Chapter 41: Falling Ill
After leaving the charity home, Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu walked leisurely toward home. Just as their house came into view, Huang Sanniang’s voice suddenly called out from behind them.
Turning around, they saw Huang Sanniang lifting her skirt as she jogged toward them, so they stopped to wait.
"Sanniang, is something urgent happening at the charity home?" Seeing Huang Sanniang panting heavily, her face flushed red from running, Jiang Chenghan assumed something urgent had happened and stepped forward to ask.
Huang Sanniang stopped, clutching her chest as she gasped for breath, unable to speak for a moment. She shook her head, her gaze drifting past Jiang Chenghan with a hint of complexity toward Yan Jingshu behind him. After finally catching her breath, she said to Jiang Chenghan, "Brother Jiang, I—I have something to tell you. It’s about… what Auntie Zhao relayed to me on your behalf."
Though Jiang Chenghan had agreed to act as a matchmaker for Xiao Qingfeng, he felt it inappropriate for a man to discuss such matters directly with Huang Sanniang, so he had asked Aunt Zhao to convey the proposal instead. At the time, he had told Huang Sanniang to take her time considering it and give her answer the next time they visited the charity home. He hadn’t expected her to chase after them so soon after they left.
Jiang Chenghan understood that Huang Sanniang wanted to speak to him alone, but he saw no need to hide anything from Yan Jingshu—after all, he never kept secrets from him. Just as he was about to tell Huang Sanniang to speak freely, Yan Jingshu spoke first with a smile, "Since there’s something to discuss, you two take your time. I’ll head home first." With a slight nod to Huang Sanniang and a glance at Jiang Chenghan, he turned and left before Jiang Chenghan could respond.
"Jingshu…" Watching Yan Jingshu walk away, Jiang Chenghan could only sigh helplessly before turning back to Huang Sanniang. "What did you want to say?"
Huang Sanniang pressed her lips together, as if struggling to find the right words. Her fingers twisted together nervously before she finally spoke, "Brother Jiang, I’m sorry… I don’t want to marry Brother Xiao. I… I already admire someone else. That person is…"
Jiang Chenghan had already guessed her intentions, so her words didn’t surprise him. But seeing the way she hesitantly gazed at him, he knew he couldn’t let her continue. He interrupted, "I understand. It’s fine, I’ll explain things to Lao Xiao. You don’t need to feel burdened. It’s getting dark, so you should hurry back to the charity home. It’s not safe to walk at night."
With that, he turned to leave, only to feel his sleeve being tugged. His brow furrowed slightly as he gently pulled his arm free, his expression cooling when he turned back to face her.
"Brother Jiang…" Huang Sanniang had only grabbed his sleeve in a moment of urgency, but being shaken off left her stunned. Meeting Jiang Chenghan’s impassive gaze—as if he had seen right through her—felt like having cold water poured over her head. All her excitement, shyness, and hope were washed away, leaving only shame and humiliation.
Jiang Chenghan sighed inwardly. He hadn’t noticed her feelings before, just as Yan Jingshu had predicted. After a brief silence, he said, "...You’re a good girl. You’ll surely meet someone who cherishes you wholeheartedly, someone you’ll love in return. You’ll have a happy marriage, just like Jingshu and me."
Huang Sanniang didn’t reply, her head bowed so her expression couldn’t be seen. Only the slight tremble in her body betrayed her emotions. After a long pause, she choked out a tearful "I’m sorry" before turning and running away.
Jiang Chenghan watched her disappear into the distance, shook his head, and headed home.
After searching the house, he found Yan Jingshu in the study, carefully repairing an old book whose pages had stuck together from moisture.
As mentioned before, Yan Jingshu had once helped his mentor restore damaged books while studying at Mushan Academy. A few days prior, they had come across a street vendor selling family heirlooms—books that had been poorly stored and damaged. Unable to bear seeing them go to waste, Yan Jingshu bought them all. Now, during his free time at home, he repaired them to pass the time.
Seeing Yan Jingshu occupied, Jiang Chenghan didn’t disturb him, simply sitting nearby to drink tea and watch. His thoughts wandered—how should he bring up the matter with Yan Jingshu? Yet seeing him so absorbed in his work, seemingly unbothered by his conversation with Huang Sanniang, left him feeling oddly unsettled.
Before long, Yan Jingshu set down his tools. He rose to wash his hands in a copper basin by the window, then took a seat beside Jiang Chenghan, sipping the tea Jiang Chenghan had poured for him.
"Sanniang refused Brother Xiao’s proposal, didn’t she? Because she already has someone she likes?" After a few sips, Yan Jingshu spoke first, his tone certain despite phrasing it as a guess.
Jiang Chenghan had prepared a whole speech, but Yan Jingshu’s single sentence rendered it useless. He could only nod wryly. "Just as you said. I was too dense to notice earlier. I shouldn’t have agreed to be Lao Xiao’s matchmaker."
Yan Jingshu smiled. When it came to matters of the heart, Jiang Chenghan was indeed unusually oblivious. "What did you say to her?"
Jiang Chenghan repeated the conversation verbatim, concluding, "I just hope she can move on soon. Otherwise, she’ll only be hurting herself."
Yan Jingshu nodded, saying nothing more. There was nothing else they could do, Huang Sanniang’s future was in her own hands.
Kou Shijun had granted Jiang Chenghan five days of marriage leave. As the end of his break approached, knowing work would keep him busy afterward, Jiang Chenghan spent his last day at home with Yan Jingshu. The next day, he donned his official robes and rode to the military headquarters.
With Jiang Chenghan gone, Yan Jingshu didn’t feel lonely. He enjoyed quiet activities—reading, restoring books, waiting for Jiang Chenghan to return for meals. On days Jiang Chenghan didn’t come home, he visited the charity home, reading or drawing for the children. His days passed peacefully.
During these visits, he inevitably encountered Huang Sanniang. Yan Jingshu’s attitude remained unchanged, as if unaware of her confession. Huang Sanniang, however, avoided him, though without resentment, which eased Yan Jingshu’s mind.
Over half a month passed. The merchant convoy and Yan Jingshu’s dowry attendants, who had left the capital later than Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu, finally arrived in Ningcheng.
Travelers often grouped together for safety, so though Jiang Chenghan didn’t want his ties to Xi Muyuan widely known, this arrangement was harmless. Xi Muyuan wanted to report the trip’s profits but didn’t enter the Jiang residence, leaving a message for Jiang Chenghan to meet at their usual spot during his next day off.
Previously, the Jiang household had only employed two cleaners. Now that Yan Jingshu’s people had arrived, he dismissed the two with several months’ extra pay. He then directed the newcomers in moving belongings, assigning rooms, and cleaning.
When Jiang Chenghan returned from work, the once-plain house had transformed. Soft-hued curtains, plush cushions, delicate ornaments, and lush potted plants adorned the rooms. Yan Jingshu’s touch made the home elegant and cozy, lifting one’s spirits just by being inside.
Sitting by the window on the kang, Jiang Chenghan suddenly remembered something. "Aside from Brother Zhang, my other friends and colleagues in Ningcheng heard about our marriage and insisted on a celebration. How do you feel about holding a banquet?"
Yan Jingshu, sorting account books, nodded. "That’s only proper. Your next day off is the day after tomorrow—let’s do it then. Give me a list of possible guests so I can estimate numbers and have Zheng Er and his wife buy supplies."
Jiang Chenghan waved a hand. "No need for trouble. Brother Xi owns a restaurant in town. We’ll just book the place for the banquet, no need to turn the house upside down."
Though more expensive, this arrangement saved hassle. Yan Jingshu agreed.
With the matter settled, Jiang Chenghan headed straight to Xi Muyuan’s Zhiyuan Restaurant to make arrangements and hear the merchant’s report. The discussion lasted over an hour. By the time Jiang Chenghan left, pockets heavy with silver notes, night had fallen.
Back home, Yan Jingshu waited up for him. Jiang Chenghan handed over the silver notes and summarized Xi Muyuan’s report.
Using Yan Jingshu’s twenty-thousand-odd taels, Xi Muyuan had bought goods in the capital, selling portions along the journey north. Two-thirds of the cargo remained, but half the initial investment had already been recovered—the silver Jiang Chenghan brought back.
Unsurprised by Xi Muyuan’s business acumen, Yan Jingshu stored the notes securely. Xi Muyuan would stay in Ningcheng until next year, so returning the funds wasn’t urgent.
"It’s late. Let’s rest—the day after tomorrow will be tiring." Though Xi Muyuan handled the banquet, hosting guests would still demand Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu’s energy. Given Jiang Chenghan’s status in Ningcheng, the guest list would surely be long.
"Mm. I’ll just put these away, then cough—" Mid-sentence, Yan Jingshu’s throat tickled, a cough escaping.
Jiang Chenghan hurried over, frowning. "Why the cough? Are you unwell?"
Yan Jingshu smiled reassuringly. "It’s nothing. The charcoal’s been burning too fiercely lately—the air’s too dry. I’ll drink more water."
Late autumn’s chill had prompted early charcoal use. Wanting Yan Jingshu comfortable, Jiang Chenghan bought the finest fuel, keeping the house spring-warm. He hadn’t considered overdoing it might cause discomfort.
Seeing only mild coughing, Jiang Chenghan relaxed slightly. He moved the brazier to the outer room, brought Yan Jingshu warm water, and they retired.
But deep in the night, Jiang Chenghan jolted awake, his chest tightening as he felt Yan Jingshu’s skin burning against him. The dry air hadn’t been the issue at all—his fulang was running a fever, and he’d foolishly dismissed it earlier. Now, with Yan Jingshu flushed and restless in his arms, guilt clawed at him. This wasn’t just a passing discomfort, his carelessness had let the illness take hold.
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