To Marry the Elder Brother of One's Late Husband - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: As your brother, I can examine your health…

Perhaps provoked by the argument with Lu Changyi during the day, Lu Changyi developed a high fever shortly after noon. Not only was his body burning hot, but he also coughed incessantly; after coughing, the handkerchief used to wipe his lips was stained with streaks of blood.

Lu Changyi had been frail since childhood, so the servants in the courtyard were used to it. They remained calm, some calling for a doctor and others boiling hot water, everything proceeding in an orderly fashion.

Madame Zhao had only this one son. Upon hearing the news, she rushed to Xinchun Pavilion like a whirlwind. Hearing the doctor say that Lu Changyi’s condition was extremely dangerous, she couldn’t help but weep softly.

Earlier, Master Ji of the Bureau of Astronomy had visited the Xinyang Marquis Manor. Lu Lin had specifically asked him to perform a divination for Lu Changyi. In professional fields, those who are particularly outstanding in one area often lack in others.

Take Master Ji, for instance: he was very skilled at divination, but he spoke without considering the feelings of others, poking directly at people’s sore spots. Master Ji stated bluntly that Lu Changyi had blessings in his life but would be unable to enjoy them, living at most until his twentieth year.

Lu Changyi’s twentieth birthday was only two months away. If he truly couldn’t hold on, what would happen? The more Madame Zhao thought about it, the more sorrowful she became. Her son had been tormented by illness since childhood and hadn’t enjoyed a single day of happiness. If he couldn’t even leave behind a bloodline, wouldn’t his journey through this world have been in vain?

She wiped the tears from her face with a handkerchief and turned to look at Jiang Shu, clearly intending to give her the usual lecture about heirs.

What could Jiang Shu do? At most, she had the will but lacked the power. She quickly diverted the topic before Madame Zhao could speak: “Mother, before breakfast today, the Heir and the Third Brother had some friction. He felt unwell after returning.”

Madame Zhao’s attention indeed shifted. It was one thing for Hu Lan to compete with her for favor, but for her son to dare mistreat her darling heart—if she didn’t discipline them, wouldn’t they start acting like kings on her head?

Madame Zhao flicked her sleeves and walked out of the hall, instructing Nanny Zhou: “Call the Third Brother to Yanxi Hall. Children are like trees; they won’t grow into talent without pruning. They must be beaten into growing straight.”

Within half an hour, news spread that Lu Changfeng had been grounded. Jiang Shu loathed that dissolute brother-in-law from the bottom of her heart; hearing the news, she felt only a sense of satisfaction.

…

The Visit and the Grapes

After three bowls of medicine, Lu Changyi’s coughing eased slightly. Likely due to extreme exhaustion, he soon fell into a heavy sleep. The room was thick with the smell of medicine. Jiang Shu tucked in his covers and stepped out quietly.

Fang Yu stood at the door, waiting for Jiang Shu. She bowed and said softly, “Second Young Mistress, Madame Wen has come to call.”

Madame Wen was meticulous and kind-hearted. Although Jiang Shu had only met her once, she admired her character and quickly asked Fang Yu to invite her in.

Madame Wen walked in first, followed by two maids, each carrying a bamboo basket. They walked cautiously, as if afraid of damaging the contents. Jiang Shu was curious but didn’t ask. She invited Madame Wen to sit and personally brewed a cup of tea.

Madame Wen praised Jiang Shu’s tea-brewing skills. Before marrying, Jiang Shu had spent her days embroidering; it was only after marrying into the Marquis Manor that she learned to brew tea from a nanny. She was an amateur, and while the tea wasn’t bad, it was by no means excellent.

Madame Wen then took the baskets and uncovered them. They were filled with grapes—dark purple, large, and round, clearly of rare quality.

“Yunzhi has a friend serving as a Regional Governor in the Western Regions who returned to the capital yesterday,” Madame Wen said with a smile. “He brought two baskets of grapes. Yunzhi asked me to bring them to you and your sister as thanks for bandaging his wounds. His injury was severe; thanks to your timely help, there was no delay. Our family is eternally grateful.”

Bianjing did not produce grapes; only the distant Western Regions had such delicacies. Jiang Shu had never even seen them before marriage and had only tasted them once since, finding the flavor unforgettable.

Despite her liking for them, she couldn’t accept such a heavy gift. “Vice Minister Lin was severely injured protecting us. It is we who should be thanking him. How could we accept such a gift?”

Madame Wen insisted, “If you wish to thank him, go to his manor. These grapes are his thanks to you; you must accept them.”

After speaking, Madame Wen realized her slip of the tongue. Lin Yunzhi’s wife had passed away, and there was no lady of the house. Even if Jiang Shu visited, there would be no one to receive her. Alas, no matter the household, without a mistress, everything is a mess.

…

The Matchmaking Discussion

Madame Wen sighed softly. Jiang Shu, sensing her worry about Lin Yunzhi’s marriage, tentatively asked, “It is indeed difficult without a mistress. I wonder what kind of woman Vice Minister Lin is looking for as a second wife?”

Madame Wen sighed again. “Yunzhi is a good child but has poor luck. After losing two wives, he was so heartbroken he could barely eat, becoming as thin as a bamboo pole. His devotion isn’t understood; instead, people slander him as a ‘wife-killer.’ With his reputation ruined, what daughter of a good family would marry him?”

“We don’t hope for a noble lady, only someone who can care for him—someone to add a garment when it’s cold or prepare a meal when he returns late.”

Jiang Ran’s background was far below Lin Yunzhi’s, but she was very considerate, fitting Madame Wen’s description. Jiang Shu didn’t state it directly, fearing a rejection might end their acquaintance. She said, “Every family has its troubles. You worry about Vice Minister Lin, while I worry about my third sister. My family’s second sister has a poor reputation, and my third sister is being dragged down by it. She is gentle and virtuous, yet her marriage prospects are always difficult.”

Madame Wen understood the hint immediately. However, the gap between Jiang Rong and Lin Yunzhi was large. Jiang Rong was only fifteen and raised by a concubine. Madame Wen doubted she could handle being the mistress of the Lin household.

Yet, remembering Jiang Rong’s gentle nature, Madame Wen knew she wouldn’t mistreat Lin Yunzhi’s children. Moreover, marrying Jiang Rong would make Lin Yunzhi a relative of Lu Changji, which would benefit his career.

Madame Wen couldn’t decide alone; she had to consult Lin Yunzhi and his mother. She pretended not to catch the meaning and shifted the topic to Jiang Shu’s bracelet. After some small talk, she took her leave.

Madame Wen was efficient; she went straight to the Lin residence. Lin Yunzhi’s mother was a devout Buddhist who rarely meddled in worldly affairs. When Madame Wen explained Jiang Rong’s background and the potential political benefit, Lin Yunzhi’s mother remained impassive.

Madame Wen turned to Lin Yunzhi. “Yun’er, what do you think? The Heir’s wife has given a hint. If you are interested, I will reply; if not, we shall never mention it again.”

Lin Yunzhi remembered the girl who had bandaged his wounds—too shy to look at his face but very meticulous. Such a girl might not be as sharp as others in household management, but she had a soft heart. Given his “wife-killer” reputation, he didn’t expect a noble lady. He told his aunt, “I think the Third Miss Jiang is good. I only wonder what her impression of me is.”

…

The Meeting at the Wen Garden

The next day, Jiang Shu took Jiang Rong to the Wen residence. Madame Wen took them on a tour of the garden.

Jiang Shu focused on the scenery, while Jiang Rong was incredibly shy. Lin Yunzhi was beside her, and she was so stiff she didn’t even dare turn her head. Lin Yunzhi also felt awkward, and the two seemed even more distant than before.

Madame Wen, seeing this, smiled and said to Jiang Shu, “I am older and not as strong as the young ones. Why don’t you accompany me to the pavilion to rest?”

Jiang Shu understood immediately. They led the servants away to give the pair some privacy. From the pavilion, the two women saw the pair sitting in the lakeside pavilion, chatting and smiling, clearly getting along.

Knowing that long private conversations between men and women could cause gossip, Madame Wen sent a nanny after half an hour to bring them to the dining hall.

It was a hot day. When they came out of the pavilion, Jiang Rong was sweating. Madame Wen led them to a guest room with ice blocks to cool down before lunch.

Jiang Shu asked Jiang Rong, “What do you think of Vice Minister Lin? Is he someone to entrust your life to?”

Jiang Rong trusted Jiang Shu most. “When we went to sit in the pavilion, he noticed the stone bench was hot and naturally swapped seats with me so I could sit in the shade.”

Jiang Shu was pleased. It was the small details that showed a person’s character.

…

The Arrival of the Senior Grand Secretary

Meanwhile, Madame Wen was informed that “Lord Lu” had arrived. To her husband Master Wen’s shock, it was the Senior Grand Secretary himself—Lu Changji. Master Wen rushed to the gate in a panic, bowing deeply.

Lu Changji had come under the guise of thanking Master Wen for the troop deployment during the assassin incident, presenting a rare inkstone. Master Wen was terrified and flattered, inviting Lu Changji to stay for lunch.

Lu Changji paused and then slowly nodded.

Master Wen rushed to the dining hall. Madame Wen was setting up a screen to separate the men and women, but Master Wen barked, “Take the screen away! Lord Lu and the Heir’s wife are close relatives; a screen makes it look distant.”

Madame Wen went to the guest room to fetch Jiang Shu. “What a coincidence! Senior Grand Secretary Lu is here as well. Since you are family, we shall all eat together.”

Jiang Shu froze. She didn’t want to be around Lu Changji. She pretended to have a headache: “The sun is so fierce today; I think I have heatstroke. My head is dizzy. Please go ahead without me; I will rest here and return home once I feel better.”

Madame Wen didn’t force her and took Jiang Rong to the dining hall.

The afternoon was sweltering, and the cicadas were loud. Jiang Shu couldn’t sleep, so she went to the garden to cool off.

Walking to a water pavilion, a cool breeze refreshed her. As she stood by the water, she suddenly saw a figure standing by the screen wall—tall, imposing, and unmistakable. It was Lu Changji.

Jiang Shu’s breath caught. She wanted to hide, but with a railing in front and the lake behind, she had nowhere to go.

Lu Changji gazed at her for a moment and said warmly, “I heard you were unwell and didn’t even eat. It just so happens that I am somewhat skilled in the medical arts; I can examine your health for you.”