Jiang Lingzhi had grown up with insufficient food and clothing, leaving her with a poor constitution. During her monthly courses, she suffered greatly.
She lay collapsed on the bed, unwilling to move a muscle, even wishing Yunrou could feed her meals directly.
Since they shared living quarters, Xiao Jingyi was aware of Jiang Lingzhi’s condition.
He couldn’t help but feel some pity for her.
Though that country girl had grown up in the countryside, she was slender and weak, lacking in strength—she must be suffering terribly at such times.
Yunrou came to announce: “Fourth Madam, Consort Yuan is waiting outside seeking an audience. Will you see her?”
Her tone was hesitant, as if uncertain whether she should even be delivering this message.
Jiang Lingzhi immediately perked up, sitting upright: “Jiang Lingyuan?”
“Yes, yesterday evening, a pink sedan chair carried her in through the side gate.”
Yunrou nearly laughed as she spoke: “The Eldest Young Master was kneeling in the Ancestral Hall yesterday, so Consort Yuan didn’t even get to see his face when she entered. Today, after the Eldest Young Master’s confinement was lifted, the First Madam immediately elevated Wang Momo’s daughter Shui Yun to Good Concubine, assigning her to care for the Eldest Young Master.”
“After all, Consort Yuan is with child,” Xueying interjected fairly. “That Consort Shui was previously the Eldest Young Master’s chamber maid and concubine—promoting her to Good Concubine isn’t particularly remarkable.”
After speaking, she sighed with feeling: “Originally, the First Madam watched the Eldest Young Master like a hawk all day, but this time she’s had a change of heart—taking two concubines at once!”
Her delight in watching the drama unfold nearly made Jiang Lingzhi laugh aloud.
Jiang Lingzhi instinctively glanced toward the inner chamber—the General was much better, lying unconscious and far more manageable, sparing her the trouble of dealing with concubines disturbing her peace.
“Tell her I’m unwell and not receiving visitors.”
“Yes.”
……
After lying in bed for two days, Jiang Lingzhi began to feel restless.
She asked Xueying to find a storybook and read it to her. As she listened, she suddenly had an idea and sat up.
If she felt this bored after just two days, how much more must the General be suffering after lying in bed for so long?
She thought that since Xiao Jingyi had previously led troops into battle on the front lines, even if he couldn’t wield a sword or ride a horse now, reading military texts to him might provide some encouragement and stimulation, helping him wake up sooner.
“Stop reading. Accompany me to the General’s study to find a military book,” Jiang Lingzhi instructed with a smile. “I’ll read it to the General.”
Xueying looked somewhat surprised: “Madam, you can read?”
Jiang Lingzhi blinked: “Ah, I secretly learned some from the teacher back in the countryside.”
Xueying looked at the book in her hand, then at Jiang Lingzhi, and understood: “Madam finds reading troublesome for herself, yet she’s willing to make the effort to read to the General. Madam treats the General so well.”
Jiang Lingzhi: “…If you say so.”
Previously, no one had been allowed to enter Xiao Jingyi’s study, but now he couldn’t enforce that rule.
Xueying led her to the study named “Retreat from Cold.”
Jiang Lingzhi looked at the characters with mild curiosity. Di Qing, standing nearby, explained: “This is the courtesy name Princess Lingshu gave the General. She said the General was always too cold and aloof, which wasn’t good.”
Princess Lingshu? Cousin?
Jiang Lingzhi felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
She paused, withdrew her gaze, and stepped across the threshold.
The study was spacious, divided into three large rooms inside.
The main hall was arranged with guest tables and chairs, with weapons placed on the left side, while the right side was specially arranged as a study. A spacious desk stood beside rows of bookshelves filled with books.
Aside from military texts, there were even numerous historical records, their page corners yellowed from frequent turning—clear evidence of his literary and military talents.
In her daze, she seemed to see him here, holding a book in deep study.
Di Qing asked from the side, “Madam, which military text would you like?”
Snapping back to reality, she looked at the copy of Zuo Zhuan on the desk and smiled. “No military texts, this one will do. I imagine the General often reads it.”
Di Qing promptly replied, “As you say, Madam.”
As Jiang Lingzhi left the study, she kept thinking that this visit to the study had given her a deeper understanding of him.
Returning to the bedchamber, she approached Xiao Jingyi’s bedside, touched his face, and said, “Husband, I’ll have someone take you outside and read to you.”
Di Qing and Di Hong stood by watching, deeply moved.
The Madam was truly thoughtful—finding ways to keep the General from boredom even as she lay idle herself.
“Let’s take the General to the Lake Heart Pavilion. The scenery there is lovely.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Jingyi felt a warmth in his heart—this country girl was incredibly considerate.
He couldn’t help but think that if she hadn’t been substituted in marriage to him, he might still be lying in bed suffering.
No one would have thought about whether he needed fresh air, nor would anyone have considered reading to him.
The Lake Heart Pavilion stood beside Shun Yuan, atop the lotus pond, offering an exceptionally elegant view.
Jiang Lingzhi held the book and began reading, word by word.
Time passed unnoticed.
Her throat grew dry and hoarse from reading, so she set the book down, took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, and continued.
From a distance, Madam Xiao observed the entire scene.
Her eyes slightly moistened, and she patted the young lady supporting her. “Come, Jingxi, let’s go greet your fourth sister-in-law.”
“Yes, Mother.”
The young lady was the Second Miss of the household, Xiao Jingxi, personally titled Princess Funing by the current Emperor.
The servants, seeing their approach, hurriedly bowed. “Greetings, Old Madam. Greetings, Princess.”
Xiao Jingxi had been raised in utmost luxury, educated since childhood by the Empress herself, with living standards nearly matching those of imperial princesses.
Yet, when facing Jiang Lingzhi, she showed no arrogance, offering a proper bow and sweetly addressing, “Fourth Sister-in-law.”
In her view, though Fourth Brother lay unconscious and paralyzed, Fourth Sister-in-law still cared for him so attentively and treated him so well.
As his younger sister, how could she not respect Fourth Sister-in-law?
Xiao Jingyi, on the Plain Litter, was also deeply moved.
Having been away from home for years, he remembered this sister as a tiny child. Hearing her now well-mannered speech, she had grown into a sensible young lady.
“Greetings, Princess Sister,” Jiang Lingzhi quickly responded.
They had only exchanged a few words during the tea ceremony, so she hadn’t known her temperament.
But seeing her so amiable now, she felt reassured.
Madam Xiao’s gaze fell on Xiao Jingyi’s face, and she couldn’t help but feel sorrowful again.
Turning to Jiang Lingzhi, she asked, “You were reading to Jing Yi?”
Jiang Lingzhi felt a bit embarrassed. “Replying to Mother, I heard the General used to enjoy this book. I was afraid he’d grow bored lying down all the time.”
Madam Xiao nodded and smiled. “Good child.”
Everyone in the mansion believed the fourth young master was nearing his end, yet this foolish child Lingzhi remained both resilient and attentive. Every day, she would either weave a Plain Litter for Jing Yi or find ways to read aloud to him, as if utterly convinced he would awaken.
This brought great comfort to her, his mother.
After a pause, Madam Xiao said nothing more but simply took the book from Jiang Lingzhi’s hands, sat down beside him, and began to read aloud.
In Xiao Jingyi’s memory, such quiet, tender moments with his mother were rare.
Since childhood, his mother had taught him that as a man, he must uphold integrity, bear responsibility, and stand firm between heaven and earth.
Thus, regardless of harsh winters or scorching summers, he was always either studying or practicing martial arts.
Like his father, his mother seldom spoke with softness or affection. Yet now, her voice was right by his ear—gentle, soothing, and filled with boundless love, warmer than a spring breeze.
Xiao Jingyi clung to this moment, savoring it.
By the time she finished a chapter, Madam Xiao’s voice was choked with emotion. Setting the book aside, she couldn’t help but reach out and stroke Xiao Jingyi’s face. “You will recover,” she whispered. “A Niang will visit you again tomorrow.”
In his heart, Xiao Jingyi silently called out, “A Niang.”
After Madam Xiao left, Xiao Jingyi lingered in the warmth of the moment, realizing for the first time what it felt like to be close to his mother.
Then Jiang Lingzhi’s reading voice resumed.
Xiao Jingyi felt an unexpected surge of gratitude and surprise.
Initially, he had thought her nothing more than a bold village girl seeking silver coins. Now he saw she truly possessed a unique ability to bring him solace.