Chapter 272: Visiting the Sick

Chapter 272: Calling on the Sick

Ignoring the gatekeeper's protests, Zhao Yuanliang strode straight through the courtyard toward Cheng Ge's inner quarters.

His face wore an expression of perfectly measured concern, but his eyes hid a barely perceptible scrutiny.

Cheng Ge's claim of illness and refusal to appear these past few days were too suspicious; he had to personally confirm what this Lord Censor was really up to.

The door to the inner chamber was ajar, and the smell of medicine was several times stronger than outside. Zhao Yuanliang gave a perfunctory knock and then pushed the door open.

The room was dimly lit, the windows tightly shut, with only a single yellow oil lamp burning.

There, "Cheng Ge" lay on the bed with his back to the door, facing the wall inside, covered with a thick brocade quilt.

Even his hair was completely tucked under the covers, so only his silhouette was visible, occasionally emitting a few suppressed coughs.

Ling Feng stood by the bed. Seeing Zhao Yuanliang burst in, he stepped forward to stand in front of the bed and lowered his voice:

"Lord Zhao, my master has just taken his medicine and gone to sleep. The illness may be contagious; it would be bad if you caught it."

Hearing Ling Feng's words, his suspicion deepened. Zhao Yuanliang quickly swept his gaze across the entire room.

Finally, it fell on the figure with its back to him, his smile remained unchanged:

"It's fine. I'm strong and not afraid of this. How is Lord Cheng's condition? Does he need another famous doctor?"

As he spoke, he subtly edged two steps forward, trying to get a look at the person's profile on the bed.

"Cough... cough..." The figure on the bed coughed harder, his shoulders shaking slightly, but he did not turn around.

He weakly waved his hand, letting out an extremely hoarse and barely audible voice:

"...No... worry... thank... Lord Zhao... for... concern..."

The voice was raspy and broken, the raspy voice clearly showing a severe cold that made speech difficult.

Zhao Yuanliang stared at the mound on the bed; his doubts did not dissipate but grew even stronger.

The concern on his face deepened, and he moved forward again, almost reaching the bedside, his tone carrying an insistence that allowed no refusal:

"Lord Cheng, when you are weak from illness, you must be even more careful. Let me see your complexion, so I can be at ease."

As he spoke, he actually reached out, appearing to lift a corner of the brocade quilt.

Ling Feng's eyes hardened, and the hand behind his back instantly clenched.

At this crucial moment—

The figure facing inward suddenly moved, as if disturbed or overcome by a cough, abruptly turned around!

However, he did not fully reveal his face; instead, he buried most of it in the soft brocade quilt, leaving only his eyes exposed.

These eyes had an unhealthy reddish flush, and his long eyelashes were wet from cough-induced tears.

They were misted with a hazy layer of moisture, and the corners of his eyes were flushed red, looking fragile and dazed with illness.

"Cough... cough cough..."

He coughed violently, letting out a muffled, extremely hoarse sound through the quilt, whispering weakly.

"...Forgive... this sickly... countenance..."

Those red, tear-filled eyes stared unblinkingly at Zhao Yuanliang, his expression full of weariness and sickness.

Zhao Yuanliang's extended hand, upon seeing these eyes, identical to Cheng Ge's, but now filled with unhealthy moisture, suddenly froze in place.

His gaze flickered for a moment, then he slowly withdrew his hand, his expression of concern growing even deeper, his tone full of regret:

"I was presumptuous! I have disturbed your rest, truly my fault, my fault!"

He repeatedly clasped his hands in apology, adopting a very humble posture. "But seeing you so gravely ill, I am truly worried!

Lord Cheng is a pillar of the court, a talent relied upon by His Majesty. I sincerely implore you to prioritize your health and not overexert or worry."

"Cheng Ge" on the bed merely blinked slightly, his long eyelashes still holding tiny teardrops, saying nothing, as if even the strength to reply had been exhausted.

Seeing this, Zhao Yuanliang took another small step forward, lowering his voice further in a probing tone.

"Lord Cheng, this illness... came on so suddenly. Did you catch a chill on the way back from the poetry gathering that day?

Ah, it's all my fault for not thinking carefully. If I had prepared a warm sedan chair that day and sent more guards, perhaps..."

"Cough... cough..." Another bout of violent coughing interrupted him. "Cheng Ge" buried his face deeper into the quilt.

Only his reddened eyes remained visible; he shook his head slightly and whispered weakly: "...It... has... nothing... to do... with... you..."

"Yes, yes, you are magnanimous." Zhao Yuanliang quickly responded, but his eyes still carefully scrutinized the exposed parts of the other's face.

"But now there are many official matters throughout Yuanzhou awaiting your instructions.

Especially... the matter of the salt and iron accounts you mentioned earlier. I have been restless day and night since returning.

I have ordered a thorough investigation, and as soon as you are a bit better, I can present the report..."

He deliberately brought up the salt and iron accounts to show his cooperative attitude and, even more, to observe Cheng Ge's reaction.

Ling Feng listened with a pounding heart, terrified that Lü Rou, unaware of the details, would slip up.

He quickly stepped forward and interjected skillfully: "Lord Zhao, your consideration is appreciated, but my master is truly too weak now.

The physician ordered absolute rest, and even official documents have been set aside. Once my master recovers, he will attend to official business immediately."

Zhao Yuanliang's gaze swept over Ling Feng, then returned to the silent eyes of the figure on the bed, and he smiled:

"Of course, of course health is the priority. I am merely worried about delaying important state affairs."

He changed the subject and added: "By the way, the wild ginseng I specially found is of mature age.

I heard it is excellent for replenishing qi (vital energy) and strengthening the body. I have given it to your household staff, hoping it will aid your recovery."

"Mm... thank... you." A muffled thank you came from under the covers.

"You are too kind." Zhao Yuanliang smiled graciously and then went on with a long string of solicitous words.

He touched on everything from diet to daily routine, appearing extremely attentive.

However, the person on the bed gave little response, only occasionally shaking from coughing and then blinking at Zhao Yuanliang.

This unnatural stillness and the unblinking stare finally gave Zhao Yuanliang an indescribable feeling of unease. After standing there awkwardly for another moment, he said: "Please rest well and recuperate. I will come visit another day."

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Yuanliang finally cupped his hands and said, "This humble official will not disturb your rest."

Cheng Ge nodded at him, then closed his eyes wearily.

Ling Feng quickly followed to see him out, and only after the door clicked shut did the room fall silent.

Only then did Lü Rou abruptly sit up from the bed and yank off the brocade quilt that had been suffocating her.

She clutched her wildly pounding chest and gasped for air, as if she had just been pulled out of the water.

The clothes on her back were already completely soaked with cold sweat, cold and sticky against her skin, sending chills down her spine.

"That was close... scared me to death..." she whispered, still shaken, her voice trembling slightly.

"Thankfully, the young master once told me that to make someone leave, you just need to stay silent and stare intently at them..."