Chapter 7: Intending to take her as a concubine
Chunzhi looked worried and kept walking. Fortunately, the prefectural governor's mansion was not far from the residence, only two streets away.
Pei Yanzhi entered the inner room, still frowning, while Chunzhi disregarded the proper separation between men and women at this moment.
He stepped forward and touched her forehead, finding it burning hot, and his face grew increasingly pale.
"Take the charcoal fire out of the house," Pei Yanzhi ordered in a deep voice. "Go get some water to wipe it down and cool it down first."
Chunzhi agreed and hurriedly ran out, leaving only Pei Yanzhi and Ji Shu behind.
The incense burner in the room still emitted wisps of smoke, and the hair that had been tied up during the day now fell loosely to her chest, the strands slightly damp from the fever.
Even in her dream, the faint spring mountains were still there. Her pear-blossom face was flushed with fever, her eyes were tinged with a peach-blossom red, and her nose was delicate and elegant.
Her half-exposed arms made her skin appear even softer and smoother.
Pei Yanzhi's eyes were filled with an undisguised darkness, and his gaze on her grew increasingly intense. If anyone else were to enter at this moment, they would surely recognize that it was the look of a beast eyeing its prey.
Lu Changming led Dr. Lei and the female doctor into the inner room.
Dr. Lei sat in the chair, took Ji Shu's pulse, and then lifted her eyelids, making his diagnosis.
He bowed and reported, "My lord, this young lady must have caught a cold during the day and was also frightened. A sudden influx of evil wind into her body caused her to develop a fever. Fortunately, the fever has subsided now. I will prescribe some medicine for her to take three times a day for seven days, and she will be fine."
Chunzhi was grateful when the army doctor said she was alright. She bowed to Pei Yanzhi and the army doctor, saying, "Thank you, General. Thank you, Doctor."
The military doctor waved his hand and said to Pei Yanzhi, "My lord, let the female physician stay in the manor to take care of her."
"Can."
After packing his things, Dr. Lei gave the female doctor a few instructions: "This young lady is weak, which is probably a congenital condition. She should not eat too much nourishing food, but should focus on gentle nourishment. She should also avoid extreme joy or sorrow in her emotions."
Ji Shu had seen countless doctors since childhood, including many famous ones, which Chunzhi naturally knew about.
In her dazed state, she slept very restlessly.
My body feels hot and cold alternately, which is uncomfortable and very uncomfortable.
I tried to pull the blanket over myself, but I just couldn't wake up.
In a daze, she was moved into a strong arm and felt a strange, cool breath coming towards her.
I couldn't wake up no matter what I did. Then, a cold handkerchief was placed on my forehead, so cold it seeped into my bones, but it relieved the heat in my body.
Ji Shu did not open her eyes and did not know who was serving her.
She felt someone gently lift her up, forcefully pry open her tightly clenched teeth, and slowly put the bitter, numbing medicine into her mouth.
Chunzhi looked at the tall figure. He supported his wife's back with one hand, pressed his thumb against her chin, and with a little force, skillfully pried open a small gap.
The candlelight cast a dim shadow over his silhouette as he whispered, "Feed the medicine."
Chunzhi dared not look any longer and poured the medicine in spoonful by spoonful.
...
The next day.
The Prefect's Study.
After having breakfast, Pei Yanzhi, who hadn't slept all night, leaned back in his chair and lazily rubbed his temples.
After one night, the Chongzhou army was completely replaced by Yanzhou Black Cavalry, and the streets were all cleaned up.
Listen to the report below.
A voice announced from the doorway, "My lord, the heir apparent has arrived."
Pei Yanzhi nodded slightly, hummed in agreement, and slowly said, "Alright, I understand. You may all leave."
When Pei Xingjian entered, he saw his father with a calm expression, his eyes lowered as he looked at the memorial in front of him.
Pei Xingjian bowed and said, "Greetings, Father."
He glanced down, then looked up: "Hmm, what is it?"
Pei Xingjian mustered his courage and said loudly, "Father, I wish to take that Lady Ji from yesterday as my concubine."
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room seemed to drop instantly. Pei Yanzhi curled his lips and said casually, "You want to take her as a concubine, but have you asked her what she thinks?"
Pei Xingjian was somewhat suspicious when he heard his father address her as "her".
But he didn't think too much about it. He lowered his eyelids and said humbly, "I haven't asked Madam Ji what she thinks yet, but I was moved when I first saw her yesterday and want to take her into my family."
"Really?" Pei Yanzhi looked at him meaningfully, unsure whether he believed it or not.
Finally, he said, "If Lady Ji also favors you, I will naturally agree."
Pei Xingjian was so happy he almost jumped for joy. This was even more exciting than winning a battle. He looked overjoyed.
Pei Yanzhi waved his hand, his voice weary: "You can go now."
Seeing the dark circles under his father's eyes, he knew he had probably not slept all night again, and he felt a little ashamed.
The father toiled tirelessly day and night for the sake of Yanzhou, while he himself was preoccupied with his children's feelings. He dared not utter another word and silently withdrew.
Pei Yanzhi leaned back in his chair, watching the direction where Pei Xingjian's figure disappeared, without moving.
The last rays of sunlight fell on the man's face from outside the door, making his narrow eyes appear even darker and deeper than an abyss.
...
Ji Shu slept until the next morning at dawn. The room was very quiet. When she opened her eyes, she saw that the bed curtains were half open.
Chunzhi stood guard by the bedside, her eyes slightly closed.
He propped himself up and sat up, feeling limp and boneless. He smelled the strong medicinal odor in the room and guessed that he had probably had a fever last night.
Chunzhi had been staying by Ji Shu's bedside. When she saw her mistress wake up, she exclaimed, "My lady, my lady, you're finally awake! Are you hungry?"
Ji Shu shook her head, her expression even momentarily dazed, still looking listless. "I had a fever last night?"
"That's right!" Chunzhi wrung out a wet handkerchief to wipe him. "I was almost scared to death. We couldn't find a doctor in the city, so we had no choice but to go to the prefect's mansion to ask the military doctor to come and see him."
"Oh, by the way, the general said that his wife has woken up and asked me to inform her."
Ji Shu was somewhat stunned upon hearing this, her eyes widening slightly as she subconsciously asked, "You just invited them over like that?"
His tone was quite incredulous.
At this moment, the female physician came in carrying the medicine. Chunzhi introduced her, saying, "This is the female physician from General Pei's camp. She has been preparing the medicine and serving him for the past two days."
When Jinse saw that she had woken up, she looked over carefully. She had seen how nervous the Marquis was about this young lady last night.
Secretly alarmed, the Lord hadn't slept a wink last night, personally serving this person his medicine before returning to his residence.
At the time, I dared not look directly at you, and only saw your back. Now, looking closely, this woman is indeed stunningly beautiful.
His face was a little pale, and his clear eyes were glistening with tears.
Jinse was quite happy to see her wake up. "Young lady, my master said that if you drink this medicine for a few more days, you will be cured."
Ji Shu took the bowl of medicine, held her breath, and drank it down. Chunzhi quickly stuffed a small piece of candied fruit into her hand.
Not long after she lay down, Chunzhi returned from the outer room and whispered, "My lady, that young master Pei from yesterday has come."
Chunzhi didn't know the identities of the Pei family father and son, let alone that Pei Yanzhi was the Marquis of the Twelve Armies of Yanzhou.
In a few years, when the world is unified, Pei Xingjian will inherit the throne. No matter who it is, these two are people you can't afford to offend.
Ji Shu rubbed her temples. "Help me change my clothes."
Chunzhi pondered for a moment, then didn't ask any further questions.
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