Chapter 3: Regaining Consciousness
When Jiang Chenghan said he had been knocked unconscious, Kou Shijun immediately showed concern. Fortunately, Jiang Chenghan had only suffered superficial injuries and was fine, so Kou Shijun relaxed and then asked, "Do you still remember what the servant who led you looked like? If you do, we can find him and question him."
Jiang Chenghan shook his head and said, "The servant was short and kept his head bowed the whole time. I didn’t get a clear look at his face."
Kou Shijun frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then asked further, "Aside from the food and wine at the banquet, did you eat or drink anything else today at the Duke’s residence?"
Kou Shijun had witnessed many underhanded schemes in his life, so as soon as he heard Jiang Chenghan describe his discomfort, he guessed that Jiang Chenghan must have been drugged—hence the question.
Jiang Chenghan thought for a moment and replied, "Other than the banquet’s food and wine, I only drank a cup of tea that the servant brought while I was waiting for him. I didn’t eat or drink anything else. However, the teacup is now missing."
Kou Shijun’s frown deepened, and he looked troubled. "The teacup was likely taken away and destroyed to prevent any traces from being found later. As for the servant who led you and served the tea, he’s probably untraceable now. But without evidence, how can you prove your innocence?"
After speaking, Kou Shijun couldn’t help but glance at the Duke of Anguo, who had been silently listening the whole time. Jiang Chenghan’s account was merely his own word without any supporting evidence. Kou Shijun believed him, but the Duke might not.
Jiang Chenghan was aware of this as well, which was why he hadn’t immediately tried to justify himself to the Duke earlier. Instead, he first requested a physician to examine Yan Jingshu.
As a man of little influence, Jiang Chenghan knew the Duke wouldn’t take him seriously or easily believe him. But Yan Jingshu was different. Whether Yan Jingshu had been forced by him or if both of them had been framed would become clear once Yan Jingshu woke up.
As for whether Yan Jingshu might falsely accuse him, Jiang Chenghan wasn’t worried. He and Yan Jingshu had no prior grievances, and the truth was something Yan Jingshu knew well. If Yan Jingshu falsely accused him, Jiang Chenghan wouldn't take it lying down, and Kou Shijun's support would add weight to his stance. If the matter escalated, it would bring no benefit to Yan Jingshu or the entire Duke’s household. Jiang Chenghan believed Yan Jingshu wouldn’t do something so self-destructive.
Thinking this, Jiang Chenghan smiled at Kou Shijun and said, "General, there’s no need to worry. Once Young Master Yan wakes up, my innocence will be proven."
Seeing Jiang Chenghan’s confident and relaxed demeanor, Kou Shijun felt slightly reassured. Besides waiting for Yan Jingshu to wake up, there was nothing else they could do for now, so he said no more.
The Duke of Anguo remained silent the whole time, his expression unreadable. When Jiang Chenghan expressed his confidence, the Duke merely glanced at him, neither affirming nor denying anything.
With no one speaking, the hall fell into abrupt silence. Before long, the elderly physician emerged from the inner chamber with his medical kit and addressed the Duke: "I have administered acupuncture to the young master. His fever has subsided, and he should regained consciousness shortly."
"In that case, many thanks," the Duke said, rising to express his gratitude before subtly signaling to the steward beside him.
The steward then took out a red envelope from his sleeve and handed it to the physician.
At this moment, Kou Shijun stepped forward and said to the physician, "Doctor, if you would, please examine him as well." The "him" he referred to was naturally Jiang Chenghan.
Even if the drugged teacup couldn’t be found, traces of the aphrodisiac should still be detectable in Jiang Chenghan’s body, which could corroborate his account.
The physician naturally didn’t refuse and immediately proceeded to examine Jiang Chenghan. After observing, listening, questioning, and checking his pulse, the physician withdrew his hand and confidently informed everyone present that Jiang Chenghan indeed showed symptoms of having ingested an aphrodisiac.
However, Jiang Chenghan’s constitution was much stronger than Yan Jingshu’s, so the effects weren’t as severe, allowing him to move freely now. Still, his vitality had been somewhat depleted, and he needed several days of proper rest.
The physician’s words confirmed Jiang Chenghan’s account, greatly reassuring Kou Shijun. After thanking the physician, he also presented a generous fee. The physician was then escorted out of the residence by the steward’s men.
Kou Shijun wanted to say something more to the Duke, but at that moment, a maid’s tearful, joyous cry came from the inner chamber through the draped curtains.
"Young Master, Young Master, you're finally awake. Master, the Young Master is awake!"
"Shu'er is awake?! Wonderful—" The Duke of Anguo immediately turned and strode into the inner chamber.
Considering that Yan Jingshu might currently be in an inconvenient state and unlikely to receive outsiders, Jiang Chenghan and Kou Shijun did not follow the Duke into the inner chamber but remained in the main hall instead.
Arriving at the bedside and seeing that Yan Jingshu had indeed opened his eyes, the Duke's smile widened, and he repeatedly said, "Good, good, you’re finally awake. That’s all that matters."
"...Father?" Yan Jingshu blinked, his gaze toward the man before him filled with confusion, as if he didn’t recognize him.
"It’s me, your father. I’m here." The Duke assumed Yan Jingshu was still disoriented from just waking up and sat by the bed, soothing him gently. "Shu'er, don’t be afraid. Your father is here. It’s alright now, nothing to fear... Tell me, did that Jiang Chenghan mistreat you? If he truly wronged you, I will stand by you and make sure he pays for it."
"How could that be?" Yan Jingshu frowned, puzzled by his father’s words. He didn’t want his father to think poorly of Jiang Chenghan, so he said, "Chenghan has always treated me well, never once mistreating me. Father, don’t misunderstand him."
The Duke was stunned by Yan Jingshu’s casual use of "Chenghan." He had expected Yan Jingshu to accuse Jiang Chenghan of drugging and attempting to force himself on him, or perhaps, as Jiang Chenghan had claimed, that both had been framed. But he never imagined Yan Jingshu would speak of Jiang Chenghan with such familiarity and even defend him in front of him.
This left the Duke deeply perplexed. After all, Jiang Chenghan had only returned to the capital from the northern border with General Kou Shijun less than ten days ago to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. Meanwhile, Yan Jingshu had just returned home yesterday from his studies at Mushan Academy and hadn’t left the house since. Before today, the two should have had no opportunity to meet or know each other.
He distinctly remembered that when Kou Shijun first brought Jiang Chenghan to the estate and he introduced Yan Jingshu, the two had clearly acted like strangers. Had they been hiding their acquaintance? But why would they do that?
Unable to make sense of it, the Duke asked Yan Jingshu directly, "Shu'er, did you know Jiang Chenghan before today?"
Yan Jingshu had just woken up, his mind still foggy and his body weak. His earlier response had been almost instinctive. Now fully awake, Yan Jingshu was deeply confused by the Duke's question.
Why is Father asking this? Of course I know Jiang Chenghan. We've been married for almost three years. How could we not know each other
Puzzled, Yan Jingshu was about to voice his confusion when something flashed through his mind, freezing him in place. After a brief moment of shock, he abruptly sat up, staring down at his hands with an expression of disbelief and dawning realization.
Hadn’t I died?
After finally uncovering clues about the people responsible for Jiang Chenghan’s death, he had been discovered, chased to a cliff by his pursuers, and ultimately fell to his demise. Had he somehow survived and been rescued, then brought back home?
"Father, how did I end up at home? Who saved me? Who brought me back?" Overwhelmed with confusion, Yan Jingshu clutched the Duke’s sleeve and pressed for answers.
The Duke had been waiting for Yan Jingshu’s reply, only to be met with questions instead. His son’s words only deepened his bewilderment, and he frowned slightly. "Shu'er, what are you talking about? Who saved you? Who brought you back? You’ve been at home all along."
"What? How could that be? But..." The Duke’s answer did nothing to ease Yan Jingshu’s shock—if anything, it left him even more disoriented.
Just then, the steward approached to report that a maid, sent by the Dowager Lady, had come to summon Yan Jingshu. The Marquis of Xinyang and his heir had received urgent news from their household and needed to leave early, so the Dowager Lady requested the Second Young Master to see them off.
The Duke’s expression turned troubled. Yan Jingshu was still weak, he could barely get out of bed, let alone escort guests. He instructed the steward to inform the maid that Yan Jingshu was currently assisting him in entertaining an important guest and couldn’t leave. He asked the Duchess to handle the farewell instead.
Today was his mother’s birthday, and she doted on her grandson. If she learned he was ill, she would surely come to see him. But with the matter of Jiang Chenghan still unresolved, the Duke feared the shock might harm her health, so it was better to keep it hidden for now.
The steward left to relay the message, but Yan Jingshu was stunned once more.
Is this real? Or am I dreaming?
His grandmother had passed away in autumn of the 26th year of Zhengde, the second year of his marriage.
At that time, he had been far away in Yancheng, up north. By the time he received word of her critical condition and rushed back to the capital day and night, she had already been buried, and he hadn’t even been able to see her one last time. Yet according to the steward, his grandmother was still alive.
Seeing Yan Jingshu silent and dazed, the Duke grew concerned. He wondered if the aphrodisiac’s effects had been so severe that they damaged his mind. He had heard of cases where high fevers from illness left people mentally impaired. No longer eager to press for answers, he stood up, intending to consult the physician again.
But Yan Jingshu grabbed his sleeve, his voice urgent and tinged with disbelief. "Father, what day is it today?"
The Duke froze, studying Yan Jingshu’s expression carefully before replying softly, "Today is the third day of the seventh month in the 20th year of Zhengde, your grandmother’s 60th birthday. Don’t you remember?"
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