Chapter 52 Chapter 52 Tenderness and Lingering
The chill spread from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, and her mind went blank. Jiang Shu was stunned for a moment before she realized what had just happened.
She jumped up from the couch and stood beside it in panic. She didn't even dare to look at Lu Lin's face. She lowered her eyes and tied her belt while saying, "Father, it's not what you think. I am..."
Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving. People trust their eyes more than their ears. Fearing Lu Lin might misunderstand, Jiang Shu was so anxious that she lost her composure, explaining over and over, but to no avail. She was so nervous that she even tied her belt into a knot.
Lu Lin's gaze grew colder, even revealing a hint of contempt and anger. Jiang Shu knew her explanation was useless, so she sighed dejectedly and suddenly closed her mouth.
When she was about to despair, a pair of slender hands pushed her hands away, untied the tangled belt, and carefully tied it into a wish-fulfilling knot.
After tying his belt, Lu Changji turned his gaze to Lu Lin and whispered, "Father, you misunderstood. It was the stool on the ground that tripped my sister-in-law onto the couch."
Lu Lin then discovered that there was a small ebony stool lying beside the couch. He just tripped over it, but how did Jiang Shu's coat come off?
Lu Lin was filled with doubts, but his suspicions were finally dispelled when he saw Lu Changji's bandaged chest. Even if Lu Changji really had a connection with Jiang Shu, he wouldn't do it now...
But thinking of Lu Changji going to take Jiang Shu back to the mansion late at night, Lu Lin felt a little worried. His eldest son had a cold personality and had never taken the initiative to look after relatives and friends. Jiang Shu was beautiful and graceful, and she often walked around the mansion. Seeing her so often, it was not impossible for Lu Changji to be attracted to her.
It is so shocking that the uncle has a secret crush on his brother's wife that it cannot be tolerated by the world.
Lu Lin gritted his teeth. His eldest son was powerful and famous, and he would never let a woman ruin his son's reputation.
Lu Lin looked at Jiang Shu with a sullen face and sternly said, "Second brother, I know you are worried about Xue Ji's health, but you must not lose your sense of proportion.
You are a widow, so you should stay in Xinchun Garden and keep your chastity for Yi'er. Why did you run to Canaan Courtyard for no reason? Today, considering that this is your first offense, I will not bother with you. If you don't know how to advance or retreat again in the future, don't blame me for not showing you mercy."
When the elders were giving lectures, the younger generation had no room to comment. In addition, Jiang Shu had done something impure with her heart towards Lu Changji, so she became even more worried. She stood there with her hands hanging down, not daring to say a word.
Jiang Shu lowered her head, her slender body trembling slightly, like a crabapple tree hit by rain, her brightness adding a bit of sadness, and she was so delicate that she was lovable.
Lu Changji glanced at Jiang Shu, then turned his gaze to Lu Lin and whispered, "Father, you are too serious. My sister-in-law is just worried about her son's health, so she came to visit.
Close relatives should care for each other, and family unity is the key to prosperity. My sister-in-law's words and deeds are worthy of the family, so why should my father scold her? "
Lu Changji won the top three places in the imperial examinations and was full of knowledge. If he wanted to protect someone, no one could stop him.
Lu Changji was wholeheartedly protecting Jiang Shu, and Lu Lin was growing increasingly uneasy. However, facing his overbearing son, even though Lu Lin was the elder, he didn't dare to say anything more. He could only point the finger at Jiang Shu: "You better get out of here quickly. There's no point in staying here. On the contrary..."
He originally wanted to scold her a few more times, but when he saw Lu Changji's warning look, he stopped talking and waved to Jiang Shu, indicating that Jiang Shu should go out.
There was a knife hanging over her head. Jiang Shu thought she was going to be severely punished, but unexpectedly the knife was suddenly removed. Jiang Shu was overjoyed and quickly walked out of the room.
The room returned to silence. Lu Lin wanted to say something, but facing his eldest son who held great power, he had no confidence at all. Instead, he called the servants and gave them a severe scolding.
Lu Changji was assassinated, and Zhao returned home the next day. When Jiang Shu heard the news of Zhao's return, she was a little nervous at first, but when she thought of Lu Changji's promise, she felt relieved.
Since he said he would keep her safe, he will definitely do it.
She changed her clothes and took Zhu'er to Yanxi Hall.
Passing by Qingyao Lake, I saw Lu Lin and Hu Lingshuang feeding fish by the lake from afar. Hu Lingshuang snuggled in Lu Lin's arms, twisting Lu Lin's belt with her hands, her face full of shyness, like a girl who had just fallen in love.
Lu Lin put one arm around Hu Lingshuang's waist and with the other hand picked up a lychee from the plate and brought it to Hu Lingshuang's lips.
Lu Lin was well-maintained. If one didn't know the inside story, he and Hu Lingshuang looked like a perfect couple. But when Jiang Shu thought of Zhao, she felt warmed.
With his beautiful concubine in his arms, Lu Lin might have already forgotten his first wife and Zhao's deep love for him.
Jiang Shu felt nauseous and whispered to Zhu'er, "Let's go to Qinchun Garden instead."
"Why change the route?" As soon as Jiang Shu finished speaking, Zhao's voice rang in her ears.
Jiang Shu turned around and saw Zhao standing behind her. Zhao had a natural demeanor and a charming demeanor, with a hint of sarcasm on her lips. "I'm attracted to Lu Lin, the one who waited at the Zhao family's door for three days, waiting for him to give me a piece of floating brocade. That Lu Lin died the day Hu Lan came into the family."
She raised her chin, squinted at Lu Lin, and said calmly, "The man feeding the fish by the lake is the Marquis of Xinyang, not my husband."
She walked forward leisurely while talking, and when passing Qingyao Lake, she even saluted Lu Lin with a smile.
It felt like a ball of cotton was stuck in her throat, making it difficult for her to breathe. Jiang Shu didn't know what Zhao had been through, but she knew that a living heart that went from joy to death and then healed itself would definitely experience heart-wrenching pain.
Thinking of this, her eyes softened when she looked at Zhao. Even someone as domineering as Zhao still had a painful past.
Jiang Shu followed Zhao into the West Banquet Hall. Zhao sat down beside the tea couch and pointed at the osmanthus cake on the small table. She said softly, "There's been a lot of rain this year, so the osmanthus flowers are more fragrant than in previous years. Try this osmanthus cake; it should be delicious."
Jiang Shu pinched a piece of osmanthus cake, tried several times, but finally couldn't eat it. She put the osmanthus cake back on the plate, struggled for a moment, and whispered, "Mother, I lied to you about one thing."
Zhao didn't even frown. She took a bite of the osmanthus cake, chewed it carefully, and after swallowing it, she picked up the teacup and took a sip of the strong tea. She said softly, "You told me about this a long time ago. I remember I also told you that many people have deceived me, but you are the only one willing to risk your life to save me from the sea of fire."
She paused, then continued, "So, since you've lied to me before, just keep lying to me. I don't mind."
Zhao's tone of voice was light, but it revealed a sense of sadness that came from having experienced many things. Jiang Shu's nose felt sore and she couldn't help but shed a thin layer of tears.
She clenched the handkerchief in her hand and mustered up the courage to say, "Mother, I can't lie to you forever. I, I'm not pregnant."
The room fell into a brief silence, with only Zhao's rapid breathing being heard.
After an unknown amount of silence, Zhao's voice suddenly became sharp. She roared at Jiang Shu, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
His slender fingers tapped the armrests of the armchair so hard that his knuckles turned white and were almost sinking into the armrests because he was tapping too hard.
She stared at Jiang Shu, full of disbelief: "What did you just say? Say it again?"
At this point, there was no room for maneuver. Jiang Shu knelt before Zhao, straightened her back, met Zhao's gaze, and said in a deep voice, "Mother, I'm not pregnant."
With a "bang", a Ru kiln teapot with painted powder butterflies shattered at Jiang Shu's feet.
Zhao's eyes widened in anger, and she then picked up a cup and threw it to the ground. Her body trembled slightly, but her voice was full of energy: "Jiang, do you know what a mistake you have made? My son treats you like a treasure, are you worthy of him?"
Thinking of Lu Changyi, the fear in Jiang Shu's heart disappeared completely. She treated him with sincerity, but he was determined to take her life. This is what it means to be a couple who are as close as relatives or as distant as they are friends!
Jiang Shu raised her head and looked directly at Zhao, saying word by word, "Mother, I was wrong. I shouldn't have lied.
But there's nothing wrong with me pretending to be pregnant. No matter who you are or what situation you're in, there's nothing wrong with wanting to save your life. The one who's wrong is you, Lu Changyi."
This woman Jiang Shu not only let Yi'er down, but also dared to disobey her mother-in-law. Zhao was furious and stared at Jiang Shu with hatred in her eyes.
Jiang Shu did not back down. Her clear eyes met Zhao's, her gaze firm and resolute.
It is true that Jiang Shu's words were right, but anger echoed in Zhao's chest, and she had no mind to think about what Jiang Shu said.
She felt sorry for her only son. Her poor Yi'er had been seriously ill since birth and had never enjoyed a single day of happiness. In the end, he didn't even leave behind his own bloodline.
How can Jiang Shu, such a useless person, be worthy of Yi'er?
Zhao's voice was hoarse. "Jiang Shu, ever since you married into the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion, he has put all of his private property in your care. Even when you and I have a disagreement, he always stands by you."
"He treats you so well, how come you can't even get pregnant? Are you worthy of him?"
"How have I wronged the prince?" Jiang Shu retorted, "Ever since I married into the Xinyang Marquis's mansion, I have taken good care of him. During the day, I dine with him to relieve his boredom. Even at night, when I'm sweating all over, I still stay by his side without taking off my clothes to take care of him.
Mother, can you bear the sweltering summer heat without opening a window or using an ice cube?
Jiang Shu stood up and peeled off Lu Changyi's veil. Since Lu Changyi wanted her life, why should she care about his dignity? "Mother, why can't I get pregnant? It's because the prince can't have sex. If he can't have sex, how can I get pregnant?"
What Jiang was saying, what was she saying? Zhao's mind was in a mess, like a pot of paste. Her son was no good, how could Jiang say that her son was no good, how could she insult her son.
The veins on Zhao's forehead suddenly bulged. She stared at Jiang Shu intently and said through gritted teeth, "Shut up, shut up, and stop talking nonsense."
Now that she had begun, Jiang Shu couldn't give up halfway. She continued, "The prince has been ill for so long, and his body has long been broken. To protect his dignity, I would rather risk being divorced and sent back to my parents' home than tell anyone about this."
"I have treated the Crown Prince with all my heart, yet how has he treated me? For his own selfish reasons, he actually wants me to be buried with him."
"Mother, you are also a woman. Put yourself in his shoes. If your father treated you the same way, what would you do?"
Zhao was so angry that she only felt sorry for her deceased son. Jiang Shu was the culprit who insulted her son. If Jiang Shu told others that Yi'er couldn't have sex, Yi'er would not be able to rest in peace even in his grave.
"Someone, someone, come here." Zhao was anxious, "Tie up Jiang and give her to me..."
At this point, Zhao's mind suddenly emerged the scene where Jiang Shu ran into the sea of fire to rescue her. There was flames all around, the air was scorching hot, and Jiang Shu rushed into the sea of fire with a kitchen knife in hand and blood on her body.
In order to save her, Jiang Shu almost lost her life. Until now, Jiang Shu's knees still have scars from the burns.
Lu Changyi is the lifeblood of the Zhao family, and the Zhao family doesn't want to let him down, but Jiang Shu, Jiang Shu...
Zhao seemed to have lost all her energy. She leaned back in her chair dejectedly, slowly closed her eyes, and said to Jiang Shu weakly, "You slipped and miscarried. You need to stay in bed and recuperate. You are not allowed to set foot in Yanxi Hall again. I never want to see you again."
Jiang Shu gasped, and her clenched fingers unconsciously stretched out.
The reason why she dared to speak out what was in her mind was simply because she was certain that Lu Changji would cover for her. She didn't expect that Zhao would just let the matter go.
She stared at Zhao in a daze. She wanted to say something, but seeing Zhao's unhappy look, she didn't open her mouth in the end. She retreated to the door silently.
As expected, she saw Cheng Luan waiting at the door. She knew that if Zhao showed any sign of punishing her, Cheng Luan would immediately go into the house.
Cheng Luan was Cheng Yong's brother. On the night of the assassination, Cheng Yong died at the hands of the assassin. Lu Changji buried Cheng Yong with great honor and transferred Cheng Luan, who was far inferior to Cheng Yong in skills, to his side.
The Cheng family is not a well-known family, so there must always be someone in the family to serve the Prime Minister to prevent the family from declining.
Cheng Luan's skills were average, but his brain worked very fast. Thinking of Lu Changji's feelings for Jiang Shu, he said on his own initiative, "Second Madam, the old man is seriously injured. The chicken soup cooked in the kitchen is too greasy and it's not to his taste.
You are clever and clever. Why don't you make a bowl of refreshing chicken soup and send it to Canaan Courtyard to nourish the master."
Logically, Jiang Shu should take care of Lu Changji, but if her sister-in-law and uncle get too close, it will inevitably attract criticism. Thinking of Lu Lin's warning, Jiang Shu couldn't help but hesitate.
She hesitated for a moment, then felt ridiculous. Who was Lu Lin? He himself was not upright, so how could he control her?
The path you walk is your own. If you are shackled by the opinions of others, what is the point of living? Distinguishing between love and hate, and repaying kindness are the fundamental principles of life.
Jiang Shu turned her gaze towards Cheng Luan and asked gently, "Mr. Cheng, do you have any dietary restrictions?"
Cheng Luan didn't hide it and said directly: "Master, you have a light diet and don't like sour food."
Don’t like sour food?
Jiang Shu opened her eyes wide. She remembered that when she and Lu Changji were dining together, Lu Changji would always order a dish of honey-fried plum soup. Even when he was having dessert, he would order plum and osmanthus cake which had a sour taste. Jiang Shu thought that she and Lu Changji had similar tastes, but why didn't Lu Changji like sour things?
Could it be that the plum soup was specially made for her...
An indescribable feeling rose from my body, my heart was filled with sour and sweet emotions, and my cheeks gradually became hot.
The autumn wind blew in her face, and Jiang Shu suddenly calmed down. Not only was she very different from Lu Changji, she was also Lu Changji's sister-in-law. He was a very decent person, so how could he have any inappropriate fantasies about her?
Even if he treated her differently from others, how could their relationship...
He treated her well, and all she could do was to repay him sincerely.
Jiang Shu unconsciously clenched her fingers into fists and forced a pale smile. She said to Cheng Luan, "Now that I know your taste, I will definitely make a good soup for you. I just hope you get better soon."
Jiang Shu is meticulous and tries her best to do her best in everything, whether it is needlework or cooking.
The red clay stove was burning with a low fire, and the porcelain cup was bubbling. Jiang Shu stayed in the kitchen for two full hours. The soup that came out was mellow and fragrant, and the aroma could be smelled from afar.
The moon was above the willows, and the sky was dotted with stars. Jiang Shu walked into the Canaan Courtyard carrying chicken soup.
Canaan Courtyard is spacious and quieter than the other courtyards. In the silent night, Jiang Shu can even hear the echo of footsteps.
The same moonlit night, the same atmosphere, the beautiful things that happened in Qingyang Temple came to my mind.
Lu Changji's solid chest, scorching body temperature, and terrifyingly large...
The scene became more and more indescribable. Jiang Shu withdrew her thoughts, raised her hand and patted her cheek a few times, then pushed open the door with trembling hands.
"Uncle!" she called softly. The room was silent, and no one responded.
Jiang Shu walked to Babu's bed and called out "Uncle" again through the gauze curtain, but there was still no response.
She put the food box aside and reached out to lift the gauze curtain. She saw Lu Changji with his eyes closed, his face flushed, and beads of sweat faintly oozing from his forehead.
Jiang Shu's scalp tightened, and she put her hand on Lu Changji's forehead. It was burning hot to the touch, and he actually had a high fever.
Fever when injured is the most dangerous, and one can be fatal if not careful.
Jiang Shu was extremely anxious. She stood up suddenly and wanted to call a doctor, but suddenly she saw Lu Changji turn over, his thin lips slightly opened, and he murmured in a low voice: "Shu'er, Shu'er..."
The voice was gentle and lingering, and it was definitely not the tone an uncle would use to call his sister-in-law.
Buzz...
Her mind went blank and her thoughts became confused. Jiang Shu stood still, staring at Lu Changji blankly, with a myriad of lights in her eyes.
The night was dark, and dark clouds covered the sky, completely blocking out the moonlight.
Jiang Shu stood in the house, her heartstrings tightening little by little. She connected all the little things that had happened in the past together, and couldn't help feeling a chill in her heart.
Because Lu Changji treated her so well, she almost forgot how decisive he was and how he climbed to a high position by stepping on the corpses of his political enemies.
He was a meticulous and intelligent man, almost like a demon. If he hadn't given her permission, how could she have climbed onto his bed? How could she...
Her fingers unconsciously clenched, and her breathing quickened. He was her uncle, how could he have such shameful thoughts about her? But then she thought, even if she was forced to do so, she still slept on his bed...
If he is not innocent, how could she not have been tossed around in the muddy waves many times?
Her thoughts were in a mess. Jiang Shu pinched her forehead and didn't dare to stay in the house any longer. She called the doctor loudly and fled from Canaan Courtyard.
Although Jiang Shu left Canaan Court, she was worried and woke up several times at night. Fortunately, she did not hear any news from Canaan Court. At such a critical juncture, no news is the best news.
Jiang Shu got up before dawn, intending to take a walk in the yard, but she saw Zhu'er coming in with a note. The note was from Jiang Rong, saying that she wanted to visit Lin Yunzhi.
Because of Jiang Wenhuan's death, the Jiang family was in chaos. Jiang Shu was very busy. When she saw the post, she remembered that she had not yet held a decent return banquet for Jiang Rong.
When a couple gets married, the son-in-law always has to go to his father-in-law's house to get acquainted with the family, which is considered to be a complete etiquette.
Since the Jiang family had no mistress, Jiang Shu had to take on the role of mistress. She packed up and left in a carriage.
Aunt Lin had never done household chores and didn't know the etiquette of entertaining guests, so she went to the kitchen and made a dish of five-red glutinous rice cake that Jiang Rong liked.
The timing was perfect. The Lin family's carriage arrived just as the kitchen had finished cooking the hot dishes.
Jiang Rong had just gotten married, and Aunt Lin hadn't seen Jiang Rong for many days. She wanted to go to the door to meet her immediately and see if her little daughter was doing well.
Unfortunately, she was a concubine and could not meet guests. She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not dare to step forward and stood aside in a whisper.
"Auntie!" Jiang Bin's voice suddenly rang out. He glanced at Auntie Lin with a smile and said softly, "Father and mother are gone. You are the only elder in the family now. Please go outside and greet Third Sister!"
Although Jiang Bin is young, he is the only male in the Jiang family. He respects Aunt Lin as an elder, so Aunt Lin no longer needs to regard herself as a subordinate.
Aunt Lin was overjoyed and thanked Jiang Bin. She didn't dare to walk past Jiang Bin, so she followed Jiang Bin closely and went to the gate with everyone else.
Jiang Rong was newly married, and according to the rules, she should have dressed festively when she returned to her parents' home. However, both her parents had passed away, and she did not like wearing brightly colored clothes. Instead, she wore a gardenia-colored brocade blouse with large sleeves. The material was extremely luxurious, but Jiang Rong's complexion did not match the material, and she showed a hint of fatigue.
Not only Aunt Lin, but Jiang Shu was also a little worried. However, she couldn't say much in front of Lin Yunzhi, so she just forced a smile and welcomed the newlyweds to the flower hall.
The servants brought the dishes to the table, and Jiang Bin started talking to Lin Yunzhi as Jiang Shu had instructed. He was young, and although he had secretly practiced many times, he still had some shortcomings when entertaining guests.
Fortunately, Lin Yunzhi was kind and not only did she not argue, she also gave timely guidance, so the meal was a very enjoyable one.
After dinner, Jiang Bin invited Lin Yunzhi to take a rest in the study, while Jiang Rong, Aunt Lin and Jiang Shu returned to the side room to talk heartfeltly.
As soon as the door closed, Aunt Lin's eyes were red. She held Jiang Rong's hand tightly and whispered, "My son, getting married is a great joyous event. It's okay that I can't see any joy in you, but why do I feel that you have lost weight?
Could it be that your uncle feels that your father is gone and your family has no one to rely on, so he is bullying you?"
Jiang Rong quickly shook her head, holding Aunt Lin's hand, and said gently, "Aunt, you misunderstood. Yunzhi treated me very well. It's my own uselessness that has put me in such a mess."
Jiang Rong lowered her head in shame, her voice becoming increasingly quiet. "My mother-in-law is a kind person. She trusts me completely. On the second day after I came into the family, she handed over all the family cards to me and asked me to manage the household affairs."
"The Lin family is not like ours after all. Not to mention the farms and shops outside, there are already thirty or forty servants serving them. Although I can read a few words, I definitely can't manage such a large family."
"I wanted to bother my mother-in-law and ask her for advice, but she is a free-spirited person. Soon after I got married, she went to the family temple to practice."
"My aunt in the clan saw that I was exhausted, so she took me in to teach me. But I was very stupid. I made three mistakes just by paying my monthly allowance."
"My aunt was patient at first, but when she saw me making mistakes again and again, she lost her temper. Even my sisters-in-law and younger sisters-in-law started to look down on me."
"Yunzhi wanted to protect me, but he had to do his job after all, so he couldn't get involved in the affairs of the inner house. I also didn't want to cause trouble for him, and secretly received a lot of criticism from my sisters-in-law and younger sisters-in-law."
The more Jiang Rong spoke, the lower her head drooped, and her voice became more humming. "Eldest sister, you've been married to the Marquis' Mansion for so long. How have you been getting along with your aunt and uncle? Have you ever been in charge of the household? Could you teach me?"
Jiang Rong has been taciturn and timid since childhood. When she first married into the Lin family, she was able to restrain herself and tried her best to look graceful when interacting with others. However, once she was criticized by her aunt-in-law, she returned to her old ways, not daring to speak in front of others and just wanting to shrink into her shell.
The Lin family had always looked down on Jiang Rong's family background, and seeing how cautious and timid she was, they looked down on her even more. No one in the family would call her when they were playing cards or having a small gathering. She was clearly the grandmother of the Lin family's direct descendant, but now she was being marginalized.
Jiang Shu also married into a wealthy family. She had experienced all of Jiang Rong's experiences. The difference was that she had no desires at the time and just lived her own life behind closed doors. She didn't care even if she was not accepted.
Jiang Rong, however, was different. She took Lin Yunzhi to heart and tried her best to be Lin Yunzhi's good wife. Naturally, she hoped to be integrated into the Lin family.
Jiang Shu pursed her lips and soothed Jiang Rong gently, "Who is born with the talent to manage household affairs? Madam Hou taught me for a long time, and I can only manage a few banquets. The Lin family is so huge, not to mention that you have just married, even if I go there now, there is no guarantee that there will be no mistakes."
She waved to Fang Yu and said to Jiang Rong, "Fang Yu is a servant of the Lu family. He grew up in the presence of the Marquis. He is not only good at disciplining servants, but also good at settling accounts.
Now I will hand Fang Yu over to you and let her live with you at the Lin family for a while. If you have any questions, just ask Fang Yu. I guarantee that nothing will go wrong. When you can handle things on your own, then let Fang Yu return to the Marquis' Mansion."
Fang Yu is the only daughter of Nanny Zhou. When Nanny Zhou steps down from power, she will be the next head nanny of the Marquis's Mansion. Although she is a servant, she is more knowledgeable than the young ladies from small families.
Jiang Rong glanced at Fang Yu and felt that she was graceful and dignified. She felt a little timid and said, "Miss Fang Yu is my sister's right-hand man. How can I take away someone else's love?"
Jiang Shu waved her hand: "Don't be polite. I'm a widow, I just stay at home, why do I need to be the head of the household to do the accounting? With my status, I have to think twice before going out."
Jiang Shu paused for a moment and said seriously, "Sister Rong, I have never been in charge of a household, but I have served the Marquis's wife. The Marquis doted on Aunt Hu, but the Marquis's wife also had a difficult time.
But no matter what situation she was in, she remained calm and composed. Even when her housekeeper power was taken away, she did not look down on herself.
“Although you are of a lower generation, you are a direct descendant of the Lin family. As long as you take yourself seriously, no one can do anything to you.
Although handling mundane affairs is difficult, one can learn it eventually. What is difficult is being proud of oneself and putting on airs."
Jiang Shu's words gave Jiang Rong a sudden realization. As the head of the Lin family, even if she lacked ability now, she would eventually rise to prominence. She didn't need to be afraid of what those clansmen were doing. Others should just look at her face.
She did have the confidence, but because of her personality, Jiang Rong was still a little timid. However, she knew that changing her personality was not something that could be done overnight, and she had to stand up slowly.
The sun gradually sets in the west. For no reason, it is not appropriate for a married girl to stay overnight at her parents' home. Even though the two sisters are reluctant to leave, they have to part.
Jiang Shu and Jiang Rong walked to the door hand in hand. Jiang Rong still didn't want to face the Yang family members, but when he thought of Jiang Shu's words, he straightened his back unconsciously.
Jiang Shu first saw Jiang Rong off, and then took a carriage back to the Xinyang Marquis Mansion.
The weather was freezing cold, and the carriage, which had been in good condition, had cracked at some point. The cold wind kept blowing into the carriage, and even holding a hand warmer, it was still cold. Jiang Shu wrapped her clothes tightly around her, and her mood became irritable unconsciously.
After finally returning to Xinchun Garden, before he could even stand firmly on his feet, he saw a servant pushing the door open and entering. The servant ran so fast and in such a hurry that he tripped over several potted plants along the way.
The rules of Xinyang Marquis' Mansion are strict, and the servants must behave themselves. They would not dare to act rashly even if the sky fell. Jiang Shu stared at the servant and frowned.
The servant ran up to Jiang Shu and bowed hastily. Before Jiang Shu could say anything, he stood up straight and said breathlessly, "Second Madam, something terrible has happened. The master has been seriously injured and has died."
Died without treatment, died without treatment...
The servant's words echoed in her ears. Jiang Shu's vision went dark and she nearly fainted. She held onto the white marble pillar beside her and scolded the servant harshly, "What nonsense are you talking about? The master was clearly getting better yesterday. How could he die?"
She was kind-hearted and seldom spoke harshly. When she lost her temper, not only the servant but even Zhu'er was dumbfounded.
The servant said anxiously, "Master has sustained a vital injury. His resurgence yesterday was a fleeting moment of clarity, not a sign of recovery. Second Madam, please accept my condolences."
My condolences, my condolences, how can I condole with you? Jiang Shu felt that the boy was just talking nonsense.
She didn't waste any more words and ran quickly towards Canaan Courtyard. From a distance, she saw a white banner hanging on the green gate of the courtyard. The falling white light made her eyes hurt.
Suddenly, I felt a sense of illusion and unreality.
Jiang Shu ran to the flower hall and saw a seven-star board on the ground. Lu Changji's body was resting on the board. His eyes were closed, his skin was as white as snow, and there was no vitality on his face. It was obvious that he was dead.
Jiang Shu stared at Lu Changji in a daze, her lips moving up and down, but no sound came out, only tears falling.
The Lu family's throne was broken, and the elders and family members of each branch rushed to the flower hall to pay their respects. The cries and sighs were overwhelming, drowning Jiang Shu in the crowd.
About half an hour later, the housekeeper walked quickly to the flower hall and whispered a few words in Lu Lin's ear. Lu Lin's already sad expression became even more resentful. He shook his sleeves and walked out of the flower hall with a sullen face.
After a while, a thin middle-aged man and Lu Lin came in one after another. The man looked inconspicuous, but his eyes were sharp. He glanced at everyone in the room, then walked to the seven-star board and looked down at Lu Changji.
After a while, the hard corners of his jaw melted away bit by bit, and a happy smile appeared on his face. He turned to Lu Lin and said, "Xue Ji is gone. Lord, you must protect the remaining descendants of the Lu family. It would be bad if they were to be extinct."
The murderer was right before his eyes. Even Lu Lin, with all his self-control, could hardly contain himself. He gritted his teeth and uttered a few words, "The descendants of the Lu family, Lord Lu, please don't worry about them. However, Prince Yong doesn't seem to be in good health. The Queen Mother has already sent a trusted confidant to take care of His Royal Highness. Lord Lu, you should go and see Prince Yong first!"
Lu Changji is like the Queen Mother's teeth. What is there to be afraid of a toothless tiger? She is just a woman and now she has no one to rely on. How could she dare to attack Prince Yong?
Lu Zhun was not in the least bit anxious. He lowered his head, slowly smoothed his sleeves, glanced at Lu Lin, and whispered, "I won't bother you with your funeral. Lord Lu, don't be too sad to see your loved one die."
After saying that, he threw his head back and laughed three times, then strode out of the room.
Lu Lin was so angry that he was shaking all over. He sat down on the armchair and almost couldn't breathe.
Although he was angry, he did not lose his mind. After the mourners left, he called Jiang Shu aside and gave her a lecture.
"Do you know who you are? Your uncle passed away, and you, as a sister-in-law, ran around in the courtyard, overwhelmed with grief, and burst into tears. Is such behavior reasonable?"
"Luckily, there are many people here today, and no one noticed your unusual behavior. If someone had noticed and spread rumors, there would be no point in you still living. You could have just hanged yourself with a white silk scarf and buried with Yi'er."
Jiang Shu did lose her composure a bit, but her loss of composure was due to her lamenting the death of her benefactor. How could she have had the dirty thoughts in Lu Lin's mind?
If you are really sick, everything you see will be dirty.
A woman's reputation is more important than Mount Tai. Jiang Shu is still trapped in grief, but Zhu'er can't let Lu Lin throw dirty water on Jiang Shu.
She stepped forward and defended Jiang Shu: "My Lord, I'm afraid you misunderstood. My family..."
"The master is speaking, so how can the servants have any say? It is true that the master is like the servant. If the master has no rules, the servants will also have no respect."
Lu Lin had no patience to listen to Zhu'er. He interrupted her and turned his gaze to Jiang Shu, saying sternly, "You have no plan. You will inevitably be exposed. Don't come out to see anyone for the next few days. Go to Qingyun Hall and reflect on your past."
This is the patriarch of a big family. He didn't even give people a chance to defend themselves before putting the final nail in the coffin.
Qingyun Hall was built in the backyard, in a remote location where the masters rarely set foot there. Half of the yard was covered with yellow leaves, making it look even more desolate.
Zhu Er dusted off the wooden bench and invited Jiang Shu to sit down. After Jiang Shu sat down, she angrily defended Jiang Shu: "The Marquis is so arbitrary. He didn't allow anyone to explain and put such a filthy hat on you in just a few words."
Zhu'er stared at Jiang Shu, thinking that Jiang Shu would argue a few words, but she didn't expect Jiang Shu to say a word. Since hearing the news of Lu Changji's death, she seemed to have lost her soul, her eyes were empty, without even focus, and filled with endless sadness.
The wind blew past, and Jiang Shu just sat straight in the yard, enjoying the breeze until dusk fell. Then she stood up and slowly walked towards the inner bedroom.
She was born tall, but now she looks even thinner, with a lonely back, as if she would be blown down by the wind at any time.
Zhu'er stared at Jiang Shu's figure, her heart aching. Jiang Shu came from an obscure background, and Aunt Lin was a worthless person. Not only did Jiang Shu never receive Aunt Lin's protection, but she had to take care of Aunt Lin and her younger sister.
After marrying into the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion, she lived a comfortable life with no shortage of food and clothing, but she had to take great pains to take care of Lu Changyi, and was often bullied by Zhao.
Jiang Shu has always been giving and considering others. Only Lu Changji has truly protected her. Now that the person who protected her from the wind and rain is gone, it is not excessive for her to be upset.
The door closed gently, and Zhu'er's heart tightened. She walked to the door silently, and quietly accompanied Jiang Shu through the door.
The light in the room was dim, making Jiang Shu's figure look thin and long. It was late at night, but she was not sleepy. She propped up her chin and looked at the crescent moon in the sky.
My heart feels empty, as if something is missing.
In the silence, a creaking sound suddenly came from outside the house.
Jiang Shu raised her eyelids and saw that the courtyard door was opened and a tall figure walked towards her on the moon.
The man walked slowly, but filled the missing space in her heart.
Jiang Shu's breathing stagnated, and tears filled her eyes unconsciously. She curled her lips into a smile, raised her hand to wipe the tears from her face, stood up suddenly, lifted her dress, and strode out of the house.
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