To Marry the Elder Brother of One's Late Husband - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Pink and Tender

Jiang Shu had not noticed the change in Lu Changji’s demeanor, her mind entirely focused on repairing the embroidery for him. Once finished, she looked up at him, her lips curving into a seductive arc.

Her peach-blossom lips drew closer and closer to the hem of his robe. With the tip of her pink, tender tongue, she curled the fine silk thread into her mouth and gave a light bite, snapping the thread clean.

The “Azure Sea and Cloud Cliff” pattern trembled incessantly; elsewhere, things also began to sway and waver unsteadily.

Ten days flashed by, and in the blink of an eye, the day arrived for the release of Zhu Ningxue and Jiang Ran. Though they were brought back home, the news of their conspiracy to harm Jiang Shu had spread like wildfire.

In all of Bianjing, no prestigious household would accept a woman with the heart of a snake or scorpion. Not only were they affected, but even the marriage prospects of their siblings were dragged down with them.

When Father Zhu learned that Zhu Ningxue had failed to obtain Jiang Shu’s forgiveness, he feared offending Lu Changji. The moment she returned home, he tried to force her to commit suicide.

Ultimately, women have softer hearts; though Mother Zhu blamed her daughter for being foolish, she couldn’t bear to watch her own flesh and blood be driven to death. She wept and pleaded with Father Zhu for a long time before he finally relented, sparing Zhu Ningxue’s life.

However, she could no longer stay in the Zhu household. That very night, she was sent away to a manor outside the city.

Jiang Ran’s life was not easy either. Jiang Wenhuan was a man who prized reputation above all else. Usually, he would turn a blind eye to her overstepping, but if she endangered the family’s interests, he would never tolerate it.

He glared at her fuming, shouting in a rage, “You muddled, lard-brained thing! Shu’er is your elder sister—why would you plot against her?”

“If she lives with dignity, our family can share in that glory. If she is despised by the Marquis’s manor, do you think our family will still have good days ahead?”

Jiang Wenhuan’s abilities were mediocre, and with no backing, he had long been ignored at the yamen. Since Jiang Shu married into the Xinyang Marquis Manor, not only had his superiors been polite to him, but his official rank had even been promoted by one level.

He had truly felt the benefits of “having someone in court makes for an easy official life,” and he absolutely could not let Jiang Ran offend Jiang Shu and the Marquis’s manor, thereby ruining his bright future.

Jiang Ran felt deeply wronged. She stared at Jiang Wenhuan with eyes full of resentment, saying indignantly, “Father, you are too biased! Just because Jiang Shu climbed into a high-ranking family, you side with her at every turn.”

“If she hadn’t framed me back then, I wouldn’t have been so notorious. If you were truly fair, back then you should have—”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Jiang Wenhuan suddenly stood up, swung his arm, and delivered a stinging slap to Jiang Ran’s face, his eyes turning as dark as cold water.

Jiang Ran had never seen her father like this. She froze on the spot, staring blankly at him.

“Master!” Jiang Ran didn’t know Jiang Wenhuan’s sore spot, but Madame Yang did. Seeing him fly into such a rage, she hurried forward to smooth things over.

“Ran’er is fundamentally kind-hearted, she’s just a bit outspoken. She is your own blood; please do not lower yourself to her level.”

“Truly a wonder—in all my years, I have never seen a ‘kind-hearted’ person who plots to murder her own sister.” Jiang Wenhuan was livid, his hand trembling as he pointed at Jiang Ran. “The family’s reputation has already been ruined by you. I no longer dream of you bringing honor to our name, but there is one thing: you must apologize to your elder sister in person and beg for her forgiveness.”

Jiang Ran remained defiant and wanted to argue further, but then she heard Jiang Wenhuan say: “If you persist in your stubbornness, then go to the countryside and keep that Zhu girl company!”

Having heard his ultimatum, Jiang Ran’s words died in her throat. Raised in luxury, how could she endure a life of hardship? To suffer in the countryside would be worse than death.

Sensing the shift in momentum, Madame Yang followed her husband’s lead: “I will send an invitation to Shu’er right away, asking her back for a small gathering. That will be the time for Ran’er to apologize.”

After Madame Yang offered a flurry of humble and placating words, Jiang Wenhuan’s anger finally subsided. He gave Jiang Ran one last disdainful look, flicked his sleeves, and strode out of the hall.

Once he was out of sight, Madame Yang turned her fury on Jiang Ran: “How can you be so useless? Why on earth did you frame Jiang Shu? She was just about to arrange a great marriage for you. Now that you’ve caused this scene, what will you do if she washes her hands of it?”

Jiang Ran was still unrepentant, raising her voice: “So Jiang Shu is allowed to harm me, but I’m not allowed to strike back? I was just unlucky. If Lu Changji hadn’t interfered, Jiang Shu would likely have been kicked out of the Marquis’s manor by now!”

“Utterly incorrigible,” Madame Yang thought, stifled by her daughter’s retort. She stopped wasting her breath and simply said, “I don’t care what you think in your heart. In short, when Jiang Shu returns home, you must apologize to her in front of your father. He is so furious that if you aren’t submissive, even I won’t be able to protect you!”

Jiang Ran still held her head high in defiance, leaving Madame Yang helpless and jumping with frustration. The mother and daughter parted on bad terms, while Jiang Shu happily returned to the Jiang residence with the invitation.

As Jiang Wenhuan’s rank rose, his status at home also increased, and Madame Yang’s confidence was no longer as high as it once was.

With Jiang Wenhuan present, she was much kinder to Jiang Shu. She even allowed Concubine Lin and Jiang Rong to join them at the table.

Madame Yang smiled at Jiang Shu, saying warmly, “Mother invited you back for no other reason than to have this failure, Jiang Ran, apologize to you in person.”

“You are the eldest in the family; please do not lower yourself to your younger sister’s level. You are flesh and blood, tied by bone and sinew, unlike strangers. I hope you can show her some tolerance.”

After speaking, Madame Yang turned to Jiang Ran: “Ran’er, come quickly and pour tea to apologize to your elder sister.”

Jiang Ran froze where she stood, not moving an inch. Seeing Jiang Wenhuan’s face about to darken again, Madame Yang hurried to Jiang Ran’s side and whispered something in her ear. Only then did Jiang Ran reluctantly pick up the teacup and move sluggishly toward Jiang Shu.

“Elder Sister, what happened a few days ago was my fault. You… you must not hold it against me.”

Jiang Ran’s tone was incredibly stiff and her attitude perfunctory. Jiang Shu, however, didn’t seem to mind at all. She took the cup with a beaming smile and took a light sip.

Seeing Jiang Shu accept the apology, Jiang Wenhuan’s expression finally softened. He ate a few more bites and then left, citing busy official duties.

Madame Yang was still uneasy. She placed a piece of bamboo shoot in Jiang Shu’s bowl and tested the waters: “The summer is hot. Though the mountains are cool, there are many insects. I wonder if the Marchioness has returned from Qingyang Temple?”

Jiang Shu sneered inwardly. Even a clay figurine has a bit of temper; at this point, Madame Yang still wanted her to find a marriage for Jiang Ran.

She had been worried about how to cover her previous lies, but Jiang Ran’s foolishness had provided the perfect excuse.

Jiang Shu finished the bamboo shoot unhurriedly and replied slowly, “Mother-in-law has indeed returned, but I’m afraid the marriage I mentioned before must be canceled.”

“Mother knows my mother-in-law’s character; she is a very proud woman. Knowing that Second Sister colluded with others… She has developed a prejudice against her. Mother-in-law is very firm in her mind, and I am truly powerless to help.”

At this point, what more could Madame Yang say? Jiang Ran had reaped what she sowed. Even with a thousand schemes, it would be in vain.

As Madame Yang was brooding, she suddenly heard Jiang Shu say: “Since we are one family, I cannot simply watch Second Sister waste her youth in the boudoir.”

“In a few days, my father-in-law will hold a banquet at the Marquis’s manor. He loves making friends, so many talented young men will surely attend. At that time, I will bring Second Sister to the manor. As for whether she can seize the opportunity, that will depend on her own luck.”

Jiang Rong’s reputation was poor, but her beauty was exceptional. In elegant clothes, she looked like a pure lotus in water; if dressed vibrantly, she was like a peony in first bloom. If she used some charms on men, she wouldn’t have to worry about securing a marriage.

This was a sudden turn for the better, giving Madame Yang a huge surprise. She hurried to add more food to Jiang Shu’s plate.

This time, Jiang Shu didn’t eat it. She looked directly at Madame Yang and said seriously, “I have done my best for the Second Sister’s marriage. I hope Mother will grant me one condition: regardless of whether this banquet is successful, Mother must never again entertain the idea of making Rong’er someone’s concubine.”

“I am used to being gentle, but I am not without a temper. I have the courage to fight to the bitter end if pushed.”

Jiang Shu used both the carrot and the stick, forcing Madame Yang to compromise. She gave a forced smile: “Though Rong’er is not my biological child, she still calls me Mother. I will certainly see her married off with dignity.”

“Shu’er, rest assured. I will never use Rong’er’s marriage as a bargaining chip again.”

After more superficial pleasantries, Madame Yang excused herself with tiredness, specifically leaving time for Jiang Shu to speak with Concubine Lin.

Concubine Lin could only lament her own uselessness: “It’s all because I have no ability, that you have to stand up and scheme for Rong’er.”

When Jiang Shu was young, she had secretly blamed Concubine Lin for being too weak. As she grew older, she came to understand her mother completely.

Concubine Lin came from a poor background, and Madame Yang held her deed of sale. If Madame Yang wanted to deal with her, it would be as easy as crushing an ant. How could she dare to challenge her?

Jiang Shu simply said it was no trouble: “Rong’er is my biological sister and so gentle; it is only right that I help her.”

After a heart-to-heart talk between mother and daughter, Jiang Shu took her leave. At the door, Concubine Lin held her hand and repeated the old refrain, urging her to win over Lu Changyi and get pregnant quickly.

Jiang Shu felt bitter inside but had no way to say it, only nodding in agreement.

…

Back at the Marquis’s manor, she called for Fang Yu and instructed warmly, “Go out and inquire about the preferences of the Heir of Earl Kaiyang—specifically, his preferences in women.”

Fang Yu belonged to Madame Zhao, but Jiang Shu wasn’t worried about her spreading rumors. Madame Zhao was noble and aloof; even if she scolded Jiang Shu, she did it openly and wouldn’t resort to two-faced schemes.

As Fang Yu left, Jiang Shu went to the outer rooms. Zhu’er couldn’t sit still and was sweeping the courtyard. Jiang Shu walked up and snatched the broom away.

She said urgently, “Your injury isn’t healed yet; you need to rest in bed. Why are you up doing chores?”

Zhu’er replied, “That scoundrel just pushed me; it’s hardly an injury. I’m bored to death staying inside—it’s better to move around. Why is the Second Young Mistress making a mountain out of a molehill?”

Jiang Shu ignored her protests and led her into the room, taking a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and placing it on the table.

She advised, “This ointment is very effective for blood circulation and bruising. Apply it once in the morning and once at night; it should be healed in two or three days.”

After that, she handed a box of pulled-silk candy to Zhu’er: “I know you have a sweet tooth. I specifically bought a box of candy from the Xie family shop on my way back. Just eat them as snacks!”

Zhu’er didn’t stand during the ceremony. After washing her hands, she opened the box and began eating the candy.

…

Coming out of the back rooms, it was time for dinner. With Lu Lin returning home, the whole family had to eat in the main courtyard.

Jiang Shu changed her clothes and went to the main courtyard with Lu Changyi.

Lu Lin sat facing south, directly across from Lu Changfeng. He immediately noticed the wound on Lu Changfeng’s forehead. He frowned in displeasure and said heavily, “Where have you been fooling around again to end up like this?”

It wasn’t that Lu Lin was blaming Lu Changfeng without reason; Lu Changfeng’s private life was truly unspeakable. If not for Hu Lingshuang’s clever methods, he would probably spend more time in the pleasure districts than in the Marquis’s manor.

Before Lu Changfeng could speak, Auntie Hu took over. Her voice was slow and soft as water: “It’s all because San-lang is disappointing; it’s normal for the Marquis to misunderstand him. But the wound on his head is truly…”

She paused appropriately, revealing a hesitant expression.

Madame Zhao couldn’t stand Auntie Hu’s seductive ways. She gave her a sidelong glance and said irritably, “When the master is speaking, what right does a servant like you have to interrupt?”

Auntie Hu came from a decent background, but as a concubine, she had to know her place. Before the primary wife, she had to be humble.

Faced with Madame Zhao’s scolding, Auntie Hu didn’t argue, only turning her gaze toward Lu Lin. Her eyes were lingering, as if coated in honey.

Lu Lin acted as if he didn’t see the tension between his wife and concubine. He asked Lu Changfeng, “What exactly happened to that wound?”

Lu Changfeng took after Auntie Hu with his silver tongue. He told a dramatized version of the events, claiming he was only concerned about the Marquis manor’s century-long legacy and mentioned the issue of heirs, only for Lu Changyi to smash his face in without a word.

Lu Changyi was frail and the only legitimate son, so Lu Lin usually showed him great tolerance. But tolerance has its limits; he couldn’t let him do whatever he wanted without reason.

Lu Lin looked at Lu Changyi and said sternly, “You have reached the age of maturity and should have a legitimate son to inherit the family business. Your third brother’s words were sincere and entirely for your sake. If you aren’t grateful, that’s one thing, but to smash him until he bleeds—where is the grace of an elder brother?”

At the mention of heirs, Lu Changyi was filled with shame, as if everyone already knew his secret ailment. He pressed his thin lips together and didn’t say a word, his already pale face turning even whiter.

Seeing Lu Changyi’s expression, Lu Changfeng became even more certain of his suspicion. He could barely suppress the joy from showing on his face.

The Marquis of Xinyang had three sons. Lu Changji was indeed capable, but he was twenty-six and still unmarried—who knew if he would stay single for life?

Lu Changyi was willing, but he was useless. This vast Xinyang Marquis Manor would likely fall into Lu Changfeng’s hands in the future.

…

After dinner, Lu Changfeng’s steps were much lighter. As for his injured forehead, it was already forgotten.

In stark contrast was Lu Changyi. He left the main courtyard in a fury, wanting to return to Xinchun Pavilion quickly, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. After just a few steps, he was panting for breath.

Jiang Shu knew he was upset. If it were anything else, she could offer some comfort, but regarding his secret illness, she didn’t know how to speak. The two of them stared at the Bixin Lake in a daze.

Just then, a pair of colorful mandarins swam from the opposite shore toward them. The two birds were originally side by side, but as they swam, they actually stacked on top of each other. The one on top was thrusting its body; it was clear at a glance what they were doing.

Jiang Shu’s heart leaped into her throat. She turned to look at Lu Changyi, and as expected, his expression was even gloomier, his eyes filled with rage.

While the mandarins continued their shameless harmony, Lu Changyi’s grip tightened until his knuckles turned white.

Jiang Shu held her breath, trying to minimize her presence. After a while, the servants finally brought the sedan chair to the pavilion.

Only then did Jiang Shu’s tense nerves relax. She walked silently to Lu Changyi’s side and helped him onto the chair.

Lu Changyi didn’t return to Xinchun Pavilion but had the servants take him directly to Jiaochun Garden. Two wild beasts had recently been added there, and Lu Changyi spent most of his time there for amusement.

In the past, Jiang Shu didn’t like him going there, but now, watching his receding back, she felt a sense of relief.

…

The sky grew darker. Lu Changyi had returned to the room, but Jiang Shu huddled in the eastern inner room, unwilling to go back. It wasn’t until Fang Yu knocked on the door to urge her that she reluctantly moved to the bedroom.

As expected, Lu Changyi was already lying on the canopy bed. She spoke a few words to him, then took her sleeping clothes to the washroom to bathe.

She washed herself again and again until the water in the tub grew cold. Jiang Shu dried her hair and walked slowly to the bed.

Lu Changyi was lying on his side facing inward, reading a book. Hearing her footsteps, he moved further inside and lifted his quilt, saying to her, “Come in quickly!”

Scanning the bed, Jiang Shu realized there was only one quilt; her own had been moved somewhere else.

Fingering her sleeve for a moment, she climbed into bed. Lu Changyi took her hand and pulled her toward the candlelight at the head of the bed, spreading out a book.

Jiang Shu had seen that kind of book before. On the eve of her wedding, Concubine Lin had personally tucked several into the bottom of her trunk.

Jiang Shu didn’t want to look at “spring pictures,” especially not with Lu Changyi. If he were normal in that regard, she could refuse him openly. But thinking of his fragile and sensitive nerves, she could only bite the bullet and flip through page after page with him.

What should have been a beautiful thing felt disgusting and nauseating to her. Her girlish expectations had turned completely to ash.

“Do you want it?” Lu Changyi suddenly closed the book, staring straight at Jiang Shu, his eyes shining with a terrifying light.

Jiang Shu’s subconscious reaction was to shake her head, but fortunately, her self-control was immense, and she stopped herself. She didn’t refuse, but she didn’t answer either, just maintaining her current posture.

Lu Changyi gave her a look, leaned over to blow out the candle, and then lay flat on the bed. He took Jiang Shu’s hand and guided it between his legs.

He said tremulously, “Touch it.”

Jiang Shu trembled slightly and slowly grasped it. It was soft to the touch, like the pickled cucumbers she used to eat in the countryside as a child.

“You’ve known for a long time that this part of me is useless, haven’t you? Unless I use aphrodisiacs, I can’t get up again, can I?” Lu Changyi gave a bitter laugh, his voice full of sorrow and helplessness.

Jiang Shu wanted to comfort him, but the facts were right there. In the face of truth, any words were useless.

Lu Changyi knew she wouldn’t answer him. He pinched her chin and pulled her toward his crotch.

“Shu’er, take pity on me, I’m suffering.”

Her stomach churned as if something was about to come up. Jiang Shu pushed him away and stroded out of the room.

The summer was hot, but the moonlight was cold—a clear, bright moon casting a chill.

Her chest was a mess; shame, anger, and disgust intertwined, leaving her heart in turmoil.

She walked quickly under the moonlight, not knowing where she was going, only knowing she had to stay far away from Xinchun Pavilion to vent the frustration in her heart.

Stumbling toward the back garden, she arrived at a rockery and saw a person standing at the top, holding a glass cup and drinking alone under the moon.

He looked casual and unrestrained, his robes fluttering in the wind, looking as if he might ascend to immortality at any moment.

That person was Lu Changji!

Jiang Shu had never seen Lu Changji like this and couldn’t help but stop in her tracks.

Just then, she saw Cheng Yong ascend from the other side of the rockery. He walked quickly to Lu Changji, presented a booklet, and said with cupped hands, “My Lord, this booklet records all the illegal acts committed by Lu Zhun over the past ten years.”

Lu Changji was extraordinarily capable and highly relied upon by the young Emperor. At the age of twenty-six, he had become a Grand Secretary and reached the first rank—a unique feat in history.

“Tall trees catch the wind,” and he was inevitably criticized for supposedly monopolizing state affairs. Lu Zhun, the Minister of Revenue, was the leader of the officials who impeached him.

Lu Changji opened the booklet and flipped through it slowly. Lu Zhun had committed many wrongs, but none of them were fatal.

Truly annoying.

Lu Changji tossed the booklet aside and said calmly to Cheng Yong, “Lu Zhun cannot remain. Go to Changyong Street yourself; be clean and do not leave any evidence.”

The Lu family was a prestigious clan, and their houses occupied an entire street; when others spoke of the Lu family, they used “Changyong Street” as a surrogate name.

Jiang Shu knew Lu Changji couldn’t be as indifferent and kind as he appeared on the surface, but she hadn’t expected him to treat human life like grass, deciding someone’s death so casually.

She knew she had heard something she shouldn’t have.

Fear spread to her limbs. She took a deep breath, turned around, and retraced her steps along the water pavilion toward the garden entrance.

Next to the water pavilion was a row of rooms where one could rest if tired from walking. In the middle of the night, no one should be in the garden, yet at this moment, one room was lit with candlelight.

Jiang Shu didn’t have time to think and rushed forward. Just as she reached the lit room, the door suddenly opened from the inside, and then Hu Lingshuang—disheveled and with a flushed face—stepped out.

Jiang Shu’s breath hitched, cursing her bad luck for repeatedly witnessing things that shouldn’t be seen.

Hu Lingshuang’s waist was as soft as a willow branch, and her legs were trembling, making it very difficult for her to walk.

Jiang Shu didn’t want to be discovered, so she froze in place. But at that moment, she heard footsteps coming from behind her. In the middle of the night, there would be no one else in the garden; the person behind her was undoubtedly Lu Changji.

Could it be that Lu Changji had discovered her?

Her nerves suddenly tightened, her heart raced, and her body became very stiff!

Jiang Shu didn’t dare hesitate anymore. She reached out, pushed open the door next to her, and slipped inside.

The room was pitch black, and she couldn’t see a thing. She was terrified, her fingers clenched together so tightly that her knuckles ached before she unconsciously let go.

Jiang Shu held her breath and listened to the movement outside. In a moment, the steady footsteps reached the door. Her heart tightened further, feeling as if it were being stretched into a thin string.

Fortunately, the footsteps didn’t stop at the door but continued forward.

Fearing that Lu Changji might double back, Jiang Shu stayed in the room for another fifteen minutes before gently opening the door.

Looking as far as she could, the bright moon was still like a jade plate, and the lake water was still clear. Thank heavens, she had escaped danger.

Jiang Shu stepped out of the room and was about to head back to Xinchun Pavilion when a voice suddenly sounded behind her:

“What exactly did my sister-in-law hear just now?”