The daily life of a cold and aloof general raising his wife

"Lord Duke, I know who harmed us. It was all Jiang Shuwan's doing!"

Gao now harbors a grudge against Jiang Shuwan.

Without even thinking, Gao Zhicai said, "Impossible, she's just a sheltered housewife."

Madam Gao said with absolute certainty, "How could it be impossible? Don't forget that our family has a grudge against her!"

"There are many people who have a grudge against our family."

In Gao Zhicai's mind, he felt that Jiang Shuwan did not have the ability.

"It's her!"

Gao Zhicai frowned as he looked at her.

"I think you've gone mad!"

After Gao Zhicai finished speaking, he turned and left.

He was now only grateful that the Emperor had spared his life out of consideration for the Gao family.

As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of running out of firewood. Back in his youth, wasn't he just a minor official? It was only because he had the foresight to stand on the emperor's side that he gained the glory of becoming a duke. He will surely make a comeback.

His immediate priority is to make up for the shortfall in funds.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. While everyone else was doing as usual, the Gao family was different. During this time, they experienced the coldness and warmth of human relationships.

Those who used to be on good terms with the Gao family are now all too afraid to step forward.

Huian Earl's Mansion

Aunt Zhang is now six months pregnant and stays in her courtyard every day; the pregnancy is going smoothly.

Ever since Wan Rujia entered the Huian Marquis's mansion, she has been at odds with Lin Ruoqing every day, and in just a few months, Lin Ruoqing has become bedridden.

"Cough cough cough... Caihuan, go call the young master..."

Lin Ruoqing is now so thin she's just skin and bones, her face is completely pale, and her voice is weak and feeble.

"Yes."

Upon learning this, Caihuan hurriedly ran out.

Lin Ruoqing hadn't seen He Zhilin for a long time. Ever since Wan Rujia entered the family, He Zhilin had stopped stepping into his backyard.

Caihuan went to the front yard to look for him and learned that He Zhilin had not returned yet. She left a message for the gatekeeper and went back to take care of Lin Ruoqing.

When Lin Ruoqing saw Caihuan enter alone, she asked, "Where is the Second Young Master?"

Caihuan replied, "The second young master hasn't come back from his shift yet."

Lin Ruoqing's eyes, which had been somewhat bright, dimmed completely.

Caihuan saw Lin Ruoqing kneeling by his bedside and said, "This servant has already told the gatekeeper that as long as the second young master returns, he will definitely come to our courtyard."

Lin Ruoqing said absentmindedly, "He won't come, he won't come..."

"Young Madam..."

Caihuan and Lin Ruoqing grew up together. Seeing her daughter, who used to be so lively and cheerful, now so lifeless, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Lin Ruoqing looked at her and asked, "Why are you crying?"

Caihuan quickly wiped away her tears and explained, "I wasn't crying, I just got sand in my eyes outside."

"You don't need to stay here anymore. Go to the main gate and wait for the second young master."

Lin Ruoqing knew that she was of little influence in the mansion and that the servants at the gate probably wouldn't listen to Caihuan.

"Young Madam, I'll go again later." Caihuan was afraid that if she left, no one would take care of Lin Ruoqing.

"Go now, and if you don't see the Second Young Master, you don't need to come back." Lin Ruoqing's attitude was firm.

Caihuan had no choice but to say, "Then this servant will be right back."

Lin Ruoqing nodded.

Not long after Caihuan left, the door was suddenly pushed open.

Lin Ruoqing, who had been keeping her eyes closed, suddenly opened them and looked outside. Wan Rujia walked in.

Lin Ruoqing forced herself to sit up, glaring at him, "What are you doing here!"

"I came here because I wanted to," Wan Rujia said, looking around.

That's really shabby.

Lin Ruoqing knew she had come with ill intentions, and coldly said, "You are not welcome here. Get out!"

She spoke rather abruptly, and coughed a few times after she finished.

Wan Rujia smiled smugly upon seeing this.

Wan Rujia said sarcastically, "I heard from the servants that you were about to die, so I came to see you out of kindness. I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful."

"Get out! Cough cough cough..."

Seeing her like this, Wan Rujia revealed a victorious smile.

"There are rumors that Erlang rejected Princess Yongning because of you. I thought Erlang liked you a lot, but it turns out he was just like that."

Lin Ruoqing's originally pale face was now flushed with anger as she glared at Wan Rujia.

Looking at her expression, which seemed to want to devour her but was powerless to do anything about it, Wan Rujia said listlessly, "This is so boring."

After Wan Rujia left, Lin Ruoqing finally couldn't hold back and vomited a mouthful of blood. She collapsed onto the bed, many images flashing through her mind, before she closed her eyes.

He Zhilin was resting in the guest room in the front yard and hadn't stepped into the back yard for a long time. As soon as he got off the carriage, he saw the maid next to Lin Ruoqing.

"Second Young Master."

Caihuan bowed to him.

He Zhilin gave a casual reply and continued walking forward.

Caihuan quickly followed.

"Please, Second Young Master, go and see Second Young Mistress."

He Zhilin stopped and frowned at her. "What's wrong with Ruoqing?"

Caihuan cried and said, "I'm afraid the second young mistress is not going to make it."

He Zhilin tensed up, "What do you mean it's not good!?"

Caihuan lowered her head and said, "Second Young Master, why don't you go and see for yourself?"

He Zhilin walked quickly toward Lin Ruoqing's courtyard.

Caihuan jogged alongside.

When they arrived, they saw blood by the bedside, and Lin Ruoqing's eyes were tightly closed.

He Zhilin saw this and shouted, "Someone, quickly go and call a doctor!"

After he finished speaking, he walked to Lin Ruoqing's side.

Seeing her appearance, He Zhilin felt very scared; this scene seemed familiar.

"Ruoqing, Ruoqing!"

He Zhilin kept calling her name.

Lin Ruoqing opened her eyes groggily.

"Erlang, you've arrived."

Lin Ruoqing's voice was very weak.

"I'm here. It's all my fault. I'm late." He Zhilin felt very guilty.

Lin Ruoqing smiled and said, "I'm afraid I can't make it. I have no one left to care about in this world except Caihuan. After I die, give Caihuan her indenture and set her free."

These past few days, Lin Ruoqing has been lying in bed thinking a lot. All thoughts of love and hate have dissipated. She suddenly realized that her current state was entirely her own fault. If she hadn't fallen for He Zhilin at first sight and then schemed to get closer to him, would her family have been safe and she could have lived a long and peaceful life? In the end, it was her greed that ruined her.

Caihuan overheard soft sobbing nearby.

He Zhilin said in a panic, "No, no, I won't let anything happen to you!"

Lin Ruoqing didn't know why she found He Zhilin's appearance somewhat amusing. It turned out he still cared about her, but she no longer needed him.

"Let's hope we never meet again in our next life..."

Lin Ruoqing closed her eyes after she finished speaking.

"Ruoqing!!!"

He Zhilin held Lin Ruoqing and cried out in pain.

"Second Young Madam!"

Caihuan burst into tears.

At this moment, the doctor arrived. After taking her pulse, he said, "The second young mistress has already passed away."