Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Jiang Heng knew Gu Yu didn't believe her. He had only refrained from punishing or reprimanding her because she was ill. Luo Ci had likely foreseen this situation, which was why she had acted so boldly under Jiang Heng’s name without fear of consequences.

“Chun Jin, go to the east courtyard and inform them that from now on, unless the message comes directly from you, it is not my wish.”

Chun Jin assented and headed to the east courtyard. Unexpectedly, she did not return until an hour later.

Rui Zhu asked, “Why did it take so long?”

Chun Jin remained silent at first, glancing toward the inner chamber before whispering, “Has the young lady fallen asleep?”

Only after Rui Zhu nodded did Chun Jin allow her grievances to surface. She pulled Rui Zhu aside to the outer chamber and spoke in a hushed tone.

“The master is also in the east courtyard, watching the three concubines dance. Since the young lady fell ill, he hasn’t visited her even once. Yet today, he found the time to go to the east courtyard!” As she spoke, Chun Jin’s eyes reddened.

Rui Zhu quickly tried to soothe her, saying, “The master didn’t come these past few days because Seventh Miss was ill. He must have been caring for Seventh Miss.”

“Seventh Miss this, Seventh Miss that—is she the only one who matters? Is our young lady not a person too?”

Chun Jin had long been resentful on Jiang Heng’s behalf. Now, with her own mistress ill and Rui Zhu still defending her former mistress, Chun Jin grew agitated and involuntarily raised her voice.

Rui Zhu also felt wronged and retorted softly, “Why take it out on me? It was the master’s decision to go, not mine.”

Seeing how pitifully Chun Jin was crying, and considering the years of friendship between them, Rui Zhu decided not to argue further. She embraced Chun Jin and asked, “Did something happen to you in the east courtyard?”

Chun Jin’s tears fell even more freely. She nodded and, afraid of disturbing Jiang Heng, lowered her voice further. “That He Ji spent half the day speaking sarcastically to me.”

Though the two maids were speaking softly in the outer chamber, the room was quiet, and Jiang Heng, who had never been fully asleep, heard every word clearly.

She knew that Chun Jin’s grievances were suffered in her place.

Gu Yu’s visit to the east courtyard at this time was undoubtedly to comfort the three concubines. He Ji, resentful over the medicine incident, must have long harbored malice toward Jiang Heng. However, due to their difference in status, she dared not confront Jiang Heng directly. Seizing this opportunity, with Gu Yu backing her, He Ji had vented her anger on Chun Jin.

Gu Yu firmly believed that Jiang Heng had administered the medicine to the women and had only shown leniency because she was ill. But he was far less tolerant toward Chun Jin. By allowing He Ji to berate her, he not only allowed He Ji to vent her resentment but also likely intended to send a warning to Jiang Heng, ensuring she would not dare to take action against the three concubines again.

Jiang Heng sighed softly and instinctively reached for the pendant around her neck. Not finding it, her nose tingled suddenly.

Her elder sister had come back, now a widow. It seemed Gu Yu’s affection for her had not diminished. So, could he release her now?

Once her sister was released from prison, could she request a divorce?

...

No one had expected that, just a few days later, another incident occurred in the east courtyard. All three concubines fell ill, with He Ji being the most severely affected. It was said she had vomited blood and fell unconscious, incessantly muttering one phrase: “Someone is trying to harm me.”

Several physicians were called, but none could identify the exact cause of the illness. They merely prescribed medications and advised Xia Ji and Su Lanxun to rest. As for He Ji, the physicians unanimously declared her beyond saving. She lasted less than three days and was taken away.

The incident naturally alarmed Gu Yu. As soon as he entered the east courtyard, Xia Ji and Su Lanxun knelt before him, weeping and begging him to let them leave.

The two women understood clearly: He Ji had been right. Their illness was no coincidence. How could every physician fail to identify the cause? It was simply because their lives were considered lowly, and the physicians feared offending powerful people by speaking out.

Being newcomers, they were unfamiliar with the harmful substances used in the northern regions and had no idea when or how they had been poisoned. They doubted Gu Yu would launch a thorough investigation, and even if he did, the complexity of domestic matters might prevent any conclusive results. A dismissive comment—accusing them of feigning illness to disrupt the household—would only further incriminate them.

“Lord Duke, please let us go,” Su Lanxun pleaded.

Among the three, Su Lanxun was the most timid. Having witnessed He Ji’s tragic death, she was truly frightened. Normally too afraid to approach Gu Yu, she now clutched the hem of his robe, her face streaked with tears.

Gu Yu instructed Cheng Ping to help Xia Ji and Su Lanxun to their feet and said, “From today onward, Cheng Ping alone will oversee your daily needs. Your food, attire, and daily provisions will be arranged separately.”

Moreover, a small kitchen was set up exclusively for the east courtyard, along with additional cleaning servants and guards personally selected by Gu Yu. Only then were the two women somewhat calmed.

“Cheng Ping, what have you found?” Gu Yu asked in his study.

He had tasked Cheng Ping with investigating the matter as soon as the three fell ill. Several days had passed, and it was time for a report.

Cheng Ping shook his head helplessly. “Nothing conclusive. The food, clothing, and other supplies for Xia Ji and the others are no different from those in other courtyards. There’s no trace of anything unusual. Moreover, we don’t know when or how they were poisoned, making it impossible to investigate further.”

Gu Yu pondered for a moment before asking, “What did the physicians say?”

Cheng Ping relayed the physicians’ inability to determine the cause of the illness.

Gu Yu pressed further, “Which physician prescribed the medicine? Was it appropriate for their condition?”

“It was Physician Han who prescribed it. It was appropriate, as Lady Xia Ji and Lady Su Lanxun have improved significantly.”

“Have him come here,” Gu Yu ordered, suspecting that Physician Han had not been fully forthcoming. If the medicine was effective, he must have known the cause of the illness.

Seeing that only Gu Yu was present, Physician Han realized his cautiousness had been seen through. He decided not to conceal the truth any longer.

“Those three ladies indeed appear to have been poisoned. It seems to be caused by a contraceptive pill called ‘Youjian Fulin.’ This medicine is highly toxic—a single pill can prevent pregnancy. Overuse, however, can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or even coughing up blood, coma, and life-threatening conditions.”

He Ji’s death was likely the result of excessive dosage.

Gu Yu’s expression darkened. Contraceptive medicine again.

After dismissing Physician Han, Gu Yu went straight to Jiang Heng’s quarters. He found her sitting by the window, idly toying with a vibrant red pomegranate blossom.

Her face, already radiant as peach blossoms, seemed to glow even brighter against the flower, dazzling to behold.

Her energy and complexion had improved significantly, indicating she had recovered from her illness. At that moment, she seemed in especially good spirits.

Jiang Heng rose to greet him, softly addressing him as “husband.” Gu Yu responded with a low “hmm” and sat down beside the table. “Do you have any insight into what happened in the east courtyard?” he asked.

His gaze was stern and sharp, making it clear this was no casual inquiry. Jiang Heng knew he suspected her again, just as he had before.

“Lord Duke, it wasn’t me last time, and it isn’t me this time either.”

Jiang Heng explained calmly, “Previously, supplies for the east courtyard were indeed sent to me first, and I arranged their distribution. But since I fell ill, I instructed them to deliver directly to the east courtyard without involving me.”

Gu Yu had already verified these details. Even so, Jiang Heng remained the prime suspect.

Aside from her, who else would care so much about whether the three concubines bore his children?

“Lady Jiang, rest assured, I will protect you. But you must tell me the truth.” Gu Yu fixed his gaze on her, his words carrying a chilling authority.

Jiang Heng lowered her eyes and remained silent for a long time before speaking softly, “I hold no authority in this household, nor do I manage any affairs. There is nothing in their daily supplies that I could tamper with unnoticed. Instead of questioning me, Lord Duke, why not investigate—”

“Lady Jiang, are you trying to shift the blame to Aci again?” Gu Yu interrupted coldly. “Xia Ji and the others fell ill from an overdose of contraceptive medicine. Tell me, how would Aci, an unwed girl, know about such methods? And why would she administer contraceptive medicine to them?”

“He Ji was the most severely affected. I recall she once offended Chun Jin.”

His eyes bore into Jiang Heng, filled with accusation and intimidation, every word pointing to her as the culprit.

Jiang Heng met his gaze and suddenly understood something.

Gu Yu didn't believe a word she said—no matter what she claimed.

Just because she was his wife, she must've been jealous of those three concubines? She must fear that one of them would have his child before she did?

Because she was a married woman, she must know more about contraceptive medicine than Luo Ci?

Because He Ji had once reprimanded Chun Jin, it must be someone from her household seeking revenge?

In short, Gu Yu was convinced—last time it was her, this time it was her again.

He only knew that she was his wife, the one with the strongest motive to harm the three concubines. Yet he never considered her character—whether she'd even be capable of such deeds.

When he said he would protect her, it was only because of her elder sister, wasn’t it? Even though he didn’t believe her and suspected her of wrongdoing, he was still willing to shield her for that reason.

"It wasn’t me," Jiang Heng said, looking directly into Gu Yu’s eyes, saying this for the last time.

Her eyes were like autumn nighttime waters—deep, clear, and still, yet carrying a faint chill. "If you, my lord, have evidence that I did it, then follow the law and turn me over to the authorities."

Having said this, she turned away and no longer looked at him. After a moment of silence, she sat down alone at the sutra desk and began copying sutras.

Gu Yu also fell silent, his gaze fixed on her.

She sat under the multi-branched lamp, holding a brush as she wrote. Her figure was slender, her face pure and fair, serene and peaceable.

Could it truly not be her?

On careful reflection, since she had married into the Gu family, she had indeed never stirred up trouble. She had always been like this—quiet, calm, and peaceable.

If it wasn’t her, then was it Luo Ci?

But what reason would Luo Ci have to do such a thing? If she truly had feelings for him, wouldn’t the first person she’d want to remove be Jiang Heng?

Luo Ci had never shown disrespect toward Jiang Heng. On the contrary, she had always been close to her sister-in-law.

It definitely wasn’t Luo Ci.

Regardless of whether it was Jiang Heng or not, to prevent her from targeting Xia Ji again, it would be best to send her away for now. Once he had properly settled the matters concerning Xia Ji and Su, he could bring her back.

Having made up his mind, Gu Yu said, "I plan to hold a memorial service for He Ji at Guanyin Temple. You shall go and preside over it for me. Come back after seven days."

Jiang Heng's brush hesitated slightly but she did not look up, coolly replying, "Very well."

In the end, he still believed she had done wrong—that she had taken a life—and that was why he was making her personally officiate He Ji’s memorial service at Guanyin Temple, wasn’t it?