Chapter 30 Stepmother

Huaining didn't know what he meant, but she noticed that her brother's body was trembling slightly beside her.

She turned her head in some surprise and saw that the veins on the back of his hand that was pinching the rockery were bulging, like a terrible spasm.

Madam Dingxiang was silent for a moment before she said, "I don't believe it. Remarriage is common among noble ladies in the capital. Even those married formally can change their hearts. Even if you drugged her into a fleeting romance, how could you expect her to remain devoted to you forever?"

Yang Huaijiang smiled lewdly: "Then I'll do it a few more times. After she gets pregnant, how can she not obey?"

Perhaps because the weather was too cold, Madam Dingxiang's voice was a little stiff and cold. "Do you know why it took your father three years to marry me after we met?"

"I know. At that time, your ex-husband had just died, and you were still in mourning. If you get pregnant during the mourning period, according to the law, you will be sentenced to one year of imprisonment and exile at the border. But she is a county lady after all. Didn't she save the lives of the empress and the prince? The court will definitely protect her."

Lady Dingxiang murmured, "But even if the blame can be absolved... how will she face people in the future? You, you're not saying this in a good way..."

"Oh, if she follows me to Guozhou, who will she have to face in the future! As for me, I was able to snatch this piece of fat mutton from so many men. Naturally, everyone in the world can only admire me." Yang Huaijiang sneered and took out a package from his sleeve. "I'll go to the kitchen to make something later. You can serve it to her for me and make sure she drinks it. Now that our family has a princess of a royal palace, I don't have to work hard to seek an official position in Chang'an, and you, as her mother-in-law, will also be proud..."

Madam Dingxiang didn't look at the medicine bag in his hand, but only stared at the other bag hidden in his sleeve. Her expression was very grim. "What is this you are hiding?"

Yang Huaijiang looked down, stuffed it back casually, and smiled at her: "Have you forgotten your dead ex-husband? I'll deal with him later."

Madam Dingxiang's face was pale. She took two steps back in panic, as if trying to escape from some terrible poisonous insect or scorpion. "No... Mother, I, I'm tired today, and I don't want to see the county lady..."

"Why, you don't want the county lady as your daughter-in-law? You're just a county lady, don't you want to be promoted to a county lady, or even a county lady? The funeral of Lady Qi will be held in seven days. In such a short time, why don't you think of another way to get her for me?"

"I suddenly... feel unwell. You, you take care of yourself." Lady Dingxiang dropped the food box in her hand and fled, her staggering steps almost escaping.

Yang Huaijiang looked at her back, tossed the medicine bag in his hand, picked up the food box and walked towards the kitchen with a sneer: "Wait until I deal with the county lady, then I will slowly deal with you!"

"After they left, I looked back and saw that my eldest brother had a very bad face. I was scared and pulled his sleeve to make him come to his senses."

Huaining leaned on Qiandeng's knees, trying hard to recall what happened yesterday, and stammeringly repeated everything in full.

Having said this, she looked up and saw that the county lady's expression was similar to that of her eldest brother at that time.

She was terrified, but thinking of her eldest brother, she finally mustered her courage and continued crying, "My eldest brother said nothing, just held my hand and led me back inside... His hands were so cold and trembling. He told me not to tell anyone about what happened today. He also said he was going to do something, possibly something very bad, but if it could bring good results for the county princess, then he would definitely do it."

Huaining said this and grabbed Qiandeng's hand again: "Sister County Master, you must not eat anything that bad guy gave you. He...he wants to harm you!"

Qian Deng patted the back of her hand gently: "Don't worry, I know."

Then, she thought of her aunt, Madam Dingxiang. She didn't dare to help her son do this, but she had spent so much time yesterday guarding Yang Huaijiang after the accident and had not come to see her, nor had she asked anyone to remind her.

A chill ran down her spine, but then she felt it was natural.

She didn't help Yang Huaijiang because she was afraid that the matter would be leaked and would affect her.

She didn't expose Yang Huaijiang because it was done and she could reap the benefits, so what's wrong with that?

After comforting Huaining, Qiandeng met up with Cui Fufeng and Ling Tianshui, and signaled to call Meng Lanxi as well.

Her expression was slightly cold, and she only uttered four words: "Go to Gu Teng Zhai."

After a snowfall last night, the twisted vines outside the Ancient Vine House were covered with snow, like giant pythons hiding on the rocks, showing strange curves.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw Yang Huaijiang's long-time attendant Lu Wulin standing outside the main room with closed doors and windows, peeking through the window.

Lady Dingxiang, with a sorrowful expression on her face, asked, "Wulin, what should we do? Huaijiang...what should we do about his face?"

Lu Wulin leaned against the window, picking his teeth and saying, "Madam, don't worry. Young Master's face needs to be checked out by a doctor. Apply some medicine, and maybe it will get better..."

"Then go and find out if there are any famous doctors in Chang'an." Lady Dingxiang seemed to have had a sleepless night last night. She looked haggard and her eyes were swollen. It was obvious that she was worried about her son's face.

Qian Deng walked into the courtyard and calmly called her, "Aunt, I heard that my cousin fell ill last night. You stayed with him all night. How is he now?"

"Deng Deng, your cousin...what should I do with your cousin?" Lady Dingxiang rushed over to her and cried as soon as she saw her. "When he came back yesterday, he just said his face was injured. I quickly found him some burn medicine and applied it. But who would have thought today when I woke up, his entire face was covered in blisters, swollen and purple, and congested. It looked like it was ruined! Now he's locked the door and refuses to come out. Please quickly persuade your cousin to open the door and eat something!"

"Don't worry, Auntie. I'll call him out right away." Qian Deng walked to the door and knocked. "Cousin, open the door. I heard you were injured on your face, so I came to offer my condolences."

The only answer she got was a series of clanging sounds. It was obvious that Yang Huaijiang was smashing things madly.

Qian Deng knew that he would not let him in, so he winked at Ling Tianshui.

Ling Tianshui raised his foot and kicked the door hard. There was a loud crack and the tightly closed door collapsed.

Amidst Madam Dingxiang's screams, Ling Tianshui strode to the bedside and lifted up Yang Huaijiang, who was curled up in a ball.

Yang Huaijiang screamed hoarsely, struggled desperately, and tried to cover his face with his sleeves.

But everyone had already seen the appearance of his face. It was truly horrific, purple and black, swollen, and oozing with pus. The bloodstains and blisters all over his face were horrific and terrifying to look at.

Even someone like Ling Tianshui couldn't help but frown and let go of his hand after seeing this face.

Yang Huaijiang immediately grabbed the quilt, dived into it and covered his face, refusing to let them see him again even if he died.

Madam Dingxiang hurried over and said to Qiandeng, "Don't worry, County Lady. Huaijiang just...just got blisters on his face from the burns. Last night, before the blisters broke out, I saw that his face was still very clear and no different from usual, so I neglected to seek medical treatment. In two days, when the blisters subside, he will definitely be back to normal. There will be no problem!"

Naturally, no one believed her words. How could Yang Huaijiang's horrific appearance be caused by just a few blisters? How could he be better in just two or three days?

Qian Deng said, "Don't worry, auntie. I've brought Mr. Meng here. He's well versed in medicine and will definitely be able to tell what's wrong with cousin's face."

Meng Lanxi had already seen it at a glance: "From my perspective, Young Master Yang's face must have been splashed with boiling water, scalding his skin, and then coming into contact with the herbal remedy that's not good for wounds, so it's become ulcerated and swollen overnight. By the way, Young Master Yang, I heard you scream, and it seems like your throat is injured too. Didn't you not only come into contact with the herbal remedy on your wound, but also drink it?"

Yang Huaijiang huddled under the quilt, his hoarse voice distorted and terrifying: "Shi Jingning! He...he hurt me!"