The Foolish Husband of the Landlord's Family (GL)

Chapter 36: Chaos

Though Song Keyan's main residence was in the capital, her family's wealth allowed them to maintain a temporary estate in Xu Prefecture. When the four reached Song's residence, they were covered in snow, especially Shiqi, whose clothes were soaked, dripping with melted snow.

Upon entering, Lin Kong looked around for Lin An and Lin Wan, but before she could ask Song Keyan, Jiang Yuan collapsed into her arms.

Panicked, Lin Kong supported Jiang Yuan, worriedly asking, "Wife, what's wrong?"

Her eyes reddened as Jiang Yuan appeared weak, her face pale as paper, and her body burning hot.

"Don’t cry, I'm fine," Jiang Yuan rasped. She felt weak during the journey, pushing through with sheer will. All signs pointed to a fever.

Hearing commotion, Song Keyan hurried over, scolding Lin Kong, "Why are you crying? Get Jiang Yuan inside. I’ll call a doctor."

"Mm." With Shiqi’s help, Lin Kong carried Jiang Yuan to bed. Song Keyan summoned a doctor, who diagnosed fever from hunger and frostbite.

Lin Kong, hearing fever, stared fearfully at Jiang Yuan, clutching her sleeve. Her mother had warned her she became slow after a fever, and she feared Jiang Yuan might suffer the same.

Jiang Yuan, unused to being cared for, felt uneasy. Seeing Lin Kong by her side, teary-eyed, she hoarsely called, "Kong'er."

"Wife, Kong'er is here. Where do you feel unwell?" Lin Kong responded, eyes still red, cheeks tear-streaked.

Jiang Yuan wiped Lin Kong’s tears, glancing at the anxious Song Keyan, apologizing, "Miss Song, could you find me a set of clothes, one in men's style?"

Her outer garment was off, but she felt sticky and uncomfortable.

Hearing "men’s style," Song Keyan shot Lin Kong a look, reluctantly sending for clothes. Helping Jiang Yuan change wasn’t appropriate for Lin Kong, nor for herself, as she admired Jiang Yuan. Shiqi was bathing to remove her wet clothes.

Song Keyan considered finding a maid, but Lin Kong volunteered, "Wife, let Kong'er help you change."

Song Keyan’s face fell, seeing Lin Kong as a rival. But with Jiang Yuan’s silent consent, she tactfully left with her people.

Once alone, Jiang Yuan relaxed. The fever flushed her cheeks, softening her, making her appear more vulnerable.

Lin Kong, captivated, stared at Jiang Yuan, only snapping out of it when she coughed, remembering she needed to help her change.

Holding unfamiliar women’s clothes, unsure of what to do, Jiang Yuan took them, glancing at the men's outfit, "Kong'er, I can manage. You’re wet, change quickly to avoid catching cold."

"Okay." Lin Kong obediently donned the clothes, oblivious to others, the oversized garments hanging loosely, making her look frail.

Jiang Yuan sat up, changing under Lin Kong’s gaze. Unlike Lin Kong’s nonchalance, she couldn’t simply strip and dress.

She had to change her inner garments too, but Lin Kong, as if she might vanish, watched intently.