Chapter 122 (1/2)

Chapter 122 Cascades: Rain

Rain always falls when one least expects it, especially when in Summer; the skies can easily change from bright and sunny to a torrential downpour in the span of a cup of tea.

Hearing of Jiang Moyin's remittent illness, this time more serious than before, Feng Luodi immediately headed straight for his residence, an a.s.sistant from Autumnal Ombre quickly procuring a carriage for her.

“It's nigh impossible for you to get there in the rain, Luodi. Just wait for the rain to stop before you go, alright?” Qi Jianqiu tried to talk her out of it. However, Fei took one look at Feng Luodi's face to know that she was dead set on visiting Jiang Moyin right then.

“I don't know why it is so, but I have a really bad feeling about this.” Feng Luodi patted Qi Jianqiu's hand. “Let's meet again tomorrow. I'll have to check on elder brother right now.”

Qi Jianqiu saw the stubbornness in her eyes and relented. “Alright, but be sure to keep yourself out of the rain. You've barely recovered from your own illness!”

“Of course; I'll take care of myself.” Feng Luodi nodded. The carriage arrived outside of Autumnal Ombre and Feng Luodi turned to Fei. “Fei, get someone to send Jianqiu back home afterwards. I'll head home myself later today.”

“Yes, young miss. I'll see to it.”

As if echoing the anxiety in her heart, the carriage moved along the streets faster than usual. Meanwhile, Situ headed straight for the Feng residence in the torrential rain, unable to contain his feelings any longer. He was dry despite the rain, having his Qi to s.h.i.+eld him from the falling droplets.

The carriage and the rider brushed shoulders along the streets.

The carriage quickly reached the Grand Tutor's residence. Feng Luodi commanded the driver to drive the carriage into the residence, heading straight for Jiang Moyin's courtyard.

“Miss, this is the Grand Tutor's residence. I cannot let you in just like that!” Guards quickly followed behind the carriage, attempting to stop her.

“Leave us!” The head steward quickly arrived and dismissed the guards, leading the way for Feng Luodi. “You're finally here, young miss Feng.”

“Pray tell me, Lu Bo: what has happened to elder brother? I did not hear anything about it!” They quickly arrived outside of Jiang Moyin's bedroom.

“It's the same illness that has been haunting him all these while, this time stronger than ever.”

Feng Luodi's face was scrunched up in worry as she caught sight of an attendant leaving the room with a basin of bloodied water, while another entered with a bowl of medicine.

“Grand Tutor, it's time for your medicine.”

Feng Luodi followed in behind the attendant silently, watching Jiang Moyin on the bed from behind the drapes around the bed. Without a frown, Jiang Moyin gulped down the entire bowl of medicine. He waved his hand in dismissal.

“You may leave. I'll get up to read some books after resting for a bit more.”

“Yes, Grand Tutor.” The attendant backed out of the room, only to see Feng Luodi standing by the door. He quickly greeted her. “My greeting, young miss Feng.”

Jiang Moyin looked up from his position on the bed and his face lit up in a bright smile. “Luodi, you're back!”

Feng Luodi's eyes were red. She quickly walked over to his bedside. “Elder brother!” Her words caught in her throat as she saw his face up close. His face was pale and pallid, his handsome features gaunt and wasted. The waning of his life showed explicitly and Feng Luodi felt her heart clench at the side.

“Why are you crying, Luodi.” Jiang Moyin sighed, raising a hand to wipe away her tears.

Feng Luodi grabbed his hand. “Why are your hands so cold in the heat of Summer!”

“Weren't you always like that when you were sick?” Jiang Moyin smiled. “Aren't you embarra.s.sed to barge into the room of a man just like that?”

“Stop making fun of me, elder brother!” Feng Luodi turned away from Jiang Moyin, wiping her tears away. “What book did you want to read? I'll read it out for you. You can just rest while you listen to me.”

“This.” Jiang Moyin held up a scroll of bamboo slat, but it fell from his fingers.

Feng Luodi resisted her urge to cry, quickly picking the slat up from where it landed. She smiled. “You'd best get well soon, elder brother. You're too weak to do anything now.”

“Of course. I'll be well in no time at all.” Jiang Moyin laughed.

Slowly, Feng Luodi began reading from the bamboo slat. Jiang Moyin watched quietly as Feng Luodi read to him, a smile of content on his face. I like this. If only it can be like this forever…

Feng Luodi finished the chapter and turned to Jiang Moyin, wanting to convince him to rest. Instead, she found Jiang Moyin already in a deep slumber. Feng Luodi put her fingers to her eyes and held in her tears, reaching out a hand to help Jiang Moyin lie in a better position. She tucked him into the blankets and took one last look at his sleeping face. Turning to leave, Feng Luodi picked up the tray of cold tea on the table and headed out of the door and was met by the head steward.

“Lu Bo.” Feng Luodi took in a deep breath. “Can you tell me if elder brother's illness can ever be cured?”

The head steward led her to the pavilion in the courtyard. The rain continued to pour. He sighed. “Young miss Feng, I shall tell you the truth seeing as how much you care for the Grand Tutor – he can never fully recover from his illness. It can only be suppressed.”

Feng Luodi forced the next question out of her mouth. “If the medicine he takes is to suppress the inevitable, how long does he still have?”