Chapter 53 Really Good

Chapter 53: How Wonderful

After leaving her mother-in-law’s room, Li Qinglan returned to her own quarters and sat in a daze for a long while. Only when she heard footsteps approaching the door did she suddenly snap back to reality, quickly lowering her head to compose herself before going out to greet him.

Jin Feng entered the room and, upon seeing her, paused for a moment before asking, “Have you been crying?”

Li Qinglan kept her head down as she helped him remove his outer robe and hang it on the clothes rack. With her back to him, she chuckled and said, “Crying? No, I just got some dust in my eye when I went out earlier—rubbed it until it turned red.”

Jin Feng washed his hands and said, “Is the dust still in your eye? Let me take a look.”

Li Qinglan replied, “It’s long gone, don’t worry.”

After hanging up the robe and smoothing out the wrinkles, Li Qinglan announced she was going to the backyard to fetch the meal.

Jin Feng finished washing his hands and watched his wife’s retreating back, a slight frown on his face. He felt something was off about her but couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.

He thought carefully about recent events at home. His mother had been more careful with her words lately and hadn’t upset Qing Lan much. A couple of days ago, Qing Lan had gone back to her parents’ home to celebrate her nephew’s birthday and returned without mentioning any unpleasantness from her family, unlike before.

After some reflection, he realized that since her miscarriage earlier in the year, she had rarely been allowed to go out. Aside from household chores, she had little to do at home, and being cooped up for so long could easily lead to feeling down.

Jin Feng thought that once his younger brother-in-law was fully recovered and the two could return to the clinic, he would take some time off to bring his wife to their old house or his second uncle’s villa for a few days to get a change of scenery.

He also reflected on how Qing Lan’s parents sometimes pressured her excessively. After they learned about her miscarriage, instead of offering much comfort, they often criticized her whenever she visited.

Qing Lan had wanted to keep the child—if anyone was to blame, it was him, her husband, for being careless. How could they blame Qing Lan?

But they were her parents, his elders. Jin Feng felt it wasn’t his place to say anything, especially since they meant no harm—they were just overly anxious about their daughter’s ability to have children. He couldn’t fault them, so he could only try to comfort his wife and urge her not to take it to heart.

He thought he should speak to Qing Lan’s younger brother, Qing Zheng, and ask him to gently persuade their parents not to be so hard on Qing Lan.

However, the clinic had been extremely busy lately. With the hot weather, many elderly people and outdoor laborers were suffering from heatstroke. He would have to wait until things calmed down before bringing it up.

As he pondered this, Qing Lan returned with the meal box. Jin Feng stood up, took the box from her, and they sat down to have dinner together.

That night, as they prepared for bed, the heat made it difficult to sleep. Jin Feng heard his wife toss and turn, clearly also restless.

He said, “Is it too hot to sleep? Should I open the window?” With that, he made to get out of bed.

Qing Lan reached out to stop him. “Don’t bother. It’ll cool down later at night. Opening the window will just let mosquitoes in, and we’ll sleep even worse.”

Jin Feng hesitated. In the past, he would have simply taken her word for it and lain back down.

But in the dim light, looking at her back as she lay facing away, he recalled how many times he had seen her like this. It had never struck him as odd before, but tonight, after seeing her red, swollen eyes and forced smile earlier, he felt a pang of sadness.

After a moment’s thought, he remembered there was a palm-leaf fan on the windowsill. He got up, fetched it, and sat propped against the headboard, fanning her gently.

Qing Lan felt a cool breeze on her back and turned over in confusion. When she saw her husband fanning her, she seemed momentarily stunned.

Jin Feng said softly, “Go to sleep. I’ll rest after you’ve fallen asleep.”

In the darkness, he could feel her gaze fixed on him, though she remained silent and still.

The bed curtains were quiet, save for the soft rustle of the fan and the occasional whisper of air.

After a while, just as Jin Feng thought she had fallen asleep, Qing Lan suddenly spoke: “You should sleep too. I’m not hot anymore.”

Jin Feng paused his fanning, murmured an acknowledgment, set the fan aside, and lay down.

Qing Lan shifted beside him, as if about to turn away again.

Jin Feng felt an urge to ask her not to turn her back to him, but it seemed too abrupt, so he held his tongue.

But Qing Lan seemed to notice. “What is it? Do you have something to say?” she asked.

Remembering his earlier thoughts, Jin Feng decided to speak up. In the past, he would never mention plans unless they were certain, afraid of getting her hopes up only to disappoint her.

The clinic kept him busy, and as the eldest son, he had responsibilities toward his mother, his sisters, and especially his frail younger brother.

Lately, however, a sense of unease had settled over him. “In a little while,” he said, “let’s go away for a few days. We could go to the old house or Second Uncle’s villa—or anywhere else you’d like. We can decide together.”

Qing Lan replied, “We’ll see if you can get away then.”

Jin Feng quickly added, “I’ll do my best to make time.”

After a silence, Qing Lan murmured softly, “That’s fine. There might be suitable young women or boys in the farming families near the old house.”

“What about the old house?” Jin Feng hadn’t caught the last part.

Qing Lan turned away. “Nothing. I’m tired. Let’s sleep.”

…

A few days later, the knife wound on Jian Ru’s face had healed into a fine, slightly raised white scar. The coin-sized mark had shrunk to the size of a fingernail, still somewhat darker in color. Though still noticeable, it was a vast improvement.

Jin Rong examined it and said, “You can switch ointments now. Use the scar-lightening one from before for another ten days to half a month. The raised part will flatten, though the color will remain pale. By autumn or winter, it should be barely visible. If you use some face powder, it might even be hard to notice up close before summer ends.”

Jian Ru said sheepishly, “No need for face powder—I’m not that fussy.” But his eyes strayed toward Jin Rong’s vanity case, lingering briefly before he looked away.

After changing the ointment, Jian Ru was finally able to go outside.

Having been cooped up for days, he most wanted to visit the clinic.

The second young master, worried he’d been bored at home, had also mentioned that his elder brother planned to take his wife to the old house for a few days once Jian Ru returned to the clinic.

The second young master approved, and when he told Jian Ru, the latter grew even more eager to go back—so his brother and sister-in-law could get away for a break.

After informing Madam Li, they set off for the clinic after breakfast the next day.

The physicians and staff at the clinic were astonished to see Jian Ru, praising the Li family’s second young lady for her remarkable medical skills.

Many patients who had seen Jian Ru before remembered his scars vividly—some had even asked about them, and Jian Ru had never shied away from explaining. Now, after some time, his appearance had transformed dramatically. Everyone marveled at how such a severe, long-standing scar could improve so much, praising the Li Family Clinic’s expertise.

This living testament soon drew many patients seeking scar treatment to the clinic, even attracting nobles from the prefectural city who traveled far to seek treatment from the second young lady—though that came later.

During the midday break, Jian Ru grew restless. With the second young master seeing patients, he decided to take a stroll.

Walking down the street, he passed a cosmetics shop where young, pretty women greeted customers at the door, their rouge applied beautifully. Unable to resist their enthusiastic invitations, Jian Ru went inside.

Since the weather had warmed, young women and boys on the streets had begun dressing up exquisitely. It wasn’t just women—boys also wore face powder, rouge, lip color, some even adorning their foreheads with delicate designs or painting intricate patterns on their cheeks. Paired with light, colorful summer garments, they looked stunning.

When Jian Ru was thirteen or fourteen, his mother had once held his hand and said, “My Xiao Ru is so handsome. When you’re older, I’ll buy you cosmetics and pretty clothes, dress you up beautifully. When you go out, all the young men will stare.”

At that time, Jian Ru was just beginning to understand feelings, vaguely fond of spending time with Maocai Gege.

His mother’s words made him think of Maocai Gege, and he blushed, pulling away and running off. His parents had laughed heartily at his shyness.

But then misfortune struck—his parents passed away, Jian Ru’s leg was injured, and his face scarred. He lost interest in grooming himself, afraid others would mock him for “an ugly one making fuss.”

Now, with his face nearly restored, Jian Ru felt a flicker of confidence. He had always admired the well-dressed women and boys on the street but suppressed the desire. Today, he mustered the courage to buy cosmetics and try them in secret. The shop was fragrant and filled with all sorts of products. Aside from his wedding day, Jian Ru had never seen such things—it was overwhelming. The shopkeeper, a boy himself, noticed Jian Ru’s hesitation and picked out a few items. “You have fair skin—these will suit you. Take your pick.”

Jian Ru asked about the prices; none were cheap. Though he had plenty of money in his pocket and certainly enough to pay, he was still reluctant to spend it. After hesitating for a while, he finally chose just one box of face powder.

The shopkeeper wasn't bothered. Instead, he smiled warmly and said, "Try it out first. If it works well, come back for more."

Jian Ru was quite pleased. After paying, he took the box of face powder and left the shop.

His attention was entirely on the box, and he nearly bumped into someone entering the shop.

Jian Ru quickly stepped back and said, "Sorry..."

But when he looked up, he stopped short. The person coming in was someone he knew—Sun Yushuang, who he hadn’t seen in a long time.

A few days earlier, Jian Ru had heard from Madam Li that despite the uproar caused by the third son of his adoptive father’s family, he and Sun Yushuang had still separated. Sun Yushuang had taken away all the money, and not a single coin was returned.

Running into him now, Jian Ru felt awkward.

Sun Yushuang had once targeted the Second Young Master and nearly succeeded. Jian Ru disliked him but wouldn't say he truly hated him.

They had once been relatives, but now that connection was gone, leaving them worse than strangers.

Sun Yushuang was also startled to see him. His gaze swept over Jian Ru’s much-improved face. His lips moved as he said, "You... what happened to the scar on your face?"

Jian Ru replied, "The second sister treated it for me."

Sun Yushuang was stunned again, then said with a tense, sarcastic tone, "You’re quite lucky."

Jian Ru put on a deliberate smile. "You’re right."

Sun Yushuang’s chest heaved rapidly. "He’s just a country bumpkin, hasn’t improved at all. I thought he was some untouchable noble, but it turns out his judgment isn't so great either."

Jian Ru hated it most when people attacked the Second Young Master. His face turned cold. "You have good taste—you married the third son."

"You...!" Sun Yushuang’s face flushed red with anger.

Jian Ru stepped forward and shoved past him. "Stop blocking the entrance. You’re disturbing the business."

With that, he walked out. Just as he stepped through the door, Sun Yushuang called after him, "Jian Ru!"

Jian Ru turned to look. Sun Yushuang said through clenched teeth, "I don’t believe your luck will be better than mine. I’m different from before. We’ll see!"

Jian Ru could have easily retorted that he was the one who married the Second Young Master, leaving Sun Yushuang speechless and furious. But he didn’t want to get entangled with Sun Yushuang anymore, nor did he feel the need to overpower him. Instead, he just said, "At least you’ve left the third son behind. Try to make a good life for yourself now."

Without waiting for Sun Yushuang’s response, he turned and walked away.

...

Back home, Jian Ru secretly hid the face powder in a hidden compartment under the bed, planning to try it out once he was alone in the room after he no longer needed to apply medicine.

After all, during those past years, he hadn’t even wanted to look in the mirror. The insecurity in his heart wasn’t so easily overcome.

Even in front of his husband, Jian Ru would feel too inhibited to dress up freely.

Before bed that night, he and the Second Young Master leaned against the headboard reading as usual. After finishing the book, the Second Young Master got up to return it to the desk. When he came back, he placed a rectangular wooden box on the bed.

Jian Ru sat up and asked, "What’s this?"

The Second Young Master said, "Open it and see."

Puzzled, Jian Ru lifted the lid. When he saw what was inside, he was stunned. It was a complete set of cosmetics, several items neatly arranged in the box.

"You... how did you know I wanted this?" Jian Ru asked delightedly.

The Second Young Master laughed. "Yesterday at second sister’s place, you were practically staring holes through her makeup case."

Jian Ru gave him a light punch on the shoulder, then happily tucked his slender legs beneath him and began examining the cosmetics.

The Second Young Master sat on the edge of the bed, smiling as he watched him examine the items. After a while, he leaned over and kissed Jian Ru’s cheek, saying, "When you don’t need the medicine anymore, will you try these on and let me see?"

Hearing this, Jian Ru felt that maybe he didn’t need to feel self-conscious in front of him after all. Still, he worried, "I don’t really know how to use them yet."

The Second Young Master said, "I’ll ask Eldest Sister to teach you."

Jian Ru was happy and nodded. "Okay."

That night, Jian Ru was smiling in his sleep.

In the dream, he wore colorful garments and delicate makeup, dancing under the jujube tree in the courtyard. The Second Young Master and his parents sat nearby, smiling as they watched him.

It was truly wonderful.