Chapter 26

After all the commotion last night, Yun Kai was exhausted and ready to sleep in this morning. However, at first light, the servant came to report Yue Ming's condition. He said that something looked wrong with Miss La, but he hesitated to explain what was wrong.

Yunkai thought Yueming's condition had worsened, so he quickly threw off the quilt and stood up, calling Feng Xiaosai to fetch a doctor. Without even bothering to change his clothes, he hurried to Yueming's room in his slippers.

As soon as she entered the room, she saw the maid who took care of her last night kneeling in front of the bed. Yueming was sitting safely on the wooden bed, with her back to everyone, holding the milk powder can, crying and eating the milk powder with a spoon.

What's going on? No wonder that servant is hesitant. What's wrong with this? This is very wrong!

He raised his voice and asked, "Lan Yueming, what are you doing?"

Yueming turned around at the sound; the fever must have still not subsided. Her face was flushed, and her dry, slightly scorching lips were stained with milk powder. Seeing it was him, Yueming's eyes moved slightly. Though misty, her crystalline eyes held a deep gaze, one that seemed aggrieved and resentful. A myriad of emotions finally morphed into a pitiful, "I'm hungry."

Yun Kai shook his body slightly. Although Lan Yueming looked miserable, he was so dumb and funny that he almost wanted to punch the wall and laugh wildly.

He suppressed his laughter and asked the maid kneeling on the ground: "Young lady is hungry, why don't you bring her food and let her eat that thing?"

The maidservant put her head to the ground and said, "Sister Aiyu has already gone to get it, but the young lady insisted on eating it... This maidservant... This maidservant has no choice."

The servants were so frightened by Yunkai last night that they didn't dare to disobey Yueming at all. They took spoons when she asked them to, opened cabinets when she asked them to, and milk powder cans when she asked them to.

Yunkai was helpless and walked to the bedside and said to Yueming in a gentle voice: "This dry milk powder will choke you if you eat it too much! Don't eat it. I'll ask the servants to make some for you." After saying that, he reached out to take the milk powder can.

Yueming turned her head and sideways to avoid his hand, hugging the milk powder can tightly, sobbing and scooping a large spoonful of milk powder into her mouth. She coughed because of the milk powder in her mouth. The whole bed was filled with pink mist, and Yunkai quickly dodged, covering his face.

Looking at the milk powder all over the bed, Yueming cried even more sadly.

Listening to Yueming's piercing sobs, Yunkai didn't want to let go of his hands covering his face. How could he comfort her? How could he comfort her?!

Soon Yueming's sobs became trembling. Seeing that she was about to pass out from crying, Yunkai reluctantly chose a place on the bed that was not affected by the milk powder and sat down. He patted her shoulder and said, "Didn't you say you were hungry? How come you still have the energy to cry? Just tell me what you want to eat, and I'll ask the servants to make it for you."

Yueming sniffed and looked up at him with tears in her eyes: "Really? Anything is possible?"

Yun Kai nodded: "Just tell me what you want to eat."

Yueming said hopefully, "I want to drink salt water."

This damn child, last night he had a fever and looked so dazed and weak, and when he woke up, he was even more mischievous than the Third Wife. Yun Kai glared at her, "No, I can give you a bowl of salt water with bamboo sticks."

Yueming pouted and was about to cry again when Aiyu came in carrying a lunch box. Seeing a room full of people kneeling and standing was very strange. But the atmosphere in the room was not very good and she didn't want to say anything more. She smiled at Yueming and said, "Miss, you must be waiting impatiently. The kitchen made beef soup today. You can't eat anything too greasy now. I spent some time skimming the oil."

After saying that, she opened the lid of the box. The aroma of beef soup made Yueming forget crying and the salty soda. She stretched her head to look at the steaming bowl of soup. She was hungry after not having eaten for two meals, and she couldn't help licking her lips when she smelled the aroma.

Seeing Yueming calmed down, Yunkai breathed a sigh of relief. However, seeing the maids just kneeling there blankly after Yueming had caused such a commotion was also a bit irritating. He said angrily, "What are you standing there for? Don't you know how to change the young lady's blanket? Young Master, I'm hungry too. Go get me some food."

Ai Yu served Yueming very carefully. She was afraid that Yueming would catch a cold early in the morning, so she asked the little maid to wrap her in the quilt again and let her lean against the head of the bed. She wrapped a cloth around her and fed her soup one spoonful at a time.

Although Yueming was hungry, his fever hadn't subsided yet, so he didn't have much of an appetite. He drank a few sips and couldn't finish the drink. He shook his head and said he didn't want to eat anymore and wanted to sleep.

Yunkai was eating breakfast at the table. Large pieces of beef were placed on rice noodles, sprinkled with lots of celery and chili peppers. He was sweating all over after eating.

He was eating happily, but Lan Yueming was like a sick Xi Shi. She lay down again after taking two bites, so he didn't dare to slurp the rice noodles too loudly.

When Feng Xiaosai brought the doctor in, Yueming became drowsy again.

The doctor was surprised to see Yunkai eating breakfast in Yueming's room in his pajamas early in the morning. He couldn't help but take a few more glances at him, wondering about the relationship between Yunkai and Yueming.

Yun Kai was a little displeased when he saw that the doctor didn't go to treat Yue Ming, but just glanced at him here and there. He threw down his chopsticks and said in a deep voice: "Doctor, please go see Miss Lan first!"

The doctor finally came to his senses, as if waking from a dream: "Oh...oh, okay!"

Feng Xiaosai brought a stool to the bedside, and Ai Yu took Yueming's hand out from under the covers. The doctor sat down and placed his fingers on Yueming's wrist, carefully feeling her pulse.

After a while, he put down his hand and said to Yun Kai, "Miss's fever is not as severe as it was last night. She should be fine after taking a few doses of medicine. Just remember to eat light food for the next two days. Once the fever subsides, make sure to give Miss some tonic food. She will recover soon."

Yunkai asked Feng Xiaosai to take the doctor out. He was full and ready to go back to his room to catch up on some sleep. Just as he reached the door, Yueming suddenly said, "Don't leave."

Yunkai turned around and saw Yueming lying on the bed, looking at him with open eyes: "Don't leave, I'm scared."

Yun Kai asked, "What are you afraid of?"

A pair of eyes filled with tears: "I'm afraid that the man covered with white cloth will chase me."

She had been truly frightened yesterday. Yun Kai sighed helplessly and resigned himself to having his maid wait for Feng Xiaosai to return and bring him a book from his room. He also had the round stool in front of the bed replaced with an armchair. He sat in the armchair and said to Yue Ming, "Go to sleep. I won't leave."

After hearing her assurance, Yueming closed his eyes and fell asleep with peace of mind.

As Feng Xiaosai entered the room, book in hand, he saw his young master fast asleep in an armchair, his head resting against the bunk bed. Looking at the sleeping young master and Miss Lan, he gently placed the book on the table and left.

Ai Yu was about to go in with a plate of pastries when she was stopped by Feng Xiaosai.

He smiled at Ai Yu and said, "Sister, you've been busy all night and you've worked hard. Go back and rest! I'll take care of you here!"

Ai Yu was indeed tired after taking care of Yueming all night, but she didn't dare go back without the second young master's order. She said to Feng Xiaochong: "It's hard to talk about how hard it is to take care of the master. Besides, how can a man like you take care of a young lady? You'd better serve the second young master well!" After saying that, she was about to go into the house.

Feng Xiaosai stretched out his arm to block the doorway: "Even if you're not tired, you still have to go and tell the Third Miss, right? She's afraid and worried about Miss Lan. Don't worry, I have other sisters who I can't take care of!"

Feng Xiaosai's repeated obstructions made Ai Yu suspicious. What was going on inside that kept her from entering? What was the Second Young Master doing in there? But she was a person who knew the situation very well. Feng Xiaosai's daring to stop him must have been the Second Young Master's intention. She never went against her master.

He smiled brightly at Feng Xiaosai, handed him the plate of cakes and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Feng Xiaosai took it with a smile: "Just like my sister said, taking care of the master is not about whether it is hard or not. Sister, take care."

Ai Yu left, full of doubts. Feng Xiaosai stood at the door, holding a plate. It had rained last night, and the morning after the rain was filled with the rich scent of grass and trees. Feng Xiaosai took a deep breath and said, "It's springtime!"

On the small red clay stove in the kitchen, a maid, temporarily assigned to serve Yueming, fanned herself over the simmering medicine. The boiling soup made the lid flap, and the liquid overflowed from the crack in the lid.

She lifted the lid with a cloth under her hand, and the bitter stench of Chinese medicine drifted into the kitchen along with the steam. A cook scolded, "Can't you pour the medicine out? You've filled the whole house with the smell of medicine."

Another cook quickly pulled her arm and whispered, "It's Miss Lan's medicine."

When she heard that the dish was cooked for Yueming, the cursing cook fell silent and continued to cut her vegetables awkwardly.

The maid placed a small piece of bamboo juice on the empty bowl, separated the medicine residue, and then put the bowl on a tray and brought it to Yueming.

From a distance, Feng Xiaosai at the door could smell the scent of medicinal soup.

He asked the maid, "Is this Miss Lan's medicine?"

The maid nodded and said, "The doctor ordered that Miss Lan drink it immediately after it's cooked."

"Wait a moment." Feng Xiaosai turned and went into the room, waking up Yun Kai who was sleeping soundly against the bedpost: "Second Young Master, Second Young Master."

Yunkai opened his eyes, and just as he tried to move, his neck felt so stiff it didn't feel like his own. He thought to himself, I must have been exhausted last night, to be able to fall asleep like this.

He rubbed the back of his aching neck and asked Feng Xiaosai, "What's the matter?"

"Miss Lan, it's time to take your medicine."

Yun Kai wanted to say, "Then give her the medicine!" But he suddenly remembered that it would be bad if someone saw him sleeping in Yue Ming's room. He stood up and turned his neck to Feng Xiaochong: "Let them come in and help the young lady drink the medicine."

The maid brought in the medicine and saw Yueming still sound asleep. She wanted to wake her up to take the medicine, but she was afraid she would get angry if she was suddenly woken up, and the Second Young Master would probably have a tantrum. She didn't want to wake her, but the doctor instructed her to drink it as soon as it was ready.

Han Yunkai didn't know that the maid was in a dilemma. Seeing her standing blankly in front of the bed, he went to call Yueming.

Perhaps because she knew someone was with her, Yueming slept very soundly. Yunkai hesitated for a moment when he saw that she was sleeping soundly and deeply, then looked at her face which was pale. The disease came like a mountain and the illness was like a thread being pulled out. She had to take medicine, so he reached out and pushed her awake.

"Lan Yueming, Lan Yueming, get up and take your medicine."

Yueming was a little unhappy when she was disturbed while sleeping. She opened her eyes a little and said to Yunkai, "I don't want to eat. I want to sleep." After that, she turned over and continued to sleep with her back to him.

Yun Kai almost laughed out of anger. He pulled her blanket and scolded her, "Do you think you can stop taking medicine just because you say you don't want to? Do you think it's like eating cake?"

Yueming opened his eyes suddenly upon hearing this, turned over and propped himself up, then asked excitedly, "What did you say? After taking the medicine, I can eat the cake?"

Yun Kai clutched her blanket, stunned. When had he said that? He hadn't. It was impossible. He wanted to lash out at her, "You're dreaming!" But her eyes, now darker than ever due to her illness, stared at him with hope, and he couldn't bring himself to say anything.

"Hmm... well, it's a little hard to eat this right after taking the medicine, but I can let you eat it within today. But it can only be egg cake, not cream."

After hearing Yunkai's assurance, Yueming, who was still a little sick, immediately felt refreshed. She sat up and waved to the maid who was carrying the medicine: "Bring it here!"

Although the maid didn't understand what Yueming said, she understood when he beckoned her. She walked to Yueming's bedside, knelt down, and held the tray high. After Yueming brought the medicine, she stood up, went to the table, poured a glass of water, and stood by the bed, waiting.

Yueming held the medicine bowl and looked at the dark bitter liquid in the bowl. She made up her mind and closed her eyes and brought the bowl to her mouth. A burst of astringent and smelly Chinese medicine rushed into her nose. Yueming felt nauseous and opened her mouth three times but didn't have the courage to drink it.

Yun Kai looked impatient and threatened, "Lan Yueming, why are you dawdling? If you still want to eat the cake, drink the medicine quickly. You think your family runs a pharmacy, and it's so difficult for you to drink a bowl of medicine."

Yueming was unconvinced. Just because her family ran a pharmacy, did this bowl of medicine taste as good as soda or juice? She lost her temper, holding the medicine bowl with a pout, her head turned away, not looking at anyone.

Seeing her like this, Han Yunkai almost wanted to call for a golden bamboo stick so he could give her a beating himself. He mentally warned himself that she was still a child, and he couldn't afford to argue with one. He calmed down and coaxed her softly, "Don't think of this as medicine; think of it as coffee without sugar."

Yueming turned her head and looked at him timidly: "But I want milk in my coffee."

Yun Kai choked, his patience instantly running out. Unable to bear it any longer, he rolled up his sleeves and prepared to pry open her mouth and pour the liquid into her himself.

Yueming saw that Yunkai looked upset and was rubbing his hands together as if about to get violent. He quickly understood the situation and said, "I'll drink it right away, right away." After saying that, he raised the medicine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

This child is really a little Chaba worm (1), it really tests one's patience.

The medicine was so bitter to drink, and she hadn't eaten properly in the past two days. She began to retch after drinking the medicine, and the maid quickly handed her a cup of water to rinse her mouth.

Yueming rinsed his mouth and spat into the spittoon. He cleared his throat and said to Yunkai, "Give me the prescription the doctor gave me. I'll take the medicine myself according to its properties. I really can't eat this medicine. It's too disgusting."

Yun Kai didn't agree to her request and told Feng Xiaochong: "Go to Shengweixuan and borrow a chef who can make egg cakes. Tell him directly that it's for Miss Lan."

Yueming was very touched to see that Yunkai kept his word and said to him, "If you get sick in the future, you don't have to go to the doctor. I have medicine for you."

Yun Kai said to her with a forced smile, "Thank you, I appreciate it. You can keep it for yourself!"

Yueming didn't care about his attitude, pursed her lips and said to him: "Thank you!"

Yun Kai thought she was going to retaliate sharply, but instead, she just said thank you. He paused for a moment and said to her, "Why thank me? These slaves should have been punished long ago. I just used you as an excuse to give them a good beating. It's not just for you."

The maidservant, seeing Yueming had regained her spirits, went to open the window and let her in some fresh air. It had rained while Yueming was asleep. She propped up the window with a pole and saw the flowers and trees in front of her window. The rain had washed them even greener. The camellias, in full bloom, were covered in dewdrops, glistening in the sun, a scene of exquisite beauty.

Yueming lowered her eyes, her long, thick lashes covering her pupils. Yunkai couldn't see her expression, but he only heard her whisper, "How can I not thank you? No matter what the reason, you helped me, I have to appreciate it."

Hearing her say this, Yun Kai thought of Ye Nan who was beaten so badly that she couldn't get out of bed, and felt a little embarrassed. He touched his nose and asked sheepishly, "The first person I dealt with was your maid, aren't you angry?"

She heard Ye Nan crying in a daze last night, and when she didn't see her come to serve her this morning, she vaguely guessed that Ye Nan must have been punished.

She looked up at him and said, "I don't speak the language in this mansion. I can't speak or hear. I'm completely in the dark about everything I do. Even though I know my maids aren't serving me well enough and that Third Madam is humiliating me, I can't do anything about it. I thought I'd have to be miserable forever, but you helped me out, even at the cost of offending Third Madam. I'm only grateful to you. How could I be angry about you helping me teach my servants?"

He had thought she was young and ignorant, and would only cry when faced with problems, but he had never imagined she would say something like this, putting him on a pedestal from which he couldn't get down. He couldn't just say, "The Third Madam always opposes my own mother, and I've wanted to deal with her for a long time."

Accepting this thank you felt a bit guilty, but not accepting it would actually offend the Third Madam on her behalf. He placed his hands on his knees, lowered his head, and pondered for a moment before changing the subject: "It must be very boring for you to recuperate. I have some novels. I'll have Feng Xiaosai bring them to you later. Have a good rest, and I'll come see you tomorrow."

After saying that, he stood up and made a move to leave, but Yueming called out to him, "Wait a minute."

Yun Kai looked at her and asked, "Are you still afraid of being chased by someone covered in white cloth?"

She was still afraid, but that wasn't the most important thing right now. Yueming shook her head: "There's medicine in the cabinet. I want you to bring it to Ye Nan for me. This shouldn't bother you, but these maids can't understand me."

Yun Kai chuckled: "You yourself are seriously ill, and you still have the time to care about her? If she had done her duty, you wouldn't be in this state?"

Yueming looked at him and said, "She should be punished for doing something wrong, but she should also be given a chance to correct her mistakes. Please tell her to come back when she's healed!"

Yunkai recalled that even Han schools, like foreign ones, taught freedom, democracy, and equality. Lan Yueming said he was right to punish her, but in his heart he treated the maidservant as his equal. How could such thinking work in Yun Xiang? It was simply the naivety of a young girl.

He suddenly found Lan Yueming interesting.

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