Chapter 83 Fever

Yun Yanyi sat in the study of the princely residence, lost in thought over Su Lilu’s affairs, his face clouded with gloom. He remained thus until a series of knocks echoed from outside. “My lord, it is time for your evening meal.”

“I have no appetite,” Yun Yanyi replied in a low voice. “Leave me be. I’ll call for food when hunger comes.”

With a sigh, the steward withdrew. Night deepened, but Yun Yanyi’s worries would not let him rest. At last, unable to bear the unease gnawing at his heart, he donned his night attire and slipped away.

Su Lilu’s courtyard was tranquil. Yun Yanyi vaulted in through the window; though the room was shrouded in darkness, it did nothing to hinder his vision. Striding to Su Lilu’s bedside, he gazed at her by the faint moonlight. Suddenly, a sense of foreboding struck him. He reached out to touch her forehead.

“She’s burning up,” he muttered, gripping her hand. Scorching heat radiated through his palm, and he saw her cheeks flushed crimson, her whole body curled in fever like a boiled shrimp.

Su Lilu’s lips moved. Yun Yanyi tried to catch her words, leaning close, but her murmurs were unintelligible, and her feverish skin seared his own.

He cursed under his breath, “What use are the servants? The mistress is ill and they know nothing. Does she not even care for herself?”

He had only meant to steal a glance and leave, but Su Lilu’s sudden fever made it impossible to abandon her. He was not so heartless. He didn’t know what impulse moved him, but he reached for a cloth from the stand, soaked it in water, wrung it out, and laid it gently on her brow.

“This should help a little,” Yun Yanyi murmured, recalling how he had once been nursed through illness. His expression softened. When the cloth grew hot, he quickly rinsed it and replaced it on her forehead.

So the hours slipped by, the night passing in the changing of cool compresses.

At dawn, Liu Zhu and Liu Ying approached with water and towels to help Su Lilu rise. As they reached the door, a man in black barred their way with a blade.

With a clang, the brass basin tumbled from Liu Zhu’s hands, hot water splashing across the floor.

“Who… who are you?” Liu Zhu stammered.

Liu Ying, pale with fright, trembled, clutching her tray as though it might ward off her terror.

“Wait here. Without my leave, you are not to enter,” the man said, his blade gleaming in the chill morning air. The two maids shrank back, gazing anxiously at the door. “Is my mistress all right? If anything happens to her, we will fight you to the end.”

“Your mistress is fine. Worry about yourselves. Do as you’re told, or my sword may not be so kind,” the man replied, deliberately menacing.

At this, Liu Zhu and Liu Ying fell silent, pressing themselves into a corner, stealing nervous glances at the man. Whenever their eyes met his, they gripped each other’s hands tightly, heads bowed, not daring another look.

Inside, the commotion roused Su Lilu. She opened her heavy eyes, her entire body limp and drained of strength.

She caught a familiar scent and turned her head, discovering a man seated by her pillow. She blinked; he remained. Only then did she realize this was no dream.

Yun Yanyi opened his eyes as she woke, helping her sit up against the headboard. “How do you feel? Still unwell?”

“You…” Her voice rasped, barely audible, broken and hoarse.

Yun Yanyi poured a cup of water from the table and guided it to her lips. As the cool liquid touched her parched mouth, she drank greedily until the cup was empty. She licked her lips, gazing at him with hopeful eyes.

He filled another cup, but she managed only half before shaking her head. “No more.” Yun Yanyi set the cup aside and asked coldly, “Are you clear-headed now?”

“Yes. Why are you here, my lord?” Su Lilu regarded him with suspicion, the distrust in her gaze pricking Yun Yanyi’s heart.

He scolded her, “If not for me, who knows where your spirit would be wandering? You are truly hopeless—pushed into the water, left feverish and unattended. Do you think your body is made of steel?”

“That’s not fair,” Su Lilu answered, realizing that it was Yun Yanyi who had cared for her. She felt sticky and uncomfortable—had she truly been ill last night? Why did she recall nothing?

“Still denying it? Next time, use your head. Don’t be so easily duped. If you die, who will earn my money?” Yun Yanyi’s sarcasm was sharp; it angered him to see her so easily deceived.

As his words grew more outrageous, Su Lilu could not help but protest, “I am not stupid! Don’t say that. And what does my misfortune have to do with you? Surely your wealth does not depend on me alone?”

Yun Yanyi glared at this thankless creature, his eyes ablaze. Su Lilu felt a pang of guilt, but seeing his anger only strengthened her stubbornness; she met his gaze without a hint of remorse.

“Very well, you’ve grown bold,” Yun Yanyi ground out, fists clenched, a bitter laugh escaping him. Part of him wished to silence her sharp tongue forever, or see her vanish entirely. In the end, he simply held back, gave her a lingering look, and strode from the room.

Su Lilu lowered her head, suddenly regretting her harsh words. Yun Yanyi had only meant well, though his manner was grating. Why couldn’t she have curbed her temper? She collapsed onto the bed with a sigh, misery etched across her face.

As she brooded, a knock sounded at the door. “Come in.”

Liu Zhu and Liu Ying entered, carrying their things. Seeing that Su Lilu was awake, they quickly set down their burdens. Liu Zhu rushed to her side, grasping her hand. “Miss, are you all right? Who was that man just now? Why was someone with a knife keeping us outside? We were terrified…”

Irritated and unwilling to explain, Su Lilu fixed them with a solemn gaze and warned sternly, “Liu Zhu, Liu Ying, what happened today never occurred. Keep your mouths shut. If something leaks, I may not be able to protect you. Understand?”

Both maids nodded fervently. “Don’t worry, miss. We remember. Not a word from us.”

Su Lilu’s eyes fell on the damp cloth at her bedside. Yun Yanyi had cared for her all night, yet she had driven him away. Fingering the wet cloth, she felt her eyes sting with tears.

Muttering to herself, Su Lilu said, “Useless. I took the medicine, but still fell ill. Thank goodness he came—otherwise, there’d have been no saving me.”

The memory left her shaken. She was grateful Yun Yanyi had come last night. Had Liu Zhu and Liu Ying found her only this morning, who could say if she would still be alive?