Recommending someone to enter the Imperial Library Pavilion wasn’t a difficult matter for Li Jingchun. The challenge lay in the Emperor’s attitude.
No one knew whether, after Prime Minister Lin stepped down, the Emperor still intended to pursue those tied to his lineage. If the Emperor had softened, then a single word from Li Jingchun would suffice to secure Lin Ce’s entry. But if the Emperor was unwilling, Li Jingchun wouldn’t risk his own future.
He was very protective of his reputation.
“I can’t guarantee success. Your identity is too sensitive,” Li Jingchun said, rising to his feet. “I heard you deciphered the ‘Star River Dream.’ You could try approaching the Duke of the Empire. He’s a brash man, and bringing up your matter wouldn’t provoke the Emperor’s ire.”
Lin Ce understood Li Jingchun’s dilemma and smiled, nodding before gesturing for him to lean closer.
Li Jingchun looked puzzled. What was this brat up to?
“Uncle, you might want to visit the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion less often. Or at least change your clothes when you return. Better yet, get something with a strong scent to cover up the fragrance,” Lin Ce said with a grin.
Li Jingchun stumbled back several steps.
Only the two of them heard those words; Jia Xifeng and Li Jiayin were still clueless.
“You…” Li Jingchun was both shocked and furious. He glared at Lin Ce, his eyelid twitching violently.
Without speaking, he mouthed, “You followed me?!”
“What are you two whispering about?” Jia Xifeng sensed something was off and asked curiously, “Lin Ce, did I hear something about changing clothes and strong scents? Did I wear the wrong scented sachet today?”
Just as Lin Ce was about to speak, Li Jingchun grabbed her hand and sniffed deliberately, then quickly put on a serious face, “Madam, the scent of your sachet is too strong today. Lin Ce’s health is weak—he can’t bear that fragrance. Hurry and change it!”
Lin Ce quickly nodded, his face pale, lips colorless, and his body even beginning to tremble.
“Aunt, I truly apologize. My body’s always been fragile…” Lin Ce said weakly.
Jia Xifeng’s expression shifted. She quickly ran to the rear courtyard and didn’t dare show herself again.
Li Jingchun gave Lin Ce a thankful glance—until he noticed something was really wrong.
Lin Ce hadn’t been pretending. He was actually having an episode!
“Jiayin, take your cousin back at once. Buy a large wooden tub, have Fu Er boil more hot water. Keep boiling it for the next few days!” Li Jingchun furrowed his brows, visibly anxious.
Li Jiayin was stunned, blurting out, “Father, could mother’s scented sachet be poisoned?!”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Li Jingchun snapped. How had a cover-up turned into a real incident?
But for Lin Ce, it wasn’t that way.
“Cousin, what’s wrong with you?” For once, Li Jiayin’s cold expression gave way to concern.
Lin Ce knew his cousin wasn’t naturally aloof—she’d just spent years locked in the inner courtyard, rarely interacting with others. Her coldness was simply a defense mechanism.
“I’m fine. Just an old illness acting up,” Lin Ce forced a smile.
He couldn’t resist teasing her. “It’s been so long, I thought the Jiayin I used to play with was gone. You’ve gone from a girl to a boy.”
He chuckled.
When Jia Xifeng gave birth to a daughter, she had endless regret. Holding onto the old merchant mentality, she had hoped for a son to carry on the family name. Maybe it was the name she chose—Xifeng—that brought her a daughter instead.
Fortunately, the Li family was open-minded. They didn’t care at all. In fact, Li Jiayin was their treasured pearl, and they treated her with absolute affection.
Still, Jia Xifeng had tried to raise her as a son—dressing her in boys’ clothes, teaching her the Six Arts of a Gentleman—just to show the world that the Li family’s daughter was no less than a son.
“Cousin, do you also wish I were a boy?” Li Jiayin lowered her gaze, sounding somewhat disheartened.
“Of course not. If anything, I’m more like a delicate young lady now, and you’re the strong, masculine one,” Lin Ce laughed. “You’re definitely stronger than me.”
Hearing that, Li Jiayin stomped her foot in frustration.
She let go of Lin Ce and glared. What girl would want to be told she looked like a man?
That was not a compliment!
“Brother!” she shouted, raising her fists and lunging at him.
“You see? Now you really look the part!” Lin Ce burst into laughter and took off toward the side yard, with Li Jiayin chasing and swinging at him.
But before her fists could land, Lin Ce suddenly collapsed to the ground.
Li’er happened to run out at that moment and froze in shock at the sight.
“It… it wasn’t me…” Li Jiayin panicked. She had always known Lin Ce was frail, but collapsing after just a few steps? How weak must he be?
She hadn’t noticed it earlier during their conversation.
Li’er rushed forward and hoisted Lin Ce onto her back.
“What are you standing around for? Get the hot water ready. I need to warm the young master up!” Li’er instructed Li Jiayin, looking more like the young lady of the Li household than Li Jiayin herself.
Lin Ce’s body was ice cold. Even through his clothes, Li’er felt a chill seep into her own.
Every breath he exhaled onto her neck made her shiver. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
What she carried on her back wasn’t a living person—it was an iceberg, a genuine iceberg!
Lin Ce’s sudden illness threw the entire Li household into chaos.
There were already too few servants—Fu Er could barely handle serving the three members of the Li family. Now with Lin Ce added to the mix, it was pure mayhem.
Thankfully, Xu Rong arrived just in time.
When Qin Shizhong heard what Li’er needed prepared, he immediately sent servants rushing to the Li residence.
Only those from the top circles knew what was truly happening to Lin Ce.
That night was dark as ink.
The bleak moonlight was hidden by clouds. Though not yet full, the moon gave off a chilling aura.
In the room, Lin Ce was soaking in a large wooden tub.
Steam rose from the water, bringing a hint of color back to his face. Li’er was drenched in sweat, her twin braids swaying as she constantly poured scalding hot water into the tub to dispel the cold clinging to his body.
Suddenly, Lin Ce opened his mouth, “Li’er, help me warm the bed. I’m fine now.”
“Young Master! You’re awake!” Li’er’s face lit up. She wiped the sweat from her forehead. It wasn’t even the fifteenth yet, and the young master had already come so close to collapse. What would happen when that day truly arrived?
“It’s alright. I just need rest,” Lin Ce smiled gently.
Seeing how exhausted she looked, he added, “Thank you for your hard work.”
“It’s nothing, I’m used to it,” Li’er replied.
She wiped her forehead and climbed into bed. Lin Ce didn’t mind her sweaty body—in fact, the more she sweated, the warmer and more comfortable he felt.
Soon, the candlelight in the room went out.
Outside, Jia Xifeng stood with a face full of guilt.
“Jingchun, I swear I’ll never use sachets again. I didn’t know it would affect Lin Ce so badly…” Her voice trembled as if she were about to cry.
Li Jingchun wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his eyes sharp, but he said nothing.