Whether it was the effect of the medicine or Shen Che’s efforts, Ji Cheng fell asleep as soon as she lay down.
Shen Che quietly instructed Nishang to bring scissors and cut open the bandages, finally allowing his limbs to move freely. As he slightly moved his arm, Ji Cheng instinctively shifted towards him. Once she nestled her face against his arm, she contentedly smacked her lips and drifted back into a deep sleep.
Ji Cheng’s unconscious dependence made Shen Che’s heart melt. He gazed at her for a long while, long enough to count each of her thick eyelashes that resembled delicate fans. Only then did he gently move her hand from his arm, replacing it with his pillow. Seeing that she remained asleep, he rose.
Ma Yuantong entered with medicine, noticing that Shen Che could now stand. He remarked sarcastically, “It seems the Shen family’s martial arts techniques are indeed extraordinary. You were so severely injured and lost so much blood, yet you’re already up?”
Shen Che, good-naturedly ignoring Ma Yuantong’s sarcasm, took the medicine bowl from him and drank it in one gulp. “Thank you for your help this time.”
Rarely seeing Shen Che so sincere, Ma Yuantong still couldn’t muster any goodwill towards him. “You’ve been incredibly lucky this time, narrowly escaping death. Next time something like this happens, don’t come to me. I can’t handle such stress.”
He then leaned in to examine Shen Che’s face closely. “How is it that with injuries all over your body, your face remains unscathed?”
Shen Che couldn’t be bothered with Ma Yuantong’s jealousy. He and Chu De had always envied his looks. Of course, Shen Che would never admit that he subconsciously protected his face, having noticed that Ji Cheng seemed to enjoy gazing at him.
After taking the medicine, Shen Che practiced a cycle of his martial arts breathing techniques. When he reopened his eyes, his spirit had noticeably improved. He then had Nishang prepare a bamboo palanquin to carry Ji Cheng back to Woyun Hall, where her maids could better attend to her.
Just as Shen Che arrived at Woyun Hall, a young servant reported that Shen Zheng had arrived.
After a moment’s consideration, Shen Che invited Shen Zheng up.
Upon entering and seeing Shen Che’s pale complexion, Shen Zheng bellowed, “Second Brother, what’s wrong? You’re so pale, are you injured?” Shen Zheng, a martial artist who spent years in military camps, spoke much louder than other members of the Shen family.
Shen Che frowned, worried he might wake Ji Cheng. “Can’t you speak more quietly?”
Seeing Shen Che’s displeasure, Shen Zheng assumed it was due to recent events. “Second Brother, when did you return? Have you heard about that incident?”
Shen Che genuinely hadn’t heard anything. Nishang wouldn’t dare mention it on her own, and Liuye and Yuqian hadn’t left the house in days, oblivious to any news. Typically, those directly involved are the last to learn of such rumors.
Shen Che gave Shen Zheng a cool glance, prompting him to explain everything. “Second Brother, please don’t believe the rumors. You know Fourth Brother’s character, how could he possibly have an improper relationship with Second Sister-in-law?”
Shen Che narrowed his eyes, casting a sharp glance at Nishang.
Nishang quickly stepped forward. “This servant hadn’t yet had the chance to inform Young Master. When you returned the night before last, you were gravely injured and then unconscious. I had no opportunity to report this.”
Shen Che asked, “What happened?”
Only then did Shen Zheng realize he had blundered. His Second Brother knew nothing of the matter. He had rushed over as a peacemaker, fearing a rift between the brothers, but his good intentions had backfired.
Nishang then recounted the entire incident caused by Li Rui.
Liuye, who had been watching over Ji Cheng in the east wing, overheard the conversation. Startled, she rushed out and knelt before Shen Che with a thud.
“Young Master, our Young Madam is innocent. Fourth Young Madam is so cruel, trying to drive our Young Madam to her death. That night, the Fourth Young Master did come to Jiuli Courtyard, but Young Madam had taken the life-saving pill and was fast asleep. Fourth Young Master came because he heard of Young Madam’s illness, intending only to see her one last time. He merely stood at the door briefly before leaving. It wasn’t at all the secret rendezvous Fourth Young Madam claimed. Young Master, you must seek justice for our Young Madam!” Liuye pleaded, weeping and repeatedly kowtowing.
Hearing this, the veins on Shen Che’s forehead bulged. He knew all too well the power of such rumors. Two innocent people could never clear their names once enough people spread falsehoods.
Seeing Shen Che’s anger, Shen Zheng mistakenly thought it was due to the perceived infidelity. He quickly added, “Yes, yes, Second Brother, you heard what Liuye said. Fourth Brother only came to visit a sick person. How could there be anything improper?”
Shen Che gave Shen Zheng a cool look. “Do you think I don’t know my wife and brother’s characters, that I would believe baseless rumors?”
Shen Zheng fell silent, thinking to himself that this was a case of biting the hand that feeds you. He had only been concerned about his Second Brother’s feelings, especially given the couple’s previous troubles on the grasslands. With these two incidents combined, he feared Shen Che might act irrationally.
After dismissing Shen Zheng, Shen Che changed his clothes and went to Old Madam’s Ruiying Hall.
Upon seeing Shen Che, Old Madam naturally expressed her concern, finally relaxing when she heard that Ji Cheng was out of danger. “Some things have happened these past few days concerning your wife. Since you weren’t here, I haven’t dealt with them yet.”
Shen Che replied, “I’ve already been informed.”
“Your Fourth Sister-in-law has been causing a terrible fuss, making accusations without any real evidence. She didn’t even consider that we still had many relatives and friends visiting, and just created chaos. We’ve finally seen off the guests in the past two days. Now that you’re back, how do you think we should handle this?”
Old Madam’s words clearly showed that she didn’t believe Li Rui at all.
Of course, Old Madam had conducted her thorough investigation privately. Ji Cheng and Shen Jing were indeed innocent. Back when Ji Cheng lived in Tiemao Hutong, Ji Lan, not wanting her as a daughter-in-law, had been very strict, rarely allowing Shen Jing to return home from Dongshan Academy.
Shen Che coldly stated, “Li Rui is trying to drive Acheng to her death.” It was fortunate that Ji Cheng had been unconscious; if she had been awake and learned of this, something terrible might have happened.
Old Madam sighed, “Alas, we’ve failed in choosing both a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter-in-law. It’s truly a sign of family decline.”
Shen Che comforted Old Madam, “Ancestor, don’t worry. I’ll handle this matter. If you want to replace your granddaughter-in-law, isn’t that simple?”
Old Madam quickly retorted, “Don’t be ridiculous. She’s still Yu’er’s mother. Besides, Princess Zhenping is gravely ill now. We can’t add to her troubles.”
Old Madam had set the tone. Shen Che nodded, “I understand.”
While Shen Che had a plan, Li Rui was also quite confident. She had been waiting impatiently, but finally, Shen Che had returned.
As Shen Che left Ruiying Hall and entered Qing Garden, he encountered Li Rui coming towards him.
Li Rui had dressed up specially for the occasion. Given her plump figure, she wore a deep blue dress with a cinched waist to appear slimmer. She had also put extra effort into her jewelry, making her appearance passable.
“Second Brother,” Li Rui called out sweetly, stopping Shen Che. “Do you have a moment? I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Shen Che glanced at the pavilion on the Youshan corridor. Its elevated position made it difficult for others to overhear conversations, yet it was still in public view, preventing any gossip.
Li Rui then led her maid Caixia to follow Shen Che up to the pavilion.
Caixia carried a scroll painting, which Li Rui took and presented to Shen Che. “Second Brother, please look at this.”
Shen Che accepted and unrolled it, revealing the portrait of Ji Cheng that Shen Jing had painted earlier. Although it bore no seal or date, the style and brushwork were unmistakably Shen Jing’s.
The woman in the painting was vivacious and charming, with beautiful, expressive eyes. It was so lifelike that even the folds of her clothes were intricately detailed, showing the painter’s deep affection and care.
Shen Jing’s feelings for Ji Cheng were evident in every brushstroke.
A few days ago, after Shen Jing moved to the outer courtyard study, Li Rui, furious that no one believed her, went through Shen Jing’s belongings, convinced she would find evidence. This painting was her discovery.
Upon finding the painting, Li Rui was filled with murderous rage towards Ji Cheng. However, she had learned her lesson this time and didn’t rush to make a scene herself. By bringing the painting to Shen Che, she believed that no man would tolerate being cuckolded. If Shen Che had taken action, everything would have been different. Shen Jing was his brother, so he might protect him, but Ji Cheng would surely face dire consequences.
Shen Che smiled slightly and said, “So Fourth Brother has already finished it?”
Li Rui was taken aback, not understanding Shen Che’s meaning.
“In our family, Fourth Brother’s painting skills are the best. Your Second Sister-in-law has been seriously ill, and I feared she might not recover. So I asked Fourth Brother to paint a portrait of her. I didn’t expect him to finish so quickly,” Shen Che explained.
“No, that’s not it,” Li Rui shook her head. “He has romantic feelings for his Second Sister-in-law. He even calls out her name in his dreams.”
“Is that so? It’s just ‘Sister Cheng.’ How do you know he’s calling for Acheng? It could be some other ‘Chen,'” Shen Che smiled. “But I suppose it’s understandable. You’re so plump and dull-witted, it’s no wonder Fourth Brother doesn’t fancy you and has someone else in his heart. You’re upset, so you slander others’ character. But you should never have targeted Acheng.”
Li Rui was completely unprepared to hear such words from Shen Che. He even called her “plump and dull-witted.”
Shen Che stood up coldly and said, “It’s fortunate that Acheng is unharmed. If she had suffered even the slightest misfortune, I would have made your entire Zhongwu Marquis household pay with their lives.”
“You…” Li Rui trembled with rage, unable to utter a word.
Ignoring Li Rui, Shen Che descended from the pavilion.
After Shen Che had gone far, Li Rui finally recovered from his imposing presence and exploded in anger. “What an idiot! He’s the real fool here. His wife cuckolded him, and he still treasures her. He even dares to threaten me. Who does he think he is? If his eldest brother said such things, it might carry some weight.”
Caixia pretended not to hear anything, keeping her head down as she persuaded Li Rui to return to Tiemao Hutong.