Coughing Blood

She was only fourteen. In her original world, she would still have been in middle school—a standard loli!

But the moment he said that, Ye Buhui visibly grew angry again. She shot him a glare, her eyes turning fierce as though she wanted to eat him alive.

"How strange. Why was she glaring at me? Wasn't I just going along with what she said?" Su Ziji felt utterly innocent as he entered the bookshop with a bewildered look.

The moment he stepped inside, Ye Buhui shut the door directly behind him.

"We're not doing business today. Come on, my father's waiting for you inside!" With a huff, Ye Buhui finished speaking and walked in ahead of him without waiting.

Su Ziji rubbed his nose, feeling that he was always at a disadvantage before her. Still, he could hardly argue with a little girl. He followed her into the room and saw that a table had already been set.

Braised pork knuckle, cabbage, sliced lamb tripe, red-braised carp, and a plate of rice cakes—it was a lavish spread. Even an ordinary household's New Year feast might not be this good.

Ye Weihan came over then, and he was delighted to see Su Ziji.

"Uncle Ye, this is far too extravagant," Su Ziji could not help saying. All these years, he had relied entirely on the Ye Family's help. He could earn this silver back hundreds or thousands of times over in the future, but their kindness would be hard to repay.

Ye Weihan smiled and invited him to sit, then moved to pour him wine. Su Ziji hurriedly took the flask from him and poured a cup for Ye Weihan instead.

Ye Weihan picked up his cup and took a sip. "Ziji, Uncle Ye is very happy that you've come this far. First, this is a celebration. Second, I hope that when you go to the prefectural city, you'll take Buhui along as well."

"Ah?" Su Ziji was taken aback. But he had already been thinking about the chess tournament, and in an instant he understood. "Does that mean Buhui is finally going to the prefectural city to take part in the chess tournament?"

Ye Weihan nodded. "Exactly. From Shizu of the Former Wei onward, and continuing into this dynasty, the grand Chess Path tournament has been held every three years without interruption. I obtained Buhui's eligibility for this competition long ago. As the saying goes, if one does not become a national champion by twenty, there is no hope for the rest of one's life. Chess depends on talent, not age. She has learned nearly enough by now—it is time for her to give it a try."

"If we wait another three years, it will only hold her back."

"It's just that my health is poor, and I can't rest easy letting her go alone. If she can travel with you, she'll have someone to look after her."

The chess tournament was held once every three years, progressing from county towns to prefectural cities, provincial capitals, and then the Capital City. The timing and locations were also meant to accommodate the many scholars. Those who loved chess and had confidence in themselves could participate before their examinations, make friends, and cultivate their sentiments.

If they won and their name spread, they might even catch the chief examiner's eye.

After all, chess was an elegant pursuit in this world. The Wei Dynasty had even established the official post of Chess Attendant, and Great Zheng had inherited the system. Though its highest rank was only Principal Eighth Rank, it was the sole official position women could attain outside of entering the palace.

Su Ziji had already wanted to repay the Ye father and daughter, so naturally he did not mind such a small matter. He immediately assured him, "Please rest easy. I'll accompany Buhui to the chess tournament when the time comes, and I guarantee that she'll return safe and sound."

That was precisely why Ye Weihan had asked Su Ziji to take Ye Buhui with him. Ye Buhui was only fourteen; if she went alone, there was no telling what might happen. With a trustworthy man accompanying her, Ye Weihan could set his mind at ease.

Unfortunately, he himself could not leave Linhua County.

Ye Weihan glanced at his daughter, who had suddenly lowered her head and silently shoveled rice into her mouth. A wave of emotion rose in his heart. "Time flies like a shuttle. In the blink of an eye, you'll soon be fifteen and ready for your hairpin ceremony."

"I don't expect you to be rich and noble, but you must have some means to support yourself. You cannot let others look down on you."

"Go on, then. Earn yourself the title of chess player."

Upon hearing that, Ye Buhui nearly choked. Her eyes turned misty with tears, and she could only call out, "Father!"

"All right, Father won't say any more. Father won't say any more." Ye Weihan smiled, knowing his daughter was embarrassed, then turned to discuss the Prefectural Examination with Su Ziji.

"When you go for the Prefectural Examination, don't worry about travel expenses. The books and periodicals I recently sold brought in some silver. Take ten taels with you..." Ye Weihan said with a wave of his hand.

"Uncle Ye, there's no need. Fang Xi—or rather, the Fang Family—gave me ten taels this time." How could Su Ziji accept Ye Weihan's money? He knew full well that because Ye Weihan was in poor health and lacked energy, his business had been declining by the day. This was money earned with his blood and sweat.

He could not refuse it merely for the sake of pride, but as long as there was another way, he could not shamelessly accept it either!

Seeing Ye Weihan's questioning look, Su Ziji explained everything in detail. In the end, he said, "Since the Fang Family has shown goodwill in befriending me, I should accept it. Could it be that I won't be able to repay this favor in the future?"

"Ten years of cold study, and no one asks after you; one triumph brings fame known throughout the land." Ye Weihan was filled with boundless emotion. He gulped down his wine, gazed at the spring scene in the outer courtyard, and let out a breath. "You can't yet be said to have won fame in one stroke, but as long as you pass as a Cultivated Talent or Provincial Graduate, you truly needn't worry about travel expenses."

Knowing Su Ziji had travel funds, Ye Weihan naturally did not press him further to accept his gift of silver. He looked at him with complicated feelings, and a thought that had long existed in his heart rose again. But before he could think it through, his throat suddenly tickled as he held his wine cup, and he could not help coughing.

The coughing grew violent without stopping. Soon, the handkerchief pressed over his mouth was covered in a sickly sweet bloodstain.

"Father—" Ye Buhui was terrified. She shoved aside her chair and rushed over to support her father. Seeing the handkerchief covered in blood, tears immediately fell from her eyes. She wanted to speak, but the words reached her throat and would not come out. Her whole body began to tremble.

Su Ziji remained composed and immediately said, "Help Uncle to the bed first. I'll go fetch a doctor!"

Ye Buhui answered with a nasal voice, and he threw open the door and ran outside.

Night had only just fallen, and there were still some pedestrians on the street. People who knew Su Ziji saw him rushing past and could not help calling out to ask what was wrong, but Su Ziji ignored them completely and hurried straight to Doctor Zhao's clinic.

The clinic had three storefronts. A man sat beside the counter, dressed in freshly washed snow-white robes, speaking quietly with an assistant. Hearing footsteps, he looked over. The moment he saw Su Ziji, he asked in surprise, "You've come in such a rush. Is there another emergency?"

This was Doctor Zhao. When Su Ziji's father had been ill, Su Ziji had often come here to get medicine or ask him to make house calls. Su Ziji trusted Doctor Zhao's character, and he also knew that while Doctor Zhao was no famed physician, he was considered quite skilled in Linhua County.

"Doctor Zhao, someone has suddenly started coughing up blood. Please come quickly and take a look!" Su Ziji said urgently.

The moment he heard it was vomiting blood, Doctor Zhao knew there was no time to waste. Without another word, he had one assistant watch the clinic while another carried the wooden medicine chest and followed them out at a brisk pace.

As soon as they reached the street and Doctor Zhao saw the direction they were heading, he immediately guessed who the patient was.

"The one vomiting blood—is it Boss Ye?" Though Doctor Zhao was already over fifty, he was robust and kept pace with Su Ziji in long strides without even becoming winded, still having breath enough to ask.

Su Ziji nodded repeatedly. "It's Uncle Ye. He was drinking when he suddenly vomited blood."

"Oh dear, his illness is consumption. It has dragged on for a long time, and now that he is vomiting blood, the situation is not looking good." Doctor Zhao had treated Ye Weihan before and knew his condition well. He could not help shaking his head.

Consumption? Was that tuberculosis?

In an age without streptomycin, it was practically one of the terminal illnesses. Su Ziji's heart dropped. Before they reached Ye Bookshop, he asked, "Then is there still any possibility that Uncle Ye's illness can improve?"