Chapter 8: Anomaly

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Lu Huaijin hurried through the wind and snow to the quiet courtyard; night had already fallen.

“Where is your lady?” As soon as he stepped over the threshold, he anxiously asked Chun Tao.

“Master... the lady... has gone to sleep,” Chun Tao lowered her head and replied.

“Sleeping so early?” Hearing this, Lu Huaijin’s brows furrowed slightly, evidently surprised by the answer.

Chun Tao was about to explain when she saw Lu Huaijin turn sharply and stride toward the backyard without leaving a word behind.

He suddenly pushed open the door, and a cold wind swept in, causing the candlelight to flicker unsteadily.

Where his gaze fell, the person on the bed had an unusually flushed face, radiating an abnormal heat.

Lu Huaijin’s heart tightened. He strode forward and gently placed his broad palm on Su Yao’s forehead.

So hot!

“Quick, get the doctor!” he ordered without hesitation, his gaze piercing as he looked at the stunned Chun Tao standing nearby.

“Y-Yes, I’ll go right away,” Chun Tao was intimidated by Lu Huaijin’s commanding aura, responding repeatedly before turning and rushing out.

Fortunately, after urgent treatment, the doctor diagnosed Su Yao with nothing more than a cold caused by the wind. The doctor skillfully administered acupuncture and prescribed several medicines, urging Chun Tao to fetch the herbs immediately.

Soon, the medicine was brewed. Chun Tao carefully carried the bowl back to Su Yao’s room.

“I’ll do it,” the man said, taking the bowl from her.

In her haze, Su Yao was forced to take the medicine. Always averse to bitterness, she tried to spit it out, but he showed no mercy. He forcefully made her swallow it again.

She didn’t even see who it was clearly, only feeling utterly exhausted. Why wouldn’t he let her rest properly, constantly troubling her?

Her eyelids felt as heavy as lead, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t open them. Waves of dizziness assaulted her head, and she no longer had the strength to speak.

“How did she get sick so suddenly?” Lu Huaijin questioned Chun Tao, who stood silently nearby.

Chun Tao’s heart was uneasy. Over these days, she had grown fond of Su Yao. Facing Lu Huaijin’s interrogation, she hesitated but finally whispered, “The snow fell heavily today. The lady was admiring the snow scene, but unexpectedly slipped and... fell.”

She deliberately concealed Lu Chuyao’s visit, fearing it would bring more trouble to Su Yao.

Hearing this, Lu Huaijin lightly waved his hand, signaling Chun Tao to leave. He then walked slowly to the window, lowering his gaze to stare at the frail Su Yao lying on the bed.

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“You’re already grown, why can’t you take care of yourself properly?” Lu Huaijin’s brows knitted tightly. “It’s only been five days since we last met, and you’ve gotten yourself into this state. Are you torturing yourself, or me?”

Outside, snowflakes drifted silently; inside, the room was hushed.

Su Yao’s eyes remained tightly shut, cheeks flushed painfully, mumbling about the cold.

Lu Huaijin hurriedly covered her with another brocade quilt, yet she still trembled uncontrollably, curling into a ball.

Without hesitation, he took off his coat and boots, leaving only his thin inner garment, then gently lifted the edge of the quilt and climbed into bed, pulling her tightly into his embrace.

His chest was broad and warm. Instinctively, Su Yao felt that warmth and leaned closer, burying her head in his neck, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist.

Lu Huaijin found it hard to resist her initiative.

His body grew warmer by the moment, and he poured all his heat into her.

Their bodies pressed closely, their breaths becoming rapid and heavy.

The temperature in the room gradually rose, suffused with an intimate atmosphere.

After an hour of tending to her, Su Yao finally broke out in a sweat, and her previously scorching forehead slowly returned to normal. The high fever seemed to have subsided.

Lu Huaijin’s heart finally eased. Sweat drenched him as he stroked Su Yao’s hair with lingering affection.

Su Yao lay in a drowsy stupor, already weak and now utterly drained, unable to move even a finger.

Lu Huaijin held her tightly, as if afraid she might vanish suddenly. He bent his head and whispered beside her ear, “Happy birthday, Yao’er.”

This was the third birthday he had spent by her side. He had set aside the burdensome affairs of state, entrusted the young emperor to the study’s care, and tirelessly rushed back just to celebrate with her. At dawn, he would return to the palace.

When Su Yao awoke again, she found her clothes changed, and even the bed linens freshly replaced.

Her entire body ached. Chun Tao told her that she had run a fever the previous day. Su Yao was startled, wondering how she had become so ill without noticing.

“Chun Tao, did you find the doctor for me?”

“Miss, the snow was heavy last night. Luckily, Chang Feng drove me to the clinic. Otherwise, in such a storm, I wouldn’t have known what to do alone.”

“Chang Feng?” Su Yao found the name somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall who he was exactly.

After Chun Tao’s reminder, she remembered. Over the years, she had seen him occasionally—he was the son of the chief steward of the prime minister’s mansion, assisting Steward Lin with household affairs. So that was Chang Feng.

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“How did he end up here?”

Chun Tao explained, “A few days ago, he and several maids were sent here. It must have been arranged by Master. It’s normal you don’t remember him; he’s usually quiet and reserved.”

Su Yao felt grateful to both Chun Tao and Chang Feng for her recovery. After some thought, she said to Chun Tao, “Bring me some silver. I want to thank him.”

“Miss, that was his duty. You don’t need to be so polite.”

“Though you say that, I’m not exactly a proper mistress. If I don’t thank him, I’d feel guilty. This is my way of showing gratitude.”

Chun Tao could not refuse her. She fetched some silver from the cabinet and followed Su Yao to the courtyard.

Su Yao approached slowly, tightly clutching the silver in her hand. Clearing her throat, she said, “Brother Chang Feng, I’m truly grateful for your help yesterday. I will always remember your kindness.” She extended the silver toward him.

Chang Feng looked up at her voice, surprise flickering across his face. This was the first time Su Yao had spoken to him directly, so he was naturally pleased.

However, when he noticed the faint red imprint left by her tight grip on the silver, his smile gradually stiffened.

“Miss, what is the meaning of this?”

Su Yao smiled softly. “Brother Chang Feng, I know your kindness well. This is just a little token. Please don’t refuse.”

Chang Feng’s expression instantly turned serious. His brows furrowed as displeasure showed. “Miss, you flatter me. I came here to serve you entirely of my own volition, not for these few coins.”

Su Yao was stunned by his firm refusal. For a moment, she was at a loss, the silver feeling almost too hot to hold.

“Miss, I help you because I want to. In the future, whenever you need me, just say the word. I, Chang Feng, would go through fire and water for you. This silver, I absolutely cannot accept.”

With that, he glanced at Su Yao once more, then lowered his head to continue chopping wood, as if nothing had happened.

Su Yao was puzzled and looked toward Chun Tao.

Chun Tao was equally bewildered, not understanding why usually so honest and straightforward Chang Feng was acting so “uncharacteristically” today.