Chapter 61 Applying Medicine for Her

Chapter 61: Applying Medicine to Her

Lu Feng glanced at him coldly and walked past Pei Zhang alone.

He possessed a benevolent and compassionate heart towards the world, but unfortunately, his experience was still shallow. This matter was complex and bound to fail.

If it weren't for Pei Zhang's sincerity, Lu Feng wouldn't have tolerated him this far. Capable officials and compassionate ministers are a dime a dozen, but those with both qualities are rare.

In the end, Lu Feng valued talent.

***

After Jiang Wanrou rose, she carefully selected an apricot-yellow floral-patterned jacket, paired with a silver-threaded embroidered butterfly and flower skirt of the same color. This was an outfit she had worn years ago, made of high-quality silk, still vibrant and beautiful, though the color was too youthful and the style too lively, it didn't match her current status.

However, most of her clothes had round collars, and Lu Feng's harshness had left a large bruise on her neck that even powder couldn't conceal. Only this outfit had a collar that was slightly higher, so she had Jintao quickly adjust the waist and chest area with a few stitches to make it wearable for now.

Cuizhu's eyes lit up, and she cheerfully said, "Madam, your outfit today is quite unique. Come, let me style your hair."

Cuizhu was skilled, her fingers flying as she styled Jiang Wanrou's hair into a 'startling swan' bun. True to its name, the bun looked like the tail of a bird ready to take flight, dignified yet lively and playful.

Today, Cuizhu didn't adorn Jiang Wanrou with dazzling gold hairpins. Instead, she used a double-pronged hairpin to secure the thick bun, adding a silver butterfly and emerald feather hairpin at the end. The hairpin had a butterfly with wings inlaid with tiny colorful gemstones and dangling delicate chain tassels. The slight movement of the tassels added a playful charm, perfectly matching the skirt she wore that day.

Jiang Wanrou gave Cuizhu a reproachful look, holding the butterfly on her bun, and said, "Thankfully, I'm not meeting anyone today. If I went out like this, I'd surely be the talk of the town."

Both the outfit and the hair accessories were too youthful. If not for her hair being fully tied up, she would look like a young maiden in front of others.

Cuizhu, standing behind her, tidied up her stray hairs and laughed, "You look beautiful this way. Who would dare to gossip about you?"

Jiang Wanrou gazed at herself in the bronze mirror. Madame Qin was harsh and cruel, and Jiang Wanrou couldn't—or dared not—wear such vibrant colors in her youth, always going to great lengths to hide her beauty. Now, dressed like this, she felt a sense of newness.

"Forget it, since I'm not meeting anyone today, let's just keep it like this."

It was past noon, and the weather was turning colder. Eating alone felt lonesome. Jiang Wanrou hadn't gotten up early that morning, so she felt too embarrassed to call her two sisters-in-law. After some thought, she decided to call Huai Yi from the study. Seeing Huai Yi looking sullen, she asked gently, "What's wrong? Is something bothering you? Tell me."

Lu Huaiyi chewed on a meatball, his cheeks puffed out. Jintao quickly brought a teacup to his lips.

Huai Yi covered his mouth as he swallowed, then said to Jintao, "Thank you, Aunt Jintao."

He then turned to Jiang Wanrou, his little face tense, and said, "Mother, the sage said, 'Do not speak while eating, do not speak while sleeping.' Please don't talk now."

Jiang Wanrou placed a beef ball on his plate and said kindly, "Alright, alright, I won't speak. This meatball is delicious, eat more."

As boys grow up, they have their own concerns. Jiang Wanrou didn't press him. As long as he ate well and slept soundly, she was content.

Huai Yi was a bit full, but seeing his mother's eager gaze, he pursed his lips and was about to pick up his chopsticks when Lu Feng's cold voice rang out from outside, "Is this how you usually speak to your mother? Have you forgotten all your studies?"

The bead curtain rustled as Lu Feng entered, wrapped in a chill, his expression grim.

The maidservants behind him quietly knelt down, while Jiang Wanrou and Lu Huaiyi hurriedly stood up. Jiang Wanrou walked to his side and said softly, "Why are you back at this hour? Aren't you busy today?"

Lu Feng slightly raised his chin, allowing Jiang Wanrou to undo his outer robe, and replied with a simple "Hmm."

His gaze swept over Lu Huaiyi, who stood awkwardly to the side, and he said coldly, "Apologize to your mother."

Lu Huaiyi stood straight, his small body bending deeply in front of Jiang Wanrou, "Mother, I was wrong."

As a son, he shouldn't speak ill of his mother, especially when she was just concerned about him. Huai Yi had been in a bad mood, and Jiang Wanrou's doting had made him careless in front of her. This time, however, Lu Feng had overheard.

Jiang Wanrou's heart ached for him. Lu Feng was a man of strict principles, adhering to the three bonds and five constants. She couldn't hug Huai Yi to comfort him now. With a quick thought, Jiang Wanrou grabbed Lu Feng's arm and smiled, "Alright, alright, it's such a small matter. Why get so worked up over it?"

"You returned just in time; the roasted venison hasn't been served yet. Jintao, go and hurry the small kitchen—it should be cooked to seventy percent doneness."

Lu Feng had a peculiar palate. He preferred land animals—venison, pork, and lamb—over seafood. He liked his meat medium-rare, just the way he enjoyed it.

After years of marriage, as much as she understood Lu Feng's tastes, he too sensed Jiang Wanrou's subtle plea for leniency. He disapprovingly glanced at Jiang Wanrou, then suddenly paused.

A flicker of admiration crossed Lu Feng's eyes.

He looked her up and down and drawled, "Your outfit today... is quite something."

Like a young miss.

Jiang Wanrou was naturally youthful, with skin like porcelain and striking features. Her outfit made her look youthful, but her figure was undeniably mature—a mix of playfulness and allure that even Lu Feng, her husband of many years, couldn't ignore.

Lu Feng's gaze was bold and unflinching, making Jiang Wanrou blush. She lowered her head slightly and murmured, "These are old clothes, out of style now. Nothing worth looking at."

"Then have new clothes made."

Lu Feng sat imposingly in the armchair, a maid behind him pouring wine and serving dishes. Feeling shy under his gaze, Jiang Wanrou subtly stretched her leg under the table to brush against Lu Feng's boot.

"Husband, let's dine."

Normally, they could be playful, but with Huai Yi there, Jiang Wanrou had to maintain decorum.

Lu Feng's eyes darkened instantly.

...

The meal was flavorless for all three.

Lu Huaiyi's thoughts were straightforward; he had just been disrespectful to his mother and feared his father's punishment. Lu Feng, preoccupied with court matters, unabashedly admired his bashful wife. Jiang Wanrou, flustered by his gaze and worried for Huai Yi, turned the meal into something that felt illicit.

When Lu Feng set down his chopsticks, both mother and son sighed in relief. Lu Huaiyi stood to leave, but Lu Feng stopped him, asking which chapter of "The Young Scholar's Forest of Gems" he was on, then tested him with a few questions. Lu Huaiyi answered smoothly, and Lu Feng nodded, remarking coolly, "Your studies are passable."

"Go and copy the Classic of Filial Piety once, then submit it to your mother in three days."

Jiang Wanrou's eyes widened in dismay. "Isn't that too harsh? He's still so young..."

"Twice."

Lu Feng tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, eyeing Lu Huaiyi. "Any objections?"

"Son accepts."

Lu Huaiyi bowed solemnly to them both, then rose to leave. Jiang Wanrou told Jintao to wrap him in a thick cloak and escort him to the front courtyard.

They returned to their bedroom one after the other. Jiang Wanrou, upset, wanted to plead for Huai Yi, but Lu Feng's stern look made her fear it would only worsen his punishment.

Lu Feng looked at her, helplessly saying, "A kind—"

"A kind mother spoils the child."

Jiang Wanrou coolly interjected, "I am the kind mother, Huai Yi is the spoiled child, and only you, husband, are wise and mighty, is that right?"

"Being unreasonable."

Lu Feng laughed in frustration, his long arm reaching out to lift Jiang Wanrou by her hips, carrying her with one hand towards the Pearwood Daybed by the window.

The window was half-open, letting in clear light. Lu Feng grabbed Jiang Wanrou's hand and placed it on the obvious scratch marks on his face.

He said, "You've really outdone yourself."

"Do you know how many people were mocking your husband at court this morning, hmm?"

Jiang Wanrou had already noticed and felt guilty, not daring to speak up. Lu Feng valued his reputation; she used to restrain herself, scratching his back, leaving few marks on his neck.

But... but it wasn't entirely her fault. She was not in her right mind at that time, knocked to her knees, barely able to kneel properly, how could she remember what day it was? She just clung to whatever she could reach.

She muttered discontentedly, "It's not just you; I have marks all over my body that haven't faded yet."

In truth, Lu Feng was much rougher than her, but he left marks in hidden places that clothes could cover. She inadvertently scratched his face.

Lu Feng raised an eyebrow and reached for her collar, "Show me."

"Please—be gentle, let me rest today."

Jiang Wanrou covered her chest with both hands, complaining, "From yesterday... it's still swollen and hurts."

Lu Feng roughly squeezed her chest, saying, "If it hurts, then you should be more careful."

Jiang Wanrou felt even more wronged, widening her beautiful eyes, "I've always been proper; when have I ever... I'm more wronged than Dou E!"

Lu Feng chuckled softly. Earlier during the meal, she had boldly teased him, not caring about Huai Yi. She was bold then, but now she's shy.

He bit her ear and asked, "Only pain?"

Jiang Wanrou blushed. Lu Feng had brought many strange things from the palace, and it wasn't just pain.

The feelings were beyond words.

Lu Feng asked again, "Did you put on any medicine?"

Jiang Wanrou looked horrified, "Can you really apply medicine there? It's too embarrassing!"

Lu Feng sighed slightly, his tone helpless, "I meant elsewhere. Did you apply medicine to your body?"

Last night, after severing one of Chen Fu's arms in the snowstorm and amidst the enemy's blood, Lu Feng's blood was boiling, and he couldn't control his strength. When he dressed in the morning and saw the bruises on her body, he felt a pang of pity.

Jiang Wanrou buried her face in his chest, muttering, "No need, it will heal in a few days."

Lu Feng didn't have a habit of tormenting people in bed; he didn't mean to hurt her. But he was strong, and her skin was delicate, so the bruises on her body rarely faded.

Lu Feng said gently, "There's a small narrow-necked porcelain bottle in the secret compartment by the bed. Bring it, and I'll apply the medicine for you."

Jiang Wanrou immediately covered her chest, looking at Lu Feng with distrust.

"I don't want to."

Dressed youthfully today, she now protected her chest like a chaste martyr, making Lu Feng feel like a rogue forcing himself on a common girl.

He hadn't intended anything, but her actions aroused something in him.

Lu Feng took a deep breath and patted her plump buttocks, "Hurry up."

He didn't plan to do anything. The emperor had bestowed rewards this morning, and there were many items. The eunuch delivering the edict would likely arrive soon. She was the mistress of the house, not a concubine for venting desires. Receiving the edict in disheveled clothes, how would the household regard her, and how could she uphold her authority? He had to give her this dignity.

Jiang Wanrou got up hesitantly, took a few steps, and then turned back uneasily, "You said it's just applying medicine, right?"

Lu Feng closed his eyes, ignoring her. Jiang Wanrou believed him this time. She walked briskly, wearing a bright apricot-yellow jacket, the butterfly hairpin on her bun fluttering vividly, as lively as a young girl.

Suddenly, Lu Feng asked, "Have I met you before?"