Putting down his teacup, He Yanxiu hurriedly took a handkerchief to wipe the tea spilled on the back of his hands and cuffs, and then looked at the charcoal stove in front of him.

The charcoal fire in the stove was burning brightly, and the floor heating was warm, but a chill ran down his back.

He Yanxiu sneezed again as he wondered.

“Second Master, have you caught a cold?” Xing’an brought an outer garment to drape over He Yanxiu.

He Yanxiu hummed in response, “I feel a bit cold.”

His voice was already nasal.

He really had caught a cold.

He Yanxiu closed the official document he had just opened. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Go to Li Shangshu and tell him only that I have caught a cold. I’ll take leave for the next few days.”

“Yes.” Xing’an paused before asking, “Should I inform Third Highness as well?”

The injuries on Third Highness were not serious, and he had now mostly recovered. The Emperor had entrusted him with overseeing the Ministry of Revenue’s year-end accounting and settlement, a matter of great importance. Third Highness also attached great importance to it and had been waiting to discuss the matter with He Yanxiu, exchange information, and get a sense of the situation before proceeding.

At this time, He Yanxiu was on leave…

“Let him know, and give this to Third Highness as well.” He Yanxiu placed a stack of papers covered in dense, tiny characters into an envelope and handed it to Xing’an. “If Third Highness asks about it, you needn’t say anything else. Just tell him that he will understand once he reads what’s inside.”

The Third Highness’ relationship with him was too close, and he had served in the Ministry of Revenue for many years, always performing well. Therefore, no matter how well the Third Highness did this time, in the eyes of others, he would be credited.

Too many green leaves often obscure the fragrance of flowers.

This was also the case at this time.

On the contrary, by stepping back and letting Third Highness do it alone, Third Highness would truly understand something and be able to answer appropriately when the Emperor inquired.

After all, there was a big difference between experiencing it personally and being taught by others.

The Emperor was wise and would naturally see things clearly. Even if Third Highness made a mistake, he wouldn’t think much of it. It was much better than gathering many people to help and making things look too good on the surface.

Furthermore, He Yanxiu had clearly written down all the precautions and hidden tricks involved so that after reading it, Third Highness would understand and know where to focus his efforts, avoiding unnecessary detours.

This was the best solution He Yanxiu had considered after much deliberation.

Xing’an understood and took the items. “Yes.”

“I will immediately send someone to fetch a doctor.”

To examine the Second Master.

“I feel chills all over my body; my whole body aches, I am irritable, I feel nauseous and am vomiting, and my throat is also very sore. I’m afraid it’s not a common cold, and an ordinary doctor might not be able to cure it.”

Xing’an thought for a moment, “Then I will pass a token to Your Majesty and ask for an imperial physician to examine Second Master?”

The imperial physician’s medical skills were excellent, so there shouldn’t be any problem.

He Yanxiu, “…”

This Xing’an was becoming more and more clueless.

“Prepare the carriage.” He Yanxiu growled in a low voice with a gloomy face.

“Yes…”

Second Master seemed to be getting more and more annoyed with him lately.

What had he done wrong again…

Xing’an, bewildered, retreated first, arranging for a carriage to be prepared while rushing to deliver a message to Third Highness and Li Shangshu.

By the time they arrived in Qinghe, it was already late.

Whether it was the cold wind on the road or something else, He Yanxiu had a cough, and the cough was low and muffled, as if it were tearing at his entire chest, making one’s own throat feel uncomfortable.

After taking his pulse, Su Yujin frowned. “Second Master has been overworked these days, and with the cold wind invading his body, his lungs have lost their ability to disperse and descend. The winter weather is cold, and it seems that Second Master has been staying indoors for a long time, with the charcoal fire and the underfloor heating burning too brightly, causing excessive internal heat, resulting in a condition of external cold and internal heat. The internal heat cannot be released, so it comes out from the lungs, causing the throat to be dry, itchy, and prone to coughing.”

“It’s not a serious illness, but you need to take care of yourself. I’ll prescribe some herbal soup to clear your lungs and reduce internal heat for you to drink first. Later, I’ll also apply two plasters to your chest and back; that will help you recover faster.”

Now that Su Yujin felt she was no longer He Yanxiu’s mistress, although she retained the title “Second Master” out of respect, she addressed herself as “I” instead of “this maid.”

“Recover faster? That might not be a good idea…”

He Yanxiu thought for a moment, “The plasters might have an unpleasant smell and linger for a long time. The winter solstice is in a few days, and the Emperor will likely host a banquet in the palace. If I have an odor, it might not be appropriate. Let’s just drink the herbal soup for now.”

“Alright,” Su Yujin nodded. “Then I’ll give you two acupuncture needles.”

That would also help you recover faster.

After all, coughing was quite uncomfortable; in severe cases, it felt like you were coughing up your lungs, which was unbearable for ordinary people.

Su Yujin felt that He Yanxiu was no exception.

He Yanxiu, “…”

A doctor’s heart is compassionate; Su Yujin probably couldn’t bear to see the illness progress slowly.

“Alright.” He Yanxiu nodded somewhat reluctantly. “Then I’ll trouble you.”

“Second Master, you’re too kind.” Su Yujin smiled. “Although some things have their reasons, and Second Master was forced into it, the bond between master and servant remains. I’m grateful for Second Master’s care all this time, so please don’t be so polite.”

Otherwise, it felt a little awkward.

He Yanxiu first hummed in agreement, then looked at Su Yujin with some suspicion.

Su Yujin said he had his reasons, was forced into it, and even expressed understanding.

Did this mean she understood his thoughts somewhat?

He Yanxiu’s heart suddenly tightened, and he felt as if the weeds in his heart had sprouted from the cracks in the stone, swaying in the wind, growing wildly, only to cloud his mind.

Even after dinner, washing up, and preparing to rest, He Yanxiu still felt somewhat dazed.

A sudden noise outside startled He Yanxiu, who pricked up his ears.

“What are you busy with, Miss? Let me help you.” Ai Cao rolled up her sleeves and took the heavy wooden basin from Su Yujin’s hands.

“It’s herbal soup for Second Master. He can soak his feet before bed to treat his cough.”

He Yanxiu refused to use plasters, even with acupuncture, as it wasn’t as effective as medication.

A foot bath was more convenient and wouldn’t leave any unpleasant herbal odor.

Ai Cao’s nose tingled. “Miss, you’ve truly been devoted to Second Master.”

Second Master was blind and heartless, abandoning her…

“Second Master has always treated me well; it’s only right.” Su Yujin smiled, pursing her lips.

Regardless of He Yanxiu’s initial motives, he redeemed her from a place like the brothel, giving her a stable life. He was also generous and magnanimous. For both the original owner and the current Su Yujin, He Yanxiu’s actions had almost changed her entire life.

Su Yujin felt that telling He Yanxiu about repaying a debt of gratitude was a bit of an exaggeration, but at least basic respect was due.

Therefore, since He Yanxiu was currently unwell, she should do her best to help him.

Inside the room, He Yanxiu touched his nose.

He seemed not to understand anything…

He Yanxiu: “My whole body aches, my throat hurts, and I’m coughing. I might have caught the ‘yang’…”¹

(End of Chapter)

---

Footnote

1. 羊了” (yáng le) is modern Chinese internet slang for testing positive for COVID-19 / having contracted COVID-19. It comes from the pronunciation of 阳了 (yáng le), where 阳 means a positive test result.