Chapter 244 Yongfu Likes Gu Xian
Xiao Yeming walked out of the heavy gate of the Yongjia Marquis's mansion. The afternoon autumn sun fell on him, but it could not dispel the melancholy between his brows.
He looked up and saw that Lu Zhaoruo's carriage had not left; she was standing quietly beside it, clearly waiting for him.
Seeing him come out, Lu Zhaoruo quickly went to greet him, her eyes filled with undisguised worry: "General Xiao, Master Gu, he..."
"It's tuberculosis."
Xiao Yeming interrupted her, his voice low and hoarse, carrying a deep weariness, "I already knew."
Lu Zhaoruo was slightly taken aback.
Xiao Yeming's gaze passed over her, looking deep into the mansion, as if he could penetrate through the layers of buildings and see his friend who was still forcing a smile.
“At the celebration banquet that day, when he was trying to keep up his spirits and joke around, I noticed that he was not breathing properly and his complexion was terrible.”
He paused, his hand clenching slightly in his sleeve. "That's just his personality. He seems unserious on the surface, and he's better at joking than anyone else. But no matter how big the problem is, he'll keep it all bottled up inside and bear it all alone."
"Afterwards, I was still worried, so I sent someone to find the doctor who had examined his pulse."
Xiao Yeming withdrew his gaze and looked at Lu Zhaoruo with a pained expression. "I just found out that he has contracted the same 'dry blood tuberculosis' as his mother did back then... The doctor said that this disease... this disease has reached the point of no return, and medicine is ineffective. I'm afraid... he won't survive this winter."
He practically choked out the last few words.
The autumn wind swept by, carrying a withered leaf and adding a touch of desolation.
Looking at the deep pain in the man before her, Lu Zhaoruo understood.
It turned out that he had already seen through everything. His visit today was not a coincidence, but a special visit because he was concerned about the safety of his dear friend.
The two of them, one knowing the ending of their past life and the other discovering the cause of their current illness, shared this cruel secret in such a heavy way.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month has passed.
As autumn deepens, the weather in Beijing takes on a chilly and desolate feel.
Lu Zhaoruo devoted herself entirely to the affairs of "Yunshang Pavilion".
The embroidery business was booming, and orders from noble ladies were pouring in. Every day, she had to personally oversee the patterns, select the fabrics, and instruct the embroiderers, keeping her so busy that she was almost overwhelmed.
This busyness is partly to gain a foothold, and perhaps also to temporarily suppress the helplessness and worry in my heart regarding Gu Xian's illness.
Xiao Yeming would come occasionally, sometimes accompanying Madam Xiao, and sometimes stopping by on his day off.
Most of the time, he would just sit quietly in the side hall, watching her discuss matters with the shopkeeper, or sipping a cup of tea, without saying much.
But Lu Zhaoruo could always keenly sense that there was an inescapable melancholy between his brows, making him appear even more aloof and distant than before.
She knew in her heart where this sorrow came from.
Xiao Yeming may seem cold and taciturn, but he is actually loyal, righteous, and very thoughtful.
His current state must mean that he is constantly worried about the illness of his close friend in the Yongjia Marquis's residence.
She visited him the day before yesterday. Ah Bao learned from Ah Sha that General Xiao had been visiting her almost every day these days, sometimes staying for half a day.
This silent concern and frequent visits speak volumes more than any words about Gu Xian's importance in his heart.
Two close friends, one forcing a smile while ill, the other burning with worry outside the sickbed, both deeply concealed their true emotions.
The next day.
Princess Yongfu was resting in a private room on the second floor of Yunshang Pavilion, where Lu Zhaoruo was taking her measurements for a dress.
The streets outside the window were bustling, and Yongfu looked out the window listlessly.
Just then, Gu Xian, feeling bored at home and with his condition slightly improved, took Ah Sha out for a walk to get some fresh air and relieve his boredom.
He strolled aimlessly and unknowingly walked to the streets near Yunshang Pavilion.
Yongfu's gaze inadvertently swept across the window and suddenly stopped.
She saw the young master of the Gu family, who had captivated her at the Xiao family's victory celebration banquet, standing in front of a bird stall, dressed in a slightly thin scarlet robe and accompanied by his big dog, Ah Sha.
He leaned slightly forward, seemingly pointing something out to Ah Sha. His profile looked exceptionally handsome in the autumn sunlight, despite his pale, sickly appearance.
"It's Young Master Gu!"
Yongfu exclaimed in surprise, and without even bothering to measure the clothes, she lifted her skirt and ran downstairs quickly.
Lu Zhaoruo watched her excited back and smiled helplessly, without stopping her.
Yongfu ran to the side of the street, calmed his breathing a little, and then walked forward with feigned composure: "Young Master Gu, what a coincidence!"
Gu Xian turned his head upon hearing the voice and saw that it was Yongfu. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he gracefully cupped his hands in greeting: "So it is Your Highness. What a coincidence."
Ah Sha affectionately leaned over and rubbed against the hem of her skirt.
Yongfu squatted down and patted Asha, then looked up at Gu Xian and smiled, "I'm getting new clothes made at Sister Lu's place. Are you here to see Sister Lu too?"
“No,” Gu Xian shook his head slightly, pointing to the birdcage with his folding fan, “I was just wandering around and happened to pass by.”
He spoke gently, yet maintained an appropriate distance.
"This little bird is so beautiful!"
Yongfu's attention was drawn to the birds on the stall again. "Their calls are so beautiful!"
Seeing her innocent and carefree nature, Gu Xian became more interested in talking and said with a light smile, "This bird is called a white-eye. Its call is clear and beautiful, and it is indeed lovely."
He paused, a hint of melancholy in his voice, "It's a pity that although being in a cage is nice, you ultimately lose your freedom."
Yongfu seemed to understand but not quite, only finding that Young Master Gu's manner of speaking was handsome, even his faint melancholy seemed exceptionally charming.
She blinked and said, "Then let's put it down?"
Gu Xian was amused by her childlike words, and the gloom on his face eased a little: "Your Highness is kind. However, it has become accustomed to the food and clothing in the cage, and if it is suddenly released, it may not be able to survive."
The two chatted for a while on the street, mostly with Yongfu asking questions out of curiosity and Gu Xian answering with elegance.
He coughed a few times before taking his leave, saying, "Your Highness, the autumn wind is getting chilly. You should return to your residence soon. I should also go back now."
Although Yongfu was reluctant, he still nodded obediently: "Then... Young Master Gu, you should wear more clothes too!"
Watching Gu Xian's slender figure turn and leave with Ah Sha, Yongfu's heart pounded even faster.
She stared blankly for a while, then suddenly seemed to remember something important. Her eyes lit up, and she turned and ran quickly back to the bird stall.
"Boss, I want to buy this bird!"
She pointed to the white-eye bird in the cage that Gu Xian had just praised, her voice clear and melodious.
"Alright! You have a good eye, young lady. This bird is very clever!"
The stall owner hurriedly took down the birdcage and offered it to the vendor.
Yongfu carefully took the small birdcage, looked at the emerald bird hopping inside, and recalled Gu Xian's gentle manner when he said its "song was clear and lovely," and his cheeks couldn't help but blush again.
She whispered to the little bird, "You're the bird he praised, I'll take you back."
She gave them the money, picked up the birdcage, and returned to Yunshang Pavilion with a joyful heart.
When Lu Zhaoruo saw her return so quickly, carrying a birdcage, she couldn't help but smile: "What new gadget has Your Highness taken a fancy to this time?"
Yongfu gently placed the birdcage on the coffee table by the window, her eyes crinkling with a mixture of shyness and pride: "Sister Lu, this is the bird that Young Master Gu just praised! He said its song is beautiful!"
Her tone was filled with the simple joy of "I like what he likes too".
Lu Zhaoruo was incredibly intelligent. Just by looking at Yongfu's expression, she knew that this young lady's heart was completely set on Gu Xian.
Looking at the caged bird, then at the innocent and naive Yongfu before her, and then at Gu Xian's hidden illness that was already nearing its end, a complex mix of sorrow and pity welled up in her heart.
This nascent, beautiful, and hazy affection will likely end up as a fleeting, dreamlike illusion.
She showed no sign of it on her face, but smiled gently and said, "Yes, this bird is indeed very lively. I'm glad Your Highness likes it."
Yongfu gently tapped the birdcage and whispered to the white-eye inside, "You are the bird he praised. From now on, your name will be 'Gu Pan'! Remember, it was that 'Gu' gentleman who 'pan'ed for your freedom."
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