Upon returning to Guogong Fu, Jiang Lingzhi encountered many people along the way, each wearing a warm and friendly expression.
This immediately lifted her spirits immensely.
She even felt an inexplicable sense that although her surname was Jiang, true home was where her heart found peace.
After arriving at Shun Yuan, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to weaving the Plain Litter.
The materials had been mostly prepared the day before, and now it was just a matter of assembling them.
As the setting sun dipped below the horizon, the task was finally completed.
She had put considerable thought into the Plain Litter she crafted—it resembled a reclining chair with wheels, allowing one to sit or lie back partially while providing excellent support for every part of the body.
With a gentle push, the Plain Litter glided smoothly a good distance forward.
“Di Hong,” she couldn’t help but call out softly with a hint of pride, “come here. This is the Plain Litter I made for the General. What do you think?”
“Yes!”
Di Hong, who had followed Xiao Jingyi through life-and-death battles on the battlefield, held mixed feelings about Jiang Lingzhi, this suddenly appointed wife of the General.
In his view, a rustic village woman was naturally unworthy of their brilliant and mighty General.
Yet, with the General now unconscious and his days numbered, this young woman showed no resentment. She was even willing to continue the General’s lineage and had personally crafted a Plain Litter for him.
And this Plain Litter was truly eye-catching.
Not only was its structure ingenious, but the bamboo weaving was also flexible and breathable, with not a single splinter to the touch. It was lightweight and could be pushed around easily, making it exceptionally practical.
Hearts are made of flesh and blood.
Di Hong felt genuine gratitude and respect from the bottom of his heart: “You’ve worked hard, Madam. On behalf of the General, I thank you.”
Jiang Lingzhi smiled cheerfully: “No need for such formalities. While it’s still early, let’s help the General up and try seating him on it.”
“Yes.”
Jiang Lingzhi pushed the wheelchair into the room, with Di Hong following behind.
Xiao Jingyi had been lying down all day and was nearly going mad.
He was both shocked that his nephew’s wife had become his own bride and devastated by his current state—immobile like a cripple.
The maids and servants attending to him seemed to have been instructed by Di Qing and Di Hong, as none dared to speak unnecessarily.
The silence was so profound that he couldn’t even tell whether it was day or night.
Faintly, he heard footsteps outside, followed by a familiar female voice—Jiang Lingzhi speaking: “…Place the General on this Plain Litter. During the day, push him around to get some sun and fresh air. It will surely help him wake up sooner.”
Xiao Jingyi felt a faint glimmer of relief.
Finally, someone who talks.
But the next moment, he sensed something amiss…
Just as Jiang Lingzhi reached the doorway, Di Qing stopped her in a fluster: “Madam, please wait!”
She halted, slightly puzzled: “What’s the matter?”
Di Qing seemed hesitant, glancing awkwardly inside where a servant was washing and changing clothes.
Xiao Jingyi felt as if his heart were frying in oil, tormented beyond measure. Earlier, he had merely felt a slight stir of emotion and had lost control, wetting himself.
Lying paralyzed yet fully aware of his own wretchedness was unbearable.
If it were only Di Qing overseeing the servants tending to him, it might have been tolerable, but to be seen by that village girl… She must be inwardly sneering and mocking him now.
He desperately wanted to shout at her to get out.
But despite exerting all his strength, he couldn’t utter a single sound.
He could only listen as Di Qing covered for him: “Madam, the General… he’s sweating. We need to change his clothes, it’ll be done quickly…”
“It’s alright.” Jiang Lingzhi stopped in her tracks and said gently, “In this lifetime, who can guarantee they’ll never fall ill or face hardship? The General is unwell now, many things are beyond his control. When he recovers, naturally he won’t need to be like this.”
She knew perfectly well what had happened in the room.
There was nothing unacceptable about it.
On the day of the substituted marriage, she had already learned of his condition. During their wedding night, she had thoroughly examined and touched every part of him, having long overcome any mental barriers.
Now that she had enjoyed full meals under his protection, how could she turn around and disdain his wretched state?
It was probably Di Qing’s attentiveness that made him want to cover up for his general.
Jiang Lingzhi was willing to respect his intentions and didn’t force her way in.
Moreover, she thought that if Xiao Jingyi were conscious, he might want to preserve some dignity and face at this moment.
When Xiao Jingyi heard Jiang Lingzhi stop and speak those words, his heart truly ached with bittersweet emotion.
This village girl seemed quite understanding.
It dissipated some of his shame and fury that had made him wish for death.
Di Qing showed surprise, as if he hadn’t expected the new madam to be so considerate of the general.
Then he couldn’t help but feel his eyes redden: “Yes, Madam.”
The servants worked efficiently, quickly changing his clothes and thoughtfully dressing Xiao Jingyi in his outer garments.
Di Qing helped Xiao Jingyi sit up, and together with Di Hong, they supported him on either side, seating him in the bamboo-woven Plain Litter. They then carried the litter over the threshold and placed it in the courtyard.
Jiang Lingzhi pushed the Plain Litter, taking the initiative to describe the courtyard scene to Xiao Jingyi.
“Husband, it’s spring now, and all the flowers are blooming. I heard you like this pear tree in the courtyard most of all.”
Xiao Jingyi caught the faint, sweet fragrance in the air.
Jiang Lingzhi continued: “The sunset today is particularly beautiful too, with the sky full of evening clouds, burning like fire.”
Xiao Jingyi couldn’t see it, but he remembered watching the sunset in this courtyard before.
“And this breeze…” Just as Jiang Lingzhi was chattering on, Xiao Yan suddenly came charging over from afar.
He stood at the courtyard gate, his gaze finally falling on Xiao Jingyi’s face in the Plain Litter. First he was startled, his courage faltering.
Then he noticed his uncle’s eyes were tightly closed and he wasn’t moving, so he relaxed again.
Thus he began his mad questioning: “Jiang Lingzhi, look what you’ve done!”
Jiang Lingzhi was brushing a fallen petal from Xiao Jingyi’s shoulder and didn’t even look up: “What have I done?”
She was truly baffled.
“You stole Ling Yuan’s dowry, and now my mother refuses to propose marriage to the Jiang family. Return the dowry immediately!”
Xiao Yan glared resentfully at Jiang Lingzhi.
Yesterday everything had been fine – his mother had personally said she would propose to the Jiang family.
But when he returned from duty today, he encountered the weeping Jiang Lingyuan, who told him about this matter, and he immediately came to settle scores with Jiang Lingzhi!
Xiao Yan said angrily: “You just want to ruin my marriage with Ling Yuan! Since you didn’t want to marry me that day, why are you still entangled like this now? You…”
“I’ll slap you to wake you up!”
Jiang Lingzhi stepped forward and delivered a sharp slap across Xiao Yan’s face. “What the hell are you barking about? I married your fourth uncle, and the dowry the Jiang family gave me is rightfully mine to take—it’s the law!”
Pah! She was merely retrieving her dowry, and he dared accuse her of pestering him?
Why didn’t he take a piss and look at his own reflection? What kind of trash was he, disgusting to even glance at!
“Ah!!”
Xiao Yan, slapped out of nowhere, instinctively reached out to grab her and retaliate. “You shrew! An ill-mannered country bumpkin! How dare you hit me…”
Di Hong reacted swiftly, stepping in to shield Jiang Lingzhi and blocking Xiao Yan’s wrist with a cold, fierce expression. “Young Master, please restrain yourself. Do not cause trouble in Shun Yuan!”
Blinded by rage, Xiao Yan struggled fiercely. He finally managed to wrench his wrist free but lost his balance, stumbling several steps before staggering and collapsing to the ground.
Jiang Lingzhi looked down at him with detached indifference.
“Your mother covets the bride’s dowry. Either advise her to save some face, or go ask Ling Yuan to persuade the Jiang family to offer more. But if you insist on making a scene here in my Shun Yuan, I’ll have no choice but to send someone to inform the Duke and Old Madam to discipline you properly.”