CHAPTER 034
Here's the translated text:
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"I... I just feel a bit... unwell."
Lu Yun'er was trembling and shivering in pain, her eyes gradually turning bloodshot. Her veins bulged, and her face, pale with a hint of green, clenched her teeth as her lips lost all color.
How could this appearance be described as merely feeling a bit unwell? Her whole body was clearly being tormented by immense pain!
Compared to her usual lively and cheerful demeanor, now she seemed lifeless, as if she were in unbearable pain. She looked as fragile as a dewdrop on a summer petal, as if she would shatter with the slightest touch.
Shatter?
At this thought, a terrifying notion pierced his mind like a sharp blade, the venom seeping into his bones, causing his heart to throb with pain, so intense that he could hardly breathe, as if an invisible hand was squeezing it.
No! It can't be!
Su Qingwan’s eyes welled up with tears, and a mist formed, "Sister Yun'er, hold on, I’ll take you to see the physician right away."
The already pale-faced Lu Yun'er, upon hearing the choked voice, weakly looked up at him in a daze.
All she could see was a pair of tear-filled eyes, with tears wetting the lashes, trembling slightly, and glimmering with a faint light, revealing panic, helplessness, and pain...
A complicated expression briefly flashed in the depths of Lu Yun'er’s heavy eyes before another wave of pain struck, causing her nerves to tense up involuntarily.
The panicked Su Qingwan was just about to ask Xiaoyuan to help Lu Yun'er into the carriage when suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves rapidly approached, carried by the wind.
"Master! Master! Qiu Yi is back, are you alright?" Sweating profusely, Qiu Yi quickly jumped off the carriage, his sweat soaking through his clothes, creating a large wet patch.
He hurriedly ran to Lu Yun'er’s side, frowning as he saw his master's weak and helpless state, noticing that this time seemed more severe than the last.
Qiu Yi then noticed the teary-eyed Su Xiaoshizi beside him, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, as he realized that the young master's gaze was filled with too many emotions.
Although he knew that Su Xiaoshizi liked the master, he had always thought it was just a one-sided declaration. But now, it seemed much more complicated than he had imagined.
Lu Yun'er, struggling to move her lips, spoke in a weak voice, suppressing the pain as she said haltingly, "Qiu Yi, you're... here, take me... home."
Seeing that the master was on the verge of passing out from the pain, Qiu Yi, who had managed to keep his panic under control, took his master from Su Qingwan's arms, not forgetting to thank him, "Thank you, Su Xiaoshizi, for taking care of my master. I'll take over from here!"
Qiu Yi immediately carried his master and dashed towards the carriage. Seeing his master in such agony, his voice trembled as he urged, "Xiao Chun, hurry back to the manor!"
Su Qingwan stood there, stunned by everything that had just happened. It all happened so fast.
When Sister Yun'er left his embrace, it felt as though something was forcibly torn away from his heart, leaving him with a sudden sense of fear and panic.
Why was this happening? Sister Yun'er was fine just a moment ago, so why did she suddenly become so fragile?
"Xiaoshizi, if you're worried about Scholar Lu's condition and can’t rest easy, why don't you go to the Lu Manor yourself?" Xiaoyuan suggested as he took the umbrella from Su Xiaoshizi’s hands and supported him.
To avoid disturbing the two of them, Xiaoyuan and Huaying had kept a respectful distance, and when they saw Scholar Lu leaning against Xiaoshizi's chest, they thought their relationship had progressed. But unexpectedly, Scholar Lu suddenly became unwell.
But how could something like this happen so suddenly?
Could it be as he suspected, that Scholar Lu had some hidden illness?
Su Qingwan’s distant gaze was pulled back by Xiaoyuan’s words, his eyes still brimming with tears, hesitating because of his concerns, "Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
After being rejected several times by Sister Yun'er despite expressing his feelings, and unable to bear the cold attitude she often showed, he had finally told her that he would no longer pursue her, using this as a way to mask his true feelings, just to be closer to her.
Even though he was lying to himself.
Today, he lost control in front of Sister Yun'er once again.
But he knew that although Sister Yun'er was gentle and kind, with a soft demeanor, she had her boundaries, always maintaining a certain distance between people, never more or less than necessary.
This was exactly what Nanxi had said—dealing with people, one must know where to stop.
But he was different. He was a greedy person, and when it came to Sister Yun'er, he became insatiable, wanting more, no matter the cost or means.
As for whether Sister Yun'er would ever like him, Su Qingwan had always believed it was just a matter of time.
But today made him realize that in the face of the unpredictable nature of life, only by seizing the moment could he fulfill his desires.
Tears fell from Su Xiaoshizi’s eyes like a string of pearls that had snapped, and as he was already weak due to his monthly illness, his body was in poor condition.
It seemed that only when he saw Scholar Lu did Su Xiaoshizi’s vitality ignite, yet her suffering pained him deeply.
One's emotions, influenced by another's every move and word.
For Su Xiaoshizi, was it a blessing or a curse to have his emotions so easily swayed by someone else?
Xiaoyuan, feeling sympathetic, gently comforted him, "There’s nothing inappropriate about it. Scholar Lu just had a sudden episode of discomfort. Both morally and logically, it’s perfectly normal to show concern, even as an outsider who happened to witness it. If you're really unsure, you can have Huaying accompany you."
Hearing this, Su Qingwan, his eyes still wet with tears, looked at Xiaoyuan with confusion, "How can he help?"
When the carriage arrived at the Lu Manor, Qiu Yi quickly carried his master to the study, laid her down on the couch, and covered her with a blanket. Lu Yun'er, feigning calmness, grabbed Qiu Yi’s hand, "Qiu Yi, don’t worry, you can go out now. I'll call if I need anything."
Qiu Yi lowered his gaze, replying in a muffled voice, "Yes."
He felt a deep sense of helplessness and guilt over his inability to do anything about his master's illness.
His master's heart condition had first manifested during the Qingming Festival. But as long as she made it through the night, the pain would subside the next day. This strange medical condition had baffled many skilled doctors, who were still unable to identify the source of the illness or provide any effective treatment.
For now, the master could only endure it on her own as she had in the past.
Once Qiu Yi had left and closed the door, Lu Yun'er, whose face was already ghostly pale, twisted in pain, began rolling back and forth on the couch. Her normally smooth, ink-black hair was now disheveled and scattered, and to keep herself from crying out in pain, she bit down on her clothes, her hands clutching the bedding tightly.
At that moment, a torrential downpour started outside, accompanied by a loud clap of thunder, reverberating through the air, unsettling everyone.
It was as if it was coming to claim her life. Lu Yun'er seemed to understand why; she could feel the chaotic energy within her, along with the excruciating pain, like being cut by a knife.
It wasn’t until the middle of the night that the pain finally subsided. The room was still lit by the dim yellow glow of a candle.
But Lu Yun'er, now utterly exhausted, lay limp on the couch, drifting into sleep. Her hair, soaked in cold sweat, clung to her temples, and her clothes had become loose, revealing a glimpse of her snow-white shoulder.
The Lu Manor was silent when suddenly a shadowy figure leaped over the wall, sneaking into the courtyard, and stopped outside a dimly lit room, lingering there for a moment.
Soon after, another figure, slightly unsteady, pushed open the door and then gently closed it behind them.
Su Qingwan entered the room, instinctively tiptoeing as he quietly walked over to the couch, crouching down. He was still worried and wanted to see how Sister Yun'er was doing now.
Seeing Sister Yun'er lying on the couch, looking haggard and as if she had just gone through a severe illness, his eyes welled up with tears.
His gaze slowly drifted over her disheveled clothes and bedding, her sweat-soaked body, and her enchanting, fragile beauty. His burning gaze traced the contours of her sleeping form, her graceful figure, her snowy skin, all exuding a delicate fragrance.
Su Qingwan’s handsome face instantly flushed with embarrassment. He quickly averted his gaze and carefully pulled the crumpled quilt back over Lu Yun'er.
But his eyes remained fixated on her peaceful sleeping face, and as he stared, he couldn’t resist the urge to reach out and touch her. As his hand slowly moved closer to her face, he hesitated for a moment and then stopped.
The greed in his heart surged like a ferocious beast, but he forcibly suppressed it, fearing that it might cause even the slightest harm to Sister Yun'er.
He chose to trace her beautiful features in the air with his fingertips, until he reached her lips. Su Qingwan's mind flashed with past memories, and his breath suddenly caught. Thinking about the current scene, his expression changed several times, and his gaze turned dark and deep.
Endless desire slowly eroded his reason, causing him to lose all control.
What should he do...
He wanted more, and more...
He slowly leaned down, his hands nervously clutching the hem of his clothes. As he got closer, he held his breath. Just when he was mere inches away, he suddenly stopped again, lifting himself slightly and gazing at the person beneath him. A trace of regret flashed in his eyes, and he was about to get up.
Under the shadow, Lu Yun'er slowly opened her eyes and happened to meet Su Qingwan's gaze. As usual, her expression was calm, as if she was already accustomed to such things.
Su Qingwan was startled as he found himself caught in those calm, water-like eyes. A trace of confusion flickered in his own eyes. He hadn’t expected to be caught in the act and was momentarily at a loss for what to do. The person beneath him looked at him with an expression of neither joy nor anger, as if nothing could disturb her peace.
"Young Master Su, why are you here again? You really cling to me tightly. What new tricks are you planning today?" Lu Yun'er was so exhausted that she could no longer distinguish between reality and illusion.
She didn't expect to dream of Young Master Su again. Compared to the previous times, this time he seemed much more restrained.
No undressing, no flirtation—his watery eyes even made him appear somewhat innocent.
Su Qingwan was visibly stunned. "Again?" Why did she say "again"? This was the first time he had snuck into Sister Yun'er's room.
While he was still in shock, a pair of soft jade-like hands slowly touched his cheeks. The coolness of her fingers brought him back to his senses. The young man, with his dark, shining eyes, stared blankly at the person beneath him.
Wherever she lightly touched, it felt as if his skin was being set aflame, yet there was also a ticklish sensation, a mixture of heat and an indescribable tingling.
Lu Yun'er's expression gradually changed, becoming more meaningful. "Will you not stop until we sleep together?"
"No... I..." Su Qingwan felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of sleeping together. His face gradually turned crimson, and he instinctively avoided her gaze.
How could Su Qingwan not want that? He liked her, and he wanted her.
He longed for her affection, for her response, and for a love where both their feelings were mutual.
But he also knew that she didn't like him right now.
Seeing this, Lu Yun'er used her slender fingers to hold his defined chin, forcing his evasive face back towards her. The young man's shyness was laid bare before her eyes. She teased him with a half-smile, "Who would have thought, Young Master Su can actually get shy? How rare, how rare."
Her gaze suddenly changed.
"If it's not that, then lie down quietly." Lu Yun'er suddenly grasped his wrist, using just a bit of force to press him into the bedding beside her. She then sighed softly and closed her eyes, "I'm a bit tired. Don't move. Everything will be fine once the dream ends."
Lying beside her, Su Qingwan finally understood. A dream? Could it be that Sister Yun'er thought this was a dream?
And when she said "again," did that mean Sister Yun'er had dreamed of him before?
What was he like in Sister Yun'er's dreams? Judging from what she said earlier, it seemed like he was particularly bold and unruly.
Su Qingwan obediently lay still, turning his head slightly to look at the person beside him. Her clothes had slipped off her shoulder, revealing a delicate, fair collarbone, half-covered and half-exposed, leaving much to the imagination.
Su Qingwan's throat moved, feeling a bit embarrassed. His already flushed cheeks grew even hotter, but he continued to gaze at her deeply. At that moment, it felt as though he was drunk without having touched a drop of wine.
Tonight, he could say he had shared a bed with Sister Yun'er.
The next day, after the rain had cleared, the sky was a clear, bright blue, and everything seemed to radiate with renewed vitality.
Following the events of the previous day, Qiu Yi rose early before dawn, accompanied by a few servants, and headed to the market to purchase some top-quality medicinal herbs and fresh chicken, duck, and fish. She instructed the household chef to prepare several medicinal dishes to nourish the body.
By this time, the kitchen was already bustling with activity, the servants busily tending to their tasks.
Lu Yun'er slept soundly until daylight. After waking and bathing in the morning, she dressed and then lay in a rocking chair in the courtyard, quietly basking in the mild sunlight with her eyes closed. She seemed to be resting peacefully, with the little orange cat obediently lying beside the chair, its head nestled against her, keeping her company.
At this moment, the gentle sunlight bathed her beautiful face in a soft glow, making her complexion appear healthier.
The Scholar's illness came quickly, but it also seemed to leave just as fast.
"Scholar, the meal is ready," Qiu Yi said softly as she approached from the kitchen, noticing the lingering fatigue in Lu Yun'er's expression and unconsciously slowing her steps.
"Mm." Lu Yun'er slowly opened her eyes, and as she got up, she reached out to stroke the soft fur of the orange cat. "The little orange cat seems to be recovering well. Make sure to change its bandages regularly and be mindful of its diet."
Qiu Yi responded, "Yes, Scholar, don't worry. I'll take good care of the little orange cat."
"Qiu Yi, you've prepared so much food, but I can't possibly finish it all. Go ahead and remove a few dishes. Let's not waste anything," Lu Yun'er said as she approached the dining table, looking at the array of dishes. Chicken, duck, fish—those were fine, but there was even a thousand-year-old ginseng.
"Someone, take these dishes away," she said, pointing.
"This one can't be removed," Qiu Yi quickly interjected, trying to stop her. "This dish contains a tribute ingredient; it's very precious."
Curious, Lu Yun'er asked, a hint of confusion in her eyes, "Why can't this one be removed?"
Qiu Yi instinctively touched the back of her head, feeling a bit embarrassed but trying to maintain a slightly aggrieved expression. "I went to the market early this morning specifically to get this for you. Please don't let my efforts go to waste, Scholar!"
Her heart raced slightly as she spoke, hoping to avoid further questions, but she still looked at Lu Yun'er with genuine sincerity.
"Alright! This one can stay, but take the others away," Lu Yun'er conceded. "I know you want me to build up my strength, Qiu Yi, but I'm not fond of all this fish and meat. There's no need to prepare these in the future. We should live simply and avoid extravagance."
Though the Lu household couldn't be considered wealthy, it wasn't exactly poor either; it was a modest, comfortable life. But still, as common folk, it was important to be frugal and mindful of expenses.
"Yes, yes," Qiu Yi nodded quickly. "But these didn't cost anything," she muttered to herself, suddenly recalling something. She then added, "Oh, Scholar, Young Master Mu is arriving tomorrow afternoon. This time, he's traveling by water, so he’ll arrive a day earlier. Tomorrow is also your last day off, so we can head to the dock to meet him."
"Alright," Lu Yun'er replied, sipping her soup as she pondered.
Compared to land transport, river transport was indeed much more convenient.
Moreover, in the Yuan Dynasty, this was a crucial means of transportation for economic and trade development. After all, the economic foundation determines the superstructure.
Land transport was not only slow and risky but also costly, with accommodation and travel expenses piling up along the way.
As the saying goes, "You don't sell firewood within a hundred miles, and you don't sell grain within a thousand," which perfectly encapsulates the nature of trade.
In recent years, the Empress had heavily invested in waterworks to improve the transportation between the north and the south. With improved infrastructure, trade flourished, leading to steady economic growth. The once restrictive "you don't sell grain within a thousand miles" had given way to seamless trade.
A good policy benefits the people.
She had felt this keenly during her time as the Minister of Revenue.
After finishing her meal, Lu Yun'er returned to the courtyard to continue soaking up the sun.
She spent the entire day resting.
It was the last day of the Qingming holiday.
As the sun began to set, the dock on the eastern side of the Liusu River was bathed in shimmering golden light. The surface of the river sparkled with ripples, and a gentle breeze brushed against their cheeks, carrying with it a cool, soothing dampness.
Travelers and merchants came and went, and the riverbank was lined with boats of all sizes—some passenger boats were just docking, while others were heavily laden with goods, returning from their journeys.
Qiu Yi stood on tiptoe, scanning the bustling crowd. "Scholar, do you see Young Master Mu? There are so many people here that it's making my eyes blur."
"Over there," Lu Yun'er said, lifting her chin slightly to indicate a spot not far ahead. She looked towards the group of people disembarking from a boat, and although the crowd obscured her view, she could just make out a familiar figure.
At that moment, a bright, bubbly voice called out, "Sister Yun'er, I'm here! I'm here!" A lively and adorable young man waved at them, his fair complexion and distinct features giving him an endearing, blessed appearance.
Lu Yun'er waved back, "Yangyang, over here."
Qiu Yi also spotted him and quickly stepped forward to take Mu Yang's luggage. "Young Master Mu."
"Hello, Steward Qiu!" Mu Yang greeted Qiu Yi politely before dashing forward and throwing himself into Lu Yun'er's arms. "Sister Yun'er, Yangyang missed you so much! So much! After crossing mountains and rivers, I've finally seen you."
The young man's slightly exaggerated words were filled with undeniable affection.
As strangers around them began to glance over, Lu Yun'er quickly pulled Mu Yang aside and looked around to ensure no one was following him. "Why are you alone? Isn't anyone with you?"
"There is, but they escorted me here, and then I sent them back. I don't like having people follow me. Besides, with Yun'er Sister here to protect me, I'm not afraid at all," Mu Yang said, clinging to Lu Yun'er's arm.
Mu Yang's personality was cheerful and lively, generous and enthusiastic. His character mirrored that of Mu Aunty, a bright little sun.
Lu Yun'er allowed him to hold onto her arm and smiled, "Alright, it’s been a tiring journey. Let’s talk more once we’re back at the residence."
"Okay," Mu Yang responded with a sweet smile.
After getting into the carriage, Mu Yang sat by the window, his face brimming with excitement as he admired the scenery of the capital through the window. "Yun'er Sister, I rarely get to visit the capital. You have to accompany me on a tour."
Lu Yun'er smiled softly, "Alright, alright. When I have some free time, I'll accompany you. By the way, how is Aunty Mu's health recently?"
"Mother is doing well!" Mu Yang replied, his eyes still fixed outside the window, occasionally leaning out for a better view. He then straightened up and asked seriously, "Yun'er Sister, are you free tomorrow?"
"Well, tomorrow I have to go back to the Imperial Academy. But don't worry, Housekeeper Qiu will accompany you," Lu Yun'er replied gently.
"Oh!" Mu Yang felt a bit disappointed, but then quickly pleaded, "Then can you take me out now?"
Lu Yun'er hesitated for a moment, seemingly concerned, "Aren't you tired after such a long journey?"
Although the waterway had made the trip more convenient, it still took at least two days and nights from Jiangnan to here.
Sensing an opportunity, Mu Yang quickly shook his head vigorously, "Not tired at all! Besides, it's about to get dark, and I've heard that the capital is beautiful at night. Please take me out now?"
He tugged on Lu Yun'er's hand, swaying it back and forth, and started to act spoiled.
Lu Yun'er sighed, "Alright then."
After giving some instructions to Qiu Yi, Lu Yun'er also asked for some silver.
Lu Yun'er rarely went out and wasn't particularly fond of shopping. When she did go out with Qiu Yi, Qiu Yi always paid, and when she went out alone, it was usually at the invitation of friends, often to establishments under Sister Lan's management, where food and drink were free.
So, she never carried money when she went out.
At this moment, the evening twilight had settled, and the shops on both sides of the street began to light up with decorations. The two of them headed towards the bustling marketplace, where the sounds of street vendors filled the air.
Mu Yang had visited the capital before, but that was when he was just a child, so the night scene of the capital was still unfamiliar to him.
"Yun'er Sister, I want to buy this!" Mu Yang cheerfully ran to a candied fruit stall and pointed excitedly at the preserved plums, asking Lu Yun'er to buy them for him.
"Alright." Lu Yun'er looked at him indulgently, then paid for the sweets and continued following behind him, becoming his mobile payment machine.
Half an hour later, Mu Yang was still full of energy, while Lu Yun'er patiently continued to accompany him.
Suddenly.
"Yun'er Sister, what are you doing here?" Su Qingwan's soft eyes flashed with a trace of surprise.
Lu Yun'er's long black eyelashes fluttered slightly when she heard the familiar voice. She turned to see Su Qingwan, accompanied by her servant Xiaoyuan, as well as a cold-looking woman whom she had seen at the outskirts before, presumably tasked with ensuring Su Qingwan's safety.
Lu Yun'er smiled, "I was accompanying..."
"Yun'er Sister, who is this?" Mu Yang, holding his snacks in one hand and tugging at Lu Yun'er's sleeve with the other, asked curiously.
Mu Yang carefully examined the youth standing in front of him, who was about his age but even more handsome, like an immortal from a painting. His gaze then shifted to the man and woman standing behind, and his eyes froze in place.
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