Chapter 88

 Forced Separation, Sweet Companionship

Jiang Baiye tried to get up to brew a bowl of medicinal decoction.

The formulas and dosages for prevention differed from those for treating the actual illness; those who were out and about—coming into the most contact with patients—had long since prepared the appropriate medicines just in case.

Yet, things turned out this way...

Jiang Baiye gave a wry smile, though he wasn't overly panicked. Even with a blistering illness, a person with a strong constitution could pull through if they persisted in taking the medicine for a while—though he wondered what lingering aftereffects might remain.

At the thought of those dense clusters of blisters—which might leave behind ugly, dark red scars once he recovered—even Jiang Baiye, a man who rarely cared much about his appearance, furrowed his brows tightly.

"I mustn't let him see it; it's too unsightly."

Leaning on the furniture for support, Jiang Baiye struggled to shuffle forward.

Only by experiencing it firsthand did he realize the immense toll this epidemic took on the body; in the blink of an eye, it had struck down even his tall, sturdy, and robust frame.

As Jiang Baiye wearily stepped over the threshold, a wave of dizziness washed over him.

His vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground; amidst the darkness, a hazy figure seemed to be running toward him in a panic.

Lu Lizhi had waited until everyone was asleep and off-guard before secretly climbing over the wall to get in.

Perhaps because they knew his thoughts were constantly with Jiang Baiye, Mother He and the others not only kept watch over the door and monitored him closely during the day, but also added an extra lock at night, keeping the key on their person at all times. Lu Lizhi had devised numerous plans before finally managing to slip away tonight.

He had hurried over without pause, thinking it would be good to look after Jiang Baiye’s daily needs while the latter was busy with his work.

Yet, he was met with this shocking scene.

Jiang Baiye!

Lu Lizhi rushed forward, his hands trembling as he reached out to support him and help him up.

"Lizhi?" Jiang Baiye murmured, his eyes barely cracking open. "Heh... am I hallucinating?"

Just as his hand moved to brush aside Lu Lizhi’s veil, Lu Lizhi tore off the head-covering himself, staring at him with a deathly pale face.

Jiang Baiye’s hand froze instantly.

He gave a violent start and hurriedly pushed Lu Lizhi away, shouting angrily, "Stay back!"

The man, who had moments ago seemed to lack all strength, sprang to his feet, retreated inside, and slammed the door shut.

Still not reassured, he slammed the bolt home, his voice filled with shock and rage. "Who told you to come here? Put that veil back on—stay away from me!"

Lu Lizhi slumped to the ground, his face even paler than before. Only one thought filled his mind: Jiang Baiye was sick, and now he, too, had been infected...

Although *Zhuwei* grass was effective, there were times when even it failed; he had witnessed firsthand how people who had taken the medicine still perished.

Death had never felt so close—capable of easily snatching away a perfectly healthy person, leaving them unable to ever wake again, destined for eternal slumber beneath the earth. Lu Lizhi’s mind went blank; he scrambled to his feet and pounded heavily on the door. "Jiang..."

"Jiang..." Fragmented words struggled out of his throat, sounding hoarse and pained.

Hearing those ceaseless calls, Jiang Baiye felt his heart breaking. "Lizhi, Lizhi, be a good boy! Listen to me—go get He Lin and Doctor Meng. Please, call them over, alright? Don't come any closer; keep your veil on. You can't help me here, so don't make me worry."

Lu Lizhi stopped kicking the door and turned to run.

Perhaps due to sheer panic, he tripped over something; his foot instantly swelled and throbbed with pain, yet he paid it no mind at all.

"Lizhi? What are you doing here? Man, you two really can't stop being lovey-dovey, even at a time like this." He Lin, who was just heading home for a rest, saw him running over and couldn't resist a bit of teasing.

But Lu Lizhi grabbed his sleeve so hard that He Lin’s hand shook in alarm. "Hey, don't do that—that bastard Jiang Baiye will chop my hand off."

Lu Lizhi let go abruptly and rushed headlong toward the He family's quarters.

Seeing this, He Lin’s expression shifted. "It can't be..."

Although they were mentally prepared for the possibility, no one actually wanted to contract this disease. While medicine could alleviate symptoms, the odds were grim.

Compared to other epidemics, the mortality rate for this one was terrifyingly high.

He Lin hurriedly took off to find help.

A single call brought everyone running; whether they were doctors currently treating patients or staff distributing medicine, they all rushed to the scene. The commotion caused by the news was immense; upon hearing it, the common people were deeply moved and distressed. "To think that someone as robust as Jiang Baiye has fallen ill—he contracted this while rushing about for the sake of the people!"

"Quick, let us go pray before the ancestral tablets for Jiang Baiye; were it not for him, my daughter would never have recovered!"

"May the Bodhisattva bless him—kind-hearted Master Jiang must not come to any harm."

Late that night, under the bright moonlight, Prefect Yan—who had finally lain down to rest after a grueling day—was suddenly roused from his sleep.

"What? Jiang Baiye has fallen ill!?"

He hurriedly dressed and rose. "What is to be done? He cannot collapse, nor can anything happen to him."

Thinking of Lu Lizhi, who was close to Jiang, he immediately dispatched several trusted aides. ...must not let Li Zhi get near him. He is due to take the provincial civil service examination this year—a crucial milestone—and if that were delayed...

In the imperial examinations, where one must battle through successive rounds of testing, youth is a prized asset; call it a pursuit of empty fame if you will, but Prefect Yan didn't want to dwell on that now.

Most importantly, a single misstep could truly cost someone their life!

The Prefect’s men immediately mobilized a squad of soldiers; the imposing procession looked for all the world like a force setting out to apprehend a criminal.

Amidst the heightened security, others who heard the news hurriedly swapped shifts and rushed over.

Shopkeeper Ning, Old Master Yi, and others—who were always well-informed—also got wind of the situation.

It was destined to be a sleepless night.

At the Jiang residence, Jiang Baiye was confronting the men outside. His voice was cool and steady, betraying no hint of illness: "I’m fine. Take him away; don't leave him in that crowd—it’s too dangerous." ”

The others looked at Lu Lizhi, their expressions troubled and hesitant.

Beneath his veil, Lu Lizhi’s eyes were slightly reddened and his fists clenched tight; he wanted to lash out, wanted to give Jiang Baiye a sound thrashing, yet his inability to speak left his vulnerability fully exposed.

At a moment like this, no one had the patience to watch him write, nor did they care about his anxiety and anguish.

Lu Lizhi felt wretched; a burning rage seemed trapped in his throat, and his body trembled faintly from the sheer intensity of his anger.

It was just like him to bully others—taking advantage of the fact that Lu Lizhi couldn't speak or defend himself!

Seeing that he seemed to have acquiesced, Doctor Meng and the others hurried inside to check on him. His condition was indeed poor, resembling the severe cases they had treated previously.

It was only because Jiang Baiye had a robust constitution that he didn't appear as critically ill as the others; he could still speak freely and gritted his teeth, refusing to let out a single groan of pain.

Yet, when the doctors emerged, they all put on a relaxed air. "It’s nothing serious. He just needs to take his medicine and rest quietly for a while. Everyone should avoid disturbing him—peace of mind is crucial for recovery."

Their words carried a pointed undertone.

"Shall I walk you back over there?" He Lin was cautious; he felt that Lu Lizhi’s current demeanor was somber—and frightening.

Lu Lizhi kept his gaze lowered; through the veil of his hat and the darkness of the night, no one could discern his emotions.

Before the He family could fully process the situation, Jiang Baiye’s voice rang out again. A careful listener would have detected a note of weakness beneath the gentle tone.

"Lizhi, it’s alright—don't you trust me? I’ll come see you in a couple of days. You can make me some more of those plum hard candies then; this medicine is truly bitter."

Lu Lizhi’s lips twitched into a faint, wry smile. Had they not spoken so reassuringly, he might have believed them a little; but this deliberate attempt to appear carefree was, in fact... the worst sign of all.

"That’s right, Scholar Lu. Baiye is a tough one—he’s got a strong will to live, so set your mind at ease." Cheng Ping patted his shoulder, but upon feeling how tense Lu Lizhi’s body was, he couldn't help but sigh.

Just then, men sent by the Prefect arrived to make inquiries, and Dr. Meng and the others gave the same explanation.

Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Jiang Baiye knew exactly what the situation was even from behind the door; a bitter ache rose in his heart. "Clerk Zhai, please take him away. The Prefect likely has something to discuss with him."

Lu Lizhi’s head snapped up instantly. He glared furiously at the room and started to rush forward, only to be hurriedly held back by the Prefect’s men.

"Scholar Lu, please respect the patient's feelings and choices. He’s going to be fine." Several people were holding him back, yet they could barely restrain his struggle.

Watching from the side, Madam He found the scene heart-wrenching; she was tempted to suggest letting him go in—after all, if both fell ill, it would still be better than the mutual torment of worry and separation.

If Master He were in that state and others adamantly prevented her from approaching, she knew she would only suffer more—consumed by wild thoughts, fear, and anxiety.

Yet, just as she was about to speak up, Lu Lizhi suddenly went quiet. He cast a long, deep look at Jiang Baiye’s room, then turned and walked away of his own accord.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Once he had left, Dr. Meng and the others immediately began emergency treatment; they even brought in a physician skilled in acupuncture to administer needles and accelerate the medication's effect.

After a grueling night, Jiang Baiye remained in a semi-conscious stupor, his high fever persisting as he began to mutter deliriously.

"Lizhi..."

"Lizhi, don't come over here."

"Oh, why put themselves through this?" Dr. Meng and the others felt a mix of frantic anxiety and deep sympathy.

Meanwhile, Lu Lizhi was heading back toward the new residence when he was intercepted by men sent by Prefect Yan. "Top Scholar Lu, please come with us to the Prefect's residence; it is safer there." Lu Lizhi’s eyes darkened. He had made that move specifically to lower their guard, hoping to slip away quietly later.

He also hadn't wanted Jiang Baiye to worry or for their medical treatment to be delayed.

But his calculations had hit a snag; these people weren't stupid, and they insisted on bringing him before Prefect Yan before considering the matter settled.

Lu Lizhi was inwardly anxious; he cursed his inability to speak—otherwise, he would surely have been able to persuade them!

The group brought Lu Lizhi—more or less by force—before Prefect Yan. The Prefect hadn't rested; the moment he saw Lu Lizhi arrive, he immediately began a counter-campaign of persuasion.

"He’ll definitely be fine. The Imperial Examinations are what matter most. If you damage your health—well, the Provincial Exam lasts nine days and six nights. If you’re left with even a lingering headache or fever, you simply won't be able to endure it."

"I have so many books in my estate that you’d love to read—some are even rare editions your father had been looking for. And speaking of which, you surely want to know about your father’s experience taking the Provincial Exam; we might even dig up some useful information. I’ll tell you the details tomorrow."

After all that talk, Lu Lizhi remained silent. Finally, he wrote on a piece of paper:

*Get me some maltose and plums; I want to make plum-flavored maltose candy.*

"Plums... and maltose? At this time of night?" Prefect Yan muttered to himself, puzzled.

But seeing the student’s expressionless face—looking as though his soul had left his body—he hurriedly said, "Alright, alright, I’ll send someone right away. Don't overthink things; the situation will surely turn around for the better." Lu Lizhi truly didn't overthink it; only one thought remained in his mind: Jiang Baiye dreaded the taste of bitter medicine, so he had to make plenty of plum-flavored maltose candy for him.

The servants sent to procure the plums and maltose were driven to their wits' end; in the dead of night, they finally located a household that specialized in making these items. They knocked on the door and—amidst the residents' bewildered, "are-you-ghosts?" expressions—bought up the entire stock.

Lu Lizhi borrowed the Yan family's kitchen, refusing any assistance. Deep in the night, under the worried gazes of the household staff, he lit the fire and set up the pot. He added salted plums and hot water, simmering the mixture.

He carefully regulated the heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickened, at which point he added a starch slurry and the melted maltose.

Knowing Jiang Baiye was ill and couldn't manage anything hard to chew, Lu Lizhi added a bit of oil and repeatedly adjusted the proportions of the ingredients.

Time slipped by; the first batch failed—it wasn't sweet enough. The second batch failed too—it turned out rock-hard, far too tough for Jiang Baiye to eat.

It wasn't until well into the morning that Lu Lizhi finally produced a large pot of soft, tender, and delicious plum-flavored maltose candy; a faint, dazed smile appeared on his face.

"Master Lu..." the maid and servants who had been keeping watch over him gently ventured, "Perhaps you should go and rest for a while?" The handsome young man before one’s eyes appeared to move normally, yet he seemed so fragile and delicate that a gust of wind might knock him over; in the sunlight, his skin was nearly snow-white, and his lips were devoid of any trace of color.

Lu Lizhi seemed not to hear a thing; lost in his own world, he carefully broke the candy into small pieces and wrapped them in squares of oil paper cut to the right size.

At noon, Prefect Yan came to reprimand him; only then did Lu Lizhi force down a few mouthfuls of rice, though he didn't touch a single bite of the dishes that had been meticulously prepared for him.

He thought of every dish Jiang Baiye had ever made—how satisfying they tasted—and wondered what it would be like if he could never eat them again...

No, that wouldn't happen!

Lu Lizhi hurriedly shook away the terrifying thought, forced himself to stop thinking altogether, and quickened the pace of his work.

By evening, having gone without sleep for a day and a night, Lu Lizhi finally finished his tasks. He wrapped up several catties of plum taffy; thinking of the expression on Jiang Baiye’s face when eating the candy, he smiled faintly and prepared to go plead with Prefect Yan.

He had to see Jiang Baiye—he couldn't wait another moment!

"What did you say? They were out of options and went to fetch that Physician Pang?"

The startled, exclamatory voice from inside the room made Lu Lizhi—who had been about to knock—jump, his light-colored pupils suddenly constricting.

"Who is this Physician Pang? I’ve never heard of him before. Has Jiang Baiye’s condition become that serious?" ”

Prefect Yan’s heart sank with anxiety. After all, the young man was hale and hearty—and someone deeply important to Lu Lizhi. He had undertaken this exhausting mission of mercy at the Prefect's own suggestion; if any harm were to befall him...

He would have no face left to meet Lizhi again!

A heavy thud sounded at the door. Prefect Yan’s men hurriedly pushed it open, only to see the very person they dreaded facing standing there, swaying unsteadily, his eyes filled with a mixture of anguish and inscrutable pain.

Prefect Yan realized something was wrong. "The information we received isn't confirmed—it’s all just hearsay. Don't jump to conclusions; I’ll have someone make fresh inquiries right away!"

Lu Lizhi stepped into the room and wrote on the paper prepared specifically for him:

"If any misfortune befalls him, I shall withdraw from the imperial examinations.

But if we can weather this crisis together—even if I have but a single breath left—I swear to my mentor that I will not fail the trust placed in me; I will secure the title of *Jieyuan*!"

Having written this, he held the paper aloft with both hands and sank heavily to his knees before Prefect Yan.

Prefect Yan’s heart gave a violent jolt, mirroring the sound of that heavy kneeling. "You... are you not afraid of death!?" ”

“—I fear losing him even more.”

“—If he were gone, I certainly would not wish to live on alone.”

Prefect Yan heaved a heavy sigh; after a long moment of deliberation, he let him go.

By the time Lu Lizhi was escorted to the Jiang residence, the others were nowhere to be found—it was unclear where they had gone.

A glint appeared in Lu Lizhi’s eyes. He asked his escorts to help look for the others, but the moment their guard was down, he made a sudden dash into Jiang Baiye’s room; spinning around, he deftly...

The door was bolted from the inside.

The crowd turned pale with shock. "Top Scholar Lu! Don't do anything rash—there’s no benefit in getting yourself infected too!"

Others—whether they had been brewing medicine or discussing countermeasures—heard the commotion and rushed over, equally horrified. "Lizhi! Lizhi, don't do anything foolish!"

Jiang Dazhu, who had accompanied Physician Pang, saw his face drain of color. "Break down the door! Pull him out—this is sheer madness!"

Inside the room, Lu Lizhi pressed his lips into a thin line and strode to the bedside. Seeing the sickly, pale man lying there, he felt as though his heart had been struck a heavy blow.

His eyes welled up with hot tears.

*Jiang Baiye, you cannot die!*

Lu Lizhi gently caressed the other man's handsome face—now so still and devoid of vitality—as tears fell.

The sound of the door being violently battered echoed loudly. He stared blankly for a moment, then slowly removed his veil, leaned down, and pressed his lips against Jiang Baiye’s chapped ones. They shared their breath; he licked and moistened the dry lips, tasting the bitterness within.

And so, when the crowd finally managed to force the door open, they were met with this passionate scene.

Some were dumbfounded; others gave a soft cough and hurriedly turned away. He Lin stepped forward and firmly shut the door. "Stop kissing him—stop it! We know how determined you are to be with him; come life or death, you two are in this together. It works out well—you can look after him, and it saves us some trouble."

Dr. Pang chimed in, "Things have reached this point; if infection was going to happen, it likely already has—there's no escaping it now. Just let him provide the hands-on care. Who knows? Maybe having the two of them together will help Baiye recover faster."

Earlier that morning, Dr. Pang had been urgently summoned; he employed his signature acupuncture techniques with great skill, managing to temporarily stabilize Jiang Baiye’s condition.

Baiye’s case was unusual—he showed neither coughing nor blistering, presenting only with high fever and unconsciousness. The disease’s progression was rapid, making the situation particularly difficult for everyone to handle.

Inside the room, having succeeded in his kiss, Lu Lizhi didn't pull away immediately. He could feel Baiye’s intense heat—a heat so searing it felt as though it might melt him.

Driven by a mix of longing and the anger he had suppressed deep within, he kissed Baiye fervently, as if venting all his pent-up emotions.

After a long while, he tenderly kissed Baiye’s sensitive Adam's apple. *Jiang Baiye, wake up soon. If you don't wake up, I might just do something wicked...*

Whenever others entered to deliver medicine, perform acupuncture, or check his pulse, Lu Lizhi would put on his veiled hat to ensure their protection.

He fed Baiye medicine and water—over a dozen times a day—with tireless dedication and care that surpassed everyone else's. Even Jiang Dazhu felt like a third wheel and quietly returned to the new house.

When no one else was around, Lu Lizhi would cast aside all caution, remove his hat, climb onto the bed, and bathe Baiye’s body—holding him close and sharing intimate, tender moments. Before dawn broke, Jiang Baiye finally regained a shred of consciousness; before he even felt the physical pain of his illness, his hand first brushed against a patch of smooth, delicate skin.

He froze for a moment. Wasn't he supposed to be lying in bed, delirious and half-dead from sickness? What was this?

A soft, low murmur sounded in his ear—alluring and gentle. Jiang Baiye suspected he was dreaming, especially when his hand traced further and discovered that the body pressed against his was completely unclothed.

What on earth was happening?!

In disbelief, Jiang Baiye slowly opened his eyes to see a man fast asleep with his head resting on his chest.

Under the covers, his own clothes had been loosened and pulled open; the other man was clinging tightly to him, as if seeking warmth.

Jiang Baiye was so startled he nearly bolted upright in bed; all traces of his sickly weakness vanished, and he was scared half out of his wits.

"Lu Lizhi, what are you doing?!"

Outside in the courtyard, those keeping watch heard that robust shout; delighted yet alarmed, they hurriedly pushed open the door.

"Stay out—don't come in—mph!"

Woken by the noise, Lu Lizhi didn't say a word; he simply pinned Jiang Baiye to the bed and kissed him fiercely—kissing him until the anger and panic in his dark eyes slowly faded, replaced by a dazed, helpless softness.

"You think doing this means I can't do anything about you, huh?" Jiang Baiye asked, his voice a mix of worry and gritted-teeth frustration.

Lu Lizhi traced a message onto his chest—

*Warm. Feels good.* Jiang Baiye blushed. "I didn't realize you wouldn't even spare me when I was sick."

Seeing that Jiang Baiye had not only woken up but was also in high spirits, Lu Lizhi finally let his guard down after days of tense anxiety. He had merely used the physical cooling method he’d mentioned—where on earth had Jiang Baiye’s mind wandered?

"But am I really that impressive even when I'm sick?" Jiang Baiye was highly confident in himself. "I've seen others suffer after-effects in that department."

Lu Lizhi got up to dress, fed him his medicine, and then went to prepare a meal.

Later, He Lin arrived. Seeing Jiang Baiye looking perfectly fine, he spat out, "Damn it! If I’d known Lu Lizhi was so effective, I should have just locked the two of you up together from the start. Let's see if you'd dare pull a stunt like falling into a coma or faking your own death again!"

Jiang Baiye hadn't realized his condition had been so critical; instead, he worried about Lu Lizhi. "Quick, increase his dosage. Don't let him get close to me anymore."

"Oh, give it a rest. Your behavior says otherwise; the moment he leaves, you might just collapse again."

Undeniably, the reason Jiang Baiye was in such good spirits now was indeed because of Lu Lizhi, even though his body was far from being as fully recovered as he appeared.

Fortunately, things were finally taking a turn for the better.

Lu Lizhi naturally refused to leave; not only did he stay, but he also clung to Jiang Baiye at every opportunity. He was terrified that Jiang Baiye might try to push him away again—claiming it was for his own good—and repeat the painful actions that had caused them both such suffering.

Whenever Jiang Baiye showed even the slightest sign of wanting to do that, Lu Lizhi would plant a kiss on him—kissing him until he fell silent. It was as if to say: *We’ve already reached this point—is there any point in holding back now?*

Jiang Baiye was torn between the fear of infection and the comfort of Lu Lizhi’s companionship and care; after this internal struggle reached a breaking point...

When Lu Lizhi leaned in to kiss him again, he no longer resisted, instead kissing back until both were breathless.

"Forget it. If I die, you’re coming to hell with me—we’re going together, even in death!"

"Sharing the same quilt in life, the same grave in death..."

Lu Lizhi, satisfied, fed him a piece of homemade candy.

"So sweet."

He couldn't help but share that wonderful taste.

After a long while, he murmured words as intoxicating as fine wine: "Lizhi is even sweeter than the candy..."

Lu Lizhi narrowed his eyes slightly; the man now enveloped in such deep affection bore no trace of the despair and agony he had suffered just a short while ago.

With Lu Lizhi by his side, Jiang Baiye’s recovery was remarkably swift—so much so that even Physician Pang called it a medical miracle.

Best of all, Jiang Baiye made it past the contagious period without infecting Lu Lizhi. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thanking the heavens for the blessing; had anything happened to Lizhi, there was no telling what kind of turmoil the young couple might have caused.

Prefect Yan, too, finally set his mind at ease.

In the mere fifteen days since Physician Wang treated the first epidemic patient, the situation across Xuanhe Prefecture had completely stabilized. Although martial law remained in effect and the common people had not yet ventured out of their homes, the households were no longer shrouded in gloom.

With more resources and energy to spare, the physicians could attend to critically ill patients, striving to save lives—even those of humble beggars.

The authorities showed genuine care for the people, while the medical halls braved the risk of infection without hesitation; the public was spared the burden of treatment costs. Throughout this period, the populace remained remarkably orderly, knowing that help would come.

Free from fear and despair, they cooperated fully. Looking back at the history of epidemic control across dynasties, Prefect Yan realized that never before had a battle against disease been fought with such resounding success.

In just a few short days, the outbreak had been contained within the prefecture; it had not spread further, and new cases had ceased to appear. This was a terrifying epidemic—yet one that proved curable—unlike anything seen before.

Lu Lizhi, Jiang Baiye, Zhu Weicao, Huichun Hall, Jichun Medical Workshop, and the He family—each of them deserved a place in the history books.

On this day, a response finally arrived regarding the memorial Prefect Yan had previously submitted to the imperial court.

An imperial envoy dispatched by the Emperor of Great Ning had arrived, accompanied by a team of physicians—including a group of Imperial Physicians led by the master of the doctor known as Physician Hu. They rallied practitioners from private clinics—such as the Shanyi Hall (led by the Qin family and Dr. Luo, a physician renowned for treating epidemics) and the Yaoxin Hall of Changfu Prefecture—as well as representatives from the Yuchun Hall of Yuyuan Prefecture and the prominent medical lineages of Hejian (Liu family), Yishui (Zhang family), and the Warm Disease School (Wu family). Even Master He of the capital’s Huichun Hall joined the ranks to provide medical aid and support in fighting the epidemic.

They knocked upon the tightly shut gates of Xuanhe Prefecture.