Work Text:
Herb gathering during the sickness season was a must though with herbalist Gui joining the sick this year it was much harder to keep up with the medicinal demand. Baizhu would venture out himself but he barely had any down time to gather them or much time for himself to rest as he tended to patient after patient. Fortunately his dear partner seeing how swamped with responsibilities he was, was more than willing to help.
They weren't an expert like he was when it came to medicine but they knew exactly where to obtain everything on his list. It wasn't a very long list but the amount of each ingredient needed would take at least a full day and possibly a night to acquire. He busied himself through his exhaustion with crushing what ingredients he did have with his mortar and pestle while he awaited their return.
By midmorning they arrive with a full basket covered in a bit of dust and sweat but relatively unscathed. He hums tiredly as he takes inventory of their haul and prepares portions of it to be set outside to dry in the sun. As he sorts he blinks questioning the bundle of white round blossoms a flicker of irritation running through him.
"Dear you're aware we didn't need more qingxin right?" They hum and nod more than aware. "Then why...?" He trails off as they snip off a bloom and place it behind his ear.
"It may not be used for medicine this time but it's certainly healing for the weary heart don't you think?" He feels his cheeks warm at their fond gaze and covers his mouth a bit bashful his irritation caused by exhaustion soothed. They let Changsheng slither over their shoulders to take over for him so he can finally rest. As he lays himself down for a nap he caresses the flower in his hair the corners of his lips tilting up. He had to agree that it has certainly healed his weary heart.