Chapter 39
Sheng Qianheng sent people to escort Lady Lu into the palace.
Chu Yi sat in the hall, aimlessly flipping through a book, but not a single word registered. He pondered Sheng Qianheng’s actions from the previous day, unable to make sense of them…
It wasn’t until Lady Lu entered the hall and paid her respects that Chu Yi came back to his senses.
Lady Lu knelt on the ground and said slowly, “This subject’s wife greets Your Ladyship.”
Chu Yi looked up and signaled for Lianfang to help her up.
Chu Yi closed the book and said, “Have a seat.”
After Lady Lu was seated, Chu Yi finally asked, “Has Lady Lu been well recently?”
Lady Lu kept her head down, her voice extremely low. “This subject’s wife is frail. It is common to catch a cold. I am grateful for Your Ladyship’s concern…”
Chu Yi looked down at Lady Lu, seeing her timid appearance, and couldn’t help but feel a sense of pity for her.
“Lady Lu, this Palace has invited you here today to ask you something…”
Lady Lu clutched her sleeve, her breathing unconsciously quickening. “Your Ladyship, please ask.”
Seeing her like this, Chu Yi thought that he probably wouldn’t be able to get anything out of her and could only beat around the bush. “I have heard that Lord Lu and you are as harmonious as a zither and a lute, and are very much in love. This Palace would like to learn from Lady Lu~”
Lady Lu suddenly looked up, her face filled with disbelief. She denied it, “That’s all just rumors. Which family isn’t rumored to be in love? This subject’s wife only wishes to play the role of the Lu residence’s matriarch.”
Just as Chu Yi had thought, Lady Lu and that Lu Wenhan were already estranged. Lu Wenhan’s taking Lady Lu to the teahouse must have been for some shady business.
He pretended not to know and asked, “Ah? Could it be that the rumors this Palace has heard are all false? This is something this Palace never expected… But this Palace has heard that Lord Lu often takes Lady Lu out for fun~ Unlike this Palace, who is confined within these palace walls all year round. Ai~”
Lady Lu bit her lip, her hands clasped together, trembling unconsciously. She swallowed several times, and even though she seemed to have something to say, she remained silent.
Seeing this, Chu Yi was afraid of triggering her fearful emotions, which would make it even harder to get a single word out of her. He personally poured a cup of tea, handed it to Lady Lu, and said softly, “Madam, have some tea.”
After drinking a little, Lady Lu gradually calmed down. “Thank you, Your Ladyship.”
Chu Yi had no choice but to change his approach and asked, “Madam, this Palace has been in the palace for some time, but my belly has yet to show any movement… I’ve heard that madam has experience with childbirth. Are there any folk remedies for getting pregnant easily?”
In the bedchamber of Yanxi Palace, there were only Chu Yi, Lianfang, and Lady Lu.
After asking the question, Chu Yi looked over and saw Lady Lu with her head bowed, as if the question had touched the softest string in her heart. For a moment, she was silent…
The room was so quiet that only their faint breathing could be heard. Chu Yi reached out and took Lady Lu’s hand, comforting her gently.
Lady Lu turned her head to avoid Chu Yi’s gaze and whispered, “This subject’s wife has only given birth to one. I don’t have much experience… If you’re asking about childbirth, it would be better to ask the concubine in the residence, Lin Qian. He has given birth to three sons and one daughter.”
Chu Yi’s eyes widened unconsciously. Four children… He’s really fertile…
He quickly reined in his emotions and turned to comfort the seemingly dejected Lady Lu. He thought that when she had had her several miscarriages, the fetuses had already formed, and perhaps there had even been fetal movement. It was truly a pity.
“Madam need not mind the matter of the concubine. In the end, you are the main wife… No one can shake your position as the main wife.”
Lady Lu let out a cold snort but in a moment felt it was impolite and immediately pretended to cough twice. “Your Ladyship, may I ask, who would want a harem full of concubines… and not even have the husband’s affection…”
Chu Yi was on the verge of asking about the teahouse, but for now, he could only comfort Lady Lu’s emotions. “This Palace would like to have you stay in the palace for a few more days to accompany this Palace. What do you think?”
Lady Lu’s pupils trembled unconsciously. She thought of Lu Wenhan’s warning, and her teeth chattered. She said tremblingly, “This subject’s wife still has many matters to attend to at home… I’m afraid…”
Chu Yi immediately said, “It seems that only His Majesty’s verbal edict can make Lady Lu stay? Or is it that Lord Lu Wenhan loves his wife so much that he can’t be separated from her for a moment? Hmm, madam?”
Lady Lu naturally wished to be as far away from Lu Wenhan as possible. Since Consort Wan was forcing her to stay now, she couldn’t be blamed…
“This subject’s wife is naturally willing to stay and accompany Your Ladyship.”
Only then did Chu Yi smile charmingly. He patted the back of Lady Lu’s hand and continued, “Then madam will stay in this Palace’s side hall.”
“This subject’s wife thanks Your Ladyship.” Lady Lu stood up to bow but was stopped by Chu Yi.
Chu Yi: “This Palace has heard that Lady Lu’s family is a merchant family? Tell this Palace about it. This Palace would also like to make an investment.”
Lady Lu: “Your Ladyship, you are too kind to my family…”
Ever since Lady Lu had been staying in the side hall of Yanxi Palace, it had been very inconvenient for Sheng Qianheng to go there.
For now, he was taking Clear Heart Pills. Although his desires were forcibly suppressed, his craving for his own Kunze was difficult to control…
Seeing Sheng Qianheng’s furrowed brow, Suifeng asked, “Your Majesty, what is troubling you?”
Sheng Qianheng raised an eyebrow slightly. “These past few days, my beloved consort has been engrossed in investigating the case and pays no attention to Zhen’s whereabouts…”
The corners of Suifeng’s lips curved up slightly. “Your Majesty, the case Your Ladyship is investigating seems to be very complicated… I’m afraid it will be difficult to attend to other matters for a while.”
Sheng Qianheng sighed silently, only wishing that Lady Lu would return to the Lu residence soon.
Lady Lu stayed in Yanxi Palace and was carefully cared for by the imperial physician sent by Chu Yi. Recently, her spirits had become much fuller, and her complexion was much better than a few days ago.
She seemed to no longer be as afraid of others as before.
Chu Yi had also specially sent people to spread rumors about the teahouse outside Lady Lu’s hall, only replacing the trafficking of women with the trafficking of children…
If she really knew the truth, and if she had also been forced to participate, she would surely know that this rumor was false and would find it difficult to sit still.
Chu Yi feigned a leisurely stroll in the courtyard, glancing from time to time to see if Lady Lu would come out of the side hall.
He had never thought that someone could be so patient…
Imperial Physician Xu happened to come to take Chu Yi’s pulse. Chu Yi came up with another plan.
He turned and entered the bedchamber, sending someone to invite Lady Lu.
Imperial Physician Xu took out the cushion and silk handkerchief as usual. Chu Yi extended his hand for him to take his pulse.
The moment Lady Lu stepped into the room, Chu Yi slowly said, “Madam has come at the right time. Today, Imperial Physician Xu is taking this Palace’s pulse. Since madam is staying in my Yanxi Palace, Imperial Physician Xu can also take a look at you.”
Lady Lu immediately put her hands behind her back and gave an awkward smile. “Thank you for Your Ladyship’s kindness. This subject’s wife’s body has no problems. I won’t trouble Imperial Physician Xu…”
Seeing her panic, Chu Yi knew that this move was effective. “But a few days ago, this Palace invited madam several times, but was refused on the grounds of poor health. It’s better to let Imperial Physician Xu take a look. Imperial Physician Xu’s medical skills are naturally better than the physician in the Lu residence.”
Imperial Physician Xu took the opportunity to say, “Lady Lu need not mind. It is just a pulse check.”
Lady Lu had no choice but to slowly move to the table, sit down, and extend her hand. “Then I will have to trouble Imperial Physician Xu…”
Imperial Physician Xu carefully took Lady Lu’s pulse, his brows unconsciously furrowing.
Chu Yi immediately said, “Has Imperial Physician Xu found something?”
Lady Lu bit her lower lip slightly, having no choice but to face it.
Imperial Physician Xu: “I see that Lady Lu’s body is weak from several miscarriages… and she has not been properly cared for after each miscarriage.”
Lady Lu’s eyes stung unconsciously.
Chu Yi feigned a look of surprise. “How can this be? The Lu family is so large and wealthy. How could they let the matriarch have several miscarriages?”
Imperial Physician Xu put away his tools and couldn’t help but sigh. “Madam, may this old subject say a word… A miscarriage is a matter that damages the foundation. You must take it to heart. Even if Lord Lu is greedy for carnal pleasure, he must also exercise restraint…”
The moment Imperial Physician Xu finished speaking, Lady Lu’s tears poured down. The emotions she had suppressed in her heart for many years collapsed at this moment.
Even an imperial physician she had never met before could care about her body, but her husband and her own family paid no attention to her…
“Many thanks for Imperial Physician Xu’s reminder…”
Chu Yi waved his hand, signaling for everyone in the room to withdraw. After the door to the bedchamber was closed, he handed a silk handkerchief to Lady Lu and asked, “Madam, don’t be sad about the past…”
Lady Lu shook her head repeatedly, choking, “Your Ladyship, you don’t know, this subject’s wife…”
Chu Yi listened intently, but there was no follow-up.
He looked into Lady Lu’s eyes, hoping she would continue.
Lady Lu suddenly stopped. If she told Consort Wan about her experience, what could she do? A consort who lived in the deep palace could not interfere in politics…
She laughed at herself. Even if Consort Wan pitied her, what could she do? No one dared to expose the shady business Lu Wenhan was involved in…
She raised a hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks and whispered, “This subject’s wife has lost several children and was momentarily sad and lost my composure. I hope Your Ladyship will forgive me.”
Chu Yi closed his eyes to suppress the resentment in his heart. He was so close! Just one step away! How could he make the person who had experienced it speak up!
Chu Yi raised a hand to pat her shoulder. For a moment, he didn’t know how to break the deadlock and could only pretend to mutter to himself, “Children? Why is it all related to children? Could it be that the teahouse is trafficking children?”
Lady Lu couldn’t help but ask, “Your Ladyship, what are you saying about children?”
The corners of Chu Yi’s lips turned up. He covered his mouth with his hand. “Ah… did this Palace say it out loud? This Palace is investigating that Jishi Teahouse… I was in danger myself before and almost got into trouble. But this case is really difficult to investigate… It seems I will have to disappoint His Majesty’s expectations… Just now, Imperial Physician Xu said that madam has lost several children, which made this Palace feel pity for you… I hope Lady Lu will keep this a secret for this Palace. This Palace was originally investigating this matter in secret.”
Lady Lu was silent for a long time, considering whether she should speak…
Seeing that she seemed to be about to relent, Chu Yi asked, “Could it be that Lady Lu knows some inside information?”
Chu Yi was suddenly bombarded with too much information, and his head was spinning.
He supported his forehead, closed his eyes, and integrated the information he had gotten from Lady Lu.
He didn’t even notice that someone had entered the bedchamber.
Sheng Qianheng took advantage of the dead of night and climbed through the window into the main hall of Yanxi Palace.
He slowly walked to Chu Yi’s side. Seeing his furrowed brow, he unconsciously raised a hand to rub it.
Chu Yi suddenly looked up and was startled by the sudden appearance of Sheng Qianheng before him.
Sheng Qianheng immediately raised a hand to pat his chest and whispered, “A-Yi, it’s me.”
Chu Yi felt his heart pound like a drum. The moment Sheng Qianheng drew near, a wave of heat washed over his body, and his body seemed to be out of his control, slowly leaning toward him.
