As she woke up the next morning she realized how much trouble she made for the girls. One of the girls sat there, half asleep holding what seems like a wet cloth. When she moved the girl woke up.
"Oh. You woke up, miss. How do you feel?" Her pale face shows that she had very little to no sleep the whole night.
"What actually happened? Why are you looking like you didn't sleep at all?" Liu Mei stood up too fast and felt a tinge of dizziness befall her.
The girl jumped from her seat and rushed to sit her down. "Miss, you had a fever the whole night and nightmares. We had to stay by your side. Don't worry. We would exchange and sleep a bit each. Soon Xiao Ran will come. You should stay in bed a bit longer. The doctor will be here soon."
Liu Mei held her head. It hurt so much that even the light that came from outside was making her even dizzier. She slowly went back to bed and the girl put down the bed curtains to make her feel more comfortable.
She could hear the door opening and Xiao Ran whispering. "Is she feeling better? Did she wake up? The doctor is here.''
" She is awake. Bring him in." Even tho they tried not to be loud but in such hollow space where there were no other sounds, their whispers could be clearly heard.
From outside strong steps could be heard and someone again the room entered.
"Speak, how is miss Liu?" She recognized the voice. It was her neighbour, young doctor Zhao.
"Miss had a fever and nightmares for the whole night. Her complexion turned better this morning, but a few moments ago she felt dizzy and it seems she has pains. Please help her." The girl's voice seemed to be urgent.
"Miss Liu, if you don't mind, would you let me check your health?"
She sighed from inside. In this world, or the period there was only this way to check health so she put her hand out.
Suddenly she felt something light covering her wrist and she almost started to laugh. Just like on those dramas, he covered her skin, so he wouldn't touch her directly.
His warm fingers could be felt trough thin silk cloth and gave her some relaxation.
He was quiet for a while and asked for the other hand as well.
She found it somehow funny. Even tho there was the cloth she could clearly feel his nervousness when he touched her. Maybe because he was young and maybe because he was a man, maybe because he felt bad about the dirty things in her backyard.
Really cute. But then she pushed that kind of thinking back into her heart. What is cute? Most people were already married.
Even if she found him cute, the best he could give her would be the concubine status. She was not even willing to get married again.
Just sit still in your home, grow few vegetables and be quiet. Ten years is nothing. She chanted these words again and again in her heart.
After a while, he let go of her wrist and started writing something. Then she could hear him standing up. She pulled her hand back inside as it felt cold suddenly.
"Miss had a scare the day before and it made her weak body get a bit of cold. You probably feel dizzy and headache. That is from the fever that you still have. I will send you from medicine our hall, so be at ease and sleep well for a few days here." He then turned to the two servants. "She needs to eat something. I will write to you about what kind of food she can eat and just let the cook think about something nice."
The girls affirmed and his steps went through the door and he left. Light steppes could be heard approaching the bed.
"Miss, Xiao Mei will go and rest for a bit. I will stay by your side. Would you like to refresh yourself a bit and eat some porridge? It is good to have something light before drinking medicine." Her concerned voice warmed Liu Mei's heart.
"Xiao Ran, help me wash up. You are right, I need to eat if I want to drink medicine and get better." She already ate bitter medicines before and was not disgusted or had a fear.
Xiao Ran slowly opened the sides of the bed and helped her go to the side room, while she went to prepare water for her to wash up.
Somehow it was quite comforting to have someone by her side. Liu Mei was relaxed for the first time and felt pampered. Maybe she could find a small servant to keep her company.
When she came out from the side room, Xiao Ran brought warm water for her to wash her hands and face. With cloth, she dried her face carefully patting it.
She already saw food on the table so she sat down and was about to eat, but realized that Xiao Ran was standing beside her and was about to serve her. She put down the bowl and spoon and looked strictly at the pale face that looked at her in fear.
"Did I do something wrong?" Her fearful question made Liu Mei realize her action was misunderstood.
"Foolish child. I lived with the family for a long time. Now they are all in the other world. I am just not used to eat alone. Somehow I lost appetite, it is so lonely." With a faked sigh, she just pushed the porridge away and was about to stand up.
''Miss, you need food in the stomach to be able to handle medicine. " Xiao Ran felt anxious for this lady. Her face looked pale and her eyes were hollow. If she doesn't eat, the medicine might not work.
"What about this miss, I will join you at this meal. My tummy was empty anyway so I could eat with you. There is enough for both of us." Xiao Ran didn't see a small smile appearing on Liu Mei's lips.
She looked at the girl that was worried about her health and nodded. "In that case, I will join you then." Her light laugh was comfortable and elegant.
They ate slowly. Liu Mei had always eaten slow and enjoyed her food. As her eyes closed in happiness while eating plain porridge and a few side dishes, Xiao Ran felt sad.
Did this miss had such a bad life before that she even enjoys such a simple dish? What the little girl didn't know is that the dishes here were quite tasty. The natural flavours from rice and vegetables were hitting her taste buds and let her enjoy the wholesome taste.
She is in this world just a short time, but the food is ten times, no hundred times better. So it was normal for her to enjoy it. Right?
She didn't know her enjoyment made the little girl make the most important decision in her life.
"Miss, except the family that is now in the other world, don't you have anyone else?" She decided on her future now.
Liu Mei shook her head. "I do not. And now I have a strange status anyway. Orphan and widow. Even if I had a family I probably would be sent to some convent to pray to Buddha or would be treated as a servant. I am not foolish to put myself willingly in that situation. I like the small house I bought. The owner just promised me to renovate it a bit so I am here."
She was in deep thought for a moment... or two.