Chapter 42: Pluck the Blossoms While They Bloom (Part Three)

At twilight that day, Bamboo Shadow returned from the Prince Mu Residence with four physicians, each renowned as the finest in Fangzhou, even across the nation. Yet, compared to the three legendary doctors of the era, they still fell short. Yun Ci knew well that Prince Mu had given him a great favor this time; to express proper gratitude, he ordered Bamboo Shadow back to Yun Manor to select two peerless swords from their ancestral collection and send them to Prince Mu as a token of thanks.

Prince Mu, raised in the military, adored swords to the point of obsession—his passion was widely known. Afterwards, Yun Ci left Chu Xiu in the care of the servants in the separate courtyard, while he shut himself in a room with the four physicians, deliberating over remedies for the epidemic. Prevention was all they could offer; Yun Ci’s methods could only stave off illness, not cure it. For someone like Chu Xiu, already infected, their efforts yielded little effect.

They labored through the night, burning the midnight oil, until finally Yun Ci and the physicians reached a consensus. Bamboo Shadow hurried off with the prescription to prepare the medicine, while Yun Ci, disregarding the objections of others, insisted on visiting Chu Xiu.

Upon seeing her, he was both shocked and furious. Chu Xiu’s complexion was no longer merely flushed; she was lost in feverish delirium, her body burning as if roasted. Yun Ci knew that if her fever continued, even if her life was saved, her mind might be irreparably damaged.

Without hesitation, Yun Ci ordered Bamboo Shadow to fetch blocks of ice from the cellar at Yun Manor. It was April, the weather growing warm; much of the ice melted during transport, but it was better than nothing. At least the water from the melting ice was cool.

Observing propriety between men and women, Yun Ci finally withdrew from the room, instructing the maids to repeatedly wipe Chu Xiu’s body with ice water and place ice at the head and foot of her bed to lower her temperature.

After a day of such efforts, combined with the newly concocted medicine, Chu Xiu’s high fever finally subsided to a low one. Though Yun Ci said nothing, his anxious expression betrayed his concern. Madam Chi, on behalf of the matron, came to deliver a message, waiting some time before Yun Ci granted her an audience.

“The matron says you must return to the manor to oversee matters; staying in the separate courtyard endlessly is not—”

Madam Chi’s words were cut short by Yun Ci: “Mother is holding the fort at the manor—nothing will go wrong. Return, Madam Chi; more words are pointless.”

Yun Ci had always respected Madam Chi, who had cared for him since childhood. This was the first time he had interrupted her, leaving her surprised. Yet, knowing his temperament so well, she realized persuasion was futile and returned to Yun Manor as instructed.

An hour later, Dan Xin sent someone with news: Lady Yue Ju in Second Young Master Yun Qi’s garden had also contracted the epidemic, but unlike Chu Xiu, she was less fortunate—she perished before treatment could begin.

Yun Ci pondered the news for a moment, but made no comment.

As time slipped away, another dusk fell. Yun Ci knew this night would be Chu Xiu’s most perilous; if she survived, she would gradually recover, but if not, her fate would mirror Yue Ju’s.

He waited outside Chu Xiu’s door, eyes fixed on the sunset, feeling his heart sink as dark and fathomless as the coming night.

The door creaked open; a young maid emerged with a teapot, the sound pulling Yun Ci from his reverie.

“Weren’t you told to wipe the lady down with ice water? Why are you carrying a teapot?” Bamboo Shadow, quicker than Yun Ci, asked coldly.

The maid faltered, stammering, “It’s… just now… the lady said she wanted water… so I—”

“Nonsense!” Bamboo Shadow barked. “She can’t speak, how could she ask for water?”

“Can’t speak?” The maid was puzzled. “No, she was murmuring she wanted water. The tea in the room was cold, so I thought to fetch hot water from the kitchen…”

She hadn’t finished before Yun Ci interrupted, “Go, then.” He looked urgently at Bamboo Shadow, and in his expression, a flicker of delight was evident.

Bamboo Shadow immediately understood, hastily ushering Yun Ci inside. As he stepped into the room, Yun Ci suddenly commanded, “Leave! Quickly!”

Bamboo Shadow hesitated, glimpsing the woman’s garments draped over the screen, then realized and exited, keeping his gaze respectfully averted.

Yun Ci wheeled himself to Chu Xiu’s bedside. Her slender wrists lay exposed above the thin coverlet, her shoulder barely visible, the strap across her neck clear against her skin. Her snowy complexion, flushed from fever, evoked pity.

Of course, to wipe her body meant undressing her—a detail he’d overlooked in his concern.

In Yun Ci’s mind, he was a healer; thus, he felt no need to withdraw. Bamboo Shadow, however, was different.

Yun Ci leaned closer, seeking a response: “Chu Xiu, can you hear me?”

The woman on the bed kept her eyes shut, long lashes casting delicate shadows beneath her lids. Yun Ci was not discouraged, repeating his question thrice until, at last, a faint whisper—like the hum of a tiny insect—answered him: “Mm.”

That single syllable was music to Yun Ci’s ears! He had not expected the fierce epidemic to coax Chu Xiu into speech. Relief surged through him; he took her hand and whispered, “Since you can speak, you will surely overcome this illness.”

He continued speaking to her, feeling the gradual coolness of her skin, his hope growing stronger with every moment. His gaze lingered on her face, then swept over her arms—suddenly noticing scars.

Fine, deep scars crisscrossed both arms, as if cut by sharp blades. Yun Ci, seasoned by illness, could estimate how long they had been there; with careful calculation, he guessed their age.

He gently traced the scars, feeling each mark branded on his heart, painful and poignant.

He wished to say something more, but countless words were blocked by the sight of those scars.

Lost in his silent sorrow, Yun Ci heard Bamboo Shadow call from outside, “Master! Someone from Prince Mu Residence has sent word—among the refugees, someone has found a cure for the epidemic. The prince is sending for it now!”

“What did you say!” Yun Ci exclaimed, both surprised and delighted. He forgot his crippled legs, rising suddenly and calling, “Bring the prescription to me first—don’t mix medicines blindly!”

“Understood,” Bamboo Shadow replied, his voice tinged with barely suppressed joy.

Yun Ci bent over Chu Xiu, aware that he now owed Prince Mu an enormous debt. The Yun clan had always prized prudence, firmly rooted in Fangzhou, never favoring North or South, nor making rash declarations.

But this time… Yun Ci did not know what Prince Mu might demand in return, but this debt was one he gladly, sweetly accepted.

*****

For the refugees, the epidemic brought ruin, separating families and destroying homes—a curse.

For Prince Mu, the fierce outbreak shook the capital, marking the greatest challenge since his investiture.

For the Yun clan, the epidemic was met with calm and charity, further winning the people’s hearts.

But for Chu Xiu, the epidemic was nothing more than an endless dream; upon waking, all past hardships were forgotten.

Were it not for Yun Ci’s reddened, worried eyes and Bamboo Shadow’s weariness, Chu Xiu would not have known she had narrowly survived a terrifying ordeal.

Resting on the bed, the sensation of Yun Ci personally feeding her medicine left Chu Xiu overwhelmed. She drank the bowl awkwardly, and when Yun Ci lingered, she wrote in his palm: “I wish to bathe.”

Yun Ci glanced at his palm, asking lightly, “What? I didn’t catch that.”

Chu Xiu, helpless, drew his hand again and wrote: “Bathe.”

Yun Ci raised an eyebrow, looking at her, “Better just mouth the words—I truly can’t read your writing.”

Chu Xiu wondered if Yun Ci was deliberately teasing her. She parted her lips again, saying softly, “Bathe.”

“You haven’t spoken in so long, your voice barely comes out. I can’t hear you.” Yun Ci gazed at her, a hint of expectation in his eyes.

Chu Xiu grew anxious; she’d never had to repeat herself so much. The sweat clinging to her body made her uncomfortable, and seeing Yun Ci’s expressionless face, she finally blurted out, “You—are truly…”

As soon as the words left her lips, Yun Ci smiled, and Chu Xiu, still confused, realized only after saying “truly” what had happened. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands, eyes wide in disbelief.

Yun Ci pulled her hands down, holding them in his own, coaxing softly, “Say something else. Hmm?”

Chu Xiu blushed instantly, unsure whether from his touch or the whisper close to her ear. She tried to pull her hands away, but his grip was firm, not allowing escape.

Lowering her gaze, Chu Xiu bit her lip, forgetting she could now speak, focused only on resisting Yun Ci’s hold.

“If you don’t speak, I won’t let go,” Yun Ci threatened gently, his eyes smiling.

Chu Xiu looked up, “What should I say?”

Yun Ci thought for a moment, “How about calling me ‘Master Yun’?”

Chu Xiu blushed even deeper, biting her lip in silence.

Yun Ci didn’t press her, only laughed, “Unwilling? Very well, then I truly won’t let go.”

Chu Xiu grew frantic—when had he become so shameless? Her strength hadn’t returned, and she couldn’t free herself.

They struggled for some time, until Chu Xiu finally surrendered, lowering her eyes and softly calling, “Master Yun.” Just those three words made her cheeks bloom with a delicate blush.

Yun Ci had only read the term “Master” in Dan Xin’s novels; he hadn’t expected that, spoken by Chu Xiu, it would sound so sweet and melodious, like an oriole singing in the valley.

He was utterly enthralled by her voice. With Chu Xiu recovering from her illness, joy filled his heart—a double blessing. In that moment, Yun Ci felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment. He released her hands, and before she could react, drew her close, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Like dawn and dusk, time stood still, the moon and wind entwined—a single kiss sealed their fate.