The Sickly Beauty Official Faked His Death and Now the Tyrant Has Gone Mad - Chapter 32

The sunlight was gentle, the breeze was soft, and the trees in the courtyard rustled and swayed lightly. Yet, it wasn’t noisy instead, it brought a sense of peace that lulled one into a restful sleep.

“Sir! I’ve come to see you!” Fang Zhixu’s voice rang out in the courtyard. Though he called out as he entered, he was careful not to be too loud, fearing Lin Huaiyu might still be asleep. He hoped Lin Huaiyu would hear him but not be disturbed if he was resting.

By now, Lin Huaiyu had rested enough, and his senses had fully returned. He propped himself up from the bed, his robes cascading to the floor, concealing his slender frame. Yet, the thinness of his shoulders still revealed how gaunt he had become.

Seeing Fang Zhixu outside the window, he walked out with a faint smile. A purple robe draped over him, different from the official attire he wore in the capital. The soft gauze softened his usual aloofness, adding a touch of gentleness.

Su Yang, seeing the person he had longed for day and night in his memories, immediately noticed Lin Huaiyu’s emaciation.

Even thinner than when he was in the capital was it because of that poison?

How much pain and suffering had Lin Huaiyu endured over the past year to become like this? He looked as if a gust of wind could blow him away.

It hadn’t been this bad before. Lin Huaiyu would stubbornly insist he wasn’t so delicate.

Su Yang’s eyes were filled with heartache, but Lin Huaiyu didn’t spare him a single glance.

Lin Huaiyu sat on the reclining chair in the courtyard, and Fang Zhixu knelt down beside his knees, looking up at him like a puppy wagging its tail. “Sir, are you feeling better?”

Lin Huaiyu looked weary but shook his head gently, his voice soft. “I’m fine. When did you arrive?”

Fang Zhixu replied obediently, “I arrived yesterday. I went to see Uncle Qu first to arrange matters regarding the flood, and I came to see you first thing this morning.”

Lin Huaiyu picked up a teacup and took a sip, moistening his throat, a faint smile lingering on his lips. “You’ve grown capable enough to handle things on your own. You’ve done well with the flood relief, but matters concerning the nation and its people must not be taken lightly. Be careful.”

Listening to Lin Huaiyu’s earnest teachings, Fang Zhixu felt immensely satisfied, nodding eagerly and agreeing to everything. “I understand, sir.”

Lin Huaiyu chatted with Fang Zhixu for a while longer, the scene peaceful and serene, completely ignoring the others standing nearby.

Jing Fei didn’t mind waiting, but Su Yang was different. Watching Lin Huaiyu praise Fang Zhixu with such gentle patience and offer earnest guidance, jealousy nearly overflowed from his eyes.

His eyes reddened, and his fists clenched at his sides, nails digging into his palms.

Why? Lin Huaiyu had never praised him like this. Even though his essays were so well-written, Lin Huaiyu would only say, “Work diligently.” He never fell behind in his studies, and after ascending the throne, he handled court affairs impeccably. Yet, Lin Huaiyu had never smiled warmly and said, “Su Yang, you’ve done well.”

But what about Fang Zhixu? Fang Zhixu had merely passed the imperial examination as the top scholar and handled flood relief matters. His essays weren’t even as good as Su Yang’s, yet Lin Huaiyu was so patient with him.

And he smiled at Fang Zhixu.

Lin Huaiyu hadn’t smiled at him in a long time. Even in his hallucinations, Lin Huaiyu always wore a cold expression, frowning, wanting only to leave him.

But now, Lin Huaiyu not only had so many people by his side but had also taken on a promising new student, able to smile so effortlessly.

At this moment, Su Yang felt the flames of jealousy spreading in his heart, burning him even more painfully than the great fire at Qinchun Palace a year ago.

Just as Su Yang was about to speak, Fang Zhixu spoke again, “Teacher, during the days I’ve been away, has your illness improved? Why do you look even thinner?”

Lin Huaiyu lowered his gaze to look at Fang Zhixu kneeling beside his leg and said softly, “I’m truly fine. No matter what, it’s much better than when I first arrived in Jiangnan.”

These words seemed to carry a hidden meaning, piercing Su Yang’s heart with pain. The flames of jealousy vanished in an instant, extinguished so thoroughly by this single sentence that not even a spark remained.

He was about to speak again when Jing Fei, standing nearby, chimed in at just the right moment, “Since Master Yuxi’s illness has not yet fully recovered, then this gift of mine has not been given in vain.”

Only then did Lin Huaiyu turn his gaze to Jing Fei. His eyes were calm, a pair of peach blossom eyes holding a spring-like gentleness that made Jing Fei’s heart skip a beat.

It was said that in the Great Yong dynasty, there was a prime minister named Lin Huaiyu beautiful as an immortal, divine in presence, and exceptionally talented, a rarity in this world.

Jing Fei had thought it an exaggeration, but now, seeing him in person, he truly was a figure like a celestial being. There was no exaggeration at all; if anything, such descriptions felt insufficient for Lin Huaiyu.

Lin Huaiyu glanced at the boxes behind Jing Fei. The servants had opened them, revealing two chests filled with rare medicinal herbs, which made even He Qingli widen his eyes in surprise.

Indeed, many of the herbs were exactly what Lin Huaiyu needed for detoxification and recovery, but He Qingli did not show it outright.

Over the past year, many had sent medicines to Lin Huaiyu, but he had his own principles and would not accept them lightly.

After all, among those who sent gifts, half came with ulterior motives and transactions in mind, while the other half came purely for Lin Huaiyu himself.

Su Yang stared intently at Lin Huaiyu, as if afraid he would truly accept Jing Fei’s goodwill.

He was about to speak again, but Lin Huaiyu beat him to it, “The Seventh Prince is thoughtful. I will accept the gift.”

Su Yang’s face instantly darkened.

Seeing Lin Huaiyu accept, Jing Fei breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried Lin Huaiyu might refuse.

Tapping his folding fan against his palm, he smiled and said, “It is their fortune to have caught Master Yuxi’s eye.”

Lin Huaiyu smiled faintly and asked, “Then, what does the Seventh Prince request in return?”

Jing Fei, who had just relaxed, tensed again. The smile on his lips stiffened momentarily before he replied, “I have no requests. I only hope Master Yuxi’s health will recover soon.”

Lin Huaiyu’s clear, water-like gaze rested on Jing Fei. After a moment, he said, “Is that all?”

Jing Fei nodded sincerely, “That is all.”

Lin Huaiyu gave Jing Fei a deep, lingering look before withdrawing his gaze. Lin Fei had already begun carrying the two chests inside. Lin Huaiyu said calmly, “If the Seventh Prince does not speak now, I will not agree to anything if you return tomorrow.”

Jing Fei blinked, fanning himself gently with his folding fan, and replied with a sincere smile, “I truly have no other requests.”

Lin Huaiyu said nothing more, but a loud voice suddenly rang out from the side, “Enough already, you jade-faced hypocrite!”

Everyone in the courtyard turned to look at the newcomer.

Ji Wuyou walked over, holding a bowl of medicine. As if remembering something, he quickly explained to Lin Huaiyu, “Ah! I wasn’t talking about you! I meant Jing Fei! That jade-faced hypocrite!”

Jing Fei didn’t get angry even after being scolded. He continued to fan himself with the folding fan in his hand, the gentle breeze lifting his hair. Like a true gentleman who rarely loses his temper, he merely wore a faint smile and glanced at Ji Wuyou.

“Time for your medicine, A’Yu,” Ji Wuyou said, holding the bowl as he walked toward Lin Huaiyu, his voice unusually gentle at that moment.

Su Yang, hearing this address, clenched his fists tightly beneath his sleeves, his eyes already murdering Ji Wuyou a thousand times over.

A’Yu…

How intimate.

Seeing this, Jing Fei stepped forward directly, blocking Ji Wuyou’s path and also taking hold of the medicine bowl. “This medicine is so hot. Why not let me feed it to him?”

Su Yang’s gaze instantly sharpened, turning cold as he looked at Jing Fei.

Ji Wuyou sneered, “No need for your concern. How could a prince of the Great Xing Dynasty do such delicate work? I’ll handle it.”

Jing Fei tugged the bowl back toward himself. “And how could the esteemed Crown Prince of the Great Chu Empire serve others? Better let me do it.”

Ji Wuyou quickly snatched the bowl back. “No need, I’ll do it!”

Jing Fei insisted, “Let me!”

The two began to argue over the bowl. Lin Huaiyu watched as the medicine passed between their hands dozens of times. Fortunately, both were skilled in martial arts, and not a single drop spilled.

Still, it made He Qingli’s heart race, and he considered asking Lin Fei to brew another bowl.

Lin Huaiyu, reclining calmly on the lounge chair, remarked, “If you two keep fighting, my medicine will be shaken cold.”

Jing Fei and Ji Wuyou: “…”

Exchanging a glance, they reluctantly stopped.

Fang Zhixu, who happened to be standing between them, seized the opportunity to take the bowl. “Let this student take care of the teacher. It’s been many days since we last met allow me to serve you the medicine.”

Jing Fei and Ji Wuyou had nothing more to say. After all, Fang Zhixu was Lin Huaiyu’s proper student, while they had no such title.

Fang Zhixu tested the temperature of the medicine. It wasn’t too hot now. He scooped a spoonful, carefully blew on it, and brought it to Lin Huaiyu’s lips.

Lin Huaiyu frowned slightly.

Before he could open his mouth, Su Yang asked in a low voice, “Aren’t there any preserved fruits or sweets?”

As soon as he spoke, the courtyard fell silent. Everyone’s gaze shifted to Lin Huaiyu.

Lin Huaiyu remained silent, so Ji Wuyou finally answered, “There are but…”

He glanced at He Qingli beside him and shrugged helplessly. “The physician won’t allow Master Yu Xi to eat them. He says it’ll affect the efficacy of the medicine. He has to drink it like this not even water immediately after, as it would dilute the medicine.”

Listening to this, Lin Huaiyu shot He Qingli a resentful glare. He pushed away the spoon Fang Zhixu offered, turned his head aside, and said, “It’s too bitter. I don’t want to drink it.”

Su Yang watched as Lin Huaiyu, like a cat, pushed the bowl away with his “paws,” his expression and movements utterly adorable.

Even in the capital, he rarely saw this side of Lin Huaiyu. He had once believed that only he could witness such a Lin Huaiyu, and he had taken pride in that. But now… everyone in the courtyard could see this version of Lin Huaiyu.

So… was this the real Lin Huaiyu?

Had his position in the capital forced him to become aloof, distant, and unapproachable?

Su Yang felt that he had never truly understood Lin Huaiyu.

Seeing Lin Huaiyu’s refusal to drink the medicine, He Qingli said irritably, “Do you want to live or not? If not, then don’t drink it!”

Lin Huaiyu, however, smiled faintly and said, “Then I’d rather die.”

He spoke lightly, but to everyone’s surprise, all those present changed their expressions and exclaimed in unison, “No!”

Lin Huaiyu’s expression remained unchanged. He simply tugged at Fang Zhixu’s sleeve.

Fang Zhixu immediately understood, breathed a sigh of relief, and passed the sugar cube hidden in his sleeve into Lin Huaiyu’s palm.

Before anyone could react, Lin Huaiyu quickly popped the sugar cube into his mouth and downed the bowl of medicine in one gulp.

The speed was astonishing.

He Qingli watched Lin Huaiyu’s series of actions, so furious that he huffed and puffed, yet helpless against him. His white beard seemed to fly as he clutched his chest, feeling a sharp pang of heartache.

Seeing He Qingli’s reaction, the amusement in Lin Huaiyu’s eyes deepened, adding a unique hue to the courtyard like a rainbow in spring, vibrant and captivating, drawing lingering gazes.

Everyone in the courtyard stared at Lin Huaiyu, frozen in place.

Could someone’s smile truly be so radiant and enchanting, like ice melting into water, gentle and endless?

Su Yang, watching Lin Huaiyu like this, couldn’t help but curl the corners of his lips.

Compared to the Lin Huaiyu in the capital, perhaps this was the moment he felt most at ease.

He wished Lin Huaiyu could always wear such a smile.