C8 The Illness

Yan Li was quite content with the peace and quiet, especially since Mrs. Lau wasn't around to stir up trouble. It was the perfect time to give her jasmine plants some much-needed attention.

"...Growing flowers is a meticulous task. Do you think it's just about watering them? Flowers are even harder to care for than crops. Without dedication, you'll never see them at their most beautiful and fragrant."

Yan Li was fully absorbed in tending to her jasmine plants, carefully removing each one from its pot. She loved watching them grow from small seedlings into large, flourishing blooms that stayed vibrant for a long time. While people often say, "Flowers don't stay in bloom for a hundred days," they forget that even if they don't bloom this year, they'll come back next spring, ready to blossom again.

Ayuv looked puzzled. It's just a plant, right? Could it really be more important than crops? The Great Young Madam was indeed a peculiar person.

Luo Tingye sat by the window, observing the woman tending to her plants. Her focus was intense, and she knew exactly how to trim each branch with precision. In no time, the once-bushy jasmine was pruned into a neat little plant.

Mrs. Lau had indeed made her move.

Yan Li eyed the new servants that had arrived, each more striking and alluring than the last. One of them even dared to flirt with her husband right in front of her, batting her eyes and speaking in a voice that could melt butter. It was enough to give anyone goosebumps.

"Great Young Madam, I'm Nanny Cheung. You can call me Nanny. I'll be managing things in this courtyard from now on. If you need anything, feel free to let me know," Nanny Cheung introduced herself with a blank expression.

With that, Nanny Cheung began efficiently directing the servants in the Banquet Night Courtyard, even reassigning Ayuv and replacing him with Mei'er, who was full of flirtatious glances.

She didn't mind how she got married or the targeting from Mrs. Lau, and she certainly didn't care about those two illegitimate sons. However, she really disliked others meddling in her personal affairs.

Yan Li laughed in frustration and nudged Luo Tingye with her elbow. "Is this the kind of life you used to live?"

How miserable, especially for the son of a wealthy landowner in Luo Town, to live so stifled.

But Yan Li received no response. Sensing something was wrong, she turned to see Luo Tingye's already pale face turning almost transparent.

Startled, Yan Li forgot all about Nanny Cheung and the flirtatious maids. She shouted anxiously, "Luo Tingye, what's wrong? Someone, anyone, come quickly!"

Damn it, how could she forget this man's frail health? With all the recent rituals and commotion, plus Mrs. Lau's interference, how could he possibly be okay?

Worse, Luo Tingye's slender, weak body swayed before collapsing backward.

Yan Li was horrified. "No!"

Behind Luo Tingye was a chair, and from this angle and distance, he was sure to hit it. His already fragile body was like paper—how could it withstand such a fall?

Without thinking, Yan Li used all her strength to pull Luo Tingye up. She managed to catch him, but her forceful pull spun them around 180 degrees.

Thud.

"Ugh."

With a muffled groan, Yan Li hit the ground hard on her back, Luo Tingye landing on top of her. The impact sent a sharp pain through her back, making her wince.

"What are you all standing around for? Go get the doctor! Mei'er, take care of the Eldest Young Master!"

Nanny Cheung was startled. If anything happened to the Eldest Young Master under her watch, how could she explain it to the Old Master or the Madam? She quickly directed people to help Luo Tingye up and take him inside, leaving Yan Li unattended on the ground.

Ayuv helped Yan Li to her feet. "Great Young Madam, are you alright?"

Yan Li clutched her aching back and the old injury in her waist. "I'm fine. Hurry, help me check on Luo Tingye."

It was just a fall; how could he be so fragile? Surely, he wasn't weaker than her delicate husband. But as she reached the door, Nanny Cheung blocked her way.

"Great Young Madam, please rest outside. Mei'er is inside to tend to him. Please step back."

Mei'er? Who was she to care for Luo Tingye? Especially since she was placed by Mrs. Lau, Yan Li didn't trust her at all.

"I am the Great Young Madam, you all—"

Before she could finish, Nanny Cheung ignored her, gave a cold snort, and slammed the door shut, cutting off her view of Luo Tingye completely.

This? This was blatant targeting.

Yan Li clenched her fists. "Not even a month into the marriage, and Mrs. Lau can't wait any longer?"

It's one thing for a mother-in-law to assert dominance over a new daughter-in-law, but to openly send someone into the courtyard and strip her of her rights as a wife was a first. How could she trust them with Luo Tingye? What if they did something to harm him?

Ayuv asked anxiously, "Great Young Madam, what should we do?"

What to do? Of course, they would stay by the door. Even if they couldn't go in, they could still keep an eye on things.

"Let's sit over there. Meanwhile, tell me more about what illness Luo Tingye is suffering from."

Yan Li sat under the grape arbor at the edge of the yard, facing the house, listening to Ayuv's report.

Ayuv said, "The Eldest Young Master's illness..."

In truth, no one really knew what was wrong with Luo Tingye. Despite countless renowned doctors nearly wearing out the threshold of the Luo Mansion, none could pinpoint the issue. Some said it was a lack of vitality, others claimed it was a congenital condition, and some believed it was a bone marrow disease beyond cure.

Everyone knew, however, that Luo Tingye's illness could flare up at any time, and when it did, he would be bedridden for a month before he could get up again.

"...Today, the Young Master's episode was relatively mild. It's been over two weeks without incident, and this time he only fainted without coughing up blood," Ayuv added.

Yan Li detected a hint of satisfaction in Ayuv's tone regarding Luo Tingye's symptoms. She smirked; an illness was still an illness, regardless of its severity.

Yet, Yan Li felt an unprecedented weight on her shoulders. With a frail husband and the formidable Mrs. Lau, the days ahead promised to be challenging.

As she pondered, she watched the doctor, breathless from running with his medical kit, enter the house. Her resolve deepened.

In the courtyard, servants hurried past her in a flurry, and Mei'er occasionally emerged, casting her a smug and challenging glance.

"Great Young Madam?" Ayuv spoke with a sympathetic tone.

The Great Young Madam had originally married into the Luo family to enjoy a life of comfort, but instead, she faced constant challenges. It was truly unfortunate.