Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After inspecting Zhou Tai's injuries, Sun Ce leaned back on a tiger-skin chair, watching the busy figures packing up inside the tent. Sun Quan was carefully putting the tiger talisman into a sandalwood box. The hair tie was half loose, and it flickered with his movements. "Zhongmou, go back and pack your bags." Sun Ce raised his hand and rubbed his swollen temple. "We will set off tonight and cross the river under cover of darkness to return to Jiangdong."

"Brother, please take a rest first." Sun Quan stuffed the last volume of military books into the box without turning back, "I have ordered your armor and weapons to be packed, as well as the medicine..." He suddenly fell silent, looking at the unburned medicine residue in the pottery furnace, his heart skipped a beat. Sun Ce chuckled softly, reached out and tugged at his brother's drooping hairband: "You are as nagging as an old woman. Go quickly and come back soon."

Sun Quan bowed his head as he retreated from the tent, the sound of his boots treading gravel carefully muted. After passing the third watchtower and confirming Wei Yan's view was blocked by the curtain, he suddenly stopped, his back pressed against the cool leather of the tent. In the twilight, Zhang Hong was summoned by Sun Ce to inquire about military activity. His bony fingers traced the troop deployment on the map, his cloudy eyes occasionally glancing out of the tent.

When the last ray of light sank into the horizon, Zhang Hong finally hurried over, sweeping the dust kicked up at Sun Quan's feet with his wide sleeves: "Second Master, the medicine has been administered, why haven't you taken action yet?"

Sun Quan raised his eyes suddenly, and the gentleness he had shown in front of his brother disappeared completely. The arc at the corner of his eye was like a poisoned dagger: "Action? Do you think Wei Yan is blind?" He lowered his voice and sneered, the breath escaping from his throat was wrapped in a chilling coldness, "If I move a little, the spear in his hand will immediately pierce my chest! If I hadn't drunk the medicine first to prove myself, my brother would never have taken the medicine."

Zhang Hong paused stroking his beard, then let out a hoarse laugh. "I was inconsiderate. But after this incident, they truly regard you as a filial son." He leaned close to Sun Quan's ear, his foul breath tickling the young man's neck. "The return journey is long, and along the way..." His old finger traced an arc in the air. "Your Highness, all you need to do is serve the medicine as usual and find the right time..."

Sun Quan stared at the man's bloodshot eyes, suddenly remembering the cold, gleaming weapons in the tent last night. He wiped his face with his hand, suppressing the emotions surging in his eyes. "Since I promised you, I won't go back on my word. But you'd better remember my promise today—" His voice suddenly turned cold, and his fingertips stabbed Zhang Hong's chest. "If the aristocratic families dare to make any moves after this is accomplished, I will show you just how sharp the Sun family's swords are."

The night wind blew up the hems of their clothes. Zhang Hong bowed deeply. When he stood up, Sun Quan had already disappeared in the shadow of the tent. Only the howling sound of the wind coming from the river in the distance lingered in the twilight.

The setting sun shone like blood, tinting the Xiakou dock a dark crimson. Sun Ce, supported by Wei Yan, boarded the main battleship. The salty night breeze from the river lashed his face, stirring a dull ache in his still-unhealed wounds. Lü Meng, Lü Dai, and others led the army slowly back from Jiangxia. Xue Zong and Chen Wu had already led the vanguard fleet, cutting through the waves. Torches on the bows formed a winding line of fire in the twilight, like long, blood-red lanterns lighting the way home.

"Brother, be careful on the steps." Sun Quan half-crouched in front of the cabin door, his palm firmly supporting Sun Ce's trembling elbow. The young man's brocade robe was soaked by the river wind, but he still stubbornly wrapped his cloak tightly around his brother's shoulders, "The wind on the river is the most biting. Once we get into the cabin, I'll ask the cook to make a bowl of ginger soup."

Wei Yan's grip on the hilt loosened. He watched Sun Quan carefully wipe the sweat from Sun Ce's forehead, and a trace of guilt welled up in his throat as he recalled the bowl of medicinal decoction he had personally tasted. From the deck came the muffled thud of anchor chains hitting the water. The main ship slowly pulled away from the shore. As the ship swayed, Sun Quan embraced his brother's swaying body, his movements as natural as breathing.

Two hours later, Lü Meng and his companions' warships finally broke through the waves. A large number of ships were arrayed in a goose-shaped formation, their black sails covering half the river. Zhang Hong stood by the side of the ship, gazing towards the main ship with a meaningful smile. His bony fingers tapped lightly on the railing, their rhythm gradually coinciding with the sound of the water lapping against the shore.

A river breeze, carrying a salty smell, blew into the cabin. Sun Ce leaned against the carved couch, watching the shimmering water reflected on Zhang Hong's planned withdrawal route. The ink marks twisted into strange patterns in the swaying light and shadow. His fingers trembled slightly as he gripped the parchment scroll. The pain from his wounds and the doubts in his heart entangled like vines. Zhang Hong had deployed all the generals from the aristocratic families to clear the way and cover the rear. This comprehensive plan to resist the pursuit made Sun Ce wonder if he was being too cautious. Why did Zhang Hong and these generals seem so dedicated?

"Wen Chang, go and rest." Sun Ce tried to stay awake, but his voice couldn't hide his fatigue. "From last night till now, you haven't slept a wink all day and all night." He glanced out the porthole at the warship of Lu Meng and others. The black sails looked like a dormant giant beast in the twilight. "Zhongmou is taking care of you. You don't have to be so nervous."

Wei Yan's knuckles turned white as he gripped the hilt of his sword. His gaze was fixed on the distant ships. Cold sweat seeped through the cracks in his armor and slid down his back into his trousers. "I'm not tired," he said, his Adam's apple rolling with difficulty, remembering the fleeting, sinister smile Zhang Hong had given him when he arranged to cover the rear. "Although Xiakou has been withdrawn, the Jingzhou pursuers are still unknown. I should..."

The medicine cauldron gurgled in the cabin, and Sun Quan's lowered lashes hid the anxiety swirling in his eyes. The sound of the ceramic spoon stirring the medicine broth was particularly piercing in the silence. He stared at the white mist rising from the copper kettle and thought of the small gilded bottle hidden in his sleeve—it was the deadly poison Zhang Hong had slipped him last night, said to dissolve in water, becoming colorless and odorless. If Wei Yan had stayed by his brother's side, this medicine...

"General Wenchang is sincere, brother, please don't try to persuade him." Sun Quan suddenly looked up, a gentle smile on his lips, but his fingertips were tightly clutching the gilded bottle in his sleeve. "But if we continue like this, even a body of iron can't bear it."

The dusk, like inky black, stained the river surface with a deep, oppressive gloom. The main ship trudged slowly through the waves, each lurch of its hull a silent reminder of the uncertainties and dangers ahead. Inside the cabin, Sun Quan gazed at the bubbling medicinal broth in the medicine cauldron, his thoughts already drifting far away. He knew full well that this long journey home was not only Sun Ce's path to survival, but also the path to murdering his brother, a plan he and Zhang Hong had meticulously orchestrated. And Wei Yan stood as the greatest obstacle standing in the way.

The aroma of medicine filled the small cabin. Sun Quan expertly divided the decoction into two portions, his movements as gentle as if handling a rare treasure. He picked up one bowl, gazed calmly at Sun Ce, and then tilted his head back to drink it all in one gulp. The scalding liquid flowed down his throat, burning his esophagus, but it didn't pale in comparison to the chill deep within his heart.

"Why does Zhongmou do this?" Sun Ce looked at his brother's actions, with both emotion and helplessness in his eyes. "By doing this, you make your brother worried." His voice was weak, but full of concern for his brother.

A humble smile immediately appeared on Sun Quan's face, and his eyes were full of sincerity: "Brother, Jiangdong now depends on you. In this troubled time, it is better to be cautious. General Wenchang has been working hard to keep watch, so I specially asked the kitchen to stew some refreshing soup, but he was so focused on protecting you that he didn't even have time to drink a sip of the soup." As he spoke, he carefully handed another bowl of soup to Sun Ce, his tone full of persistence that could not be refused.

With Sun Quan assisting him, Sun Ce slowly drank the medicine. As the liquid entered his throat, sleepiness quickly overtook him. His eyelids grew heavier, and his consciousness gradually blurred. Finally, through a hazy vision, he saw Sun Quan standing by his bedside, and he fell into a deep sleep.

As the night deepened, Sun Quan sat by the candlelight, his gaze fixed on Sun Ce's rising and falling chest. The occasional spark from the candle wick was remarkably clear in the silent cabin. His mind was constantly calculating how to carry out his next plan under Wei Yan's close watch.

After an unknown amount of time, the sky brightened. Sunlight streamed through the ship's windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Sun Ce slowly awoke, his brow furrowed with aches and pains. He turned to see Sun Quan sprawled over the edge of the bed, his hair disheveled across his face, and his arms still bear the red marks of prolonged pressure.

Hearing Sun Ce's movement, Sun Quan immediately raised his head. His eyes were bloodshot, but he still smiled brightly: "Brother, you're awake! I'll go prepare some rice porridge and other food." His voice was a little tired, but it couldn't hide his joy.

Sun Ce reached out and gently touched Sun Quan's head, and said with emotion: "Zhongmou, you have really grown up. Thanks to you for taking care of me along the way, you have suffered so much." His eyes were full of relief and love.

Sun Quan hurriedly said, "Brother, you have worked hard for the cause of Jiangdong and are seriously injured. What does this mean for me? It is better to be cautious as General Wenchang said. I put rice porridge and other things into this bamboo food box, thinking of cooking them for you myself, so that you will feel more at ease." As he spoke, he stood up and tidied his clothes, ready to prepare food for Sun Ce.

Sun Ce watched Sun Quan's busy back, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He had never imagined that his brother, who seemed so immature on a daily basis, could provide him with such attentive care during this difficult time. Little did he know what kind of conspiracy and calculations lay hidden behind this "attentiveness."

The candlelight flickered inside the cabin, casting flickering shadows on Sun Ce's pale face. He strained his eyes to look up at the figure standing tall and straight like a pine tree at the cabin door—Wei Yan, clad in chain mail, the long sword at his waist gleaming coldly, his red eyes still scanning the river warily.

"The text is long..." Sun Ce's voice was hoarse and weak, and every word he said seemed to use up all his strength. "We have left Xiakou for one night and will be able to enter Jiangdong territory tomorrow evening. Don't force yourself, or you will exhaust yourself."

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan half-knelt on the ground, his armor colliding with each other making a crisp sound: "I am not tired! As long as I can protect my lord, it doesn't matter if I don't sleep for three days and three nights!" His words were firm and his eyes were full of undisguised loyalty and determination.

Sun Ce looked at this brave general who had followed him for so many years, his heart filled with pity. The exhaustion from days of traveling and night watch had made Wei Yan's already strong face look even more haggard. There were dark circles under his eyes, and his lips were dry and chapped.

"Come here!" Sun Ce turned to the guards outside the tent and ordered, "Go and bring a bed so that General Wei can lean on it and rest for a while. Wen Chang, if you refuse again, it will seem strange."

Wei Yan's heart warmed, and his eyes couldn't help but well up. After years of following his lord in battle, he rarely encountered such direct expressions of concern. He no longer refused, reaching out to take the cushion brought by his personal guards and slowly sitting down against the cabin door, still maintaining a half-kneeling position, his long sword tightly gripped in his hand, his eyes constantly vigilantly observing his surroundings.

A brief silence fell within the cabin, the only sounds being the clatter of the ship breaking through the waves and Wei Yan's carefully controlled breathing. Sun Quan lowered his head to boil the medicine, his dangling hair obscuring the dark glint in his eyes. He gazed at the bubbling medicinal liquid in the cauldron, thinking to himself: Let's keep simmering, let's see how long you can hold out. Perhaps tonight is the perfect time to act...