latelenovela Chapter 204 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (108)
Chapter 204 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (108)
"Aren't you afraid that telling me will make me angry?" Lu Liruan tilted her head and looked at him.
“I’ve done plenty of things to upset Li Ruan, one more won’t make a difference,” Ji Shumin replied with great self-awareness.
"Actually, after thinking about it carefully, it wasn't entirely because of your choice behind my back; there was also a strange selfish motive," Lu Liruan said earnestly. "For a moment, I did have a thought in my mind: if you get better, will you no longer need me?"
Lu Liruan had this thought as if by conditioned reflex.
Perhaps it's related to our long-standing relationship, or perhaps it's related to the mission objective. If Ji Shumin fully recovers... what should I do? Does that mean my mission is complete?
"Why would Li Ruan think that way?" Ji Shumin asked, but a smile appeared on his face. He seemed very happy to hear Lu Li Ruan say that.
Ji Shumin was indeed surprised that Lu Liruan would have this idea.
It turned out that he wasn't the only one feeling anxious and uncertain, nor was he the only one completely captivated by Lu Liruan. She, too, felt uncertain and uneasy because of him. Ji Shumin felt a slight tremor in his heart.
He could know any proof that Lu Liruan held him in her heart.
The Third Prince was already somewhat obsessive, and having just fallen in love, he devoted himself to her through thick and thin, even promising to spend his life with her. He poured all his tender feelings into her, making it a truly powerful expression of affection.
Ji Shumin glimpsed Lu Liruan's thoughts and was so satisfied that he even found the slowly intensifying pain in his legs enjoyable: "If Liruan were not here, I would find life meaningless and would rather die right away."
His words were resolute, and he looked into Lu Liruan's eyes as if he were confessing something or making a vow.
Lu Liruan instinctively tried to cover his mouth to stop him from saying "die die die" nonsense.
But he lowered his hand halfway up: "Is that really true? You're not just sweet-talking me?"
Lu Liruan also had a possessive streak. Looking at Ji Shumin, who was completely different from when they first met, she thought of the words he had mumbled in his illness: "Die with me."
She had indeed agreed to his request; she wasn't just coaxing him. As Lu Liruan looked at the two lit red candles, she felt a surge of urgency to knock them down and turn everything to ashes, along with all the struggles and pain.
As long as Ji Shumin is here, I will not leave. When I am with him, even death is not something to be afraid of or avoid...
If I treat him this way, Ji Shumin should treat me the same way.
He was willing to die with me. Shouldn't that be the natural course of action in a relationship of equal standing?
Lu Liruan easily convinced herself.
She sighed, squatted down, and, as Ji Shumin wished, placed a gentle kiss on his bandaged leg: "Take good care of yourself. These are good days. Let's enjoy ourselves together for now."
As she kissed Ji Shumin, Lu Liruan solemnly wished in her heart: that his leg would recover smoothly and that he could walk again.
Previously, when Ji Shumin was on the verge of death, Lu Liruan silently prayed countless times that Ji Shumin would recover immediately, but to no avail, probably because it involved Ji Shumin's life or death.
As for matters of life and death, Lu Liruan was unable to forcibly change them.
Lu Liruan secretly resented it, thinking, what's the use of giving me this cheat code?
Without this cheat code, she might have been able to calmly endure the hardship with Ji Shumin, but this sense of powerlessness made Lu Liruan even more conflicted.
When she tried again today, Lu Liruan could clearly feel that her mindset was more peaceful.
Whether he succeeds or fails, whether Ji Shumin can stand up again or not, it doesn't matter.
He solemnly said that he had saved him. In the daily affection, in the pain and joy, being with him was the way he saved him.
Just as the doctor said, the recovery process is much longer and more painful than the process of setting broken bones.
Lu Liruan turned her face away, not daring to look, and could hear the cracking sound of her knuckles.
Ji Shumin was always able to endure, but after each time, his forehead was always soaked with cold sweat, his face was frighteningly pale, and his legs were shaking uncontrollably.
But we've already come this far, so we have no choice but to grit our teeth and continue.
Fortunately, it is effective. Every time the doctor examines you, he looks very satisfied: "The recovery is good. Once it grows a little longer, you can try walking on the ground to see if you can hold on."
Lu Liruan felt that her cheat code must have worked.
Ji Shumin was often in so much pain that he couldn't sleep soundly. Lu Liruan would secretly get up in the middle of the night, put her hand on his leg, and pray that his pain would be relieved immediately.
After a while, Ji Shumin's breathing actually became steady, but the tired look between his brows remained even in his sleep...
Before the New Year, we waited for it to arrive; after the New Year, the days seemed to fly by faster and faster.
About a month later, the two Lu brothers were about to leave. The youngest, Lu Chengfeng, was also going back to the academy to study. Unlike in the past, this time the Marquis of He'an's mansion was sending off four people instead of three. Lu Wanqing was going to Jiangnan with her two older brothers.
In the days leading up to her departure, she was very excited every day, telling Lu Liruan and Lu Wanyun that once she arrived in Jiangnan, she would definitely send them all the local delicacies and fun things, as if she couldn't wait to set off immediately.
But when the time to part ways actually came, she was very reluctant to leave.
She had never left the Marquis of He'an's mansion since she was a child. Now, facing the vast mountains and rivers and the long road ahead, even with her two older brothers by her side, she felt a sense of emptiness and worry.
When the Marquis of He'an saw his daughter off, his once handsome face, now middle-aged, seemed to have gained several more wrinkles overnight.
"If you don't want to go, then forget it..."
Before he could finish speaking, Madam Gao interrupted him: "What are you dawdling about? Your luggage is all packed. Even if you're going out for fun, go and have some fun!"
Madam Gao touched Lu Wanqing's face: "It's not like being in the capital when you're away from home. I don't ask for anything else, I just hope you're safe and sound. Remember to write back often to let me know."
"I understand. Didn't we agree? If my brother and I make some money, I'll buy Mother the most fashionable jewelry in the capital!"
Lu Wanqing's sadness at parting had lessened somewhat, and she said to Lu Wanyun and Madam Gao, "I'll have to trouble Mother and Sister to take care of Auntie's side."
Lu Wanyun sighed and nudged her, "Hurry up and go! If your aunt hears the news and comes running over, grabbing you and crying so hard you can't leave, it'll be a real hassle!"
Aunt Zhao refused to let her daughter go out, no matter what. She had originally resented Marquis He'an for betrothing Lu Wanyun to such a scholar, but now that she heard Lu Wanqing was going to show her face in public and do business, she couldn't even care about Lu Wanyun's marriage anymore and was staring at Lu Wanqing all day long.
She cried so much yesterday that she had a headache and didn't know that Lu Wanqing was leaving today, otherwise she definitely wouldn't be so quiet right now.
Lu Wanqing sighed. She had tried to tell Aunt Zhao what she was thinking, but no matter what she said, she couldn't get through to her. Aunt Zhao had her own set of ideas and firmly believed that everything she thought and thought was for the good of her two daughters. She thought that everyone else was not good to them and was just trying to coax them!
Aunt Zhao herself didn't fight for it, or rather, she didn't have the courage or ability to fight for it, but she hoped that her two daughters would fight for it...
All she could think about was how to win the favor of the Marquis of He'an, gain a good reputation, and secure a good marriage for her daughter, so that she could live a peaceful and prosperous life in the inner quarters, raising children and remaining obedient to her lot.
Yet she herself was filled with self-pity and sorrow, and no one was fighting with her or tormenting her; she was the same way.
Then why does she still teach herself this way?
Both Lu Wanqing and Lu Wanyun had asked the same question, and they were both puzzled.
Lu Liruan didn't know what to say, so she could only say, "Maybe it's because others taught her that this is how it should be, and that's why she thinks that way. But no one taught us that we should be that way, so we think differently from her."
Lu Wanqing got into the car and stayed there until she was out of sight before the family returned to the courtyard.
Even though only one person is missing, it feels so empty.
Lu Wanyun couldn't muster any spirits. When Lu Liruan was about to go home that evening, she stood forlornly at the courtyard gate and suddenly said, "I'm all alone now."
Looking at her dejected appearance, Lu Liruan suddenly thought of the original plot ending: the Marquis of He'an's mansion would decline, with some dying and others scattering. But now, that kind of thing would never happen again.
"How come you're all alone? My whole family is doing well," Lu Liruan said sincerely.
“That’s true, we’ll still see each other eventually.” Lu Wanyun nodded, perking up a bit: “I’ll go talk to my aunt; she’s still worried about us.”
Lu Liruan comforted Lu Wanyun, but after returning home, she herself didn't feel quite right.
Even when Ji Shumin spoke to her, he was absent-minded.
Ji Shumin put down the book in his hand and let out a soft "hiss."
This immediately drew Lu Liruan's attention back.
"What's wrong? Where does it hurt?" Lu Liruan walked over and bent down to check his leg.
Ji Shumin's legs no longer need to be stretched with boards and gauze all day and night; they can be untied when he goes to bed at night.
Lu Liruan lifted up his loose trouser leg.
Ji Shumin's legs were very beautiful. He was very tall, but because he was in a wheelchair, it was not usually noticeable. However, his legs were very long, and his calf muscles were beautiful. Because he was thin, he also had a somewhat frail appearance.
Besides the fractured bone, the injury also included many superficial wounds, with scars all over his calves and knees. Some time ago, when the old doctor was changing his dressings, he casually mentioned a formula for fading scars that the queen of Xirong was using, and that it was very effective at removing necrotic tissue and promoting tissue regeneration.
The old doctor clicked his tongue in praise: "How would you put it... after using it for a while, your skin and face will be as smooth as a peeled egg!"
Lu Liruan: ...
However, it sounds so strange coming from you.
The old doctor originally wanted to ask if Lu Liruan wanted the ointment made from this prescription to curry favor with him.
He's incredibly shrewd. Over the years, he's managed to navigate between several factions unscathed, securing the best possible outcome for himself and his family. He's cunning and has excellent judgment.
It's obvious that this lady is the apple of His Highness the Third Prince's eye.
The Third Prince is eccentric and unpredictable, but when he's with His Majesty, he becomes incredibly gentle and clingy. Throughout the Western Rong and this region, no one is more attached to his wife than the Third Prince.
It would be good if we could win the favor of the Empress.
Lu Liruan had no scars and her skin was in good condition, but the ointment was still delivered by the old doctor, not to Lu Liruan herself.
Rather... it was used by Ji Shumin.
Although the old doctor was quite cunning, his medical skills were indeed superb. The ointment was very effective; every time the old doctor came to examine Ji Shumin's legs, the scars on his legs looked less noticeable.
At the same time, every time the old doctor looked at Lu Liruan, his eyes were thoughtful, with an expression of "I see, I understand, I understand".
Lu Liruan: ...What do you know?
As you can imagine, he ended up getting himself into trouble.
Lu Liruan thought to herself, why am I so concerned about the scar on his leg, a grown man? He usually shows his face to people, he doesn't show his legs.
...Probably only the three people in this room could see his leg. Ji Shumin certainly wasn't wiping it for the old doctor, so the only remaining people were...
Lu Liruan felt she had to swallow this bitter pill.
By the end of March and the beginning of April, the north begins to gradually turn green, and all kinds of spring flowers bloom on the branches.
People in the capital gradually became more lively, and various elegant and appropriate activities began one after another.
Spring outing banquets and flower-viewing banquets were held one after another, as if people were all immersed in the joy of spring feasts.
For a banquet that invites female guests, Lu Liruan's invitation is naturally indispensable.
Not only Lu Liruan, but also several other princes' consorts were invited.
After Ji Shumin left the palace to establish his own residence, the other princes who had no interest in the throne also became more ambitious. They were not keen on fighting, and it was naturally better to be free and unrestrained outside than in the palace.
After establishing their own residence, they no longer needed to stay in their own palace; the space was spacious and comfortable.
They were already not well-regarded by the emperor and were not favored. They worried that if they asked the emperor for help, not only would he not grant their request, but they would also be scolded.
Finally, the fifth prince was the first to go and, with a heavy heart, begged the emperor, and to his surprise, it went smoothly.
It went so smoothly that even they themselves were baffled. They could only feel that their father was now focusing all his energy on the eldest prince and had no time for them.
Several princes have left the palace and established their own residences, and they are all living quite well now.
A few days ago, Lu Liruan met several princes' consorts. They were noticeably more lively outside the palace than inside. The group agreed to attend the flower-viewing banquet together in a few days.
The flower-viewing banquet was held in a peach grove on the outskirts of the capital. There have been countless peach trees there since the previous dynasty. In spring, countless pink and white peach petals fall with the wind, making people feel as if they are in a fairyland.
Many ladies and young women from the capital came to attend.
Among them were the wives and daughters of the second and third branches of the Lu family.
They hadn't visited the Marquis of He'an's residence for a long time. Since the last incident, the Marquis of He'an and his two branches of the family had almost completely cut off contact. The Marquis of He'an was usually easygoing and even a bit complacent, but this time, he was very determined.
Lu Yushi, the second wife's most favored daughter, was also imprisoned after the second prince was placed under house arrest, and there has been no news of her since.
Even so, they still couldn't stand Lu Liruan...