The Cold Minister’s Obsession: Chasing His Wife - Chapter 24

Lu Yan escorted her directly back to her courtyard. “Rest well these next few days. No one will disturb you, nor will anyone dare utter a word about it.”

“Mm, thank you, Big Brother.”

Tao Xi peeked in from outside, her small head poking through the doorway, wanting to check on her mistress but not daring to enter. In the end, she could only stand dumbly at the threshold.

Inside the room, the exchange of questions and answers was so quiet it felt almost eerie.

Hua Qingyue cleared her throat. “Big Brother, it’s late now. Shouldn’t you go back and rest?”

At her words, Lu Yan didn’t respond.

He simply watched her in silence for a long while before finally countering with a question of his own:

“Are you still feeling unwell anywhere? Should I summon a physician to examine you?”

Hua Qingyue’s eyes brightened. “A physician? From the Imperial Hospital?”

She had heard before that high-ranking officials could request physicians from the Imperial Hospital for medical consultations. Given that he was a favored minister of the Emperor, it naturally wouldn’t be a problem.

Lu Yan lifted his gaze to her, his brow furrowing slightly. “Your condition isn’t serious enough to trouble an imperial physician. There’s a healer in my courtyard.”

Hearing this, Qingyue lowered her head in disappointment, her lashes fluttering down to conceal the complicated emotions in her eyes.

She had been here for so long, yet there had been no progress in what she wanted to accomplish. And today, she had nearly—

As she thought about it, crystalline tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over her cheeks and dripping onto the white silk quilt, slowly spreading in damp circles.

“Big Brother, I’m already feeling much better. You should go and rest too. It wouldn’t be proper for us to be alone together—if others found out, it might harm your reputation.”

The way she looked now was no different from when she had first begged for his help—like a fragile, pitiful little rabbit trying to imitate some domineering wolf.

Lu Yan silently observed that single tear, his lips pressed together in silence.

For a moment, the room was terrifyingly quiet. After a long pause, he finally spoke expressionlessly to Fei Jiu, who stood nearby. “Take my token and fetch Physician Zhang. Don’t alert anyone else in the residence.”

Once he gave the order, he looked down at her imperiously. “Wait here.”

Soon enough.

In the dead of night, Lu Manor quietly “invited” the Head of the Imperial Hospital over.

“Ahhhh!!!” Fei Jiu carried Physician Zhang over the wall in one swift motion. “Physician Zhang, please don’t shout. If you alert anyone, the master will be furious.”

Hearing this only made Physician Zhang even angrier. “What kind of unspeakable internal injury does your master have this time? Is it that his manhood is damaged and he can’t perform, or has his poison flared up again? Let me tell you, I’m an imperial physician, not some miracle worker who can cure every ailment! If that thing of his can’t stand up and he can’t bed a woman, calling me won’t help! If you drag me out of bed in the middle of the night again, I swear—”

As the two of them argued their way to the door, they caught sight of Lu Yan’s darkened expression. Zhang Xu immediately shut his mouth. “Ahem—why are you looking at me like that? It’s the middle of the night! Unlike you, I’m not a lone wolf—I still have marital duties to fulfill!”

Hua Qingyue: “…”

Lu Yan… couldn’t perform?

Qingyue felt as though she had stumbled upon some earth-shattering secret. Pretending she hadn’t heard a thing, she averted her gaze elsewhere.

“Less talking. Hurry up and examine her. Once you’re done, I’ll send you back.”

Fei Jiu shoved him inside and promptly closed the door behind them.

Zhang Xu approached slowly, giving Lu Yan’s lower half a pointed glance before grumbling, “Can’t get it up, or can’t get it in?”

“Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll rip your tongue out.”

He turned slightly and pointed at the person on the bed, “Examine her first.”

Zhang Xu: “……”

A woman? When this man was poisoned before, he’d told him to find a woman, saying it might completely resolve the issue in a few years. But he hadn’t done it. Zhang Xu grumbled as he approached, “Tsk tsk… You’re inhuman. You beat her up.”

If not for needing his help, Lu Yan swore he would have ripped out this man’s tongue right then.

“No, just examine her first.”

“Extend your hand,” Zhang Xu commanded directly.

Hua Qingyue complied. Zhang Xu placed a silk cloth over her wrist before resting his fingers atop it, shooting an increasingly displeased glance at the man behind him. He said softly, “Miss, there’s nothing seriously wrong. Just some superficial facial injuries. I won’t prescribe medicine—Commander Lu has tribute-grade golden trauma medicine. Applied properly, it’ll heal completely within two days.”

“Thank you, Physician Zhang.”

Seeing him about to leave, Hua Qingyue quickly stopped him, “Physician Zhang… you’re a royal physician?”

“Mhm.”

Hua Qingyue’s face brightened with hope. “I have a question—wondering if you might know of any solutions. Would you have a moment?”

“Well, since I’m already here. Speak, I’m listening.”

Hua Qingyue glanced at Lu Yan standing not far away and said, “Big brother, could you please step outside for a moment?”

Lu Yan, who had been standing behind them, paused and slowly turned his gaze toward her.

Hua Qingyue spoke with embarrassed hesitation, her voice trembling slightly, “It’s… a women’s ailment. With big brother present, I can’t bring myself to say it.”

Lu Yan said nothing, then turned and walked out.

Zhang Xu nearly burst out laughing.

“Go ahead,” Zhang Xu said once the door closed behind Lu Yan.

Hua Qingyue’s eyes lingered on the shut door before she straightened respectfully. “Physician Zhang, can you treat wheezing disorders?”

Zhang Xu thought for a moment. “When I examined your pulse just now, I detected no such condition.”

Hua Qingyue gave a bitter smile. “Not me—my younger brother.”

“Describe it. What symptoms appear during attacks?”

“Recurrent episodes. Each time, he gasps with raised shoulders, bulging eyes, pale complexion, blue lips and nails, rapid wheezing with a saw-like rasp of phlegm in his throat.”

Zhang Xu frowned. “Severe presentation. Likely difficult to cure completely.”

Hua Qingyue’s eyes lowered.

Zhang Xu added, “Though nothing’s absolute. Would need to examine the patient to prescribe properly.”

……

Outside, Lu Yan listened to their conversation, deep in thought.

When Zhang Xu emerged, he teased, “Hear all that, Young Master Lu?”

Lu Yan ignored him. “Prepare some calming medicine.”

Zhang Xu spread his hands. “As you saw, I was dragged here by Fei Jiu before I could bring anything.”

Lu Yan snorted coldly. “Take him to the supply office. He doesn’t leave until the prescription’s ready.”

“You—you’re inhuman! Just milking me dry, aren’t you? Wait till I report you to His Majesty tomorrow! I’m not your army physician anymore—I’m Head of the Imperial Hospital! The Head! Have I no dignity?!”

“Keep refusing, and tomorrow you won’t be.”

Still struggling in Fei Jiu’s grip, Zhang Xu immediately deflated. “Fine, fine! When your poison flares up again, you’ll learn what begging feels like.”

……….

After much coaxing from Tao Xi, Hua Qingyue finally fell asleep.

“You may leave now.”

Tao Xi’s eyes widened in shock, her entire body freezing in place.

“But……”

She wanted to say that with it being so dark outside, it was highly improper for the young master Lu to remain in her mistress’s chamber, violating the boundaries between men and women.

But before she could utter more than a single word, Lu Yan cut her off, “If you don’t want anything to happen to your mistress, go fetch hot water and a cloth.”

Tao Xi hesitated, deep in thought, then left anxiously.

Before long, she returned with a basin of water and a cloth. “Young Master, let this servant handle it.”

“Leave.”

Confused, Tao Xi stood frozen, too afraid to move.

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Gritting her teeth, she finally retreated—though she remained by the door, listening intently to the movements inside. If anything untoward happened, she would rush in and fight him to the death.

Hua Qingyue drifted in and out of restless sleep.

The cool sensation on her face was unexpectedly soothing, and she let out a soft murmur.

Lu Yan pressed the warm cloth against her cheek. Her eyes remained tightly shut, her lips slightly parted, and that faint sound made his grip tighten unconsciously. His throat moved as he averted his gaze.

He stood, intending to step outside for air—but the moment he rose, her hand suddenly caught his.

“Don’t go… don’t go…”

Lu Yan stiffened, looking down at her in silence for a long moment before sitting back down.