To Marry the Elder Brother of One's Late Husband - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Lips Brush Against the Awakening Place…

The wooden door collapsed with a bang. Lu Changji stepped into the room to find two burly thugs lying stiffly on the green carpet. Their eyes were tightly shut, their faces ashen, and blood was gushing from their foreheads, slowly soaking into the rug.

Looking up from the thugs’ heads, a black-lacquered wooden stool stood nearby. At that moment, Jiang Shu—with her clothes in disarray and her fragrant shoulders half-exposed—was standing on the stool. She gripped a jagged piece of a broken porcelain vase, her eyes staring blankly at the men in the pool of blood.

Only when she heard the door open did Jiang Shu slowly shift her gaze. She froze for a second, then suddenly leaped down from the stool and hurried to Lu Changji’s side.

Like a drowning person finding a piece of driftwood, she grabbed Lu Changji’s sleeve and stared at him with wide eyes, her voice urgent. “Brother-in-law, I killed someone! I… I…”

Logic dictated that two women would have no chance against two large men, but no one had expected Zhu-er to possess such extraordinary strength. She had swung a heavy armchair and sent one of the men crashing to the floor.

The other man, now on guard, shoved Zhu-er away with brute force and turned to tear at Jiang Shu’s clothes. He remembered his employer’s instructions: as long as he destroyed Jiang Shu’s purity, he would receive a massive reward.

Jiang Shu was delicate; even fighting with all her might, she was no match for the man. In an instant, her clothing was shredded.

At that point, Zhu-er lunged forward and grabbed the man’s collar from behind. Enraged, the man threw a heavy punch at Zhu-er’s face. As Zhu-er reeled, dazed, the man kicked her brutally in the stomach.

Seeing this, Jiang Shu grabbed a nearby vase. Because the man was so tall, she feared she might miss or lack power, so she stood on the stool and used every ounce of strength to smash the vase over his head.

The blood on the carpet spread, and Jiang Shu’s fear intensified. But despite her anxiety, she did not regret it. If it happened again, she would still choose to protect Zhu-er.

Her expression was mournful, her eyes glistening with tears. She looked panicked and pitiful. Her slender body trembled like a willow branch in a winter gale, appearing as though she might snap at any moment.

Lu Changji’s eyes flickered. He pulled his sleeve from her grasp, removed his outer robe, and draped it over her. “With me here, you have nothing to fear,” he said gently. “Now, tell me exactly what happened.”

The large robe covered her, smelling faintly of green bamboo. The scent was cool and soothing, quickly dispelling the terror in her heart and allowing her to regain her composure.

She stood straight and first ordered someone to take Zhu-er to a clinic for treatment before recounting the entire ordeal to Lu Changji.

Lu Changji, who oversaw the Ministry of Justice and had presided over countless cases, only needed to hear the beginning to deduce the motive of the person behind the thugs.

He looked down at Jiang Shu and said in a low voice, “I will have guards escort you back to the estate. Once there, rest well and act as if nothing happened. In three days, I will give you an explanation.”

To act as if nothing happened meant he intended to help her conceal the incident.

Though Jiang Shu had not lost her virtue, her clothes had been torn to rags. If word got out that she had been exposed before criminals, she would never be able to hold her head high again.

Jiang Shu, who had been sick with worry, finally felt her heart settle. She knew that no matter how thorny the problem, he could solve it perfectly. Lu Changji had always been a presence that inspired trust and peace.

Given the urgency, Jiang Shu didn’t say more. She bowed deeply to him and followed his attendants downstairs.

…

Jiang Ran and Zhu Ningxue sat leisurely in their room, sipping tea and eating pastries while waiting for “good news.” They were puzzled when no commotion occurred.

Both being impatient, they eventually couldn’t sit still and went next door to investigate.

Before they could even reach the private room, a sharp, powerful pressure slammed into them. They looked up; Jiang Shu was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Lu Changji stood in the center of the room, as upright as a pine tree.

Having held high office for so long, Lu Changji’s authority was bone-deep. When he didn’t restrain his aura, even high-ranking provincial officials trembled before him, let alone two sheltered young girls.

Cowed by his gaze, Jiang Ran bowed respectfully. “L-Lord Lu…”

Lu Changji ignored her and turned his gaze to Zhu Ningxue.

Zhu Ningxue was steadier than Jiang Ran, though her mind was more poisonous. She said, “Just now, this lady and the second Miss Jiang were having tea next door when we heard a cry for help from the Heir’s wife. We also heard a man’s low growls. Worried for her, we rushed over. Did you also hear her cries, Lord Lu, and come to her rescue?”

Zhu Ningxue didn’t know what had happened inside. She wasn’t sure if Jiang Shu had escaped before Lu Changji arrived, or if Lu Changji was protecting her by hiding her.

If it were the former, her words would inform Lu Changji that Jiang Shu had been “defiled.” If it were the latter, it didn’t matter; even if Lu Changji covered for her to save the Lu family’s face, how could a “ruined” woman be allowed to continue living in the Marquis’s house behind closed doors?

The more Zhu Ningxue thought, the more she admired her own wit. But Lu Changji’s gaze turned freezing, as if he intended to slice her apart piece by piece.

In the silence of the room, Zhu Ningxue’s nerves stretched like a bowstring. Lu Changji opened his thin lips, his voice cool and clear. “The Heir’s wife is clever. Knowing someone intended to frame her, she never even stepped foot in this room. She asked me to detain these criminals and take them to the Ministry of Justice.”

“It seems you have suffered a fit of madness to hear sounds that do not exist. You should go home and see a doctor.”

Lu Changji’s lips curled slightly as he stared at the two girls, his gaze suddenly becoming razor-sharp. “These two thugs had no grievance with the Heir’s wife; they wouldn’t harm her for no reason. Once I find the mastermind behind them, I will handle the matter justly and bring them to the law.”

His voice was gentle, yet it made Jiang Ran and Zhu Ningxue feel as though thorns were pressing against their backs. Their legs shook so violently they could barely stand until he left.

…

Jiang Shu returned to Xinchun Pavilion. As soon as she entered the flower hall, she saw Lady Zhao sitting angrily in a rosewood chair. Lady Zhao snapped immediately, “The Heir is burning with fever and unconscious, yet you aren’t by his side. Instead, you’re out enjoying yourself. How very carefree! Has our estate married a grandmother into the family?”

Lu Changyi’s health had just begun to improve; why was he feverish again?

Jiang Shu didn’t bother responding to Lady Zhao and rushed into the inner chamber. Despite the summer heat, a medicinal pot was simmering in the room, the thick scent almost making her dizzy.

She walked to the bed. Dr. Wen was administering acupuncture; Lu Changyi’s thin back was covered in fine silver needles.

Jiang Shu asked softly, “Dr. Wen, the Heir’s health was improving. Why the sudden fever?”

Dr. Wen inserted the final needle, washed his hands, and said, “The Heir’s pulse is weak and floating, like wood on water. Tell me, has he engaged in anything physically or mentally taxing recently?”

Taxing? Jiang Shu remembered that for the past month, he had walked to Yanxi Hall every day. For a normal person, a mile’s walk was nothing, but for Lu Changyi, who had been plagued by illness since childhood, it was a massive strain.

She replied honestly, “The Heir has been walking to Yanxi Hall daily. Is the distance too far for his body?”

The doctor nodded. “For others, walking strengthens the body. But the Heir’s foundation is too weak. He cannot handle any fatigue. Heaven was kind this time; it is just a fever. If he overexerts himself again, the consequences will be dire. You must persuade him not to go out for walks.”

Jiang Shu nodded and saw the doctor out.

By evening, Lu Changyi woke up and immediately demanded to exercise. Jiang Shu had to soothe him: “The weather is like a furnace. Why go out now? Wait until it’s cooler to strengthen your body.”

She knew the “unconsummated marriage” was his biggest insecurity. If he knew he was too weak even for a stroll, he would be devastated, so she spoke tactfully. Yet he was stubborn and called for his servant to bring his robe.

Just then, servants announced that the Third Master and his wife had come to visit. Only then did Lu Changyi stop and lean back against the pillows.

Lu Changfeng and Hu Lingshuang entered. Hu Lingshuang was already arrogant, and with her pregnancy, she was even more so. She didn’t even greet Jiang Shu before sitting down.

Lu Changfeng didn’t correct her. Instead, he said to Jiang Shu, “Shuang-er is weary from her pregnancy. That chair is too hard. Could my sister-in-law bring her a cushioned stool?”

Jiang Shu didn’t care about such trifles and had Fang Yu bring a stool. Hu Lingshuang leaned back lazily as if she owned the place.

Lu Changfeng smiled and asked Lu Changyi, “Is the Second Brother feeling better?”

Lu Changyi was already incensed by Hu-shi’s rudeness. Because she was his sister-in-law, he couldn’t explode, but his voice was cold. “Thanks to you, I’m still hanging on by a thread.”

Lu Changfeng ignored the hostility. “I brought you a century-old ginseng. Have it brewed to supplement your strength. Once you’re better, you can produce heirs for the Lu family and fulfill Father’s wishes.”

Lu Changfeng intended to use the pregnancy to provoke him, but Lu Changyi took it as a mockery of his impotence. He grabbed the medicinal bowl beside him and threw it.

“You disrespectful thing!” he coughed and cursed. “How dare you act so superior to me? I will give you a lesson on Father’s behalf!”

The bowl shattered against Lu Changfeng’s forehead, leaving him bleeding. Hu Lingshuang jumped up in shock to check the wound. Seeing it was a superficial cut, she glared at Lu Changyi. “What a temper, Second Brother! If Third Master was poorly spoken, you could scold him. Why use violence? People would think you were enemies!”

Lu Changfeng’s forehead burned with pain; he wanted to kill Lu Changyi. But Lu Changyi was like a man made of paper; Lu Changfeng dared to mock him verbally but didn’t dare strike back. If anything happened to Lu Changyi, Lady Zhao would skin him alive. He glared at his brother and left with his wife.

Jiang Shu was also startled by the outburst. She hadn’t realized he was so volatile. She said nothing but gently rubbed his back to calm him.

…

Back at Bihua Tower, Lu Changfeng’s wound was bandaged. Once the doctor left, the couple began to whisper.

“I knew he was weak,” Hu Lingshuang grumbled, “but his mind is clearly unstable too. You just encouraged him to have children; why the violence?”

Why indeed? A thought struck Lu Changfeng. He leaned back in his chair and laughed out loud.

“Have you gone mad?” Hu Lingshuang asked.

Lu Changfeng pulled her close and whispered, “He’s been sickly since birth. Do you think he can’t get it up at all?”

Hu Lingshuang’s eyes widened, and she giggled. “Third Master, you really are…”

“People only get angry when their weaknesses are exposed,” Lu Changfeng sneered. “He was clearly reacting out of shame.”

…

The next day, Lu Changji’s aide, Cheng Yong, arrived. “The Master has detained the mastermind behind the thugs. Does Madam wish to see?”

Jiang Shu was surprised he had found them so quickly. She went with him to the Ministry of Justice. The officials there were as disciplined as Lu Changji.

The jailer led them to the Jin-yi Division, where female relatives of officials were held. Because noble families valued their reputations, this section was mostly empty—except for Jiang Ran and Zhu Ningxue.

Jiang Shu walked up to Zhu Ningxue and, without a word, slapped her hard. A red handprint appeared on Zhu Ningxue’s cheek.

Zhu Ningxue didn’t even dare to cry. Her father had told her that if she didn’t get the Heir’s wife’s forgiveness, she should die for her crime. The Zhu family wouldn’t offend the Grand Secretary for a daughter.

“It was Jiang Ran!” Zhu Ningxue sobbed. “She begged me to introduce the nanny. I made a mistake, but I don’t deserve to die! Please, forgive me! I’ll do anything—be your servant, your slave!”

“If my maid wasn’t strong,” Jiang Shu sneered, “I would be the one dead by suicide now. Why should I forgive someone who wanted to destroy me?”

In the next cell, Jiang Ran stared with hatred. She felt safe; she was Jiang Shu’s sister. Would Jiang Shu really send her own sister to her death? Besides, she still held Jiang Shu’s aunt and sister hostage.

Jiang Shu ignored her and left. Cheng Yong said, “The Master wishes to speak with you.”

She entered the inner hall. Lu Changji was working, looking more like a refined scholar than a powerful minister.

He looked up. “The Zhu girl and your sister intended evil, but since they failed, the law mandates ten days of detention and twenty strokes of the cane. Do you have other thoughts? If you wish to be harsher, there are ways.”

Jiang Shu was stunned. She had heard of his absolute integrity. Lu Changji saw her thoughts and smiled faintly. “No one becomes a powerful minister solely by being ‘upright.’ You are still a bit naive, Sister-in-law.”

Jiang Shu blushed. “I appreciate your kindness, but please just follow the law.”

The room fell silent. Jiang Shu, feeling awkward, sipped her tea and prepared to leave. She then noticed a snag in the embroidery of his “Blue Sea and Cloud Cliff” pattern on his robe.

“Brother-in-law,” she whispered, “the embroidery is snagged. Let me fix it for you.”

Since the Ministry was full of men, no one else could do it. Lu Changji nodded and had Cheng Yong buy a needle and thread.

Jiang Shu was skilled. It only needed ten stitches. Normally, he should have taken the robe off, but thinking of Lady Zhao’s pressure, she knelt directly before him.

Her head was lowered, her face close to his lap. As her fingers moved up and down with the needle, her head swayed slightly. From Lu Changji’s angle, it looked as if she were…

The place that had been quiet for days suddenly showed signs of awakening.