Chapter 37 Chapter 37 Give Lu Changji an Aphrodisiac
When it was getting dark, the group arrived at Qingyang Temple. Everyone was so tired that they didn't even bother to say a word and went back to their rooms.
Jiang Shu lay on her side in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
Jiang Shu stared at the aphrodisiac for a while, afraid that others would discover this dirty thing, and also afraid that something unexpected would happen. As the night goes on, dreams are bound to arise. She secretly made up her mind to get the job done tomorrow.
She took a deep breath, stuffed the aphrodisiac into the secret compartment under the bed, and slowly closed her eyes.
As daylight faded, the clear sound of bells echoed through the courtyard. This was the Taoist priest beginning a ritual for the late Marquis. Normally, the ritual should have lasted for 49 days, but because Lu Changji controlled the cabinet and could not leave the court without him, the ritual was shortened to seven days.
During these seven days, three rituals must be performed each day. One must go to bed late and get up early, and pray wholeheartedly for the old marquis.
Filial piety cannot be violated. After the sound of the bells and chimes rang, even the laziest Lu Changying dressed neatly and walked to the lobby.
Sky lanterns were lit in the hall, and twelve Taoist priests were beating gongs, drums, and chanting scriptures. The scene was very noisy.
Jiang Shu knelt behind Zhao, and kowtowed and bowed like Zhao. After the ritual, her back and waist ached from kneeling, and her legs trembled when she walked.
These nobles, who had never done housework, had never experienced such hardship before. They were so tired that their faces turned pale. They quickly finished their vegetarian meal and went back to their rooms to take a rest.
Jiang Shu was also very tired, but because she felt guilty towards Lu Changyi, she felt a little uneasy. Her heart was hanging in her chest, floating around, and could not settle down.
Walking to the middle courtyard, she saw two Taoists sweeping the floor. She stopped them and asked gently, "Young Taoist priest, can the Chunyang Hall offer a perpetual lamp?"
She had offered a perpetual lamp for Lu Changyi in the temple. At that time, she did not believe in ghosts and gods. But now Lu Changyi's health was deteriorating and human power was unable to save him. She could only place her hopes on the gods and Buddhas.
Jiang Shu didn't sleep well at night and tossed and turned in the morning. There were bruises under her eyes and her face looked extremely haggard.
The young Taoist priest felt sorry for her and said, "The Taoist deity doesn't accept money from incense offerings. He believes that sincerity is the key to success. If you are willing, why don't you go to the Taoist temple to pay your respects!"
Laojun is kindhearted. Hearing grandma's wishes, he might appear. Who knows."
The Heavenly Lord does not accept incense, so Jiang Shu felt a little more awe towards the Taoist ancestor. She bowed and thanked the young Taoist priest, then entered the temple of Taishang Laojun.
She knelt on the mat and respectfully lit three incense sticks, whispered her prayers, and then kowtowed three times to Laojun before standing up and walking out.
Walking all the way to the central courtyard, I saw a hunchbacked woman standing under a Bodhi tree from afar. Next to the woman stood a handsome young man with a red ribbon in his hand, tying it to the Bodhi tree.
The young man was Ye Qian. They had not seen each other for many days since their last separation.
Jiang Shu called Ye Qian "Brother" and walked to Ye's mother's side. She held her arm and asked softly, "Auntie, are you feeling better?"
Mother Ye was in poor health and spent nine out of ten days bedridden, with a faint scent of medicine always lingering on her body.
Jiang Shu's life was not easy when she was in the boudoir. She was kind-hearted and often squeezed out her own money to help Ye's mother even though she was short of money. Therefore, even though the Jiang family broke off the engagement, Ye's mother's love for Jiang Shu never changed.
It is said that the Xinyang Marquisate is very prestigious and it is a great blessing for Jiang Shu to marry Prince Lu, but when Mother Ye looked at the bruises under Jiang Shu's eyes, she could only sigh.
Shu'er's life is not easy!
Mother Ye held Jiang Shu's hand and said softly, "After Qian'er passed the imperial examination, our family's life has become a little better off than before. I can also get some good medicine to use. As a result, my health has improved a lot."
"The weather is good today, so I asked Qian Ge'er to accompany me up the mountain to burn incense to the Three Pure Ones. I hope that the Three Pure Ones can bless Qian Ge'er with a smooth official career and also bless you with everything you wish for."
Jiang Shu was very happy to learn that Ye's mother's condition had improved: "Brother Ye Qian has a promising future. The family's situation will get better and better. When Brother Ye Qian gets married and his wife gives birth to two big, fat grandchildren, you can enjoy playing with them and your life will be even more harmonious."
Mother Ye sighed and wanted to ask Jiang Shu if she was pregnant, but she fell silent when she saw her slim figure. The Xinyang Marquis Mansion was a wealthy and powerful family and they must attach great importance to offspring. She didn't want to rub salt into Jiang Shu's wound.
While the two were still chatting, the sky was covered with dark clouds and it began to rain. The rain was neither heavy nor light, but rather lingering.
The Ye family mother and son brought umbrellas, but Jiang Shu had nothing in her hands.
Mother Ye said to Ye Qian, "Brother Qian, go see Shu'er off. It's almost the beginning of autumn, and the rain is getting colder. Don't let Shu'er get wet."
Ye Qian said hello, held the umbrella over Jiang Shu's head, and asked, "Sister Shu'er, where are you going?"
Jiang Shu's house was in the front yard, where there were many people and gossip. She and Ye Qian were engaged, and if someone saw them holding an umbrella together, rumors would inevitably arise.
To prevent any complications, she pointed to the dormitory next to the Four Imperial Palaces and said to Ye Qian, "The Marquis's Mansion is holding a ritual at the Qingyang Temple. I've been staying in the dormitory in the middle courtyard for the past few days."
Ye Qian nodded, deliberately slowed down his pace, and walked Jiang Shu to the eaves of the dormitory.
Their relationship was no longer what it had been before, and any further discussion was out of place. They simply kept silent, standing side by side under the eaves, watching the rain soak the blue bricks and painted tiles.
The drizzle of rain creates bright flowers on the ground.
"Shu'er!" Ye Qianlin said to Jiang Shu in a low voice as he set off, "I'm just a seventh-rank scholar, and I know I can't compare with the prince.
But if you encounter any difficulties in the future, just tell me. I can't guarantee that I can help you, but I will definitely do my best to help you."
He was a man of his word, and Jiang Shu had never questioned Ye Qian's character. She nodded and said softly, "I've never considered Brother Ye Qian an outsider. If I ever encounter any difficulties, I will definitely come to you."
Ye Qian hummed. The Taoist temple was crowded, so he couldn't stay long. He walked out into the rain, holding his umbrella. Jiang Shu stared at him until he disappeared, then turned and entered the Four Imperial Palaces behind him.
The Four Imperial Halls enshrine the Jade Emperor's auxiliary deities. Because these deities are less famous, few pilgrims enter to burn incense. Jiang Shu simply wanted to go in to avoid the rain, but upon entering, she saw Lu Changji sitting at his desk, writing.
She and Ye Qian were standing at the door of the Four Imperial Palaces just now, and she didn't know whether Lu Changji heard them talking.
Jiang Shu stood frozen at the door, feeling somewhat lost. But when she thought about it, what was there to be afraid of? She and her brother Ye Qian were innocent, so she wasn't afraid of being spied on.
She stood up straight and coughed lightly. At this time, Lu Changji raised his head.
"Uncle will find a place. The Four Imperial Palaces are quiet and suitable for practicing calligraphy."
Lu Changji hummed, raised his arm and pointed at Wuzi in the corner: "The summer rain is long and won't stop for a while, sit down and take a rest."
Jiang Shu nodded and sat on the bench as she was told.
My uncle and sister-in-law didn't know what to say at first, as they were both taciturn people. But soon the room became quiet and the only sound that could be heard was the sound of rain hitting the bamboo leaves outside.
Ever since she had other thoughts in her mind, Jiang Shu could no longer face Lu Changji openly.
She turned to look out the window, pretending to watch the rain. This lasted for a whole cup of tea. When her neck was twisted so hard that it felt uncomfortable, she suddenly heard Lu Changji order Cheng Yong, "Go to the kitchen and get a cup of honey-fried plum soup."
Lu Changji was writing, so the honey-fried plum soup was naturally served to her.
Jiang Shu hurriedly said that there was no need to bother, but Cheng Yong turned a deaf ear to her, put on his felt coat and walked out the door.
There were only two of them left in the hall. Jiang Shu couldn't pretend to look at the rain again, so she could only sit on the bench awkwardly. She had nowhere to look but the floor at her feet. She was as straight as a stone statue.
Time passes so slowly, it seems as if each day stretches as long as a year.
Suddenly, a woman's low cry came from the next room. The ground was slippery due to the rain, and Jiang Shu thought the woman next door might have slipped.
Unfortunately, the increasingly melodious and rhythmic murmurs showed that her guess was wrong.
The woman's voice was exceptionally gentle, like a cat's soft meowing, interspersed with the man's panting and the slapping sound of flesh against flesh.
Jiang Shu shushered, heat rising from her neck to the tips of her ears, and her toes curled up involuntarily.
She secretly glanced at Lu Changji and saw that he was still writing, his face as usual and his posture as elegant, as if he hadn't heard anything.
Her cultivation is really not as good as his.
Jiang Shu couldn't sit still any longer. She stood up, glanced towards the door, and said, "I forgot to ask the kitchen to prepare some refreshments. I need to give them the order soon."
"The rain hasn't stopped yet. Wait until it stops before leaving."
Lu Changji's gaze was still fixed on the rice paper. He didn't even look at Jiang Shu, but Jiang Shu felt a huge pressure and stopped involuntarily.
The voice of the woman next door was like a string stretched to the extreme, reaching the highest point and then suddenly breaking.
The neighbors finally quieted down.
Jiang Shu breathed a sigh of relief, but before she could finish her sigh, the two men regrouped and started making trouble again.
The two men were both passionate people. They were talking and moving at the same time, and their words were so filthy that they were unbearable to hear. Jiang Shu felt ashamed just by hearing them. In her panic, she felt that their voices were somewhat familiar.
Her thoughts were in a mess, and the situation was so awkward that Jiang Shu couldn't think clearly. She just sat there in agony. She didn't know how much time had passed before the noise next door finally stopped.
She seemed to have fought a battle with herself, sweating profusely, and her clothes were half wet.
Cheng Yong entered the hall carrying honey-fried plum soup. The soup was sweet and sour, which was Jiang Shu's favorite flavor. But now it tasted bland.
She held the soup bowl and stared outside without blinking. The rain gradually subsided and finally stopped.
Jiang Shuru was pardoned and left the hall without even saying goodbye.
She was a very steady person, and Cheng Yong had never seen her lose her composure like this. Cheng Yong was still puzzled when he suddenly caught a glimpse of the rice paper under Lu Changji's elbow. The rice paper was full of words written all over it - Shu!
Cheng Yong's breathing stagnated, and he retreated to the entrance of the hall without making a sound, guarding the door.
Jiang Shu walked very fast, but she didn't expect that when she passed the dormitory next door, the door was suddenly opened.
Lu Lin straightened his clothes while walking from the house to the corridor.
Jiang Shu stopped where she was and bowed to Lu Lin rather awkwardly.
Lu Lin was quite calm. He waved his hand and asked Jiang Shu to stand up, then walked towards the front yard with a calm expression.
Zhao was a dignified and prudent woman, and would never have confined herself to the dormitories with Lu Lin. Aunt Hu was somewhat frivolous, but as a concubine, she had no right to pray for the late Marquis, so she stayed in the Xinyang Marquisate and did not go up the mountain at all.
Jiang Shu glanced at the closed door of the dormitory. She didn't know who the person inside was, but she was willing to have an affair with Lu Lin in the Taoist temple.
Jiang Shu had heard the elders in the Marquis' Mansion talk about Lu Lin's romantic affairs when he was young. She had thought that he would be more restrained as he got older, but it turned out that she was too naive.
How can a person's character change as he grows older?
Jiang Shu returned to her room. As soon as she returned, she heard Zhu'er report that Nanny Zhou had just come and asked Jiang Shu to go to Zhao's room to talk.
Jiang Shu nodded and walked back to Zhao's house.
Zhao gave her a rare smile: "I originally thought that you were from a humble family and couldn't handle such a big responsibility, but I didn't expect you to have some ability."
"You've made every possible effort, from food and clothing to housing and transportation. Even I can't say no."
Jiang Shu would not be sad because of Zhao's scolding, nor would she be complacent because of Zhao's praise. She had a ruler in her heart that was used to measure herself.
She smiled and said gracefully, "Mother, you are too kind. It is because of your good teaching that your daughter-in-law has been able to find the way to manage household affairs."
Looking at her elegant and docile daughter-in-law, Zhao sighed. Lu Changyi's health was deteriorating, and she didn't know if he could survive this year. If he passed away, would Jiang Shu really have to be buried with him?
Maybe Jiang Shu is already pregnant?
Zhao fixed her eyes on Jiang Shu and asked, "Did you have your period this month?"
This matter concerns her life and future. In the past, Jiang Shu would have been trembling with fear. But now that she has an idea, she is not as timid as before.
She said, "My period hasn't come yet."
That means it is not confirmed whether she is pregnant or not. Zhao said nothing more and waved her hand to send Jiang Shu out.
Jiang Shu's expression didn't change much, but her palms were covered with sweat.
She must do that with Lu Changji today. She couldn't be divorced by the Lu family and become a divorced woman despised by everyone.
Jiang Shu returned to her bedroom, put the aphrodisiac in her sleeve pocket, and turned into the kitchen.
The Qingyang Temple has limited rooms and no dining room that can accommodate more than a dozen people eating at the same time, so Jiang Shu asked the cook to pack the food and deliver it to each room one by one.
When she entered the room, the cook was cooking. The soup was already cooked and served in the soup bowl.
The soups in each room are also different. Lu Changying likes sweet food, so her soup is Tremella and Red Date Soup. Lu Lin is old but does not know how to be restrained, so he needs to eat tonic food at the right time. Jiang Shu asked the cook to make okra and turtle soup for him.
As for Lu Changji, he had a light taste and worked hard, so Jiang Shu prepared a bowl of lotus seed seven-star soup for him, which was said to clear his mind and brighten his eyesight.
She walked to the stove where the soup was placed. The cook thought she was checking to see if the soup was to her liking, so she wiped her hands and followed her.
Jiang Shu said casually, "Go and do your work outside, don't worry about me."
The cook was newly hired to work at the Xinyang Marquis's mansion. Fearing she would lose this good job if her cooking skills weren't up to par, she bowed and said, "Second Madam, although I'm not very good at cooking, I'm eager to learn and make progress. If you think I'm not doing something right, just point it out and I'll definitely correct it."
Jiang Shu knew that the cook had misunderstood her, and she should have reassured her, but God knew how guilty she felt. She was so nervous that she could hardly speak clearly.
She feigned displeasure, glanced sideways at the cook, and whispered, "Just get out when I tell you to. Why are you talking so much nonsense?"
If a person with a bad temper gets angry more often, others will get used to it. But a kind-hearted person like Jiang Shu, who is usually gentle and never even speaks loudly, suddenly got angry and scared the cook so much that her legs went weak.
The cook dared not say anything more and trembled as she went to the outer room to cook. Feeling uneasy, she added several spoonfuls of salt to the lily and shrimp. Jiang Shu was alone in the inner room. She walked to the window and peeked out. After confirming that no one was outside, she took the aphrodisiac from her sleeve pocket.
The Lotus Seed Seven Star Soup was only a small bowl, and she didn't want to add too much aphrodisiac into it, so she rolled the brown paper containing the aphrodisiac into a funnel shape and poured the aphrodisiac into it along the paper.
Her hands kept shaking, and most of the white powder spilled onto the stove.
Jiang Shu wiped the powder off the stove, then soaked the powder-stained rag in the sink and washed it more than ten times.
After doing all this, she was still worried. She leaned against the wall to take a few breaths, then went back to the stove.
She scooped half a spoonful of lotus seed seven-star soup into her mouth. It tasted fresh and refreshing, with no peculiar smell, and she felt relieved.
She put the lid on the soup bowl, washed the porcelain spoon and put it back in its place, then walked out to the kitchen and said to the cook, "You made those soups very well. Have them delivered to the masters' rooms!"
After saying this, he returned to the dormitory in one breath.
She slammed the door shut and fell heavily onto the bed. Her legs were trembling, and she was afraid she couldn't even stand up.
Jiang Shu was lying on the bed. Her heartbeat quickened and her blood flow seemed to increase as well. She felt hot from head to toe.
Time passed little by little, the incense and candles burned out, and half an hour had passed. According to the madam, the drug would take effect after half an hour.
Jiang Shu pinched her palm and walked towards Lu Changji's house under the cover of night.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
