Сhарtеr 6: Вecoming а Нenpеcked Нusbаnd
Еvеrуоne turnеd аrоund.
Standing аt the еntrancе оf the wаrm pаviliоn wаs a wоmаn dressеd in рlаin сlоthеs with а woоden hаirрin, her eyes аnd brows аs clеаr аnd сold as а still, icy роnd, ехuding an аir of еxtremе саlmnеss.
It wаs nonе other than Ning Неng, whо hаd just bеen speаking with Lu Yun Juе аt the lаkesidе paviliоn.
Тhе Grаnd Princеss, unаble to сare аbоut fоrmаlities, hurriеdlу asked, “Do you know mediсine?”
“А littlе.”
Ning Неng stеpрed forward аnd eхaminеd Grannу Liu’s pupils, complexion, and breathing.
With swift movements, she took out a small white pill from the cloth pouch she carried, pried open Granny Liu’s mouth, and placed it under her tongue.
Then, she retrieved silver needles and accurately inserted them into several acupoints.
In no time, Granny Liu’s originally frighteningly rapid breathing gradually began to slow, and the terrifying bluish-purple hue on her face slowly faded.
Though she remained unconscious, anyone could see that the life-threatening crisis had been temporarily controlled!
“She’s fine for now, but she’ll need rest and recuperation afterward.”
Ning Heng put away the silver needles. “I’ll write a prescription. Have the medicine prepared according to it—boil three bowls of water down to one bowl and take it twice daily, morning and evening.”
Only then did the Grand Princess let out a long sigh of relief, her gaze toward Ning Heng now changed. “…What illness does Granny Liu have?”
Ning Heng replied as she wrote the prescription, “Acute chest pain (acute myocardial infarction).”
The few physicians who had not yet left exchanged glances, then suddenly understood. “Acute chest pain? So it was this illness…”
“I’ve practiced medicine for nearly thirty years and have never seen such a case…”
It was no wonder these physicians were unfamiliar. In this era, such acute conditions were almost equivalent to a death sentence from the King of Hell.
The incidence wasn’t particularly high, but death came swiftly—onset in the morning, death by evening; onset in the evening, death by morning.
Most patients didn’t survive long enough for a physician to diagnose the root cause…
If not for Ning Heng having learned the essence of modern integrated Chinese and Western medicine from her mother, Ning Jiao, since childhood, Granny Liu would have either died or been left half-paralyzed today.
After finishing the prescription, Ning Heng handed it to a nearby maid. “She must rest in bed recently and take the medicine on time. Your Highness, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Wait.” The Grand Princess called out to her.
Ning Heng turned back. “Hmm?”
The Grand Princess opened her mouth, perhaps wanting to say a few words of gratitude.
But as the Emperor’s aunt, she had been domineering since childhood, accustomed to having the final say in everything. She had even ruthlessly divorced her unfaithful husband. Now, having to thank a junior was truly a bit difficult for her.
Lu Yun Jue, who had been standing nearby, spoke gently, “Mother, A Heng must be tired today. Let her go back and rest first. There will be plenty of time to interact in the future.”
He called her A Heng now?
The Grand Princess gave the two of them a complicated look, but her tone softened considerably. “Today… thank you. Go back and rest well.”
…This widowed daughter retrieved by the Marquis’s household is rather interesting.
…
That evening, after handling government affairs, He Lian made his way to the Rui Prince’s residence to inquire about the outcome of the matchmaking.
He looked at his cousin, who was reclining on the soft couch and seemed to be in slightly better spirits than usual, and took a sip of tea.
“How was it?”
The corners of Lu Yun Jue’s lips curved slightly, his eyes carrying a rare, relaxed smile. “I think it went very well. She agreed too.”
In He Lian’s view, this marriage wasn’t exactly perfect, but since both parties were satisfied, what else could he say besides offering his blessings?
“…As long as you’re happy.”
Lu Yun Jue said, “I’ll trouble you, Cousin, to personally draft the decree. Settling this early will put everyone at ease.”
Seeing his cousin so impatient for the first time, He Lian’s expression was indescribable. “…Fine.”Not long ago, he was still resisting fiercely, saying that wedding celebrations to ward off misfortune were useless.
But now, with the Red Luan Star in motion, it truly cannot be stopped.
A short while later, the imperial edict for the marriage was drafted and kept by Defu, awaiting only the imperial seal.
In He Lian’s heart, his cousin was a man of grace and brilliance, deserving of the most perfect woman in the world. Yet now, he was to marry a widow carrying another man’s child—truly a grievance.
Not knowing how to comfort others, the Emperor could only pat Lu Yun Jue’s shoulder and say stiffly, “Huai Jin, look on the bright side.”
Lu Yun Jue: “?” Look on the bright side of what?
He Lian continued, “Although the child isn’t yours, your wife is… Once your health improves a bit, consummate the marriage early and have a child of your own.”
Lu Yun Jue: “…”
He sighed softly, his tone tinged with helplessness. “Cousin, if you don’t know how to comfort people, you really don’t have to.”
Having been bedridden for so many years, subjected to countless rounds of medicine, his body was already depleted. Even in the mornings, there was no reaction… How could he possibly father a child?
Moreover, she had just been widowed and might still be mourning her late husband. How could she easily accept another man?
It was merely a matter of living together.
He Lian also realized his words were inappropriate and coughed lightly twice.
Just as he was about to rise and take his leave, he suddenly frowned slightly, his nose twitching. “What is that scent on you?”
He Lian had a keen sense of smell. Earlier, when he had drawn close, he had noticed a faint medicinal fragrance on Lu Yun Jue, different from the bitter and heavy scent of the usual decoctions. It was subtle, elusive, cool, and carried an indescribable familiarity.
As if… he had encountered it up close at some point.
Hearing this, Lu Yun Jue instinctively lifted his sleeve and sniffed but detected nothing unusual.
“It’s probably the smell of today’s medicine or the incense from my mother’s room. Why do you ask?”
Suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, He Lian shook his head. “It’s nothing. Perhaps I misperceived it.”
“It’s getting late. Rest well. Tomorrow morning, the imperial edict will arrive at Pingyang Marquis Manor.”
After a moment of thought, Lu Yun Jue said gently, “Have the eunuch delivering the edict go in the afternoon. If it’s too early… she might not be awake yet.”
He Lian: “…”
It had only been a day since they last met. Why did his cousin seem to be developing a tendency toward being “love-struck”? How strange.
…
The next day, in the afternoon.
The imperial edict for the marriage arrived at Pingyang Marquis Manor.
“By the decree of Heaven and the mandate of the Emperor, it is hereby proclaimed: Ning Heng, the legitimate daughter of Pingyang Marquis Manor, virtuous and dignified, well-versed in etiquette and propriety, is hereby betrothed to Rui Prince Lu Yun Jue as his principal consort. The wedding shall take place on the auspicious day of the eighteenth day of the fourth month. So it is decreed—”
Watching Ning Heng accept the bright yellow imperial scroll with an expressionless face, Xue Wan, standing beside her, felt a tumult of emotions.
Bitterness, jealousy, and resentment nearly overwhelmed her.
If not for the accident of the switched children, this marriage that elevated one to the highest branch—even if it was to a sickly phoenix—should have been hers!
When she learned she was not the true bloodline of Pingyang Marquis Manor, Xue Wan felt as if the sky had collapsed.
The ancestors of Pingyang Marquis were not originally wealthy; they were merely minor officials. It was only after one of them blocked an assassin’s arrow for the previous emperor that the family rose to the rank of marquis.
Later, the descendants proved capable, repeatedly achieving merits, and now held a place in the court.She had been raised in luxury since childhood, clothed in fine silks and fed with delicacies. As the study companion of the Ninth Princess, the current emperor’s younger sister, many noble daughters from less prestigious families would flatter and curry favor with her. She had long grown accustomed to such a life of being the center of attention.
Now, with a sudden turn of events, she had fallen from the clouds and become an awkward “adopted daughter.”
Her so-called birth mother was merely a lowly midwife who, driven by a moment of wicked intent, had swapped her for a life of wealth. Now, she didn’t even know whether that woman was dead or alive in some filthy ditch.
From childhood to adulthood, the Pingyang Marquis Estate had been her home, and her parents and brothers were her dearest family.
Xue Wan simply could not imagine herself reduced to the state of a commoner, dressed in coarse cloth, struggling to make ends meet…
Without the support of the marquis estate, how would she survive in the future?
Fortunately, that Rui Prince was a sickly man. Even if she were to be married off as a “lucky bride” to ward off his illness, how many years could he possibly live?
Perhaps it wouldn’t be long before… Xue Wan thought maliciously, feeling slightly more at ease.
But she could not simply wait for fate to take its course. The only plan now was to seize another opportunity—to firmly grasp hold of Prince Duan’s heir.
Even if he was a fool or a coward, as long as he could help her escape this awkward identity, nothing else mattered!