SFS Chapter 370 Dying
Chapter 370 Dying
Upon hearing the cries emanating from inside the mansion, Jiang Jianzheng felt as if his legs were frozen by the wind and snow, unable to even step over the low threshold.
He spent half his life predicting the fate of the nation, but he couldn't predict the fate of his own family.
When the gatekeeper saw that it was Jiang Jianzheng who had returned, he hurriedly said, "Master, a quarter of an hour ago, the young master was thrown at the gate, covered in injuries, and barely clinging to life."
Jiang Jianzheng clenched his fists, strode across the threshold to the front hall, and pushed the door open with both hands.
His son lay on the ground, his body seemingly drained of blood, staining his pale white cotton robe crimson.
His wife knelt beside her son, her hair disheveled, her hands covered in sticky blood, and cupped his face in her hands: "Feng-ge'er, don't sleep, open your eyes and look at your mother..."
Madam Jiang choked up, repeatedly calling for Jiang Chengfeng to open his eyes.
The physician gave Jiang Chengfeng several acupuncture needles, poured out a pill and put it in his mouth, and began to clean his wounds.
The moment the clothes were ripped off, Jiang Jianzheng saw that Jiang Chengfeng's body was covered with cuts and lacerations, the deepest of which was in his waist.
The sight of the horrific wound stung Jiang Jianzheng's eyes. He felt a sharp pain all over his body, so intense that he couldn't straighten up.
He had anticipated this outcome when Consort Shu sent someone to deliver the message.
He had no evidence whatsoever. Even if he appealed to the Emperor of Northern Qi, it would not only fail to save his son, but would also hasten his son's death.
How can he avenge this blood feud?
No matter how incompetent or unworthy Prince Xian was, he was still the son of the Northern Qi Emperor. Unless he committed a heinous crime, the Northern Qi Emperor would not punish Prince Xian.
Given the extent of Consort Shu's favor with the emperor, it would be extremely difficult for him to overthrow her.
Because he had a grudge against Consort Shu on the surface, even if he used celestial phenomena to frame Consort Shu and her son, the Emperor of Northern Qi would not trust him.
If he were to obey Consort Shu's arrangements in order to save his son, he would be giving Consort Shu leverage over him.
From then on, they were in the same boat. He had to obey Consort Shu's orders, and sooner or later he would risk the lives of the entire Jiang family.
The Lin family's fate has run its course; he cannot rely on his ability to see through the secrets of heaven to defy destiny.
Moreover, he also had his own principles.
Following the will of Heaven, Jiang Jianzheng presented the prophecy to the Emperor of Northern Qi in order to retaliate against Consort Shu.
At that time, he made the worst-case scenario plan in his mind.
His son is still alive, which is a blessing from heaven.
After treating the wound, the physician raised his arm to wipe the sweat from his forehead: "Observe for a day or two. If you can pull through, there shouldn't be any major problems."
Jiang Jianzheng said in a low voice, "Thank you for your trouble."
The physician shook his head: "Young master's condition is serious. It is not advisable to move him to his residence. He will be placed in the adjacent side room for now."
Jiang Jianzheng nodded.
The front hall had underfloor heating, and the side rooms were also connected, so the rooms were warm and cozy, and there was no fear of getting cold.
The maid tidied up the side room and lit the medicine packet given by the physician, placing it in a corner to fumigate it.
The servant carefully moved Jiang Chengfeng to the side room.
Madam Jiang followed him, staying by Jiang Chengfeng's side without leaving for a moment, afraid that she would never see her son again if she looked away.
Supervisor Jiang paused for a moment, then slowly entered the side room, stood beside Madam Jiang, looked at Jiang Chengfeng's deathly pale face, and said in a deep voice, "Madam..."
"I know what you want to say."
Madam Jiang glanced at the man with resentment in her eyes, her eyes filled with tears.
Jiang Jianzheng's words stuck in his throat.
As a mother, how could Madam Jiang not resent knowing that her son's father had abandoned the child for the sake of the greater good?
But being in this position also brings him difficulties and hardships.
Even if she knew or even understood, seeing her son lying on the bed, his body covered in sores and barely alive, she couldn't help but feel resentful.
Jiang Jianzheng placed his hand on Madam Jiang's shoulder: "I will avenge Feng'er for all that he has suffered."
Madam Jiang's lips twitched, as if she wanted to say something, but when she saw that the man's hair had turned two fingers white at the roots, she said nothing and lowered her head to wipe away her tears.
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Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi returned to Lanxue Garden, and Jiang Chao came in to report: "Your Highness, Your Highness, Consort Shu has captured Jiang Jianzheng's son, but he has been secretly rescued. However, his injuries are very serious, and we don't know if he can pull through."
Shen Qingtan was taken aback, and immediately thought of the scene at the palace banquet where Supervisor Jiang was absent-minded and kept looking towards the palace gate, probably because he was worried about his son's safety.
The two families had no dealings with each other. If she hadn't overheard Jiang Jianzheng talking to another official at the palace banquet today, and hadn't taken a curious look and met Jiang Jianzheng's face, she probably wouldn't have noticed this detail.
"I've heard that His Majesty trusts Supervisor Jiang very much. Why would Consort Shu want to provoke such a dangerous situation?" Shen Qingtan asked with a puzzled expression. "Isn't Consort Shu just asking for trouble by offending Supervisor Jiang?"
"I initially thought that the Jiang family and the Lin family had broken off their engagement, and then the Lin family was imprisoned. Consort Shu suspected that the Jiang family had betrayed the Lin family, which is why she arrested Jiang Chengfeng to retaliate against Supervisor Jiang."
"After some investigation, I found out that Consort Shu kidnapped Jiang Jianzheng's son in order to coerce him into saving the Lin family."
"Jiang Jianzheng was an upright official. Even though he was about to become in-laws with the Lin family, he never gave them any special treatment."
"This time, Consort Shu poisoned Jiang Chengfeng, probably because Jiang Jianzheng was no longer threatened by her and angered her."
At this point, Jiang Chao sighed and said, "Now everyone outside is saying that Consort Shu has kidnapped Jiang Jianzheng's son."