Chapter 125: Losing Temper

Since traversing into this world, it had been rare for Tan Qingjiu to pull an all-nighter like she did last night. The next day, she slept in and did not rise until noon.

Just as she finished washing up and dressing, Zisu hurried in. "Mistress, you should go check on Young Master Zijiao. I don’t know what came over him, but he has suddenly flown into a rage."

"Hmm? A tantrum?"

"Yes. The tutor arranged by the steward arrived this morning. Young Master Zijiao studied and practiced calligraphy for a while, but halfway through, he grew furious. He started throwing his brushes and tearing up paper. He is still acting up now, insisting on seeing you."

Tan Qingjiu raised an eyebrow slightly. "I’ll have something to eat before I go over."

By the time Tan Qingjiu arrived, Shen Zijiao had likely tired himself out. Books and rice paper were scattered all over the floor, and he lay amidst the mess, a light sheen of sweat on his face.

"Finished throwing your fit?"

Tan Qingjiu walked over, navigated around the books on the floor, and sat down in a chair.

Shen Zijiao merely snorted and turned his head to the other side, refusing to look at her.

Tan Qingjiu was not annoyed. She lowered her head and glanced at him. "It’s actually quite good to work up a sweat by throwing a tantrum."

She had said only one sentence, but Shen Zijiao couldn’t help but turn his head to look at her. He remembered that last night, when Tan Qingjiu had come to take his pulse, she had mentioned that she hoped he would move around and sweat, as it would help flush out the toxins.

A strange, awkward feeling stirred in Shen Zijiao’s heart, yet a hint of pride emerged along with it. *Tan Qingjiu still cares about me, right? She even said it’s good for me to move around and sweat.*

Seeing that he was finally willing to turn around, Tan Qingjiu smiled and coaxed him gently, "What’s the matter? Did you find reading and writing too difficult after a whole morning of it, so you wanted to give up?"

She smiled. "I heard about the wager you made. If you want to give up, that’s fine. You just need to run around the capital and shout those things as the bet requires."

Shen Zijiao’s expression turned sour instantly. "I have no intention of giving up! I will never admit defeat."

Tan Qingjiu curled her lips into a smile. "Since you don't want to give up or admit defeat, then what is all this fuss about?"

Shen Zijiao snorted and turned his head away again, though his voice still rang out: "So what if I don't want to give up or lose? I’ve been poisoned anyway, and I won't live for much longer. No one cares about me, and even if I'm poisoned, it doesn't matter. Since no one is going to cure me, why should I bother studying? Whether I can even make it through this month is a mystery."

Tan Qingjiu lowered her eyes and smiled, finally understanding the source of the child’s temper. He must have overheard what she intentionally said in the room last night about him needing to run to detox after taking his medicine. Because he hadn't seen her come to treat him for most of the day, he had become agitated.

Tan Qingjiu sighed softly. "I am actually very worried about you, but I also know that you don't like me, and you don't want me to check your pulse or treat you."

"After I found out you were poisoned, I tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep until morning. And the moment I woke up, I heard you were throwing a tantrum... You are already in a delicate state from the poison, and these outbursts do you more harm than good."

Hearing this, Shen Zijiao immediately sat up, straightened his clothes, and gave a cold huff. "Who was throwing a tantrum? I wasn't throwing a tantrum."

Tan Qingjiu nodded quickly. "Yes, of course. Zijiao wasn't throwing a tantrum; Zijiao is the most well-behaved."

Shen Zijiao pursed his lips. "I suppose." Despite his words, his face wore a look of immense satisfaction.

Tan Qingjiu looked at him again, appearing cautious. "If you don't want to give up and you want to win, I can cure you."

This was exactly what Shen Zijiao had been waiting for. He blurted out, "I certainly don't want you to treat me or cure me. But I have already made a bet with those two medicine boys. A gentleman’s word is his bond; since I promised, I cannot go back on it. Therefore, so as not to break my word, I am forced to reluctantly allow you to cure me."

Tan Qingjiu laughed. "Fine, whatever you say. As long as you are willing to be treated, that is enough."

Shen Zijiao had held a poor impression of Tan Qingjiu, so he looked at her with surprise, observing her gentle words and tone. He couldn't help but feel hesitant—this Tan Qingjiu did indeed seem to be treating him quite well. *Is this how mothers and sons are in ordinary families?*

Shen Zijiao bit his lip and extended his hand. "Then go ahead and check my pulse."

Tan Qingjiu had already checked his pulse once before, so this time she did so casually, then said, "I can cure this poison of yours. But it will be a bit troublesome."

Having heard the same thing last night, Shen Zijiao lifted his chin slightly. "How troublesome can it be? Just tell me. As I said, for the sake of being cured and keeping my word, a little trouble doesn't matter."

Tan Qingjiu smiled. "Taking the medicine is the easy part. The issue is that after taking it, you must sweat to expel the toxins from your body." She paused, looking at him. "But I get the feeling that you don't really like to move, Zijiao?"

"Who said that?" Shen Zijiao huffed. He didn't like moving, but he certainly didn't want her to know that.

"That's perfect, then. The cure requires sweating—the more, the better. You have martial arts training this afternoon, don't you?"

Shen Zijiao gave a light hum. "Not just martial arts, but also archery and equestrian practice."

"Then you can take your medicine before class and make sure to sweat a lot. And tonight, after you take your medicine, you can run around the courtyard a bit more."

Having achieved his goal, Shen Zijiao raised his head proudly. "I know. Just write the prescription."

Tan Qingjiu nodded. "Very well, I will." She paused, then added, "Actually, there is no harm in losing this bet. At most, it’s just running around the capital and shouting a few lines..."

Shen Zijiao stamped his foot, exasperated. "What are you talking about? 'At most'? If I really lost and actually did that, do you think I could ever hold my head up in the capital’s noble circles again?"

He sneered. "Admitting defeat is impossible. I would rather die than lose."

"Just you wait and see."