Chapter 108 I Want to Marry You Now

Doctor Xue stroked his beard. “Although bitter almonds can moisten the lungs, stop coughs, warm the meridians, and replenish deficiencies, they can also damage the liver and kidneys. They should not be taken in excess, and one should avoid raw, cold, and greasy foods while taking the medicine. If eaten with pork or mutton, they can easily generate phlegm and dampness.”

Jiang Zhi frowned deeply.

My mother had already started practicing Buddhism and vegetarianism before she fell ill, and she basically avoided meat and fish, so there was no conflict with the prescription.

Could it be that she's just overthinking everything?

At this moment, Doctor Xue thought for a moment and then said, "Oh, right, there's one more thing. This prescription should not be eaten with chestnuts. The two clash and will hinder the spleen and stomach from digesting the medicine. Long-term use will damage your vital energy and make your body even weaker."

Jiang Zhi clenched her fists hidden in her sleeve, lowered her eyelids to conceal the turmoil in her eyes—it was truly as she had imagined.

When my mother was alive, she really loved eating chestnuts. Occasionally, when I went to play in her yard, she would patiently peel the shells off for me and feed them to me.

When her mother was ill, Wang Yuru would often visit her. Each time she came, she would bring many snacks and trinkets from the street to cheer her up.

Jiang Zhi dared not think too deeply, fearing she would lose her composure in front of Doctor Xue, yet her fingernails almost dug into her palms.

She took a deep breath. "What symptoms might occur if this prescription is consumed with chestnuts for an extended period of time?"

"Initially, symptoms may only include abdominal bloating and poor digestion. As time goes on, symptoms such as dizziness and palpitations may gradually appear. If some doctors are not careful, they may misdiagnose it as qi stagnation and physical weakness. If the medication is not discontinued, it may shorten one's lifespan."

Jiang Zhi didn't know how she finally got back to the mansion.

Upon suddenly learning the true cause of her mother's death, she was plunged into a state of bewilderment and confusion.

Why didn't she notice something was wrong sooner?

If only she could be reborn before her mother's accident and save her mother.

She returned to her room in a daze, and as soon as she stepped inside, her body went limp and she slowly collapsed against the door frame.

"Young Miss!" came Qingxing's exclamation from the side.

But she couldn't hear anything anymore.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she woke up. When she opened her eyes, she saw a pair of eyes that looked travel-worn and filled with worry.

Her eyes reddened, and she spoke in a hoarse voice, "Master..."

Looking at her pale and haggard face, Shen Ci'an felt as if his heart was being gripped by two hands. He sat by the bed, took her cold hand, and patted it reassuringly.

"I am here."

When the south was flooded, he was sent by the emperor to oversee the transport of disaster relief supplies. However, after being away for more than half a month, he returned to find himself so thin.

"The doctor has already come to see you. He said that you are overthinking and have suffered repeated shocks. If you don't rest properly, you may develop chronic illnesses in the future."

Shen Ci'an frowned involuntarily as he looked at her pale face. "What happened that made you so worried? If you have any difficulties, just tell me. We're getting married soon, and I'll be your support from now on."

He had just finished reporting to the palace when he heard that Jiang Zhi had fainted, so he rushed over without even changing his clothes.

Qingxing told him that Jiang Zhi had injuries of varying degrees on her hands, legs and body. Although she had received treatment, she had not fully recovered. The previous injuries had not yet healed, and this time the injuries were aggravated.

The bruises and swelling around his neck were even more shocking, as if he had suffered inhuman abuse.

The tenderness in his eyes was as thick as ink that couldn't be dissolved, and even the corners of his mouth were pursed into a tight line.

Jiang Zhi took the warm water that Qing Xing handed her and drank it.

She is now fully conscious, and the helplessness and pain she felt earlier have long since dissipated.

The deceased is gone; what she should do is find the murderer who killed her mother and make him pay the price he deserves.

“Master, I have just found out that my mother did not die of illness, but was murdered.” Her voice was hoarse, but what she said shocked Shen Ci’an.

Even Qingxing, who was standing next to her, was startled.

"Is what you're saying true?" Shen Ci'an asked.

Jiang Zhi nodded, "Once I find the doctor who treated my mother and prescribed the medicine, I can confirm it completely."

Shen Ci'an's voice was soft yet firm, "Alright, whether you want to go to the Dali Temple or file a complaint with the Emperor, I will accompany you. In the future, you can discuss things with me first. I am no longer the poor scholar who needed your protection and assistance. I can protect you."

"Thank you, Master."

He sighed, took the medicine that Qingxing had just brewed, blew on it to cool it down, and fed it to her spoonful by spoonful.

“I regret setting the wedding date for October now,” his voice was as faint as dissolving ink. “I want to marry you now, so that I can stand by your side rightfully.”

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but curl her lips, "Once I find the murderer who killed my mother and fall out with the Jiang family, my reputation will definitely be ruined. Setting the time later will give the teacher enough time to regret it."

"Nonsense, how can marriage be treated so casually?" Shen Ci'an glanced at her with displeasure, his expression serious.

Jiang Zhi immediately shrank her neck, "I understand, Master, I won't say anything."

*

In order to find the doctor who prescribed medicine for her mother back then, Jiang Zhi went to the Prince of Xiang's mansion again.

The Prince Xiang's residence was as deserted as ever. Xiao Yunheng was pushed in a wheelchair by a servant to accompany her to find the Princess Xiang.

"I have been very rude to have visited your home so many times," she apologized.

Xiao Yunheng smiled and said, "It's alright. My mother stays alone in Jingxin Garden all year round, and I'm afraid she'll get sick from boredom. Your presence here to talk to her is most welcome to my Prince Xiang's residence."

He then asked, "Is there any progress on what happened with Granny Chen?"

Jiang Zhi then told him about the prescription.

Now that Granny Chen is a servant of the Prince of Xiang's mansion, I cannot hide my conversation with her, lest the Prince of Xiang's mansion suspect that Granny Chen has betrayed her master, which would be detrimental to Granny Chen.

As they spoke, the two quickly arrived at Jingxin Garden. Princess Xiang still maintained her aloof and ethereal demeanor. Upon learning of Jiang Zhi's visit, she summoned Granny Chen again.

Having obtained the information she wanted from Granny Chen, Jiang Zhi took her leave.

When Xiao Yunheng saw her out, he asked her, "I wonder if Miss Jiang has any free time these days?"

"What are your orders, Your Highness?" Jiang Zhi looked down at him.

“My mother loved the handwritten sutra you gave her last time and often looks at it,” Xiao Yunheng said with a hint of apology. “If Miss Jiang has time, could you please make another copy for me? I would like to give it to my mother.”

He paused, then added, "I will certainly repay you handsomely."

Jiang Zhi hasn't had much free time lately.

She needed to find a doctor, gather evidence of her mother's murder, and deal with Wang Yuru. One thing after another, she had no time to attend to anything else.

However, since the Prince of Xiang had helped her a lot, and she was still in the Prince of Xiang's residence and hadn't left, she couldn't very well refuse outright.

So he could only nod and say, "No need for a reward. Just tell me which Buddhist scripture you need copied, and I will send someone to deliver it to you once it is finished."

"How could I possibly accept that?" Xiao Yunheng laughed. "However, the Buddhist scriptures you are copying are extremely precious. I have them stored in my library. If Miss Jiang is not in a hurry to leave, would you be willing to come with me to retrieve them?"