Chapter 10

Su Qingluo quickly lowered her head, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Just as she was about to head to the side room, she heard Lu Hengzhi’s calm voice: “Please have Imperial Physician Song examine that young lady—she fainted earlier.”

As soon as he spoke, the other men in the courtyard all turned to look at Su Qingluo. She immediately responded, “Thank you, Third Master, but I’m fine. I haven’t eaten since morning—it’s really not worth troubling Imperial Physician Song.”

Lu Hengzhi gave Song Yu a subtle glance.

Song Yu, the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, was no fool. He stroked his beard and smiled, “No trouble at all—just a quick check.”

As he spoke, he was already walking over. Su Qingluo couldn’t refuse again and had Zi Yuan invite him into the room.

After placing a cloth over her wrist and taking her pulse, Imperial Physician Song said she had fainted due to excessive worry and emotional strain. Rest would suffice, though he also prescribed a calming remedy.

Su Qingluo thanked him and asked Zi Yuan to prepare twenty taels of silver as a token of gratitude. But to her surprise, he raised a hand and declined.

“No need, no need. I’m simply acting on someone’s behalf. If you wish to thank someone, thank the one who sent me.”

At the words “the one who sent me,” Su Qingluo’s face flushed slightly. She offered again, but seeing how firmly he refused, she gave up and rose to escort him out. As she opened the door, she saw Lu Hengzhi still standing in the courtyard. He seemed to hear the movement and turned his head, his voice as calm as if asking about something entirely ordinary: “How is she?”

Imperial Physician Song smiled and replied, “She’ll be fine.”

Lu Hengzhi nodded slightly. His gaze toward her was cool, yet for some reason, it made her feel deeply cared for.

Su Qingluo’s heart fluttered wildly. She slowly lifted her head and thanked Lu Hengzhi once more. He acknowledged her with a quiet “Mm,” then turned to instruct the elders and younger members of the family to go rest—he would stay and keep watch.

Su Qingluo looked up at him again.

Though he had stayed awake all night, his attire was immaculate, his posture upright, his eyes clear—completely unlike the others, who looked weary and dull-eyed. In that moment, she finally understood the phrase she had once read in a book: “like a pearl among rubble.”

With the male relatives gone, only Lu Hengzhi remained in the courtyard.

Seeing no one else around, Su Qingluo gathered her courage and bowed to him. “Thank you for earlier, Third Brother.”

Lu Hengzhi’s gaze landed directly on her, his expression somewhere between a smile and not. “Why didn’t you call me Third Brother when others were around? What’s the matter—afraid?”

Su Qingluo’s breath quickened involuntarily. She didn’t know why, but the term “Third Brother” felt overly intimate. She simply couldn’t bring herself to say it in front of others. But how could she explain that? She couldn’t find the words.

Lu Hengzhi took a step toward her, and she grew even more nervous, twisting her handkerchief anxiously. In a low voice, she said, “No, I… I just forgot for a moment.”

The moment she said it, she regretted it—the excuse was far too clumsy.

Fortunately, Lu Hengzhi stopped, looked at her for a moment, and said, “Then remember next time.”

Su Qingluo let out a quiet breath. “Yes.”

Just then, Song Wen entered the courtyard carrying a food box. Seeing the mere three steps between his master and Miss Su, his mind couldn’t help but conjure a thousand ambiguous scenarios. Suppressing his wandering thoughts, he said, “Master, you haven’t eaten since last night or this morning. Please have a few bites.”

Lu Hengzhi waved his sleeve. “Give it to Miss Su first.”

Song Wen was startled again and immediately handed the box to Zi Yuan.

Zi Yuan didn’t know what to do and looked toward her mistress.

Su Qingluo instinctively wanted to refuse, but when she met Lu Hengzhi’s deep, tranquil gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to say no. She realized—his kindness was not something one could reject. So she nodded and gestured for Zi Yuan to accept it. “Then… thank you, Third Brother.”

Lu Hengzhi nodded and said calmly, “Grandmother is no longer in danger. After you eat, you can rest easy.”

Was that concern?

Su Qingluo’s heart pounded wildly. She lowered her head and softly replied, “Yes.”

Lu Hengzhi looked at the respectful, nervous young woman before him, said nothing more, and turned to enter Old Madam Lu’s room.

Su Qingluo returned to her room and lifted the lid of the food box. Inside was a steaming bowl of fish porridge. The rice was cooked until soft and creamy, and the fish slices were fresh and springy. The flavor was excellent. She had been hungry for quite some time and quickly finished the entire bowl. Setting the bowl down, she felt a wave of contentment.

Being from Jinling, she naturally loved fish. But the capital had little water, and the Lu family didn’t care for fish either. On festive occasions, there might be a fish on the table, but it was never fresh—she didn’t enjoy it. She hadn’t expected, thanks to Lu Hengzhi, to eat such fresh fish in the capital. After eating, her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep.

When she woke again, the setting sun was casting warm light across the tiled floor through the window. She had slept for so long!

Su Qingluo quickly got up, freshened herself, and went to the room next door to check on her grandmother.

Inside were only Madam Qian Wenling and Lu Hengzhi.

Su Qingluo walked to the bedside and looked at her grandmother. Her hair was nearly all white, with just a few gray strands scattered across the pillow. Her complexion was sallow, her eyes half-closed, breathing softly as if asleep.

Qian Wenling whispered, “She took her medicine two hours ago—all of it.”

Su Qingluo felt half-relieved, then remembered to check on Lu Hengzhi. He sat upright on a rosewood stool, his blue ceremonial robe immaculate, not a single crease in sight. Perhaps from staying up all night, there was finally a trace of fatigue in his expression, and his cool eyes were tinged with red.

Su Qingluo felt a sudden pang of sympathy.

Qian Wenling quickly added, “Qingluo’s here. You can rest now, can’t you?” Her tone suggested she had already tried persuading Lu Hengzhi several times.

Lu Hengzhi looked up at Su Qingluo and nodded when a raspy cough came from the bed.

Su Qingluo turned instantly and saw her grandmother slowly open her eyes.

“Grandmother, you’re awake—” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she grabbed her grandmother’s hand. “How are you feeling? Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?”

The old madam managed a faint smile and rasped, “Water…”

“Yes, I’ll get it right away,” Su Qingluo responded anxiously. As she turned around, she found Lu Hengzhi standing behind her, holding out a peach-colored teacup.

Su Qingluo touched the rim—just the right temperature. She quickly took it and gently helped her grandmother drink.

After a few sips of water, the old madam felt hungry. Madam Qian Wenling promptly sent someone to the kitchen for porridge and called for Yue’e to assist.

Together, Su Qingluo and Yue’e helped the old madam sit up in bed. Yue’e placed a cushion behind her so she could rest comfortably.

Once settled, the old madam finally noticed Lu Hengzhi in the room and looked slightly surprised. She spoke, her voice weak and breathy, “It’s just my usual old ailment. Why trouble Hengzhi over it?”

It wasn’t an unreasonable question.

Lu Hengzhi was a registered grandson, not one who regularly paid morning and evening visits. With his high status and busy schedule, it was rare for him to have time for such things.

Lu Hengzhi rose and replied evenly, “Grandmother is ill. As your grandson, I’ve come to serve you—how could that be considered troubling?”

The old madam smiled gently. “You’re a dutiful one.” Though inwardly, she couldn’t help but feel her health must be truly failing.

Just then, a maid brought in a bowl of millet porridge, saying Imperial Physician Song prescribed it and should be eaten first.

Su Qingluo was about to take it when she saw Lu Hengzhi, standing nearby, calmly reach out and hand her the bowl. She didn’t have time to think—she reached for it, and in doing so, accidentally brushed against his cold fingertips.