Nianzu reached the bookshop and greeted Ru Gaoying, who asked him about the exam.
"It went well, Master Ru," Nianzu replied and thanked Ru Gaoying for sending the brush for him.
"You do not need to thank, Nianzu," Ru Gaoying stated and continued, "Lady Chuntao is waiting for you in the second room." Nianzu nodded his head and went to the room. As he pushed the door in, he found Chuntao had rested her head on her arm, which was on the table. His gaze fell on the teapot and teacup, but Chuntao had not drunk the tea.
"Chun," he pronounced her name as he put his hand over her head. He caressed it as Chuntao gradually opened her eyes. Feeling the touch of Nianzu, she immediately sat up straight and then lifted her head.
Nianzu passed her a smile. Chuntao stood up from the chair. "How was the exam?" She asked worriedly.
"It was good," Nianzu replied. "Let's go home," Nianzu told her and put his arm around her shoulder. They came out of the room when Nianzu thanked Ru Gaoying for letting Chuntao stay in the bookshop. Nianzu met Ye Fang and Quan Bo before leaving the bookshop with Chuntao.
Soon they reached the house. Nianzu after washing his hands, face and feet came to the room. While washing he saw the bruises on his hands. "Those Kids!" Nianzu mumbled and gently wiped off his hands from the towel. After he was done wiping, Nianzu went to the room where Chuntao was waiting for him.
"I will make lunch for us. Till then you can rest," Chuntao suggested to Nianzu.
"I will help you in cooking," Nianzu gave the helping hand to Chuntao, who refused.
"You shall take rest. Isn't your head aching?" She asked him. Nianzu was astonished as Chuntao found out about his headache even when he did not tell her. "I noticed earlier how you were pressing your head," Chuntao clarified and made the bed for Nianzu on the bed.
"I think because of the heat, you got a headache. Sleep for some time, and you will feel good," Chuntao advised him and pushed him on the mattress. She covered him from the blanket and asked if she should fan him.
"No. I will take some sleep," Nianzu replied. Chuntao told him to close his eyes and caressed his head. "I will wake you up later," she said and pulled her hand back. Standing up, she left the room and closed the door behind her.
Chuntao came to the kitchen and cooked rice and soybeans for lunch. She lit the fire in the stove and put a vessel over it. Putting a bowl of rice and three cups of water into the copper vessel, she covered it from the lid.
"Is there anyone inside?" Chuntao heard the voice of a man. She stood up and came out of the kitchen. It was surprising for her to see the upper-classman in the small yard, whom she had seen in the morning.
Chuntao bowed and then said, "My husband is taking a rest."
"No worries. I am here to invite Nianzu for the evening's party in my house, Lady..." Fei Jing paused in the end as he did not know the name of Chuntao.
Chuntao lifted her head and drew her brows together. "I am Chuntao," She told her name to Fei Jing.
"Lady Chuntao," Fei Jing pronounced her name and continued, "And also I apologize from my friends' side who misbehaved with him," Fei Jing informed her.
"Misbehaved?" Chuntao murmured.
"Pardon! Did Lady Chuntao say something?" Fei Jing asked.
"No," Chuntao immediately replied.
"Does my husband know the young master?" Chuntao asked as she was skeptical of Fei Jing. The way Nianzu talked with Fei Jing made her a little suspicious of him.
"Of course! He is the copyist in the famous bookshop of the market. Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Fei Jing, the son of the District Tax Officer," Fei Jing gave his introduction.
"My father has control on many matters in this village. I again request you to pass this message to your husband to come in the evening to my house," Fei Jing again made a formal request.
"Sure, Young Master Fei," Chuntao replied.
Fei Jing looked around the house. Chuntao found it weird when she heard Fei Jing, "I shall take my leave." He handed a card to Chuntao before leaving the yard. Chuntao looked at the card in her hand and then looked outside. Fei Jing disappeared from her sight.
"What did his friends do with Nianzu?" Chuntao murmured and went to the room where Nianzu was resting. Without making the slightest of noise, she entered the room and put the card on the floor table.
She looked at Nianzu and found he was sweating. She quickly sat down by his side and touched Nianzu's forehead. "Fever!" She mumbled and grasped Nianzu's hand. She was shocked to see the clotted blood on Nianzu's palm. She checked his pulse, which was abrupt. Putting his hand down, Chuntao ran out of the room to bring the Physician.
She ran past a litter in which Fei Jing was seated. He told the lifters to stop the litter. As they put it down, he got down from it and called out Chuntao's name, loudly. "Lady Chuntao."
Chuntao, who was meters away from him, stopped and turned back. Fei Jing dashed towards her and asked her where she was heading to.
"Young Master, I need to find a doctor. Nianzu is sick," Chuntao said worriedly while panting.
"The infirmary is in the market. It will take more than an hour to come back home. Why don't we take your husband to my Residence? We have a personal doctor at the residence," Fei Jing offered his help to Chuntao.
"Lady Chuntao can trust me. I am Nianzu's friend. For me, a person's class doesn't matter. Don't think too much. Let's take your husband to my residence," Fei Jing repeated himself. Chuntao had no other option left than to agree to Fei Jing.
"Thank you, Young Master," Chuntao deeply bowed.
"Please do not embarrass me by doing this. Let's go, Lady Chuntao.. Nianzu is alone in the house," Fei Jing stated and gestured to the carriers to take the litter towards Chuntao's house.