Shen Jing said, “Yesterday, I went to the Nine Li Courtyard to see my Second Sister-in-law. Li Rui seized the opportunity and accused me of having an improper relationship with my Second Sister-in-law. She then went to make a scene in front of Great-grandmother.”
He let out a cold laugh and continued, “Mother, look at this daughter-in-law you chose so carefully. She’s eager to throw dirt on her family members. I simply can’t go on living like this.”
“Heavens, has she gone mad?” Ji Lan was greatly shocked. Her first thought was that if such rumors spread, Shen Jing’s official career would be over.
Shen Jing remained silent, blaming even Ji Lan for Li Rui’s actions. He returned to his courtyard, had the maids pack his clothes, and moved straight into the study in the outer courtyard.
When Li Rui returned, Ji Lan immediately summoned her and gave her a severe scolding. Ji Lan had never set rules for Li Rui before, but seeing how unreasonable she had become, she now assumed the role of a stern mother-in-law, ordering Li Rui to come and serve her starting the next morning.
Li Rui was so angry her chest felt like it would explode. She complained to Nanny Lan, “It’s my husband’s fault, so why are they all blaming me? This won’t do. I must go back and tell Grandmother, asking her to uphold justice for me.”
“Oh, my dear young mistress, you absolutely must not do that!” Nanny Lan was so anxious her lips were about to crack. “The Princess is gravely ill, and the Marquis has forbidden anyone from troubling her with such matters. Besides, even if you went back, without any evidence, how could the Princess intervene on your behalf?” A drunken utterance of “Sister Cheng” was certainly not enough.
“Then what am I supposed to do? Should I just endure this? But they’re the ones at fault,” Li Rui cried.
Nanny Lan sighed, “Young Mistress, to be honest, I think you’re overthinking this. You know the young master’s character. He grew up studying the classics and is now an official at court. How could he possibly engage in such shameful behavior?”
As Li Rui was about to accuse Nanny Lan of bullying her too, Nanny Lan quickly continued, “Even if, hypothetically, the person in the young master’s heart is indeed the Second Young Mistress, so what? They’re both married now, and the Second Young Mistress doesn’t interfere with your position. Now that you know about this if you were to gently hint to the young master that you’re aware but show your magnanimity, he would surely be grateful. Look at the mess you’ve created now – even if you were right, you’ve made yourself wrong.”
Li Rui was beginning to understand. The reason she was still here crying instead of taking Jade Girl back to her maiden home was that she knew she wouldn’t fare any better there. Her elder sister-in-law had already started giving her the cold shoulder during her last extended stay. Her father was a good-for-nothing playboy, and her mother was habitually weak. In the past, when the Princess was in good health, she naturally had the Princess’s protection. But now that the Princess was bedridden, Li Rui had no one to rely on.
Li Rui’s fierce words were merely an attempt to intimidate Shen Jing into submission. She was also resentful of how Shen Jing could fancy Ji Cheng – the sister-in-law she utterly despised.
“But should I just let this go? My heart aches so much, I can’t bear it!” Li Rui cried.
It took all of Nanny Lan’s persuasive skills to convince Li Rui to stop making a fuss for the time being.
Although the Old Madam had already silenced the maid Rui Ying Tang about this matter, such gossip was exactly the kind of topic people loved to discuss in their spare time. So, the news spread as if it had grown wings, and soon all the well-informed people knew about it.
As the mistress in charge of household affairs in the second branch, Cui Long naturally had eager informants rushing to tell her the news.
Upon hearing it, Cui Long immediately furrowed her brow. Smart people often share a common flaw: they tend to overthink everything.
As soon as Cui Long heard about the incident Li Rui had exposed, she immediately connected it to Ji Cheng’s illness. Ji Cheng had been perfectly fine and capable of handling affairs, yet she didn’t come forward to arrange her own younger sister-in-law Shen Qian’s marriage. This alone had puzzled Cui Long.
Moreover, Ji Cheng was Shen Jing’s cousin. Before Ji Cheng’s marriage, she had stayed at the Shen residence for a while. Given her beauty, it wouldn’t be surprising if Shen Jing had taken a liking to her.
In Cui Long’s view, when a woman was too beautiful, even if she was unwilling, she couldn’t prevent men from pursuing her.
Otherwise, how could someone who was perfectly fine suddenly be said to be gravely ill and near death, while Shen Che had been nowhere to be seen for days? Cui Long couldn’t help but suspect that Ji Cheng’s “grave illness” was Shen Che’s doing. The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
In the evening, when Shen Yu returned, he only sat briefly in Cui Long’s room before preparing to leave. Since Cui Long was pregnant and couldn’t serve him, he had been spending most nights in Rui Xue’s room.
Even though Cui Long was generous, she feared that Rui Xue might capture Shen Yu’s heart completely. To keep Shen Yu in her room, she wracked her brains daily for conversation topics, as Shen Yu was a man of few words.
The matter of Ji Cheng provided Cui Long with a significant topic, one that Shen Yu couldn’t dismiss with a mere “Mm” or “Oh.”
“My lord,” Cui Long said softly, “Today, Fourth Sister-in-law went to make a scene in front of Great-grandmother, claiming that there was something improper between Fourth Brother and Second Sister-in-law.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Yu immediately frowned, “What impropriety? Was something seen or caught?”
Well, this was something Cui Long couldn’t answer, as no one dared to spread what was said in the Old Madam’s room. “That’s unclear, but Fourth Sister-in-law was making a huge fuss.”
“Absurd!” Shen Yu rebuked. Leaving aside his history with Ji Cheng, how could there possibly be anything between Ji Cheng and Shen Jing? Did they think Shen Che was a pushover? Moreover, Shen Yu knew about the incident on the grasslands – Ji Cheng’s heart belonged only to Ling Ziyun. How could Shen Jing possibly be involved?
“Don’t be like those ignorant women, being suspicious and believing every rumor you hear. This kind of news must not be spread further. Is everyone afraid that this family is too peaceful?” Shen Yu said, “You’re in charge of household affairs now. Why haven’t you disciplined the servants? How dare they gossip about their masters? I have confidence in both Second Sister-in-law’s and Fourth Brother’s characters. They are not that kind of people.”
Cui Long looked at Shen Yu with some surprise. While it made sense that he trusted Shen Jing, she hadn’t expected Shen Yu to have such confidence in Ji Cheng. She quickly said, “Yes, I also know that Second Sister-in-law and Fourth Brother aren’t like that. I’ve already ordered the servants not to spread such rumors.”
Meanwhile, Third Young Mistress Feng Shuang also heard the news. Although she had only recently married into the Shen family, she was very amiable towards the servants and willing to converse with them, so she was well-informed.
In the evening, as Feng Shuang was helping Shen Zhen wash his feet, she said, “Today, Fourth Sister-in-law made a huge scene in Old Madam’s room, speaking very poorly of Second Sister-in-law and claiming there was something improper between her and Fourth Brother. I believe Second Sister-in-law isn’t that kind of person. If you happen to see Second Brother, please advise him to demand evidence and not believe rumors.”
Shen Zhen doubted his ears. “Second Sister-in-law and Fourth Brother? How is that possible?!” Shen Zhen thought to himself, did they think his Second Brother was just for show? He had merely looked at her a couple of times and was beaten up by his Second Brother at the first opportunity. If Shen Jing dared to cuckold him, could he still be alive and well? Moreover, Ji Cheng’s heart still harbored her childhood sweetheart.
Besides, could his bookworm Fourth Brother even do such a thing?
Thinking of this, Shen Zhen said to Feng Shuang, “You’re right. If you hear such things again, tell the gossip to get lost. It’s as if they want the world to be in chaos.”
Despite his words, Shen Zhen couldn’t help but recall his first encounter with Ji Cheng. A beauty emerging from her bath under the moonlight was truly soul-stirring. He wondered if Shen Jing had also been captivated by Ji Cheng’s beauty.
In truth, Shen Zhen no longer harbored any male-female feelings for Ji Cheng. He occasionally reminisced and felt that the current Second Sister-in-law seemed like a different person from the one he had seen back then.
The current Ji Cheng was dignified and elegant, no different from other genteel ladies. If Shen Zhen had first met Ji Cheng in her current state, he wouldn’t have been moved even if she were ten times more beautiful. He simply didn’t like that type of exemplary lady. Rather, it was the Ji Cheng who dared to bathe in a lake on the great grasslands that had stirred his heart.
Lying in bed, Shen Zhen thought to himself that he should indeed inform his Second Brother about this matter. Moreover, his Fourth Brother’s choice of wife was truly unfortunate, daring to spread baseless rumors.
While everyone was thinking about informing Shen Che, he returned to the Nine Li Courtyard late at night two days later.
Ma Yuantong accompanied Shen Che back to the Nine Li Courtyard, supporting him to prevent him from falling.
When Nishang opened the door and saw Shen Che covered in blood, she was terrified. “Young Master!” she exclaimed.
Shen Che weakly said, “Don’t tell anyone I’m back. Help me to the Young Madam’s room.” Nishang quickly took Shen Che from Ma Yuantong’s arms.
Shen Che turned his head to Ma Yuantong and said, “Quickly go prepare the golden and silver fish. I’ll come to administer acupuncture to Acheng later.”
Ma Yuantong worriedly asked, “Acupuncture is extremely draining. Will you be able to handle it with your injuries?”
Shen Che didn’t respond, only glancing at Ma Yuantong, who then fell silent.
Nishang supported Shen Che into the Wooyun Hall. Liu Ye’er and Yu Qian’er immediately woke up and came out. Seeing Shen Che’s pale face and blood-covered body, they trembled in shock.
“Young Master, let me redress your wounds,” Nishang said, trying to help Shen Che sit down.
However, Shen Che struggled to Ji Cheng’s bedside, felt her pulse, and only then relaxed a little. He turned to Yu Qian’er and said, “Go and have someone prepare three large tubs of hot water. I’ll need them soon.”
Yu Qian’er quickly agreed and left.
Shen Che then instructed Liu Ye’er, “Go assist Physician Ma. See if he needs anything.”
After the two maids left, Shen Che finally allowed Nishang to help him remove his clothes and redress his wounds.
When Nishang saw Shen Che’s injuries, tears immediately fell. She quickly covered her mouth to stifle her sobs. Shen Che’s body was covered in scabs as if he had been slashed countless times with a sword. Most dangerously, there was a hole the size of a small finger in his left arm. Due to his rush to return, some wounds had reopened, and fresh blood had completely soaked his clothes.
“Bind it tighter. The Old Madam absolutely must not know about my injuries,” Shen Che said.
Nishang nodded quickly.
By the time Nishang had finished redressing Shen Che’s wounds, Ma Yuantong had prepared the golden and silver fish. The accompanying medicinal broth had also been decocted and poured into the prepared hot water tubs.
Shen Che had Liu Ye’er and Yu Qian’er help Ji Cheng into the inner chamber and place her in the medicinal bath. He then took the silver needle case from Nishang and ordered everyone out, allowing no one to disturb them.
As Ji Cheng was naked for the acupuncture treatment, Shen Che dared not entrust this task to anyone else.
Ji Cheng couldn’t drink the blood of the golden and silver fish, so Shen Che had to hold it in his mouth and feed it to her mouth-to-mouth.
During this time, Ji Cheng’s body continuously exuded black sweat droplets. Only after changing the water three times did the sweat droplets become clear.
Shen Che applied needles to all of Ji Cheng’s major acupoints to allow the medicinal effects to work faster in her body. Otherwise, the blood of the golden and silver fish would lose its potency over time.
Time ticked by slowly. Liu Ye’er and the others waited outside for what seemed like an eternity before they finally heard Shen Che say, “It’s done.”
When Liu Ye’er entered, she saw Shen Che collapsed unconscious by the wooden tub. She screamed in fright, and it took all three of them—her, Nishang, and Yu Qian’er—to carry him out.
Seeing Shen Che’s condition, Ma Yuantong started scolding, “Can’t you be more careful? Always push yourself too hard. Quick, get him to the couch. We don’t want your Young Master taking the coffin meant for your Young Madam.”
Ma Yuantong’s crude words frightened all three maids to tears.
After the treatment, Ji Cheng slept for another day and night before waking up. When she opened her eyes, Liu Ye’er and Yu Qian’er burst into tears.
“Young Madam, you’re finally awake,” Yu Qian’er sobbed.
Having been bedridden for so long, Ji Cheng was extremely weak, not even having the strength to sit up. She turned her head, looking around but not seeing Shen Che. With a hoarse voice, she asked, “Where is my husband?”
Ji Cheng felt as if she had slept for a very long time and had a long, vivid dream. In her dream, she saw Shen Che covered in blood, feeding her with his blood. This had startled her awake.
Yu Qian’er was about to answer when Liu Ye’er grabbed her arm to stop her.
Ji Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, and she tried to get up, but her limbs were weak. She had barely risen halfway before falling back, fortunately caught by Liu Ye’er.
Ji Cheng anxiously said, “What happened to my husband? Don’t try to fool me, I saw it in my dream.”
Liu Ye’er and Yu Qian’er exchanged glances. Seeing Ji Cheng’s distress, they dared not conceal the truth any longer, fearing her imagination might run wild.
Upon hearing that Shen Che was injured, Ji Cheng insisted on getting out of bed. Unfortunately, she hadn’t eaten a grain of rice in days, surviving only on life-saving pills and rice porridge, leaving her with no strength.
Liu Ye’er and Yu Qian’er tried to persuade her to stay in bed, but Ji Cheng wouldn’t rest until she saw Shen Che with her own eyes. In her mind, if nothing had happened to Shen Che, he would have come to see her already.
Finally, unable to dissuade her, Liu Ye’er called for servants to bring a bamboo palanquin to carry Ji Cheng to the main courtyard. Liu Ye’er and the others couldn’t enter, so Nishang supported Ji Cheng inside.
As soon as Ji Cheng entered the room, she saw Shen Che lying on the bedding with his eyes closed. His face was deathly pale, without a hint of color, even his lips were white. Shocked, she collapsed onto the rush mat.
“Pull back the blanket. I want to see,” Ji Cheng instructed Nishang.
“Young Madam,” Nishang called out worriedly.
Ji Cheng closed her eyes briefly and said, “I told you to pull back the blanket.”
Beneath the blanket, Shen Che had been wrapped up like a dumpling by the vengeful Ma Yuantong. Upon seeing this, tears immediately fell from Ji Cheng’s eyes, coincidentally landing on Shen Che’s eyelids.
Shen Che’s eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes.
Ji Cheng burst into audible sobs, “I dreamed you were bleeding so much, and you were almost eaten by a strange fish.”
“Why are you here?” Shen Che tried to raise his hand to comfort Ji Cheng by patting her head but found his hands bound by Ma Yuantong. Inwardly, Shen Che cursed Ma Yuantong. “Be good, don’t cry. I’m fine. You shouldn’t be distressed now; the medicine hasn’t been fully absorbed yet. You need to sleep more to recover.”
The golden and silver fish were extraordinary, and Ji Cheng couldn’t possibly digest their effects in just one day. She had woken up midway due to the nightmare and insisted on seeing Shen Che to put her mind at ease. Now that she saw he hadn’t been eaten by monsters, she let out a big sigh of relief. With her willpower no longer supporting her body, she simply lay down beside Shen Che. “I’ll just lie here next to you. I can’t sleep if I’m not by your side.”