Chapter 144

Chapter 144

"I'll go look for them!" Zhao Beichuan turned his head and was about to walk out.

Lu Yao hurriedly grabbed him, "No, this is the time when the kids care about their dignity. If we rudely bring him back, how will he face his classmates in the future? Maybe I'm overthinking this. Let's wait until they return."

"That place isn’t suitable for them. They’ve been reading books as if they’re feeding them to dogs. That rascal! When he comes back, I’ll give him a good thrashing!"

In fact, Zhao Beidou and Lin Zijian hadn't done anything wrong. Every time they went to Yunxiang Lou, they went straight to a private room on the second floor, where they played music, composed poetry, and discussed current events with friends.

Besides Lu Yuan, there was another friend, Du Mao'an, whom he brought along. He was a few years older and a successful candidate in this year’s imperial exams from Ji Province. Because of Du Mao'an’s high talent, Zhao Beidou and Lin Zijian were willing to come here.

There was also a qingguan who played the guqin named Qing Qu. He had an upright appearance, noble character, and played the seven-string guqin exquisitely.

It was clear that Du Mao'an had feelings for Qing Qu, but Qing Qu was neither too warm nor too cold towards anyone, keeping Du Mao'an in suspense.

During the feast, Zhao Beidou, remembering what his sister-in-law had said, didn't drink. Despite Lu Yuan’s urging, Zhao Beidou refused to drink, so Lu Yuan gave up.

Lin Zijian, on the other hand, drank a few more cups, and his face was flushed by the time they left.

"Beidou, why am I feeling so hot?"

"Hot? It's cold outside, how can you be hot?" Zhao Beidou reached out to touch his forehead and found it scorching hot.

Lin Zijian, leaning on the carriage, was suffering from the heat and couldn't help but pull open his collar to let some air in.

"Don't catch a cold."

"I'm not cold, I’m hot and uncomfortable. I feel like jumping into ice water to cool off."

Zhao Beidou found his condition worrying, "It's late. How about you don't go back tonight? Stay at my place for the night."

"Alright, I'll send A Shu back to inform my mother so she won't worry." A Shu was Lin Zijian's attendant.

The journey from Yunxiang Lou to Zhangtai Street should have taken only half an hour, but Lin Zijian didn't get better; his condition worsened.

At first, they thought it was just the heat from drinking, but the heat became unbearable, as if his internal organs were on fire. He couldn’t help but tear open his clothes and open the carriage door to let in the cold wind.

Zhao Beidou was startled and quickly closed the door, "No! If you keep blowing wind on yourself like that, you'll catch a cold for sure!"

"Just let me cool off for a bit."

"No way. Lu Jia, hurry home."

"Yes!" Lu Jia cracked his whip, and the horse sped up, reaching home within two quarters of an hour.

By the time they got home, Lin Zijian had lost consciousness. He kept taking off his clothes; his skin was red as if he had been boiled, yet he wasn’t sweating.

Zhao Beidou, anxious, carried him out of the carriage and ran towards the yard, "Big brother, sister-in-law, come quickly!"

Zhao Beichuan and Lu Yao rushed out when they heard the call, "What's wrong?"

"Sister-in-law, something’s wrong with Zijian!"

"It’s dark outside, and we can’t see anything. Bring him inside quickly."

Zhao Beidou laid Lin Zijian on the bed in the west room. By now, Lin Zijian was drained, his eyes were open but unresponsive, and his mind was in a state of extreme agitation.

Lu Yao immediately realized something was seriously wrong, "Quickly, fetch the doctor!"

Zhao Beichuan hurriedly ran out to stop Lu Jia from unloading the cart, and the two of them rushed out with the cart.

Lu Yao brought a basin of warm water and asked Zhao Beidou to help wipe Lin Zijian's forehead, neck, limbs, as well as his armpits and the hollows of his legs. As the warm water evaporated, it provided a slight cooling effect, and Lin Zijian shivered, suddenly struggling.

"Don't move, don't move!" Zhao Beidou held him down, anxious to the point of tears. What's going on? We just had a meal, and now he's like this!

Shortly after, Zhao Beichuan returned with the physician. He pushed the door open and entered the room.

"How is he?"

Lu Yao, with a heavy expression, said, "He still isn't responding to his name, and he's burning up."

The doctor took Lin Zijian's pulse and checked his lower eyelids and tongue. "Did this child take Cold Food Powder with alcohol?"

"Cold Food Powder?" Both Lu Yao and Zhao Beidou exclaimed.

"Yes, it appears to be his first time, and the dosage is quite high. The medicine hasn't been expelled from his body yet, and it's causing internal organ damage. If it's not expelled soon, his life could be in danger."

"How do we expel it?"

"Fetch a bucket of cold water and soak him in it."

Lu Yao said, "In this cold weather, won't soaking in cold water cause a chill?"

"Is the chill more important, or his life? If you don't use cold water now, we may not be able to save him!"

"Quick, go, do as the doctor says." Lu Yao hurriedly urged Zhao Beichuan and Zhao Beidou to fetch the cold water.

Shortly after, the two men carried a bathtub inside, filled with half a bucket of cold water.

"Remove his outer clothes and place him in the tub. Soaking for half an hour should suffice."

Zhao Beidou steeled himself, stripped Lin Zijian's outer clothes, and placed him in the bathtub.

The cold water shocked Lin Zijian, who struggled continuously. Lu Yao quickly soothed him, "Good boy, endure it for a bit, it'll be fine."

Lin Zijian gradually calmed down, and his consciousness slowly returned. He looked around with a hoarse voice, "What happened to me?"

Zhao Beidou said, "The doctor said you took Cold Food Powder."

"What is Cold Food Powder?"

Lu Yao's heart skipped a beat; it wasn't appropriate to ask such questions in front of outsiders. "Forget about that for now, do you still feel unwell?"

"A bit."

Zhao Beidou asked, "Do you feel cold?"

Lin Zijian shook his head. He felt that soaking in the cold water was just right, and the burning sensation from earlier had vanished.

Seeing this, the doctor began to pack up and prepare to leave.

Lu Yao hurriedly saw him off, and as they walked out, he asked, "The child might have taken that substance by mistake. Will it have any impact on his health?"

"There will be some impact. He's still young and hasn't married yet, right? If he uses this substance long-term, it might be difficult for him to have children in the future."

"What about other things, like studying?"

The doctor chuckled as if he had heard a joke. "Once addicted to this substance, how can he focus on studying? I advise you to watch over your brother carefully and make sure he doesn't touch this substance again."

"Thank you." Lu Yao paid the silver and asked Lu Bing to send the man back.

When he returned to the room, Lin Zijian had already gotten out of the bathtub and changed into Zhao Beidou's clothes. The loose clothing felt more comfortable on him, less irritating than before.

Lu Yao sternly said, "Where did you go tonight, and who did you have dinner with? What did you use during the meal?"

Zhao Beidou and Lin Zijian exchanged glances, feeling something was amiss, and recounted the events of the evening in detail.

"So, only Zijian and that scholar Du drank alcohol tonight, while Beidou and Lu Yuan did not?"

The two nodded, and Zhao Beidou said, "Lu Yuan isn't a good drinker. He got drunk after just one cup the last few times, so he didn't drink this time."

"Did Du show any change in complexion after drinking?"

"I couldn't see clearly. The lighting in the room was quite dim, but he seemed more excited than usual."

Lu Yao said, "From tomorrow onwards, you are not allowed to go out to eat with Lu Yuan anymore, and try not to associate with him."

Zhao Beidou was surprised. "Do you think, Sister-in-law, that Lu Yuan was the one who put the drug in the drink?"

Lin Zijian also found it hard to believe. After all, the three had known each other for a long time and shared a bond as classmates. Plus, Lu Yuan didn't seem like the type to be so ruthless.

Zhao Beichuan spoke sharply, "Zhao Beidou, listen to your sister-in-law. You're not allowed to associate with Lu Yuan anymore, do you hear me?"

"I hear you," Lin Zijian and Xiaodou answered together, startled.

Still unsatisfied, Zhao Beichuan punched his younger brother. "Daring to drink at such a place! Your sister-in-law and I went there today, and it was utterly disgraceful and indecent!"

The two boys blushed, embarrassed. They were somewhat curious, as such places were tempting for youngsters like them.

"Older brother, Sister-in-law, I know I was wrong. I won't go to such places again, and if Lu Yuan invites me out to eat, I won't go either."

Lin Zijian also nodded in assurance.

Lu Yao sighed. "Although we can't prove that Lu Yuan was behind this, he can't be completely ruled out. You two have an important exam coming up next year, so don't waste your energy on trivial matters. Especially you, Zijian. Considering your family situation... you need to make your mother proud."

Lin Zijian felt a pang of sadness. "I understand, Sister-in-law."

"It's getting late. Both of you should get some rest. I won't tell anyone about this, Zijian. Whether you tell your family is up to you, but if you're feeling unwell, be sure to speak up."

"Yes."

The next day, Lin Zijian caught a cold. In this bitter midwinter, soaking in cold water for an hour was too much for anyone to handle.

He fell ill as soon as he got home and had a fever for several days. When Zhao Beidou visited him, he had just finished his medicine and was shivering from the bitterness. "Sigh—this is really harmful!"

Zhao Beidou chuckled bitterly. "Let's just stay home and focus on our studies. We can go on a study tour to the Imperial Academy for a month after the new year."

"Okay."

The incident was temporarily set aside. Whether it was because Lu Yuan felt guilty or was busy preparing for the new year, he didn't invite them for several days.

Zhao Beidou gradually figured out the sequence of events but still found it hard to believe that Lu Yuan could be such a person. Along with anger, he felt more sadness, as he had once considered Lu Yuan a good friend, similar to Lin Zijian.

*

Meanwhile, Ma Kuan rushed back to Ping Prefecture on New Year's Eve.

Xiaonian and Xiaochun were overjoyed to hear of his return and ran out to greet him. However, only Ma Kuan was in the carriage, and his sister-in-law and older brother were not with him.

Xiaonian's smile faded. "Brother, they didn’t return with you?"

Ma Kuan reached out and rubbed Xiao Nian's head. "It's such a long journey. How could Sister-in-law travel back and forth while pregnant?"

"Then what are we going to do for the New Year?"

"Sister-in-law asked me to take the two of you to spend the New Year at Auntie’s place. It will be livelier with more people there."

"Oh."

"I also brought some Shang Jing specialties for you. I'll bring them down later, and you can see if there's anything you like."

Xiao Nian nodded absentmindedly, feeling like something was missing without Sister-in-law and Big Brother around for the New Year. It made her feel uncomfortable.

Seeing this, Xiao Chun quickly changed the subject. "Big Brother and Sister-in-law are settled in Shang Jing, right?"

"Yes, the house is bought, and the restaurant has been taken over. After the New Year, I'll bring you all to Shang Jing together."

Only then did Xiao Nian perk up a little. "Really? That's great!"

Xiao Chun said, "Brother Ma, you must be tired from the journey. Go rest. We’ve taken Xiao Lan'er in since the restaurant closed."

"Okay." Ma Kuan followed them back to the courtyard on Changrong Street.

Not only was Xiao Lan'er there, but Old Madam Zhao was also staying with them. They hadn’t felt at ease leaving them there after the restaurant closed, so they brought them over to live and eat together.

Ma Kuan hadn't seen his younger siblings for several months. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Xiao Lan'er, Lu Taozhi, Dandan, and Yinzi making a snowman in the yard.

Lu Miao heard the noise and came out, surprised. "Ma Kuan is back! We thought you wouldn't make it before the New Year."

"Big Brother!" Xiao Lan'er saw her brother and ran over, excited.

Ma Kuan picked his sister up and gently bounced her. "You've gained weight; your face has become rounder."

Xiao Lan'er buried her face in her brother's scarf, embarrassed. "Sister Xiao Nian has been treating me to good food every day, so I gained weight."

"You’re blushing. You like eating it too." Xiao Nian tickled her, making her face turn red with laughter.

Lu Miao asked, "How is it going in Shang Jing? Are Third Brother and the others not coming back?"

Ma Kuan put his sister down and said, "Sister-in-law and Big Brother are staying in Shang Jing to settle the new shop, so they won’t return for the New Year. They’ll come back after Beichuan finishes his exams and host Fengchun's wedding."

"That works out perfectly. We should all go to Changshui Street and spend the New Year there."

"Okay." Ma Kuan moved everything from the cart over to avoid another trip. Among them were gifts prepared by Lu Yao for several families and things he bought, totaling dozens of boxes big and small.

When they arrived at the Lu family's place, Lu Lin and Wang Youtian were in the middle of butchering a pig. Without Beichuan's help this time, the two of them looked rather awkward.

Seeing this, Xiao Chun and Ma Kuan quickly rolled up their sleeves to help, and Stone was there with a basin to catch the pig's blood.

Wearing a thick padded robe with her hands tucked in her sleeves, Grandma Lu watched from the side. "Before we know it, the kids have all grown up."

Grandma Wang nodded in agreement. "That's true. A few more years from now, your Stone will be a grown man."

The children were scared to watch the pig being butchered but were curious, so they covered their eyes and peeked through their fingers. Dandan and Yinzi were so scared they cried loudly and were quickly taken inside by Lu Miao.

Once the pig was butchered, Lu Lin asked Xiao Chun and Ma Kuan to wash up and go inside. He and Wang Youtian would handle the rest.

Inside, Grandma Lu took Ma Kuan's hand and asked about Lu Yao's situation, learning that they had opened another restaurant in Shang Jing.

The old lady scolded, "That boy never takes care of himself. Couldn't he have waited until after the baby was born to open the shop? He's not afraid of wearing himself out!"

"Don't worry, Auntie. With Big Brother around, Sister-in-law won't be overworked."

Lu's mother was reassured. Her third son-in-law was the most dependable, but she still worried about him being so distant and couldn't stop thinking about him. She kept muttering about it until Hu Chunrong finally persuaded her to stop.

"Ma Kuan, go rest for a while in the west room with Xiao Chun. You just came back from such a long journey and haven't had a chance to rest yet."

"No problem. I managed to sleep a few times in the carriage."

Hu Chunrong insisted on ushering the two of them into the west room.

Xiao Chun said, "Brother Ma, don't be so polite. If you're tired, feel free to sleep for a bit."

Ma Kuan was indeed quite tired. The recent trips had made his already thin frame look even more gaunt, with dark shadows under his eyes. "I'll sleep for a while then. Wake me up when it's time for dinner."

"Okay."

When Xiao Nian entered, Ma Kuan was already asleep. She carefully approached the kang and sat down.

Xiao Chun, understanding the situation, got up and said, "You stay here and watch over him for a while. I'll go help the brothers with cooking."

"Okay, go ahead."

Once the door closed, Xiao Nian gently took Ma Kuan's hand. His thin, chapped hand was cold, with many frostbite marks. She felt a twinge of sympathy and covered his hand with hers.

Ma Kuan didn't sleep soundly. When he half-opened his eyes and saw Xiao Nian beside him, he held her hand and drifted back to sleep.

Xiao Nian's heart pounded. After a moment, she lightly kissed Ma Kuan's forehead, as delicate as a dragonfly touching water.