She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

Chapter 217 Personally Picking Up Zhongyuan

Shen Qingtan dipped the spoon in water again and moistened Zhao Yi's lips.

The cold sweat on his forehead had stopped, and the flush on his face had subsided somewhat.

Shen Qingtan touched Zhao Yi's forehead, then touched his hand; it was no longer as hot as it had been during the day, but just warm.

She had been on edge for a long time, but finally relaxed.

That fear crept into my heart.

Shen Qingtan nestled beside his pillow, wrapped one arm around him, and buried her face in his neck.

Today, seeing him suffer from the onset of his illness while taking his medication, wave after wave of excruciating pain surged up, almost tearing her heart to pieces. She dared not imagine the consequences of losing him.

Shen Qingtan tightened her grip and hugged him tightly.

Zhao Yi's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

All that could be seen was darkness, with only a sliver of dim yellow light filtering in from outside.

His consciousness slowly returned, and he felt a soft, delicate body leaning against him, intimately wrapping its arms around his neck.

Just as Zhao Yi was about to speak, a hot tear fell onto his neck.

He was stunned for a moment, and when he raised his hand, his bones ached.

Zhao Yi placed his large hand on the back of Shen Qingtan's head and called out, "Manman."

Shen Qingtan stiffened for a moment, as if in a dream. She didn't move, but tightened her grip and hugged herself even more tightly.

"Cough cough...cough..." Zhao Yi's voice was hoarse: "Manman, if you tighten it any more, I won't be able to breathe."

Shen Qingtan quickly let go of his hand and looked up at him.

He turned the corners of his lips towards her and slowly revealed a faint smile.

It was like a phantom she saw in the water.

She reached out and stroked his face, her fingertips touching his eyelashes, watching his eyes blink gently, a slight tickle spreading across her fingertips.

She seemed to have punctured the bubble and seen the reality.

"Erlang."

"I'm here."

Hearing his response, Shen Qingtan asked in a trembling voice, "Where do you feel unwell?"

Looking into her tearful eyes, Zhao Yi knew he had frightened her.

"I'm fine, I don't feel uncomfortable anywhere." Zhao Yi gently curled the corners of her lips: "I felt uncomfortable when I had a fever, but now that the fever has subsided, I feel a bit more comfortable."

Shen Qingtan didn't believe him. When it comes to matters concerning his health, two and a half of the three sentences he utters can't be trusted.

“You lied to me. You said that taking the medicine was just because I was weak.” Shen Qingtan accused him word by word: “You also said that I have been separated from my parents for more than ten years, and that they miss me and long for me, asking me to come back and spend a few days with them. In reality, you wanted to send me away so that you could take the medicine alone.”

Zhao Yi held her hand, opening his mouth to say something, but heard her continue, "I know you don't want me to see your painful side, and it hurts me for you. The more you hide this from me, the more heartbroken I become. I feel so helpless when it comes to your situation."

Shen Qingtan pressed a handkerchief to her eyes and said, "We are husband and wife, and we should support each other. When I have difficulties, you share my burdens. When you have difficulties, I will share yours. Even if I can't help you, just being by your side makes me feel at ease."

Zhao Yi realized he had hurt her feelings and coughed a few times: "There will never be a next time."

Shen Qingtan did not speak.

Zhao Yi said, "I long for you to be by my side."

A surge of heat welled up in Shen Qingtan's heart, and this heat reached her eyes.

She turned her head away: "I'll go and fetch the royal physician to take your pulse, and then I'll let my mother know you're alright."

As she spoke, she got up and walked to the door to call the family physician in.

The physician from the prefectural hospital went first into the room to examine Zhao Yi's pulse.

Shen Qingtan stood at the door and looked at the First Madam and the First Master: "Father, Mother, Second Master has woken up."

Looking at Shen Qingtan's red eyes, the First Madam couldn't help but recall the scene she had seen through the crack in the door. Deeply moved, she reached out and hugged Shen Qingtan.

"Tan'er, thank you for your trouble."

“Mother, Second Master is my husband, it is only right that I take care of him.” Shen Qingtan took a deep breath and suppressed the emotions surging in her heart: “Compared to what he has done for me, I have done too little for him.”

The First Madam released Shen Qingtan: "You two are thinking of each other, and that sentiment is enough."

Shen Qingtan nodded.

Several people entered the room and came to the bedside.

The physician retrieved the pulse pillow: "Second Master is fine. He should rest well during this period and prevent him from catching any illness."

Shen Qingtan thanked the physician and instructed Tingxue to fetch the medicine to brew for Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi braced himself against the bed and tried to sit up.

The First Madam pressed down on his shoulder: "Your bones hurt, lie down and rest, don't do anything reckless." As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Qingtan at the door: "If you want Tan'er to be sad for you, then go ahead and do whatever you want."

Zhao Yi lay still, obediently.

As the flush on his face faded and he returned to a pale state, the First Madam said with heartache, "Take good care of yourself here these next few days. Tan'er will stay here with you."

Zhao Yi gave a weak "hmm".

The First Madam gave a few more instructions and left with the Master, without disturbing the young couple any further.

Shen Qingtan watched the two elders leave, then turned back into her room.

"Are you hungry?" Shen Qingtan tucked him in and sat on the edge of the bed. "I'll have Liuyue cook some porridge. You can have some later."

Zhao Yi nodded slightly and reached out to touch her eyes. He hated seeing her cry, yet he was the one who had made her cry.

Shen Qingtan held his hand, looked at his face quietly, and after a while, smiled gently.

Zhao Yi asked, "Thinking of something interesting?"

"Just the thought of being by your side makes me feel wonderful," Shen Qingtan said softly. "I hope that every morning when I open my eyes, I can see you by my side."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi smiled along with her.

This was also his wish.

Liuyue brought in a bowl of porridge.

Shen Qingtan took the bowl and personally fed Zhao Yi spoonful by spoonful.

Zhao Yi was still feeling unwell. Afraid of worrying Shen Qingtan, he forced himself to eat half a bowl of porridge before he could eat no more.

Shen Qingtan held the water glass to his lips, fed him a few sips of water, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and then helped him lie down.

Zhao Yi said, "Manman, go have your dinner. Jiang Chao and Jiang Mu are here to guard you."

Shen Qingtan nodded slightly, leaving Tingxue to serve her, and led Liuyue to the dining hall.

Just as I stepped outside, I encountered Boss Qin, who was rushing over.

"Tan'er, things have changed." Boss Qin handed the letter to Shen Qingtan: "Zhongyuan is in Baohua County and refuses to go to the capital. He said that if you want to see him for treatment, you have to go to him in person."

Shen Qingtan's expression changed. It would take two days to travel from the capital to Baohua County. Zhao Yi was frail; how could he withstand such a bumpy journey?

She quickly opened the letter in her hand, read it rapidly, and made a decision in her mind.

"Uncle Qin, I will personally go to Baohua County to invite him."