Fu Ci devoted himself entirely to Jiang Wan, and Yun Yanran’s arrival did not affect him in the slightest.
After handling official duties, he returned to the side chamber to check on Jiang Wan.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, spilling over her body. Her skin was so pale it seemed translucent, and a soft glow radiated from her entire being.
Fu Ci couldn’t help but wonder—if he touched her lightly, would she shatter?
He gently brushed aside the stray strands of hair scattered across her face.
His thin lips grazed Jiang Wan’s skin, leaving behind a few faint, almost imperceptible kisses.
Her forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks, and lips—he left none untouched.
Only by feeling her body temperature could Fu Ci find peace of mind.
When the maid entered to attend to Jiang Wan and give her medicine, this was the scene she witnessed.
She was caught in a dilemma—unable to advance or retreat.
Frozen in place.
By now, half an hour had passed since lunch.
Fu Ci motioned for the maid to hand him the medicine bowl and said softly, “Wanwan, it’s time for your medicine.”
Jiang Wan’s mind was foggy, but she still opened her eyes.
She reached out to take the medicine bowl from Fu Ci’s hands, but he moved it out of her reach.
“I’ll feed you.”
Jiang Wan didn’t want to drink it with a small spoon. “Can you stop dawdling? This is so bitter.”
In front of her, even if Fu Ci was scolded, he had to force a smile.
He hadn’t forgotten how, some time ago, his careless words had triggered Jiang Wan’s heart condition.
Some mistakes could only be made once.
Carefully helping her sit up, he avoided her wounds and let Jiang Wan lean against him.
Then, he brought the bowl to her lips.
Watching Jiang Wan down the medicine without even furrowing her brow, Fu Ci felt a pang of discomfort.
Since childhood, she had consumed countless bitter medicines.
And after entering the Fu household, it had never stopped.
He hadn’t taken good care of her.
After she finished the medicine, Fu Ci took a piece of candied fruit and offered it to Jiang Wan. “Eat something sweet, and it won’t be bitter anymore.”
Jiang Wan rolled her eyes. “I don’t like sweet things, and I need to avoid certain foods after taking medicine.”
Fu Ci could only awkwardly return the candied fruit to the plate.
Holding Jiang Wan, he shifted to a sunnier spot. The physician had said she could bask in the sun appropriately.
Afraid her face might get sunburned, he deliberately used his body to block the direct sunlight.
As the warm sunlight fell upon her, Jiang Wan began to feel drowsy again.
Fu Ci held her, not daring to move an inch.
Jiang Wan had developed a fever during the night. Initially, they thought her condition had stabilized, but by midday, a high fever swept over her again.
Holding her, Fu Ci was the first to notice something was wrong.
He instructed the maid, “Go call the physician.”
“Yes.”
The physician arrived as soon as he was summoned.
After examining her, he said, “Concubine Jiang is now unconscious with a high fever. We’ve tried almost all the methods to lower her temperature last night. Now, the only option left is bloodletting.”
Fu Ci’s expression turned grave. “How much blood needs to be drawn?”
“Just a few drops from the fingertips—not too much.”
Jiang Wan’s entire body was burning up. If her temperature wasn’t lowered quickly, it could endanger her life.
Fu Ci didn’t dare delay.
“Do as you say.”
With his approval, the physician immediately prepared his tools.
When Jiang Wan’s finger was pricked, Fu Ci’s brow furrowed tightly.
Sensing the low pressure in the air, the physician’s hand trembled as he squeezed the blood.
Fu Ci said displeased, “If you can’t do it, I’ll find someone else.”
“I can, I can do it.”
Steadying himself, he squeezed out two drops of blood.
Compared to the wounds on Jiang Wan’s back, this injury was insignificant, but Fu Ci still felt heartache.
If he hadn’t acted recklessly, his grandmother wouldn’t have found a reason to harm Wanwan.
Filled with guilt, he only wanted to treat Jiang Wan better, and even better.
The bloodletting therapy proved very effective.
Moreover, the medicine began to take effect, and gradually, the fever subsided.
Fu Ci stayed by Jiang Wan’s side and did not go to the Eastern Courtyard to pay his respects.
He only instructed the steward to keep a close watch on Old Madam’s condition and to fulfill any needs they had over there.
Old Madam cursed Fu Ci daily for being unfilial, yet there was nothing she could do about him.
She could only let him have his way for the time being.
Only after half a month did Jiang Wan’s condition become completely stable.
Fu Ci was very generous with her, using only the most valuable and high-quality medicines worth a fortune.
The efficacy of the medicine was beyond question, and in just half a month, the wounds on her back had almost completely healed.
As long as she continued to rest and recuperate properly afterward, there would be no major issues.