CMWKSD -Chapter 45 Self-Praise

For several days in a row, Lady Yun used every trick she knew to keep the prefect at her side overnight. But whenever the two of them had any intimate contact…

Lady Yun could bear the pain—after all, she had endured hardships to reach her current position.

The problem was that the smell during their intimate moments was unbearable, especially since the prefect’s residence was not just her alone; there were other concubines in the household.

One disappointment after another, and now the prefect had lost all interest whenever he saw her.

Normally, Lady Yun’s scent was mild, but during intimacy, it became noticeable. Several doctors were consulted, but all insisted there was nothing physically wrong with her. Even the “unclean disease” she had initially suspected was nonexistent.

Now Lady Yun couldn’t even worry about Jiabao—she couldn’t even protect herself. Women in the inner quarters lived like this: a concubine was just a possession. Once she lost the lord’s favor, she became nothing.

Several setbacks had brought out all the schemers in the inner quarters. They each tried to trip her up—but Lady Yun didn’t even think of causing trouble for Jiu Yue.

Since she had lost favor, it was impossible for her to move freely around the residence as she once had.

The prefect’s wife especially resented Lady Yun. Back then, Lady Yun had flaunted the favor she enjoyed and made the wife suffer countless humiliations. Now, karma was paying her back.

In truth, this situation was caused by something Jiu Yue had made for fun when she was bored.

Originally, it was designed because every time she went out, those foul-smelling men looked at her in ways that made her furious. Those lustful, disgusting looks made Jiu Yue want to gouge their eyes out.

Who would have guessed it would end up being used on Lady Yun?

The poison was called “Love Debt,” and it only activated during intimacy. In fact, if a doctor examined her during such moments, it could be detected immediately from her pulse.

But… how could a concubine have a doctor check on them during intimacy?

If it were revealed, people would laugh themselves silly. The problem only occurred during intimacy, and nobody could explain why. Why did she smell foul during it? The other concubines did not.

And of course, nobody could have guessed the cause.

In the end, the matter was simply left unresolved.

But Jiu Yue, being paid to handle matters, still treated Jiabao’s illness. Only now, Jiabao had woken up—but he was mentally impaired, staring blankly at one spot and drooling.

The steward, seeing Jiabao like this several times, couldn’t help but clench his brow.

The messages Lady Yun sent went from one a day, to one every three days, and now he wasn’t receiving any at all.

The steward understood the inner quarrels even better than Lady Yun did. Once a woman who relied on the prefect’s favor lost that favor, she became nothing.

The steward couldn’t return directly, unsure of what had happened to Lady Yun in the prefecture. He just hoped she hadn’t fallen out of favor.

Jiu Yue silently finished the day’s acupuncture, while Ji Yiqing was still waiting for her to visit the Wang family. They were bringing vermicelli, starch, and layered lotus root starch to discuss business with Mr. Wang.

To be honest, Jiu Yue had only read about the ingenuity of the ancients in books before. Seeing Ji Chaomian and Ji Yiqing waste three large batches of sweet potato starch to perfect the vermicelli left her in awe.

She had to admit—Ji Chaomian and Ji Yiqing were practical, extremely clever.

First, Ji Yiqing had Shen Mei use the vermicelli to make Jiu Yue a bowl of the sour-and-spicy noodles she had been craving. Then he asked if the starch and vermicelli, along with the layered base, could be sold.

Jiu Yue knew nothing about business, not even reading accounts. But if money could be made, she wouldn’t refuse.

After all, she had only provided the idea; the rest was carried out by the Ji brothers.

Still, Ji Yiqing said Jiu Yue would get half the profits.

Jiu Yue clicked her tongue twice—indeed, she was only fit to think, and look how clever her brain was: that earned her fifty percent of the profits.

She had been worried about what to do after spending the more than two thousand taels she had earned for medical treatments. Ordinary people couldn’t afford a thousand-tael treatment; most spent just a few coins. Saving up that way, Jiu Yue would rather become a bandit.

Yet Ji Chaomian and Ji Yiqing shared the money with her.

So Shen Mei spent every day refining the recipes for starch and vermicelli, while Jiu Yue casually gave tips. She couldn’t explain the process, only recounting what she had eaten: small crispy pork, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, chicken soup with vermicelli, “ants climbing a tree” (stir-fried vermicelli with minced meat)…

Shen Mei’s cooking was excellent, though she mainly ate the failed attempts herself, sparing Jiu Yue from the waste. By the time Jiu Yue tasted it, it was almost always perfect.

Thinking of the money she would earn, Jiu Yue’s hands shook slightly as she withdrew the acupuncture needles. Jiabao whimpered in pain.

The steward rushed over. “Madam Ji, this is—”

Jiu Yue put away the needles, keeping a calm face, and lied: “Both legs are showing signs of improvement; otherwise, how would I have detected the pain? Don’t question what you don’t understand.”

The steward wiped a cold sweat—Madam Ji was even more difficult than Lady Yun: arrogant and hard to deal with. Lady Yun had once threatened to kill Jiu Yue—but could the steward do that right under her eyes? He still had to serve her. Life was bitter indeed.

Yet seeing Lady Yun now completely silent, the steward had to consider his own future. The prefecture residence had more than him: the head steward, the second steward… he was just a minor steward.

When Jiu Yue left with her medical box, Ji Yiqing had already bought all the necessary items. They had sent an invitation to the Wang family yesterday; fortunately, Mr. Wang was honest and agreed to meet Ji Yiqing today.

At the restaurant, not only were Mr. Wang and his wife present, but also Wang Jinnian and Wang Nuannuan. After all, today’s business was food-related, so the restaurant was the most suitable location.

Seeing the family of four, Jiu Yue raised her brows. “Oh? You can go out now?”

It had been about a month anyway.

Everyone’s eyes brightened upon seeing Jiu Yue. Su Ruo’s sewing skills were excellent.

Jiu Yue wore a dark blue brocade robe, neither fully masculine nor feminine, yet not cumbersome. Silver-edged bamboo patterns ran along the fabric. The slanted collar tucked into the waist sash, emphasizing her figure. Narrow sleeves added elegance without flirtation. Her black hair was pinned atop her head with a simple hairpin.

She looked heroic and spirited.

Mrs. Wang thought Jiu Yue looked even better than before.

Next, seeing Ji Yiqing in a matching long robe, standing tall like a tree, his previously fierce facial scars had faded to light pink. The sight revealed his handsome features at once.

The handsome man, beautiful woman—they looked perfect together.

Hearing Jiu Yue’s teasing, Mr. Wang laughed, not belittling her for her young age, treating her as an equal. He then spoke to Wang Jinnian beside him: “Young master, this is Doctor Jiu Yue—the one who pulled you back from death’s door.”