Xiao Jingyi felt like a sword returning to its scabbard; every sharp, rebellious edge in his bones was smoothed away, leaving him willing only to drown in that gentleness.
He could not move, and could only follow her rhythm.
Yet after a little while, she would stop to rest, busy herself for another moment, and pause again.
He was left suspended halfway, feeling as uncomfortable as if his entire body had been bitten by ants. Listening to her breathless, weary voice and her increasingly sluggish movements, Xiao Jingyi felt a mix of embarrassment and a persistent sense of grievance.
Why was she out of strength again?
Had she not eaten dinner tonight?
Though he knew he should be tender and considerate toward his wife, he really wanted to throw her into the military camp and make her tie sandbags to her legs for a rigorous drill!
Ah!
After a sporadic flurry of activity for a little over half the night, she finally managed to hold out until he reached the end.
She collapsed, completely exhausted, right against his chest.
Her skin was as smooth as jade, and the subtle fragrance lingering in his nostrils reminded him endlessly that he had fallen under her spell. He felt the rapid, steady thumping of her heart and felt completely tensed and tingling all over.
Having studied poetry and books since childhood and broadened his horizons greatly upon reaching adulthood, he somehow could not find a single suitable phrase to describe the feeling of this exact moment.
Jiang Lingzhi rested for a long while until she felt her strength return somewhat.
She was quite pleased, feeling that her exhaustion today had not been in vain. Since he now had sensation, there was a very high possibility that he would wake up!
After resting a bit longer to recover her energy, she got up to bathe and then retired to the side chamber.
Thinking that since he now had sensation, she ought not to share the same bed with him—she had always been a restless sleeper since childhood and must not disturb him.
Yet unexpectedly, Xiao Jingyi brewed some sullen thoughts over this.
He wondered if she simply regarded him as a tool for producing heirs?
Otherwise, why would she be calling him "husband this, husband that" during intimacy, only to completely ignore him the moment it ended?
However, this awkward stiffness of his lasted only a brief moment before he felt he was being thoroughly unreasonable.
With him lying here paralyzed and unresponsive, wouldn't her sleeping with him be precisely for the sake of continuing the lineage?
Could it possibly be for the sake of any romantic affection?
On second thought, though, he decided this was for the best.
He had no idea in which month or year he would wake up; if she could have a child to rely on within this vast State Duke's Estate, her days would be easier, and his father and mother would certainly protect her.
Thinking this, he smoothed away his awkward thoughts and drifted off to sleep, listening to the steady sound of her breathing from not far away.
......
Just as the sky was turning pale, Jiang Lingzhi struggled to open her eyes.
The moment she moved slightly, she felt sore and aching all over.
Last night, the pain had vanished, and toward the end it had even felt somewhat pleasant, but she was simply exhausted—far too tired, even more so than when she used to work the fields planting rice seedlings all day.
She desperately wanted to linger in the warm bed and sleep the day away.
Out of consideration, Old Madame Xiao had instructed the younger generation in the estate to pay their respects at Rongan Hall only on the first and fifteenth of each month.
Even if she slept here in Shun Garden for the entire day, no one would say a word.
Yet, with yesterday's events weighing on her mind, she propped herself up into a sitting position, pushed open the bedroom door, and instructed, "Di Hong, go wait by Doctor Mu's place. Once he's awake, ask him to come examine the general."
Di Hong was instantly filled with worry. "Madam, is something wrong with the General?"
Jiang Lingzhi hastened to reassure him, "The General is fine. No... well, something is happening, and it might be a good thing. It seems he has regained some sensation... Ah, I can't say for sure either. Hurry, go quickly to Doctor Mu!"
Upon hearing this, Di Hong was practically beside himself with excitement.
Having previously followed the General on military campaigns, he naturally did not put much stock in baseless superstitions.
Yet the Fourth Madam... she really seemed to be a bringer of great fortune to the General!
Di Hong eagerly gave an affirmative reply and turned to dash outside.
After running two steps, he turned back, ran right back, and without another word, kowtowed respectfully to Jiang Lingzhi. "Madam, this subordinate will never forget your immense kindness to the General!"
Jiang Lingzhi hurried to help him up. "Oh, you... I told you not to be so overly formal..."
Not daring to let her support him, Di Hong quickly stood up on his own, raised his sleeve to wipe his face, and said, "Madam, please go back inside. This subordinate is on my way."
Ever since bringing Xiao Jingyi back from Medicine King Valley, Doctor Mu had been persuaded by the Old Madame to stay and live indefinitely in the State Duke's Estate.
Though he possessed the immortal demeanor of a sage, he held a deep respect for General Xiao's character in his speech. Not only did he agree to stay, but he also came twice a day, morning and evening, to take his pulse and ensure his condition was stable.
When Di Hong arrived, the doctor was in the courtyard practicing the Five Animal Frolics. Hearing what Di Hong had to say, he grew equally excited.
He hurriedly snatched up his medicine chest and strode quickly toward Shun Garden.
Taking the pulse while stroking his beard, he asked, "Madam, how did the General regain sensation?"
Recalling the scene from the previous night, Jiang Lingzhi felt a tinge of embarrassment. "Last night, when I touched his chest, he seemed to feel a bit of tickling and got goosebumps."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Doctor Mu turned and retrieved a pouch of silver needles from his medicine chest, soaking them in rice wine for disinfection. Then he pulled back the quilt, parted the General's undergarments, selected several acupuncture points known for strong pain response, and drove the silver needles home.
Sure enough, a layer of cold sweat beaded across Xiao Jingyi's forehead.
"Correct! Absolutely correct!" Doctor Mu quickly withdrew the needles. "The General has indeed regained sensation! Old man, I shall go draft a new medicinal prescription for him right away!"
The servants in the room were beside themselves with excitement. In just these few short days, the General had recovered sensation; in time, the General would surely wake up!
Break out in a cold sweat from the pain, Xiao Jingyi felt thoroughly helpless.
Was there truly no other way to prove it?
Did they really have to drive those needles into him with such ruthless force?
It hurt terribly, truly.
Yet, listening to the jubilant chatter of the servants in the room, he felt his heart warm up by a few degrees.
It seemed there were still many people hoping for him to wake up.
Jiang Lingzhi was even more delighted. With a grand wave of her hand, she announced to the attending maids and manservants, "All of you have served the General with the utmost dedication. At the end of the month, everyone will receive an extra month's wages."
"Thank you, Fourth Madam!"
Everyone was overjoyed. The Fourth Madam had already rewarded them with an extra month's wages last time, and now she was adding yet another month. The Fourth Madam was truly generous—they would have to be even more meticulous in their work from now on!
"Bring the wheelchair inside. I'll push the General over to Rongan Hall so the Duke and Old Madame can share in the joy!"
"Yes!"
Di Qing and Di Hong carried Xiao Jingyi onto the wheelchair, propping him up in a semi-reclined position, and then wheeled him out of the room and down the steps.
Jiang Lingzhi carefully draped a light blanket over him, and as she pushed him along toward the outside, she chattered on, "General, we are heading out to Huichun Pavilion now. We'll cross the bridge first, and then take the covered walkway..."
Xiao Jingyi desperately wanted to retort that this was the place he had lived in since childhood—did she really think he wouldn't know the way?
Yet, listening to her voice and feeling the spring willow breeze brush past his temples, he found the experience deeply comforting, almost wishing she would talk even more.
She had no idea—could he hear her?
Rongan Hall.
The State Duke and Old Madame Xiao had finished their morning meal and were enjoying tea while appreciating flowers in the courtyard.
Second Master Xiao Jinghui and his wife were there as well.
Second Master Xiao Jinghui enjoyed raising flowers and birds, with a particular fondness for tree peonies.
Having cultivated a courtyard full of various peony varieties at his own residence, he had brought over several prized Yao Huang and Wei Zi peony pots now that they were in full bloom, introducing them with animated enthusiasm.
Leaning on a golden-nanmu dragon-headed cane, the State Duke looked on with a cheerful smile.
Among all his sons, the second one gave him the least worry; though lacking in grand ambition, he never stirred up any trouble.
Suddenly, a report came from outside: "The General and the Fourth Madam have arrived!"
With a sharp *clatter*, Old Madame Xiao lost her grip on her teacup lid, letting it drop back against the cup as she froze in momentary disbelief, wondering if she had misheard.
Jingyi was still in a deep coma—how could he possibly come here...?
The old Duke's expression also stiffened. Hearing the news, Second Madam Lady Gu frowned and asked, "Did the servants deliver the wrong message?"
"It's true! It really is the General and the Fourth Madam!" Unable to explain clearly, the reporting maid hurriedly stepped aside to clear the path.
Only then did the group see Jiang Lingzhi wheeling Xiao Jingyi through the courtyard entrance and halting abruptly. "Jingyi..."
Then they noticed his eyes were still closed.
Jiang Lingzhi greeted everyone with a smile and spoke up:
"Greetings to Father and Mother, and Second Brother. Doctor Mu just examined him and said the General has regained sensation, so I brought him over to let Father and Mother see for yourselves."
Old Madame Xiao's eyes instantly turned red.
Flustered, Jiang Lingzhi offered, "Mother, please don't be upset. It was just my own presumption..."
"You've done well, very well," the Old Madame hurriedly wiped away her tears, raising a hand to signal her to wheel the chair closer. "Mother is simply too happy. Good child, you are a wonderful person..."
As she spoke, she reached out to stroke Xiao Jingyi's face, sighing with emotion. "Jingyi, Mother has found you a wonderful wife!"
Not daring to claim the credit, Jiang Lingzhi demurred, "Mother, please don't say that. It is my good fortune to be married to the General."
"This is a match made in heaven for the two of you."
Growing increasingly fond of this endearing and down-to-earth daughter-in-law, Old Madame Xiao warmly took her hand. "With you here, Mother believes Jingyi will surely wake up, and you two will have children, and your days ahead will only grow better and better."
Jiang Lingzhi lowered her eyes and smiled.
Naturally, she wanted the Duke and Old Madame to be pleased; after all, who would ever complain about having too many powerful backers?
Second Madam Lady Gu's eyes rolled as a scheming thought immediately popped into her mind, and she tentatively proposed:
"Father, Mother, Fourth Brother must surely be bored cooped up in his room all day. Now that the peonies are in full bloom, why don't we host a Peony Banquet in the estate? We can have the Fourth Sister-in-law wheel Fourth Brother out to join the liveliness."
The State Duke readily and cheerfully agreed. "A splendid idea. Second Daughter-in-law, you shall take charge of arranging this."
Lady Gu beamed from ear to ear.
Gaining control over the household administration was something that had to be seized bit by bit.
She immediately guaranteed, "Rest assured, Father, this daughter-in-law will handle everything properly!"
Old Madame Xiao raised no objections.
Jiang Lingzhi could naturally see through Lady Gu's calculations, but all things considered, this posed no real harm to Xiao Jingyi... and it would incidentally throw a wrench in Lady Lu's plans, so she simply let her have her way.
"Then I shall look forward to it. When the time comes, I will certainly push my husband out to join the festivities."
Laughter filled the courtyard, and Xiao Jingyi's spirits felt lifted as well.
By the time they left Rongan Hall, Xueying could barely hold all the reward gifts bestowed upon them.
Knowing the Old Madame gave her these tangible benefits because she saw Xiao Jingyi improving, Jiang Lingzhi couldn't help stroking his face on the way back to Shun Garden, thinking to herself that he was far more than just her husband—he was practically her God of Wealth!
In her elation, she even began to hum a little tune: *"At the sharp tip of the peach leaf, the willow leaf completely covers the sky; oh, the wise official in this position, listen closely as I speak..."*
Feeling the warmth on his cheek and listening to the melodious, winding tune by his ear, Xiao Jingyi felt a deep sense of irony.
Was she truly oblivious to the fact that he could hear her?
She was singing this tune completely off-key!
......
The Jiang Minister's Estate.
Tears brimming in her eyes, Jiang Lingyuan said, "Mother, I heard that Xiao Yan was punished and forced to kneel in the ancestral hall yesterday. He has lost his voice in the estate entirely. What are we to do now?"
Jiang Lingzhi had clearly become an untouchable target.
Having no choice yesterday, she had gone to seek out Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan was of such a rash disposition that instead of persuading Lady Lu, he had gone to question Jiang Lingzhi and ended up getting himself banished to the ancestral hall.
It left one completely at a loss for words.
The vertical creases on Lady Chu's forehead deepened into an even sharper frown before she finally hit upon an idea:
"Don't panic. The Grand Madam simply wants an extra portion of dowry.
Your mother has no silver left here, but your second brother does!
He still holds hundreds of shops left behind by that vile woman Wei Lan. Go plead with him; if he lets just a few leak through his fingers, it will be far more bountiful than your original share!"
Only then did Jiang Lingyuan wipe away her tears, though she still looked deeply aggrieved. "Mother, think about it—the State Duke's Estate is so grand and wealthy, why is Lady Lu insisting on targeting a daughter-in-law's dowry?"
In Dayong, a husband's family forcibly seizing a daughter-in-law's dowry was something that would not only make people laugh their heads off if word got out, but in severe cases, the authorities would even arrest them and parade them through the streets.
She simply couldn't understand why Lady Lu, who was clearly the mistress ruling over the State Duke's Estate, could care so much about such petty wealth.
"This..." Lady Chu was equally baffled. After pondering for a moment, she sighed. "Perhaps Xiao Yan is fond of you, but she looks down on you for merely being an adopted daughter whose status isn't noble enough, which is why she wants a larger dowry to balance things out in her mind."
Thinking it over, Jiang Lingyuan decided that must be the only explanation.
Yet, once this made sense, it only made her feel even sadder.
"Alright, wipe your tears and tidy yourself up. Your father is back from the government office, and your second brother just went to find him in the study. Take some food over there and have a proper talk with your second brother."
"Understood, Mother."
Jiang Xun stood outside the study door, knocked lightly, and pushed the door open.
A spring breeze carrying a hint of coolness surged into the quiet study, scattering the wisps of incense burning in the burner, leaving a faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air.
"Planning to enter the Hanlin Academy or the Six Ministries?" Standing behind the desk, Minister Jiang was sketching a portrait. He didn't even raise his head as Jiang Xun entered.
Jiang Xun turned to close the door behind him. "Father, you know I have no interest in entering officialdom."
Only then did Minister Jiang lift his eyes to look at Jiang Xun, seeming somewhat puzzled. "Oh?"
Hesitating for a moment, Jiang Xun spoke up, "Father, yesterday was Jiang Lingzhi's return home... You should know about it."
"I know." Minister Jiang put down his brush, as if waiting for him to continue.
Jiang Xun didn't even know what he wanted to say; it was clear as day that his father would not care about Jiang Lingzhi, yet he had insisted on making this trip anyway, simply because he found himself unable to turn a blind eye.
"The State Duke's Estate went too far, forcing her to substitute in marriage and marry Xiao Jingyi, when he is clearly..."
Recalling Jiang Lingzhi's foolish demeanor of being sold and still helping count the money, Jiang Xun gritted his teeth and said, "She grew up in the countryside and lacks worldly experience. The Xiao family offered a few crumbs, and she agreed to everything. Father, are you really just going to do nothing?"
He spoke with cautious restraint, terribly afraid that bringing up Jiang Lingzhi would remind his father of her mother's death and cause him grief.
Yet Minister Jiang remained entirely calm. Picking up the portrait again, he observed it as he replied, "Once a person is sent to the State Duke's Estate, it becomes a family matter of the Xiao clan. How am I to interfere?"
"She carries the surname Jiang, too," Jiang Xun felt a tightness in his chest and said in a low voice, "Father, don't you think... doing this is unfair to her?"
Minister Jiang's voice turned cold. "Do you like her that much as a sister?"
"I didn't mean—" Jiang Xun was about to explain when the door was suddenly pushed open again.
Carrying a tray, Jiang Lingyuan wore an expression of innocent obedience, acting as if she hadn't noticed the undercurrents swirling between father and son. "Father, Second Brother, the spring air is dry, so I stewed some pear soup and brought it for you both to drink."
Only then did Jiang Xun abruptly realize that he had almost come to blows with his father over that country girl Jiang Lingzhi.
It was utterly incomprehensible.
Pressing his lips together, he offered a strained smile to Jiang Lingyuan. "I have no appetite."
With that, he quickly strode out of the study.
Jiang Lingyuan hastily set down the food box and turned to Minister Jiang. "Father, I'll go check on Second Brother."
"M-hm."
Jiang Lingyuan hurried in pursuit. "Second Brother, Second Brother, wait up!"
Halting his steps, Jiang Xun turned back and offered her a gentle smile. "A'Yuan."
"What's wrong with you, Second Brother?" Jiang Lingyuan's face was filled with worry.
"As soon as Father came back, you started arguing with him. Was it because of Eldest Sister's marriage substitution? If so, I won't marry into the State Duke's Estate. That way, no one will talk behind Eldest Sister's back. I only want you and Father to stop fighting..."
Jiang Xun's heart softened instantly, and he soothed, "A'Yuan, don't let your imagination run wild; it's nothing like that. I already warned her yesterday that under the same roof from now on, she is not permitted to bully you."
Seeing how insecure yet considerate and sensible A'Yuan was, Jiang Xun once again felt that his mind must be malfunctioning.
Regardless of the reason, Jiang Lingzhi had ultimately made the choice herself to substitute in marriage and marry Xiao Jingyi. Whatever life she led hereafter was hers to bear—what did it have to do with him?
Not to mention, he had already given her shops as compensation!
As for A'Yuan and Xiao Yan, they were genuinely fond of one another; bringing them together now could be considered lovers finally tying the knot.
Hearing this, Jiang Lingyuan felt somewhat more at ease—her second brother was still on her side.
"Just wait in peace for the Xiao family to send betrothal gifts,"
Without noticing the subtle shift in Jiang Lingyuan's expression, Jiang Xun continued to comfort her. "My argument with Father was because he keeps trying to push me into officialdom, but you know I'm only interested in commerce and want nothing more than to manage the businesses my mother left behind."
"So that was it." Jiang Lingyuan smiled, smoothly steering the conversation to her original purpose today. "I knew Second Brother treated me the best. When I get married, Second Brother must add some extra dowry for me."
"Naturally." Jiang Xun reached out to ruffle her hair. "Second Brother cares for A'Yuan the most! When the time comes, aside from the shops left by my mother, I'll give you all the others as dowry supplement."
The shops left by his mother, Wei Lan, were his emotional anchors; he couldn't hand those directly to A'Yuan.
Jiang Lingyuan smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Second Brother! You are so good to me!"
"Second Brother only has one sister; if I'm not good to you, who should I be good to?" Jiang Xun said. "Alright, head back now. Second Brother wants to go out for a walk."
Jiang Lingyuan murmured assent. "All right, Second Brother, come back early."
With a wave of his hand, Jiang Xun walked away along the covered veranda.
The expression on Jiang Lingyuan's face instantly twisted into something malevolent.
Her second brother might have an interest in business, but he wasn't particularly skilled at it. The hundreds of shops that brought in the highest profits were all left behind by his mother, Wei Lan.
As for the rest—the ones Jiang Xun managed himself—though there were a dozen or so, they were all tiny storefronts. What were those even worth?
Lifting the hem of her skirt, Jiang Lingyuan sprinted straight toward Lady Chu's courtyard.
"Mother!" She threw herself into Lady Chu's arms with reddened eyes. "Second Brother's route is a dead end—he's been completely bewitched by that vixen Jiang Lingzhi!"