Chapter 8: Supplementary Medicine

After finishing the current task, Shen Shurong stood before the copper mirror, gazing at her delicate, full face, at the jewels and hairpins adorning her head and body.

Not a single piece of jewelry was a gift from him. Would he feel disappointed?

Hmph, who told him to keep his thoughts hidden and make her guess? This time, it’s her turn to hide them.

…

Suihan stared at the dragon-patterned jade pendant in the box. Was it something so rare and precious?

Upon arriving at Duke of Lu’s Mansion, he was led straight to Linfeng Residence. After explaining his purpose, he saw the young master, who had been about to leave, turn back to wash his hands.

At that moment, he was reverently holding the jade pendant, as if it were a divine gift. The stars in his eyes shimmered brightly.

“You’re saying this was personally selected by the Commandery Princess and given to me?” Xie Yunzhao could hardly believe it. Ever since the marriage alliance had been set four years ago, he had become like a younger brother-in-law to her.

Even getting close to her had become difficult, let alone exchanging gifts. He hadn’t even dared to imagine it.

Yet, here he was, receiving a return gift, and one that she had personally chosen.

Suihan lowered her gaze and pursed her lips. The young master was so precious about it. She had never seen such a gleam in his eyes when it came to the marriage alliance.

“Exactly. Young Master, please accept it. I must return to serve. The Commandery Princess woke up early with a slight cough. Perhaps she caught a chill from falling into the water yesterday.”

What? Xie Yunzhao was startled. “Didn’t the imperial physician attend to her in time? How could she have caught a chill?”

“I don’t know, she has already taken medicine,” the maid replied.

His precious wife needed special medicine. “Quickly return to take care of the Commandery Princess,” Xie Yunzhao said, taking the box and rushing toward the main courtyard.

“Mother, open the storeroom. The Commandery Princess has caught a chill. I need to send her some supplementary medicine.” Before he even arrived, his voice was already heard.

The Duchess of Lu glanced awkwardly at Xie Yunzheng, then looked at him, still disheveled from the effects of his hangover. Her gaze grew deep and thoughtful.

He couldn’t let go. He had come to ask her to intervene, but the imperial decree had already been issued, and the Duke had stated that this matter was most beneficial to the Duke of Lu’s Mansion.

“Sit down first,” she said hurriedly, stepping forward to greet him. She was afraid the two sons might fight. “What are you rushing about like this for? Lu Pizi, open the storeroom for him.”

Xie Yunzhao, who had just reached the door, followed Lu Pizi to the storeroom.

The Duchess of Lu furrowed her brows and slowly walked in. “Yunzheng, think it over. Let me find a good match for you…”

“No need, Mother. No one can compare to her.” Xie Yunzheng clenched his hand inside his sleeve, the sound of his grip audible. He had lost even the right to visit her.

“Don’t say that. I know she has her flaws, but others aren’t necessarily bad either. Yunzhao has suffered too, you know. He’s distanced himself from official affairs, and the whole family has always been centered around you. You two are brothers; shouldn’t you want the best for each other?”

Xie Yunzheng sneered. He wanted the best for Xie Yunzhao? Forget it.

He shouldn’t have been born at all—then there would be no one trying to take everything he had.

Seeing his attitude, the Duchess of Lu’s heart grew anxious. She couldn’t bear seeing her two sons act like enemies. “If you won’t think of him, think of the Commandery Princess. She’s a girl, and such a delicate beauty. Do you really want her life ruined by gossip?”

“Or do you think that if she loses her innocence, she no longer deserves to live? You hope she doesn’t marry Yunzhao, and that she might as well die?”

Xie Yunzheng was startled and stood up. “I didn’t say that, Mother. Can’t you see my feelings for her?”

The Duchess of Lu felt it was time to be stern. “If you don’t want her to die, then you better bury your feelings deep. Otherwise, no matter what kind of connection the terms ‘elder brother’ and ‘sister-in-law’ form, they could easily cost her life!”

Xie Yunzheng collapsed back into his seat. Elder brother, sister-in-law—he shut his eyes. Just one day, and those two titles had already cut him a hundred times in his heart.

The Duchess of Lu pressed her son’s head to her shoulder. “Son, if you want Yongjia Junzhu to live, you must bury your feelings.”

Xie Yunzheng’s heart felt as though it were gripped by an invisible hand, and the pain was unbearable.

She was as beautiful as the warm spring sun, and every time she saw him, she would squint her eyes and smile. He, in turn, felt as though the recent gloom had been swept away, his heart clear and bright.

If she saw him tangled up with another woman, she would surely lift her skirts and rush over to chase them away—so bold and cute.

How could he ever let go of a woman like that?

Wiping the two tears from the corners of his eyes, his voice was hoarse, but his gaze slowly grew determined. “I understand, Mother.”

The Duchess of Lu sighed in relief. She knew Yunzheng would keep his word.

Xie Yunzheng loosened his hold on his mother, walked out the door, and watched as Xie Yunzhao came and went in front of the storeroom.

To think that these would move a Commandery Princes? How laughable!

Even if the Commandery Princes compromised due to the imperial decree, the person she truly cared about would always be himself. What good would he ever show her?

Despicable!

After the two brothers left, the Duchess of Lu finally emerged. As she entered the storeroom, a sharp cry echoed in her heart. This ungrateful son—no, this wasteful son!

Lu Pizi scratched his head. The second young master had been reckless, taking everything, from the century-old ginseng to the century-old lingzhi, and anything that could be considered a major supplement. He even took two entire boxes of the lady’s jewelry.

She couldn’t stop him. When the second young master said he was sending these things to his future daughter-in-law, there was no way she could refuse. Her mouth just wouldn’t open.

“Madam, you may punish me!” Lu Pizi said.

The Duchess of Lu’s eyes blazed with fury. “Lock it up! Lock it up tightly!”

Xie Yunzhao felt that he had taken too little, and too hastily. Next time, he would definitely take more.

He hurried to the Grand Princess’ estate. When he reached the gates, he paused, hesitant. It had always been Xie Yunzheng who came here.

But today… would she not want to see him?

Qingzhu and Qingying were stopped by him. “Why aren’t you moving, Second Young Master?”

“I… What am I here for?”

“You? To visit her. The Commandery Princess caught a chill from falling into the water. As her fiancé, and with the Emperor’s decree, you should be delivering some supplements.”

“Yes, yes, I’m here to deliver supplements.” If she was angry, he would leave immediately. Once the supplements were delivered, she would recover quickly.

Inside Qiu Tong Courtyard, Shen Shurong’s posture was stiff as she lay sideways. This was the most beautiful way for her to hold her waist. “Are you sure he’ll come?” The two estates were separated by just two streets.

The Commandery Princess asked three times, and Suihan was starting to lose confidence. “Commandery Princess, I’ll go check.”

She had only taken two steps when the maid Yuyu entered. “Commandery Princess, Second Young Master Xie requests an audience.”

Suihan smiled and glanced back, winking.

Shen Shurong shook her wrist, which was propping up her head. “I’m not feeling well. Let him come in and sit.”

Yuyu went out to pass on the message. “Second Young Master Xie, the Commandery Princess is unwell. Please, come in and sit.”

At the courtyard gate, Xie Yunzhao felt his palms sweating. Could he really enter her room?

Qingzhu pushed him. “Second Young Master, I’ll wait for you here.”

Taking a deep breath, Xie Yunzhao mustered up the courage to walk in…

“Stop!”

Jinzhi, returning with a bowl of medicine, had unexpectedly seen Xie Yunzhao standing outside the Commandery Princess’ room!

It was all his fault that he ruined the Commandery Princess’ perfect marriage, and now he had the audacity to come?

Xie Yunzhao was halted. Looking over, he saw her head maid. What was the meaning of this? She had allowed him in, but the maid was stopping him?

Shen Shurong also heard Jinzhi’s shout, lightly furrowing her brows before relaxing them. Well, let’s see how this goes.

“Greetings, Second Young Master Xie. Do you know this is the Commandery Princess’ private chamber?”

Xie Yunzhao nodded. “Of course.”

“Since you know that, why do you still wish to enter?”

“Naturally, because the Commandery Princess desires it, and we have the imperial decree for marriage.”

Jinzhi lowered her head and curtsied. “Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but you and the Commandery Princess have yet to marry. You should still consider her reputation.”

Xie Yunzhao narrowed his eyes. Reputation?

Was this maid accusing him of the incident from yesterday?

Shen Shurong, hearing the silence after Jinzhi spoke, lifted her head and looked outside. Had he left just like that?

Not seeing him, she sat up.