Chapter Ten: Severe Illness

After the Frost's Descent, the fragrance of osmanthus in Yangzhou gradually dissipates, and the chill in the air grows stronger day by day.

The canal surface shimmered with a cold light, adding a touch of solemnity to the atmosphere of the salt merchants' residences in the city.

The morning sunlight streamed through the carved windows of Tingxuexuan, falling on the account books in front of Shen Rulan, but it could not dispel the deep weariness between her brows.

She wore a moon-white satin robe embroidered with pine patterns, over which was a dark blue gauze jacket with a subtle swastika pattern. The robe, which used to fit her well, was now slightly loose, making her shoulders appear even more slender. Her fingers, holding the pen, were slightly white, and the pen nib paused briefly on the figures for canal transport expenses—this had been her habit lately; with the slightest mental exertion, she felt a tightness in her chest, and even her breathing had to be slow and deliberate.

"Young Master, it's time for breakfast." Rong Mama came in carrying a food tray. Seeing Shen Rulan staring at the account book in a daze, she couldn't help but gently remind him, "You haven't been eating properly these past few days. If this continues, your body won't be able to take it."

Shen Rulan raised her head and forced a smile: "Granny, I'm fine. I just stayed up a little late last night dealing with the salt tax documents." As she spoke, she picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. Just as she was about to continue looking at the account books, a sudden cough struck her.

She instinctively covered her mouth with a handkerchief, coughing until her shoulders trembled slightly. At first, it was just a light cough, but it became more and more violent, as if she was coughing up her lungs.

Rong Mama quickly put down the food plate, stepped forward and gently patted her back, her eyes full of worry: "Young Master! Your cough has been dragging on for almost half a month. At first, we thought it was just autumn dryness, but it has gotten worse these past few days. Should we ask a doctor to take a look?"

Shen Rulan coughed for a while before gradually calming down. She picked up the handkerchief and saw that there was a faint trace of blood on the white handkerchief.

Her heart sank slightly, but she forced herself to remain calm, folded the handkerchief and tucked it into her sleeve, saying to Rong Mama, "It's nothing, it's an old ailment, I'm always like this in the autumn. Go and stew a bowl of rock sugar pear, it'll make you feel better."

Just then, Shen Rong, who was in charge of the canal transport, hurried in, holding a new contract delivered by the canal guild: "Young master, news has come from Master Liu of the canal guild that the canal is shallow this winter, causing transport costs to rise. They want to increase the freight rate by 20%. What do you think..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw that Shen Rulan's face was pale, his lips were bloodless, and his cough, which had just subsided, was starting to recur. He was immediately startled. "Young Master! What's wrong with you? Why do you look so pale?"

"It's nothing." Shen Rulan waved her hand, indicating that she was fine. "Tell me about the canal gang. What exactly did they ask for? Besides the shipping fee, are there any other demands?"

She forced herself to stay awake, took the contract from Shen Rong's hand, and looked at it carefully, though her gaze would occasionally wander and her fingers would feel slightly cold from weakness.

Standing to the side, Rong Momo watched Shen Rulan's forced composure and grew increasingly worried. She knew Shen Rulan was always strong-willed and didn't want anyone to see her vulnerable side, but this coughing up blood was hardly a "chronic ailment."

After Shen Rong left, she urged again, "Young Master, please listen to this old servant just this once and ask Physician Wang from the manor to come and take a look?" (Physician Wang from the manor is highly skilled in medicine and knows Shen Rulan's identity.)

Shen Rulan remained silent for a moment, but finally nodded—she knew that if she continued to insist, it would probably delay the salt administration, so she had no choice but to compromise: "Alright, go and invite Doctor Wang over."

News of Shen Rulan's illness quickly reached the side courtyard of the second branch of the family.

Shen Keqin sat at the stone table in the courtyard, toying with a jade thumb ring in his hand. After listening to his wife, Liu, recount Shen Rulan's illness, a barely perceptible sneer appeared on his lips: "Hmph, I thought Shen Rulan was so capable, but it turns out she's just someone who can't take much of a beating. She's already this sick just from dealing with some salt permits. It seems she might not be able to hold onto the Shen family's business for long."

Madam Liu handed a cup of hot tea to Shen Keqin, her tone tinged with worry: "Master, you can't say that. No matter how ill Shen Rulan is, she is still the old lady's beloved granddaughter, and the power of the Shen family is still in her hands. Let's not think about it too much, lest the old lady finds out and punishes us again."

"Punishment?" Shen Keqin took the teacup, gently blew on it to cool it, and a calculating glint flashed in his eyes. "The old lady is getting old and her energy is not what it used to be. Now that Shen Rulan is ill, the Shen family's business can't just remain unmanaged, can it? I am the second master of the Shen family. In terms of seniority and experience, it should be me who helps manage the family business. If something really happens to Shen Rulan, can the Shen family's assets really fall into the hands of outsiders?"

He paused, then continued, "Haven't you heard? These past few days, several of the elders in the clan have been discussing that Shen Rulan is young and frail, and probably can't shoulder the burden of the Shen family. I need to go and visit them more often, have a good talk with them, and let them know that I, Shen Keqin, am also capable of managing the Shen family's business."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of expectation flashed in Madam Liu's eyes: "What you say is true, sir! If you can take charge of the household, our Zhiwei will also have a bright future and won't have to put up with Shen Rulan's attitude anymore. But... I'm afraid the old lady won't give in so easily, will she?"

"I have a way to deal with the old lady." Shen Keqin put down his teacup and stood up. "She values ​​the Shen family's business the most. As long as I can prove that I have the ability to protect the family business, she will naturally consider it. You wait at home, I'll go and talk to the clan elders." After saying that, he straightened his clothes and hurriedly left the side courtyard.

Unbeknownst to him, his scheme had already been observed by the guards of the Shen family, who were secretly watching, and would soon reach the ears of Old Madam Shen.

Inside the study of the Salt Transport Commissioner, Zhao Dexian was holding a document on salt tax collection, listening to his clerk report on the tax payment situation of the salt merchants in Yangzhou.

When the clerk mentioned that Shen Rulan had missed signing some salt tax documents due to illness, Zhao Dexian put down the documents, a hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes: "Oh? That boy from the Shen family is sick? Is he seriously ill? Is he really sick, or is he pretending to be sick in order to bargain over the next salt tax collection?"

The clerk bowed and said, "According to my inquiries, Shen Rulan is indeed ill, and quite seriously so. The servants in the Shen household also say that their young master has a severe cough, sometimes even coughing up blood, and he has lost a lot of weight, even having to force himself to handle affairs. However... Shen Rulan has always been meticulous, so we cannot rule out the possibility that he is faking illness. After all, this year's salt tax quota is 10% higher than last year, and he may be trying to use this to delay paying taxes."

Zhao Dexian stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, "Whether he's really sick or faking it, we need to find out. Send someone to the Shen residence to investigate. Tell them that I heard Young Master Shen is seriously ill and I specifically asked you to send some nourishing herbs to check on his condition. If he's really sick, that's perfect—without Shen Rulan in charge, the landscape of the Yangzhou salt market is likely to change. We can take this opportunity to manipulate a few more salt merchants and make some profits. If he's faking it, then we need to give him a good talking-to and let him know that he can't delay the salt tax."

"Yes! I'll arrange it right away!" the clerk replied with a bow, then turned and left the study.

Zhao Dexian looked out the window, a calculating smile playing on his lips.

He always enjoyed seeing the Shen family in trouble. The stronger the Shen family was, the harder it was for him to profit from them. If Shen Rulan really fell, the Shen family would be leaderless, and other salt merchants would definitely try to curry favor with him in order to compete for profits. At that time, he could reap huge profits. Why not?

Inside a branch of the Yong Sheng Escort Agency in the capital. Lin Xiao had just successfully handed over the "Tong De Chang" brocade to the officials of the Imperial Textile Bureau when he immediately began to inquire about the Cao family's movements.

Following her father Lin Zhennan's instructions, she found a fellow Yangzhou native, Eunuch Li, who worked in the Imperial Household Department.

Eunuch Li is from Yangzhou. He entered the palace to work in his early years due to poverty. Now he is in charge of purchasing in the Imperial Household Department. He has had several interactions with Yongsheng Escort Agency and is quite polite to Lin Xiao.

After the two met at the teahouse, Lin Xiao got straight to the point and asked Eunuch Li about the current situation of the Cao family, the Jiangning Textile Bureau.

Eunuch Li took a sip of tea and lowered his voice, saying, "Miss Lin, to be honest, the Cao family hasn't been doing well these past few years. In the early years, when Lord Cao Yin was in power, the Cao family enjoyed the Emperor's favor. But in recent years, the Cao family's descendants have mismanaged the business, and the Jiangning Textile Bureau's deficit has grown larger and larger. They've even embezzled public funds and have been impeached by the censors several times. Although the Emperor hasn't openly punished them, he's quite displeased. In recent procurements, he's reduced the share allocated to the Cao family and instead handed it over to other textile bureaus."

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, "What about Young Master Cao Jin? Has he been making any moves in the capital lately?"

“Cao Jin?” Eunuch Li shook his head, his tone tinged with disdain. “That kid is just a spoiled brat. In the capital, all he does is eat, drink, and have fun, and scheme around, looking for opportunities to make money. Not long ago, he even asked someone to contact the Imperial Household Department, wanting to get involved in the Yangzhou salt affairs, but unfortunately, no one was willing to help him—everyone knows that the Cao family is in a delicate situation now, and no one wants to get involved with them, lest they get burned.”

After hearing this, Lin Xiao understood. She quickly took out some silver and handed it to Eunuch Li: "Thank you for informing me, Eunuch Li. Please accept this small token of my appreciation."

Eunuch Li declined for a moment, but eventually accepted the money: "Miss Lin, you're too kind. We're from the same hometown, so it's only right that we look out for each other. Don't worry, I'll let you know as soon as the Cao family makes any new moves."

After leaving the teahouse, Lin Xiao immediately returned to the branch of the escort agency, picked up her pen and wrote a letter, informing her father, Lin Zhennan, in detail about the Cao family's declining favor, serious financial losses, and Cao Jin's attempts to curry favor in the capital but to no avail. She asked him to pass the news on to the Shen family as soon as possible—she knew that this news might alleviate some of the pressure from the Cao family on Shen Rulan.

Lotus Lane - Su Family Courtyard

Thanks to that old ginseng, Su Wenyuan's condition finally improved, and he was able to sit up occasionally to drink a bowl of porridge.

Feeling somewhat relieved, Su Moqing took on a small job that day, drawing silk patterns for "Moxiangzhai," hoping to earn more money to buy some nourishing ingredients for her father.

"Moxianzhai" is located in a bustling area of ​​Yangzhou City, and the shop is always busy with customers and the business is booming.

When Su Moqing entered the shop, Manager Chen was chatting with a regular customer. Seeing her come in, he greeted her with a smile, "Miss Su, you've arrived? Have you finished drawing the peony pattern I asked you to draw last time?"

"Manager Chen, the drawing is finished, I've brought it to you." Su Moqing handed over the drawing, about to explain the design in detail, when she heard the old customer sigh and say, "Manager Chen, have you heard? The young master of the Shen family has been quite ill lately!"

Su Moqing stopped abruptly, nearly dropping the sketch in her hand. She instinctively pricked up her ears, listening to their conversation.

Shopkeeper Chen asked in surprise, "Really? Young Master Shen is so promising, how could he suddenly fall ill?"

"Of course it's true!" the old customer whispered. "My neighbor works at the Shen residence. He said that young master Shen has been coughing badly these past few days, sometimes even coughing up blood, and he's become so thin he's practically unrecognizable. He also said that the physician Wang at the Shen residence has been examining him for quite some time, but he hasn't been able to find a specific cause. He only said it was due to overwork and prescribed some yin-nourishing and lung-moistening remedies, but he hasn't gotten any better after taking them. Alas, it's truly a case of heaven being jealous of talent. The Shen family's vast fortune all depends on him!"

Su Moqing felt as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping her heart, causing her so much pain that she could hardly breathe.

She recalled the last time she saw Shen Rulan in the Shen family's library. Although he looked tired, he was still gentle and composed. She remembered the warm touch on his fingertips when he took the calming tea. She remembered the peace and appreciation in his eyes when he watched her paint. How could someone like that suddenly become so ill?

"Miss Su? Miss Su?" Manager Chen saw Su Moqing standing there, pale-faced, and quickly called out, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Su Moqing snapped out of her daze and forced a smile: "Manager Chen, I'm fine, it's just... I suddenly remembered that my father is waiting for me to go back and brew medicine, so I'll take my leave now." As she spoke, she hurriedly took the wages handed to her by Manager Chen and left "Moxiangzhai" almost as if she were escaping.

On her way home, Su Moqing's mind was filled with the words of that old customer, and the image of Shen Rulan coughing up blood and growing thinner by the day lingered in her mind.

She didn't know what she could do, so she could only pray silently in her heart that he would recover soon.

Another half month passed, and Shen Rulan's illness not only did not improve, but became more and more serious.

She was no longer able to handle affairs as usual, and could only rest in bed most of the time. Occasionally, she would need Rong Momo's help to get up.

The cough became more and more frequent, and the amount of blood he coughed up increased. The brocade robe that used to fit him well now looked loose on him, and he was so thin that he was just skin and bones.

Doctor Wang from the manor came countless times, and each time he shook his head and sighed after taking Shen Rulan's pulse, saying that she was "overworked, with liver and lung heat, and yin deficiency causing coughing up blood." He prescribed one prescription after another, but it was never effective.

Rong Momo was so anxious that she developed blisters on her lips. She stayed by Shen Rulan's side day and night, personally preparing and feeding her medicine, and even went to the temple outside the city to pray for her, but Shen Rulan's condition still did not improve.

That afternoon, Shen Rulan felt unusually well. She dismissed her attendants and, with Rong Mama's help, slowly walked to the library—one of the few places where she could feel at peace. She wanted to stay there for a while, hoping it would soothe her mood.

The library remained quiet, sunlight filtering through the windows and casting dappled shadows on the floor.

On the painting table, Su Moqing's last completed "Peony Painting" was still there, covered with a thin layer of dust.

Shen Rulan walked to the painting table and reached out to brush away the dust, but suddenly a violent cough struck her.

She quickly steadied herself on the painting table, bent over, and coughed violently, feeling as if her chest was being cut by a knife.

With no one around to pat her back, she had to tough it out on her own until she coughed until her vision blurred before she gradually calmed down.

She raised her hand, looking at the bloodstains on her fingertips, and for the first time, a deep sense of helplessness and fear appeared in her eyes—this illness was too strange, it didn't seem like an ordinary illness, but rather like...poisoning?

Who wanted to harm her? Was it Zhao Dexian, trying to control the Shen family? Was it Cao Jin, seeking revenge for the disastrous defeat in the salt permit dispute? Or... were people within the family fighting for the family fortune? Countless thoughts swirled in her mind, making her feel an unprecedented loneliness and coldness.

Just then, Shen Rulan glanced out the window and saw Su Moqing carrying a food box, being led by a maid towards the back door. He must have come to deliver a newly completed drawing, and perhaps, having heard of her serious illness, didn't dare disturb her and wanted to leave quietly.

Su Moqing also saw Shen Rulan inside the window.

Even from a distance, she could clearly see Shen Rulan's pale face, thin figure, and the weariness and vulnerability in her eyes. Her heart clenched, and she involuntarily stopped in her tracks.

Their eyes met; one looked weak and powerless, the other filled with worry.

Shen Rulan wanted to smile at her to show that she was alright, but she was interrupted by a cough as soon as she opened her mouth.

Su Moqing could no longer care about etiquette. She quickly walked to the window, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly: "Young Master... how could your illness be so serious?"

Shen Rulan barely managed to stop coughing, her voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible: "It's nothing...cough cough...just a minor ailment...it'll be fine in a few days." As she spoke, she couldn't help but cough again, clearly forcing herself to stay awake.

Looking at her like this, Su Moqing felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.

She suddenly remembered the fritillaria and loquat syrup she had made at home, which was said to be very good for coughs, so she quickly handed the food box through the window: "Young master, this is the fritillaria and loquat syrup I made, using the best fritillaria and loquat. Perhaps it can help soothe your throat... Please try it." She knew that her actions were somewhat abrupt, but at this moment, she only wanted to do something for him.

Shen Rulan looked at the food box, then at the pure worry in Su Moqing's eyes outside the window. A crack seemed to appear in the corner of her heart that had been frozen by suspicion.

She slowly reached out and took the food box. The warmth of the food box touched her fingertips, and she felt a long-lost sense of warmth.

"Thank you... Miss Su." Her voice was soft, but sincere.

Su Moqing felt a little relieved as she watched her take the food box. She gave Shen Rulan a deep look, then curtsied and said, "Young Master, please take good care of yourself. I'll take my leave now." With that, she turned and hurriedly left—she was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would burst into tears.

Shen Rulan held the food box, gazing in the direction where Su Moqing had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.

In this time of severe illness and besieged on all sides, this insignificant act of care became her only solace.

When Rong Mama arrived at the library, she saw Shen Rulan staring intently at the bottle of Sichuan fritillary bulb and loquat syrup. Her heart tightened, and she quickly stepped forward, cautiously asking, "Young Master, where did this loquat syrup come from?"

"It was sent by Miss Su." Shen Rulan raised her head, her voice tinged with weariness.

Rong Momo's expression instantly turned serious. She looked at the bottle of loquat syrup with wariness in her eyes: "Young Master, we appreciate Miss Su's kindness, but your illness is unusual, so we must be extremely careful with anything you ingest! The origin of this loquat syrup is unknown. Who knows if there's anything wrong with it? Let me have it tested to make sure it's safe before you use it, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Rulan suddenly looked up at Rong Mama, her sharp gaze making Rong Mama's heart skip a beat: "Does Mama suspect Miss Su? Suspect that she will harm me?" There was a hint of protectiveness in her tone that she herself did not realize.

Rong Mama's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly said, "This old servant wouldn't dare! But... young master, your illness came on so strangely! We must be careful! We must be extremely cautious about everything you put in your mouth!"

Shen Rulan fell silent. She knew that Rong Momo was right.

She closed her eyes wearily and handed the loquat syrup to Rong Mama: "...Take it for testing." But a strange sense of loss lingered in her heart.