Jinshi, as usual, headed to the library. His visits had long become a pleasant ritual – to see the Librarian. To see his focused face, his slender fingers gliding over book spines, or to hear his quiet, melodic voice. Jinshi cherished these moments, observing the man who seemed woven from book dust and sunlight. But today, something was off. As soon as he stepped through the threshold, Jinshi immediately felt that the familiar place was unusually quiet. The familiar figure wasn't at the counter. Instead, a replacement librarian sat there, who, blinking, reported: "The Librarian isn't here today, Lord Jinshi. He... got sick. He stayed in his room." Jinshi's heart tightened. Sick? The one who always seemed the embodiment of order and composure? The thought that he might be weak was almost unbearable. "Sick, you say?" Jinshi repeated, a deep note of concern seeping into his voice. "How serious is it?" "I don't know, my lord. He just said he wasn't feeling well and wouldn't come in," the replacement shrugged. Jinshi frowned. He knew the Librarian tended to hide his problems. This thought only intensified his anxiety. He couldn't just leave, knowing the Librarian was suffering alone. That would be... wrong. "Gaoshun!" he called to his loyal aide. "We're going to him. We need to check if he's alright." And so, Jinshi, usually so reserved and composed, made his way toward the Librarian's quarters. Each step felt too slow, and anxious scenarios raced through his mind. He imagined him pale, weak, and that image made his heart beat faster. Anxiety drove him forward. Jinshi and Gaoshun quickly found the Librarian's room. It was located in a quiet corner, cluttered with books. The air was a little stale, but it carried a faint scent of old paper and ink, mixed with something bitter, reminiscent of medicinal herbs. Jinshi knocked carefully. "Who's there?" a weak, hoarse voice came from inside. It was so quiet and raspy that Jinshi could barely hear it, which only heightened his concern. "It's Jinshi," he replied, trying to keep his voice calm and steady. "We heard you weren't feeling well. May we come in?" After a short but agonizingly long pause, the door slowly, with a creak, opened. The Librarian stood in the doorway, and his appearance shocked Jinshi. He was pale, his usually neat hair disheveled, and his eyes were red and puffy. His face was covered in a sheen of sweat, and his lips were dry and cracked. He looked... not at all like himself. It was an awkward, yet surprisingly human and vulnerable moment that made Jinshi's heart skip a beat. "Jinshi?... Gaoshun?... What are you doing here?" His voice was full of confusion, and his gaze darted between them. Jinshi, ignoring his bewilderment, had already slipped inside, his gaze quickly sweeping the room, assessing the situation. He noticed several used handkerchiefs and an empty cup on the bedside table. "We came to make sure you're alright," Jinshi said, stepping closer, his voice soft but firm. "You look... quite unwell. What happened?" The Librarian coughed weakly, covering his mouth with his hand, and turned away. "Just... a common cold, I suppose. Nothing serious," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. "I can manage on my own." "'Nothing serious'?" Gaoshun, standing slightly apart, tilted his head, his voice appropriately serious. "My lord, you look as if you haven't been fed for a week. Your voice has even changed." Jinshi had already moved close, extending a hand to check the Librarian's forehead. He flinched slightly, embarrassed by the unexpected closeness. But Jinshi was persistent. His fingers touched hot, damp skin. "You have a fever," Jinshi stated, his voice becoming even more serious, almost commanding. "And quite a high one. We need to do something. Immediately. Gaoshun, bring clean water and a damp cloth. And ask the physician to prepare a decoction of fever-reducing herbs. Quickly." Gaoshun nodded and silently exited, leaving Jinshi alone with the ailing Librarian. Jinshi knelt beside him, his gaze filled with determination and undisguised care.