Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Perhaps it was the chill she caught from scrubbing the floor that day—and Jiang Heng’s aversion to medicine—that led her to endure for several days. Her cold worsened, necessitating a doctor’s visit and an even more bitter prescription.

“Madam, if you don’t drink it now, it will cool and need reheating, making it even more unpleasant,” Chun Jin urged patiently, holding the medicine bowl closer to Jiang Heng.

“Are there any dried pomegranates?” Jiang Heng asked weakly.

Chun Jin shook her head helplessly. “I couldn’t find any.”

Jiang Heng had loved pomegranates since childhood, especially when taking medicine, as only they could cut the bitterness. At this time, pomegranate blossoms had just appeared; fresh fruit was still out of season, so dried pomegranates were the only option. Yet, the capital’s residents were obsessed with peonies—not only admiring but also consuming them—so most market stalls sold peony pastries. Other fruits and preserves, though available, were scarce. Who would have thought that in such a vast capital, even dried pomegranates would be unobtainable?

“Madam, pomegranates have large seeds and little flesh. They’re fine fresh, but once dried, their flavor fades and their appearance suffers. Few people like them, so few vendors stock them. When the harvest comes this year, I’ll personally prepare a batch for you,” Chun Jin coaxed gently.

Jiang Heng smiled faintly and nodded, recalling that the first dried pomegranates she’d ever eaten had been given to her by the Yan brothers.

All the dried pomegranates she’d eaten before had been homemade—first by Madam Yan, and after her passing, by the brothers themselves. After returning to the capital from Canghe, she still enjoyed them, but her mother scolded her for having low-class taste and eating such humble things. So she stopped, enduring the craving and only eating a few when forced to take medicine. After marrying into the Gu family, she had hardly needed medicine, making dried pomegranates unnecessary—and gradually, Chun Jin ceased making them.

Lying languidly on the daybed, Jiang Heng drifted into memories of dried pomegranates. The faint smile that had just touched her eyes slowly faded. Finally, she closed her eyes, turned toward the wall, and said, “There’s no need to make them.”

Chun Jin knew Jiang Heng must have been reminded of painful memories again. Fearing further distress, she softly replied, “Alright,” then stood by, warming the medicine while waiting for Jiang Heng to calm down.

“Madam, your cousin from the Luo family is here to see you,” Rui Zhu announced.

Feeling lethargic and dispirited, Jiang Heng had no desire to receive guests. Just as she was about to send the visitor away, Luo Ci affectionately called out, “Elder Sister-in-law!” and stepped into the room.

Upon entering and catching the scent of medicine, Luo Ci glanced at the warming bowl and feigned surprise. “Elder Sister-in-law, after taking medicine for so many days, you’re still not better?”

Jiang Heng had only begun taking medicine the day before—and had no idea where Luo Ci had gotten the notion of “so many days.” Knowing Luo Ci’s habit of masking malice with a smile, Jiang Heng simply smiled without replying, uncertain what falsehoods Luo Ci would spin next.

Ignoring Jiang Heng’s silence, Luo Ci continued, “Theoretically, if Young Master personally obtained the medicine for you, there shouldn’t be any issues. But if you’re still unwell after all this time, could someone have tampered with it?”

Hearing the absurdity of the suggestion, Chun Jin interjected, “Cousin must be mistaken. Madam only started taking medicine yesterday. I personally fetched and brewed it—I haven’t seen the master bring any medicine.”

Not only had Gu Yu brought no medicine—he hadn’t visited at all since the day he’d stormed in, kicked the door open, and left her lady injured.

Luo Ci pretended shock. “He didn’t bring any medicine? Then whose medicine has he been fetching these past few days?”

“Elder Sister-in-law, you don’t know how thorough Young Master was. He handled everything himself—even checking each ingredient to ensure the pharmacy made no mistake. I thought, besides you, who else would he care for so deeply?”

By now, Jiang Heng understood exactly for whom the medicine was intended—and knew Luo Ci had already guessed and was deliberately provoking her. Yet Gu Yu had previously warned her that his sister’s illness was a secret, not to be disclosed. So Jiang Heng feigned ignorance, leaning lazily on the daybed and saying, “Cousin, why not ask Young Master yourself?”

Luo Ci was momentarily speechless, realizing Jiang Heng was playing dumb. After a moment’s pause, she laid it out plainly: “If it wasn’t for you, Elder Sister-in-law, then it must have been for Seventh Young Miss, right? Is Seventh Young Miss ill?”

Jiang Heng replied indifferently, “I haven’t heard anything.”

Luo Ci pressed on, “It must be for Seventh Young Miss. I’ve never seen Young Master care for anyone else so much. Oh, Elder Sister-in-law—have you heard? At the palace banquet, Young Master even spoke up for Seventh Young Miss.”

Jiang Heng remained silent, so Luo Ci continued unbidden: “A princess from the Southern Dynasties burst into tears during the banquet. She wept over her brother’s wrongful death, begging His Majesty to seek justice. She claimed Seventh Young Miss was being treated well in prison—living comfortably—and demanded she be punished immediately.”

She glanced at Jiang Heng, adding vividly, “Young Master’s face darkened instantly. He told the princess that Seventh Young Miss is now Madam Guiyi and deserves respect. His Majesty, out of consideration for the Chen family’s grief, has detained Seventh Young Miss without evidence. For the princess to demand punishment—was she trying to force His Majesty to kill, risking the reputation of being narrow-minded and intolerant toward a widow of the former dynasty?”

“You have no idea—when Seventh Young Miss was mentioned, no one dared speak. Only Young Master had the courage to speak up.”

Luo Ci’s words, though seemingly innocent, brimmed with provocation.

Luo Ci knew Jiang Heng had been bedridden for days—and had even been stripped of her invitation to the palace banquet by Luo Shi because of it. Yet here she was—not only boasting about her own attendance but rubbing in how Jiang Heng’s husband had treated another woman with such devotion.

What wife could tolerate her husband treating another woman like this? Who wouldn’t be enraged by such a story?

Luo Ci hadn’t come out of concern—she likely hoped to worsen Jiang Heng’s illness—or even drive her to death by fury, if possible.

Chun Jin grew angrier by the second, gritting her teeth and ready to confront Luo Ci—when Jiang Heng spoke softly.

“My husband is indeed a loyal man.”

Though pale with illness, Jiang Heng wore a gentle, faint smile—showing no trace of jealousy, only quiet contentment.

“After all these years, he still treats my elder sister the same as always. As her younger sister, I should be happy that she has such a devoted gentleman by her side.”

Jiang Heng suddenly sighed. “But actually, this isn’t good either. In my husband’s eyes, there has only ever been my sister’s face. Whether marrying a wife or taking a concubine—it’s always the same. If someday another woman admires him—even willing to stay by his side without status—but lacks my sister’s looks…”

She shook her head regretfully. “I’m afraid she wouldn’t even catch his eye, wasting her devotion for nothing.”

Luo Ci had reached marriageable age two years ago but remained unbetrothed. She often involved herself in Gu Yu’s affairs, her intentions obvious. Though Jiang Heng named no one, her words struck Luo Ci like a dagger to the heart.

Even Luo Shi—Luo Ci’s own aunt—had told her Gu Yu held no interest in her. Otherwise, given their close relationship, she would long since have entered Gu Yu’s household—perhaps even standing equal to Jiang Heng—rather than remaining a dependent cousin.

Rarely losing control of her emotions, Luo Ci’s face darkened.

Jiang Heng ignored her, downed the medicine in one gulp, and lay back languidly. “I’m going to sleep. Cousin, please see yourself out.”

Fuming but unable to vent her anger, Luo Ci left resentfully.

Just outside the main room, she heard commotion from the east courtyard. Listening closely, it was He Ji’s voice.

“I won’t drink that stuff—it’s too bitter! If you force me, I’ll take my own life!”

The maids, knowing He Ji was reckless—and mindful of her status as the master’s concubine—hesitated to push too hard. They were about to relent when Luo Ci arrived. Straightening their backs, they taunted He Ji: “Who are you trying to scare? Being given medicine is a privilege. You’re lucky to have such a generous master, with daily doses. If it were up to me, I’d give you a strong dose to render you sterile for good—so you’d never suffer like this again!”

He Ji retorted, “If you’ve got the guts, give me that strong dose! Let’s see if you dare! The Duke never ordered me to take medicine—you’re all overstepping your authority!”

Still smarting from Jiang Heng’s earlier insinuations that she was nameless and inferior even to the concubines, Luo Ci flared up. Abandoning her usual honeyed tone, she sneered at He Ji: “My cousin may not have said it—but Elder Sister-in-law did. What, can the proper Duchess not manage you?”

Aware of Luo Ci’s backing from Luo Shi and Xiao Luo Shi, He Ji dared not argue outright—but muttered defiantly, “Anyway, I’m not drinking that medicine. If you’re so brave, give me the strong dose.”

“Fine—I’ll give you exactly what you’re asking for,” Luo Ci snapped, ordering a maid to fetch the medicine.

Shocked that Luo Ci meant it, He Ji grew fearful. Seizing her chance, she fled the east courtyard, shouting “Murder!” as she ran toward the main gate.

Though He Ji was quickly recaptured and returned to the east courtyard, news that the Duchess had forced all three concubines to drink medicine reached Luo Shi.

Luo Shi summoned Jiang Heng for questioning.

“Lady Jiang, as San Lang’s wife, you’ve failed to bear a single child—yet you’re so jealous and domineering, mistreating the concubines! Do you want my San Lang to have no heirs?”

Already humiliated by He Ji’s outburst during her guest reception, Luo Shi was furious with Jiang Heng—and launched into a tirade the moment she arrived.

Unaware of Luo Ci’s misuse of her name, Jiang Heng defended herself: “Mother, why do you say this?”

Xiao Luo Shi snorted, “Sister-in-law, stop pretending. All three concubines said you forced them to drink the medicine. Would they dare falsely accuse you?”

Jiang Heng insisted on her innocence. Convinced she was being obstinate, Luo Shi traced the rumor back to Luo Ci.

Adopting her usual timid, pitiable demeanor, Luo Ci took the blame—tearfully telling Luo Shi, “Aunt, Elder Sister-in-law didn’t tell me to do it!”

Xiao Luo Shi declared loudly, “Aci, don’t be afraid of her! Mother and I will have your back!”

Then she turned to glare furiously at Jiang Heng: "You really know how to boss people around, making my younger sister run all your errands, and when something goes wrong, you push her out to take the blame. Do you really think our family has no backing, letting you bully her like this?"

As soon as Xiao Luo Shi finished speaking, Luo Ci cooperatively collapsed to the floor sobbing, overwhelmed with grievance.

Luo Shi had long made up her mind that Jiang Heng was behind it all and had no intention of carefully discerning the truth. Seeing her two nieces clutching each other and weeping, she felt as if she herself had been wronged. Glaring resentfully at Jiang Heng, she said, "Not only are you jealous and overbearing, but you’re also a liar! Go kneel in the ancestral temple. When you’ve thought it through and are willing to tell the truth, then come back to me!"

Jiang Heng also knew that Luo Shi and her nieces were united against her and that she couldn’t clear herself, so she stopped arguing. She stood up to go to the ancestral temple but happened to run into Gu Yu returning home.

"Master, the mistress is ill and cannot kneel in the ancestral temple. I beg you, have mercy!" As soon as Rui Zhu saw Gu Yu, she knelt and pleaded.

Gu Yu motioned for her to rise. He glanced at Jiang Heng, then looked at Luo Ci, who was prostrate on the floor weeping, and his elder sister-in-law dabbing her eyes nearby. Finally, he turned to Luo Shi and asked, "Mother, what has made you so angry?"

Luo Shi then explained the whole story from start to finish, and at the end, she pointed angrily at Jiang Heng and said, "Don’t be fooled by her resemblance to Ling Lu—appearances can be deceiving. She doesn't hold a candle to Ling Lu!"

After hearing this, Gu Yu looked at Jiang Heng again. She kept her eyes downcast, her face pale, and she seemed lethargic and spiritless, clearly ill. After a moment’s thought, he said to Rui Zhu, "Take the mistress back to rest."

"San Lang!" Luo Shi objected.

"Third Uncle!" Xiao Luo Shi was also unwilling to let it go.

Gu Yu still instructed Rui Zhu to take Jiang Heng back. Rui Zhu profusely thanked him and, together with Chun Jin, half-supported, half-carried Jiang Heng out of Yifang Hall.

After Jiang Heng and her attendants had left and the room quieted down, Gu Yu said seriously to his mother, "The matter of administering the medicine was done on my orders."

Luo Shi and her nieces widened their eyes in shock.

Only Luo Ci knew Gu Yu was lying, and only she immediately thought of a way to expose his lie. If it really had been his order, why hadn’t Jiang Heng said so earlier? Why had she denied it? But she couldn’t say anything...

Yet she couldn’t accept it. After a moment’s thought, she came up with a compromise. Weeping, she said, "Really, cousin? Was it really you who ordered sister-in-law to do it? Then why didn’t she say so? Why did she insist it was me acting on my own, forcing the three sisters to take the medicine?"

Gu Yu frowned almost imperceptibly. After a moment of silence, he still offered an explanation: "She didn’t want those three women to bear a grudge against me."

This reason seemed fitting enough. Luo Shi and Xiao Luo Shi fell silent and didn’t press further about why Gu Yu had ordered the contraceptive medicine for the three women, assuming he had his reasons for everything he did.

Only Luo Ci’s hatred grew stronger. She knew Gu Yu was lying—this cousin of hers, always so upright and strict, was now lying to protect that Jiang Heng, even deceiving his own mother and sister-in-law.

Gu Yu left Yifang Hall and went to Ninghe Courtyard.

Jiang Heng had just taken her medicine and was feeling very drowsy. Having been summoned by her mother-in-law and unjustly scolded, she felt somewhat weighed down at heart. She had just about to fall asleep when a maid announced that Gu Yu had arrived.

Regardless, he had protected her earlier and spared her from punishment. She ought to get up and express her gratitude.

Jiang Heng rubbed her aching temples, lifted her eyelids, and struggled to support herself from the bed. She personally poured tea for the man.

"Thank you, husband, for earlier."

Perhaps because she was ill, her usually gentle voice was even softer now. Gu Yu looked at her again and asked, "How did you fall ill?"

His voice was as cold as ever, and the question held no warmth or concern, as if it were merely a routine inquiry.

Jiang Heng said, "I probably wanted to stay cool. I left the window open at night and caught a cold."

Gu Yu gave a faint "mm" in response. Smelling the medicine in the room, he knew she was already taking medication and said no more about it. After a moment’s thought, he added, "You should have told me about the medicine earlier."

Jiang Heng was taken aback but quickly understood what he meant. Clearly, he too believed that she had forced the three concubines to take the contraceptive medicine.

"It wasn’t me," Jiang Heng argued, unable to help frowning.

Gu Yu frowned slightly, but seeing her furrowed brow and remembering she was ill and had already been scolded by his mother, he suppressed his irritation and said patiently, "I’ll let it go this time, but in the future, don’t do such things again, and don’t use Aci as a shield."

"Lord Duke, it really wasn’t me," Jiang Heng insisted.

Gu Yu’s gaze darkened.

He naturally didn’t believe Jiang Heng was innocent. Who else would or could do such a thing besides her?

He had already said he wouldn’t pursue it, yet she stubbornly clung to her lies.

"Get some rest."

Gu Yu had originally intended to stay in the room, but seeing that the lady showed no sign of remorse, he stood up and left.