The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 307: The Ninth Brother Really Can’t Do It!

Chapter 307: The Ninth Brother Really Can’t Do It!

Dr. Shen had also come to the clinic to assist. Upon hearing Chu Shuo’s lament, he glanced at him and said, "Second Young Master, just look at you; you don’t seem to have the physique for martial arts."

Even if he learned, it would be in vain. He’d be better off dedicating himself to business, aiming to become the wealthiest man in the capital.

Chu Shuo glared at Dr. Shen. "You don’t practice martial arts either, so how can you tell? Sixth Sister, do you think I have potential?"

Nanli, busy sorting herbs for refining, didn’t lift her head and responded, "Second Brother, you already know some basic self-defense moves. But advanced internal skills and techniques take a lot of time to master. If you devote yourself to them, you’ll have no time to manage your business. Can you really trust others to handle it?"

Chu Shuo immediately gave up the idea. His business success depended heavily on his personal involvement. No matter how capable the managers were, he always had to keep a watchful eye.

He sighed, "Exactly. If I don’t oversee the business and stop making money, who else would provide funds when the capital faces trouble?"

Nanli couldn’t help but chuckle. Knowing her brother’s mindset well, she praised him, "Yes, indeed. Thanks to you, we have the funds to procure the herbs. Otherwise, the flesh-eating Gu would damage the brain if left in the body too long."

Chu Shuo’s eyebrows lifted, his face glowing with pride. "So, I’m accumulating good karma?"

"Absolutely," Nanli nodded.

Chu Shuo’s spirits soared. He sought no other reward for his karma but the health and well-being of his family.

Although the antidote for the Gu poison could be quickly prepared, the large quantity needed meant that Nanli, Dr. Shen, and others worked tirelessly through the night.

After taking the antidote, the afflicted individuals began to vomit violently, expelling the flesh-eating Gu from their systems. Many, upon regaining their senses, were overwhelmed with guilt. Despite being under the Gu’s influence and having lost their reason, they had indeed killed and consumed human flesh.

They feared such sins could never be atoned for and that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas would surely condemn them. However, monks from Tianfo Temple soon arrived, chanting sutras and offering prayers to pacify the souls of the dead. They conveyed that the spirits understood the true culprits behind the calamity and did not harbor resentment towards the victims, knowing they too were victims themselves.

The Black Armor Guard counted the dead, totaling over two hundred, requiring three full days and nights of prayer for their souls’ peace.

Though Liang Zhen had lost his sanity, the Surveillance Office captured his associates. He was indeed the mastermind behind Fan Guizong’s escape, though Fan Guizong was already dead and his soul consigned to Hell. The guard who had rescued him had hidden and remained untraceable.

Under harsh interrogation, a list of collaborators was quickly compiled, leading to the arrest of several prominent family heads who had aided Liang Zhen. Those families unaware of their members’ actions escaped death but had to forfeit most of their wealth. Already struggling, this ordeal brought many of these families to collapse.

The capital’s aristocratic circles were thus reshuffled. Those who managed to stay afloat were deeply aware of the court’s dynamics and wouldn’t dare dream of toppling Ye Siheng. They also avoided offending the Mansion of Marquis Anyang to prevent bringing disaster upon their families.

After all, during the capital’s turmoil, it was Chu Hanlin who, with his sons and soldiers, stabilized the situation and saved numerous lives. Even the second son, Chu Shuo, who wasn’t skilled with weapons, provided a large sum of money for medicinal herbs to cure the afflicted. And most notably, Sixth Miss Chu Nanli’s powerful immobilization talismans helped control many infected individuals, averting further harm.

Grateful literate citizens took the lead in crafting a "Ten Thousand People Umbrella" to express their thanks.

Emperor Muwu, deeply gratified, considered issuing a decree to promote the Chu family’s sons. Upon learning of this, Nanli immediately entered the palace to dissuade him.

"Your Majesty, it is only natural for soldiers to aid the people," Nanli said earnestly.

Emperor Muwu, still intent on giving some recognition, asked, "If not a promotion, can we at least reward them with something?"

Nanli was concerned about drawing too much attention to her family and inciting jealousy. "The people already honored the Chu family with the ’Ten Thousand People Umbrella,’ putting us in the spotlight. Any further rewards from Your Majesty would make us even more of a target."

Emperor Muwu sighed, feeling cornered. "But if I do nothing, people might criticize me."

"You could praise the Chu family during court sessions," Nanli suggested.

Seeing her determination, Emperor Muwu reluctantly agreed. "Alright."

Since promotions and rewards were off the table, he resolved to think of a way to lavishly praise the Chu family.

Feeling relieved, Nanli prepared to leave the palace but remembered something. "Your Majesty, may I take some herbs from the Imperial Pharmacy?"

Emperor Muwu’s expression darkened. "Do you even need to ask? Take as much as you need."

Even if she wasn’t the Ninth Prince’s wife, he would have said the same.

Nanli smiled brightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

She happily went to the Imperial Pharmacy, gathered the necessary herbs, and left the palace.

Though initially unconcerned, Emperor Muwu’s mind became uneasy considering that Nanli rarely asked for medicine. He summoned the official in charge of the medicine storage.

"What herbs did the Ninth Princess take? Did she mention any health issues?" Emperor Muwu inquired.

The chief physician hesitated, finding it difficult to speak.

Emperor Muwu’s anxiety grew. "Speak quickly!"

Could it be that the Sixth Princess was overworked and harmed her health?

Finally, the physician revealed, "The Ninth Princess took ganoderma, dodder seeds, cistanche... as well as deer and tiger genitalia."

At first, Emperor Muwu didn’t understand the significance of the herbs, but upon hearing about the deer and tiger genitalia, it dawned on him. It was indeed his Ninth Brother’s issue!

Even the Sixth Princess had to personally prepare the remedies!

Emperor Muwu covered his chest, murmuring, "Ninth Brother, your toughest part is clearly your mouth."

The physician felt incredibly awkward upon hearing this.

Realizing he had misspoken, Emperor Muwu quickly put on a stern face and glared at the physician. "If you breathe a word of this, I will not spare you!"

The physician immediately knelt. "I will obey, Your Majesty!"

He wouldn’t dare reveal the Ninth Prince’s private matters for anything.

Emperor Muwu nodded slightly, then narrowed his eyes as he added, "Fetch something for me on your way."

This item, he believed, could assist his Ninth Brother.

The physician wiped sweat from his brow upon hearing the Emperor’s request. Why did the Ninth Princess have to come during his shift? It was best to know as little as possible about these royal secrets!

At the Mansion of Prince Yu

Upon Nanli’s return, Rainbow greeted her. "Princess, Lord Xie is here."

Since Xie Beihan was alone, Rainbow had escorted him to the flower hall and served tea and pastries.

Xie Beihan sat on a round stool, his mouth turned downward, looking unusually somber. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t notice Nanli’s entrance.