces. Now that he thought about it, perhaps she simply hadn’t intended to buy anything for herself...
Such a kind girl, how could he not love her?
Suddenly, Xia Muxin furrowed her brows, and her butterfly-like eyelashes fluttered a few times.
“Muxin.”
Shen Muhan immediately caught this small movement of hers, leaning down gently to call her name.
Xia Muxin drank some water, the burning dryness in her throat easing. It seemed someone was calling her, a voice so familiar, so gentle, so warm...
With some effort, she opened her eyes a crack, and what came into view was that handsome face she had missed day and night. For a moment, she felt dazed, and after a long pause, she choked out:
“Uncle... is that you?”
Her voice was hoarse, tinged with disbelief.
Seeing that she was fully awake, Shen Muhan fetched a large pillow and lifted her head gently to place it underneath. Finally, he carefully laid her head back down.
After inhaling so much thick smoke, lying flat like this must be uncomfortable for her. This way, it would help her breathe more easily. Ming Yi and the others had gone to prepare medicine; after taking two or three doses, she would be fine.
Once he had done all this, he squatted down by the edge of the bed and looked at her with eyes full of tenderness.
“Muxin, it's me. You're okay now; everyone is fine.”
At this moment, she shouldn't speak too much. Knowing that her heart was with Aunt Xia, he kept it simple to reassure her that everyone was alright.
Upon hearing this, Xia Muxin managed a weak smile, confirming that this was truly not a dream.
In fact, she had been quite lucky. At that moment, she had been about to rush out of the Thatched Cottage when it suddenly collapsed. She rolled onto the ground just in time and ended up buried under the snow that had fallen from above, which ultimately saved her from being burned by the fire.
Fortunately, Shen Muhan arrived in time; if the villagers had waited to dig through the snow to rescue her, her fate would have been uncertain.
"Uncle, it's snowing... you really haven't broken your promise."
Xia Muxin let out a sigh of relief, knowing her family was safe. Her gaze drifted outside as she watched the heavy snowflakes falling, and she spoke somewhat absentmindedly.
Shen Muhan reached out his large hand to smooth her disheveled hair with tenderness, as if making a vow, he said, "Muxin, in this lifetime, I will never break my promise to you."
Upon hearing this, a faint smile finally appeared on Xia Muxin's lips.
"Muxin, are you cold?"
Her face was still pale, and her hands and feet were icy. Shen Muhan decided to take off his boots and outer garments before slipping under the covers. He tightly held her cold little hand and gently asked.
Xia Muxin wanted to say she wasn't cold, but before the words left her mouth, a warm current surged through her palm, spreading throughout her body.
"Uncle, your injury..."
As her body gradually warmed up and color returned to her cheeks, Xia Muxin felt a bit better. But suddenly remembering his injury, she asked with concern.
Seeing that she was warming up, Shen Muhan withdrew his internal energy but continued to hold her small hand tightly, gazing at her affectionately. After a long moment, he finally said, "It's nothing; I've been fine for a while now."
Xia Muxin was half-convinced; her eyelids felt heavy. Noticing this, Shen Muhan moved slightly, but Xia Muxin gasped sharply in pain.
Shen Muhan was incredibly sensitive; his expression changed instantly. He took hold of her arm and gently squeezed it. A glimmer of bloodthirsty intent flashed in his eyes as he met Xia Muxin's gaze and said softly, "Muxin, bear with it."
With that, he applied just the right amount of force. There was a sharp crack as Xia Muxin's dislocated arm was set back into place.
However, at that moment, Xia Muxin was still drenched in cold sweat from the pain.
After a moment, Ming Yi's voice came in.
"Master, the medicine is ready."
His voice carried a noticeable tension and guilt, low enough to be barely audible.
Shen Muhan propped up the two pillows behind Xia Muxin to elevate her position, then adjusted her into a more comfortable spot before getting off the bed. After dressing himself, he said:
"Come in."
The door creaked open, and Xia Muxin looked at Ming Yi, who had his head lowered, understanding the reason behind his demeanor. Unfortunately, she was unable to exert any strength at that moment and didn't feel like saying much.
Shen Muhan took the bowl of medicine from Ming Yi's hands and sent him out before turning back to feed her.
The medicine had just been brewed and was a bit hot. Shen Muhan was extremely careful and serious as he fed her, blowing on each spoonful and testing the temperature with his lips before offering it to Xia Muxin.
"Muxin, get better soon. I heard that the sunlight after the snow is beautiful. How about we go watch the sunset together then?"
- End of Chapter -
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