Chapter 76 They were a couple destined to grow old together...
Fearing that she might touch Wei Qin's wound, Jiang Yinyue was like a fish on a chopping board, letting Wei Qin do as he pleased, not daring to struggle even when her coat was pushed up to three inches above her navel.
Jiang Yinyue was well-proportioned, with a soft and bouncy white belly that had no excess fat but felt plump to the touch. Her waist dimples were perfectly recessed, outlining a graceful curve, which Wei Qin meticulously depicted.
Wei Qin's rough calluses sank into the incredibly soft and elastic material, leaving behind numerous finger marks.
"Don't pinch me."
Jiang Yinyue groaned in a muffled voice. If it weren't for Wei Qin's injury, she wouldn't have been forced to lie on the bed and be at his mercy.
Wei Qin lingered on that smooth skin, reluctant to let go, as if playing with a piece of smooth and delicate white jade.
"Go get some candied fruit."
Jiang Yinyue, dazed from the kiss, looked blank for a moment, which softened Wei Qin's heart. He endured the sharp pain in his chest, turned to his side and kissed her cheek, then lay flat to ease the pain in his wound.
Jiang Yinyue got up, tidied her messy long hair, and ran to the door to call someone to bring the box.
"One, two, three."
She selected three different candied fruits from the box, returned to the bedside, and fed them to Wei Qin one by one.
Sweet and sour, salty and sweet, refreshing and sweet, just like the flavors they tasted during their reconciliation: parting ways unhappily amidst bitterness, tormenting each other in saltiness, and holding each other tightly in sweetness.
Wei Qin savored the taste of the candied fruit, then raised his hand and stroked her cheek.
"Feel sorry."
I'm sorry I lied to you.
Jiang Yinyue felt a lump in her throat, but instead of responding, she rubbed her cheek against his palm as a form of reply.
"Your cooperation with the physician to recover quickly is the best compensation for me."
"good."
Jiang Yinyue pouted, looking both fierce and coquettish, but her movements as she tucked the blanket around Wei Qin were gentle and tender.
She lay by the bedside, keeping the sleeping man company, her heart finding peace in the small room with its flickering candlelight.
The next day, at the crack of dawn, Wei Qin woke up to a soft female voice. He heard a familiar voice and saw a busy figure moving back and forth, methodically taking care of things.
"Go to the market and buy some lilies and white fungus to make porridge."
"Avoid spicy food for wounds, and remember to remove the dried ginger from the ginseng soup."
"Steam the fish until it's tender, and add some minced lean meat to the steamed egg custard."
"Bring the herbal medicine over as soon as it's ready, don't delay."
The maids and old women outside responded one by one.
The door creaked open and closed, and before anyone even reached the bedside, the aroma of pears wafted through the air, mingling with the cool breeze from outside.
"You're awake."
Jiang Yinyue covered Wei Qin's forehead and immediately summoned the physician to come in and examine his wound.
After fussing over her for most of the hour, Jiang Yinyue closed the door, ran to the bedside, and leaned close to Wei Qin, smiling as she said, "The wound hasn't worsened."
"Thanks to you, Miss."
Jiang Yinyue's smile deepened, and she perched by the bed, wagging her invisible tail.
Wei Qin wanted to hug her, but the wound showed no signs of healing, and the slightest movement would cause it to reopen.
Jiang Yinyue massaged his muscles with great patience and meticulous care. However, her technique was not very skilled; she had just learned it from her father yesterday.
"Is it comfortable?"
"Um."
Despite not feeling particularly comfortable, Wei Qin enjoyed his wife's care and became completely absorbed in it.
During the day, life was peaceful and serene at the Jiang residence, but in the inner palace, turmoil was brewing.
The most favored concubine of the emperor, Consort Xian, and the third prince suddenly disappeared.
Silently.
Empress Dong sent people out of the palace to search for them, which alarmed the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review.
Jiang Song and Xie Xun were brought to Kunning Palace.
"The Consort Xian has disappeared, but the two officials remain unmoved and very calm."
Jiang Song laughed and said, "Finding people should still be left to the Dali Temple."
"Don't joke around. The secret police under Minister Jiang are all experts at finding people."
The two pushed each other back and forth, clearly indicating that they were condoning the escape of Consort Xian and her son.
Empress Dong should have felt relieved that she had driven away Consort Xian without firing a single shot, but old grudges were hard to quell, and she could not appease Consort Xian's anger without personally punishing her.
Furthermore, Xie Xun, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is the head of the Third Prince's faction, so he should be even more anxious! If the Third Prince gives up on vying for the throne, won't all of Xie Xun's plans fall apart?
Jiang Song took in the Empress's reaction and was glad that his daughter had not married the Crown Prince. He thought that such a mother-in-law who could not distinguish right from wrong would treat her daughter-in-law well.
As the two powerful ministers walked out of Kunning Palace, they inevitably exchanged pleasantries. Jiang Song had already learned from his son-in-law that Xie Xun was one of his own.
"Lord Xie has shown kindness and righteousness to Consort Xian and her son. He did not take advantage of their misfortune, and even helped them leave the city."
"I don't understand what Minister Jiang is saying."
Jiang Song laughed heartily, took a step forward, and waved his hand behind him.
No wonder the eldest prince's identity was kept completely secret; it was because everyone around him kept their mouths shut. These people had all received favors from Empress Yide to varying degrees. The departed Empress Yide had transformed into wisps of moonlight, remaining in their hearts, unrelated to romance.
Upon arriving at the Emperor's bedchamber, Jiang Song gestured with his chin toward Cao Angui.
The old eunuch understood and dismissed the palace servants from the emperor's presence.
In the empty bedchamber, the sickly Emperor Shunren inexplicably felt a murderous aura. He opened his dark eyes and saw Jiang Song standing by his bedside, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"My dear minister, you have arrived."
I'm awake now.
Jiang Song, who had originally planned to take advantage of the emperor's delirium to press him for the truth about the assassination four years ago, smiled instead, softening his hostility with words of comfort and concern.
Does the fact that the emperor harbored murderous intent toward his daughter mean that the mastermind behind the assassination four years ago was the emperor himself, which explains why the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review both failed in their duties and were unable to uncover the truth?
Jiang Song was eager to know the answer.
But the emperor was now lucid, so he could only feign compliance.
Emperor Shunren asked, "How is Minister Wei's recovery progressing?"
"I am not in any danger to my life, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
"Minister Wei has rendered a great service, and I will certainly reward him handsomely."
Jiang Song bowed and leaned closer, "Your Majesty, there is no rush to reward meritorious service. Should I take the imperial edict to question the Crown Prince?"
Emperor Shunren hesitated, sat blankly on his dragon bed, and after a long while waved his hand to give up.
Once the Crown Prince is deposed, it will implicate the Dong family. Given his current health, will he become Jiang Song's puppet?
If he were healthy and strong, he would naturally want to punish the Crown Prince, support the Guo family, form a new three-way balance of power, and then slowly look for a new heir apparent. But he was no longer able to do so.
A system of checks and balances among the Dong, Cui, and Jiang families is currently the safest approach. We should proceed cautiously, taking it one step at a time.
Jiang Song straightened up, a hint of mockery on his lips. The emperor's concerns were far deeper than his own.
Even the most confused fox is still a fox.
**
On a forest road a hundred miles from the capital, a young girl led a group of people as they sped along, brushing past a horse-drawn carriage.
The girl in the tight-fitting clothes turned her head to look, squinted her eyes, and vaguely saw an old acquaintance.
The boy, who quickly pulled down the curtain, patted his chest, feeling guilty. "Mother, the troops that just passed by are attacking Yangzhou."
Madam Guo tapped her son's head, "From now on, there will be no more 'Mother Consort,' only 'Mother,' understand?"
"I've got it."
The boy held his head in his hands, looking distressed. He still dreamed of making a name for himself!
Hearing the sigh from behind the curtain, Zou Kai, who was driving, reminded him, "There are meat buns in the trunk."
The sighs ceased, and the carefree boy devoured the meat bun, temporarily putting his disappointment behind him.
**
As dusk settled and mist swirled, Jiang Yinyue sat down by the bedside with a bowl of medicine in her hands, feeding Wei Qin spoonful by spoonful.
This time, she was smarter. Before Wei Qin could speak, she offered him a candied fruit and put it in his mouth, asking, "Is it sweet?"
Wei Qin, who doesn't like sweets, put the candied fruit in his mouth and hummed in agreement.
Jiang Yinyue also tried one, and her face scrunched up from the sourness. "Where's the sweetness?"
"Everything the young lady gives me is sweet."
Jiang Yinyue couldn't help but chuckle. Was this person's mouth coated with honey?
Wei Qin's wound showed no signs of healing, so he was not allowed to get out of bed or make any strenuous movements. Jiang Yinyue would massage his muscles every half hour.
The boudoir, heated by the earthen lamp, was somewhat stuffy. Jiang Yinyue was covered in sweat. She wiped her forehead, told Wei Qin not to move around, and ordered a tub of hot water for herself.
A moment later, a loud "bang" came from outside the bathhouse.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Yinyue, who was soaking in the bathtub, trembled with fright. She quickly got up, tore off a towel to wrap her body, and ran out of the bath. She saw a coral pillow lying under the bed, and the man on the bed was fast asleep.
She picked up the coral pillow and patted it. Without thinking much, she took off the cloth and twisted her hair with her back to the bed.
The earth dragon burned brightly, and Wei Qin, who had woken up at some unknown time, felt his heart burn even brighter. He quietly watched as the woman changed into a pomegranate-red nightgown, her graceful figure fully displayed as she bent her knees and lifted her legs.
Wei Qin remained silent until Jiang Yinyue finished dressing and turned around, catching his open eyelids.
"...You're awake."
Jiang Yinyue gave a dry laugh, which sounded worse than crying. "Why aren't you making a sound?"
"You're looking at it too intently."
Forgot to make a sound.
Jiang Yinyue felt her blood rush to her head. He was quite honest, but did he have to be this honest?
"Miss."
"what?"
"It hurts a little."
Jiang Yinyue immediately straightened up, quickly stepped forward, and asked with concern, "Does your wound hurt?"
Wei Qin pointed downwards with utmost seriousness.
Jiang Yinyue, who hadn't quite grasped the situation, looked concerned and lifted the blanket to check, her pretty face turning red.
"you."
She angrily threw down the blanket, turned around and left.
"It really hurts."
Wei Qin's listless words made Jiang Yinyue stop in her tracks. She turned her head and asked in a sullen voice, "You're not lying to me?"
"Do you still dare?"
That's true. Jiang Yinyue turned back to sit down on the bedside, her cheeks burning hot. But then she thought about it again and felt it was only natural. They were husband and wife, a couple who would grow old together in harmony. They shouldn't be so distant.
They were supposed to have done that.
"Close your eyes."
Wei Qin closed his eyes, waiting uncertainly. After a long while, there was an eerie silence by the bedside.
Just as he was about to open his eyes, the source of the pain was relieved.
What's even more bizarre than the strangeness is that indescribable feeling.
At the age of twenty-one, Vice Minister Wei experienced this indescribable beauty for the first time.
He gripped the brocade quilt, parted his thin lips slightly, and breathed softly. A vibrant color rose to his handsome face, his Adam's apple bobbed, covered with a thin layer of sweat. His heart pounded like a drum, aggravating his wounds, but this was concealed by the brocade quilt.
"Miss......"
"Don't talk." Jiang Yinyue said angrily, feeling annoyed.
"Try the other hand."
Jiang Yinyue was furious. He actually dared to pick a fight? But she still changed her sitting posture.
The young woman, furious like a pufferfish, continued to repeat her previous actions.
This technique is a unique secret and cannot be taught.
Is it okay now?
"Again......"
Jiang Yinyue turned her head in disbelief to look at the man lying on his back, noticing that he was breathing too rapidly. "You?"
"fine."
Wei Qin's handsome face was flushed, his brows relaxed, and his phoenix eyes were moist and sparkling. "Continue."
"No, I don't want it."
"I have never asked Miss for anything."
Jiang Yinyue softened once again, frowning as she endured it, and continued to use her unique secret technique.
The night was long, and the woman was so tired that she wanted to lose her temper, but she restrained herself so as not to hurt Wei Qin.
They were both obedient and resentful.
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