Chapter 19

After returning from the palace, Jiang Wanrou remained unsettled. She wasn’t sure what had happened that day, but when Lu Feng returned, his expression was icy. She didn’t dare ask too much, yet she was preoccupied with something significant.

After the banquet ended, while waiting at Donghua Gate with Huaiyi, she unexpectedly saw Jiang Wanxue!

Previously, the two had only crossed paths during social events—one as the wife of a powerful official, the other as a princess consort. To avoid any gossip, their interactions were limited to polite nods. However, Jiang Wanrou never forgot her older sister’s proud demeanor. Jiang Wanxue had always been a favored child, blessed with beauty, talent, and a marriage everyone envied.

This time, though, Jiang Wanxue was still dressed in her dignified crimson consort robes, her posture ramrod straight. Yet, Jiang Wanrou couldn’t ignore the heavy weariness on her—like a once-brilliant pearl now dulled and worn down by relentless hardship.

She knelt alone before Donghua Gate, holding a written appeal in her hands, pleading for Prince Gong’s case. The imperial guards refused her entry and dared not touch her, leaving both sides locked in a stalemate.

Jiang Wanrou was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. She had once harbored deep resentment toward Jiang Wanxue—how could she not? The marriage Jiang Wanxue didn’t want was thrust upon her, forcing her to endure public condemnation. Those were bitter years; had it been someone else, they might not have survived the depths of that manor.

She hated how Jiang Wanxue had been a high and mighty princess consort while she could only endure insults without defending herself.

But the cook, Ma Chunlan, had revealed to her that back then, Jiang Wanxue had merely wanted to substitute a maid for the marriage arrangement, and someone else had orchestrated the harm against Jiang Wanrou.

Suddenly, Jiang Wanrou felt lost. She observed Jiang Wanxue from a distance, then turned to the eunuch leading her and asked, “Please, is there another route? Let us avoid her.”

For someone so proud, if they were to meet at that moment, Jiang Wanxue would likely die of humiliation.

The perceptive eunuch immediately understood Jiang Wanrou’s thoughts and remarked with a smile, “Madam is kindhearted.”

Jiang Wanrou offered a bitter smile. Everything Jiang Wanxue faced was a consequence of her own choices; Jiang Wanrou felt no pity for her. Yet, watching her kneeling with such determination, Jiang Wanrou unexpectedly felt a strange sense of admiration.

Jiang Wanxue’s resolve to kneel at Donghua Gate for Prince Gong made Jiang Wanrou question herself. If Lu Feng were to face misfortune one day, would she be able to display the same unwavering loyalty as Jiang Wanxue? After all, when disaster strikes, even married couples tend to part ways.

As she touched her dangling earrings, they suddenly seemed meaningless.

Both husband and wife carried their own burdens. Lu Feng resumed his routine of leaving early and returning late, often out of sight. Jiang Wanrou, appearing dispirited, spent her days in low spirits. Seeing this, Cui Zhu grew concerned and refrained from giving her medicine. Instead, she invited a theater troupe to perform two new plays, which finally brought some cheer back to Jiang Wanrou.

As the New Year festivities faded away, Jiang Wanrou stayed quietly within the inner residence. One day, she unexpectedly received an imperial decree, advising her to follow the virtues of womanhood and take good care of her husband. She accepted the decree with trepidation, wondering what she could have possibly done to upset the Emperor when she hadn’t stepped out of the manor for a month. Then, the eunuch presented a young man, saying, “This is Doctor Luo, a skilled physician, particularly adept at treating bone-related ailments.”

Suddenly, Jiang Wanrou understood—this doctor was sent to treat Lu Feng!

She discreetly handed the eunuch a silver token and whispered, “As your servant, I dare not speculate on His Majesty’s intentions. Could you please enlighten me?”

Why didn’t the Emperor directly address Lu Feng? Why involve her unnecessarily?

The eunuch smiled, casually pushing the silver token back to her, and replied, “The Emperor is concerned about Commander Lu, a reflection of his sincere and benevolent heart. Madam, there’s no need to overthink it.”

Jiang Wanrou, still dazed, sent the eunuch away and turned to look at the young man before her carrying a medical kit. She felt a sudden headache coming on.

Lu Feng’s leg had been a persistent ailment for years. Back when the imperial physicians had stayed at the Lu Manor for half a year, they had declared that his current condition was already the best possible outcome. Nowadays, he walked slowly but otherwise appeared no different from an ordinary person. Lu Feng never brought it up, and others avoided mentioning it out of respect.

After so many years, why had the Emperor suddenly decided to revisit this matter? Could his leg truly be fully healed? The imperial physicians from back then had long retired, and this new doctor, looking no older than his early twenties, seemed hardly reliable.

Though her mind was full of doubts, Jiang Wanrou maintained a polite demeanor. She instructed the servants to prepare a room while the doctor, surnamed Luo, respectfully addressed her, “Madam, please let me know when it is convenient. I am always at your service.”

With an awkward smile, Jiang Wanrou replied, “You are too kind, sir. You have been appointed by His Majesty and surely possess exceptional medical skills. I am but a humble woman, unfamiliar with such matters, so I leave it entirely to you.”

Doctor Luo bowed deeply and said, “His Majesty has entrusted me to Madam, so I shall follow His Majesty’s will and comply with Madam’s arrangements.”

Jiang Wanrou: “…”

The two exchanged a glance, neither eager to approach Lu Feng. As Lu Feng’s legitimate wife with an imperial decree hanging over her, Jiang Wanrou reluctantly sent Cui Zhu to the Jinglong Bureau.

---

That evening, around the hour of Hai, Lu Feng returned home. Upon entering, he found Jiang Wanrou occupied with needlework.

“Aren’t you afraid of ruining your eyes?” he remarked, frowning as he looked at the unfinished socks and shoes in the embroidery frame. “Is my manor unable to afford a maid skilled in needlework?”

“I was just idling,” Jiang Wanrou quickly said. She quickly put the items aside and eagerly helped him undress and freshen up. While doing so, she said, “Thinking of how hard you work outside, I made these soft boots for you, hoping they’ll give you a little comfort.”

Lu Feng’s expression softened. His wife’s embroidery skills were impeccable; the clothes and footwear she made were soft and comfortable, unmatched by others.

He took Jiang Wanrou’s delicate and soft hands in his own. Her hands were smooth and supple, with fingers round and well-shaped, their tips painted with the vibrant hue of phoenix-tail flower extract—a picture of refinement. In the warm glow of candlelight, her hands appeared more aristocratic than those accustomed to labor.

He gently brushed his fingers over the back of her hand and remarked casually, “I recall you have a maid skilled in needlework. Leave such tasks to her in the future.”

Jiang Wanrou: “…”

She hadn’t been doing the needlework herself.

Feeling uneasy, she wondered if Lu Feng had caught on and was subtly pointing it out, though it didn’t seem quite like that. Lu Feng, in his essence, held a strong sense of hierarchy. Although he hadn’t been pleased with their marriage and treated her coldly at first, he never deprived her of the privileges befitting the young mistress of the Lu family. Her meals, clothing, and dignity were always maintained.

When disputes arose between her and her sisters-in-law, Lu Feng’s only comment was, “You are the eldest sister-in-law.” In her youthful naivety, she had thought he meant she should yield to her younger sisters-in-law. Only later did she realize his unspoken words were: “You are the eldest sister-in-law; you are in charge.”

To him, roles were clear—each person had their place and purpose. Jiang Wanrou’s role was as his wife, managing the household and enjoying the position of “Madam Lu Feng.” Menial tasks like needlework weren’t something she needed to lower herself to handle. Even when he reprimanded maids who overstepped boundaries, calling them “wretched,” he similarly struggled to understand why Jiang Wanrou insisted on engaging in embroidery, feeling she should never diminish her standing in such a way.

While he was satisfied with her as his wife, he couldn’t treat her like a subordinate and reprimand her outright. When he did comment on her actions and she didn’t listen, he found himself at a loss.

Jiang Wanrou seemed to catch his intent, her lips twitching slightly as she pushed aside the needlework. She knelt halfway down and began to untie his belt.

Lu Feng’s body stiffened for a moment, unmoving. Jiang Wanrou had already undressed him until only his undergarments remained. Her soft arms slowly moved upward, from his ankles to his calves, gently probing until they came to rest on the man’s right knee.

Her fingers were delicate yet firm and strong, pressing rhythmically against the bone, sending waves of tingling numbness through him.

Jiang Wanrou said, “Today, His Majesty bestowed upon us a physician specializing in leg ailments. I thought since you suffer whenever the wind blows or the rain falls, why not let him take a look?”

“I ask for nothing else—only that my husband may endure less torment in the future.”

Lu Feng’s right leg had been completely shattered back then. Though it had been set afterward, it ached and itched at the slightest chill. Jiang Wanrou wasn’t foolish enough to outright say she was getting his broken leg treated—that would be blatantly rubbing salt in his wounds. As his wife, suddenly thrusting a leg physician upon him—wouldn’t that seem as if she were disdainful of her own husband?

So she started by mentioning “His Majesty” and then expressed concern for his suffering. The same matter, phrased differently, became much more pleasant to hear. Sure enough, Lu Feng wasn’t angry, but he didn’t agree either.

He said, “You are thoughtful, but it’s just an old ailment, let it be.”

The phrase “let it be” left Jiang Wanrou feeling unsettled.

Back then, he tried every method possible, enduring immense pain as his flesh was cut open and nails driven into his bones. The imperial physicians said the results would be better without anesthesia, so he bore it all without any.

Lu Feng, who grew up as a young master from an aristocratic family, had always lived a smooth and easy life. But when faced with a dramatic change, his desperation made him almost unrecognizable. If someone had given him a miracle pill back then, one that could cure his leg in exchange for thirty years of his lifespan, he would have taken it without hesitation.

Jiang Wanrou paused her actions and softly said, “Why not try? What if it works?”

She had seen him in his most spirited and ambitious moments, and she had seen him in his lowest, most despondent ones. But what she couldn’t stand was his current indifference and numbness.

Her heart felt a little heavy and sour. Jiang Wanrou thought, perhaps it’s not just because he is my husband. The fading beauty of a woman, the downfall of a hero—this kind of regret in the world is always deeply saddening.

She lifted her head, pretending to be casual as she looked at Lu Feng and said, “Besides, dear husband, have pity on me and let me make fewer pairs of knee pads.”

After learning of his ailment, Jiang Wanrou started making knee pads for him. Four or five sets each year, without fail.

Unlike delicate embroidery on pouches or clothing, knee pads were worn inside and didn’t require intricate craftsmanship. Every year, she gave him various handmade items, but the unassuming knee pads were the only ones she made herself. Though the stitches were coarse, they were warm and soft.

Lu Feng lowered his head to look at her, unable to resist reaching out his hand to cover her bright, sparkling eyes.

They were too dazzling.

He suddenly recalled the time when his accident had just occurred. He was violent and irritable, scaring off the guards, maids, imperial physicians, and even his two younger brothers. Back then, she was small and frail, cautiously carrying a bowl of medicine, saying, “Husband, drink this medicine, and you’ll feel better.”

Seeing him unmoved, she foolishly stood there for a long time, racking her brain before blurting out, “Just try it, what if it works?”

Lu Feng gently caressed her brows and eyes, saying, “Alright.”

He extended his hand, pulling her up to sit on his lap, holding her softly in his arms.

In a warm voice, he said, “Don’t worry, I’ll earn you the honor you deserve.”

Since ancient times, a wife’s status was tied to her husband’s. Though he was physically impaired, he would never let her suffer in any other way.

Jiang Wanrou shyly lowered her head. She didn’t pay much attention to Lu Feng’s words. Now that he had reached the pinnacle of power, she lacked nothing in terms of honor. What she wasn’t used to was today’s Lu Feng—his voice was so gentle, his embrace so tender, making her feel cherished.

Lu Feng held his wife, who had curled up in his arms, lowered the bed curtains, and under the flickering red candlelight, the room was filled with warmth and intimacy.