Chapter 1037 - 1039: Visiting the Sick by Imperial Command_1
"Now everyone knows your wife has excellent medical skills, Elder Jiang Ge has been bedridden for three days. You and your wife should go and visit him, let Bai Ruozhu take his pulse." the Emperor said again.
Upon hearing he had to visit Elder Jiang Ge, Jiang Yichun’s face immediately turned as if it was about to freeze, "Hasn’t the Imperial Doctor seen him? He does not like us, and our visit might just worsen his condition with annoyance."
"I am not discussing this with you, I am issuing a decree to order you to visit the sick!" the Emperor hardened his face as well.
"Elder Jiang Ge is just stubborn but I can see that he still thinks about you, it’s just that you won’t yield and he can’t find a way to step down either. I do not care how Jiang Family affairs are handled, but after all, he is an elder statesman. I cannot ignore this matter; otherwise, the auditors keep nagging me about it every day, so don’t cause me trouble," the Emperor continued.
Jiang Yichun was a bit cold by nature, but he was clear about the ways of the world. Although he was reluctant, he did not continue to argue.
The Emperor had said it was not a "discussion" but an "imperial decree", and imperial commands must be obeyed, he could not lack this discernment.
After returning to the Residence, Jiang Yichun told Bai Ruozhu about the imperial edict. He said, "The Emperor specifically mentioned that we should go together to the Jiang Residence; I’m afraid you will be wronged by following me."
Seeing his bitter face, Bai Ruozhu laughed out loud, "I thought it was something serious. Visiting Elder Jiang Ge is not like meeting a demon or ghost, why the long face? Besides, who in Jiang Residence would dare show us an unwelcome face? Aren’t we following the Emperor’s will to visit the sick, do they want to defy imperial orders?"
"That damn old man really would show us disdain, he’s used to being arrogant due to his age," Jiang Yichun said through gritted teeth. The thought of visiting that old man made him feel frustrated.
Bai Ruozhu took his hand and said, "Silly, when the time comes try to speak less, don’t argue with him at all costs, leave everything to me. If he likes to lose his temper, let’s just give him that one. Think of it as doing it for the Emperor’s sake."
Jiang Yichun thought for a moment and could only nod in agreement. He really might not be able to restrain himself from arguing with Elder Jiang Ge. He was not an impulsive person, having worked at the Board of Punishments for many years, his emotions weren’t easily swayed by others, but every time he saw Elder Jiang Ge, he couldn’t control his emotions, remembering his father’s humiliation from the past.
The couple made a simple preparation and set out together to visit the Jiang Family. To ensure all proprieties were observed, Bai Ruozhu also specifically chose a ginseng that had been bestowed by the Palace from the storeroom, though it was a casual selection as she didn’t bother to put much thought into it.
After arriving at the Jiang Residence, the two alighted from their carriage, and had the doorman pass on the message. Soon, they heard a series of hurried footsteps in the Yard, and the door was flung open, and to their surprise, it was Jiang Xuexiang who opened the door.
"Yichun, you’re willing to come see Father, that’s really great!" Jiang Xuexiang said excitedly, his face slightly flushed either from the excitement or the brisk walking, which made him appear quite radiant.
Jiang Yichun was taken aback, and a complex emotion flickered through his eyes. He raised his hand to greet Jiang Xuexiang, saying, "I am here by imperial command to visit Elder Jiang Ge."
Jiang Xuexiang, seeing that Jiang Yichun did not call him uncle, nor did he call Elder Jiang Ge ’Grandpa’, a hint of disappointment flashed across his face, but soon he forced a smile and made a welcoming gesture, saying, "Your Grandpa is still bedridden, please come inside."
At the mention of "Grandpa," Jiang Yichun frowned slightly, but did not say anything, as he didn’t want to be too rude given Jiang Xuexiang’s enthusiasm.
Bai Ruozhu had been quietly observing Jiang Xuexiang’s expression all along and noticed that his joy upon seeing Jiang Yichun seemed genuine, and there was even a caring look in his eyes that didn’t seem feigned. Could it be that he truly had nothing to do with the past events?
She had considered the possibility of a feud between two brothers over inheritance, but Elder Jiang Ge’s family did not have much property, nor did they have noble titles, making it unlikely for brothers to harm each other over inheritance rights. And even if Jiang Xuexiang never considered Jiang Yichun as a rival and had no intentions of harming him, he wouldn’t likely be free of any grudge when meeting him.
Could it be that she had guessed wrong?
Thinking it over, if it were truly Uncle Jiang Yichun who had a hand in this, and the solution was so simple, wouldn’t Jiang Yichun himself have figured it out?
Lost in these thoughts, the three of them approached the Inner Courtyard and only then saw Lady Jiang coming to meet them, her face stretched long as if someone owed her a great deal of silver.
Following behind Lady Jiang was Jiang Zhiyi, who wore a smile and very politely greeted Jiang Yichun and Bai Ruozhu, saying, "It’s so good that big brother and sister-in-law could come!"
Jiang Chenshi snorted coldly and said, "What’s so good about it? Old Master fell ill because of them. In the past, we invited them but they wouldn’t come. Now they show up; who knows what their intentions are? Maybe it’s the wolf wishing the chicken a happy new year!"
"Xiang Hui, don’t talk nonsense!" Jiang Xuexiang’s voice suddenly turned cold, possessing a semblance of authority.
Frustrated, Jiang Chenshi exclaimed, "My Lord, I’m speaking the truth. Our family values filial piety above all. I always teach the children to put filial respect first. It is indeed true that the Old Master was angered into illness by them. I just can’t stand it. If this is allowed, how can I guide the other children in the future?"
"Don’t drag unrelated issues into this, Yichun’s situation is different!" Jiang Xuexiang said impatiently, his brow furrowed, "Don’t make a scene here. You don’t need to accompany us; go back to your duties!"
Jiang Zhiyi also tried to persuade, "Mother, big cousin didn’t do it on purpose. He feels bad about it too. Please, temper your words."
Jiang Chenshi, shaking with anger, retorted, "Fine, fine, fine. You’ve all been charmed by them, defending them this way. A child must not speak of their parents’ faults. Are you suggesting that what Old Master did was wrong?"
Bai Ruozhu, standing beside them, gave a light cough to interrupt the Jiang family members’ dispute and addressed Jiang Chenshi, "Madam might not have listened carefully to the servants’ announcement. We came by imperial decree to visit the sick. Even if you dare to disobey and stop us, we cannot defy the imperial command."
Jiang Chenshi’s face turned green in an instant, and she wilted, snorting coldly before she turned and left without the proper courtesy of taking leave. Jiang Xuexiang’s face showed great embarrassment, and he began to harbor dissatisfaction with Jiang Chenshi.
"It’s a shame that Yihong boy has gone to the Academy; he would definitely be thrilled to know that big brother and sister-in-law have returned," said Jiang Zhiyi, hastening to change the subject to the absent Jiang Yihong to ease the awkward atmosphere.
Bai Ruozhu gave her a smile and replied, "You are always welcome to visit us."
Jiang Zhiyi’s face lit up with surprise and delight, "That would be wonderful. And the dimsum you brought last time was so delicious, even father couldn’t stop praising it."
Smiling, Jiang Xuexiang added, "Indeed, it tasted better than the ones from the Residence. Yichun has married a virtuous wife."
"Uncle flatters me," Bai Ruozhu said politely.
Jiang Yichun glared at her, meaning to ask who had given her permission to call him "Uncle"? Bai Ruozhu surreptitiously winked at him. He might choose not to address him casually, but wasn’t she here by imperial command? Of course, she needed to smooth things over.