Ji Jin had overestimated his constitution. He woke up with a pounding headache, his body feeling heavy and hot to the touch. Fever.
He pushed himself up, intending to brew some medicine, but found he couldn't move. His lower back burned, and his entire body ached and felt weak. He gasped for breath, glancing at the darkening sky, regretting he hadn't sent the young eunuch to inform his two troublemaking friends.
But it was probably fine. The entire Imperial Hospital was being punished, and the Emperor hadn't kept it secret. Dozens of imperial physicians had been carried out of the palace, and rumors were already flying. His friends couldn't possibly not know. They were likely rushing over here already.
Ji Jin's thoughts were optimistic, unaware that Situ Yan and Ouyang Wen were just leaving Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. Slightly tipsy, they found the carriage stuffy and decided to walk along the streets, arm in arm, talking about how Ji Jin's pursuit of his lady was going.
Xiao Wuzi and Rong Yan, Ouyang Wen's attendant, followed in separate carriages, both wearing expressions of helplessness.
They arrived at Ji Jin's residence in a hurry, but instead of knocking, they nimbly scaled the roof, lifted a roof tile, and peered into the opening.
Their practiced movements were astonishing, clearly indicating they had done this many times before. The two attendants pretended not to notice, but couldn't help worrying. The room was pitch black, not even a lamp lit. Even if they could remove a whole section of tiles, they wouldn't see a thing.
Ouyang Wen was annoyed, "What's going on? That girl hasn't shown up yet? She's too heartless. Ah Yan, you'll have to have a good word with her later."
"What can I say? I'm not her father. I'll play matchmaker, but I can't force her to the altar with Ah Jin."
"A life-saving grace, a pledge of devotion."
"That's called coercion."
"Only you are cultured. After two days of calligraphy, you're showing off idioms to me. So, what do we do about this?"
"What else can we do? Let's go check on Ah Jin. Thirty planks, you think his body can take it like yours?" He was about to descend from the roof when he saw two lights approaching from a distance. As they drew closer, they realized it was a carriage, and the lights were its lanterns.
The young woman who alighted from the carriage made both of them breathe a sigh of relief.
Ouyang Wen grumbled, "At least her conscience hasn't been completely eaten by dogs."
He completely forgot that Situ Yan had sent Xiao Wuzi to spread rumors on Pinglan Street, not to directly deliver a message.
Rumors take time to spread, don't they?
Feng Xinyao couldn't sit still as soon as she heard the rumors. It was Mother Jin who reminded her to bring him food. She carried the lunchbox out of the carriage and almost thought she had the wrong place. Why was there no light in the room? Had the Prince or the Young Master picked him up?
It wasn't impossible. Their news was much faster than hers.
With this thought, Feng Xinyao stepped forward and knocked on the door. To her surprise, the door was ajar. It opened with a gentle push. "Imperial Physician Ji, are you home?"
Ji Jin, lying on his bed, felt a warmth spread through his chest. He cracked a silent smile and weakly replied, "Yes."
Feng Xinyao entered the room. "Why aren't you lighting a lamp?"
"It was still noon when I got back. The candlestick is on the table."
Feng Xinyao placed the lunchbox down and quickly lit a lamp with the lantern. The candlelight cast a dim yellow glow, making Ji Jin look even more pale, but his expression was one of contentment.
With his beloved before him, his discomfort seemed to lessen.
Feng Xinyao felt a strange pang of unease. "Why are you home alone? Did you apply the medicine? Did you eat?"
Ji Jin shook his head weakly. "The injury is on my back, it's hard to apply the medicine."
"And the food?"
Ji Jin shook his head again, looking pitiful and worthy of sympathy.
The two on the roof tsk-tsked. "Not bad, he's quite good at playing the weakling."
Feng Xinyao had never seen Ji Jin so weak and didn't know how to proceed. She finally said, "I brought you food. Can you get out of bed? If you can, eat something first."
Ji Jin shook his head. "Could you pour me a cup of water first?"
"The water on your table is already cold. Let me boil some hot water for you."
"No, my throat is so dry it feels like it's burning."
No wonder his voice was so hoarse. Feng Xinyao brought the water over. Ji Jin propped himself up and, with her help, managed to drink a cup of water. Honestly, if no one else had come, he might have truly died of thirst.
Thirty planks were not easy to endure.
No wonder Ouyang took so long to recover after being thrashed. But then again, an injury endured for the daily care of his beloved wasn't a loss. Ji Jin recalled how Miss Cheng used to visit Ouyang every day with food, and his gaze towards Feng Xinyao grew more fervent.
Feng Xinyao felt uncomfortable under his gaze. "Imperial Physician Ji, perhaps you should eat first?"
"I can't get up."
"I... I'll feed you."
"Isn't that... inappropriate?"
"It's alright. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had to endure those planks."
She pulled the chair and table closer to the bed and, indeed, began feeding Ji Jin spoonful by spoonful. The dim lamplight illuminated a cozy atmosphere in the room. The two on the roof watched their fill and finally made their successful retreat, not forgetting to replace the roof tile.
The meal took as long as three meals. Ji Jin's stomach was full, and he finally regained some strength.
Feng Xinyao collected the bowls. "Imperial Physician Ji, is there anything else I can help you with?"
Ji Jin shook his head. "I have a slight fever. Could you please brew me a bowl of medicine?"
"Where is the medicine?"
"It's at home. I'll tell you where to get it from the medicine cabinet." Ji Jin was completely unceremonious. What if she really left if he was too polite?
That night, Feng Xinyao fussed around Ji Jin's house for an hour and a half, only leaving after Ji Jin had drunk his medicine and fallen asleep.
Before leaving, she woke the sleeping coachman and had him apply medicine to Ji Jin's injured back.
Ji Jin felt a twinge of regret. Why was there a coachman?