Chapter 86

When they finally returned home, three days had passed.

They were busy but full of energy.

Su Ci smiled, realizing she preferred this spirited version of Yang Yanzong, even though he could be quite temperamental and annoying at times.

First, they went to Hongruitang to check on Yang Zhongying, but he was already asleep. On the first night of Yang Yanzong’s high fever, Yang Zhongying also had a fever, but fortunately, it wasn’t too high. Su Ci had checked on him herself and only informed him the next day after he woke up.

Since Yang Zhongying was already asleep, Su Ci didn’t go in. They called over Mou An, who was on duty, and carefully inquired about Yang Zhongying’s condition. They learned that he was still doing well. Although he had intermittent fevers, his body temperature gradually returned to normal. Successfully passing the first stage after surgery was a great relief.

They felt reassured, gave a few more instructions, and then returned to the main courtyard to rest.

After a thorough wash, all their fatigue disappeared. Su Ci urged Yang Yanzong to take his medicine: “Hurry up, drink this medicine.”

These past few days in the palace, it wasn’t convenient, so he had been taking pills.

Yang Yanzong actually felt recovered entirely. In the past, he would have been ready to go back to the battlefield in this condition. But his wife’s insistence left him no choice. He pinched his nose and downed the bowl in one gulp. He still wanted to cuddle her. They had just bathed together, and the heat inevitably stirred up some feelings. But Su Ci wasn’t in the mood. As soon as he came out and took his medicine, he tried to get close.

But Su Ci quickly pushed him away. She rolled her eyes at him: “What are you thinking? I’m telling you, there’s no chance for the next half month!”

Yang Yanzong’s illness had been dragging on for over a month, not just because of exhaustion but also due to the recurrence of old injuries.

After enduring for so long, he needed proper recuperation, right? The medicine he just took was for that purpose, and during the recuperation period, he needed to conserve his energy.

It was like a bolt from the blue, “What?!”

Yang Yanzong looked up at her, and she playfully patted his cheek, “Yes, you heard me right. Be good, okay?”

Su Ci got out of bed and brought a bottle of medicinal wine. The deeply affected Yang Yanzong lay on the bed, and Su Ci chuckled, patting his arm: “Hey, turn over.”

He pretended to be dead, not moving at all, until Su Ci pushed him to turn over, taking off his shirt.

She poured the medicinal wine into her hands, warmed it by rubbing, and then vigorously rubbed it onto the largest old scar on Yang Yanzong’s back!

This was the tiger bone wine she had specially prepared for him, a recipe passed down from her grandfather. However, it has become useless in modern times as the main ingredient has gone. Yet, returning here, some places were still plagued by tiger attacks, making it quite useful again.

To be honest, Yang Yanzong was feeling a bit sluggish, but after Su Ci’s rhythmic massage with her palm, his back gradually warmed up. The warmth seeped into his muscles, dispelling the lingering faint pain in his bones, and he let out a couple of comfortable hums.

“Harder! Yes, right there, mmm~”

Su Ci put in real effort, kneading and pressing, and instantly rubbed away any thoughts Yang Yanzong had in his mind. He couldn’t help but direct Su Ci on where and how hard to knead and press. Su Ci laughed while kneading, and his moans and grunts sounded like they were doing something else, haha.

Both of them ended up sweating profusely. Su Ci was hot because the massage was really exhausting, while Yang Yanzong was drenched in sweat, his bones and skin burning hot, like a boiled shrimp. He panted, turned to look at her, and she smiled, wiping her forehead with her wrist, and asked, “Does it feel good?”

“Yes!”

It felt very good.

Not just physically but also in his heart.

He didn’t know how he fell asleep, his whole body burning hot, more comfortable than soaking in a hot spring. He just remembered her using a large towel to wipe his sweat, starting with his face and hairline, then his chest, abdomen, and back. As she wiped, he fell asleep.

When he woke up, the morning light was faint, and he heard the soft chirping of autumn insects. A dim light shone through the thick window curtains on the east side.

When he woke up, she was nestled beside him, sleeping soundly. Both of them had changed into clean sleepwear. His black hair spread out on the soft pillow, and his scalp felt relaxed.

—Every autumn and winter, she didn’t mind his heat, loving to snuggle up to him. But this girl usually pushed him away in summer with her hands and feet, looking disgusted.

“You’re so bad.” He gently scolded her, but his hands, as if with a mind of their own, held her tightly.

He propped himself up slightly, using the faint morning light to gently caress and carefully look at her face, tracing her features with his fingertips.

He didn’t know how to describe his love for her, but she was like a piece of flesh growing on his heart, impossible to cut away, hard to separate.

He let out a long sigh, feeling a deep sense of dissatisfaction.

When love runs deep, the desire for reciprocation is a natural instinct. And Yang Yanzong’s personality made him even more persistent. His longing for mutual deep love with her had long been ingrained in his bones.

That day, Su Ci cried and asked him not to push her. He was flustered and could only say, “Alright, alright, don’t cry, don’t cry.”

He understood, gradually realizing her thoughts and feelings. He knew that she did care about him and was willing to live and die with him.

Yang Yanzong hadn’t forgotten his promise. But as he calmed down over the past few days, he still felt a sense of dissatisfaction. He hadn’t told her these thoughts because he had promised, and he hadn’t forgotten. But whenever he thought about it, his heart ached. He desperately wanted to do something to ease her worries, make her feel safe, love him, and help her live a happier life – not just muddling through and unwilling to get involved.

But he couldn’t find a way. After their heart-to-heart talk, he became more cautious around her, afraid to make a wrong move. He was careful, circling her, not daring to use force. Despite his exceptional skills and intelligence, he couldn’t find a solution.

In the faint morning light, he frowned slightly, pressing his face against hers.

He thought and thought but still couldn’t find a way. But then he suddenly remembered something else. Yang Yanzong immediately sat up, gently placed Su Ci back in bed, got out of bed, and walked to Su Ci’s dressing table. He opened the bottom drawer of the jewelry box—That damned plum blossom hairpin was lying quietly in a small compartment lined with soft velvet.

Hmph!

If Yang Yanzong didn’t know how to handle Su Ci, he was at the other extreme with Ji Chengtang.

He was so angry he wanted to kill him!

Su Ci had told him about her past before their marriage, and he had accepted it.

But Ji Chengtang, hmph!

Knowing that he had a relationship with Su Ci before their marriage was already a thorn in his side. What was worse, this guy still had feelings for his wife, trying to meet her even after their marriage and giving her a token of love right in front of him, looking reluctant to part.

Yang Yanzong was furious!

Honestly, if Ji Chengtang weren’t Ji Yuanhao’s brother, with their deep entanglements, Yang Yanzong would have found a way to kill him!

Daring to covet his wife, he must have a death wish!!

Thinking about this, his face darkened, and he coldly snorted, taking the hairpin in his hand.

Looking down, he saw the well-polished plum blossom hairpin reflecting a soft glow in the dim morning light. The plum blossom at the end of the hairpin was even in the shape of twin lotus flowers.

Yang Yanzong felt both angry and jealous. He suddenly remembered that he and Su Ci didn’t have a token of love yet!

And thinking back, Su Ci had hugged and even kissed that pretty boy Ji. She had met him in her most innocent and beautiful years, smiling at him, holding hands, playing, sneaking out, and going on dates.

His heart felt like it was soaked in a vat of old vinegar, sour and bitter.

Yang Yanzong snapped the hairpin in two with a crisp “crack.” To hell with your token of love!

Still not feeling satisfied, after breakfast with Su Ci, he went to the study alone and ordered a brazier. He threw the broken hairpin into the fire!

Unexpectedly, just after he burned that damned hairpin, A Kang pulled out a long, silk-wrapped wooden box from his pocket and asked, “Master, should this be given to Young Madam?”

Yes, the box and the hairpin were a set, with the box lid carved in the same style as the hairpin.

A Zhao, who had just watched his master throw the hairpin into the brazier: “…”

Yang Yanzong: “…”

A Kang, looking confused, wondered what was wrong. That day, he had seen a beautiful hairpin on the ground, not knowing it belonged to Ji Chengtang. He thought Su Ci had dropped it, so he picked it up.

—But now, uh, something seemed off.

A Kang and Yang Yanzong stared at each other for a moment, and A Kang belatedly realized that the hairpin in his hand felt scorching hot.

Yang Yanzong squinted at him for a while, then coldly said, “Take the one from the brazier to the porcelain kiln in the western suburbs and burn it to ashes.”

“And you, run thirty laps around the training ground before coming back!”

A Kang: “…”

“…Yes.”

A Kang, with a tearful face, went to pick up the fire poker. A Zhao shook his head, too lazy to look at him, thinking how stupid he was.

---

Su Ci had been running around with Yang Yanzong for a few days. When they returned, she spent the entire morning carefully changing Yang Zhongying’s medicine, observing the wound, adjusting the medication, and removing the needles. She also introduced Zhang Xin and Mou An to some basic surgical methods for minor internal injuries, mainly abdominal. She didn’t cover chest injuries as the conditions weren’t suitable, and even she wasn’t confident in performing such surgeries.

After finishing the morning’s tasks, she had some free time. Yang Yanzong had gone out, and he was quite busy. He even sent someone to tell her he couldn’t join her for lunch but might be able to in the evening.

Su Ci smiled, thinking, “Who needs you to accompany me, anyway!”

She happily exercised for a bit, but as lunchtime approached, she felt a bit bored. She couldn’t find Su Yan, and just as she was about to sneak over to her mother’s house next door to have lunch with Mrs. Chen, a guest arrived.

It was Mrs. Ren.

Mrs. Ren’s pregnancy was stable now, and her knee injury had long healed. She was bored at home, and after confirming that Su Ci was also at home, she decided to visit.

“Sister Ren, you’re here!”

“Wow, be careful. How far along are you?”

Mrs. Ren’s face was full and rosy, with a radiant smile, and her belly was noticeably rounded.

Su Ci didn’t dare touch it, but Mrs. Ren, seeing her curiosity, took her hand and let her feel it. “It’s been over five months.”

When she first found out she was pregnant, it was already over three months, almost four. Now, another month had passed, making it over five months.

The two of them walked hand in hand, slowly crossing the stone arch bridge and sitting down in the pavilion by the garden.

This pavilion, adjacent to the chrysanthemum and osmanthus gardens, was specifically designed for autumn flower viewing. When the large windows were opened, the fragrance of golden osmanthus filled the air, and the garden was a riot of colors.

“Your autumn garden is better than mine.” Mrs. Ren patted her chest and sighed, “These past few days, I’ve been feeling anxious at home, but fortunately, things outside have finally cleared up.”

Su Ci said, “Yes, yes, Sister Ren, you have no idea how exciting it was at Shangyang Palace that day. Old General Xu truly lived up to his reputation!”

When he acted, he did it perfectly!

Super exciting.

Recalling Empress Kun and Imperial Uncle Kun’s expressions that day, she let out a few gleeful laughs.

In a word, satisfying!

“Really?” Mrs. Ren also laughed a few times.

It was indeed satisfying. No one naturally enjoys being punished, and Mrs. Ren, despite her gentle and resolute nature, was no exception. But as she watched Su Ci animatedly recounting the events of that day, she smiled and listened but couldn’t help but be a little lost in thought.

The young girl beside her, yes, even though she was already married, it still felt more fitting to describe her as a young girl.

She rested her chin on her hand, her skin smooth and delicate, glowing in the afternoon sunlight as if coated with a layer of golden light. Her face was as white and beautiful as snow, and her bright eyes and playful dimples made her look carefree and always so joyful and captivating. But she could also ride a horse and wield a whip, participating in and witnessing significant events alongside the men. Her soul was as beautiful as her appearance, breathtakingly so. No wonder someone as cold and iron-willed as Yang Yanzong was willing to be devoted to her alone… and no wonder Chengtan still couldn’t forget her.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Ren couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

A few days ago, Ji Yuanhao had given her a list of young ladies to evaluate their looks and character. He wanted to arrange a marriage for Ji Chengtang, and it was true, Ji Chengtang was not young anymore.

But it was a difficult task. Thinking of the matters at home, Mrs. Ren sighed inwardly, but she didn’t mention it to Su Ci. There was no need to affect Su Ci’s life. She collected her thoughts and just smiled slightly, listening to Su Ci’s cheerful description.

After spending an afternoon at the Yang family, Mrs. Ren returned home to find Ji Yuanhao and Ji Chengtang arguing about the matter again.

“This one isn’t good, that one isn’t suitable. So tell me, who exactly do you want to marry?” Ji Yuanhao’s patience was wearing thin as his brother remained stubborn, insisting he didn’t want to get married yet.

Frustrated, Ji Yuanhao exclaimed, “You’re not getting any younger. At your age, Zimu was already starting his education!”

He was furious, feeling like he had to play the roles of both father and mother, advising and persuading without success. In his anger, he slammed the scroll of portraits onto the table.

Ji Chengtang kept his head down, saying nothing.

Ji Yuanhao paced back and forth, ready to scold him again, but Ren quickly handed him a cup of tea. “Don’t be angry. Talk to him calmly. Chengtang can be stubborn sometimes, and scolding him won’t help.”

Marriage is a lifelong matter, and he should marry someone he truly likes. No matter how frustrated Ji Yuanhao was, he couldn’t force Ji Chengtang into a marriage against his will.

Ji Yuanhao found it strange. His younger brother was usually very obedient and always listened to him. He thought for a moment and asked, “Could it be that you’re still thinking about Su Yan?”

Ji Yuanhao frowned. During his two years of cooperation with Yang Yanzong, he had met Su Yan a few times. To be honest, she wasn’t his type at all. She was completely outside his aesthetic preferences. But… if his brother really liked her, well, the Su family wasn’t insignificant now, especially with Su Yan having a sister married to the Yang family. If his brother insisted on marrying her, Ji Yuanhao thought he might eventually have to accept it.

However, before he could dwell on this thought, Ji Chengtang was horrified. “No, no, brother, I’m not! I don’t!”

Ji Chengtang felt like he was swallowing a bitter pill. Su Yan was his own suggestion, and seeing Ji Yuanhao’s suspicious expression, he quickly shook his head and waved his hands. “No, no! Please, brother, I’ve been separated from her for a long time! She’s with Yang’s third son now!”

“Don’t do anything rash. I’ve cut ties with her a long time ago, really!”

In a moment of desperation, Ji Chengtang quickly fabricated a “partner” for Su Yan to dispel his brother’s terrible idea.

Ji Yuanhao looked at him suspiciously, but seeing his reaction, he believed he wasn’t still thinking about Su Yan. “Then tell me, what’s going on with you?!”

Finally resolving the Su Yan issue, Ji Chengtang breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his head. “I just don’t want to get married yet!”

“I have something to do, brother. Zimu is calling me. I’ll go to him first!” He couldn’t handle his brother anymore and quickly found an excuse to leave.

“Hey, hey!” Ji Yuanhao was furious, cursing a few times, but the topic was temporarily dropped. After fuming for a while, he returned to the house.

He couldn’t even drink his tea anymore. Ji Yuanhao frowned and asked, “If it’s not Su Yan, then what’s the reason?”

Mrs. Ren actually knew the reason, but she had promised to keep Ji Chengtang’s secret. The young man, drenched and sad, with wounds all over his body, had knelt and begged her to keep his secret.

Ji Chengtang was eight years younger than Ji Yuanhao. He lost his mother at birth, and Ji Yuanhao struggled to raise him. Mrs. Ren had practically raised Ji Chengtang herself, and their relationship was more like mother and son than uncle and nephew.

Seeing the child she had raised crying and begging her, Mrs. Ren couldn’t bear it and finally agreed.

At this moment, she hesitated for a while and then said, “Don’t worry. He’s only twenty-two this year, not that old. Getting engaged next year isn’t too late.”

“In our family, we can find any good girl we want.”

“Don’t force him.”

“A forced melon is not sweet. I’ll talk to him another day?”

Given Ji Yuanhao’s character, he did have a slight suspicion at this point, but Ren’s words dispelled it. He didn’t think further and nodded, “Alright, thank you.”

Ji Yuanhao held her hand and smiled, then looked at her rounded belly. “How’s the baby these days?”

“Good, just quieter compared to his two brothers.”

“Quiet is good. He’ll be a cautious and sensitive boy…”

Mrs. Ren smiled, but inside, she let out a long sigh.

Later, she found an opportunity to have a long talk with Ji Chengtang, finally saying, “Chengtang, I know it’s hard for you, but you have to understand, you will have to get married eventually.”

Otherwise, it would bring trouble not only to himself but also to her.

Looking at Mrs. Ren’s gentle and understanding eyes, Ji Chengtang lowered his head, tears welling up. He murmured, “I know, I know.” He didn’t want to cause her any trouble, not even a little.

Ji Chengtang pleaded, “Sister-in-law, give me two more years, no, one more year, just one year! Please?”

Facing his pleading eyes, Mrs. Ren finally agreed, “Alright, just one year then.”

Su Ci had no idea what was happening at the Marquis of Yang’s residence.

But she quickly realized that Yang Yanzong was jealous!

He wasn’t secretly jealous; he was openly jealous.

After holding it in for two days, Yang Yanzong couldn’t help but start questioning Ji Chengtang about the details of their past interactions and whether they had met after the marriage.

Su Ci hadn’t seen much of Ji Chengtang after the marriage. The only significant interaction was during the Fengchuan incident. She honestly said, “He saved my life; I had to thank him.”

After all, it wasn’t an obligation, right?

For her, the last meeting was mainly about that, and it had nothing to do with the plum blossom hairpin.

Yang Yanzong felt a bit better, but then he started badmouthing Ji Chengtang, calling him a pretty boy with no responsibility, accusing him of making dates despite knowing the two factions didn’t get along, deceiving young girls, being irresponsible, and having ulterior motives.

Su Ci: “…”

Stop mentioning him all the time, big brother. You’re just making me think about him more. I hadn’t thought about Ji Chengtang, but now, thanks to you, I think about him every day.

When Yang Yanzong whispered bad things about Ji Chengtang in her ear for the third time, she couldn’t help but say, “I had forgotten about him, but you keep reminding me.”

Yang Yanzong’s face instantly looked constipated. After that, he never mentioned Ji Chengtang in front of her again.

Su Ci secretly laughed.

Serves you right. Now you won’t mention him anymore, haha.