Chapter 12 Recovery

Chapter 12: Recuperation

Madam Li, née Han, with the given name Xiuxiang, hailed from a family that ran an escort service. Though small and slender, she had practiced martial arts since childhood, making her physically robust. In her teens, she traveled extensively with her father on escort missions. Even after bearing three daughters and two sons, her eyes still held a sharp gleam, and she remained remarkably spirited. When Old Dr. Li was alive, she managed all household and clinic affairs, big and small; after his passing, her control became even more absolute. She was widely known as a formidable old lady.

The moment she saw the newly wedded, plain-looking husband, Madam Li felt a pang of discomfort.

She didn't disdain Jian Ru for his family's poverty. While the Li family wasn't immensely wealthy, they lived comfortably and had no need to rely on in-laws for support.

However, her youngest son was the apple of her eye, and the thought of her best-looking child marrying such an unattractive husband filled her with profound unease.

She had consented to their marriage, and she had personally overseen the wedding arrangements with great care. After all, Jian Ru was an innocent young man who had spent a night in her youngest son's embrace, not to mention having saved her son's life. Both duty and gratitude dictated that he be welcomed into the family.

Yet, every mother wishes the best for her child.

Back at her brother-in-law’s estate, when Jian Ru was still unconscious, Madam Li had taken one look at him and felt quite disheartened. Later, her youngest son wrote to her, mentioning that the young man also had some lingering issues with his legs.

That night, Madam Li tossed and turned, sighing through the hours. The next morning, she still penned a reply, agreeing to the marriage.

Her youngest son was willing, having pleaded earnestly in his letter; how could she bear to disappoint him?

Now, her son’s new husband stood before her, smiling cheerfully as he bowed and greeted her, as if he hadn’t just deliberately provoked her upon entering the room.

Suppressing her anger, Madam Li glared at him, took a sip of tea, and said airily, “Someone has lodged a complaint against you.”

Upon hearing this, Jian Ru placed his hands on his hips, raised his eyebrows, and demanded, “Who? What did they complain about?”

Madam Li replied, “You drove the servant woman out of the small kitchen?”

Jian Ru exclaimed, “Isn’t it better that she doesn’t have to work? And yet she complains behind my back—what a petty person!”

Madam Li’s expression turned stern. “Watch your words! Granny Wang has cooked for the Li family for decades. No one has ever driven her out of the kitchen before.”

Jian Ru retorted indignantly, “I didn’t say it to her face. What’s wrong with talking about it privately among family? I won’t say it again next time.”

Hearing the phrase “among family,” Madam Li’s anger subsided slightly. But before she could utter another reprimand, Jian Ru quickly clasped his hands together and yielded, “Mother, I was wrong.”

With that one sentence, he stifled the rest of the old lady’s indignation.

Madam Li took a few deep breaths and said, “Since you’re so capable, from now on, you’ll be in charge of cooking in your small kitchen.”

Jian Ru readily agreed, “I’ll do it. Don’t worry, I’ll do it well. If there’s anything I don’t understand about the medicinal meals, I’ll ask Granny Jin.”

Madam Li’s expression softened. She motioned for Jian Ru to sit on a nearby stool and asked, “Did Jinfeng visit your room today?”

Jian Ru nodded. “Eldest Brother came to check on him. He said he’s doing better than yesterday.”

Madam Li felt somewhat relieved. “Take good care of him these next few days. My youngest likes the sour jujube cakes from Shengxiangzhai. If he can’t eat, tell Xiao Ning to go buy some.”

Madam Li continued to give various other instructions, covering every detail. It was clear the old lady was still somewhat uneasy, but Jian Ru obediently agreed to everything.

He also mentioned his plan to make a small bed table. Madam Li was surprised and asked, “Did my youngest agree to it?”

Jian Ru said, “Why wouldn’t he? Eating in bed is much warmer.”

Madam Li said nothing more.

When she had finished giving instructions, Madam Li straightened her back and said, “Alright, it’s getting late. You can head back.”

Jian Ru stood up and was about to bow and take his leave when, as if remembering something, he walked over to the old lady and said, “I heard your back has been hurting these past couple of days.”

Hearing this, Madam Li’s expression improved further. “It’s an old ailment from carrying the children when they were young. It’s nothing serious.”

Jian Ru bent down to support her arm. “Let me massage it for you.”

Madam Li waved him off. “That’s enough. I appreciate the thought, but there’s no need for such filial efforts.”

Jian Ru ignored her and, like a bandit, supported the old lady’s arm and practically carried her to the bed to lie face down.

Madam Li scolded, “You little rascal! Our household is full of doctors. What are you showing off by massaging my back for?”

Jian Ru had already rolled up his sleeves and started pressing. “Just give it a try. My mother used to have back pain too, and she said I was very good at massaging.”

Knowing about his family background, Madam Li fell silent and reluctantly let him continue.

Jian Ru massaged with great effort, not slacking off at all, and his technique was surprisingly effective.

After a while, Madam Li said, “Alright, I feel much better.”

Jian Ru helped the old lady sit up, served her a cup of warm water, and then obediently bowed and left.

The door creaked open and closed. Granny Jin, while preparing the washing supplies, observed the old lady’s expression.

Sitting by the bed, the old lady’s anger had long since dissipated, though she still muttered, “That little rascal.”

Granny Jin turned her head and chuckled secretly.

After cursing, Madam Li said, “Later, send someone to make a bed table for my youngest’s room.”

Granny Jin was also surprised. “We’ve suggested making a bed table for eating in bed before, but no matter how much we tried to persuade him, Second Young Master never agreed.”

Madam Li rolled her eyes, a hint of jealousy in her tone. “But he agreed when his husband suggested it.”

…

When Jian Ru returned to his room, to his surprise, Li Jintong was awake.

Xiao Ning was busy mixing warm water in a basin. Seeing Jian Ru return, he whispered, “He woke up not long after you left. He vomited earlier.”

Jian Ru asked, “Has he rinsed his mouth?”

Xiao Ning said, “Yes, and he’s had some water too.”

Jian Ru rolled up his sleeves, wet a cloth, wrung it dry, and hurried to the bedside.

The bed curtain was half-open. From his angle, he could see a pale hand resting on the edge of the bed outside the covers, the wrist so thin the bones protruded, with blue veins clearly visible.

Jian Ru entered the bed curtain and saw Li Jintong with his eyes closed, his head buried sideways in the pillow, his pale face sickly, coughing violently, the veins in his neck standing out.

Jian Ru knelt by the bed, waiting for the coughing to subside, then wiped Li Jintong’s forehead, cheeks, and neck with the cloth. He even reached into his collar to wipe his armpits. At this, Li Jintong struggled slightly, and Jian Ru quickly soothed him, “It’ll be over soon.”

Li Jintong stopped struggling. Jian Ru finished wiping him quickly, handed the cloth to Xiao Ning, and instructed him to cook another bowl of porridge. He then took off his cotton robe, returned to the bedside, and held the hand of the person on the bed. Feeling the heat of the other’s skin in his palm, he asked softly, “Are you feeling very unwell?”

Li Jintong didn’t speak, only furrowing his brows tightly, his eyes closed, gripping Jian Ru’s hand firmly.

Jian Ru thought for a moment, then climbed onto the bed and let Li Jintong rest his head on his lap.

Having just returned from outside, Jian Ru’s hands were still cool. When he gently pressed them against Li Jintong’s temples, the unbearable feverish discomfort eased slightly. Li Jintong’s brows gradually relaxed.

As he massaged, Jian Ru whispered soothingly, “Sleep a little more. You’ll feel better once you’re asleep.”

That night, Li Jintong woke up once more and ate a few mouthfuls of porridge. Jian Ru gently massaged his forehead for a while until he fell back into a deep sleep.

Jian Ru took care of him meticulously every day, working himself thin in the process, yet he never complained. Instead, he felt genuinely content—even such demanding days were far better than the life he had endured over the past three years.

Besides, the Second Young Master was quite handsome even in illness, with bright eyes and white teeth. Jian Ru’s heart softened just looking at him day after day, and he didn't mind the exhaustion.

Noticing that Jian Ru had lost weight, Li Jintong said nothing. Except for the first couple of days, he never called for Jian Ru during the night again. It wasn’t until one night when Jian Ru got up and happened to notice that although the man beside him appeared to be fast asleep with his eyes closed, a closer look revealed something off—his face was strained, veins bulging on his forehead. Jian Ru immediately realized he was pretending to be asleep while suffering.

From then on, Jian Ru slept alertly, waking from time to time to check on the man beside him.

Most people recover from a chill in a day or two, or at most six or seven days, but the Second Young Master’s illness dragged on for more than ten days before he was fully well. Li Jinfeng remarked that it was only thanks to Jian Ru’s attentive care—in the past, it wasn’t uncommon for him to be sick for a month at a time.

Hearing this, Jian Ru sighed inwardly at how difficult life had been for the Second Young Master.

Throughout the more than ten days of his illness, Li Jintong had only been given quick wipe-downs. Now that he was almost fully recovered, he wanted a proper bath.

Jian Ru didn't dare let him take a bath without permission and made a point of asking Li Jinfeng for advice. He learned that as long as the room was kept warm and draft-free, it would be safe. Moreover, adding sanqi and ginger to the hot water would aid his recovery.

So Jian Ru had Xiao Ning fetch the medicinal herbs and got water heating in a large pot for the bath.