The old woman’s shout was so loud that although she was still in the courtyard, her voice could be heard throughout the entire room.

Behind Jia Fu, all was quiet, without the slightest sound.

Old Madam Pei still sat as before, her silhouette seemingly frozen. Suddenly, she picked up the walking stick that had been laid beside her, and with it, she stood up straight. Just as Jia Fu thought she was about to step forward, the old woman stopped, stood for a moment, and then slowly sat back down. There was no difference from before, except that her hand was tightly gripping the dragon head of her cane, with blue veins visibly standing out on the back of her hand.

Footsteps could be heard in the courtyard. Jia Fu instinctively turned her head, her gaze passing through the carved lattice window in front of her, looking outside.

It was the middle of the Zi hour (midnight), and in the dark blue night sky hung a faint half-moon. The frost of early winter was heavy. The old osmanthus tree outside the lattice window had a thin layer of white frost on its branches and leaves. A figure emerged from the heavy darkness, walking under the stars and moon, passing through the courtyard gate, striding toward this direction, casting a tall, dark shadow on the path behind him.

As the figure approached, the footsteps grew faster. In a few strides, he climbed the steps, crossed the threshold, causing the lamplight to flicker slightly as he turned in from behind the lattice door.

This was a young man, as bright as jade, as dignified as a pine. As he came closer, the lamplight revealed his complexion—slightly pale as though lacking in blood, but this did nothing to diminish the air of elegance in his brow; rather, it made his ink-drawn eyebrows and clear eyes more pronounced. He was more than a head taller than Jia Fu, somewhat slender, with straight shoulders and back. As he walked in, his gaze turned toward the door beside Jia Fu. He came closer and closer, passing in front of her, barely half an arm’s length away.

Jia Fu saw clearly that frost and dew had dampened his sideburns, and his cloak, the same color as the night, exuded a damp, cold air.

At first glance, she had recognized him—it was Pei You An.

She inexplicably felt nervous, a mixture of excitement that she could neither explain nor understand, her little heart pounding like a deer. Her eyes fixed on him unblinkingly, following his figure as he moved. When he came before her, she instinctively called out: “Elder Cousin!”

Pei You An seemed not to have noticed her presence initially, having already passed her. Hearing her voice, he turned his head, his gaze sweeping across her face.

He did not respond, his eyes merely lingering on her face for a moment.

His pupils were as black as the night, yet under the lamplight, they were as clear and transparent as water. Though intangible, the cool, aloof feeling emanating from them was palpable.

Jia Fu’s face grew hot with embarrassment.

He didn’t recognize who she was at all.

She opened her small mouth, still hesitating whether to remind him who she was when the young man before her seemed to finally recognize her. He raised his handsome eyebrows slightly, nodded to her briefly in response, then turned to Yu Zhu who had followed him: “Is my grandmother inside?”

His voice was cool and deep.

Yu Zhu nodded, lowering her voice: “She’s inside. Even though it’s so late, she still refuses to sleep earlier… I didn’t expect Young Master to return tonight. The Old Madam will be so happy…”

Her eyes reddened.

Pei You An turned around and paused at the doorway curtain, then spoke inside: “Grandmother, your unfilial grandson You An has returned.”

There was silence from within.

Pei You An lifted the hem of his robe. Yu Zhu hurriedly tried to offer him a kneeling cushion, but he had already knelt on both knees. Through the door curtain, he kowtowed three times: “You An has come late and failed to offer birthday wishes to Grandmother in time. May Grandmother enjoy boundless fortune and longevity, may your hall flourish forever, year after year on this day, age after age at this moment.”

There was still no sound from behind the door curtain. Pei You An touched his forehead to the ground, remaining in a deep bow.

After a long while, Yu Zhu said: “Old Madam… the ground is cold, Young Master has come from afar, and his clothes are still damp…”

After a moment, Old Madam Pei’s voice sounded: “Get up! Are you trying to make yourself sick again, making me worry about you?”

Pei You An immediately got up from the ground and lifted the curtain to enter.

Jia Fu held her breath, slowly retreating from the doorway to stand at the threshold of the outer room. After hesitating for a moment, just as she was about to call Tan Xiang to find her mother, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Looking up, she saw people rushing into the courtyard—Madam Xin, Pei Quan, Madam Meng, as well as Pei Xiu Zhi, Pei Xiu Luo, and others hurriedly entered and gathered at the door of Old Madam’s room, then stopped.

“Mother, did the servants just say You An has returned?”

Madam Xin had her back to Jia Fu, so Jia Fu couldn’t see her expression, but her voice was very tense like a rubber band pulled taut at both ends.

Pei Quan and Madam Meng didn’t speak, just waiting to the side.

Pei Xiu Zhi saw Jia Fu, his eyes brightened, and he walked over to stand near her, seeming to want to speak but hesitating. Jia Fu nodded to him and then turned toward Pei Xiu Luo who had greeted her. Pei Xiu Zhi showed a slightly disappointed look, then his gaze also turned toward that door, his eyes somewhat unfocused, his expression different from usual, his lips pressed tightly together.

“Sister Fu.”

Pei Xiu Luo would be turning twenty at the end of the year. He had always excelled in his studies and was refined and courteous, smiling as he nodded to Jia Fu.

Though the engagement hadn’t materialized, and Aunt Meng seemed somewhat displeased—she hadn’t been as attentive to Jia Fu as before during this visit—this cousin appeared the same as always, seemingly unbothered by it all.

“Mother—”

Madam Xin raised her voice, calling out once more. Footsteps immediately sounded from inside, and Pei You An emerged supporting Old Madam Pei.

Old Madam Pei’s eyes were slightly red, but the wrinkles on her face had relaxed. She nodded: “Yes, You An has returned.”

Madam Xin seemed stunned, staring at Pei You An, now fully a grown man, her gaze fixed for a moment.

Pei You An turned to her: “Greetings, Mother. I’ve been away from home for many years. Has Mother been well?”

Madam Xin came to her senses, a smile appearing on her face, but even Jia Fu could see that her smile was somewhat forced.

“Good, good,” she nodded, her lips quivering, “Coming back is good, coming back is good… Every year on this day, I have people clean your courtyard, hoping you would return. Today you’ve finally come back. Good, good…”

“Thank you for your trouble, Mother, for your concern.” Pei You An bowed to her, then turned to Pei Quan and Madam Meng, also paying his respects: “Nephew pays respects to Second Uncle and Aunt.”

Pei Quan hurriedly told him not to be so formal, while Madam Meng was all smiles: “You An has finally returned! You’ve been gone for many years, and not a day has passed without your Second Uncle and I thinking of you! When we first saw you just now, we almost didn’t recognize you! You’ve improved so much from before, it truly warms my heart! It’s good that you’re back, don’t leave again. How can our family be without you?”

Pei You An replied: “I am very grateful for Uncle and Aunt’s concern for me.”

Madam Meng exclaimed: “We’re all family, what’s this talk of gratitude? Luo’er, come and greet your elder brother! Your elder brother is not much older than you, but his learning and scholarship compared to yours are like heaven and earth. He was a jinshi of the Tianxi reign, quite famous. Despite his young age then, the essays he wrote might have been beyond even your university professors! Now that he’s back, you should learn more from him and have him review your writing. You’re fortunate to be brothers; others couldn’t get such an opportunity even if they begged!”

Pei Xiu Luo bowed respectfully to Pei You An: “Greetings, Elder Brother. I hope Elder Brother will find time to provide guidance.”

“I haven’t touched scholarly writing for many years and have become rusty with the brush. I fear I’m now far inferior to you, Third Brother. My stay at home this time won’t be long. But if you have questions about your essays, I can certainly discuss them with you.”

Pei Xiu Zhi, who had been silent until now, stepped forward with a smile: “Elder Brother! You returned without saying a word. I should have gone out of the city to welcome you! Please forgive my neglect.”

Pei You An turned to him with a smile: “Second Brother is too polite. In my absence, you’ve been filial to Grandmother and Mother, and I should be the one thanking you.”

“Oh my, you’re all brothers of the same family, there’s no need for such formality!” Madam Meng laughed, stepping forward to examine Pei You An, sighing: “Sister-in-law, look, You An has endured so much hardship rushing back for tonight. Now that he’s paid his respects to Mother, quickly take him to change his clothes and have a hot meal. The rest can wait until tomorrow.”

Madam Xin turned to Old Madam Pei: “Mother, then I’ll take him to rest…”

Suddenly, a child’s wailing cry came from the side room, the sound piercingly shrill.

Madam Xin’s face changed: “Quan’er!”

“Madam! Old Madam! Young Master Quan is unwell again!”

The wet nurse hurriedly ran over, and seeing so many people, she froze for a moment.

“What’s wrong with Quan’er?”

Madam Xin asked sharply.

The wet nurse came to her senses and said anxiously: “Earlier, Young Master Quan woke up and wanted to find Madam, so I carried him over. After playing for a while, he grew tired and fell asleep again. Fearing that carrying him back and forth would expose him to the wind, I stayed with Yu Zhu and settled the young master to sleep here in the Old Madam’s place. But just now, he was fine one moment, then suddenly developed the same illness as before! He cried that his whole body was itchy and painful, wailing terribly!”

Madam Xin’s face changed dramatically, and she rushed toward the side room.

Pei Xiu Zhi stamped his foot once and ordered someone to quickly fetch a doctor. Old Madam Pei also showed an anxious expression, sighing: “How did he suddenly fall ill again?”

Jia Fu suppressed her guilty feelings, slowly exhaling, when suddenly she heard a voice say: “Grandmother, please remain calm. As you know, I studied medicine in my youth and have some knowledge of medical practice. My nephew’s illness is urgent; let me examine him first to see if I can alleviate some of his pain and itching before the physician arrives.”

Old Madam Pei breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: “Yes, how could I forget! Go quickly.”

Pei You An strode toward the side room where Jia Fu had been earlier. Old Madam Pei, the Pei Quan couple, all followed.

Jia Fu was quite surprised; she hadn’t expected that Pei You An had also studied medicine.

Though he had only said he had some knowledge of medicine, since he had volunteered to check on Young Master Quan, his medical skills couldn’t possibly be merely superficial.

For some reason, Jia Fu suddenly felt a bit uneasy. Seeing everyone go inside, she hesitated for a moment before slowly following, not entering but standing at the doorway, looking in.

Young Master Quan lay face up on the couch, surrounded by maids and old women. His face and skin were red and swollen, and he was crying hoarsely. Seeing his grandmother and great-grandmother arrive, his wailing became even more shrill. He was thrashing his arms and legs about wildly, with unusual strength. Several old women tried to hold his limbs steady to remove his clothes but were thrown off. One was accidentally kicked, and with a cry of pain, she stepped back, nearly falling to the ground.

Madam Xin was heartbroken, her eyes filled with tears.

Pei You An ordered everyone to stand back, then approached and restrained the child’s wildly kicking legs. Using some technique, he bent his thumb and pressed its joint against the sole of the child’s foot several times. The child’s body then went limp, and he lay there whimpering. They were able to remove his clothing smoothly, revealing a body covered in red rashes, a swollen face, and puffy eyelids and lips.

“He had a similar unexplained outbreak a few days ago. We called for the Imperial Physician then, but even he couldn’t determine the cause. Today he had seemed fine, but for some reason, he suddenly fell ill again…”

Madam Xin murmured nearby.

Pei You An lifted Young Master Quan’s eyelids, observing for a moment, then bent down and sniffed the child’s clothes. His brow furrowed slightly in thought. Suddenly, as if realizing something, he raised his eyes and turned to look at Jia Fu standing at the door.

Jia Fu couldn’t avoid his gaze in time and met his eyes.

His two eyes were as cold as water, yet as sharp as lightning.

Why was he suddenly looking at her?

Could he have discovered something?

Jia Fu’s heart raced, and in that instant, her palms broke out in a cold sweat.

“What do you think? Can you tell what’s wrong?”

Madam Xin asked anxiously.

Pei You An turned his gaze back, covered Young Master Quan with a blanket, and said: “There’s no need for excessive worry. Keep the windows open for ventilation, bath him, and change all his clothes inside and out. I’ll prescribe a medicine to relieve pain and stop the itching. He will gradually recover.”