Fang Xuanling, sporting a black eye and slightly light-headed from the medicine, sat astride Lu Shi, staring intently at her.
Lu Shi initially felt a pang of unease but then noticed the warmth emanating from Fang Xuanling on her lower abdomen.
As the saying goes, "Thirty is a wolf, forty is a tiger, fifty can suck the earth dry."
Even a slight touch of warmth was enough to ignite a fire within Lu Shi.
Breaking free from Fang Xuanling's grasp, she lifted him and carried him towards the backyard.
Half an hour passed.
"You scoundrel!" Lu Shi's voice echoed.
An hour passed.
"You damned old hag! Keep showing off for me!"
"Do you still dare to be so fierce with me?"
The next day, when Li Shimin attended court, he noticed the absence of two officials from the ranks below.
They were Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui.
If it were only Fang Xuanling, it would be understandable; perhaps he had been beaten by his wife again and was too ashamed to show his face.
But with Du Ruhui also absent, something must have happened.
"Guards! Go to the Fang and Du residences and find out why Duke Fang and Duke Du have not attended morning court!"
After the imperial guards received their orders and departed, Li Shimin could only proceed with discussing state affairs with the other officials.
He waited and waited.
Nearly half an hour later, the imperial guard returned to the Liangji Hall.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Duke Fang and Duke Du are both recuperating at home."
"Are they gravely ill? Hurry and send imperial physicians to examine them!"
Li Shimin stood up from his dragon throne abruptly.
"Guards! Summon the imperial physicians!"
The guards felt a bit awkward. Should they mention that the two dukes had a rather… energetic night?
After some thought, they stepped forward, approached Li Shimin, and quietly explained the reason for their confinement to their beds.
Li Shimin was speechless.
"Damn it!
Fang Xuanling was 52 this year, and Du Ruhui was 43.
These two men, practically buried up to their chests, still had such vigor?
When an official died, the family had to observe mourning for a month, abstaining from cohabitation, meat, and alcohol. Within a hundred days, officials and commoners were forbidden from holding celebratory events.
Calculating the dates, it didn't strictly violate the regulations.
"Fine, fine! Send someone to get some high-quality ginseng from the imperial physicians and tell them to exercise more restraint."
After the guards withdrew, Li Jing, Cheng Yaojin, and others asked curiously, "Your Majesty, are Duke Fang and Duke Du unwell?"
"It's nothing, nothing. Continue with the discussion of state affairs."
Li Shimin waved his hand.
After all, it was a private matter between husband and wife, and it wouldn't be good to publicize it.
However, news, like fire, could not be contained.
Within two days, a peculiar rumor spread through Chang'an city.
Fang Xuanling, who had always been afraid of his wife, had dared to boss his wife around and even took a concubine!
Oddly enough, the fierce and jealous Lu Shi had shown no reaction whatsoever!
As for Du Ruhui, his wife was forty-five this year, and she was unexpectedly pregnant, confirmed by the imperial physicians!
This was truly a bizarre occurrence!
When the news reached Fang Family Village, even Fang Er was taken aback.
Did that little pill actually subdue Lu Shi for Fang Xuanling?
So, what was the real reason behind Old Fang's fear of his wife?
He shook his head and continued with his work; it was a bullet chain.
A few days later, a servant from the Chai residence arrived, stating that Duke Chai was unwell and requested the County Princess to visit.
This greatly worried Chai Yue, who immediately sought out Fang Er.
"My lord, my father is ill, and Yue'er must return home."
Fang Er was somewhat perplexed. That old man had been as fierce as a bear when fighting with Cheng Yaojin; how could he fall ill so suddenly?
He returned to the room, retrieved two strips of Cephalosporin, and wrapped them in paper.
"Come, my lord will accompany you back."
With that, he went to the door and asked Su Feng to bring the pickup truck.
Cigarettes, beer, and mineral water.
Peanuts, chicken legs, and melon seeds.
He loaded a truckload of gifts, big boxes and small bags.
Su Feng acted as the driver, taking Fang Er and Chai Yue towards Chang'an.
Upon arriving at the Chai residence, the servants saw Fang Er and immediately shouted inside.
"The County Princess and her husband are back!"
"What the heck, this situation doesn't look like Chai Shao is sick?"
Fang Er looked at Chai Yue with confusion, and she too was bewildered.
Chai Zhewei emerged from Chai Shao's room holding an empty bowl. Upon seeing Fang Er and Chai Yue, he approached them.
"Yue'er, go in and see your father."
Chai Zhewei's expression and the aroma of Chinese medicine from the empty bowl confirmed to Fang Er that Chai Shao was indeed unwell.
This was truly uncanny!
After Chai Yue went inside, Fang Er pulled Chai Zhewei aside.
"Brother, what's wrong with my father-in-law?"
Chai Zhewei appeared somewhat embarrassed and repeatedly waved his hands, "Don't mention it, it's nothing serious. Let's have some drinks together at noon."
With that, he led Fang Er to the front hall.
He ordered wine and dishes and drank with Fang Er.
Fang Er remained completely bewildered even as he was escorted out of the Chai residence.
What in the world was going on!
Upon returning to the Fang residence, Fang Er thought for a moment and then sent someone to find Lai Yifa.
"Go to the Chai residence and inquire about Duke Chai's condition. Remember, don't let anyone discover your identity!"
Lai Yi bowed respectfully, "My Lord, rest assured, I will not be discovered."
With that, he left the Fang residence.
By evening, Lai Yifa returned with two subordinates.
"My Lord, Duke Chai is a bit… weak!"
Fang Er raised his eyebrows, "What happened?"
Lai Yifa dismissed his subordinates. "My Lord, we heard that he took two boxes of medicine from the tobacco and liquor store, then went to Baihua Tower, and stayed there for two days before coming out."
Fang Er: ........
"What the f*ck!
The dignified Duke took medicine and went to a brothel; it's truly amazing that he could do such a thing!
Thinking about it, it felt like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet after starving for three days. This time, he must have gotten his money's worth, right?
ps: Third update