Chapter 60: An Absurd Affair

"Blame me? Then tell me, how am I to blame?" Lu Huaijin leaned forward slightly, closing the distance to Su Yao, and raised an eyebrow.

"If it weren't for the carriage, you... and I..."

Su Yao's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. Her eyes darted about, utterly lacking the courage to meet Lu Huaijin's gaze. The intimate encounters that had taken place inside the carriage were simply too mortifying; she found them impossible to voice. The words hung on the tip of her tongue before she forcefully swallowed them back.

She pressed her lips together and refused to utter another syllable, no matter how persistently Lu Huaijin pressed her.

Watching her coy and blushing appearance, Lu Huaijin could not help but chuckle softly.

"Your constitution is far too weak. I've heard that the confinement period after childbirth is the ideal time for a woman to restore her health. When the time comes, I will have Grand Physician Shi properly mend your body."

He reached out to pick up a handkerchief nearby, gently wiped her face, and then pulled the quilt over her, wrapping her up tightly from head to toe.

Just as he was about to undress and get into bed, he heard Su Yao's anxious cry: "I am still sick. Go sleep on your own side, lest you catch my illness."

"My constitution is robust. It's not so easy for me to fall ill."

Without a care in the world, he quickly stripped off his outer garments and climbed straight onto the couch with a single roll.

It had already been three days since he last held her in his sleep, and he could not pinpoint when the habit had formed. Without her by his side, he always felt a hollow emptiness in his heart and could never rest peacefully.

Yet, humans are nothing if not stubborn with their words, and by the very next day, Lu Huaijin fell ill.

He felt utterly weak all over, his head was heavy and groggy, his throat ached severely, and he sneezed intermittently.

Only then did he realize with a start that he had indeed fallen ill.

As for Su Yao, following a night of rest and the medicinal draught she had taken earlier, she had recovered considerably, and a healthy flush was gradually returning to her cheeks.

Fearing that he might pass the illness back to Su Yao, Lu Huaijin had no choice but to obediently return to Moxiang Residence.

Ultimately, this matter could not be kept from Madam Lu's ears.

Upon learning that her son had fallen ill, Madam Lu was heartbroken. Early in the morning, she personally went to the kitchen, carefully brewed a pot of white porridge, and hurried over to Moxiang Residence.

Her steps were rushed, as if she wished she could fly straight to her son's side.

Hearing the servants report that his mother had arrived, Lu Huaijin forced his weakened body up to welcome her.

With a raspy voice that strained his throat, he asked with difficulty, "Why has Mother come?"

Madam Lu wore an expression of deep worry. "My son, how did you manage to fall ill? What did the physician say?"

As she spoke, she placed the white porridge on the table and reached out to touch Lu Huaijin's forehead.

Disliking the touch of others, Lu Huaijin took a step back.

"Mother, rest assured, it is merely a chill. The imperial physician has already been here and prescribed a few doses of medicine."

Madam Lu frowned, unable to restrain herself from asking, "How did you manage to fall ill? I heard that it was..."

Before she could finish, Lu Huaijin interrupted her.

"Mother, it's just that I wore too few layers these past few days and caught a draft. That is how I fell ill. Pay no heed to the idle gossip of others."

Naturally, Madam Lu knew he was shielding Su Yao, which only fueled her anger.

"Huaijin, you are truly bewotted. For the sake of a mere woman, you are willing to risk a brilliant future and ruin your own health. What on earth are you thinking?"

"This truly is not her fault."

"If not her, whose fault is it? You have never behaved so recklessly before. Your return to the capital this time has truly made me see you in a completely new light."

The more she spoke, the angrier Madam Lu became. She set down the white porridge, glared at Lu Huaijin, and stormed out of Moxiang Residence in a rage.

Nanny Li stepped forward and cautiously asked, "Madam, shall we go teach that woman a lesson?"

Madam Lu paused and heaved a sigh. "A veritable femme fatale! Oh well, so be it. If I were to do anything further to that woman, I fear this stubborn fool would bear a grudge against me. Regardless of everything, she is still carrying the Lu family's heir; for now, let her off."

Inside the room, Lu Huaijin looked at the white porridge and frowned slightly.

He had never cared for such food. Having little appetite to begin with, his mouth tasted utterly bland, and plain fare like white porridge failed to stir any interest in him.

He reluctantly picked up the spoon, scooped two mouthfuls into his mouth, but found it tasted like chewing wax, entirely unpalatable.

Reflecting on the past, he had always walked with utmost caution.

Yet solely in the case of Su Yao, time and time again, she had caused him to break his principles and commit absurdities.

He rubbed his throbbing temples, and after a long while, he finally regained his composure, instructing Changting to fetch the memorials sent from the palace so he could review them.

Su Yao had also asked Chuntao to boil some porridge, intending to send it over to Lu Huaijin.

Halfway there, she overheard servants whispering among themselves that Madam Lu had already sent porridge to Lu Huaijin.

Su Yao's steps came to an abrupt halt. Looking at the porridge in her hands, she instantly felt awkward and at a complete loss.

Her mind was torn with hesitation, unsure whether she should press forward or turn back in retreat.

Just as she was pondering, Changfeng happened to pass by.

"Lady Su, are you here to see my Lord? I shall go announce your arrival right away."

"No, I... I was merely passing by..."

"Passing by?" Changfeng was stunned, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward the food box in Chuntao's hands.

A wave of embarrassment washed over Su Yao. Subconsciously snatching back the food box, she shoved it directly into Changfeng's hands and stammered, "This is... for you to eat."

Without waiting for Changfeng's reply, she grabbed Chuntao and hurried away.

Changfeng stared at the food box, feeling a wave of delight wash over him, as if he had received the most precious treasure in the world.

At that moment, Changting stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over the food box as he asked, "Did Lady Su send this?"

"Lady Su said it's for me."

Hearing this, Changting snatched the food box away without another word. "Lady Su made this for my Lord."

"But Lady Su said it was for me to eat."

Before he could finish, Changting had already strode away briskly. Changfeng clenched his fists tightly within his sleeves.

The porridge inside the box was still warm. Changting hurried back to Moxiang Residence, placed the box on the table, and lifted the lid, releasing an instant plume of heat.

When Lu Huaijin saw Changting bringing out yet another bowl of white porridge, his brow furrowed once more, displeasure evident on his face as he said, "Take it away. I've already eaten."

"My Lord, Lady Su sent this."

Upon hearing this, Lu Huaijin instantly rose from his somewhat languid posture, asking eagerly, "She came? Where is she?"

"She has already left, fearing she might disturb your rest, My Lord."

Just as Changting reached out to clear the white porridge from the table, Lu Huaijin stopped him.

"I am still a bit hungry. Leave it here."

Understanding dawned on Changting instantly.

"Lady Su also prepared some light side dishes; My Lord should enjoy them."

As Lu Huaijin looked at the three small plates of appetizers, the corners of his mouth curved upward of their own accord.

Changting could tell that Lu Huaijin was in an exceptionally good mood.

It was indeed a rare occurrence in all these years for the Senior Grand Secretary to fall ill and skip court.

Once the news spread, quite a few officials seized the opportunity to curry favor.

Naturally, Lu Huaijin had no time to entertain them, though his peripheral vision caught sight of a single invitation bearing a very distinct name—Zhao Qiming.

He frowned slightly.