Chapter 30

Chapter 30

In the bamboo grove, the young man suddenly collapsed forward.

"Liulang!"

Du Lingjing rushed forward in two quick steps, hastily raising her hands to steady him.

He was enveloped in the heavy scent of blood, with crimson spots seeping through his blue-green robe. The fallen bamboo leaves beneath his feet rustled incessantly under his weight. Her heart pounded with alarm, Du Lingjing called out to him repeatedly.

He murmured in response, "Sister-in-law..."

But the young man was no longer the boy he once was—he now towered over her, and Du Lingjing found herself unable to support him fully, stumbling backward two steps.

In the midst of their swaying, his hand gripped her shoulder, steadying her.

Yet no sooner had she regained her footing than someone hurried into the grove.

Chong Ping signaled to the guards beside him to support the collapsing man, while Du Lingjing was guided back by an arm around her waist, drawing her two steps away.

A gust of wind whistled through the newly parted space between them.

Du Lingjing found herself pulled back into someone’s embrace and instinctively turned to look.

The man’s gaze lingered briefly on her shoulder, where she had just been lightly touched, before shifting back to her.

"Don’t worry," he said. "Let Chong Ping examine him first."

As he spoke, Chong Ping took Jiang Fengchuan’s pulse, examined his complexion, and inquired about his injuries.

Liulang spoke briefly, but as Chong Ping lightly probed his wounds, blood began flowing more rapidly.

Du Lingjing inhaled sharply as Chong Ping declared, "The wounds are indeed serious, but they don’t appear life-threatening. However, they seem to be about two days old, untreated, which is why they keep getting aggravated and refuse to heal."

Her brow furrowed as she turned to the wounded man, who explained casually.

"I was hunted the whole way—when would I have had the chance?"

Lu Shenru studied the untreated wounds with a slight lift of his brow.

The young man’s breathing was low, rapid, and uneven. Du Lingjing couldn’t help but step forward again to question him, but the man behind her spoke first.

"Don’t bother him, my lady. With wounds this bad, there may be internal injuries as well. Let Chong Ping and the others take him out."

At these words, Jiang Fengchuan lifted his head to look.

The stately man stood unmoving, allowing the scrutiny.

The bamboo grove went quiet. Du Lingjing’s attention remained fixed on Chong Ping as he examined Jiang Fengchuan’s injuries, unaware of the tension.

Meanwhile, Jiang Fengchuan, supported by the guards, let his gaze drift slowly toward her. He lowered his eyes and offered her a faint smile.

"Sister-in-law... should I start calling you... Marquise now?"

The wind rustled the bamboo leaves around them. Du Lingjing froze for a moment.

Lu Shenru also glanced down at her, hearing her frown and reply,

"That’s not important. How did you end up being hunted like this? Was it the Shao brothers? Did they try to kill you? What about Brother Hu and Tingjun?"

She rapidly asked questions one after another. Jiang Fengchuan had risked his life to deliver a message—where the others were now was the most pressing matter.

Yet as soon as he opened his mouth to answer, he coughed up blood.

Even Chong Ping frowned. "He needs care right away."

The injuries were indeed grave. Du Lingjing paled, no longer daring to press further. A guard lifted Jiang Fengchuan onto his back, and the slightest movement made the young man’s handsome face twist in pain.

Her voice softened. "Liulang, don't worry about anything else for now. Just focus on recovering."

At this, he managed another weak smile. "Alright."

His strangely docile, almost pitifully meek response made Lu Shenru watch silently, his lips thinning as his wife’s gaze remained fixed on Jiang Liulang.

Yet the man said nothing urgent, merely taking off his cloak to drape over her. Seeing her brows still tightly knit, he pulled her closer. "Now that he's safe, the rest can wait. Don’t worry."

It was a reasonable point. Du Lingjing nodded slowly.

She stood still, allowing the man beside her to hold her, his hand resting on her arm.

Jiang Fengchuan glanced sidelong at them. Their closeness—were they already intimate?

The young man fell silent. The guard carrying him moved swiftly, taking him straight to the rear courtyard of the Fire God Temple. Chong Ping personally tended to his wounds before reporting to the marquis that the temple’s medical supplies were insufficient—he needed proper medical attention.

Fortunately, the Guilin Tower wasn’t far. The marquis ordered the group to withdraw from the temple and head there instead.

The sky darkened as night fell.

Chong An hurriedly brought a doctor. As a man, he could treat Jiang Fengchuan’s wounds without issue, so Du Lingjing was advised to stay outside. Lu Shenru urged her to eat, but she shook her head, remaining by the courtyard where Jiang Fengchuan was being treated.

Ever since the third brother had brought him back from the countryside, he had never suffered such injuries or hardships again.

After his growth spurt, Liulang had grown taller and sturdier, surpassing his peers by half a head by fifteen or sixteen. Delighted yet concerned, Du Lingjing had often reminded Uncle Hui to ensure he was well-nourished.

Eventually, he outgrew even his elder brother, becoming more robust while the latter remained mostly confined to the study. Yet there had never been any jealousy—instead, the elder brother had hired a martial arts instructor to teach him self-defense for his travels.

Now, muffled cries of pain echoed from the courtyard. The thought of him covered in wounds made Du Lingjing's hands tighten.

Seeing the marquis waiting beside her, she said softly, "My lord, you should go and eat. I’m not hungry."

The man brushed his robes aside and sat down in the pavilion outside the courtyard. "I’m not hungry either," he said, beckoning her over. "Don’t stay out in the wind. Come sit for a while."

Since he insisted on staying, Du Lingjing had no choice but to join him.

Noticing her clenched hands, he changed the subject, bringing up the Hu siblings and the Fu Party.

"...It seems Shao Boju is getting reckless. Now that we’ve taken him from the Fire God Temple, they’ll likely know soon."

He added, "Once Jiang Liulang is stable, it’s best he reveals where the others are hiding. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it gets."

Du Lingjing understood the reasoning, but she also recalled how he had been with her all day since leaving court.

Normally, he was constantly busy—generals, officials, advisers, and couriers came and went constantly. As far as she knew, there were also guards and stewards outside awaiting his orders.

She didn’t know the specifics of his work, and it wasn't her place to ask. But given his high status and his support for Prince Hui’s bid for the crown prince’s seat, his duties must be never-ending.

Yet despite his burdens, he still made time for her. Du Lingjing wasn't blind to this, nor ungrateful.

She was just about to thank the Marquis when Chong'an hurried over.

"Marquis, my lady, the physician has finished bandaging Sixth Master Jiang's wounds. He says there's an urgent matter and requests an audience with my lady."

Upon hearing this, Du Lingjing stood and turned to wait for the Marquis. Unexpectedly, Chong'an's expression turned awkward, and he lowered his voice.

"Sixth Master Jiang wishes to speak with my lady alone for a private word."

After saying this, he glanced at his master's face. Du Lingjing was also slightly surprised and couldn't help but look back at the Marquis.

The man, however, showed no surprise at all. He simply assented and, seeing her hesitation, reassured her instead.

"Go ahead. Call for me if anything comes up."

Beyond the pavilion, the vast night sky held only a few scattered stars, their faint light reflected in his eyes dark as night.

He seemed utterly indifferent, and she couldn't help but observe him for a moment longer. But with urgent matters at hand, since Sixth Brother had made this request, there must be a reason for it.

She followed Chong'an swiftly into the courtyard.

The heavy scent of medicine filled every corner of the room. As Du Lingjing entered, the guards saluted and withdrew.

The man on the bed had changed into clean clothes and propped himself up when he saw her enter.

Du Lingjing stepped forward quickly but did not sit at his bedside, instead pulling an embroidered stool to sit before him.

"How are you? Is the pain severe?" she asked.

He didn’t answer the question. Instead, he gazed at her for a long moment before speaking softly.

"Sister-in-law, you’ve taken a husband..."

These words inevitably reminded her of the year he was driven out by the Jiang family to study abroad due to the rumors of "brother's death, brother's succession." In the dawn mist, he had come to Mianlou and asked her, "Sister-in-law, I’ll go to the capital in Third Brother’s place to pass the palace examinations and return. Will you wait for him to achieve success?"

At the time, she had believed she would surely wait for good news from the capital. Never could she have imagined that, before the next spring’s exams, she would arrive in the capital ahead of him—and even marry into a marquisate.

Du Lingjing found it difficult to speak. She lapsed into silence for a moment.

"Sixth Brother, let’s discuss the urgent matter first."

She didn’t answer. The young man quietly studied her for a few breaths before conceding, "As you say."

Jiang Fengchuan had only found the Remonstrance faction in Baoding a few days before heading north to the capital to deliver the news. Though he couldn’t grasp every detail, he understood the general situation.

"...The Shao brothers have grown bold to the point of treason, daring to impersonate imperial officials to profit locally—hoarding wealth in secret while also currying favor with the gentry. Worse still, to cover their tracks, they murdered those officials. This remained hidden until they targeted an old associate of the Fu Party. The daughter of that official risked her life to escape and report the matter, bringing it directly to Elder Brother Hu’s attention."

Though Hu Tinglan was on good terms with Shao Boju, how could he possibly shield him from such grave crimes? Instead, he sought the help of scattered Fu Party members to investigate thoroughly based on the escaped girl’s account.

Jiang Fengchuan drew a measured breath. "Only then did we discover the Shaos had replaced eight officials. Aside from the first two, who drowned accidentally, the other five were all murdered by them—three of whom were Fu Party members."

As his words landed, Du Lingjing felt the blood drain from her face.

No wonder Shao Boju and Shao Wuxing were hunting so ruthlessly and doing everything to suppress the matter. Impersonating imperial officials was already a crime punishable by death, let alone murdering them. This scandal could drag the entire Shao clan under, with complete familial extermination.

As for Shao Boju himself, death was likely unavoidable.

He had originally hoped to marry her through Madam Wan’s influence, using her as leverage to strike a deal with Hu Tinglan and the Fu Party—but he had failed.

Now, Du Lingjing fixed Jiang Fengchuan with an urgent look.

"Sixth Brother must know where they’re hiding now. We must send people immediately to rescue them before the Shaos act."

Yet Jiang Fengchuan turned the question back on her.

"Under whose banner does Sister-in-law propose to send forces?" She certainly lacked the manpower or influence to rescue them herself. Jiang Fengchuan asked, "Marquis Lu’s men?"

Du Lingjing didn’t deny it, but Jiang Fengchuan averted his eyes.

"On my way here, I saw Lu’s men stationed everywhere. Even today at the Temple of the Fire Deity, he accompanied you. So, you trust him completely now?"

His words gave Du Lingjing momentary pause. "Speak plainly, Sixth Brother. What are you thinking?"

Jiang Fengchuan studied her. She wore a willow-hued jacket embroidered with birds and flowers, her hair adorned with pearls—no longer the plain attire of her days at Mianlou. Though her expression remained cool, there was a hint of disapproval toward him.

He gave a measured cough, and the sound softened her gaze slightly before he continued.

"It’s not that I object to you remarrying, let alone to an influential statesman like the Marquis of Yongding. But the way this Marquis Lu conducts himself gives us pause, us scholars."

If they truly trusted him, Hu Tinglan and the other Remonstrance faction would have long since exploited his feud with the Shao family to seek his aid in exposing their crimes.

Yet they hadn’t approached him for help—until she married him and opened Guilin Tower to search for them. Only then did they cautiously send Sixth Brother.

Du Lingjing drew a measured breath. "What do the elders say?"

"The elders believe our straits are dire without external aid. It all depends on whether you trust Marquis Lu."

Sixth Brother parroted Master Liao’s very words, but after speaking, he watched her and added softly,

"In the sixth year of Yin You, the year after the Crown Prince’s death, court officials repeatedly urged the Emperor to invest Prince Yong as heir apparent. In April, nearly a hundred jointly petitioned the Emperor to consent. He refused—but half a month later, the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission reported discovering Tatar generals secretly corresponding with court officials, plotting treason. The Northern Garrison Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard used this as pretext to arrest seven officials, imprisoning and torturing them for days before release. All seven had been the leading voices in the petition to name Prince Yong heir."

The Shaanxi Regional Military Commission was almost entirely composed of Yongding Army veterans, and the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was Lu Shenru’s cousin.

Du Lingjing said, "The Lu and Shao families are merely caught in the struggle between Prince Hui and Prince Yong. That’s scarcely remarkable."

"Is it?" Jiang Fengchuan countered. "Sister-in-law, do you know this didn’t end with those seven officials’ release? Instead, the Embroidered Uniform Guard used the treason investigation to arrest people across the land. Unfortunately, this swept up Master Liao, who had just returned to the capital after serving in a remote southern post."

Master Liao of Baoding Academy—the very one who remembered Du Lingjing’s fondness for Liaohua candy.

Du Lingjing lifted her gaze abruptly as Sixth Brother continued.

"Master Liao had met Prince Yong a few times and believed him the only worthy successor. He merely discussed this with a few former allies in the Remonstrance—but before their memorial could be submitted, they were seized and thrown into the Emperor's prisons. The Lu family suppressed the officials advocating for Prince Yong, punishing them harshly. Master Liao, freshly returned and still recovering from his travels, was nearly flogged to death. It took him half a year to recover."

"Master Liao had served the court for years, beloved by the people—yet this nearly cost him his life. Disillusioned, he resigned and went to Baoding to teach." He finished quietly, then met Du Lingjing’s gaze. "Sister-in-law, do you truly believe Marquis Lu can be trusted?"

A heavy silence descended.

Upon Guilin Tower's summit, the man ascended leisurely to the highest floor. The moon, veiled by clouds, cast a faint blood-hued corona. Hands clasped behind his back, he stood by the railing, his gaze lingering on the lunar glow before finally settling on the closed room below where the clandestine meeting continued.

Nearly half an hour had passed, and their discussion showed no sign of ending. Clearly, Sixth Master Jiang had much to say to her. The question was—what would she make of it?

Under the moonlit shadow of Guilin Tower, inside the closed room—

Jiang Fengchuan had presented his argument and voiced his challenge.

Du Lingjing could scarcely have fathomed that Master Liao’s resignation from his post in the southern frontier to teach at Baoding Academy was precipitated by such circumstances.

When he had followed her father, championing his policies without respite, her father had once remarked that Master Liao might one day rise to the Inner Cabinet. Little did anyone suspect...

But Du Lingjing’s expression turned serious.

"If you employ someone, trust them; if you distrust them, don’t employ them. The matter with Mr. Liao, and even the grievances between the other Remonstrating Ministers and the Marquis, are ultimately things of the past. If we trace the roots of every matter, how can we succeed in saving people?"

She dismissed the idea.

A gust of wind made the window lattice creak.

Jiang Fengchuan nodded. "It seems that after barely a month of marriage, Sister-in-law already trusts him completely."

His tone carried a hint of bitterness, so obvious even Du Lingjing noticed.

Her brows furrowed.

"That’s not what this is about."

She couldn’t help but explain.

"What bargaining chip do we have with the Marquis? Nothing but the evidence of the Shao family’s crimes. To turn things around now, we must rely on his influence. In such circumstances, should we still hold back the truth, intending to use him while plotting something else?"

"We might avoid scheming, but can Sister-in-law be certain this Marquis Lu won’t scheme for something else? For all we know, he might secretly trade the evidence and the people involved with Prince Yong’s faction?"

This gave Du Lingjing pause.

The Marquis of Yongding’s household, Grand Secretary Dou, and the Shao faction were deeply entangled. They might well avoid open confrontation and instead engage in covert exchanges of interests.

"But in exposing the Shao family, our interests align with his."

What kind of benefit would it take for him to betray the Remonstrating Ministers and strike a deal with Shao Zun and Grand Secretary Dou?

Suddenly, Du Lingjing remembered how he always seemed concerned about whether she still doubted him...

Her mind was made up, and she turned to Jiang Fengchuan.

"Since the others left it to me, then I shall make the call. We’re out of time."

With that, the young man clenched his jaw and revealed the hiding place of the group.

Hearing this, she stood.

Jiang Fengchuan watched as she instructed him not to dwell on it further. "Just focus on healing."

With that, she turned and left. The young man sat silently by the bed, his gaze lingering on the hem of her skirt as she walked to the door and disappeared beyond it.

He kept staring at the doorway for a long while.

*

In the Guilin Tower.

The night wind gusted. Lu Shenru stood atop the tower for a while before turning to descend—only to see the door open and her step out.

She gave a few orders in the courtyard before leaving.

The marquis’ seamstresses were skilled; the willow-yellow dress made her resemble a fluttering willow leaf in the night breeze, light and delicate.

His eyes warmed, but then—whether she sensed his gaze or not—she looked up and met his eyes.

She silently mouthed, "Marquis."

Too far for her voice to carry, but he could see the shape of the word on her soft lips.

Moonlight pooled like water on her skirt, and he, too, spoke without sound.

"Come up."

She caught on immediately, lifting her skirts and hurrying up the stairs.

The man’s gaze softened further. By the time she had climbed two flights, he had descended four, intercepting her on the landing.

She was a little out of breath, her chest rising and falling.

He, however, hadn’t even broken a sweat. Seeing her like this, he thought he should have waited below for her—though his gaze lingered briefly on the rise and fall of her chest before he looked away.

"Hungry? I’ll have someone prepare food for you. It’s been a long day."

He figured Jiang Liulang’s news wasn’t good. If she didn’t wish to share the matter with him, he had other ways to deal with the Shao family—this wasn’t his only option.

Yet she only shook her head, saying she wasn’t tired or hungry. Then, without hesitation, she told him the location.

She was all in...

But the next moment, she suddenly gave him a formal bow.

"This matter is difficult. I’m asking for your help."

The man paused, his brows lowering. "Why the bow?"

His voice was low, and Du Lingjing froze.

Why was he angry? She hesitated.

His frown deepened. "For something like this, do you really need to bow and beg me before I’ll help? Who do you think I am?"

The question left Du Lingjing at a loss.

Who did she take him for?

To her, he was just a means to an end who could aid her in this critical moment...

The man watched his wife’s hesitation, his expression darkened. A beat of silence passed.

A passing cloud dimmed the moonlight, casting the towering building into dimness.

At a loss for words, she stayed quiet until he let out a soft sigh.

"I’ll send Chong Ping with men and go personally to rescue them. Wait for me at home."

He said it casually, but his influence far surpassed Du Lingjing’s. She felt reassured, and she nearly thanked him again—but his gaze stopped her before she could.

His dark eyes were bottomless, always seeming to pull her in completely.

She looked away slightly, and the words of thanks slipped away.

But remembering her trust, his expression softened again.

"Come back to the capital with me tomorrow. Your husband can’t keep playing hooky from court, can he? Those old bastards will talk."

The clouds parted, and moonlight shimmered like water in the breeze.

"Husband," he used this unfamiliar term again.

But Du Lingjing couldn't help smiling faintly upon hearing the latter half of his words.

"Alright."

Her soft smile was like a fine feather brushing against his heart. The man instinctively tightened his grip on her hand, completely enveloping it in his palm.

A pity this was Guilin Lou, not the main chamber of the marquis's residence...

*

In the room heavy with the scent of medicinal herbs, the injured man gritted through the pain and rose from the bed, making his way to his travel pack.

With each movement, fresh blood seeped through his white undergarments.

Yet he seemed indifferent, as if numb to the pain, standing by the window and pulling out a bamboo figurine from his belongings.

When he was first taken in from the countryside, his body was covered in wounds—scrapes from climbing trees for food, bruises from stealing buns from street stalls, and cuts from stones hurled by village children.

Uncle Hui kept wincing as he treated his injuries, but they had to be tended to, the pain so intense it made tears stream down his face.

Third Brother had rummaged through his own bedside and handed him a bamboo figurine.

"Don't be afraid of the pain, Little Liulang. Brother’s bamboo figurine will stay with you."

He had been only eight then, and Third Brother ten.

That figurine had been Third Brother’s childhood companion, yet he gave it away without hesitation.

Years had passed, and the bamboo figurine remained in his hands. But he had carried it over countless miles, finally arriving in the capital this time. He had honored their childhood promise, bringing him to the capital to take the imperial exams.

Yet here in the capital...

He reached out, heedless of his injuries, his handsome face somber as he gently wiped the figurine’s face with his thumb.

"Brother, look... No sooner had you left than she married another. She only has eyes for her new husband, already pushing memories of you aside..."