“Now that I have married from the North to the Great Zhou and become your wife, I do not care what your life was like before. However, from now on, if anyone in the estate dares to despise you, they are making an enemy of me. We are one; I will settle the scores you find beneath you, I will be the villain you are unwilling to be, and I will do my utmost to treat your illness. In return, you must protect me to the best of your ability.
“Consider it a way for us, as a couple, to maintain a sense of dignity for the sake of the relationship between our two countries.”
In truth, what Ruan Xingci wanted to say was that once he was cured, he would have to dedicate his life to her in return. But since that felt a bit too abrupt, she decided to take things slowly.
Having said her piece, Ruan Xingci took the initiative to pick up the nuptial wine sitting on the table.
“Since the Heir remains silent, I shall take it as your agreement. In our future days at the Changchun Marquis Estate, let us look out for one another…”
With that, she drained the cup in one go.
Witnessing Ruan Xingci’s bold manner, Nangong Rang did not refuse. Even though he had already given up hope regarding his own condition, he simply wanted to protect this innocent woman.
“Since things have been said, I shall go and see how the matter regarding your maid is being handled…”
He stood up, coughed violently several times, and then walked out.
Watching his retreating back, Ruan Xingci toyed with her wine cup and thought to herself that her life in the Great Zhou had officially begun. However, her husband’s illness could not be delayed; starting tomorrow, she would have to begin his treatment.
Nangong Rang found his subordinates and confirmed that there was indeed nothing unusual about the deceased Biyun. He then ordered them to re-investigate Ruan Xingci’s background, fearing the previous information might have been incomplete.
Raised away from home since childhood, disliked by her father, shunned by her legitimate mother, three years of mourning, followed by marriage here the next year.
Her background was too clean, yet her composure was far too calm, and she had somehow manifested medical skills out of thin air. With such a stark contrast, Nangong Rang could not set his mind at ease.
“Heir, what if there really is a problem?” his subordinate asked gravely.
Nangong Rang’s pale face was exceptionally firm at that moment.
“If she is a spy, she must die.”
The subordinate hesitated for a moment but eventually complied.
“Have you found the one who administered the poison?” Nangong Rang asked.
“It was the work of the Third Branch,” the subordinate answered with certainty.
“This poison is rare; it is not something they could have found on their own.” Nangong Rang’s brow furrowed. “Continue the investigation.”
The subordinate’s expression changed. Aside from the Second and Third Branches, there was someone else trying to harm their master!
“Yes!” He hurriedly took the order and left.
In the bridal chamber, Bailu was already attending to Ruan Xingci’s grooming.
As her crown and other jewelry were placed neatly aside, Ruan Xingci studied her face in the bronze mirror—a face that looked plump from every angle—and calculated roughly how long it would take to heal herself.
“Miss, you struck the people serving the Madam and the Old Madam today. I’m afraid they won’t let the matter rest,” Bailu said, her voice filled with worry.
“As time goes on, they will feel lucky that I went easy on them because I was new…” Ruan Xingci spoke with genuine sincerity.
After all, she hadn’t even used her real skills yet. This body was far too heavy; aside from fixing her face, she also needed to lose weight.
Bailu added, “Since we arrived in Fengjing, we have heard people saying that the Heir’s heart belongs to Princess Nanping. I don’t know why the Marquis of Changchun took the initiative to petition the Emperor for this political marriage alliance…”
Ruan Xingci had heard the rumors, but she had already made up her mind. “If that Princess Nanping were interested, given the power behind her, the people in the Marquis Estate would not treat him this way. It’s clear that, at most, it was a case of unrequited love on his part, or perhaps just a rumor. Now, I am the wife of the Heir of the Changchun Marquis. Whoever dares to bully my husband again will have to get through me first.”
As they were speaking, Nangong Rang returned.
Bailu retreated outside.
Seeing him approach the bed, Ruan Xingci felt a sudden wave of shyness as she looked at his face. They aren’t actually going to… consume the marriage, are they? With genes this good, the children would be drop-dead gorgeous!
However, considering Nangong Rang’s current health and her own physique, neither of them was in optimal condition. It was better to delay this “beauty” for later.
“Heir!”
She continued in an apologetic tone, “Perhaps it is because of the long journey and the change in diet, but I did not expect my menses to arrive today. Sigh…”
Nangong Rang understood her intention immediately.
He felt much more relaxed. In truth, he had also intended to say that he felt quite unwell today and that they should rest early.
“Since it is such an unfortunate coincidence, then let us sleep.”
In the end, he did not turn and leave. If he did not stay the night on their wedding night, the damage to Ruan Xingci’s reputation would be too great.
Unexpectedly, Ruan Xingci grabbed him and said, “But we can do something else…”
Nangong Rang froze. Something else?
Ruan Xingci had Nangong Rang lie flat on the bed. Looking at that face that was handsome no matter how she viewed it, she became even more determined to lose weight, restore her appearance, and nurse his body back to health.
Since she lacked golden needles, she opted for auricular therapy. When her hand lightly touched Nangong Rang’s ear, his body trembled slightly.
He was very tense.
Soon after, a sense of relaxation he hadn’t felt in years spread through his entire body.
Combining her movements with Qigong, Ruan Xingci slowly regulated Nangong Rang’s blood and vital energy. Before long, Nangong Rang actually fell asleep because he was so comfortable.
This gave Ruan Xingci a great sense of achievement; it seemed her skills could indeed be put to use.
Watching the sleeping Nangong Rang, Ruan Xingci lay beside him with an excited heart. After letting her thoughts wander for a good while, she finally convinced herself not to touch him recklessly and to let him have a good night’s sleep.
In the middle of the night, when Ruan Xingci pulled Nangong Rang’s arm toward her in her sleep, he woke up slightly.
In the end, he did not stop her.
The next morning, before Ruan Xingci had slept her fill, she heard someone calling from outside: “Heir, Young Madam, the Old Madam is already awake. She wishes to remind you both not to oversleep and to prepare yourselves to go and offer tea.”
She opened her eyes and realized she was hugging Nangong Rang’s arm. Moreover, there was saliva wetting his sleeve. Her mind went into a chaotic whirl…
She quietly released his arm and turned away with light movements, pretending she had been perfectly well-behaved all night.
Nangong Rang also pretended as if nothing had happened. He had slept so well last night; it had been a long time since he’d had such an experience.
It seemed her claim of knowing medicine was not just talk.
When the two of them appeared in the main hall, the room was already full of people.
On the way there, Nangong Rang had briefly explained the current structure of the family. The Old Madam held authority; the Marquis of Changchun—his father—was gravely ill; the Madam of the estate didn’t involve herself much in affairs; and the members of the Second and Third Branches often visited, along with their various children.
“Oh, this must be the noble lady from the North who entered the gates yesterday. She is certainly different from the refined ladies of our Great Zhou, to be able to make a room full of elders wait for so long.” A slightly plump woman spoke; this was the wife of the Second Branch.
After she spoke, the woman beside her lowered her head and smirked. “Second Sister-in-law, say a few words less. After all, she comes from a land of barbarians; her rules and etiquette will need some training. She is a noble lady of a political marriage alliance, coming all this way with the title of a Commandery Princess. If her etiquette were perfect, she would likely have been married off back in the North already.”
This time it was the Third Madam speaking, her words equally mocking.
Looking at Ruan Xingci’s appearance, the two felt a wave of satisfaction. They hadn’t expected the legitimate son of the First Branch to marry such an ugly, fat woman.
But then again, what use was a beautiful wife to a dying man? She would be a widow soon enough anyway.
“Weren’t you waiting for me to offer tea?” Ruan Xingci retorted. “It seems the two of you have had quite enough to drink before coming here. To speak so much nonsense—aren’t you afraid of spraining your tongues?”