Lin Jinlou had been busy for a while and, before he knew it, the night had deepened. Guiyuan came in to refill the tea and used silver tongs to brighten the flame of the lamp. Just as she was about to withdraw, Lin Jinlou asked, "What time is it?"
Guiyuan replied, "It's already the second watch, almost the third watch."
Lin Jinlou stood up and stretched, saying, "Let's go, time to rest in my room."
Guiyuan hurried to fetch a lantern, but Lin Jinlou pushed the door open and saw the bright moonlight outside. He said, "No need for a lantern." He strode back, and upon entering the Hanging Flower Gate, he headed toward Luan'er's room. Before even stepping inside, he heard voices from within by the window.
He heard Shuran say, "You brought this on yourself, and now you've caught a chill. Wearing summer clothes in this weather—it's your own fault."
This was followed by the sound of Luan'er coughing.
Cun Xin said, "Miss, have a sip of water and rest. If you don't get better soon, we must call a doctor."
Luan'er coughed again and said, "Don't you dare! Master will be coming later. If Taitai and the others find out I'm sick, they'll surely send me home to recuperate. I won't go back!"
Shuran coaxed her, "Later, I'll inform Master that it's nothing serious, just a chill. We'll call a doctor and let you recuperate here in the mansion. It's cleaner here than at home, and there are people to attend to you—much better than home. It's late tonight; we'll call the doctor first thing in the morning."
Before she finished speaking, Hua Mei interjected, "Heh, it's true what they say—'with connections at court, things get done easily.' Two months ago, when I had a cough—not even contagious—I was sent home for half a month to recover. Now Sister Luan'er, with her fever and chill, doesn't have to leave and is even counting on Master coming over. Tsk, tsk, it's the change of seasons now. Infecting others is one thing, but what if you infect Master? Sister Shuran, Sister Luan'er is young and doesn't know better, but you're a trusted senior around Master—you ought to understand, shouldn't you?"
Luan'er, lying in bed, was so enraged by this that she scrambled up and shouted, "Hua Mei, if you have something to say, say it to me! Why criticize my sister? If you're afraid of catching my illness, then get out of here quickly! Just you sitting here dirties my floor!"
Shuran quickly held Luan'er back, saying, "Why are you getting angry again for no reason? Lie down quickly, or you'll catch another chill."
Hua Mei sneered, "My goodwill is taken as ill intent. Cun Xin came to my place to ask for cough medicine, and when I heard you were sick, I came to check on you. You really put on airs, daring to tell me to 'get out.' Fine, fine, very fine. Remember what you said today. Who knows which of us will be the one thrown out tomorrow!" With that, she stood up and left.
Shuran hurriedly grabbed Hua Mei, smiling, "She's young and doesn't know any better, and she's sick, so her temper is flaring. New concubine, don't take it to heart."
Hua Mei merely gave a faint, cold smile and said to Shuran, "Your sister is too imposing—not only more imposing than you, but even more than me, the new concubine. From what I've observed, I'm afraid even the former mistress wasn't as ill-tempered as her." She snorted and walked out.
Lin Jinlou hid himself in the shadows and saw Hua Mei swaying and twisting her way toward the east wing.
Luan'er, furious, her delicate eyebrows furrowed in anger, cursed wildly, "That wretched woman! Thinks she's half a mistress now, coming to bully me when I'm sick. Just wait until your lady recovers—I'll strip your skin off and make you recognize who I am!"Shuran advised, "You still haven't changed your temper. I know you're strong-willed, but she is a Concubine after all. Why must you compete with her?"
Luan'er gasped, "How can I swallow this anger? What's so great about her being a new concubine? Everyone has their own karma in this world—who's to say I won't become a mistress someday?"
Cun Xin hurriedly interjected, "Miss, please say no more. Rest properly and focus on recovering." As she spoke, she stepped forward to tuck Luan'er's quilt.
Luan'er stared at Cun Xin, who grew somewhat fearful but forced a smile. "What does Miss need? Would you like some water?"
Luan'er grabbed Cun Xin and began hitting her indiscriminately, cursing, "You damned wench! Who told you to ask Hua Mei for medicine? Am I dying? Why did you rush to that woman? Or are you afraid I won't die, you disgraceful thing, inviting that Goblin here to upset me! I'll beat you to death, you blind fool!"
Cun Xin, in pain and feeling wronged, couldn't help but cry. Shuran quickly pulled Cun Xin away, shielding her, and scolded angrily, "Why are you hitting her for no reason? It was you who sent her to find cough medicine, and when she couldn't find any, she came to me. Where could I get medicine for you at this late hour? Remembering Hua Mei had a cough recently, I told Cun Xin to ask her for a couple of pills. Who knew she'd come over herself?"
Only then did Luan'er realize she had wrongly accused her, but being stubborn, she refused to admit it. She remained silent, turned her face away, closed her eyes, and lay still.
Shuran sighed, leading Cun Xin outside to comfort her. While gently consoling her, she noticed Lin Jinlou standing under the corridor and was startled, thinking, "How long has the Master been here? I wonder how much he overheard." She put on a smile and approached him, saying, "Master, you're back."
Lin Jinlou didn't respond, glanced at Shuran, then turned and left.
Just then, Xi Que came out with a basin to toss water. Spotting Lin Jinlou, she hurried back to inform Hua Mei, who immediately emerged from her room and called out, "Master!" She approached with a beaming smile. "It's been days since you last visited me. I've recently acquired something special—please come take a look." Without waiting for Lin Jinlou's agreement, she tugged his arm and pulled him toward the east wing.
Meanwhile, Luan'er in her room had heard Shuran call out "Master." She quickly sat up, ignoring her dizziness, tidied her hair, and got out of bed. Peering through the window, she saw Lin Jinlou being dragged away by Hua Mei. Overwhelmed with fury, she was about to curse when a wave of dizziness struck. With a soft "aiyo," she collapsed weakly onto the bed.
Hua Mei pulled Lin Jinlou into her room and urgently instructed Xi Que, "Quickly brew some piping hot tea. The Master has two sets of casual clothes here—fetch them at once." She then led Lin Jinlou to the bedside, invited him to sit, and asked softly, "Are you hungry, Master? I have some pastries here, all in your favorite flavors."
Lin Jinlou half-closed his eyes and leaned against the headboard, after a long moment grunting in acknowledgment.
Hua Mei bustled about preparing, tiptoed to the door, and instructed Xi Que, "Change the jasmine incense in the burner. There's warm-scented begonia-style incense—put two pieces in." Xi Que acknowledged and left.Hua Mei walked to the dressing table to check her reflection, then reapplied some powder and dabbed a touch of rouge on her lips. Treading softly, she approached Lin Jinlou and sat beside him, reaching to undo the buttons on his outer garment as she murmured, "Allow me to help you change out of your formal clothes, Master. You'll be more comfortable in casual wear."
Lin Jinlou merely grunted in response, eyes still closed, letting Hua Mei attend to him.
Note: I was too exhausted yesterday and couldn't stay awake, so here's the first update. The second update might come later. Thank you to 05111039283 for the He's Jade Disc, Xiang Yun for the sachet, bubu8915 for two Peace Talismans, yu21yu21 and Tian Wan Yu Yu for the Peace Talismans, and also thank you all for the pink votes ^_^
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