Chapter 66 Very good, very good
The room became silent!
Everyone thought Lu Changji treated Jiang Shu as a plaything, disregarding her dignity and kidnapping her in the street. Who could have imagined that Lu Changji treated Jiang Shu so preciously that he wanted to take her home and make her his mistress?
The people present were all wives of officials, and they knew better than anyone the weight of the Prime Minister's wife. Suddenly, their gazes towards Jiang Shu changed.
The noise in the wing room was so loud that it naturally could not be hidden from the guests in the main house. When Mrs. Wen learned the whole story, she was surprised at first, and then she figured everything out.
She remembered that when Jiang Shu visited the Wen family, Lu Changji happened to be there too. She thought it was a coincidence, but she was afraid that Lu Changji had already had feelings for Jiang Shu at that time.
At that time, although Lu Changyi was seriously ill, he was still alive.
It was horrifying that the uncle disregarded human rights and coveted his own sister-in-law. Thinking of this, Mrs. Wen couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
She was not a young woman and had experienced a lot, so she calmed down quickly.
Jiang Shu was stunningly beautiful, and Lu Changyi was as weak as paper, so even sex would be difficult for them. Lu Changji and she lived in the same Lu family, and they saw each other all the time. They spent a lot of time together, so it was understandable that he had special feelings for Jiang Shu.
Lu Changji has a good reputation and holds a high position of power. If he had not loved Jiang Shu to the core, how could he have risked the world's condemnation and snatched her bride in public?
Mrs. Wen looked at Jiang Shu calmly, and she felt that Jiang Shu's good days were probably yet to come.
While no one was paying attention, she moved to Jiang Rong's side and said to her in a low voice, "Your status is awkward, and you must be very sad living alone in Canaan Courtyard. Why don't you stay here for two days and spend some time with her? You are sisters, and she will feel better with you by her side."
Jiang Rong was eager to stay overnight in Canaan Courtyard, but when she thought of her situation in the Lin family, she couldn't help but hesitate.
Jiang Rong was young, and her emotions were all visible on her face. Mrs. Wen knew how difficult it was for her, so she comforted her, "I'll be there for the Lin family. Just stay with your eldest sister. I won't let anyone in the Lin family say a word of disapproval."
When Lu Changji and Jiang Shu get married, the Lu and Lin families will be formal relatives. Even considering Jiang Rong's affection for Jiang Shu, Lu Changji should also support Lin Yunzhi in the future.
Jiang Rong didn't think so much, she just wanted to make Jiang Shu happier.
She looked at Mrs. Wen gratefully: "I always trouble you, aunt, it's really..."
Mrs. Wen interrupted her: "We are all family, and I am the elder. I should always take care of you. Please don't be so formal."
With Jiang Rong's company, Jiang Shu was indeed much happier and even ate half a bowl more of her evening meal. Seeing how relishing she was eating, Lu Changji was also very happy.
In the darkness of the night, Lu Changji arrived at the bedroom and sat down beside the bed. As usual, Jiang Shu ignored him, her back to him, motionless.
He didn't mind and said softly, "I know that when you were in your boudoir, you lived with Grandma Lin. Do you want to stay with her today?"
A glint flashed in Jiang Shu's eyes. She sat up and said to Lu Changji, "Then you can go to the back room and sleep."
Then he called Zhu'er into the house and said, "Go get a new quilt, one scented with jasmine. Rong'er likes jasmine the most."
Looking at Jiang Shu's excited expression, Lu Changji felt a little happy and a little disappointed. He sat behind her, stretched out his hand to hug her, but finally took it back.
She was getting thinner day by day and her complexion was not good. He was afraid that she would be unhappy.
The two sisters hadn't seen each other for a long time. They lay side by side on the bed, chatting quietly, and fell asleep unknowingly.
Jiang Shu had a dreamless night.
After breakfast, Jiang Shu asked the driver to harness the carriage that Lu Changji usually used and asked someone to take Jiang Rong home.
Jiang Shu personally escorted Jiang Rong to the gate and gently warned her, "Now that you're married, life in your husband's house is different from when you were still married. Unless it's a festival or a wedding or funeral, don't be away from home for too long, or people will gossip about you."
She was always considerate and always put herself in Jiang Rong's shoes. Jiang Rong did not refuse and got on the carriage as she said.
Although Mrs. Wen greeted the Lin family, her third aunt Lu from the next room was still furious. Her two daughters-in-law had lost all face because of that bitch Jiang Rong who was kicked out of the Xinyang Marquis' Mansion. She would never let Jiang Rong go.
Upon hearing that Jiang Rong had returned home, Mrs. Lu walked towards the Lin family angrily. Jiang Rong did not return home for no reason. As an elder, she had plenty of ways to make Jiang Rong lose face.
The second branch of the Lin family lived next to the main branch where Jiang Rong lived. Lu walked to the door of the main branch in a few minutes. She straightened her back and acted like an elder. She wanted to scold Jiang Rong, but unexpectedly she saw an unusual carriage.
The carriage was navy blue in color, with copper bells hanging on the four corners, a kesi silk roof, and jujube wood wheels. It was truly magnificent and luxurious.
No one in Bianjing did not recognize this carriage. Mrs. Lu clenched the sinking wood bracelet on her wrist, her face full of anger. The Jiang family was really a family where one person's success brought prosperity to the whole family. This bitch Jiang Rong relied on her eldest sister to become the Prime Minister, and she even dared to ride in the Prime Minister's carriage to show off at home.
She was burning with rage, but she really couldn't do anything about Jiang Rong. Now she went up to scold Jiang Rong, which was a slap in the face of the Prime Minister. Even if Lu had ten times the courage, she would not dare to offend Lu Changji.
Mrs. Lu was filled with rage and returned home huffing and puffing. She happened to see Master Lin Er coming out of his concubine's room. He had a beaming face and it was obvious that he was very happy being served by his concubine.
Mrs. Lu was in an even worse mood. The Second Master Lin and Lin Yunzhi's father, the First Master Lin, were brothers from the same mother. Why was the First Master so chaste that he didn't even have a concubine except his first wife, while the Second Master had so many beautiful women around him?
Sisters-in-law always like to compete with each other. Lu and her elder sister-in-law Fang have similar family backgrounds, and their husbands have similar official positions. However, Fang and her husband are in harmony and very loving. Because Mr. Lin is a playboy, Lu often gets angry with him, and as a result, the two of them start to covet him.
When they were young, although Lu didn't say it, she was very jealous of Fang in her heart. Later, when Master Lin passed away, Fang's hair turned white overnight. From then on, she no longer cared about worldly affairs and was like a living dead. Only then did Lu feel a sense of pride.
Even though Fang was the exclusive favorite of Master Lin, she still became a widow early. Fang's later life would never be as good as hers.
Thinking of this, Mrs. Lu's anger subsided a little. She walked over to Master Lin Er and complained, "This is terrible. That Jiang from the first wife's house humiliated our two daughters-in-law yesterday, and today she came to our house in Prime Minister Lu's carriage to show off. I think I don't need to support the family anymore. I'll just have to live under Jiang's care from now on."
Master Lin Er had just come out of the gentle fragrance. He was very comfortable being served by his concubine and had originally forgotten what happened yesterday. However, after being reminded by Mrs. Lu, he immediately became alert.
He stroked his beard and said, “Originally, I shouldn’t have said too much about my daughter-in-law, but the actions of Zhang and Wei are really foolish.
Even when beating a dog, one must look at the owner first. Jiang Shi, the eldest wife, is that person's biological sister. Blood is thicker than water. Why do they have to offend Jiang Shi? Offending Jiang Shi is not a big deal, but if that person whispers in the Prime Minister's ear, how will I and our two sons survive in the officialdom in the future?
The more Master Lin spoke, the more solemn he became. He said solemnly, "Madam, please have Zhang and Wei go to the main house and ask them to apologize to Jiang. A quarrel between women may not be a big deal, but if it implicates the master of the family, it will be a huge matter."
Mrs. Lu knew very well that a husband's honor brings glory to his wife. For the sake of her family's wealth and peace, letting her daughter-in-law bow her head would not be considered a humiliation to her family.
Lu immediately ordered Zhang and Wei to be summoned. She sat upright on the armchair and scolded them, "You two have no sense of propriety. It would be fine if you embarrassed Jiang at home, but why are you suppressing her in the Xinyang Marquis's mansion?"
"Now that everything is ruined, you've offended Prime Minister Lu. I'm afraid my brother's future will be affected by you. Tell me what to do."
The Zhang and Wei families came from high-class backgrounds. They grew up reading "Nujie" and "Nuxun", and the idea that husband is the most important thing for them is deeply ingrained in them.
They knew they had gotten into great trouble. They exchanged a look of trepidation. Zhang, being the elder, spoke first, "Your daughter-in-law is young and inexperienced, so it's natural that she'll panic when things get tough. In your opinion, how should your daughter-in-law make amends for her mistakes?"
Zhang said, "You should go to the eldest wife's house and apologize to Jiang. Jiang comes from a humble family and has never seen the world. I'm sure that seeing you sisters-in-law being so humble will calm her anger."
Zhang and Wei looked down on Jiang Rong from the bottom of their hearts, but what could they do? When you are under someone's roof, you have to bow your head and make plans for your husband's future.
When they arrived at the main room, Wei lowered her head and apologized to Jiang Rong with a shy look on her face: "Sister-in-law, I was wrong about what happened yesterday. I was reckless and didn't control my words, so I did something wrong. Please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me."
As she spoke, she put a mutton-fat jade bracelet on Jiang Rong's wrist: "This bracelet has a warm texture and is a perfect match for you, my sister-in-law. I hope you don't mind it."
Jiang Rong was used to being docile, and Wei's attitude was particularly attentive, so she instinctively wanted to forgive Wei, but when she thought of Jiang Shu's instructions, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
Her elder sister told her that it is good for a woman to be gentle, but she must also have a sharp edge, otherwise she will be at the mercy of others.
Jiang Rong straightened her back. She was now the mistress of the first house, and her status was higher than Wei's. Why should she let Wei control her?
She slipped the mutton-fat jade bracelet off her wrist and said stiffly, "Once words are spoken, they can be taken back. Second sister-in-law is not young anymore. She should be responsible for her words and actions."
"Your bracelet is too valuable. Please take it away. I can't afford it."
Jiang Rong had never spoken to anyone like this before, and she felt a little timid after she finished speaking. Although she was right, she felt as if she had done something wrong.
She didn't dare look at Wei and Zhang any longer, and quickly called Fang Yu over, raising her voice and saying, "Show them away quickly. I'm tired and need to go to sleep for a while."
Seeing Jiang Rong's attitude, Zhang silently put the prepared apology gift back into her sleeve pocket.
Fang Yu was much calmer than Jiang Rong. She gestured to Zhang and Wei: "Please come in, madams!"
Zhang and Wei were like drowned dogs and were asked to leave the house.
When she had some free time, Jiang Rong leaned back on the couch and sighed softly. She hadn't performed well just now. She should have spoken in a softer tone and her words should have been sharper!
She will definitely perform well next time she gets the chance.
The moon was above the treetops. Lu Changji returned to Canaan Courtyard and walked into the bedroom. He saw Jiang Shu curled up on the couch reading a storybook.
She has little education and doesn't usually like reading storybooks. Recently, because she is not in good spirits to do needlework, she uses storybooks as a pastime.
Lu Changji did not disturb her. He stood quietly at the door and waited until she closed the notebook before he went into the house.
He sat down next to her and asked, "Is the incense you're using today fragrant?"
Jiang Shu said it was okay: "I had two shepherd's purse stuffed buns in the evening, and the beef soup was also delicious."
Lu Changji felt relieved when he saw that Jiang Shu's face was not as pale as before.
He said gently, "The case of Jiang Bin poisoning you has been closed. The Dali Temple has issued a verdict, exiling him to Lingnan. What are your thoughts?"
Before he met Jiang Shu, he enforced the law impartially and was very upright. However, after he met Jiang Shu, he realized that there is no absolute fairness in the world.
Lu Changji climbed to the top of all officials, and only he knew the hardships and sufferings he had endured. He suffered so much just to protect his sweetheart. As long as Jiang Shu was happy, it didn't matter if he was partial to her or cheated.
Jiang Shu shook her head. She wasn't interested in Jiang Bin's life or death. She only cared about Jiang Rong's situation.
She said to Lu Changji, "I want to stay at the Lin family for a while."
Lu Changji paused slightly. He had been living with her day and night these past few days, just like an ordinary couple. He had never felt so comfortable and at ease as he did now. He was not happy about the thought of being separated from her for a short time.
Seeing Lu Changji hesitate, Jiang Shu's voice sank: "You promised me that you wouldn't restrict my actions."
Lu Changji didn't dare to disobey Jiang Shu's decision. He nodded and said softly, "What time do you leave tomorrow? I'll take you there."
Jiang Shu talked for an hour and then stopped talking.
The bright moonlight streamed into the room through the window, casting a beautiful shadow. Jiang Shu suddenly became interested and said to Lu Changji, "I want to sit outside for a while. The moonlight tonight is very beautiful."
It was a rare opportunity for her to appreciate the moon. Lu Changji was very happy and took Jiang Shu's hand and went out with her.
The moonlight is bright and the stars are shining. In early winter, most of the flowers and trees have withered, and only the green bamboos stand tall and graceful.
A breeze blew by, and the bamboo leaves made a rustling sound. Jiang Shu was wearing a padded jacket, but Lu Changji was still afraid that she would be cold, so he took off his cloak and draped it over Jiang Shu's shoulders.
Lu Changji's cloak was soaked with the smell of ink. Jiang Shu didn't dislike this smell before, but now when she smelled it, she felt her stomach churning and a hot current rushed to her throat.
She leaned over and vomited with a "wow".
Lu Changji instinctively rubbed Jiang Shu's back to soothe her. After Jiang Shu finished vomiting and rinsing her mouth, a trace of bitterness and helplessness flashed in his eyes.
Except for that time, Jiang Shu was always unwilling to get close to him. Even when they slept on the same bed, they used separate quilts.
He just thought Jiang Shu was angry, but he didn't expect that she would hate him so much.
He stared straight at Jiang Shu, his jaw tensed, and said in a hoarse voice, "Do you hate me so much?"
I hate it so much that even putting on his cloak makes me feel sick.
Although she had rinsed her mouth, Jiang Shu still felt uncomfortable. She didn't want to argue with Lu Changji in vain. Her eyes were fixed on the bamboo in the corner, staring at the swaying bamboo leaves in a daze.
Looking at Jiang Shu's silent attitude, Lu Changji's heart ached, as if an invisible hand had strangled his throat. Although it was not fatal, it made him almost suffocate.
He originally thought that as long as he kept her by his side, she would one day be willing to stay with him, but now it seems that even if the two of them are together day and night, she still treats him as nothing!
His tense jaw relaxed a little bit, and Lu Changji chuckled softly, "Jiang Shu, very good, very good."
After saying this, he strode away without saying anything more.
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