Chapter Eight: Jiang You'an Falls Ill

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Upon hearing this, Lu Yun Zhu’s eyes widened in shock. Lu Xuan Heng, meeting her astonished gaze, strode toward her, grabbed her hand, and struck it. Zhao stood by trying to intervene, but Lu Xuan Heng paid no heed. Ignoring Lu Yun Zhu’s loud cries, he coldly delivered twenty strikes.

Holding her reddened palm, tears streaming down her face, Lu Yun Zhu glanced at Lu Xuan Heng’s stern expression but dared not utter a word. Jiang You’an watched her run away in tears, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

When she saw Lu Xuan Heng and his mother retreat inside, she quietly left Rongshou Hall. Zhao discussed with the matriarch, acknowledging that the matter between Shen Heping and Lu Yun Zhu could no longer be concealed. The only solution now was to swiftly finalize the marriage contract with the Shen family to preserve both families' honor.

Lu Xuan Heng was indifferent to whom that foolish Lu Yun Zhu would marry. Troubled in his heart, he left the elders to settle the matter themselves.

As he left Rongshou Hall, heavy snow was falling. He strode ahead but suddenly noticed Jiang You’an standing in a corner. Her nose was reddened by the cold wind, and a layer of snow had settled on her shoulders.

Jiang You’an had been waiting for him for some time. After all, Lu Xuan Heng had just helped her out of a difficult situation, so she wanted to express her gratitude.

Seeing him approach, she stepped forward, “Just now—”

Before she could finish, Lu Xuan Heng seemed not to see her at all. He brushed past her and walked away. Jiang You’an stood stunned amid the swirling snow, watching his retreating figure, unable to understand what was wrong with him.

If he chose to ignore her, so be it; she had no intention of clinging to him.

Jiang You’an turned and returned to her small courtyard.

Earlier, when she was forced to kneel in the snow, Qiulan had worried she might catch cold and quickly brought warm water for her to soak her feet.

Recalling the events at Rongshou Hall, Qiulan was furious. “They’re so quick to judge without reason, practically condemning her unjustly. It’s utterly unreasonable! I never realized before how cruel Zhao is. Even with all the facts laid bare, she still blames the young lady—it’s just too much!”

Jiang You’an shivered at every word from Zhao, “I knew Zhao didn’t like me, but I never imagined she hated me this deeply.”

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Qiulan tucked her hands into her sleeves and muttered softly to Jiang You’an, “Back when they came to seek refuge at our Minister’s residence, our madam treated them so well, feeding and caring for them. Yet now, Zhao turns so harsh on the young lady! I reckon those servants near madam who talked behind their backs were mostly telling the truth. Since she failed to become a concubine of the Jiang family, she’s held a grudge against madam, and now she resents the young lady too.”

Jiang You’an remained silent. She was too young at the time to understand much, only overhearing a few gossiping remarks about Zhao before the mother and son left, and she never heard anything else afterward.

In any case, Zhao’s original intentions no longer mattered. Now, Jiang You’an was a dependent under the Lu family, at Zhao’s mercy.

“It’s no use dwelling on those things anymore,” Jiang You’an shook her head. “Because of Lu Yun Zhu today, I’ve openly clashed with the Lu family. I suppose I can no longer stay here.”

Qiulan asked, “Did you meet any suitable suitors at the Marquis’s residence today?”

“Don’t mention it. Lu Yun Zhu’s interruption left me no chance to meet many people. I did encounter the Marquis’s fourth son—he’s handsome and well-born, but his health is poor. I’ll have to find other prospects.”

Jiang You’an thought for a moment. “Qiulan, when you chat with the other maids, see if there are any upcoming banquets or gatherings. I want to attend as many as possible.”

Qiulan agreed.

Jiang You’an was full of energy, but her body betrayed her. After kneeling in the snow this afternoon, she fell ill.

By dinner, her mind grew foggy, and her limbs felt weak. She retired early to bed.

When Qiulan came to extinguish the lights, she saw Jiang You’an’s pale face and, feeling her forehead, found it burning hot.

They needed to summon the doctor immediately. Qiulan hurried to the gatehouse, intending to leave, but it was already late at night, and the main gate was bolted. The old gatekeeper women had already retired indoors.

Qiulan pleaded outside the gatehouse, asking one of the women to open the side door.

Hearing that the unwelcome young lady was ill, the women paid no heed, refusing even to open the door. One shouted, “A distant cousin acting as if she were the mistress! Always bossing others around for every little thing. She’s just a pampered child of the Minister of Rites. Now she’s sick, and she’s making such a fuss. Servants’ lives are hard!”

Qiulan was angered but restrained herself from arguing, continuing her entreaties: “My young lady is truly ill and must see the doctor. Please open the door for me!”

“Go away! Come back tomorrow. Keep yelling, and don’t blame me for being rude!”

Mockery greeted Qiulan again. Worried about the feverish Jiang You’an upstairs, she nearly cried. Finally, stomping her foot in frustration, she left the gatehouse and ran straight toward Lanyue Residence.

Upon entering the courtyard, she spotted Xiu Zhu closing the main door. Breathless, she hurried over, “Xiu Zhu, my young lady has a fever and needs urgent medical care, but the gatekeepers won’t open. Could you ask the eldest young master to issue an order?”

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Hearing this, Xiu Zhu glanced inside and said, “The eldest young master has already gone to rest. But don’t worry, I’ll accompany you and speak to them.”

Qiulan was overjoyed and just about to take Xiu Zhu’s arm when the main door suddenly opened. Lu Xuan Heng stepped out briskly, draping a cloak over his shoulders.

Fifteen minutes later, the doctor was already at Jiang You’an’s bedside taking her pulse.

Lu Xuan Heng stood nearby, snow still melting on his shoulders. His handsome brow was furrowed with concern as he looked down at Jiang You’an’s pale face.

After examining her pulse, the doctor told Lu Xuan Heng, “This young lady has caught a chill. Her constitution is weak, which is why she fell ill so severely. You needn’t worry. I will prepare medicine at once. Once she takes it, the fever will subside.”

Lu Xuan Heng nodded slightly, thanking the doctor politely, quite unlike the rough figure who had just dragged the doctor from his home.

Once the medicine was ready, Lu Xuan Heng helped Qiulan lift Jiang You’an up. Holding the bowl, he gently blew on the hot liquid and brought a spoonful to Jiang You’an’s lips.

She barely swallowed before furrowing her brows and spitting it out, clearly finding the medicine too bitter.

“Tsk,” Lu Xuan Heng pinched her chin and warned coldly, “If you dare spit it out again, I’ll leave you in the snow.”

Qiulan gasped and quietly held Jiang You’an to comfort her.

Fortunately, Jiang You’an obediently drank the medicine the next time.

After finishing the dose, Lu Xuan Heng tucked the blanket around her and personally wrung out a handkerchief to press on her forehead, changing it every once in a while.

He busied himself throughout the long night. Finally, as dawn approached, Jiang You’an’s fever broke. Lu Xuan Heng, who had stayed up all night, looked exhausted, his jaw stubble visible.

He instructed Qiulan to take good care of Jiang You’an and, before dawn, returned to Lanyue Residence.

That morning, news of Lu Xuan Heng braving the snow late at night to summon the doctor for Jiang You’an reached Zhao. She was greatly shocked.