After Transmigration, I Snag a Stunning Bigwig as My Husband-Chapter 645 Ointment
The Emperor also found it baffling that Marquis Dongxiang was eager to take on this task.
Praying to heaven for rain is not a trivial matter and should not be taken lightly.
Moreover, Duke Chong opposed with well-founded reasons, so the Emperor couldn’t just disregard him and assign the task to Marquis Dongxiang.
Especially since Duke Chong wasn’t the only one objecting, the Emperor said, "It’s indeed inappropriate to hand this matter to Marquis Dongxiang."
Just as Duke Chong breathed a sigh of relief and was about to feel glad, the Emperor spoke again, "Let’s have Prince NanAn handle this matter."
Duke Chong nearly choked on his breath.
Even though the task wasn’t given to Marquis Dongxiang, who doesn’t know that Prince NanAn is practically in league with him now?!
Especially since Prince NanAn had just broken his son’s leg.
He opposed giving the task to Marquis Dongxiang, and the Emperor gave it to Prince NanAn.
Whatever Marquis Dongxiang wanted to do, could he not just follow through?!
And he wouldn’t even have to do it personally; just move his lips and it would be done!
Might as well have handed it to Marquis Dongxiang directly!
Duke Chong was huffing and puffing with anger.
Eunuch Fu was glancing around nervously.
Could he even mention that he just saw Marquis Dongxiang winking at the Emperor?
He’s served the Emperor for over thirty years, and it’s the first time he’s seen a minister wink at the Emperor.
He was a bit shocked.
This was beyond what he could comprehend.
Eunuch Fu’s gaze shifted elsewhere.
The Emperor finished his instructions and glared fiercely at Marquis Dongxiang.
After the court session ended, just as Marquis Dongxiang was about to return home, a little eunuch approached him, respectfully yet tremblingly, saying, "The Emperor wishes you to get to the Imperial Study immediately."
Marquis Dongxiang turned and went to the Imperial Study.
As soon as he entered, he saw the little eunuch taking down a painting.
Seeing Marquis Dongxiang enter, the eunuch quickly rolled up the painting.
Marquis Dongxiang’s mouth twitched.
He just took two paintings from the Emperor; was it necessary to guard against him like this?
Upon seeing him, the Emperor threw the memorial he was holding onto the Dragon Desk, saying, "Marquis Dongxiang!"
"Your audacity is truly growing!"
"You dared to wink at me right in the Political Discussion Hall!"
Though he was scolded, Marquis Dongxiang’s expression didn’t change.
"Has the Emperor thought about why I did that?" asked Marquis Dongxiang.
"...."
Heaven knows why he wanted to take on the prayer for rain task himself?
If he doesn’t provide a good reason, today’s wink incident won’t be easy for him to justify!
Marquis Dongxiang looked at the Emperor and said, "Has the Emperor considered the possibility of going to pray for rain himself and it not raining?"
It’s impossible that the Emperor hadn’t thought of this?
If he goes to the altar specifically to pray for rain and the heavens remain dry, it’s not a good look for him.
Especially if someone stirs up trouble, he’d become the ineffectual monarch in the face of heaven.
Thinking that such a possibility was likely, the Emperor got a headache.
The Emperor remained silent.
Eunuch Fu then spoke, "Does the Marquis have a way to ensure rain?"
"No," replied Marquis Dongxiang.
"...."
"But I can choose a time when it’s more likely for it to rain for the Emperor to pray."
"...."
That’s why Marquis Dongxiang wanted to take on the task himself.
If it were left to others, they might complete the task properly but wouldn’t consider the Emperor’s reputation.
Marquis Dongxiang, on the other hand, would find a way to delay and try to turn a bad situation into a favorable one.
Although the task wasn’t ultimately given to Marquis Dongxiang, Prince NanAn was easygoing, making it almost the same result.
The Emperor, initially worried about the possibility of praying without rain, felt reassured by Marquis Dongxiang’s words.
Knowing he’d just told Marquis Dongxiang to get over here, the Emperor understood Marquis Dongxiang’s temper hasn’t changed in decades.
"If this is done well, I will reward you handsomely," said the Emperor.
...
Duke Chong’s Mansion.
After returning to the mansion, Duke Chong went directly to the Heir of Duke Chong’s quarters.
Before he even entered the yard, he heard a piercing scream.
The sound broke Duke Chong’s heart.
He stepped into the room.
Inside, the Imperial Physician was removing the silver needle from the Heir of Duke Chong and applying ointment to his foot.
The pitch-black ointment was truly unsightly and had a terrible smell.
The Duchess covered her nose.
Duke Chong approached and said, "What kind of messy ointment is this that you’re using on Honghong?!"
The Imperial Physician said nothing.
The Duchess, feeling frustrated, said, "This is the ointment worth ten thousand taels, just sent by the Princess Consort Zhenbei."
Spending ten thousand taels on such a foul-smelling ointment made the Duchess internally nauseated.
She didn’t want to pay that ten thousand taels at all!
Let’s stall for now!
After applying the medicine, the Imperial Physician helped fix the injured area of the Heir of Duke Chong before taking his medical kit and bidding farewell.
The Duchess, sensing Duke Chong’s foul mood, asked, "What happened?"
Duke Chong mentioned a few things about the court.
The Duchess, just as angry, said, "No need for the Duke to be upset about this matter; having Prince NanAn handle the rain prayer is indeed appropriate."
Duke Chong frowned.
The Duchess continued, "If this task fails, then watch how the Emperor will hold him accountable!"
Thinking about it, the Duchess’s eyes gleamed, and she said, "I have a plan that could kill two birds with one stone."
She leaned closer to Duke Chong and whispered a few words in his ear.
Duke Chong’s lips curled into a smile, "Madam, brilliant plan."
...
Prince Zhenbei Mansion, Agarwood Pavilion.
On the corridor, Xingxing leaned against a pillar, lost in thought.
It’s already late morning, and the lady still hadn’t gotten up, not knowing when she would wake.
She had advised against staying up late, but the lady wouldn’t listen.
Was it really necessary to exhaust oneself mentally and physically to prepare ointment for the Heir of Duke Chong?
Inside the room, Su Jin woke up, and as soon as she moved, her whole body ached.
During the day she was tormented once in the carriage and then couldn’t escape it at night.
A martial artist with particularly good stamina, she’d considered several times just stabbing him to end it, lest one day she dies by his hand.
She rather missed the frail Xie Jingchen, who seemed like he’d vomit blood when angered.
Thinking about how Xie Jingchen could resist most poisons, Su Jin believed she’d brought this trouble upon herself.
Poisoning him wouldn’t bring him down at all.
Even if it could, he could endure for half a day...
In half a day’s time, one could do anything.
Lying in bed for a while, Su Jin finally called Xingxing in.
Seeing Su Jin’s poor complexion, Xingxing asked, "Miss, are we going back to the Marquis Mansion today?"
"We are!"
"Of course we are!"
Last night, returning home was just an excuse to preserve her life; if she didn’t go back today, the excuse would lose its effect in the future.
"But miss, you don’t look well," Xingxing worried.
Su Jin glanced at herself in the copper mirror; indeed, she looked a bit haggard.
This body was still too fragile; it couldn’t withstand staying up late, and just a night of it resulted in dark circles faintly shadowing her eyes.
Su Jin slapped her own face.
A gentle slapping sound spread out.
Xingxing, "...."
Did the lady not wake up properly yet?
Poor complexion won’t get better by hitting oneself.
Swelling would only cause more worry, and if the Marquis and Madam misunderstood it as being beaten by the Lord, the Lord would be mercilessly punished.
Su Jin wasn’t fond of rouge and cosmetics, but to mask her pallor, she rarely applied some.
Reflecting in the copper mirror was a vibrant and radiant pure beauty.
"Miss, you’re so beautiful!" Xingxing praised.
