Chapter 37: The First Wife Spends Money Like Water (4)

Hearing the satisfied response, Xue Ci found no joy, only a stifling heaviness in his chest that left him irritable and uneasy. “As long as you understand,” he replied coldly. “In that case, don’t waste any more time. Take them off.”

His voice was devoid of emotion, and Lin Wanyin nearly burst into tears several times, but she forced herself to hold back. Her family was still waiting for her—her father, mother, brother, and sister all depended on her. For their sake, what did a little humiliation matter?

Clenching her lips, Lin Wanyin’s trembling hands removed her clothes one piece at a time. Her fair skin, the red undergarment, the delicate collarbone—combined with her tear-stained, fragile appearance—stoked an uncontrollable rage within Xue Ci, a burning heat rising from deep inside him.

He strode forward, tearing away what remained, and pushed her down.

“You—no—wait!” Her shoulder struck the wooden bed, pain bringing tears to her eyes.

The man looming above her suddenly looked up, his damp fingers catching her gaze. “You say no, but your body tells another story. Lin Wanyin, you’re nothing special after all.”

His mocking words pierced her heart like needles, leaving her breathless. But what could she do? In the end, she could only submit to humiliation.

The creaking of the wooden bed continued, relentless, until the first pale light crept over the horizon and all finally grew quiet.

The next day, Xue Ci did not return to the residence until the sun was already high.

“Miss, Xue Ci has sent for Doctor Wang,” Mufeng reported, glancing between the young lady and the ever-smiling physician, marveling at her foresight.

“In that case, Doctor, I’ll take my leave,” Doctor Wang replied with a benevolent smile, leaving through the back gate, only to hurry in again through the front soon after.

At last, he met with Xue Ci.

“Well?” Xue Ci withdrew his wrist, confusion clouding his face. He couldn’t understand why he felt so drained and powerless after returning home today.

Wang Rong’s eyes flickered, but when he looked up at Xue Ci, his expression was once again gentle. “Sir, there’s nothing serious. You simply need to exercise some restraint in that regard, lest you harm your health. Would you like me to prescribe a tonic for your wife as well?”

Xue Ci’s gaze darkened. The memory of last night’s madness made his chest burn and a restless desire stir within him. He adjusted his robe, covering himself properly.

“That won’t be necessary.” His demeanor smoothed into its usual refined calm. “Doctor Wang, I don’t want this matter discussed outside these walls. Do you understand?”

“Of course, sir. My lips are sealed. Matters so private will never pass beyond me.” Wang Rong nodded repeatedly in assurance.

“Not even my wife—such things concern a man’s pride…” Before he finished, he dropped a gold ingot into Wang Rong’s palm. “You understand?”

“I do, I do! I’ll keep quiet, absolutely.” Wang Rong bobbed his head like a pecking chicken, full of earnest reassurance.

Two hours later—

“Miss, the medicine is working,” Wang Rong reported respectfully to the young woman reclining with eyes closed in feigned sleep.

“Mm.” Jiang Youyou replied lazily.

“And the girl?” Wang Rong ventured.

“She’ll live,” Jiang Youyou said with a flick of her hand. Whatever else Wang Rong intended to say was cut off as Mufeng appeared out of nowhere and hustled him out of the residence at lightning speed.

His old bones were nearly shaken apart.

“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t.” He had barely steadied himself outside when he was abruptly scolded again, silencing him at once. Shouldering his medicine box, he hunched his back and departed slowly.

Pitiful? Certainly—threatened even in his old age. But those who are pitied often have their faults. After all, the medicine that ruined Jiang Youyou's health had come from his very hands.

“So noisy,” Jiang Youyou muttered, glaring at the black cloud beside her that crackled with thunder and lightning. She teetered on the edge of irritation—this wretched body of hers desperately, desperately needed sleep.