As the carriage drove into the Pingyang Marquis Residence, dusk was growing darker.
Shen Ji carefully placed the unconscious Yan Shu on the bed in the guest courtyard and sent the butler to summon the residence physician.
Yan Shu’s face was pale as paper, his breathing faint, and the large bloodstain spreading across his chest looked terrifying. The residence physician stepped forward and examined him carefully. His condition inside was stable, at least. The physician inwardly marveled that this man was truly lucky to be alive… poisoned and stabbed in the chest, yet still not dead.
Turning to Shen Ji, who was seated nearby, he quickly replied with a respectful expression: “My Lord Heir, this Young Master has lost too much blood and has been struck by the deadly poison Autumn Cicada Weep. His vital energy is greatly damaged, and his internal organs are also injured. Fortunately, treatment came in time. Not only has the poison of Autumn Cicada Weep been neutralized, but his heart meridians have also been protected. After taking medicinal broth for a few days to clear the residual poison and strengthen his foundation, his life should be out of danger. However, he will need long-term rest in the future and must avoid strain or agitation; otherwise, his lifespan may be affected.”
The residence physician wrote out the prescription, carefully explained the many precautions, and, not daring to say more, hurried off to decoct the medicine himself.
He had heard that this man had been carried back personally by the Heir, and that the Marquis Residence was now entirely under the Heir’s control. After the previous mistress of the household passed away, Shen Ji’s page boy had come to him several times to ask him to see the Heir, but fearing trouble, he had sent them away at once.
Ever since Shen Ji returned to the Marquis Residence, Physician Li had been worried about being driven out of the Marquis Residence. The day after the ceremony, he had personally witnessed how the dozens of expelled people had left the residence. Thinking of their miserable condition, Physician Li quickened his pace and returned to the pharmacy to decoct the medicine.
After Shen Ji watched Yan Shu finish the medicinal broth and heard that his breathing had become steady and that he would not wake until tomorrow morning, he instructed the page boy to take good care of him and then went to the study.
Yan Shu’s tragic fate from his previous life had also been completely changed. Shen Ji sighed inwardly. In his previous life, this brilliantly gifted minister who should have governed the state and saved the people had died silently on the road to the imperial examinations. After death, his body had never even been found; he had been left exposed in the wilderness, and his vast learning had never had the chance to be put to use.
He then thought of the Yan family, which the system’s plot had mentioned only briefly. As a great Jiangnan clan, the Yan family had been a century-old family of pure scholars, with literary learning passed down through generations. The White Deer Academy they had founded was even famous throughout the world and could be considered half of Jiangnan’s literary backbone.
As the most outstanding descendant of the Yan family in this generation, Yan Shu had been known as a child prodigy from a young age. At thirteen, he wrote The Strategy for Enriching the State, which caused a sensation in scholarly circles. Even Li Yuan, the current grand chancellor, had read it and praised it endlessly, saying that Yan Shu had the talent to govern the country. He was also the dynasty’s first top scholar thought most likely to achieve the Six Firsts.
What was more, his appearance was so strikingly handsome, like a banished immortal, that every time he went out, the young women passing by would be dazzled, and some even threw sachets and handkerchiefs at him. Unable to stand the disturbance, Yan Shu spent most of his time hiding in White Deer Academy and studying in peace.
Who would have thought that he would die on the road to the imperial examinations, ending so abruptly? Afterward, the Yan family was framed and exiled, and White Deer Academy was renamed, becoming Prince Duan’s aid in the literary world.
Just as he was deep in thought, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a knock.
“My Lord Heir,” the old butler’s voice carried uncontrollable excitement. This was the first visiting card delivered since the Heir had taken back control of the Marquis Residence, and it was from the renowned Duke Zhenguo’s Residence. The butler felt deeply gratified.
“The butler from Duke Zhenguo’s Residence just personally delivered a visiting card, saying that the Duke will come to visit tomorrow.”
Shen Ji merely replied indifferently, “Understood.”
He waved for the butler to prepare the evening meal. Since the weather was cold today, a hot pot would be most suitable.
It seemed that Duke Zhenguo’s Residence had already uncovered the truth behind Chu Yu’s abduction. In his previous life, Chu Yu’s abduction had been one of the capital’s great mysteries.
The Heir’s wife had been overwhelmed by grief and passed away early. Chu Lin had successively lost his wife and son and became despondent. When faults were found in his duties, he was removed from the Ministry of War. The Old Duke had already carried many hidden injuries from years of battle, and in a clash with the Northern Rong he was unfortunately struck by an arrow. With no medicine able to save him, he too was gone.
No one had expected that the second branch of the duke’s residence would become the new Duke Zhenguo after Prince Duan ascended the throne.
The plot had not mentioned the true culprit behind Chu Yu’s abduction, but it was not hard to see that it must have been the second branch. They had benefited the most, and it was even possible that Prince Duan had a hand in it behind the scenes.
It had been more than a month since Chu Yu returned home, and Duke Zhenguo’s Residence had chosen to visit tomorrow, so presumably the internal turmoil had temporarily subsided.
Putting these guesses aside, Shen Ji looked at the exquisite dishes that had been brought out and sat down to eat the evening meal in earnest.
…
The next day, the sky was clear and the wind was warm.
After breakfast, Shen Ji lay in the courtyard and told a page boy to move the pots of roses and peonies along the wall into the garden.
Just as he was about to stand up and check on Yan Shu, he heard a burst of exclamations from not far away.
“My Lord Heir! My Lord Heir!” Zhong Bo almost ran in, sweat already beading on his forehead. “The Old Duke… and the heir and his wife have arrived! And they brought several carriages full of gifts!”
Hearing this, Shen Ji quickly went out to greet them, with the gasping old butler following behind.
As soon as he reached the front gate, he saw Old Duke Chu Xiong standing upright and vigorous in front of the carriage in an indigo casual robe. Although he was smiling broadly, the dignity of long-standing authority did not diminish. Heir Chu Lin and his wife stood behind Old Duke, holding Chu Yu’s hand. There were also three conspicuous carriages packed full, drawing the attention of all who passed by.
“Big Brother!”
The moment Chu Yu saw Shen Ji, he broke free from his wife’s hand, his eyes instantly shining. He ran toward Shen Ji with rapid little steps and hugged his leg. His round little head tilted upward, topped with an adorable little topknot, and his face was bright with a radiant smile.
Shen Ji’s expression unconsciously softened, and he bent down to pick up the little fellow. Chu Yu immediately wrapped both arms around his neck and giggled.
“Old Duke, Heir, Madam, thank you for coming. I regret not having welcomed you sooner.” Holding Chu Yu, Shen Ji greeted them calmly.
“Hahaha, Heir Shen, no need for such courtesy!” Old Duke’s voice boomed like a great bell, carrying undisguised admiration and gratitude. “I have come specially to thank you for the great kindness of saving my precious grandson’s life! This little gift is nothing to brag about, but I hope the Heir will accept it!”
“Old Duke is too kind.” Shen Ji stepped aside to avoid the courtesy. Chu Lin and his wife then stepped forward and thanked him again in a solemn manner. Seeing her son smiling brightly in Shen Ji’s arms, Chen Yan’s eyes filled with tears again.
“The area outside the residence is no place for conversation. Please, everyone, come inside.”
…
At the city gate
A convoy of carriages and horses, dusty from travel yet magnificent in its ceremonial display, slowly entered the city under the escort of numerous elite guards.
Just after returning to his residence, Prince Duan received word that the Old Duke and the heir and his wife had come to visit Shen Ji with several carriages full of lavish gifts.