Perhaps due to excessive mental stress, Jiang Wan’s heart condition flared up.
This illness lasted a full five days.
She lost a great deal of weight, her once palm-sized oval face now sharp and slender.
Her complexion was utterly devoid of color, as if even the slightest ailment could take her away.
Fu Ci deeply regretted his thoughtless words.
He wished time could flow backward, so he could go back and slap himself a few times.
Burdened by guilt, Fu Ci came to her bedside every day after court, personally feeding her medicine and wiping her face.
He even moved his official duties into the bedroom.
Everyone in the mansion said Concubine Jiang was fortunate—despite being the daughter of a disgraced official, she received the master’s personal care.
If her family hadn’t fallen, she might have been spoiled beyond measure.
This illness led Jiang Wan to reflect on many things.
For Fu Ci, a man could have multiple wives and concubines.
But she couldn’t accept it.
Since childhood, she had watched her mother fight with concubines and mistresses.
Battles that left them bruised and bloodied, where even loss of life was not uncommon.
The thought of spending decades living that kind of life terrified Jiang Wan.
In the Fu household, Fu Ci’s favor was her only support.
If that love vanished, she had already experienced the consequences in her previous life.
What she and Fu Ci sought was different.
Now that the Jiang family was gone, she no longer needed to consider family interests, and she had even less reason to remain bound to Fu Ci.
Romantic affection was fleeting.
It was better to love herself more.
Once she came to this realization, Jiang Wan couldn’t even bring herself to pretend with Fu Ci.
Rather than pinning her hopes on him, it was better to explore other avenues.
Like Old Madam.
Or Yun Yanran.
They would likely be happy to help her leave.
Watching her grow colder by the day, Fu Ci was filled with anxiety.
He could only cautiously try to please her.
Every day, he either sent exquisite clothing and beautiful gowns or jewelry and accessories, even personally carving a white jade hairpin for her.
Jiang Wan didn’t refuse, but she showed no delight either, simply instructing others to store the items carefully.
Fu Ci was at a loss and could only cling to her even more.
Jiang Wan endured it for a few days but finally couldn’t stand him hovering around all the time.
“Can’t you handle your official duties in the study?”
Both lived in the west courtyard, and Fu Ci’s study was just around the corner.
But he feared that being apart for too long would make Jiang Wan grow even colder toward him.
So he stayed by her side, never leaving.
Little did he expect this would only annoy her.
Fu Ci set aside his documents, walked to the couch, and spoke gently to Jiang Wan.
“You haven’t left the mansion for days. The weather is nice today—how about we go boating on the lake?”
“I don’t want to.”
“Tianxiang Zhai has new dishes. Shall we try them? Or how about a full fish banquet?”
“I have no appetite.”
Though constantly rejected, Fu Ci was still happy as long as Jiang Wan spoke to him.
“Then let’s go to Liuguang Pavilion to listen to music.”
Jiang Wan frowned. “Aren’t you tired of this?”
Fu Ci felt wronged.
He had promised never to marry Yun Yanran into the household, and everything now was only temporary. Why wouldn’t Wanwan believe him?
Not daring to lose his temper with her, Fu Ci could only swallow his emotions.
Then, shamelessly, he continued to hover around her.
Seeing Jiang Wan close her eyes, as if she didn’t want to look at him, Fu Ci gritted his teeth.
With a forceful motion, he scooped her up from the couch and even planted a kiss on her cheek.
Jiang Wan was startled. “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking you out for some fun.”
“Get lost. Go by yourself if you want.”
“I want you to come with me.”
Fu Ci smiled at the corner of his mouth. As long as she didn’t treat him with that icy attitude anymore, enduring a few scoldings was nothing.
Qiu Yue was an extremely perceptive maid, swiftly putting on Jiang Wan’s shoes.
Ignoring the gazes of everyone around, Fu Ci simply carried Jiang Wan out of the mansion.
A carriage was waiting at the entrance.
Seeing them come out, the coachman immediately set up the step ladder.
This made Jiang Wan wonder—had Fu Ci planned this all along? Even if she disagreed, was he determined to take her out today?
Only after boarding the carriage did Fu Ci finally set Jiang Wan down.
Before she could even catch her breath, he pulled her onto his lap again.
Jiang Wan was furious.
In her past life, there hadn’t been so much nonsense.
“Are you insane?”
Seeing her face flushed with anger, Fu Ci found her utterly vivid.
He chuckled softly, “Scold me a few more times.”
Jiang Wan had no idea what madness had taken hold of him. “If you’re sick, go see a doctor.”
Fu Ci laughed so hard his chest shook.
Grabbing Jiang Wan’s hand, he brought it to his lips, kissing it again and again. “From now on, we’ll go out more often. If you ever get tired of the capital or find it boring, I’ll take you somewhere else.”
Jiang Wan remained completely unmoved.
Too much stood between them. These words were nothing but empty talk, meant to placate her.
Anyone who believed them would be a fool.
Holding Jiang Wan, Fu Ci could truly feel how much thinner she had become.
Her waist, once slender enough to be held in one hand, now felt so delicate that he feared he might hurt her if he held her too tightly.
The desire to fatten Jiang Wan up grew overwhelmingly strong at that moment.
Thus, they first went to Tianxiang Zhai.
As soon as Fu Ci stepped out of the carriage, he drew everyone’s attention.
He was one of the capital’s most handsome men, renowned for his intelligence and talent. At a young age, he had already risen to the rank of first-grade official. Many in the capital admired and adored him.
“Why is Lord Fu here?”
“Could he be looking for Yun Yanran? I saw her earlier—her brothers are here too.”
“Yun Yanran is truly fortunate to be engaged to Lord Fu. If I had known that persistence could yield such results, I would have made my admiration for Lord Fu known all over the city, just like she did.”
“That’s something only shameless people would do. I could never bring myself to do it.”
When they saw Fu Ci reach out and help Jiang Wan out of the carriage, the whispers abruptly ceased.
The Jiang family’s rebellion was already common knowledge.
Those with well-informed households also knew that Jiang Wan had entered the Fu household as Fu Ci’s concubine.
Once a woman married, she was expected to remain in the inner quarters.
Seeing Jiang Wan now, everyone was quite surprised.
“How can Jiang Wan, a mere concubine, still have the nerve to show her face in public?”
“Some people truly lack any sense of integrity. Raised in luxury and privilege, yet she can still contentedly serve as a concubine.”
“If I were her, I would have hanged myself long ago.”
As soon as these words were spoken, they felt a chilling gaze fall upon them.
Meeting Fu Ci’s eyes, the gossiping women immediately lowered their heads, not daring to utter another word.
Fu Ci didn’t know if Jiang Wan had heard them, but he signaled to his accompanying guard to investigate the backgrounds of those women.
Gossiping would come at a price!
Then, he took Jiang Wan’s hand and led her into Tianxiang Zhai.
Jiang Wan hadn’t heard the whispers, but from the evasive glances of those around her, she could sense something.
She tried to pull her hand back, but Fu Ci only held it tighter.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”