Huo Shu had never gone into detail about his past, only that his family had been troubled.
At fifteen, he’d left home for the army, and before that, he’d spent years in the city—meaning he’d hardly lived in the village at all.
As for the brother Uncle Fan had mentioned today—Ji Taoyu didn’t know what lay between them.
But from Huo Shu’s tone, it wasn’t good.
Ji Taoyu had never had blood-related siblings since childhood and couldn’t understand how brothers under the same roof could end up unwilling to see each other, even unto death.
He didn’t dare rashly persuade Huo Shu to meet that half-brother, afraid that speaking without knowing the full story might upset him.
From what he knew of Huo Shu, the man wasn’t one to say one thing and mean another.
But seeing him like this, it didn’t seem as if his refusal was entirely firm.
After so many years apart, now that they knew both were still alive, perhaps…
“A-Shu, A-Shu.”
Huo Shu, lost in thought, suddenly heard a weak voice from the carriage. His brow furrowed, and he quickly leaned toward the window. “What’s wrong?”
“My head feels dizzy, and I’m a little nauseous.”
Ji Taoyu touched his nose, sniffing the air, then looked at Huo Shu pitifully. “Am I going to have a nosebleed again?”
Seeing this, Huo Shu immediately dismounted and jumped into the carriage.
“Anywhere else uncomfortable?”
Ji Taoyu grabbed Huo Shu’s hand and slumped against him. “My arms and legs feel weak too. I want to sleep, but the rocking makes me dizzier.”
Huo Shu held the boneless, limp ger in his arms and felt Ji Taoyu’s forehead.
His temperature seemed normal, but after the physician’s warnings, Huo Shu didn’t dare take any chances.
“Could be from the blood loss yesterday, you're probably weak and lightheaded.”
Huo Shu supported him while scanning the surroundings. “The terrain here is flat and open. We could set up camp now and leave at dawn tomorrow.”
Ji Taoyu clutched Huo Shu’s sleeve. “Mm.”
Huo Shu’s brow twitched slightly, but he said nothing more.
He laid Ji Taoyu down in the carriage, then stepped out to halt the group.
Everyone was puzzled by the sudden stop—they had only traveled about ten li from the horse farm.
“Something wrong, Brother Huo?”
Huo Shu answered plainly, “Taoyu isn’t feeling well. He’s had too much mutton these past days, it's made him feverish. He had a bad nosebleed last night, and the early start today might have been too much.”
“Huh?”
“Is Physician Ji alright?”
“Why didn’t he say anything this morning? And we were riding so fast.”
Though some found it amusing, the group still expressed concern for Ji Taoyu.
Ge Liang said, “Let’s camp here then. Rest well and set off at dawn. Northern days break early anyway.”
So they made camp, and Ji Wenliang hurried to check on Ji Taoyu.
Seeing everyone so worried, Ji Taoyu felt a little guilty.
He glanced back the way they had come, silently praying: If fate allows, let that boy come find us himself. The campsite isn’t far.
If he didn’t come, at least he had tried.
Ji Taoyu pretended to feel weak in the carriage until camp was fully set up, at which point Huo Shu immediately scooped him up and carried him into their tent.
These northern-style tents were far superior to what they'd used before - Huo Shu had purchased new ones made with heavier materials that could withstand the fierce frontier winds.
The improved design would prove especially valuable now that summer storm season was approaching, offering better protection against the coming rains.
As dusk deepened, the wind grew stronger. Ji Taoyu lifted the tent flap to gaze out—the boundless grasslands melted into the horizon under an infinite sky.
The campfire crackled, fueled by dried dung and kindling, its glowing embers swept upward by the prairie winds.
The starry sky stretched endlessly, unobstructed and dazzling.
Ji Taoyu stared, mesmerized. He was about to fetch a cloak to go wander outside when a panicked shout broke the quiet:
“Brother Huo! Two horses ran off!”
Huo Shu, who had been tending the fire, stood abruptly. “Which way?”
“Toward the mountains! Ge Liang and Tian Fu already went after them!”
Wang Yong said anxiously, “They were grazing fine just now, then suddenly kicked the groom and bolted! One can ride, the other can’t. I’m afraid they won’t catch them!”
Huo Shu didn’t waste a second—he gave a sharp whistle, and his black warhorse came charging from the darkness
He mounted and told Wang Yong, “Keep watch over the camp and the remaining horses. Don’t spook the herd further.”
“Yes!”
Before Wang Yong finished, Huo Shu was already galloping into the night.
Ji Taoyu rushed out of the tent, watching the figure vanish into the darkness, his brow furrowed.
It’s dark and unfamiliar terrain—don’t let anything happen.
“Brother Taoyu, you’re awake? You alright?”
Ji Taoyu shook his head, worried for Huo Shu.
The others were restless too, pacing and staring in the direction Huo Shu and Ge Liang had gone.
Losing even one horse meant dozens of taels wasted, and they hadn’t even left the northern frontier yet.
Their initial excitement over acquiring so many horses had overshadowed the difficulties. Now, the harsh truth dawned on them
“None of us have much experience handling horses. What works for mules and oxen doesn’t always apply. Only Brother Huo and Ge Liang can ride properly—this is trouble.”
“Yeah, driving this many back to Tongzhou won’t be easy.”
“Sigh, should’ve practiced riding and training more.”
Unease settled over the group as they anxiously waited for the menand the horses to return.
Thank you for the update!!!
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