Chapter 32#
Chapter 32#
The sunlight was gentle, and the wind was also gentle. The trees in the courtyard rustled, swaying lightly, yet it didn’t feel noisy; instead, it made one feel more at ease to fall asleep.
“Teacher! I’m back to see you!” Fang Zhixu’s voice rang out in the courtyard. Although he shouted as he entered the door, he was also afraid that Lin Huaiyu hadn’t woken up yet, so his voice wasn’t loud, only hoping that Lin Huaiyu could hear it without waking the sleeping Lin Huaiyu.
At this moment, Lin Huaiyu had already rested enough, and his five senses had recovered. He propped himself up from the bed, his robes trailing on the ground, covering his slender figure entirely, yet the thinness at his shoulders still showed he was emaciated.
Seeing Fang Zhixu outside the window, he walked out with a shallow smile. The purple robes draped over him were different from the official robes in the capital; at this moment, the soft gauze covering his body reduced his coldness by a few points and added a few points of warmth.
Su Yang saw the person he had been longing for in his memory and saw Lin Huaiyu’s thinness at a glance.
He was even thinner than in the capital. Was it because of that poison?
In this past year, how much pain and suffering had Lin Huaiyu endured to become like this? It was as if a puff of wind could blow him over.
Clearly, it hadn’t been to this extent before; Lin Huaiyu would even strongly say he wasn’t that delicate.
His eyes were full of heartache, yet Lin Huaiyu didn’t even spare him a single glance.
Lin Huaiyu sat on a lounge chair in the courtyard, and Fang Zhixu knelt by Lin Huaiyu’s knees just like that, looking up at Lin Huaiyu, wagging his tail like a puppy: “Teacher, is your illness any better?”
Lin Huaiyu’s expression was weary, but he shook his head and said softly: “I’m fine. When did you arrive?”
Fang Zhixu said obediently: “I arrived yesterday. I first went to see Uncle Qu and arranged the flood matters, and came to see Teacher first thing this morning.”
Lin Huaiyu picked up a tea cup and took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, a shallow smile at the corners of his lips: “You are already able to hold your own. You did very well with the flood matter, but matters for the nation and the people must not be neglected; you must be careful.”
Listening to Lin Huaiyu’s earnest teachings, Fang Zhixu felt exceptionally satisfied, nodding repeatedly and agreeing to everything: “This student knows.”
Lin Huaiyu talked a bit more with Fang Zhixu, a scene of peaceful years, completely ignoring the few people on the side.
Jing Fei didn’t mind waiting, but Su Yang was different. He watched Lin Huaiyu’s gentle and patient praise and earnest teachings toward Fang Zhixu, and the jealousy in his eyes was about to overflow.
His eyes were red, and the palms hanging at his sides were clenched into fists, his nails digging into his flesh.
On what basis? Lin Huaiyu had never praised him like this. Clearly his articles were written so well, yet Lin Huaiyu only said he was diligent and hard-working. His lessons were never neglected, and the court affairs after he ascended the throne were also handled very properly, yet Lin Huaiyu had never said even one warm word with a smile, like “Su Yang, you’ve done well.”
But what about Fang Zhixu? Fang Zhixu merely became a top scholar and handled a bit of the flood matter—his articles weren’t even as good as Su Yang’s—yet Lin Huaiyu was so patient with him.
And… smiled at Fang Zhixu.
Lin Huaiyu hadn’t smiled at him for a long time. Even when he appeared in his hallucinations, Lin Huaiyu always had a cold face, frowning, only wanting to leave him.
But now Lin Huaiyu not only had so many people by his side, he had also taught a new good student and could smile so easily.
At this moment, Su Yang felt the fire of jealousy spreading in his heart, hurting him even more than that fire in Qinchun Palace a year ago.
Su Yang was just about to speak when Fang Zhixu said again: “Teacher, while this student was away these days, has your illness improved? Why do you look even thinner?”
Lin Huaiyu lowered his eyes to look at Fang Zhixu kneeling by his leg and said softly: “Really, it’s fine. No matter what, it’s much better than when I first arrived in Jiangnan.”
These words seemed to have an underlying meaning, which made Su Yang’s heart ache, and the fire of jealousy was extinguished in an instant, shocked to the point that not even a spark remained.
He wanted to speak again, but the Jing Fei on the side spoke up at the right time: “Since Master Yuxi’s illness is not yet fully cured, then this gift of mine was not sent in vain.”
Only then did Lin Huaiyu shift his gaze to Jing Fei. His gaze was faint, his peach blossom eyes containing spring water, making Jing Fei’s heart skip a beat.
Rumor had it that Great Yong had a Chancellor named Lin Huaiyu, as beautiful as an immortal, with a divine temperament and unmatched talent.
He had originally thought it was an exaggeration, but seeing him now, he truly was a god-like figure, not exaggerated at all. He actually felt such words were not enough to describe Lin Huaiyu.
Lin Huaiyu glanced at the boxes behind Jing Fei. The boxes were opened by the servants, revealing two full boxes of rare medicinal materials, which made even He Qingli’s eyes widen.
Inside indeed were many medicinal materials that Lin Huaiyu currently needed for detoxification and recuperation, but He Qingli didn’t show it directly.
Over this past year, many had sent medicine to Lin Huaiyu. Lin Huaiyu had his own ideas; he wouldn’t just accept them for anyone.
After all, of the people who sent medicine, five out of ten came with purposes and deals, and the other five came for Lin Huaiyu himself.
Su Yang stared tightly at Lin Huaiyu, seemingly afraid that Lin Huaiyu would really accept Jing Fei’s gesture.
He was about to speak again, but Lin Huaiyu was a step ahead of him: “The Seventh Prince is thoughtful; I shall accept the gift.”
Su Yang’s face instantly turned black.
Jing Fei let out a sigh of relief seeing Lin Huaiyu accept; he was afraid Lin Huaiyu wouldn’t.
He tapped the palm of his hand with his folding fan and said with a smile: “It is their blessing to be favored by Master Yuxi.”
Lin Huaiyu smiled shallowly and asked again: “Then, what requirements does the Seventh Prince have?”
The breath Jing Fei had just let out tightened again, the smile on his lips stiffening for a moment before he said: “I have no requirements, only hoping that Master Yuxi’s health can recover soon.”
Lin Huaiyu’s gaze, as clear as water, looked at Jing Fei. After a moment, he said: “Just that?”
Jing Fei nodded and said sincerely: “Just that.”
Lin Huaiyu gave Jing Fei a deep look, then withdrew his gaze. Lin Fei was already carrying the two boxes inside. Lin Huaiyu said faintly: “If the Seventh Prince doesn’t speak now, I won’t agree if you come again tomorrow.”
Jing Fei blinked, fanning himself with his folding fan, and said with a sincere smile: “I truly have no other requests.”
Lin Huaiyu didn’t speak again, but a loud voice came from the side: “Cut it out, you hypocritical ‘Broken Jade’!”
Several people in the courtyard immediately looked toward the newcomer.
Ji Wuyou came over carrying medicine, and as if thinking of something, hurriedly explained to Lin Huaiyu: “Ah! I wasn’t talking about you, I was talking about Jing Fei! ‘Broken Jade’!” (Note: Jing Fei’s name ‘Jing’ can mean jade, and Ji Wuyou is using a derogatory nickname.)
Jing Fei didn’t get angry even after being cursed, still waving the fan in his hand, the light breeze lifting his hair. Like a gentleman who didn’t easily lose his temper, he only wore a faint smile and gave Ji Wuyou a glance.
“Drink the medicine, A-Yu.” Ji Wuyou walked toward Lin Huaiyu carrying the bowl, his voice exceptionally gentle at this moment.
Hearing this address, Su Yang’s fists under his sleeves clenched tight, his gaze having already killed Ji Wuyou eight hundred times.
A-Yu…
Calling him so intimately.
Seeing this, Jing Fei directly stepped forward to block Ji Wuyou, also holding onto that bowl of medicine, saying: “This medicine is so hot; why don’t I feed it.”
Su Yang’s gaze instantly sharpened, looking at Jing Fei coldly.
Ji Wuyou sneered: “Don’t bother yourself. You, a Seventh Prince of Daxing, how could you do such delicate work? Better I do it.”
Jing Fei snatched the medicine toward his side again: “Then how could the dignified Crown Prince of Great Chu serve someone? Better I do it.”
Ji Wuyou hurriedly snatched the bowl of medicine back: “No need, better I do it!”
Jing Fei: “Better I do it!”
The two of them began to snatch like this. Lin Huaiyu watched the bowl of medicine pass dozens of moves between the two’s hands; thanks to their good martial arts, not a single drop of the medicine was spilled.
It just made He Qingli’s heart jump with fear, thinking whether to have Lin Fei brew another bowl.
Sitting on the lounge chair, Lin Huaiyu said composedly: “If you keep fighting, my bowl of medicine will be shaken cold.”
Jing Fei, Ji Wuyou: “…”
The two looked at each other and had to stop.
Fang Zhixu happened to be between them and hurriedly took the opportunity to bring the medicine over: “Better the student takes care of Teacher. Having not met for many days, let the student serve Teacher to drink the medicine.”
Jing Fei and Ji Wuyou had nothing more to say; after all, Fang Zhixu was Lin Huaiyu’s proper student, while the two of them had no official status.
Fang Zhixu tested the temperature of the medicine; it wasn’t very hot at this moment. He scooped a spoonful and carefully blew on it before bringing it to Lin Huaiyu’s lips.
Lin Huaiyu frowned slightly.
Before he could open his mouth, Su Yang asked in a heavy voice: “Are there no candied fruits or sweets?”
As soon as he spoke, the courtyard suddenly became quiet, and all their gazes fell on Lin Huaiyu.
Lin Huaiyu indeed didn’t speak, so Ji Wuyou spoke up: “There are, but…”
He glanced at He Qingli nearby and shrugged his shoulders helplessly: “This doctor won’t let Master Yuxi eat them, saying it would affect the medicine’s efficacy. He has to drink it just like this, and isn’t even allowed to drink water immediately, saying it would dilute the medicine.”
While listening, Lin Huaiyu also cast a look full of resentment and anger toward He Qingli. He pushed away the medicine Fang Zhixu handed over, turned his head, and said: “Too bitter, I don’t want to drink it.”
Su Yang watched Lin Huaiyu like a cat, using his paw to push the bowl away, that expression and movement were exceptionally cute.
Even in the capital, he didn’t often see this side of Lin Huaiyu. Originally he thought such a Lin Huaiyu could only be seen by him, and he once felt smug about it, but now… the whole courtyard of people could see such a Lin Huaiyu.
So… is the current Lin Huaiyu the real Lin Huaiyu?
During those days in the capital, was it the pressure of his status that forced him to become indifferent, distant, and unfeeling?
Su Yang felt that he had never seen through Lin Huaiyu.
He Qingli saw Lin Huaiyu unwilling to drink the medicine and said irritably: “Do you still want to live? If you don’t want to live, then don’t drink it!”
Lin Huaiyu said with a shallow smile: “Then better I just die.”
He spoke easily, yet everyone present changed their expressions and blurted out: “No!”
Lin Huaiyu’s expression didn’t change, only pulling on Fang Zhixu’s sleeve.
Fang Zhixu understood instantly, let out a sigh of relief, and placed the sugar cube hidden in his sleeve into Lin Huaiyu’s palm.
Taking advantage of their lack of reaction, Lin Huaiyu immediately put the sugar cube in his mouth and downed the bowl of medicine in one go.
The speed was so fast it was astonishing.
He Qingli watched Lin Huaiyu’s series of operations, so angry his beard and eyes were wide, yet he could do nothing to Lin Huaiyu. His white beard even flew up as he touched his chest, feeling a pang of heartache.
Looking at He Qingli like this, the smile in Lin Huaiyu’s eyes grew even deeper. That was a unique color in the courtyard, like a rainbow in spring, beautiful and multifaceted, drawing people to linger and stay.
The people in the courtyard all froze in place looking at Lin Huaiyu.
Someone could really smile so brightly and vividly, like ice melting into water, continuous and never-ending.
Watching Lin Huaiyu like this, Su Yang also subconsciously curled his lips.
Compared to the Lin Huaiyu in the capital, this moment might be his most relaxed time.
He hoped Lin Huaiyu’s face would always have such a smile.