CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: HOLDING THE YOUNG LADY’S HAND

"Although the Marquis said there was still some calming incense left, I always feel it’s better to have too much than to run short when it’s needed, so I made more," Fu Shinian said.

"And there’s the Concentration Incense, for use in the daytime," Fu Shinian continued, "I worry that there might be dangers along the way, and with the Concentration Incense, we can stay alert and not doze off, reacting in time if danger comes."

"I made more of the Concentration Incense. Because the Marquis said you have plenty of calming incense, and it’s only for your use," Fu Shinian said, "The Concentration Incense can also be used by others."

"Especially the guards, who must ensure your safety, should remain vigilant," Fu Shinian said, "So I’ve also made plenty of refreshing pills and packed them in the box, labeled on top. When the time comes, the Marquis can distribute some to the guards, have them take a sniff now and then to stay alert."

"Don’t give them the calming incense, not even at night. They need to stay focused to ensure safety, it won’t do if they sleep soundly," Fu Shinian cautioned, "I made plenty of the refreshing pills, let the Marquis share them more with the guards, so when they stand watch at night, they can sniff them if they get drowsy, to avoid falling asleep and failing to react if danger arises."

All considerations were centered around Xiao Chengyu’s safety.

As for the guards, Fu Shinian acted as if heartless.

Xiao Chengyu chuckled, "Alright."

Chunmian couldn’t bear it any longer; the Marquis Changping seemed unaware of how exhausted Fu Shinian was from making all this, so she interjected, "Marquis, my young lady worked day and night to make these. Because even if others follow the recipe, they can’t make it like she does, so we could only help with minor tasks."

"Miss’ hands are swollen from making incense and pills," Chunmian said.

Xiao Chengyu looked down and noticed Fu Shinian’s hands were hidden under her cloak.

Xiao Chengyu said, "Let me see."

"You’re listening to Chunmian exaggerate," Fu Shinian retorted, pulling her hands behind her, refusing to show them.

"Then I’ll be presumptuous," Xiao Chengyu said.

What?

Fu Shinian didn’t know Xiao Chengyu meant, and to her surprise, Xiao Chengyu reached inside her cloak.

Fu Shinian instinctively took a step back.

No man’s actions had ever come so close before.

Even her own father and brother wouldn’t do such a thing.

But as soon as she took a step back, her hand was held by Xiao Chengyu.

Fu Shinian’s hand was pulled out by him.

The young lady, usually pampered, with making incense and pills as a hobby, only did it occasionally when free.

Making incense for him normally exceeded what Fu Shinian did in a year.

Yet in these three days, unable to attend to anything else, she continually made incense and pills for him.

Seeing the fully packed box, Xiao Chengyu could imagine how exhausting finishing all these would be.

Holding her hand, Xiao Chengyu turned it over to look at her finger pads.

They were visibly swollen and red.

Xiao Chengyu sighed, gazing deeply at Fu Shinian.

How could he possibly repay such deep affection?

The problem was, he wasn’t going to live long.

Watching Fu Shinian’s nose tip, flushed from the cold.

Her fair skin made the redness even more noticeable.

"This time it’s my fault for telling you too late," Xiao Chengyu said, "I’ll inform you earlier next time."

He knew he couldn’t stop Fu Shinian from doing this.

If similar things happened again, he’d speak sooner to spare her the toil.

Fu Shinian nodded with a red face, "Alright."

Then, she began to slowly retract her hand.

Only then did Xiao Chengyu realize he had been holding the girl’s hand all along.

He quickly let go, his cheeks involuntarily flushing.

"My apologies," Xiao Chengyu said dryly, his voice a bit hoarse, momentarily not daring to look at Fu Shinian.

"I won’t delay the Marquis any longer, leave earlier to rest earlier," Fu Shinian lowered her head, also avoiding eye contact with Xiao Chengyu, "I’ll wait in the capital for your return."

Xiao Chengyu felt his heart melting, not knowing what to do, thus only replying with a simple "Alright."

Xiao Chengyu headed towards the carriage in front, while Fu Shinian watched his back, deciding to follow as she still needed to greet the old madam.

Watching Xiao Chengyu board the carriage, he looked at the three concerned faces outside and said, "I will write back, mother, do not worry."

Madam Xiao stood between Fu Shinian and Xiao Yingyue, holding their hands tightly, nodding, "Take good care of yourself, don’t make us worry."

Xiao Chengyu nodded, and the three watched his carriage depart.

Madam Xiao’s worry lingered as she turned and took Fu Shinian’s hand, "Good girl, let me see your hand."

Seeing Fu Shinian’s swollen and red finger pads, she felt pained, "Such a sincere child."

Everything Fu Shinian said to Xiao Chengyu was heard by Madam.

"With the Marquis gone, we can’t keep watch, preparing more is the best we can do," Fu Shinian said, "It’s not that tiring, I finished in one go, and then I can rest well."

"I won’t keep you longer, go home and rest quickly," Madam said, "Come see me after you’ve rested enough. Otherwise, I can’t help worrying about him."

Fu Shinian returned home, so exhausted she fell into a deep sleep as soon as she touched the bed.

She had a long dream.

Once more, she dreamt of the scenes from the original book.

Details she had overlooked upon waking now appeared vividly in her dream.

She dreamt of an event briefly mentioned in the original text.

The epidemic.

Ganning suffered an epidemic about a month after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The epidemic came suddenly, without warning.

The city’s people suddenly fell ill, with fever, coughing, vomiting.

The transmission was extremely rapid.

Mere close contact with a patient led to infection.

Symptoms did not appear immediately.

Some showed symptoms after two or three days.

Others took seven or eight days to appear.

At first it was controllable, with the city’s pharmacies and medical clinics requisitioned by the authorities.

But soon, as the number of infected rose, the pharmacy supplies ran out.

Even the doctors were infected and unable to concoct medicine.

Medicine was brought in from elsewhere, but it was too slow to relieve the urgent shortage.

Eventually, even the County Magistrate got infected.

No one in the city was spared, and the gates were closed to prevent exits, turning the place into a dead city.

The Emperor dispatched troops, who burned the city inside and out to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Luckily, Ganning was remote, with little traffic.

The city’s people hadn’t traveled elsewhere, and no outsiders entered during that time.

This prevented the epidemic from spreading beyond.

But a whole city was lost.

The dream was so vivid, it felt as though Fu Shinian had experienced it herself.