"Are you sure about that?" Xicheng asked and he lowered for the early Chrystanetmum shots. Jingting was next to him, but he was already squatting for another one. They made nice tea and he could use it in medicine. So now, it was again the time for him to collect and dry all the herbs to survive another winter.
"I'm pretty sure. I want to check on Xuhua," he answered, continuing his work. Xicheng snorted.
"Oh, sure, sure, I believe you that my sister is soooo important to you, you would abandon your clinic just to check her out. I think there is another person you want to check out." Jingting was silent, thinking before answering.
"No…Yes. But…" He took a deep breath and started again, "Did you read the letters Xuhua sent? He is beyond reckless."
"I understand you, but why do you care? Admit it. You care about him. You want him to be safe." Jingting bit his lip and walked further away in search of another shot.
"I wouldn't you be this reckless also," he said so silently that Xicheng almost missed it.
"Yes, but you did not faint from longing when I left back to my father's mansion for months…" This stung, but it was true. He did not have such a reaction before to any of his friends leaving. And he still had no idea why he was so mentally weak since the general left.
"He is my friend also," Jingting said and looked around. There was nothing more they could collect.
"Still, I'm leaving tomorrow morning, so take care of everyone here." Xicheng was always the one in command every time Jingting left. He learned how to take care and lead. His father, Prince Xing was actually quite pleased by how Xicheng behaved and was able to fight, lead and was knowledgeable in various topics from governing to medicine.
Because what else could you do in a place that was in the middle of nowhere, had harsh and long winters and had huge rooms full of books. So even though Jingting and Xicheng were not brought up like normal nobility, they still could carry themselves as such.
"Then be careful on your way," Xicheng learned to not resist Jingting since last time he almost got beheaded.
In the morning, Jingting covered himself with a tied silk-veiled hat and a dark fabric around his face, the plateau that was once easily crossed because it was frozen was now hailed with sand storms and Jingting with his horse later walked into such. He carried some of his tools and special medicinal pastes that would probably let him care for hurt soldiers.
He did not sleep in the post because he wanted to be quickly in the town and he needed to be there the day he sent in the letter, so Xuhua could welcome him.
But because of the sand storm he lost his way. And he noticed it too late. Even though it was a day and a half of a journey, yet he saw no huge wall of Datong.
On the contrary, Jingting listened to a clinging of swords, and feared the worst. He ventured into a battlefield. If the soldier did not have such distinct armors and some weren't carrying the flag of the Ming Dynasty, he would be confused, but now, he quickly got down from his horse and ran into the battle.
His only weapon was his fan, but he was dancing through the scattered and confused Northerners slicing right through their wrists or back of hands. They were unable to hold weapons that way, because if you slit deep enough you sever the ligaments helping fingers to move. It was inhuman but they could work with their other hand. For him, it was more human than to kill them all.
Suddenly he noticed a far too familiar armor. He saw it on a general he once saved, the tiger and everything. He danced through the soldier closer to him and grabbed the hand of a Northerner when he tried to impale the armored soldier from the back.
"That's not fair, to back stab people," he said loud enough to be heard and kicked the guy away. The armorer general looked at him and his face grimaced in confusion. The eyes was familiar but it was not the face he was looking for.
Jingting frowned and grabbed the spear from a close laying soldier. It was better than the fan he had, but he still had it open but now in his other hand. It was metal pleated so he could actually use it as a sort of shield. Knowing the armor and the face, he decided to cover his back and then asked.
The soldier's movement was too similar to Liu Sheng's light sparring sessions he had with Xicheng. With a face like that, they had to be related. And it was even more apparent when the soldier did not ask. He just let Jinting help him, once he saw he was on his side he let him. But when they finished all the Northeners, he moved his sword and held it by Jingting's fabric covered neck. While putting down his own fabric mask. It wasn't Liu Sheng…
"Why? And who are you?" Now he asked? Jingting wanted to laugh, they were too similar, they first acted then they asked. It had to be his brother.
"You are Liu An, right? I know your older brothers," he said and let the spear fall down and folded his fan, putting it safely back on his belt.
"Which ones?" the soldier asked without answering. Jingting frowned again. He knew this family was a bit too suspecting, but first having hand on his neck being strangled, and now, having a sword on his neck being questioned? He was definitely advancing. Thank god, Liu Cheng had a brain and did not put, I don't know, a spear through his heart. That would definitely elevate it…
"Cheng and Sheng. I'm Peien. Will you let me look at your arm? I can heal you once I find my horse." He knew he left him by the tree loosely tied, but he hoped it was still there.
Liu An let his sword fall down and he grabbed his bleeding arm. It must have been hurting as hell, still using the arm to hold the sword up for so long. He nodded and Jingting walked away.
He got distracted by a few other hurt people that he found on his way back, so when he managed to get to Liu An, he was already half sitting half laying on the ground with his eyes closed. At first, he was startled that he died from blood loss, but when he put his bag next to him, Liu An's eyes opened.
"Can you take me to your brother? I got lost," he said, took down the fabric that was still covering his face and smiled at the youngest, who just stared at him, his mouth opened, well, until Jingting placed a pasted on his arm, then he hissed and jerked himself.
"I will. Don't worry. I know you… W-... doctor Jingting…"