The Youngest Daughter, Chang Le

Chapter 67: Stricken One After Another

Chapter 67

The Zhu family, from masters to servants, had become very experienced in caring for the bedridden Zhu Changwang. They called for the doctor, brewed medicine, administered it, and stayed busy but not chaotic.

Tang Ming was asked to stay in case of emergency, and unexpectedly, an emergency did occur - not with Zhu Changwang, but with little Anan, whose fever had returned after initially subsiding.

Zhu Changle didn't enter the room but listened at the door to what the doctor was saying.

"The child was born premature, so his body is naturally weaker. It's common for such children to be more prone to illness than usual. Things should improve significantly after he turns three. So, situations like this, where the fever returns after subsiding, may happen again."

Tang Ming actually wanted to say that it was fortunate the premature baby didn't have any major problems, but seeing the screen nearby, he swallowed his words. Though he had forgotten many things after being in Yunbei for so long, his observational skills were still intact.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the woman behind the screen became anxious, "Doctor, do you mean that even if the fever subsides this time, it might come back?"

"Yes."

"What... what should we do?"

With family members falling ill one after another and her eldest brother-in-law currently unconscious, Zhu Changning appeared particularly steady at this moment. He comforted his wife and turned to ask the doctor, "Should we continue with the previous prescription?"

"The young master doesn't show any other symptoms, so the current treatment should be fine."

"Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Tang," Zhu Maonian adjusted his outer garment. "Several people in the household are unwell. I hope you can stay at the manor for a few days."

Tang Ming hurriedly replied, "This old man needs to be at the clinic during the day. Would it be possible for me to return to the clinic during the day and come back in the evening?"

"It's this official who's troubling the doctor. Let's do as you suggest."

"Then... then what about now? Are we just going to leave Anan like this?" Hearing the doctor preparing to leave, Madam Xu couldn't help but ask. When the eldest brother-in-law fell ill, it caused such a commotion that the entire back courtyard was alerted. Now that Anan was sick, not only had his aunt and others not appeared, even his grandmother hadn't come to take a look. She felt deeply unsettled about this.

"We've already sent someone to brew the medicine. How could we not take care of Anan?" Zhu Changning frowned slightly. He was standing right next to the screen and could see Madam Xu with a slight turn of his head. Seeing that she was genuinely worried about their son, his heart softened and his tone became gentler, "Don't worry too much. Doctor Tang is staying in our home. If anything happens to Anan, we won't delay in treating him."

"But the medicine will take a while to brew. Are we just going to let Anan keep burning up like this?"

Tang Ming quickly said, "You can bathe the young master in lukewarm water for half an hour. This method is harmless and can bring down the fever, but since the young master is still very small, he shouldn't be bathed for too long."

Zhu Changning bowed with cupped hands, "Thank you, doctor. Lady Qin, please go and prepare."

"Yes."

Having said all that was necessary, Tang Ming picked up his medicine box and took his leave. Zhu Changning personally escorted him out of the room and was surprised to see his youngest sister, thinking she was with their eldest brother.

"Why didn't you go in?"

Zhu Changle made a hushing gesture and crept to her second brother's side, whispering, "I heard what the doctor said. Is Anan's fever severe?"

"It's about the same as before, just a bit more fussy. Nothing serious."

Patting her chest, Zhu Changle said, "That's good. I'm going to take care of big brother now."

"Changle."

"Hmm?"

After calling out to her, Zhu Changning didn't know what to say. In the end, he only managed to advise, "Take good care of big brother."

"Don't worry, I have experience."

The rain continued to fall intermittently. Watching his youngest sister disappear from view, Zhu Changning sighed. His question had been unnecessary. He understood all too well why she would rather wait in the night wind than enter the room. Despite the short time they had spent together, he couldn't fathom where this conflict had originated.

"Did Changle come?"

Zhu Changning quickly turned around, "Yes, she just left."

Zhu Maonian nodded, not saying much else. His words were also meant for those inside to hear, "Pay more attention. Someone should always be with the child."

"Yes, sorry to disturb your rest."

Zhu Maonian shook his head and stepped under the umbrella held by a servant. Rain had seen them off when they left the Capital City, and rain welcomed them when they entered Yunbei. He wondered whether the road ahead would be more muddy or sunny.

Even the longest night must pass.

As dawn broke, Zhu Changle, who had said she wouldn't see anyone off, was at the side gate hugging Lan Ping tightly.

"The old monk is close to my master. While you're there, please check if my master has come out of seclusion. If she has, tell her that her disciple is being bullied to death and ask her to come to Yunbei quickly to save me."

"I'll tell her word for word."

Zhu Changle huffed angrily. She felt she had been wronged in this matter, greatly wronged, and needed her master to help her get even.

"You should come back soon too."

"I'll try my best."

Dingding reminded from the side, "Zhu Changle, aren't you getting it wrong? Lan Ping is going home now. For her, coming here isn't 'coming back', it's 'coming over'."

Zhu Changle ignored him and nuzzled Little Lid's soft chest once more before pushing her away. "Go on then."

Lan Ping was long accustomed to her unconventional behavior. She mounted her horse swiftly and cleanly rode away.

Squatting at the gate, Zhu Changle cupped her face in her hands, watching the departing figure with a somewhat melancholic air.

"I had it all planned out. After a trip home, I was going to find you all and we'd roam the jianghu together. Just thinking about it makes me happy. Now I can only drag Dingding along, preventing you from going too."

"Zhu Changle, I can't believe you're so devious," Dingding raised his foot behind her, pretending to kick. After considering a few spots, he gave up. Qiuli nonchalantly tossed a leaf to the ground.

"Aren't friends supposed to share hardships?"

"The premise is sharing good fortune too. Have you let me share any good fortune?"

Zhu Changle stood up, putting her small hands on her hips with great vigor. It was as if that moment of dejection just now had been an illusion. "I stayed alone on that island for two years, playing with monkeys every day, and didn't even ask my master to throw you over to keep me company. Isn't that loyal enough?"

Put that way, it did seem quite loyal. The easily placated Dingding was satisfied with this fortune. "I'm going out for a bit, to gather some information."

"You're not having breakfast?"

"As a disciple of the Beggar's Sect, how could I not find food out there?" Dingding waved his hand casually, looking quite smug.

Zhu Changle leaned against the door, watching for a while before turning back to look for the only person left. "It's just you now."

Qiuli raised an eyebrow. "How do you intend to use me?"

"I wouldn't dare, hehe." Zhu Changle squinted as she told the truth. She didn't dare, and she couldn't. She had been friends with Little Lid and Dingding for many years, but with Qiuli, there was still quite a gap!

"But if you voluntarily squeeze out a tiny bit more information about Yunbei for me, I'd be very happy." Zhu Changle gestured a tiny amount. "Just this much would be enough."

"What do I get in exchange?"

Exchange for information? Zhu Changle thought for a moment. "I'll trade you a secret."

Qiuli waved his fan left and right. "Secrets are the least valuable thing to me."

Zhu Changle bounced in front of him, bending down to peer under his eyelids. "Because you know a lot of secrets?"

Using his fan to push her face a little further away, Qiuli neither confirmed nor denied. He turned and entered the room with his hands behind his back.

Hehe, she had dug out another bit of information. Zhu Changle grinned as she chased after him. "Qiuli, your voice isn't as hoarse anymore."

"Qiuli, have you not spoken for a long time?"

"Qiuli..."

"Qiuli..."

Qiuli felt that suddenly, things had become lively around him.