Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Seduction
Branch out, branch out...
Lu Changyi is now completely inhumane, so how can she bloom branches and spread leaves?
Jiang Shu stared at the bowl of medicine and felt a splitting headache. Thinking of Zhao's warning, she felt even more uncomfortable. She didn't want to betray Lu Changyi, but she didn't want to be divorced and sent back to her parents' home. Apart from asking her uncle for a loan, was there no way to have the best of both worlds?
Lu Changji's tall figure appeared in Jiang Shu's mind, and Jiang Shu's heart beat faster. She hadn't done anything yet, but just had a thought, and it seemed like blasphemy against the gods.
A person like her uncle, with his profound dignity, noble and steady, she could really...
"Second Madam, the cold medicine is harmful to your body. You'd better take it quickly!" Jiang Shu's thoughts were interrupted by Nanny Zhou. Her cheeks turned red and she cast her eyes on the medicine in front of her.
A full bowl of medicine soup, dark brown in color, exudes a strong bitter smell.
Since marrying into the Xinyang Marquis's mansion, Jiang Shu had been immersed in the bitter taste of traditional Chinese medicine every day. What she hated most now was the taste of traditional Chinese medicine.
Unfortunately, one has to bow his head under the eaves. Even though she hates the taste, she can't refuse it.
Husband and wife are one body, she can't let others know about Lu Changyi's hidden illness.
Jiang Shu took a deep breath and was about to drink the bowl of Chinese medicine when she saw Lu Changyi walking out from the inner room with a dark face.
He snatched the medicine bowl from Jiang Shu's hand, slammed it onto the Eight Immortals Table, and yelled at Aunt Zhou in a deep voice, "Why are you giving Second Madam these medicines for no reason? All medicines are poisonous. I'm already seriously ill and incurable, and you still want Third Madam to lie on the couch too?"
Filial piety is the most important virtue. Cats and dogs around elders are more respected than those elsewhere, not to mention their personal maids. In a well-mannered household, even the master of the house shows great respect for his parents' attendants.
But Lu Changyi was different. He had been weak since childhood. Except for being very gentle towards Jiang Shu, he was always rude to others. Not to mention Zhao's attendants, he would even get angry with Zhao herself.
Nanny Zhou didn't dare to talk back, and explained to Lu Changyi in a gentle voice: "This medicine is mild in nature and has no effect on the body..."
"What are you still babbling about?" Nanny Zhou was interrupted by Lu Changyi before she could finish her words. "Go back to Yanxi Hall quickly. I get a headache just looking at you. I'm afraid you won't even be able to eat."
The prince's body is more precious than pearls and jade. If he really can't eat because of me, I'm afraid Zhao will be furious. Nanny Zhou said no more and retreated to the door with her body bowed.
The originally noisy room suddenly became quiet. Lu Changyi reached out and hugged Jiang Shu in his arms, gently kissed her forehead, and whispered, "I am sorry for you. It is clearly my poor health, but I still want to cause you to be criticized by others. I really wronged you."
"Or I'll ask Changshun to find a male enhancement pill..."
"Prince..." Jiang Shu interrupted Lu Changyi, "You and I are in love. As long as our hearts are together, I am willing to endure some grievances. The tiger and wolf medicine is too strong. If it hurts your body, it will not be worth it."
Aphrodisiacs are harmful to ordinary people, and for the sick Lu Changyi, they are no different from a deadly knife.
Jiang Shu still remembers the scene when Lu Changyi fell into a coma on the second day after their wedding. Lu Changyi was in a coma for three days and three nights. She thought that Lu Changyi was weak to begin with, but later she found out that it was because of the aphrodisiac he had used.
She must not hurt his body for her own selfish reasons.
Jiang Shu hugged Lu Changyi back and felt that his body was even thinner. Her arms seemed to be much longer when they were wrapped around him. His waist was probably even thinner than hers.
Lu Changyi grew up surrounded by medicine. Due to his weak constitution, the doctors only focused on taking care of his body and did not pay much attention to his men's health.
Maybe if he could find a skilled andrologist to see him, Lu Changyi would be able to get better?
Jiang Shu suddenly felt ashamed, her cheeks burning. She blamed herself for being so reckless. She hadn't even asked a doctor to treat the prince, so how could she covet her uncle? She was really out of her mind.
She said to Lu Changyi in a gentle voice, "Don't be discouraged, my lord. Let's find a doctor who specializes in men's health. Maybe he'll be able to get better."
Her words really brought hope to Lu Changyi. Lu Changyi's dark eyes emitted a scorching glow. He called Changshun and whispered a few instructions to him. Then Changshun went out.
Upon hearing that the Xinyang Marquis's residence had requested a royal physician, the head doctor personally came out to receive him. He asked Chang Shun in a gentle voice, "I wonder what illness your master has contracted? Everyone has their own specialties. Once we know the symptoms, we can assign a doctor."
Changshun looked around and saw that except for the imperial physician who was sorting out the medical records, the five or six imperial physicians present were all staring at him.
How could the prince's illness be announced to the public? Changshun coughed dryly and looked embarrassed.
The dean understood and invited Changshun to the inner room. Changshun then told the dean about Lu Changyi's impotence.
Lu Changyi had been surrounded by medicine since he was a child, so his impotence was not surprising. The dean said to Changshun, "Among the dozens of imperial physicians in our Imperial Hospital, Imperial Physician Qin is undoubtedly the best at men's medicine. Young man, please return home first. I will have Imperial Physician Qin come to your house while everyone has lunch."
Lu Changyi's condition was private, and the dean was trying to keep it a secret. Changshun, overwhelmed with gratitude, handed the dean a heavy purse, but the dean, who cared little for the small expense, repeatedly declined.
After noon, Doctor Qin arrived at Xinchun Garden. After taking Lu Changyi's pulse, he was silent for a while. He pondered for a moment and whispered, "The prince's pulse is weak and his kidney qi is insufficient. He must not rush into sexual relations."
Imperial physicians have their own principles and will never make final decisions unless absolutely necessary. Imperial Physician Qin picked up his pen and wrote a prescription. He said to Lu Changyi in a gentle voice, "Prince, take your time to recuperate. I will come back to check your pulse in half a decade."
People can always see the problems of others at a glance, but when something happens to them, as long as they see a little hope, they feel as if they are about to succeed.
After hearing what Doctor Qin said, Lu Changyi and Jiang Shu were very happy. Jiang Shu personally boiled medicine for Lu Changyi and was about to serve him the medicine when Fang Yu lifted the curtain and entered the room.
Fang Yu was the head maid assigned to Jiang Shu by Zhao. She was well-trained and behaved in a steady and composed manner.
Fang Yu bowed to Jiang Shu and said, "Second Madam, Madam has sent a message saying that after you finish organizing tomorrow's banquet, you will no longer need to learn housekeeping at Yanxi Hall."
Fang Yu's words were like a bolt from the blue, catching Jiang Shu off guard. Managing the household was a clan wife's responsibility, something she hadn't done in the Xinyang Marquis's mansion to begin with. If she couldn't manage the household, how would she survive in the future?
Jiang Shu had never asked Lu Changyi to do anything, but this time she couldn't help but look at Lu Changyi and whispered, "My lord, I come from a humble background, have little talent and knowledge, and don't have the ability to make a living.
I originally wanted to learn the skills of a housekeeper to help my mother share her worries, but now she doesn't let me learn. I don't know what I did wrong, but as long as my mother tells me, I will definitely change.
"Sir, could you please plead for me and allow me to continue learning the skills of a housekeeper? I am your wife and I need to go out and socialize. It is not right for me to stay inside this courtyard all day long."
Lu Changyi looked at Jiang Shu steadily, his expression calm and unperturbed. "Don't worry, I'll go find my mother tomorrow to plead for you. I'm not feeling well, and I've already treated you badly. I'll always make sure everything else is as you wish."
Jiang Shu was deeply moved. She helped Lu Changyi to the bed, wiped his body, and then fell asleep in the summer heat.
Soon it was the fifteenth day, and the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion held a grand banquet. The carriages outside the door took up an entire street. The Jiang family's carriage mixed in with them, looking even more shabby.
Jiang Shu, holding a pair of cards, assigned tasks to the servants. After working for the better part of an hour, she finally had a break. She beckoned Zhu'er over and whispered, "Are Yang and Jiang Ran still behaving well?"
Zhu Er said, "The banquet at the Marquis' Mansion is lavish, with everything from running in the mountains to swimming in the water and flying in the sky. The Second Young Lady's mind is now completely focused on the banquet, so nothing unexpected has happened."
"The lady looked around a lot, trying to socialize, but others looked down on her and no one wanted to talk to her."
Jiang Shu nodded, but did not relax her vigilance: "Yang must have some plan today, we must keep a close eye on her."
Zhu'er said yes and walked back to the front hall.
The Xinyang Marquis Mansion is of extraordinary grandeur, and its back garden is planted with exotic flowers and plants, and is famous far and wide. After the female guests finish their meal, they are led by the Marquis' wife to the back garden to appreciate the flowers.
The group was walking and enjoying the scenery. Yang and Jiang Ran were among them, but no one paid attention to them.
When they reached Chunfeng Pavilion, the maid Qingyu quietly slipped over to Yang's side and whispered something in her ear. Yang curled her lips, then took Jiang Ran's sleeve and gently tugged. Jiang Ran understood and nodded meaningfully.
At this time, Zhao led everyone forward again. After walking about a hundred meters, they suddenly heard Jiang Ran exclaim "Ah!" Jiang Ran smiled shyly, raised his hand to touch his ear, and whispered, "My earring is missing. I think it fell into the side room during dinner."
Jiang Ran still had a red coral earring on his left ear, but his right ear was empty.
The earrings were not worth much, but if a girl's personal belongings fell into the wrong hands, it would be very bad.
Zhao had always disliked the Jiang family, and when she learned that Jiang Ran was forgetful, she became even more displeased. She curled her lips and said to Jiang Ran, "Go back and look for it quickly. It can't be lost. There are rumors everywhere."
Jiang Ran said yes, and then turned back along the way he came.
Jiang Ran walked to the gate of the back garden and immediately saw Qingyu standing aside. She lowered her voice and asked, "Where is Prime Minister Lu?"
Qingyu pointed to the courtyard on the side and said, "Read in the pavilion of Bixue Hall."
The Marquis's mansion was vast, with three or four courtyards dedicated solely to landscaped areas, one of which was the Bixue Hall. Because the courtyard had been built specifically for the master to enjoy the scenery, it was kept elegant and tidy. Apart from the early morning sweeping, there were no maids or servants within.
Jiang Ran entered the courtyard very smoothly. What came into view was a clear blue lake with a pavilion beside the lake. From a distance, he saw a man wearing an indigo round-necked shirt sitting in the pavilion reading a book.
His posture when reading was very leisurely, yet it gave people an inexplicable sense of rigor. Before he even got close, Jiang Ran felt the majesty and oppression of a superior.
She took a deep breath, raised her hand to straighten her carefully combed hair, and walked towards the pavilion gracefully. The closer she got to Lu Changji, the faster Jiang Ran's heartbeat became.
She had only heard that Lu Changji held a high position and had a noble character, but she had no idea he was also so beautiful. His face was sharp and angular, and his eyes were so dark and deep that they could almost draw the soul away.
If I could find a man like this as my husband, it would be worth dying for.
Since it was a chance encounter, he had to act as if he was completely relaxed. Jiang Ran simply pretended not to notice Lu Changji and walked slowly along the path by the lake. Even his gait was a practiced one, full of grace.
After walking for a while, she stopped on the right side of the pavilion. This position was neither far nor close to Lu Changji. It did not seem deliberate, and it ensured that Lu Changji would see her immediately if she fell into the water.
I've heard that Lu Changji is as virtuous as a jade, with a radiant heart and a noble character. There are no servants in this courtyard. If she falls into the water, he will definitely help her. Even to protect her reputation, he will have to marry her.
The more Jiang Ran thought about it, the more he felt that his future was promising, and even his diving became light and powerful.
"Oh!" She cried out loudly, and then fell into the lake like a fluttering butterfly.
Ideals are great, but Jiang Ran underestimated the power of the lake water. The lake water kept squeezing her, and her body sank uncontrollably into the water.
Jiang Ran waited for a long time, but did not see Lu Changji. Her body became heavier and heavier, and the lake water overflowed her chin and poured into her mouth.
Fear spread to every part of her body. Jiang Ran no longer cared about creating a graceful image in front of Lu Changji. She used her hands and feet to struggle like an octopus, shouting loudly, hoping that someone could save her life.
Lu Changji watched Jiang Ran drowning in the water little by little with an expressionless face. He seemed to be watching a drowning dog struggling to death, without even frowning.
Cheng Yong stood behind him and asked in a low voice, "Sir, the person in the water is Second Madam's daughter. Do you need me to rescue her?"
Lu Changji chuckled: "She has ulterior motives, and no matter what she does, even if she drowned, it is her own fault."
As Lu Changji spoke, he picked up the cup and took a sip slowly. This year's Longjing tea didn't seem as mellow as in previous years.
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