The next morning, Jun Yelan went out to set up defenses.
Lan Yan went to the military doctor's office as usual. When she reached the entrance, she heard shouting from inside. She hurried in and saw Nie Qing and others holding down a soldier who had gone mad.
She immediately went over and helped hold down one side of the soldier's body, calling out, "Doctor Nie, please save him."
Nie Qing nodded, took out some cloth from his medical kit for the soldier to bite on, preventing him from harming himself further. He then took out a knife and began cleaning the festering flesh from the soldier's chest.
The soldier immediately became agitated. Unable to cry out, he could only struggle. His hands were restrained, and his snake tail whipped around, striking Lan Yan fiercely on the back.
Lan Yan grunted and shook her head at Nie Qing, who glanced over. "I can still manage."
Nie Qing felt a surge of admiration for her at that moment, putting aside her relationship with the General. He sped up, treating the wound and sprinkling powder on it. Another wave of piercing pain followed.
The soldier went mad once more, his snake tail lashing towards Lan Yan's head.
Lan Yan dodged, but the hairpin in her hair was knocked loose, her dark tresses falling down her back.
Without her veil, everyone around stared at her, now knowing she was a woman.
Lan Yan glanced around, then withdrew her gaze and called out, "Doctor Nie, please bandage it." Her hands were numb from holding on, and a dull ache pulsed from her back.
Nie Qing returned to his senses and quickly finished bandaging. He looked at Lan Yan hesitantly. "This is strange. If you are a woman and have a connection with the General, you shouldn't be without a snake tail!"
People of the same clan would not conceal their snake tails.
Hearing this, Lan Yan felt awkward. She wasn't a snake person in the first place. As everyone stared at her, she was trying to think of an explanation when a soldier suddenly shouted.
"She's a human woman!"
"What, human!" Surprise spread across the faces of the crowd as they looked at Lan Yan in disbelief. For a human woman to be alone in their snake territory was astounding.
Although they knew the two races were in peace talks, the snake people harbored resentment from being treated as slaves. Their gazes immediately turned unfriendly as they glared fiercely at Lan Yan.
"Drive her out! Drive her out!"
More and more voices chimed in agreement.
Lan Yan stood rooted to the spot. It seemed she couldn't reason with them.
Just then, a commanding voice called out from behind, "She came with me." Jun Yelan walked in from the entrance, stepping forward to take Lan Yan's hand, assuring her.
"Everyone, I know you resent the human race. I did too. I was also treated as a slave, suffering greatly. But at that time, I met her. She saved me and allowed me to become Jun Yelan again."
"To me, she is my life."
Lan Yan's eyes trembled slightly as she turned to look at Jun Yelan, feeling as though he was radiating light. She had been thinking of leaving, but now she didn't want to.
She stepped forward and said, "Everyone, I have absolutely no intention of harming you; on the contrary, I wish to help. I came here for Jun Yelan. I believe only when your commander is healthy will you have greater motivation."
"Also, these past few days, I have only been helping in the military doctor's office. Doctor Nie can attest to this; I have done nothing else. If you do not believe me, I will not come here from now on."
Nie Qing also said, "I believe Miss Xiao Yan." He had witnessed all of Lan Yan's actions.
The soldier who had been saved raised his hand. "I believe her too."
The other injured soldiers recalled being saved by Lan Yan and lowered their heads. This Miss Xiao Yan was different from other humans; she had cared for them attentively and without contempt in her eyes.
Furthermore, she had saved their General, making them even less inclined to say anything.
Seeing that the dissenting voices had disappeared, Lan Yan breathed a sigh of relief. That was close! She smiled.
Jun Yelan saw that she was fine and smiled.
Nie Qing stepped forward, taking out a bottle of medicine. "Miss Xiao Yan, you were injured earlier. This is the finest wound medicine."
"Injured? Where?" Jun Yelan exclaimed immediately, his eyes full of worry. He took Lan Yan's hand, wanting to examine her thoroughly.
Lan Yan took the medicine bottle and smiled. "A minor injury." She returned to the tent and began to take off her clothes, preparing to apply the medicine.
However, Jun Yelan's worry was irrepressible. He followed her in and froze upon seeing the red mark on her back.
"Why did you come in!" Lan Yan quickly pulled her clothes together but was called to a halt.
Jun Yelan clenched his fist. "You can't reach it, I'll help you." He sat behind Lan Yan, pulled at her clothes, his gaze falling on her smooth nape and back.
His eyes deepened, suppressing the desires in his heart. He closed his eyes, slowly applied the medicine, and quickly pulled her clothes back up. "I'm going out for a bit."
"Oh." Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan's retreating back, wondering where he was going so quickly. She realized her identity had been discovered, so she changed back into her women's attire, tying her beautiful hair back with a single hairpin.
This would make work more convenient.
She walked out of the tent and headed to the military doctor's office.
When she entered again, Nie Qing was momentarily stunned. As expected of the General, his taste was excellent.
"Doctor Nie, why are you spacing out? Is this the medicine that needs to be ground today?" Lan Yan held some herbs and waved them in front of Nie Qing's eyes.
Then she noticed that not only Nie Qing, but everyone else was also a bit stunned. She sighed helplessly and returned to her spot, taking a stone mortar to pound the herbs.
Nie Qing and the others felt even more admiration for Lan Yan. Such a beautiful girl, enduring hardships in a military camp. And she was so good to their General; it was truly touching.
"Miss Xiao Yan, if you ever need anything, tell me. You are like my niece," Nie Qing said with genuine sincerity. He felt this girl had it too hard.
The others felt ashamed, regretting their earlier words about Lan Yan. From now on, they would help Lan Yan with anything she needed.
Lan Yan looked up and said, "Thank you. But Doctor Nie, you're about to spill the powder in your hand."
Nie Qing looked down and saw that it had fallen outside the paper. He exclaimed, "Oh dear, I must pick it up quickly!" He busied himself.
The others also tended to their wounds.
Lan Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Being watched by so many people was truly unaccustomed. It was much better now, and she continued grinding the medicine.
Outside the tent, Jun Yelan, who had just finished bathing, returned. Not seeing Lan Yan, he headed towards the military doctor's office. On the way, he overheard soldiers whispering.
"Did you hear? That military doctor's 'young master' Xiao Yan is actually a girl, and a very beautiful one at that."
"Indeed, even more beautiful than our snake people."
"And her heart is also kind. Whoever marries her will be incredibly fortunate."
"Let's not even dream about it." As they finished speaking, they felt a chill from behind them. Looking back, they saw Jun Yelan. "Greetings, General."
Jun Yelan's expression was cold. "It seems you have too much free time. Go run twenty laps, and then patrol the back mountain." He snorted and walked away.
The soldiers behind him were puzzled. "What's wrong with the General? Why is he so angry?" After speaking, they were glared at again and quickly went to run their laps.
Only then did Jun Yelan turn his gaze back and continue walking forward.