Leng Yaoda, who was leaning against the bedside, also heard the commotion. The moment the young lady learned that Lu Zhiyou and the others had arrived, her stomachache seemed to ease a little.
Now, however, she felt a bit of a headache…
Leng Yu and Zhao Yujin had not expected Lu Xuan to bring people over so suddenly. Exchanging a glance, they stepped out to greet them.
Seizing the opportunity, the Manor Physician explained Leng Yaoda’s condition to Leng Qi and Leng Lin: “Young Masters, the young lady is not seriously ill. She simply ate too much today, consuming a mix of hot, cold, soft, and hard foods, which caused bloating and severe abdominal pain. I will now prepare the medicine and have it brewed quickly.”
Leng Lin nodded after hearing this. “Then please hurry.”
The noise outside gradually grew louder, and the first to push open the door and enter was Lu Zhiyou.
Upon seeing the frail young lady lying in bed, the young man’s pre-prepared concern faded slightly, replaced by surprise. However, mindful of propriety between men and women, he remained standing where he was.
Leng Yaoda was undoubtedly beautiful, but today, her watery eyes shimmered, her apricot-shaped eyes and rosy cheeks were tinged with illness, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and her usually pink lips had turned pale and translucent.
Lu Zhiyou harbored a secret.
Since childhood, his mindset had differed from others. While others admired vibrant, flourishing beauty, he was uniquely drawn to the appearance of severe illness and decline. That state was like a poppy flower blooming from withered bones—decadent, captivating, and alluring, even if it was deadly.
For a moment, the young man felt rooted to the spot, unable to move forward or backward. It was only when the Prime Minister’s Wife, Zhang Silian, stepped forward and gently touched Lu Zhiyou that he blinked and snapped back to reality.
So beautiful.
He thought.
A dark, shadowy glint flashed in his eyes for less than a second before vanishing. As he looked at Leng Yaoda’s pale pink face, his expression took on a touch of genuine sincerity.
Zhang Silian had already approached the young lady’s bedside. Leng Qi and Leng Lin immediately made way for her, softly addressing her as “Auntie” before politely retreating to the doorway.
As it was inappropriate for Lu Xuan and Lu Shixiu to enter the bedchamber of an unmarried young lady, Leng Yu escorted the two to a nearby side hall to sit.
Lu Xuan, in his forties, possessed the dignified bearing of a pine tree, befitting his position as the head of civil officials, and his expression carried a sense of detachment.
“Marshal Leng, how is Daji now? Coincidentally, my son Shixiu happened to pass by and heard faint noises from your manor. Later, he learned that Daji had fallen ill. She is young and usually in good health, so what exactly happened tonight?”
As Lu Xuan spoke, the anxiety and worry in Lu Shixiu’s eyes beside him seemed ready to overflow, his palms already damp with sweat.
Leng Yu glanced at the young man standing quietly behind Lu Xuan and said with sudden realization, “So that’s how it was.”
So it was because Lu Shixiu had heard the commotion.
Leng Yu replied, “Thank you, Prime Minister Lu and your esteemed wife, for your concern. My daughter is not seriously ill. She simply indulged her appetite today and ate too much, which caused severe abdominal pain. The Manor Physician has already examined her and is preparing the medicine. Once she drinks it and rests for a while, she will recover.”
Hearing Leng Yu say that Leng Yaoda was fine, Lu Shixiu’s entire heart relaxed, and the stifling feeling in his chest gradually dissipated.
In the room, Lu Zhiyou personally picked up a cup of warm water and fed it to Leng Yaoda. The young lady seemed somewhat reluctant but, after a moment’s thought, took a sip.
The medicine had not yet finished brewing; simmering it slowly over a low flame would take at least two hours. However, it was not appropriate for the Lu family to stay that long.
Zhao Yujin and Zhang Silian chatted for quite a while, with Leng Qi and Leng Lin keeping them company nearby, allowing Lu Zhiyou and Leng Yaoda to be alone together.The young man gazed at the frail girl on the bed. Her face was pale from pain, yet a faint flush tinged her cheeks due to her illness. In Lu Zhiyou’s eyes, this appearance seemed many times more beautiful than Leng Yaoda’s usual self.
Unaware of the thoughts in the mind of the person before her, Leng Yaoda endured the pain while also having to feign politeness with Lu Zhiyou, leaving her mind in a muddled haze.
Lu Zhiyou, skilled in manipulating people’s hearts, could easily discern Leng Yaoda’s thoughts. She must have found him utterly troublesome in her presence, yet she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
But she didn’t know that he, in fact, adored her current state.
Considering the girl’s robust health, such situations were rare, and even after marriage, he disdained the idea of ruining someone he had known for years. He sighed inwardly with regret.
Feigning concern, he personally “attended” to Leng Yaoda for a while before the Prime Minister’s Wife, Zhang Silian, prepared to leave and find Lu Xuan.
Zhao Yujin and Zhang Silian had been close friends since childhood. Seeing her about to depart, Zhao Yujin thought to persuade her to stay a little longer: “It’s still early; there’s no harm in staying a bit more. Zhiyou seems quite worried about Yaoyao, and at this critical moment, he probably doesn’t want to leave!”
Following her gaze, they saw Lu Zhiyou gently wiping the sweat from Leng Yaoda’s forehead with a handkerchief, appearing tender and patient.
Zhang Silian, observing this, felt pleased and whispered, “Daji isn’t feeling well. As an elder, how could I linger? It’s best to let her rest early. As for Zhiyou, there’s no need to worry. If he misses Daji, he’ll come to visit on his own. There’s no rush.”
Then, she took a few steps forward and called out to Lu Zhiyou twice. The young man slowly rose, and as his eyes swept over the girl, he caught a fleeting glimpse of relief in her eyes.
Lu Zhiyou raised an eyebrow, suddenly tempted by a mischievous urge to stay longer and see if Leng Yaoda would reveal any other emotions.
But in the end, he restrained himself. In front of others, he was always tactful and proper. Lingering here any longer would not be gentlemanly conduct.
After Lu Zhiyou left, Leng Yaoda let out a long sigh of relief when no one was watching, then clutched her stomach and burrowed under the covers.
Meanwhile, Lu Xuan and Leng Yu finished their casual conversation and stepped outside, coincidentally meeting Zhang Silian returning with Lu Zhiyou. The family of four bid them farewell.
After exchanging polite pleasantries, no one noticed Lu Shixiu’s gloom over not seeing Leng Yaoda during this visit—except for one person.
Leaving the Guardian Marshal Manor, Lu Xuan and Zhang Silian walked ahead with two servants, while the two brothers trailed slightly behind.
Lu Zhiyou’s expression remained unchanged as he asked Lu Shixiu, “How did Axiu learn that Yaoyao was ill?”
Lost in thought, Lu Shixiu was startled and quickly replied, “I passed by the side of the Guardian Marshal Manor and heard some noise. Worried something might have happened, I listened closely for a moment and faintly heard Daji’s name… I thought something might be wrong with her, so in a moment of panic, I informed you and Mother.”
Perhaps feeling his explanation lacked conviction, he added, “Considering Daji will marry you in just over a month, she’ll soon be part of our family. That’s why I couldn’t help but worry.”
After speaking, he didn’t look up at Lu Zhiyou, but the latter kept his gaze fixed on him.
A few seconds later, Lu Zhiyou replied in an ambiguous tone, “I see. Axiu is truly thoughtful.”The rest of the journey passed in silence between the two. Fortunately, it wasn’t far—just across one street and through two alleys—and soon the small group returned to the Chancellor’s Mansion.
Lu Zhiyou’s Jing Garden was closer to the main gate than Lu Shixiu’s Shuo Garden. When Lu Shixiu was about to pass by on his way back to Shuo Garden, Lu Zhiyou suddenly stopped him at the entrance to Jing Garden.
“Ah Xiu, come in and sit for a while first.”