Volume One, Chapter Four: Do You Want Me to Die Even Faster?

The next morning, Lin Chuyao, draped in a thin cloak, walked slowly toward Lin Yize’s courtyard. In her hand, she carried a porcelain vial containing medicinal pills she had personally refined to nourish one’s vital energy and blood.

Lin Yize had been frail and sickly since childhood. Despite being the eldest son of the Marquis’s estate, he remained bedridden year-round, never daring to be without a charcoal brazier nearby. His courtyard was tucked away in a secluded corner of the estate, far from the bustle, surrounded by a dense grove of emerald bamboo.

When she was young, her mother would often send her to visit this elder brother. Although Lin Yize was always indifferent toward her, she never minded, eagerly crowding around him to coax a smile. When he was in a good mood, he would occasionally tell her stories.

During her time at the Xuan Yao Valley, she had been locked away with a person of remarkable medical skill. Since the time not spent testing poisons was still agonizing, the elder had taught her the art of medicine. Initially, she had studied in secret with the hope that she might one day heal her brother, but as the days of torment wore on, she gradually turned to medicine as a way to escape her suffering. Perhaps she possessed some natural talent; the elder taught her diligently, and she made rapid progress. These five years, for both of them, had held at least some measure of meaning. It was also only because she had learned medicine that she had not perished in the Xuan Yao Valley.

As Lin Chuyao crossed the threshold of the courtyard, a wave of stifling heat washed over her, mingled with the bitter scent of herbs, making it almost impossible to breathe. Lin Chuyao frowned, her heart sinking: after five years, her brother’s health had deteriorated to such a wretched state.

The maid, Hongmian, came forward and bowed respectfully. "Eldest Miss, the Young Master’s health has worsened lately. Fearing the cold, he must keep the charcoal braziers burning day and night. Please follow me; I have already informed the Young Master of your arrival."

Lin Chuyao nodded slightly, her tone detached. "I understand. Take me in."

The moment the door was pushed open, a thick, medicinal fragrance and scorching air billowed out. Lin Chuyao walked into the room and saw Lin Yize half-reclined on the bed, his face deathly pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He had wasted away to a skeleton, his eye sockets deeply sunken; he looked as though he might shatter at any moment.

"Young Master, the Eldest Miss has come to see you," Hongmian said softly, handing him a teacup while gently wiping his brow with a handkerchief.

Hearing this, Lin Yize slowly turned his head, his gaze landing on Lin Chuyao’s face. His brow, already slightly furrowed, knit together instantly, followed by a fit of violent coughing. He turned to his side, clutching his chest, as if every cough were tearing his lungs apart. Hongmian hurried to support him, patting his back while anxiously urging, "Young Master, please, do not agitate yourself. Take it slow."

Lin Chuyao stepped forward and held out the porcelain vial. "Brother, I came today to visit you. I also brought the pills I refined; perhaps they might..."

"Visit me?" Lin Yize let out a cold laugh, cutting her off. "You come to see me looking like that? Are you trying to scare me to death?"

Lin Chuyao was momentarily stunned, then lowered her eyes. Five years ago, although he had been indifferent, he had never been this caustic. Now, this sharp, angry tone pricked at her heart.

"Brother, your health..." She began, but Lin Yize waved his hand to silence her. "I don’t need your hypocritical concern! Knowing I am critically ill, you still don't bother to cover yourself—are you trying to make me die faster?"

Lin Chuyao’s fingers, hanging at her sides, tightened, her nails digging into her palms, yet she felt no pain. Five years ago, she might have offered gentle words of comfort or even humbled herself to coax him, but now, she was exhausted in body and spirit—she had no strength left. She looked at Lin Yize with a calm gaze and said coldly, "In that case, I shall not disturb your rest."

With that, she turned and walked toward the door, her steps steady and devoid of hesitation.

Hongmian chased after her, looking apologetic. She whispered, "Eldest Miss, the Young Master’s health has grown worse over the years, and his temper has become increasingly volatile. Please don’t take it to heart; he still thinks of you. All these years, he has often spoken of how you used to keep him company when you were children."

Lin Chuyao did not stop, merely replying with a faint, "Hmm."

She walked straight out of the courtyard gate, her gaze falling upon the shadows of the bamboo, her eyes betraying no emotion.

Seeing Lin Chuyao leave just like that, without any of her former eagerness, and showing such impatience after only a few words, Lin Yize felt she was truly a heartless person. He watched Hongmian return and said coldly, "What was the point of seeing her out? She never truly came to visit me."

Hongmian paused, confused. "Young Master, the Eldest Miss only returned to the estate yesterday, and she came to see you today; it shows she cares. Besides, looking at the Eldest Miss, it seems she has suffered a great deal herself..."

"Suffered? Hmph! That is her own doing. Who told her to offend Princess Pingyang!"

"Young Master, the Eldest Miss also said she brought the pills she refined, saying they could nourish your vital energy and blood..."

"Medicine?" Lin Yize gave a cold laugh, his anger laced with a complex emotion. "What could she possibly know? Five years away, and she has only learned how to put on airs."

As he spoke, his complexion grew even worse than before. It seemed that even Hongmian did not notice that when he mentioned the word "medicine," his voice trembled slightly.

Lin Chuyao’s pace slowed, her fingertips still clutching the porcelain vial, though her palms were slick with cold sweat. This medicine had consumed five years of her vitality; it was something she had refined in secret, risking her life countless times in the Xuan Yao Valley, and it was the last, lingering hope she held for the Marquis’s estate—a hope she refused to extinguish.

Yet now, that hope was wavering. Remembering the fellow "medicine slaves" in the valley, and how they would rejoice just to steal a single herb for her, her heart ached. Their intentions should not be trampled upon in such a way. She looked into the distance; the sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting mottled shadows on the path, and in that shifting light, her gaze turned cold.

In the main hall of the estate, the news reached Liu Xishuang. Biliu whispered, "The Eldest Miss went to see the Young Master today, but it seems she left in a hurry after the Young Master spoke a few harsh words to her."

Liu Xishuang’s face darkened with displeasure. She said coldly, "I had hoped that with her return, she would visit Yize more often to help his health improve. She has so little patience that she leaves after being rebuked a few times. I thought she might have grown more sensible after returning to the estate, but she is as useless as ever!"

Biliu tried to soothe her. "Human hearts are made of flesh; the Eldest Miss has been away from home for so many years, she is bound to feel some grievances. In time, she will surely realize that you are the one who cares for her the most!"

"Very well! I shall discipline her first, then coax her. If she can become as obedient as she once was, it will have been worth all the effort I have poured into her over these past ten years!"