Chapter 185 Holding his hand tightly and refusing to let go
The study contains the couch that Shen Ci'an used to occasionally take a nap before his marriage.
Lu Yuan carefully placed Jiang Zhi on the bed, took off her shoes and socks, covered her with a blanket, and then instructed Qingxing to bring in a hot water bottle.
In the darkness, Jiang Zhi's sleeping face was serene and peaceful. Lu Yuan couldn't help but lean down and place a gentle kiss on her forehead, his rough fingertips tracing across her tightly closed eyelids.
Just as he was about to leave, Jiang Zhi suddenly grabbed his hand.
She was still asleep, probably having a dream. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and she held his hand tightly, refusing to let go.
Lu Yuan tried to pull away, but she gripped him even tighter. So, he could only rub his temples with a headache and sit down on the edge of the couch.
A satisfied smile appeared on Jiang Zhi's face. She hugged his strong and firm arm and fell into a deep sleep.
When Qingxing came in with the hot water bottle, she saw her mistress clinging to Lu Yuan, refusing to let go.
She exclaimed "Ah!" and almost dropped what she was holding.
Lu Yuan frowned and glanced at her, as if blaming her for being too reckless and almost disturbing others.
He reached for the hot water bottle, tested the temperature and found it to be just right, then placed it inside the blanket for her.
Jiang Zhi's hands and feet were both cold.
As the warmth of the hot water bottle touched the soles of her feet, she let out a satisfied sigh in her sleep.
"Lord Lu, this servant wants to help Madam wash her hands and feet." Qingxing brought in a basin of water from outside.
Lu Yuan took the cloth directly from Lu Yuan, saying, "I'll do it."
After saying that, without paying attention to Qingxing's dumbfounded expression, she grabbed Jiang Zhi's slender ankle and placed it on her thigh, then carefully washed it with a cloth dampened with warm water.
He was extremely comfortable doing these things, seemingly not feeling at all that it was a job of serving others; instead, his eyes revealed a serious and solemn look, as if he were dealing with some rare treasure.
The green apricots were simply unbearable to look at.
But she couldn't let the lady spend so much time alone in a room with a mistress.
All we could do was stare.
But Lu Yuan washed her hands and feet, warmed them in his palms for a while, and then put them back in the bedding before getting up.
"Take good care of your wife."
After saying that, he turned and strode away without looking back.
Qingxing couldn't help but mutter to herself.
Lord Lu did all her work, so what was there for her to take care of?
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When Jiang Zhi woke up, it was already broad daylight.
Turning her head, she saw Shen Ci'an's concerned eyes.
"I'm sorry, I drank too much last night," Shen Ci'an said with a look of apology in his eyes. "It was really wrong of me to make Madam take care of me."
Jiang Zhi rubbed her sleepy eyes, feeling a slight headache, and couldn't help but frown.
Shen Ci'an gently massaged her temples with his cool hands to relieve her pain.
"Last night I instructed the eunuchs to serve you only light fruit wines, so why do you still have a headache?" Shen Ci'an asked in confusion.
Jiang Zhi couldn't help but recall the strong liquor that Xiao Xuanyou had given her.
She looked slightly embarrassed and coughed lightly, "Master, you were quite drunk last night, do you remember how you got back?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Ci'an's gaze darkened. "I heard from Steward Lin that my wife and I rode in His Highness the Crown Prince's carriage, and were personally escorted back by Lu Yuan."
It seems he's truly drunk and unconscious.
Jiang Zhi breathed a sigh of relief for some reason.
But Shen Ci'an's heart sank involuntarily.
Last night, Jiang Yunqian came to the dressing room to seduce him. After he tied Jiang Yunqian up, he lost much of his consciousness.
I only remember that the young lady seemed to have come in, and not long after, a man came in and was talking to the young lady. I don't remember anything else.
Is that man Lu Yuan?
But why did they return in the prince's carriage?
Just as they were wondering, Steward Lin rushed in to report that a distinguished guest had arrived—the heir of the Prince of Xiang had come to pay a personal visit.
Shen Ci'an was stunned.
Is Xiao Yunheng, the heir apparent to the Prince of Xiang?
He and Xiao Yunheng had no prior interaction; they had only met twice at banquets and were not even acquaintances.
Why would they suddenly visit without any reason?
Although I was surprised and suspicious, I still had to be polite.
Shen Ci'an had Butler Lin invite the people to the main hall first. He then took the hangover soup and fed it to Jiang Zhi before going to the front hall.
Before Shen Ci'an returned to Kyoto, he heard that his legs had recovered considerably.
The Emperor was overjoyed and held a three-day, three-night banquet in the palace to celebrate the event. He also bestowed countless gold and silver treasures upon Doctor Xue, who had treated Xiao Yunheng's leg.
This is truly a joyous occasion for the capital.
As Shen Ci'an stepped into the front hall, he saw Xiao Yunheng sitting upright in the main seat, his figure as straight as a pine tree, casually skimming the foam from his teacup.
Upon seeing Shen Ci'an enter and bow to him, Xiao Yunheng immediately stood up and stepped forward to help him without any hesitation, saying, "Lord Shen, there's no need for such formalities."
You wouldn't guess at all that he's had a leg disability for many years.
Shen Ci'an's eyes flickered, but his face showed no sign of anything unusual.
The young lady had once reminded herself that the Prince of Xiang's leg injury was very likely faked.
In retrospect, it does seem to have some credibility.
"May I ask what brings the Crown Prince of Xiang to your residence this time?"
Xiao Yunheng said, "I have come here to bother you because I wish to see Madam Shen and apologize to her in person."
"What does the Crown Prince of Xiang mean by this?" Shen Ci'an frowned.
What did he do to Jiang Zhi?
"May I meet Madam Shen first?" Xiao Yunheng's eyes were full of sincerity.
Although Shen Ci'an was wary, he dared not make a decision for Jiang Zhi since it was her business, so he sent someone to invite Jiang Zhi up.
Jiang Zhi was quite surprised to hear that Xiao Yunheng wanted to apologize to her.
She knew that Xiao Yunheng did everything with a purpose, so what ulterior motives did he have this time?
Upon seeing her enter, Xiao Yunheng immediately cupped his hands in greeting. "Madam Shen, what happened at the hunting grounds last time was truly inappropriate. I have come here today specifically to apologize, and I hope Madam Shen can be magnanimous and forgive me."
Jiang Zhi frowned.
The matter of Weichang?
Could it be about the time she and Li Jinyan were kidnapped by the men in black?
“That’s right. It was a misunderstanding on my part that led my subordinate to disrespect Madam Shen, almost causing a disaster,” Xiao Yunheng said. “Now that my subordinate is dead, I have come here today to apologize.”
He clapped his hands, and people outside carried in boxes of jewelry and antiques.
"These are all gifts I am giving to Madam Shen as an apology."
Shen Ci'an, who was standing to the side, spoke up, "Does the Crown Prince of Xiang mean that the mastermind behind causing my wife to fall off the cliff in the hunting grounds was none other than the Crown Prince of Xiang?"
Xiao Yunheng's apology was quite obvious. "I am truly ashamed. However, I did not intend to target Madam Shen at the time. Madam Shen was also an innocent victim. There is no irreconcilable hatred between us."
Jiang Zhi was quite surprised.
Although she had always suspected that he was the one who did it, the man in black was already dead and the scene had been cleaned up very well, so there was no substantial evidence.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yunheng took the initiative to come to his door and admit it.
What exactly does he want to do?
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