Chapter 38 Chapter 38 On Lu Changji's Couch

The mountains were quiet, and the moonlight poured into the woods, startling the birds perched on the branches and causing them to scatter.

Jiang Shu went out of the house with trepidation, intending to go through the deserted alley to the backyard, but she met Lu Changying as soon as she stepped out of the door.

The maid was holding a lantern, and the pale light reflected on Lu Changying's cheeks, making her face look extremely pale.

Lu Changying quickly approached Jiang Shu and said in a hurry, "Second sister-in-law, I don't know what happened just now. Mother suddenly fell ill and had diarrhea. Now she is limp on the couch and doesn't even have the strength to speak.

I don't know what my father is doing at this moment, please go and check on my mother!"

Our dynasty governs the world with benevolence and filial piety. Unless Jiang Shu is too sick to get out of bed, she will have to take care of her mother-in-law even if the sky falls.

Jiang Shu lowered her eyes, feeling disappointed and powerless. She had finally managed to give Lu Changji the medicine, but now she had to tend to Zhao's illness. Wouldn't that mean her efforts would be wasted?

Lu Changji was so cautious that if he discovered anything, she would have no chance to act. If she couldn't conceive, she would be divorced and sent back to her parents' home.

She was determined not to be divorced and sent back to her parents' home. Throughout history, no divorced woman had ever had a good ending.

"Fourth sister, I..." Jiang Shu was about to find an excuse to delay time, but Lu Changying took her hand.

Lu Changying dragged Jiang Shu forward while saying, "Second sister-in-law, if you have anything to say, wait until you see mother. You are mother's biological daughter-in-law, and you should take the lead in caring for her. You must not let Hu Lingshuang seize the initiative and take away your reputation as a filial and virtuous woman."

Lu Changying looks petite, but she is very strong. Jiang Shu tried to break free from her many times, but failed.

The night was pitch black, but in Zhao's room there was a bright light and a lot of noise. She lay flat on the couch, her face pale and her lips peeled with dry skin, obviously she was dehydrated.

Since she had missed the opportunity, Jiang Shu couldn't go back to the backyard to make love with Lu Changji, so she had to focus all her attention on Zhao.

Jiang Shu asked the maid to bring a bowl of water. While she was moistening Zhao's lips with a cotton swab, she asked Madam Zhou, "What did Madam eat tonight? Was there anything you don't usually eat?"

Madam Zhou said, "Mrs. Liu picked a basket of mushrooms in the mountains. Madam likes game, so she had a dish of roasted mushrooms in the evening."

This is the crux of the problem. Wild game is delicious but difficult to digest, and mushrooms are of varying quality, so it is not uncommon for them to cause poisoning.

There was no doctor on the mountain, and going down the mountain to find one in the middle of the night would definitely take a long time. Fortunately, Jiang Shu had prepared some commonly used medicinal herbs that could be used in an emergency.

She looked at Aunt Wu and instructed, "Aunt Wu, take someone to the small storeroom. There are medicine boxes in the storeroom. The second box from the left to the right contains the herbs for diarrhea.

Use two bowls of water to boil one bowl of medicine, and feed it to Madam after boiling it. She should be fine."

Zhao's body was precious, so Jiang Shu didn't dare to take any risks. After giving instructions to Nanny Wu, she got up and walked outside the house, and ordered the guards to go down the mountain to call a doctor.

Nanny Wu was quick and skillful, and she fed the medicine to Zhao neatly. The medicine was very effective, and the diarrhea stopped after drinking one bowl.

Zhao finally had the strength to speak. She half-lifted her eyelids and looked at Jiang Shu, whispering, "It's getting late and the dew is heavy. You can't just rest in your room. What are you doing here? From now on, unless it's something very important, you must never go out at night."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Lu Changying again and scolded her, "I told you it was fine, but you insisted on going to look for Second Sister-in-law. It's nothing more than taking a dose of medicine. Why did you make such a fuss?"

Lu Changying curled her lips. If she hadn't been so clever and found her second sister-in-law, her mother wouldn't have recovered so quickly. Now that her mother's diarrhea had stopped, she started to resent her.

Isn't this just destroying the bridge after crossing it?

Lu Changying had a hot temper and could not tolerate any grievance. In the past, she would have argued for her mother, but now that her mother was ill, she could not disobey. She snorted angrily, turned around and walked out of the room.

Jiang Shu was no match for Lu Changying, so she chatted with Zhao for a while before returning to her room. From a distance, she saw Lu Changying standing in front of her door.

Jiang Shu kept her distance from her sister-in-law. She had no idea what Lu Changying was waiting for her to do.

She walked forward and asked, "Fourth sister, aren't you still resting?"

Lu Changying said she wasn't sleepy yet. She put her fist to her lips and coughed, stammering, "Second sister-in-law, although you come from a humble background, your father holds a low official position, your mother is profit-driven, and your biological mother is submissive, you are still thorough in your work and are not completely useless. I, I misjudged you before."

As she spoke, she took off her favorite enamel dragonfly bracelet and stuffed it into Jiang Shu's hand: "This bracelet is quite pleasing to the eye. You can wear it for fun!"

After he finished speaking, he ran away without waiting for Jiang Shu's response.

Jiang Shu's helplessness and resentment dissipated a lot because of Lu Changying's action, but she still dared not let go of the tension in her heart.

She stepped into the bedroom and whispered to Zhu'er, "Is there anything unusual in the backyard?"

Zhu'er said, "I didn't hear anything."

How could there be no action? Lu Changji drank the soup and realized something was wrong, so how could he not investigate?

Thinking of this, Jiang Shu felt terrified. Lu Changji was a noble and elegant man with a proud and arrogant heart. If he knew that she wanted to use him to have a child, he would probably eat her alive.

She paced around the room uneasily for a while, then suddenly turned to Zhu'er and said, "Go and find out where the master is. Don't go to the backyard to ask. Just take a hundred coins and ask the guard at the gate."

Zhu'er returned quickly. She told Jiang Shu, "Someone came to the palace just as it was getting dark and hurriedly asked the master to leave. The guards overheard something and it seemed like the Queen Mother was feeling unwell..."

Zhu Er paused and muttered, "If the Queen Mother is unwell, she can just ask the imperial physician. Why ask me? I don't know any medical skills."

Zhu'er's calculations made sense, but Jiang Shu didn't take them to heart. She stroked her chest and breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if she had survived a disaster.

Thank God, Lu Changji died early and didn't use the soup, otherwise she would have been divorced and sent back to her parents' home.

Since Lu Changji didn't notice this time, I have to keep trying next time and make sure I get pregnant.

Jiang Shu whispered to Zhu'er, "Tomorrow, put on your bamboo hat and go find the madam of Baihualou and buy her a bottle of Xiaoyaosan."

What aphrodisiac, what knockout, what covering the eyes... Zhu Er felt troubled just thinking about it. She sat down next to Jiang Shu and whispered, "Second Madam, I think you've made it too complicated.

"My master is the prime minister of the current dynasty, with a huge government portfolio. He's constantly pressed for time, but whenever you're in trouble, he'll appear just in time. How could such a coincidence happen? He must be fond of you, which is why he keeps saving you."

"Since Master is so inclined, you should take advantage of the situation and go along with him. If Master feels embarrassed, then you should take the initiative and throw yourself into his arms. You are more beautiful than a fairy. If you are willing to take the risk, what man could resist you?"

Jiang Shu was startled by Zhu'er's words and whispered, "Stop talking nonsense! My master is not only powerful but also very handsome. Looking across the entire Bianjing, there are countless noble ladies who want to marry him. How could he risk the wrath of the world to covet his own brother's wife?"

Zhu'er lowered her eyes. There were many noble ladies in Bianjing, but how many of them could match her second wife's character and appearance? The second wife was too self-deprecating, so she was timid when facing the master.

Jiang Shu had a good idea. Zhu'er knew that once Jiang Shu made up her mind, she would not change it. She sighed and obediently prepared her luggage to go down the mountain.

The next day, Jiang Shu slept until noon before getting up to eat. After eating, she went to the front yard to visit Zhao. Although Zhao had stopped having diarrhea, she was still a little weak, with pale cheeks and even her lips.

She looked at Jiang Shu and said, "Accompany me to the lobby. Although I'm not feeling well, I can't let the servants do whatever they want. It would be disrespectful to the Marquis' Mansion."

Jiang Shu said yes, and helped Zhao out of the door.

The two were walking up the stairs to the main hall when a clear voice came from behind them.

"It's Sister Zhao!"

Jiang Shu turned her head and saw a gorgeously dressed woman being walked up the stairs surrounded by five or six maids. She had a square face and looked very majestic.

Jiang Shu felt that the face looked familiar, and suddenly she remembered that it was Zheng Zuhe's mother, Liu. Aristocratic families often interacted with each other, so it was normal for Zhao and Liu to be familiar with each other.

Zhao looked at Liu, pursed her lips and smiled, and said, "Sister Liu is here to burn incense too!"

Liu said, "My son is engaged to the youngest daughter of the Cui family. I have come to burn a stick of incense to the God of Matchmaking, hoping that he will bless my son and the eldest daughter of the Cui family to live in harmony and happiness."

The Cui family was a well-known family in Bian Jing. Zheng Zuhe was notorious and had a house full of concubines before he even got married. How could the Cui family be willing to marry their daughter to him?

Jiang Shu was still puzzled when she saw Liu waving behind her and said warmly, "Yun'er, come and meet the Marquis's wife and the Crown Prince's wife."

Cui Yun stepped forward and saluted Zhao demurely. Then, she looked at Jiang Shu and said softly, "Is the Crown Prince's wife well?"

Cui Yun's appearance is only average, but there is a sense of sharpness between her eyebrows and eyes, and she looks like a capable person at first glance.

After greeting Jiang Shu, she glanced behind her and whispered, "Aunt Jiang, bring me my cloak."

Jiang Shu then realized that Jiang Ran was standing among the maids. Although Jiang Ran was still wearing her usual bright clothes, her eyes had lost their former brilliance. She even looked a little cautious.

Jiang Ran knelt on the ground and held the cloak in front of Cui Yun with both hands. Her skin was snow-white, and the scars on her wrists were particularly eye-catching.

Jiang Shu's heart skipped a beat and she suddenly felt guilty. Fortunately, she still had her wits about her shoulders and managed to suppress the guilt.

If Jiang Ran hadn't been determined to kill her, she wouldn't have plotted against him.

She's just a bit more skilled.

Jiang Shu pretended not to see Jiang Ran and spoke to Cui Yun with a smile.

Cui Yun said, "The weather changes every ten miles. The temperature in the mountains is obviously cooler than at the foot of the mountain."

She handed the cloak in her hand to Jiang Shu: "This cloak is newly made, and it is embroidered with a pattern of magpies climbing branches. It looks pretty good. If the wife of the prince does not mind, please accept it to keep warm."

Since the other party had expressed their goodwill first, Jiang Shu couldn't refuse and accepted the cloak with a smile. After a few more pleasantries, the two of them parted ways.

When they were far away, Jiang Shu finally asked the question in her heart: "Mother, I think Miss Cui is a promising woman. How could she agree to this marriage when she has the character and style of Prince Zheng?"

Zhao sighed softly and said softly, "Ms. Cui's mother passed away early, and the master of the Cui family was a loyal man. He never remarried after his wife passed away.

Without a mistress at home, the Cui family's vast fortune was handed over to Miss Cui. Miss Cui had to take care of the chores and educate her younger siblings, so she was delayed."

The current dynasty has five things not to marry, one of which is not to marry the eldest daughter who has lost her mother. In a large family, men and women have clear divisions of labor. In addition to the head of the family, the mother is responsible for raising the children.

Without her mother's guidance, the eldest daughter has to take on the responsibilities of a mother prematurely, and her temperament is bound to be stronger than that of other girls.

A woman who lacks gentleness will always be unsatisfactory.

Cui Yun's family background was there, and she looked down on families of lower status. The wealthy families were also wary of her status as the eldest daughter of a motherless man. She was neither high nor low, and after a lot of back and forth, she was delayed until she was eighteen years old, and then she got engaged to the notorious Zheng Zuhe.

Zhao continued, "I think the Cui family lady is quite calculating. She ordered your Second Lady to hand her the cloak the moment we met. It's clear she's aware of the conflict between you and the Second Lady, and is using this to try to get close to you by suppressing the Second Lady."

Zhao always spoke bluntly. She brought up the Jiang family's dirty deeds without any concealment, and Jiang Shu felt a little embarrassed.

Zhao seemed not to notice Jiang Shu's embarrassment and took Jiang Shu into the lobby.

Without the mistress around, the servants were indeed much more lax. Not to mention the maids, even Lu Changfeng was dozing off.

Zhao coughed lightly, and everyone woke up and returned to their seats.

Jiang Shu stayed in the lobby until noon, and only returned to the dormitory when it was time for lunch.

Zhu'er was quick and had already bought the aphrodisiac. She closed the door stealthily, approached Jiang Shu, and said in a low voice, "Second Madam, the master is back. Don't think about it anymore. Let's get things done tonight!"

Jiang Shu was a little discouraged after all the hard work last night but to no avail. Even Zhu'er, who was encouraging her, seemed a little unhappy.

Zhu Er patted her chest and took on the preparation work herself: "Second Madam, you should take a good rest. I will go to the kitchen to give Master the medicine. You can go to his room in half an hour."

She was impatient, and before Jiang Shu could say anything, she rushed out like a gust of wind.

Jiang Shu rubbed her temples and slumped down on the chaise longue.

But in a moment, Zhu'er came back. She stared at Jiang Shu with a lively look, her round eyes almost shining.

"I was extremely careful when I drugged you, so I'm sure there won't be any mistakes. So, young lady, just put your mind at ease!"

Jiang Shu was silent, neither lying down nor sitting, extremely nervous. She simply stood up and walked around the room.

Time seemed to fly away, and half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Shu was still a little nervous, but Zhu'er burst out with unparalleled courage. She pushed Jiang Shu out the door and said, "Second Madam, please go quickly. If you hesitate any longer, you will miss the good opportunity."

After he finished speaking, he locked the door from inside with a "click".

Having her retreat route cut off gave Jiang Shu the courage to fight to the death. She stared at the door for a few seconds and walked towards the backyard.

Lu Changji was the Prime Minister of the dynasty, and his safety was related to the country. As soon as night fell, he sent the Imperial Guards to clear out the pilgrims from Qingyang Temple. The small Qingyang Temple was surrounded by the Imperial Guards like an iron barrel, and not even a fly could fly in.

The guards outside the temple were strict, but the security inside was a little lax. Even Cheng Yong went to the side room to rest. Only Lu Changji was left in the backyard. It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Jiang Shu walked along the bluestone floor to the door and knocked tentatively. The house was quiet and no one responded.

Jiang Shu became a little bolder, and she lowered her voice and asked, "Uncle, are you asleep?" There was still no sound in the house, so she pushed the door and entered.

There were many lights on in the room, making it very bright. Jiang Shu felt guilty and bent over to blow out the lights.

The floor was covered with carpet, which felt soft when stepped on, as if she was in the clouds. Unable to step on solid ground, Jiang Shu became more and more anxious.

She walked to the bed tremblingly and reached out to lift the curtain.

Moonlight shone through the window lattice onto the bed, illuminating Lu Changji's face. His normally clear and bright face was now covered with a layer of lust, his eyes closed, the corners of his eyes bright red.

He panted softly, his Adam's apple rolling up and down, as if making the air a little hotter.

Jiang Shu's eyes were fixed on Lu Changji, and she raised her hand to place it on her collar.