The doctor followed Luizhu to the inner room room.
Leaving his bag of medicines on an old chair, he paused as he looked around the empty room, and the bed ready to be slept in.
Luizhu said, "It's cold at night, so mistress sleeps next to me. This way I can also serve her better at night."
The doctor hummed in response.
Luizhu waited, but he didn't say anything more. She closed the door, and left.
A couple of hours later, she called him for dinner. Dinner was a thin tasteless porridge made with grains and a few nuts sprinkled in.
He ate without complaint, as did the little girl whom Luizhu personally fed.
"Give her another bowl of medicine," the doctor commanded when dinner was over. "Keep her warm using bed warming stones, and let her sweat the fever away at night."
He checked her pulse again, then retreated into the room prepared for him, climbed into the creaking bed, and tried to sleep.
His mind drifted for a while, and just as he was falling into sleep, he heard the girl and maid whispering together. He couldn't make out any words, but being disturbed, he struggled to fall back asleep.
When he awoke in the morning, he found the two girls fast asleep huddled together for warmth.
He gave them a passing glance before moving to the main door that lead outside. Though he carried his cane, he didn't use it and moved much faster than he had the day before.
Outside, he walked until he was out of sight of the house before whistling softly. The sound was like a strange bird calling.
Within minutes, another man dressed in dark clothes, carrying a sword at his belt, appeared.
He bowed to the doctor, "My lord, she's the youngest lady of the Lu family, Lu Yan. Her father, General Lu, is away at the border. Her mother and brothers are also there. She lives in the Lu ancestral home with her uncle, aunt and grandmother. In the town, they say she's ill-behaved, and has been sent to a farm to recuperate."
"Lu family?" the doctor mused.
"Her uncle is Lu Hosheng, a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue."
"Hmm. Have you found who leaked my whereabouts yesterday?"
The man bowed again, "It was my negligence, my lord. I've identified the traitor, but haven't alarmed him."
"Good, we can use him in the future. I'll stay here for now. You take care of the business in town."
The man hesitated.
The doctor continued, "They won't find me here."
The man bowed, "Yes, my lord."
"Also, bring me some decent food. And the rest of my medical supplies."
---
The man adjusted his beard carefully, and walked slowly back to the house leaning heavily on his walking stick.
At the door of the house, he heard voices.
"Miss, do you think he's left?"
"His medicine bag is still here."
"Do you think we can convince him?"
"We will. Don't worry Luizhu. Go get breakfast for us."
The doctor remained at the door for a moment longer before backtracking silently.
At the entrance to the yard, he made a loud noise with the wooden gate, then walked back to the front door.
Knocking, he entered without waiting for a response. Luizhu bowed to him. The little miss bowed her head from where she was sitting in bed.
"Doctor," Luizhu said, "Please check my lady's pulse again. She woke up with a bad headache and coughing fit."
The lady coughed into her handkerchief.
He walked over, and took her pulse. She was weak, and the sickness was prolonged by weakness.
"Alright, seems like the lady needs milder medicine. Let me get my bag."
He stood on trembling legs, walked slowly to his room leaning heavily on his walking stick.
At first glance, it was clear that the bag had been rummaged through. He looked it over, noticed that nothing had been taken.
He took another little sachet, and walking to the other room, handed it off to the maid.
She returned with a bowl of the same porridge they'd eaten last night.
He stared at the watery tasteless grains in revulsion. Even his dogs ate better than this. Unfortunately, he was stuck here for a while.
Holding his breath, he poured the whole thing into his mouth, and swallowed as fast as he could, trying not to taste anything.
Putting the bowl down, he noticed a pair of thoughtful eyes watching him from the bed.
Seeing him look at her, Lu Yan offered a small smile before looking down at her own porridge.
Luizhu soon brought the bowl of new medicine over, and exchanged it for the porridge bowl her little lady was holding.
The girl drank the whole thing quickly, face wrinkling horribly at the unexpectedly bitter taste.
He felt a small sense of satisfaction.
"Luizhu, quickly get me something sweet!"
"Miss, we don't have anything sweet. But there's a little more porridge."
"Get some water then!"
Luizhu rushed over with a bowl of warm water.
He walked over to her bedside chair, and slowly sat down.
"Miss, you still haven't told me who you are and where your parents are."
"I'm the youngest lady of the Lu family, Lu Yan. My parents are at the border. I'm here to recover from my sickness."
The doctor looked around the miserable thatched hut. "Recover? Here?"
The young miss lowered her head, one fat teardrop raced down her cheek, and said in a low voice, "My aunt doesn't like me much sir."
From the side Luizhu chimed in, "You don't know how much our young lady has been wronged Doctor! They haven't given us food, or clothes, or coal to get through the winter. My lady had to sell her-"
"Luizhu."
Luizhu immediately quieted.
The girl looked up at him with a tremulous smile, her lashes still wet, "Luizhu doesn't know how to speak properly. My family provides everything I need. It's just I was a little sick these last few days."
"Hmm," He stroked his beard as he looked over the pair.
"If you could watch over me today sir. I'll be sure to tell my father about your kindness when he returns."
He didn't reply, just stared indifferently out at the yard through the small window.
"Of course, I'll also pay you for your kind service." She rummaged with the pouch at her waist, then offered her hand to him.
In the middle of her little palm sat three small copper coins with a dull shine.
He couldn't help huffing.
Immediately, she smiled brightly, and said, "This is just the advance Doctor. I'll offer more when you leave tomorrow."
She grabbed his hand, put the coins into his palm, then clasped her hands together and bowed.
"Thank you for your magnanimity doctor! In the future, Lu Yan will definitely repay your kindness."
He watched her, speechless for a moment, before looking at the coins again, and closing his fist around them.
Without a word, he stood, and slowly walked to the inner room with his walking stick.