Chapter 55 Gradually Better

Chapter 55: A Turn for the Better

After uttering these words, Li Jinfeng fell silent.

Jian Ru picked up the teapot and announced, "I'll go out and get some fresh hot water." With that, he exited the room.

He lingered in the kitchen for a while before finally returning with the refilled teapot. As he entered, his elder brother was slumped in a chair, propping his head with his hand, eyelids drooping as if half-asleep.

Jian Ru glanced at the Second Master, who subtly shook his head. Understanding, Jian Ru left the room again, fetched a small stool from the outer room, and settled down to leisurely sort beans for the next morning's porridge.

After a considerable time, the door creaked open, and the Second Master's voice came, "We need to help Big Brother back to rest."

Jian Ru quickly rose, saying, "I'll call Xiao Ning."

The Second Master and Xiao Ning assisted Li Jinfeng back to the front courtyard. Jian Ru watched them go from the gate, noting his elder brother's unsteady gait, barely able to stand.

Though the exact details remained unknown, it was clear he had learned of Madam Li's intention to arrange a concubine for him.

Perhaps it was for the best that he was drunk; it allowed him to escape his thoughts and get some much-needed sleep. Upon waking, he could then properly consider his next steps.

Jian Ru returned to the room, tidied the tea set, and took out his brush to practice calligraphy. After finishing and putting away his writing implements, the Second Master returned.

He entered and sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. Jian Ru sat on a low stool beside him, placed a hand on his thigh, and looked up at him.

The Second Master turned to him, took the hand resting on his thigh, cupped it in his palm, and gently stroked it.

"Yesterday, he had a big argument with the Madam. Afterward, they took the carriage back to town. Once there, the Madam asked him to escort her back to her family home, so he did," the Second Master recounted.

Jian Ru asked, "What is Big Brother thinking now?"

The Second Master replied, "During their argument yesterday, emotions ran high, and many harsh words were exchanged. He's angry that the Madam disregarded their years of marital affection and hurt him deeply, but he also feels he has wronged her greatly and is filled with regret."

Jian Ru sighed. "They are both so reserved. If only they had spoken openly sooner."

The Second Master nodded.

Jian Ru then asked, "How should we tell Mother?"

The Second Master shook his head. "We can't hide this. We'll have to tell her the truth."

Jian Ru suggested, "Then let's tell her tomorrow morning when we pay our respects, so she can at least get a good night's sleep tonight."

"Alright," the Second Master agreed.

Because of his elder brother's situation, the Second Master was noticeably downcast that night and spoke very little.

Jian Ru could roughly surmise his thoughts. The Second Master had always felt he was a burden to his family. His elder brother had devoted considerable effort to his illness, and the Second Master believed he was one of the reasons his elder brother had not paid enough attention to the Madam.

This wasn't entirely incorrect, but the Second Master's poor health was not his fault. Having experienced the anxiety of his own facial treatment, Jian Ru understood the sadness of fearing one might burden loved ones. He struggled to find the right words to comfort him.

After reading and extinguishing the lamp to lie down, Jian Ru rolled over and straddled his lower belly. The Second Master, caught off guard, had the wind knocked out of him. Jian Ru leaned down, planting light, gentle kisses, one after another, on his forehead, the bridge of his nose, and his cheeks.

The Second Master couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, asking in a low voice, "What are you doing?"

Jian Ru rubbed his soft cheek against the Second Master's. "Comforting you. I don't want you to go to sleep upset."

The Second Master's heart softened. He rolled over, shifting Jian Ru beneath him, and leaned down to kiss his lips. The couple kissed for a long time in the darkness of the bed curtains late at night, comforting each other, before finally falling asleep in each other's arms.

...

The next morning, Li Jinfeng did not come to the main house to pay his morning respects.

Upon learning of her eldest son and daughter-in-law's predicament, Madam Li sighed deeply, saying, "Jin Feng is angry with me. He blames me for agreeing to let Qing Lan arrange a concubine for him."

The Second Master interjected, "Big Brother doesn't blame you. He only blames himself for neglecting the Madam."

Madam Li, agitated, said, "I was only thinking about their future. I tried to persuade Qing Lan, but if she wouldn't listen, what else could I do?"

None of the children spoke. She leaned back in her chair and instructed, "Go see Jin Feng more these next few days and persuade him to take it easy." Then, waving her hand, she dismissed them, "You may all go about your day."

...

That day, Li Jinfeng did not come to the clinic, which was almost unheard of. He had always been the steadfast presence there.

At noon, the Second Master, growing uneasy, sent Xiao Ning—who had come to the clinic to deliver something for Madam Li—to check on the front courtyard. Xiao Ning returned, reporting that the Eldest Young Master was lying in his room. Seeing that he hadn't eaten, Xiao Ning had brought him a meal from the kitchen in a food box, though he didn't know if he had actually eaten it.

In the evening, returning from the clinic, the Second Master and his elder sister, Jin Hui, went together to the front courtyard and stayed for a while before returning to their small courtyard.

The siblings chatted in the room, with Jian Ru listening nearby.

"At least we managed to persuade Jin Feng to eat," Jin Hui said. "Qing Lan isn't that heartless. This situation isn't beyond repair. Jin Feng is just like this for now. After some time, when he sorts things out, it will be fine." She looked at her younger brother. "It's just that you and Jin Rong will have to work hard to keep things running during this period."

Jian Ru glanced at her, his lips parting slightly, but he remained silent.

Jin Hui, however, understood his unspoken thoughts and said, "I've also considered talking to Mother about hiring another doctor from outside, but it's not that simple. Bringing in just anyone could damage our Li Family Clinic's reputation. And those doctors with real skill already have good positions. Even if I wanted to poach one, it would take time, wouldn't it?"

Jian Ru pondered this and agreed that it was indeed the case.

Jin Hui added, "I'll talk to Mother and see if we can think of another way."

Hearing this, the Second Master still insisted he could manage without any problems.

In the following days, the Second Master indeed lived up to his word. Although he was so exhausted every day that he had to lie down as soon as he got home, he persevered.

Until one time, when seeing a patient who came in only complaining of diarrhea, after taking his pulse, the Second Master said, "You have a fever." Jian Ru, standing nearby, his face fell upon hearing this. In the past, such patients were seen by the second sister or other doctors.

It was too late to change who was seeing the patient.

That evening, before leaving the clinic, the Second Master showed no obvious abnormalities, but Jian Ru could tell he wasn't quite himself.

When the Second Master spoke to people, his reactions were a touch slower than usual.

The Second Master didn't say anything, so Jian Ru bit his tongue and didn't ask.

It wasn't until they returned to their room that night that the Second Master, as usual, changed clothes, washed his hands, and lay down on the bed to rest with his eyes closed.

Jian Ru reached out and felt his forehead.

The Second Master's eyelids fluttered, and he said, "How did you know?"

Jian Ru said, "It was obvious." His brow furrowed tightly. "You've been infected by that person. You have a fever too."

The Second Master opened his eyes to look at him. "Xiao Ru, I think I can get through this time."

Jian Ru said, "Tell me the prescription. I'll go brew the medicine for you."

The Second Master's throat worked. His eyelids trembled slightly as he said, "I don't want to take medicine."

Jian Ru was beginning to panic. The Second Master turned his face away, uncharacteristically stubborn. "It's too bitter. I don't want to take it."

Jian Ru felt a pang of tenderness and relented, "If the fever hasn't gone down by tomorrow morning, you'll still have to take the medicine."

Only then did the Second Master curve his lips into a smile and say, "Alright."

That night, Jian Ru didn't dare sleep deeply, getting up several times to check the Second Master's forehead.

In the first half of the night, it felt increasingly hot. Just as Jian Ru hesitated, thinking of breaking his promise and getting up to prepare the medicine, the Second Master's temperature gradually began to drop.

In the latter half of the night, Jian Ru fell asleep.

He woke with a start in the early morning and, upon feeling the Second Master's temperature again, found it was no longer feverish.

The Second Master stirred, his eyelids fluttering as he began to wake. Jian Ru quickly withdrew his hand and soothed, "It's still early, sleep a little longer."

The Second Master fell back asleep, but Jian Ru lay awake for quite a while.

When the sky brightened, he got up and busied himself.

After the Second Master rose, dressed, and finished washing up, Jian Ru, full of energy, brought breakfast into the room. Setting down the tray, he bounded over to the Second Master and leaped into his arms.

The Second Master hastily put down the towel and hurriedly caught him, supporting his bottom.

Only after jumping did Jian Ru remember that the Second Master might not be strong enough and quickly tried to get down, but the Second Master didn't let go.

Jian Ru grew anxious, "I'm heavy, don't let me crush you."

The veins stood out on the Second Master's temples, but he held him steadily and said, "I can hold you. Wrap your arms around my back."

Jian Ru had no choice but to wrap his arms around the Second Master's neck, holding on tightly.

Surprisingly, the Second Master managed to carry him, straining, to the edge of the bed before setting him down. This time, Jian Ru didn't struggle—though it was strenuous, it went smoothly without a hitch.

Jian Ru didn't let go, instead holding onto the Second Master as they both fell onto the bed, lying side by side, face to face.

Jian Ru said, "I'm so happy."

The Second Master said, "Me too."

This was the first time he had gotten a fever and recovered by the next day without taking any medicine.

During the day at the clinic, Jian Ru still couldn't fully relax, feeling the Second Master's forehead every so often. He did it so often that the physicians at the clinic teased him mercilessly about it.

One elderly physician said, "Ah, youth—this Jian Ru can't stand to be apart from his husband for even a moment."

Jian Ru's face flushed bright red, and the Second Master lowered his head, laughing for a long time.

Over the next couple of days, the Second Master truly managed to shake off the illness.

Perhaps because he had gotten used to keeping busy every day, the Second Master gradually stopped lying down to rest as soon as he returned to his room in the evening. After washing up and changing clothes, he even went to the kitchen to help with tasks like sorting vegetables or keeping an eye on the pot.

Jian Ru found it amazing. Still worried, he secretly went to speak with Second Sister Jinrong about the recent changes in the Second Master.

He didn't dare tell anyone else, afraid they would find out that the two had concealed the fact that Jin Tong had once had a fever—especially since their mother would surely punish him severely if she found out.

Sure enough, after learning about it, Jinrong didn't say much. She lowered her head in thought for a while and then said, "Perhaps we were all wrong before."

Jian Ru asked, "About what?"

Jinrong said, "In the past, because he was sickly and weak, we never let him do anything. That caused him to have pent-up emotions, and his constitution never had a chance to strengthen. Perhaps, compared to those medicinal brews, a peace of mind and moderate activity are the real remedies for him."

Though she said this, Jinrong still couldn't feel completely reassured. She said, "From now on, I'll keep an eye on him. If it really is as I say, I'll discuss it with Eldest Brother and adjust Little Brother's treatment. Perhaps," Jinrong said, "he really is going to get better."

Nearly half a month passed before the Eldest Young Master appeared at the clinic one noon.

He looked thinner and somewhat worn, but otherwise, he was no different from before. When speaking with others, he still wore a faint smile, and when seeing patients, he remained as serious and diligent as ever.

His arrival immediately made things easier for the physicians at the clinic.

The Second Master went to see him, and the Eldest Young Master patted his younger brother on the shoulder, saying, "You've worked hard these past days."

The next morning, the Eldest Young Master finally went to the main house to pay his respects.

After everyone else had left, he stayed behind.

Lady Li asked him what he planned to do from then on. Li Jinfeng said, "I won't take a concubine. Qinglan is all I want."

Lady Li nodded and said, "As you wish. You may go."