SGEIRS -Chapter 178 Suddenly Fell Ill

After a moment, Meng Jinyao steadied herself and lowered her gaze. She saw that the wound on her left hand had already been wrapped in gauze. At first glance, it looked quite serious, and she couldn’t help saying, “It’s not bleeding anymore. It’s actually fine even without bandaging.”

Gu Jingxi glanced at her and said gently, “Although it’s not a serious injury, if it isn’t bandaged and you accidentally bump into something and it starts bleeding again, it won’t be good for recovery. Especially the wound on your elbow—clothes rubbing against it will hurt.”

Meng Jinyao was slightly stunned, then nodded.

After a while, her attention was drawn to Gu Jingxi’s hands. They were long and fair, with well-defined joints, like finely carved white jade—pleasing to look at.

Her thoughts drifted away again.

After quite some time, Gu Jingxi finished bandaging her wound and let go of her hand. Seeing that her right hand was still raised, he said, “Madam, it’s done.”

But Meng Jinyao seemed not to hear him. He called again, “Madam?”

Only then did she slowly come back to her senses. Meeting the man’s puzzled gaze, she secretly reproached herself. She didn’t know what was wrong with her today. She had always known Gu Jingxi was handsome, but she had never stared at him like this before. Yet today, she kept zoning out as if she’d never seen a man before.

Seeing something off about her expression, Gu Jingxi asked, “Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

Feeling inexplicably guilty, Meng Jinyao shook her head repeatedly. “No, no. I’m fine. I’m just tired after all that trouble.”

Gu Jingxi originally wanted to ask what had happened and how she had hurt herself, but seeing her drooping her head as if she were truly exhausted, he didn’t press further. He thought it would be fine to ask after she had rested, so he said, “Then go to sleep. It’s getting late.”

After Qingqiu and Ningdong brought in water and the couple washed up briefly, they lay down to rest.

Two major things had happened that day, both giving Meng Jinyao a huge psychological shock. That night, she slept very restlessly and even had nightmares.

Gu Jingxi slept lightly. When he heard movement beside him, he woke up. By the moonlight, he could see the young woman frowning tightly, beads of sweat on her forehead, her lips murmuring softly as if she were having a bad dream.

“Madam.”

He called softly and gently patted her shoulder, trying to wake her. When his hand touched her shoulder, he froze slightly. She was wearing thin nightclothes, and even through them he could feel the heat from her body. Summer was hot, but not usually this hot.

Was she running a high fever?

His expression tightened. He quickly placed a hand on her forehead—it was burning hot.

It was clearly a high fever.

It was late at night, and it wasn’t convenient to take her to see a doctor. Lingyun Temple was in the mountains, far away, and it wasn’t good for a sick person to travel. They could only use other methods for now.

Gu Jingxi hurriedly put on his outer robe and went next door to wake Qingqiu and Ningdong.

When they learned that their mistress had developed a high fever in the middle of the night, both maids were extremely worried and instantly panicked. It was night, and they were in a mountain temple—where could they find a doctor?

Gu Jingxi remained calm and gave instructions in an orderly manner. “Qingqiu, go find the monk in charge of guest rooms and ask if there’s any master here who knows medicine. Ningdong, go fetch a basin of warm water.”

The two maids immediately went to carry out his orders.

Gu Jingxi sat by the bed and wiped the fine sweat from the young woman’s forehead with a handkerchief. Because of the fever, her cheeks were flushed, her lips pale, and her crescent-shaped brows tightly furrowed. He didn’t know whether she was troubled by nightmares or discomfort from illness.

Her sickly appearance was heart-wrenching.

People with high fever shouldn’t be covered too tightly, or it would worsen the condition. He lifted the thin quilt from her.

Before long, Ningdong hurried back with a basin of warm water. Fortunately, Lingyun Temple was popular with pilgrims, many of whom were from wealthy families, so hot water was kept available at night.

After putting down the basin, Ningdong asked, “Marquis, what should I do?”

“Wipe her forehead, neck, armpits, and limbs to help her cool down,” Gu Jingxi replied.

Ningdong agreed and went forward with the basin. As she prepared to help remove Meng Jinyao’s clothes, she instinctively glanced at Gu Jingxi and saw that he had turned his back and was sitting by the tea table.

She paused briefly and thought to herself: The Marquis really is a gentleman. Even though she is his wife, he doesn’t take advantage.

Without overthinking, she quickly helped undress Meng Jinyao and followed Gu Jingxi’s instructions to wipe her body and help reduce the fever.

Not long after, Qingqiu returned with a gloomy expression and brought bad news. “Marquis, there is a master here who understands medicine, but he went out to gather herbs and hasn’t returned yet. The others say he usually takes two or three days.”

Gu Jingxi frowned, his worry deepening. “Then go get another basin of warm water.”

Qingqiu acknowledged and hurried off. High fever was no small matter—if it didn’t subside, it could be fatal.

That night, none of them slept. Gu Jingxi stayed in the room, while Qingqiu and Ningdong took turns fetching water. Every quarter of an hour or so, they wiped Meng Jinyao’s body.

Fortunately, after two hours, her fever finally subsided. The three of them made it through the night safely.

It was still early. Gu Jingxi originally told the two maids to rest while he stayed to watch over her, but they were too worried to sleep and remained in the room.

At dawn, warm sunlight poured in, driving away the darkness.

Meng Jinyao slowly woke up and opened her eyes. Seeing Gu Jingxi and her two maids in the room, she was confused. Noticing their weary faces, she asked, “Did you sleep badly last night?”

As soon as she spoke, she felt her throat was dry and her voice hoarse.

Gu Jingxi asked gently, “Madam, how do you feel now? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

She answered honestly, “My throat is dry, I’m a bit thirsty, and my head feels dizzy. What’s wrong with me?”

Qingqiu hurried to pour her a cup of warm water.

Ningdong, unable to hide her emotions, reddened her eyes and said tearfully, “Madam, you suddenly had a high fever last night. It scared us terribly. Qingqiu, the Marquis, and I stayed by your side all night. You finally cooled down near dawn.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised. “I had a high fever? Why didn’t I know?”

Gu Jingxi said softly, “You were delirious and never woke up, so it’s normal you didn’t know. What matters is that you’re fine now. After breakfast, we’ll return home and let the family doctor examine you.”

After that, he told Ningdong to fetch breakfast and Qingqiu to bring water for washing up.