Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 57

Yu Qizhe struggled to turn over and get out of bed. His steps were unsteady as he made his way to the door. Reaching out, he grabbed the latch and slowly pulled the door open. 

His legs were so weak he could barely stand and had to lean against the doorframe. He shook his head with difficulty. “Mother, I’m fine…”

Before he could finish his sentence, his whole body swayed, and he collapsed to the floor. Madam Song reacted quickly, catching him just in time. 

She helped him back onto the bed, reached out to feel his forehead and found it burning hot. Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke with deep worry. “Son, you’ve got a fever. I’ll go call your grandfather.”

Lying on the bed, Yu Qizhe was already half-delirious from the fever. His eyes wouldn’t open, and his pale cheeks were tinged with a sickly flush. His lips were redder than usual, his handsome features made even more striking by his condition.

Yet he looked so fragile, like he might vanish at any moment.

It was still raining outside, though not as heavily as the day before. Madam Song hurried into the main hall and anxiously knocked on the door of the east room. “Father, are you awake? Qizhe is sick, he’s burning up! Please come see him quickly!”

Not long after, a voice came from inside. It was Old Madam Yu. “What’s all this noise so early in the morning? It’s not like Wulang hasn’t been sick before. Why are you shouting like the sky is falling? Can’t you wait until your father’s dressed?”

Madam Song stood outside the room in tears. The commotion woke Madam Zhao in the west room. She came out, still in her robe, glanced over, and Madam Song quickly wiped away her tears.

Madam Zhao gave her a sidelong look and sneered. “Second sister-in-law, all that yelling and crying first thing in the morning, people might think someone in the family died! Wulang’s always been sickly. Why the rush? It’s not like he’s dying right now.”

Madam Song, her eyes red, glared at Madam Zhao with hatred burning in her gaze. Her voice hoarse, she shouted, “Zhao Xueru! If you dare curse my son again, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

That shout drained all her strength. She trembled from head to toe, even the hand pointing at Madam Zhao was shaking.

Madam Zhao was startled. She had never seen gentle, soft-spoken Song Chun act like this, like a woman possessed.

It looked like if she said one more word, Song Chun would actually attack her.

Not daring to speak again, Madam Zhao quickly shut her door and mumbled under her breath, “Why’s she yelling at me? That sickly Yu Qizhe, he’s a lost cause anyway. Wasting money on all that medicine for nothing! Now they think they can yell at me?”

From the bed, Yu Hanshan turned over and chuckled. “You were just asking for it. That second branch couple coddles their sickly son the most. Say something like that in front of second sister-in-law, and even a clay doll would fight you.”

Madam Zhao huffed angrily. “Pfft, what’s wrong with me speaking the truth? If Yu Qizhe really dies one day, the second branch won’t even have a male heir. Won’t they have to rely on us in the third branch then? Screaming at me now, let’s see how they manage later!”

Outside, Madam Song clenched her fists and took several deep breaths before calming down slightly. Tearful and frantic, she choked out, “Father, please hurry. I don’t know how long Qizhe has been burning up. He can’t even stand anymore.”

After a little more waiting, the east room door finally opened. Yu Ruhai came out, tidied his wrinkled robe, and quickly followed Madam Song toward the east room.

Yu Mengshan, anxious and worried, had already climbed out of bed. He hopped on one foot to the inner room, soaked a cloth with some leftover tea from the table, and placed it on Yu Qizhe’s forehead to help reduce the fever.

Yu Ruhai came in, took Yu Qizhe’s pulse, and his brow furrowed tightly. He went to the herb room to prepare some fever-reducing medicine and handed it to Madam Song to boil.

Despite being used to medicine from years of illness, the half-delirious Yu Qizhe still winced from the bitterness when the concoction was poured into his mouth.

But he was always an obedient, considerate child. Even though he hated the bitterness of herbal medicine, he never complained. Once he regained some awareness, Yu Qizhe took the bowl from Madam Song’s hands and drank it in one go.

Madam Song quickly wiped the corners of his mouth, her voice full of heartache. “Your grandfather said the fever will go down after the medicine. Qizhe, just sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up.”

Yu Qizhe weakly nodded. Seeing the redness in her eyes, he shook his head and said, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m fine.”

Madam Song nodded repeatedly. “Mother’s not worried.”

But her voice was clearly choked with sobs. She went out to fetch two more quilts, covering Yu Qizhe with them. “Stay warm and sweat it out. I’ll go cook some porridge for you to eat when you wake up.”

In the main hall, Yu Ruhai looked troubled. Old Madam Yu, sensing something, put on a show of concern. “Dear, how is Wulang’s condition?”

Yu Ruhai shook his head, his expression dazed with worry. “I fear… it’s very bad. I don’t know if he’ll make it to next spring…”

Outside, there was a loud clang. Madam Song had just come to deliver hot tea and happened to hear that very sentence. The kettle in her hand dropped to the floor, scalding water splashing her foot but she didn’t even flinch. She stood frozen in place, completely stunned.

After a long moment, she snapped out of it and rushed into the main hall, her eyes filled with tears, her gaze bloodshot as she stared at Yu Ruhai. “Father, what did you just say?”

Yu Ruhai was startled by her frantic state, afraid he might truly drive her mad. He dared not repeat what he’d just said.

Old Madam Yu frowned. “Second daughter-in-law, do you have no sense of decorum at all? Look at yourself, like some crazy woman!”

Madam Song let out a bitter laugh, her face streaked with tears. “Mother, if my Qizhe won’t live to see next spring, why should I care about decorum? Heaven’s really trying to drive me mad!”

Madam Zhang, who had come over after hearing the noise, felt a deep pang of sorrow seeing Song Chun like this.

Yu Ruhai sighed and tried to console her. “Overthinking brings pain. This is Wulang’s fate. Try to let it go.”

Old Madam Yu put on a facade of sympathy. “Sooner or later, this was bound to happen. You think your father and I don’t feel terrible about it? Wulang is so bright. Among all the grandchildren, he’s the one we love the most.” 

“That child has endured so much over the years. If he truly passes… at least he won’t suffer anymore.”

Even Madam Zhang, standing to the side, couldn’t bear to hear that. She gave Old Madam Yu a cold look. “Mother, please stop talking. Second sister-in-law is already heartbroken.”

Without caring about Old Madam Yu’s reaction, she walked over and gently supported Madam Song. “Come, second sister-in-law. Let’s talk outside.”

Once out of the hall, Madam Song blankly picked up the fallen kettle. “I’ll go cook. My Qizhe is still waiting for his porridge.”

Watching her dazed expression, Madam Zhang sighed in sorrow and followed her into the kitchen, unable to leave her alone.

Inside the kitchen, Song Chun said nothing, silently tending the fire and cooking.

After a while, Madam Zhang softly said, “Chun, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t bottle it up. If you need to cry, just cry.”