Chapter 48: The Husband as the Wife’s Role Model

After careful consideration throughout the night, Shen Ning finally decided to detoxify Ji Yucang.

Firstly, because he had shown her kindness, secondly, as the Regent’s wife, temporarily residing in the Regent’s residence, she would inevitably need to rely on the Regent’s power in the future.

Thirdly, she simply did not want the Empress Dowager and the Empress’s faction to succeed.

She had slept late the previous night, but it did not affect Shen Ning getting up early.

Arriving once again at the Jade Hall, Ling Feng did not stop her this time, respectfully opening the door for Shen Ning.

Ji Yucang was sitting inside the Jade Hall, reviewing memorials. The hall was brightly lit, illuminating the room.

The noble and otherworldly man sat casually, exuding an air of chilliness and authority.

Looking up and noticing Shen Ning’s entrance, Ji Yucang’s deep gaze settled on her features: “Didn’t sleep well?”

“How did you know?”

“There are shadows under your eyes.”

“Indeed, I didn’t sleep well.” Shen Ning walked over and sat down beside the desk, “Give me your hand, let me check your pulse.”

Ji Yucang remained silent for a moment upon hearing this, put down his brush, and extended his wrist towards her, thoughtfully rolling up his sleeve: “What kept you from sleeping well?”

Shen Ning said indifferently: “The detoxification process is a bit complicated, I was considering whether to take the risk.”

Ji Yucang’s eyes flickered slightly: “Take a risk?”

“The name of the poison you’ve been afflicted with isn’t entirely clear to me, as I haven’t studied it before, but I can discern the components of the antidote and can also develop a new one.” Shen Ning said indifferently. “Removing the toxic components from the antidote isn’t difficult, but the challenge lies in the missing ingredient.”

Ji Yucang frowned: “An ingredient?”

“Do you know why, despite consulting so many physicians, you’ve never found someone who could truly concoct an antidote?” Shen Ning revealed the mystery to him. “Because it requires the heart’s blood of a pure, unmarried woman.”

Ji Yucang’s expression paused slightly.

“Just the heart’s blood alone isn’t enough, it must be mixed with the scent of a fragrant Gu. Hearing the word ‘Gu’, most people would already be scared pale, and for a physician to make an antidote, they would need a willing young girl to offer her heart’s blood, and she must also be skilled in raising Gu, with the technique to be executed perfectly, ensuring the timing of drawing the heart’s blood is precise, and also guaranteeing the girl’s safety.”

“It’s easier said than done, and many physicians are too cautious to even attempt it.”

“The antidote given to you by the Emperor contained all the right components, except for the addition of opium, which shouldn’t be there, and the lack of an essential ingredient. Therefore, it could only alleviate your pain temporarily, but it made your poisoning deeper until it was beyond saving, rendering all medicine ineffective.”

Ji Yucang’s eyes narrowed, his face calm and unperturbed, as if he had expected this outcome.

Ling Feng entered with a freshly brewed tea, and seeing Shen Ning taking Ji Yucang’s pulse, his face remained expressionless.

After silently serving the tea, he quietly withdrew.

After yesterday’s silver needle detoxification, he had grown even more respectful of Shen Ning’s skills, and nothing she was good at seemed strange to him anymore.

Shen Ning withdrew her hand and took a sip from the tea cup: “What I was struggling with last night was whether to take a risk for you.”

Ji Yucang remained silent for a moment before realizing what she meant, his brows furrowing: “You want to use yourself as the ingredient?”

“Yes.”

“There’s no need.” Ji Yucang refused without hesitation. “I won’t let you take that risk.”

“When I tell you about this matter, it means I’ve already made my decision, one that I thought over deeply throughout the night.” Shen Ning said in a calm tone. “You have no room to interfere.”

She wasn’t asking for his opinion, she was informing him of the outcome.

Ji Yucang’s lips tightened, his dark eyes heavy: “I won’t agree to you doing this.”

Shen Ning raised her eyebrows: “You don’t understand what I’m saying? I’ve already made my decision, and you have no right to stop me.”

“Shen Ning, don’t forget your identity.” Ji Yucang stood up, looking down at her from above. “You are my wife, and as your husband, I am your role model. You would do best to heed my words.”

Shen Ning scoffed: “And if I don’t listen?”

Ji Yucang looked at her coldly, his eyes seemingly wrapped in a layer of frost, with a chilling intent spreading from the depths of his pupils.

Unfortunately, the Regent’s cold and merciless aura could intimidate others, but it didn’t faze Shen Ning.

She had never been raised through intimidation.

“I just took your pulse, and your body is fine today. You can practice martial arts or review memorials if you wish, but it’s best to prioritize rest.” Shen Ning stood up and turned to leave with composure. “Oh, by the way.”

Reaching the door, she turned back to look at him: “I’ve never liked it when people force me to do something or strictly forbid me from doing something. That will only have the opposite effect, making me feel rebellious.”

After saying this, she opened the door and walked out on her own.

However, before she could leave the courtyard, the steward hurried over: “Princess Consort.”

Shen Ning paused slightly: “What’s the matter?”

“Madam Qin entered the palace early in the morning to complain to the Empress Dowager, saying that the Regent had used private punishment on Young Master Qin. The Empress Dowager made a scene in front of the Emperor, demanding an explanation for the Qin family. The Emperor then issued an edict, summoning the Regent and his wife to the palace.”

Shen Ning frowned, not expecting Madam Qin to be so foolish.

Qin Yanshu had committed such a heinous crime that was detestable to both gods and men. Beating him with a few planks was merely a light punishment. How dare she complain to the Empress Dowager?

Was she afraid that Qin Yanshu’s misdeeds wouldn’t be exposed soon enough?

“Prepare the carriage.” Ji Yucang walked out from the hall, commanding indifferently, “My wife and I will enter the palace together.”

“Yes.” The steward accepted the order and left.

Shen Ning turned her head to look at him casually, her eyebrows slightly raised: “You’re going to the palace now?”

Ji Yucang looked at her expressionlessly, his figure tall and slender, his demeanor cold and stern. In Shen Ning’s eyes, however, he seemed to carry a hint of pretentious hardness.

The corners of her mouth lifted, and she went back to her room to change clothes.

After a short while, Ji Yucang and Shen Ning boarded the carriage and headed towards the palace.