Fortune Across the World

Chapter 76: Tender Care and Gentle Watch (Part One)

The three of them breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing the old man's diagnosis. Lu Weiming took the prescription and immediately left to procure the medicine. The old man gave a few parting instructions and prepared to leave. Ding Qiyu propped herself up and called out sincerely, "Master! Thank you..."

Lu Weixi also bowed in gratitude, "Thank you, sir."

The old man glanced at them, a complex look in his eyes fleetingly, and nodded, "Hmm. Get well soon. I've already devised a martial arts routine for you to learn." With that, he turned and left the courtyard.

Feeling relieved, Ding Qiyu sank back onto the bed, exhaling deeply.

Turning back, Lu Weixi saw this and, with the room now empty of others, sat back by the bed and gently asked, "Qiyu, are you afraid of seeing a doctor?" She couldn't think of another reason for Qiyu's reluctance to seek medical help.

"Uh..." Ding Qiyu didn't know how to answer.

Seeing Qiyu's hesitation only confirmed Lu Weixi's suspicion, but she didn't want to embarrass her, so she moved on, tucking the blanket around Qiyu and picking up the cloth meant for her forehead, "This isn't cool anymore. I'll go get some fresh water."

Ding Qiyu quickly grabbed her hand, "Hey! Xi'er, no, cough, it's inconvenient to fetch water. I'll ask Brother Weiming when he returns, you don't need to go. I'm not that hot." Fetching water was just a matter of ladling some from the tank into a basin, but Ding Qiyu couldn't bear to have her beloved Xi'er do such chores. She wanted Xi'er to be cherished and protected, never to feel weary.

With her brows furrowed, Lu Weixi insisted, "You're sick because of me. If you don't let me help, are you trying to make me worry and feel guilty?" Her tone carried a hint of grievance. She wanted to do something for Qiyu, not just passively receive her kindness.

Faced with such gentle persuasion, Ding Qiyu couldn't resist. Seeing Weixi's slightly aggrieved expression, she hurriedly explained, "No, I just don't want you to tire yourself out!"

Lu Weixi shook her head, speaking earnestly, "I'm willing, for you. And it's just fetching water, it's not tiring at all. I can do it."

Ding Qiyu's heart warmed, unable to refuse her sincerity. She relented, "Just a little water to wet the cloth is enough."

"Alright, I know. Just rest, Qiyu, I'll take care of it." Lu Weixi smiled softly at her and went to the courtyard's water room.

Every independent courtyard in the academy had a small water room with a tank and a small stove for storing and heating water. Lu Weixi fetched the water and washed the cloth. As the general's treasured daughter, she had never done such tasks herself, so her movements were clumsy. The cloth was large, and her delicate hands struggled to wring it out. Despite this, she wiped her brow and smiled with contentment. Doing something for her beloved, no matter how tiring, was a joy.

Carrying the basin back, she could only hold the wrung cloth with two fingers, carefully returning to Qiyu's room. The sight filled Ding Qiyu with tenderness. If she weren't so weak, she would have rushed to take the basin and hold Xi'er close.

Lu Weixi set the basin down, sitting by the bed to gently place the cool cloth on Qiyu's forehead, asking, "Does this feel better?"