The matter of her becoming Prince Qin’s concubine had already been decreed by Empress Dowager Su’s imperial edict.
Yet Murong Jin, unable to forget his childhood sweetheart, insisted on waiting for her return to the capital.
Now that Feng Ying had returned, was he… really in such a hurry?
A bitter smile tugged at Chu Ruoyin’s lips as she prepared to curtsey, only to be interrupted by a voice: "If she doesn’t want to go, then she won’t. She hasn’t even entered the prince’s household yet—where does this ‘principal wife’ come from?"
Looking up, she saw Chu Ruoyan sipping tea leisurely, her expression indifferent.
Eunuch Xu’s face darkened. "County Princess Changle, mind your words! This is Her Majesty’s imperial edict—"
"Surely Empress Dowager Su wouldn’t force an ill person?" Chu Ruoyan’s words were barely out before Chu Ruolan rushed to support her second sister, exclaiming dramatically, "Exactly! Eunuch Xu, you must understand—my second sister has recently developed a cough and truly cannot go out in the wind!"
As she spoke, she winked at Chu Ruoyin, who had no choice but to feign a few coughs.
Eunuch Xu was stunned. "Y-You… this is defiance of the imperial decree!"
Lady Jiang the Younger trembled in fear and hurried to placate him, but Chu Ruoyan cut in, "If you call it defiance, then so be it. The physician said my second sister’s cough carries signs of contagion. For the sake of Her Majesty and the nobles’ health, not only can she not attend, but the entire Duke of Chu’s Mansion—including myself, a married woman—must also abstain, as we’ve been in contact with her. You may report it just like that."
Eunuch Xu was so furious he nearly choked, yet he couldn’t find a single retort.
With a huff, he jabbed a finger at her. "Fine! Very well, County Princess Changle! This servant will relay your words exactly as spoken. Hmph!"
With that, he stormed off, swaying indignantly.
Chu Ruoyin’s eyes reddened. "Eldest Sister, thank you…"
She understood perfectly—the entire Chu family refusing to attend the Qujiang banquet was a stance taken for her sake.
This gesture was meant to show Empress Dowager Su that even as a concubine, a daughter of the Chu family would not be humiliated without consequence!
The third sister also opened her mouth to express gratitude, but Chu Ruoyan set down her teacup and yawned lazily. "I haven’t even finished tending to my husband—why waste time on them?"
Lady Jiang the Younger: "…"
Ruoyin and Ruolan: "…"
The Jiang siblings: "…"
Nanny Zhou quickly intervened, "Madam, didn’t you summon our young mistress back today for another important matter?"
Lady Jiang the Younger nodded. "Ah, yes! It concerns the Jiang family…"
But before she could continue, Jiang Jinxue and Jiang Huaian exchanged a glance, and the former spoke up, "Aunt, this is an internal matter of the Jiang family. There’s no need to trouble Cousin Ruoyan."
"But the ones targeting you have official backing. How can you—"
Jiang Huaian stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Aunt, my sister and I have already discussed it. We’ll relinquish the dozens of shops on Vermilion Bird Street. Surely they won’t pursue us further."
"What? But that’s at least a million taels in losses annually! And in the capital, we’ll struggle to maintain our footing…"
"Aunt," Jiang Jinxue took her hand gently, "Grandfather always taught us that merchants should never contend with officials. If they want it, we’ll give it. A step back for harmony’s sake—and to spare you the difficulty of being caught in the middle."
Lady Jiang the Younger fell silent.
Her husband was perfect in every way—except for his rigid principles!
Even when bullied, he insisted on "impartiality" and refused to intervene on the Jiang family’s behalf!
Left with no options, she had hoped Chu Ruoyan could ask Chief Minister Yan to mediate, only for this mess to unfold!
"Fine. If you’ve made up your minds, then so be it. Let’s just pray they know when to stop and won’t push further…" she said reluctantly.
Chu Ruoyan stood. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."
The others rose to see her off, and Chu Ruolan chirped, "Eldest Sister, let me escort you!"
But "escorting" soon turned into boarding the carriage.
Though devoid of emotions, Chu Ruoyan retained her memories and saw right through the girl. "You want to see Yan Zhao?"
"Pfft—!"
Chu Ruolan nearly spat out her tea, coughing violently before stammering, "E-Eldest Sister! You weren’t this blunt before!"
Chu Ruoyan replied flatly, "Oh. So you like Yan Zhao."
Chu Ruolan’s face flushed crimson. "Who likes him?! He’s a venomous, wooden block—a stinky fish! Even if every other man in the world dropped dead, I’d never like him!"
Ignoring her denial, Chu Ruoyan said coolly, "Give up. You two can’t be together."
"Why not?" Chu Ruolan blurted, then backtracked, "N-Not that I want to! I just… we’re kindred spirits, so I’m asking as a friend…"
Unmoved, Chu Ruoyan stated, "You’re the daughter of a duke. He’s a condemned criminal who attempted regicide. Father would never permit this match."
Chu Ruolan froze, then slowly deflated like a quail.
Cining Palace.
After Eunuch Xu returned with embellished grievances, Empress Dowager Su trembled with rage. "Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! In all my years, no one—no one—has dared defy my edict to my face! Has Chu Ruoyan lost her mind? Has she?!"
The palace servants knelt in terror as Eunuch Xu added fuel to the fire, "Precisely, Your Majesty! She outright declared the entire Duke of Chu’s Mansion would boycott the banquet. This is a slap to your face! You’re the Empress Dowager—how can a mere official’s wife trample over you?!"
Empress Dowager Su shot to her feet. "Issue my decree: summon Chief Physician Zhang to the Duke of Chu’s Mansion to examine Chu Ruoyin personally! Let’s see what ‘contagious plague’ she’s supposedly suffering from!"
That afternoon, Chief Physician Zhang arrived at the mansion with two apprentices.
Before even entering, he spotted the white-bearded Qin Yiru planted at the courtyard gate, scowling as if nursing a grudge!
He hurried over. "Old Master Qin! What a blessing to find you here!"
"Blessing? I wouldn’t be here if not for you!" Qin Yiru glared, clearly displeased.
After a stunned pause, Chief Physician Zhang caught on. "You mean the patient inside is…?"
Qin Yiru snorted without answering.
The physician gasped. "Understood! The Lady Chu has contracted a contagious chill and mustn’t venture out. This official will report as much to Her Majesty."
"Hmph." Qin Yiru finally stroked his beard, satisfied. "You’ve got sense. Come to Tianyi Tavern tomorrow—I’ll give you a few acupuncture sessions."
Overjoyed, Chief Physician Zhang bowed repeatedly. "Many thanks, Great Master! Many thanks!"
Once outside, his apprentices whispered in confusion, "Master, how can you diagnose without even seeing her? Isn’t this deceiving Her Majesty?"
Chief Physician Zhang sneered. "Deceiving? With that old sage inside, whatever illness she claims to have—she’ll have it! Why humiliate ourselves?"
After returning to the palace and reporting the situation, Empress Dowager Su overturned her teacup in fury. "Summon the guards! Issue a proclamation far and wide to recruit renowned physicians from across the land! How dare it be so difficult for this Dowager to see a mere concubine!"
Suddenly, a soft voice drifted in from beyond the palace gates. "Your Majesty, why trouble yourself with such anger?"
