The Courtesan's Crown - Chapter 6
That night, Shen Huinian developed a high fever.
The wild temple was dilapidated. The bleak wind howled through gaps like wailing ghosts.
Shen Huinian was pale, forehead beaded with sweat, jaw clenched tight, body trembling uncontrollably.
High fever could kill.
I was scared but calmly cooled him with a damp cloth.
His breath was scorching, muscles rising and falling with each breath. Tracing his mottled scars, my heart ached terribly.
From heaven’s favorite to prisoner-what had Shen Huinian endured?
“Mother… Father…” Hearing his hoarse whispers, my tears fell instantly.
Duke Zhenguo Shen Yongbei, a great hero. His wife, Jiang Li, started schools for girls, benefiting countless women. Their deeds were sung by many, yet in the end, framed for treason, they died brutally under imperial power.
Shen Huinian was crying, grievous and sorrowful.
I held him tightly, patting his back gently, whispering: “It’s alright, it’s alright.”
How could it be alright?
The pain of losing my family young still haunted me after ten years.
Past midnight, his fever worsened.
This wouldn’t do.
I checked the weather. The rain hadn’t stopped. The nearest town was over an hour away. Leaving now, I could bring a doctor back by dawn.
I found the head guard, explained my plan. He looked at me long. “We’re near the northern border. Law and order are chaotic. A woman alone, seeking a doctor in this rain? Sure?”
I nodded.
The guard looked complex. “Worth it?”
“I don’t want him to die.”
He sighed, waving me off.
After two steps, I thought I heard “Jiangwan.” I paused but didn’t turn back, missing Shen Huinian’s pained eyes.
The road was muddy, the wind biting. The journey was hard, but thankfully, I encountered no ruffians. Reaching the town, doctors refused house calls in such weather. Helpless, I bought various cold and fever medicines and hurried back.
I hadn’t felt such despair in years.
Returning to the dilapidated temple, the head guard sighed in relief seeing me unharmed, urging me to check on Shen Huinian-his fever was worse.
My heart sank. Shen Huinian was flushed, delirious.
“After you left, he kept calling your name.”
I was stunned briefly, then tried to feed him medicine. His teeth were clenched, so I used my mouth to force it down.
He seemed briefly conscious, murmuring: “Jiangwan, you’re back… don’t leave me…”
“I won’t leave, I won’t leave.”
Holding him tight, I glanced at the dilapidated Buddha statue. Though worn, it gazed mercifully upon all. I secretly wished: May Shen Huinian be safe.
