CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: XIAO CHENGYU CLINGS TIGHTLY TO FU SHINIAN’S HAND

Xiao Chengyu only brought Jing Lai with him on this journey.

The rest were guards arranged by Emperor Jiawen.

The servants in the mansion now were sent by Hu Pingcheng, and once she and Xiao Chengyu returned to the capital, they would have no further dealings with these people.

Fu Shinian had no intention of recklessly putting innocent lives at risk, adding to the burden of karma.

In the past, Fu Shinian might not have cared about these things.

But now, she understood the consequences and could accumulate fortune for the family and Xiao Chengyu.

Thus, Fu Shinian became even more cautious, fearing that any misstep might diminish the fortune of her family and Xiao Chengyu.

It was just as Fu Shinian had predicted.

Once she spoke, no one dared to step forward.

Everyone valued their lives more, unwilling to be infected needlessly.

Everyone knew that taking care of Xiao Chengyu meant inevitable infection.

"Second miss!" Jing Lai came running over.

"Jing Lai, why are you here?"

Seeing it was Jing Lai, everyone quickly stepped aside.

Jing Lai said, "Second miss, since I’ve been with the marquis for quite a while today, I’ve thought it over. I might as well isolate myself in the room with the marquis."

"I can also attend to the marquis’s daily needs," Jing Lai added.

Fu Shinian nodded, "That works."

Fu Shinian then loudly told everyone, "If this is the case, you all will serve outside, not getting close to the marquis but still delivering meals and medicine."

"Understood," everyone responded, all relieved.

Fu Shinian instructed Mai Dong to keep a vigilant eye on everyone, ensuring no slackening due to the master’s absence.

"Keep a close watch on the daily medicine and food," Fu Shinian said.

"Miss, let me go in to serve too; I’m not afraid," Mai Dong said.

Fu Shinian shook her head, "I still need you to communicate for me outside and watch over things. These tasks are challenging, especially managing so many people. Can you do it well?"

"I will definitely do a good job!" Mai Dong promised.

Fu Shinian nodded, and then spoke to Jing Lai, "You and I will take turns watching over the marquis. One person watching without rest can’t last."

"Yes," Jing Lai was so moved he almost cried, kneeling down and kowtowing to Fu Shinian.

"What are you doing?" Fu Shinian hurriedly moved to help him up.

But Jing Lai dodged her, saying, "I am grateful to you, miss, for not abandoning the marquis in his time of need. Your kindness, I shall never forget!"

"The old madam and the marquis have always taken care of me. Now that something has happened, how can I not care?" Fu Shinian said, otherwise, why would she have come?

Fu Shinian then loudly told Mai Dong, "His Majesty has already arranged for people to send medicinal materials and supplies, along with the Imperial Physician, on their way. The physician will discuss more suitable prescriptions on their way and will arrive soon. Watch carefully; inform me immediately when they arrive."

"Yes," Mai Dong responded.

Everyone, hearing that the court sent more people and they would arrive soon, dared not slack off.

After the crowd dispersed, Fu Shinian and Jing Lai entered the room.

Seeing Xiao Chengyu wrapped tightly in a quilt, looking still terribly cold.

Fu Shinian instructed Jing Lai to make the charcoal fire burn bigger, then went to the cabinet for another quilt to cover Xiao Chengyu.

Fu Shinian checked Xiao Chengyu’s forehead, "Getting hotter and hotter."

"Let the marquis drink the medicine first. If the fever doesn’t subside, the imperial physician said we could use strong liquor to rub the body," Fu Shinian said.

"Understood."

After a while, Mai Dong brought the medicine to the door.

Jing Lai returned with the medicine, and Fu Shinian helped Xiao Chengyu up.

Xiao Chengyu, in a daze, still managed to say, "Stay away from me."

Fu Shinian helplessly replied, "We are in the same room now, how far can I go? Marquis, stop worrying about these things. Once you’re well, I’ll leave immediately."

Jing Lai handed the medicine to Xiao Chengyu, "Marquis, drink it while it’s hot; it will help you sweat."

Xiao Chengyu was used to drinking medicine regularly and downed it in one go.

Fu Shinian took a cloth to wipe his mouth.

The clean scent of her cloth mixed with the medicine’s bitterness filled his nostrils.

"Marquis, I know you worry about me," Fu Shinian said, "but I’ve always been healthy since childhood, rarely falling ill."

"I remember there was once a plague in the capital, where my parents, brother, and eldest sister all fell sick, but I remained fine," Fu Shinian laughed, "so I will be fine this time too."

"Don’t say such things," Xiao Chengyu frowned and said, "The more you say it’s fine, the more likely something will happen."

"Spit three times," Xiao Chengyu said, then stared at Fu Shinian as if he would keep watching until she did it.

Fu Shinian had no choice but to spit three times, then said, "I didn’t know the marquis knew about this."

"My mother once told me," Xiao Chengyu explained.

"I’m fine now, you should rest, don’t tire yourself out," Xiao Chengyu said.

"Yes, Second Miss, you should rest," Jing Lai also said.

Fu Shinian shook her head, "Jing Lai, you go rest, and come to replace me at night."

Fu Shinian awkwardly said, "At night, if the marquis gets up or something, I’m afraid it won’t be convenient for me."

"Ahem," Xiao Chengyu, feeling intensely cold, couldn’t sleep and almost choked on his own saliva hearing Fu Shinian’s words.

Realizing it, Jing Lai said, "Then I shall take a nap first and come to replace miss at night."

Fu Shinian turned and moved a stool to sit by the bed, saying, "Marquis, please get some sleep. If you need anything, just tell me."

Xiao Chengyu thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep with Fu Shinian watching over him.

But in the end, he succumbed to the illness, not knowing when he fell asleep.

Fu Shinian occasionally checked Xiao Chengyu’s forehead temperature, sensing it was gradually coming down, but still felt warmer than her own forehead.

However, at night, when it was Jing Lai’s turn to watch over Xiao Chengyu, he suddenly began to heat up again.

The heat made his chest ache.

In his stupor, Xiao Chengyu felt a burning sensation in his chest, making it hard to breathe.

He threw off the quilt, sweating all over, murmuring, "Shinian..."

Jing Lai dared not sleep, and upon hearing the sound, immediately lit a candle, "Marquis! Marquis!"

Fu Shinian was sleeping in her clothes, fearing she might be needed during the night.

Upon hearing the noise, she rushed over, feeling Xiao Chengyu’s forehead, "Why is it so hot!"

"Even hotter than during the day," Fu Shinian exclaimed.

"Shinian..." Xiao Chengyu murmured, reaching out to grab Fu Shinian’s hand.

Fu Shinian couldn’t break free, letting him hold her hand, she turned to instruct Jing Lai, "Get some alcohol to rub the marquis’s body."

"Yes," Jing Lai hurriedly brought the alcohol that was prepared during the day.

But who knew, Xiao Chengyu held tightly onto Fu Shinian’s hand, and Jing Lai couldn’t very well undress Xiao Chengyu in front of Fu Shinian.

Fu Shinian, helpless, had her hand seized by Xiao Chengyu who refused to let go.