CMWKSD -Chapter 44 The Aunt’s Retribution

The next day, when Jiu Yue was treating the county magistrate, that Lady Yun kept watching her like a hawk.

It was as if she feared Jiu Yue might do something bad to the magistrate.

Jiu Yue hated this feeling. If she hadn’t appeared openly and had remained in the shadows, Lady Yun would have long since been “taken care of” by her.

And yet Lady Yun had the audacity to come in front of her and point fingers?

After finishing with Jiabao, however, Jiabao’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed considerably, and Lady Yun finally felt somewhat reassured.

Jiu Yue wrote the prescription and left immediately.

The prefect’s steward hurried over to find Lady Yun: “Madam, the master says he wants you to return as soon as possible.”

After all, she had been away for seven or eight days. With Jiabao somewhat settled, Lady Yun naturally knew that staying outside all the time was not a good idea.

Especially since there were plenty of ambitious little minions inside the residence waiting for a chance to rise.

This steward had been carefully cultivated by her over the years; their fates were intertwined—what benefited one benefited the other, and vice versa.

Of course, she didn’t want this aunt to fall out of favor.

Saying that the prefect wanted her to return was perhaps only thirty percent true and seventy percent false.

But if one does not act in one’s own interest, heaven and earth will punish.

Lady Yun didn’t say much: “I’ll depart the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, I’ll watch Jiu Yue treat my brother for a day. After that, make sure someone is arranged to watch over him—ensure my brother wakes up and can stand on his own.”

The steward nodded repeatedly. Lady Yun gave him a sharp glance: “Once my brother recovers, you know what to do, right?”

The steward froze and wiped the cold sweat from his face. Jiu Yue was a doctor, but she was also beautiful. Lady Yun could never bear to see anyone prettier than herself.

Over the years, countless maidservants with even a little beauty had been marked by her.

That Jiu Yue had remained unharmed until now was only because she was treating Jiabao.

“Yes, madam.”

Lady Yun stood at the entrance of the residence, gazing toward the county office.

She hadn’t had time to deal with that Assistant magistrate Li during this period. Once her brother was well—whether he was foolish or simple-minded—she had to ensure the prefect kept him in the magistrate position. Otherwise, what leverage or fallback would she have?

With that thought, she explicitly instructed the steward to ensure Jiu Yue cured Jiabao.

Jiu Yue wasn’t worried at all. Once in the county, although no one dared to openly gossip, everyone had heard about the county magistrate’s actions.

Moreover, although Qingshui County was small, who could say there weren’t capable people around?

Whether Lady Yun could keep her foolish brother in the magistrate position depended on Jiu Yue’s skill.

Rushing back to the city without pause, Lady Yun, seeing it was time to arrive at the office, returned straight to her small courtyard.

She arranged food the prefect liked, bathed, washed, and changed into the prefect’s favorite outfit.

But she deliberately made her face appear pale. At first glance, she seemed delicate and fragile, evoking pity and concern.

When the prefect entered, he saw Lady Yun with her back to the door and felt a warmth in his heart: “Lady Yun…”

Startled, she turned and saw the prefect’s eyes instantly light up. The nearly-falling tears filled his eyes perfectly.

Her bright, sparkling eyes made the prefect’s lower abdomen tighten at just one glance.

Lady Yun stammered, rushing into his embrace, and the prefect held her tightly.

“Second Young Master, thank you. Without you, what would my brother and I do?”

The prefect was delighted to hear this: “We are family. Why say such things? How is Jiabao’s health?”

Lady Yun’s eyes flickered with a hint of guilt, but she nodded repeatedly: “It’s all thanks to Second Young Master. You arranged for a doctor for Jiabao and even made me go see him. Now Jiabao’s health is fully restored. Surely, within a month or two, he will be completely recovered.”

The prefect’s hands caressed Lady Yun’s slender waist, and the servants in the room tactfully left.

Hearing Lady Yun’s words, he calculated the benefits—having someone competent was far easier than training a new one.

“That’s good. Look at you, your face has turned pale from these past few days,” the prefect said with some concern, touching her face, then bent down and picked her up.

Though already in her forties, her body was still strong. Lady Yun was frail, but a few steps wouldn’t leave her breathless.

Lady Yun nestled in the prefect’s arms, a smile on her face: “I’m not tired. As long as Second Young Master thinks of me, I don’t feel weary.”

By daylight, everything seemed to fall into place naturally.

In the room, with soft pillows and lush greenery, the scene was full of intimacy.

“Ah!” Lady Yun screamed, her face paling in pain. What… what was happening? Why did it hurt so much during the act?

The prefect didn’t pay much attention. Lady Yun was always uninhibited in bed; occasional sounds were normal.

Lady Yun dared not cry out again. She couldn’t let the prefect lose interest. She forced herself to serve, but her body kept trembling.

After a while, the prefect paused: “Lady Yun, do you smell something?”

Lady Yun, gasping, was on the verge of fainting from pain.

Taking advantage of the pause to compose herself, she asked, “Smell something?”

The prefect got up and sniffed around. The odor grew stronger and nauseating.

“You didn’t smell it?”

Lady Yun clutched her clothes and imitated him. Once she smelled it, her face went pale. The scent seemed to come from her, and the prefect had noticed it too.

His interest vanished—the smell was far too strong, making it impossible to continue.

Feigning concern, he adjusted her clothes: “Forget it. You just returned today. You must be exhausted. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

With that, the prefect left swiftly, even retching slightly.

Lady Yun felt as if struck by lightning. What was happening?

The pain during the act aside, now there was also a foul smell?

She had never cheated on the prefect, but she had heard that some girls in brothels could carry illnesses.

Could it be… the prefect had been with an ill woman? Could she have contracted something?

She had no time to think further and hurried to fetch a doctor.

Still hesitant—if it was truly a disease, it must have come from the prefect. Should she tell him? Would he believe her? Or think she brought it on herself?

Lady Yun felt the sky was falling. She prayed it wasn’t illness, but just fatigue from these past days.

Yes, it must be because of her brother, not any disease!

By the time the doctor arrived, the room had been aired out, and the smell had largely dissipated, but a dull ache remained, and the faint odor lingered.

The doctor checked her pulse and examined her, but then awkwardly confirmed with Lady Yun: “Madam, your body is fine. Is there any discomfort anywhere?”

Lady Yun was both surprised and fearful: “Nothing wrong?”

The doctor nodded: “Nothing wrong. Just some blood and qi deficiency. Not a serious issue. Proper rest and care will resolve it.”