Chapter 24: Helper

  "Tease?" Chen Qi's eyes sparkled brightly as he looked at Chen Jing, finally showing some interest.

  Chen Qi had been displeased with He Zhen for a long time. Thinking of how He Zhen had once harmed his stepmother and stepbrother, Chen Qi felt a thorn in his heart, but he didn't dare to speak out, fearing others would suspect him. He always deliberately concealed it because deep down, he indeed felt somewhat inferior about his own background.

  No matter how much his second brother and father pampered him, this sense of inferiority could not be erased, it was carved into his bones along with the blood of a concubine. He had a strong personality and was overbearing, refusing to show his cowardice and inferiority to others.

  He also didn't know that Chen Jiong had already sensed it.

  Chen Qi actually didn't like bullying the weak.

  He was overbearing to his brothers, either beating or scolding them, but he never laid a hand on the servants, although sometimes he would scold them for two sentences. This is his benevolence. So, he wouldn't feel glorious about teasing a sickly person.

  But if it were He Zhen, it would be different.

  "Right, let's have some fun!" Chen Jing laughed, "However, I need your help. You two, listen to my arrangement."

  His plan included not only Chen Qi but also Chen Ba.

  Chen Ba didn't think there was anyone else, and immediately shook his head: "I... I won't. If I had something on my mind, I would be nervous. If I followed you guys and blew my cover, it would be bad."

  Just kidding, today is the big day of Second Brother's son's birthday, and it's Second Brother's treat. If I cause any trouble, I'll be scolded to death by my parents and Second Brother when I get back.

  My second brother has a high status in the family and will be the head of the household in a few years.

  These younger generations are very afraid of Second Brother. Chen Ba is also respectful and fearful of Second Brother, not daring to disrupt Second Brother's banquet and bring trouble to him.

  Moreover, Chen Qi was the eldest brother's most beloved son, and Chen Jing wasn't even from Jingzhong Alley. If he followed them around, when something happened, they could all escape, but Chen Ba would become the scapegoat.

  Although Chen was only eight years old, his thoughts were very deep and far-reaching.

  "What are you doing?!" Chen Qi's eyes widened in anger, scolding Chen Ba, "I let you handle something and this is how you behave?! You dare to ruin things, I'll skin you alive..."

  "How come you always act like a tyrant at home?" Chen Jing said.

  Chen Jiong repeatedly accused Chen Qi of being ruthless and cruel, which shows that he really dislikes Chen Qi's harsh treatment of his brothers.

  Chen Qi was also annoyed and said impatiently, "These children don't understand things. If I'm not strict with them, they'll all be useless. This isn't called being spoiled, this is called 'teaching you repeatedly'."

  "What about you?" Chen Jiong asked, "Do you know the origin of 'er yuan zhuan zhuan'..."

  Chen Ba was beside himself, tears streaming down his face: "Two brothers, didn't you say we were going to tease people? How come you're the ones who got worked up first? You're so unreliable, I'm absolutely not daring to join forces with you!"

  "I don't know where he came from, but I'll take this little guy anyway!" Chen Qi said, and with a swoop, he scooped up Chen Ba's head and rubbed it vigorously.

  Chen Ba was in so much pain that he let out a loud wail.

  "What's your name?" Chen Qi was impatient. "I told you to do something, you just do it, dare to be disobedient, and you'll get a beating, remember that?"

  "Remember, Seventh Brother." Chen Ba begged for mercy.

  Chen Ba didn't realize his mistake until now. He had come to the banquet with good intentions, originally planning to find a quiet corner to listen to the opera, but coincidentally Chen Xuan and Chen Qi came in from outside and sat down on this side.

  What they were talking about, Chen Ba knew exactly. He wasn't very tactful and when he heard a topic that interested him, he chimed in. Who would have thought, he ended up getting deeply involved.

  He didn't want to get involved in Chen Qi and Chen Jing's farce.

  However, both brothers' discussion was overheard by Chen Ba. If the matter were to be exposed, Chen Qi would definitely suspect that it was Chen Ba who had informed on them and would not hesitate to bully him afterwards.

  It's all the same anyway, might as well follow them, either way it won't end well.

  Following them, you can also gain Seventh Brother's favor and suffer less from his temper in the future.

  Chen Qi was willing, Chen Ba also reluctantly agreed, and Chen Jing let the two of them lean in close, telling them his plan.

  "Is that it?" Chen Qi and Chen Ba said in unison after hearing Chen Xuan's plan.

  "Hmm!" Chen Jing nodded cautiously.

  Chen Qi and Chen Ba had different expressions, but in the end neither of them said anything more, they both got up and headed towards Er Ge and He Jia brothers' side.

  ****

  He brothers rushed over, Chen Er was also quite surprised.

  Today is just the birthday banquet of his second son, Chen Er wants to take the opportunity to entertain friends and strengthen relationships. He will be the future master of the Chen family, so he needs to build good relationships.

  He is meticulous in his dealings and generous with his wealth, and he is also skilled in painting, so whether it's ordinary rich young masters or talented scholars, they can all get along with him.

  He brothers are relatives, so they have to be invited, although it is known that they will not come.

  "Didn't expect them to actually come." Chen Er muttered to himself.

  He brothers are all younger than Chen Er. The eldest, He Ti, is still okay to talk about, and he has a good relationship with Chen Er in his daily life; but the second brother, He Zhen, has not left home for several years and stays at home to recuperate.

  Chen Er really didn't expect He Zhen would come.

  He Zhensheng contracted a strange illness, and for all four seasons of the year, he was either asking doctors to take medicine or reciting scriptures and chanting Buddha's name. Because of He Zhen's illness, his three aunts had been vegetarian and reciting scriptures for four years already.

  He came unexpectedly, which made Chen Er feel quite surprised.

  Not only was Chen Er surprised, but the others present were also shocked. Those who didn't know He Zhen just felt that his attire and demeanor were quite strange, as if he were a person from another world; those who knew him were even more astonished - He Zhen had not left home or socialized with friends for many years, nor had he participated in such banquets, so why was he out today, and how did he become so emaciated?

  Is this okay? Someone is secretly worried.

  "I accompanied my second brother to Liantai Temple for three days and asked Master Zhenkong to recite sutras to drive out evil spirits. Knowing that there was good news from the visit today, I brought my second brother here to offer congratulations." Eldest Brother He explained in a slightly raised voice, seeing that everyone's eyes were filled with doubt.

  The Lotus Platform Temple is just nearby, and it's only a one-minute walk from here.

  Knowing that his maternal uncle is hosting a banquet today, the brothers of the He family are nearby and naturally want to rush over to offer congratulations, have a cup of wine and then leave, which is considered polite.

  Everyone suddenly understood.

  He Zhen's appearance was so miserable that it made people sigh.

  "Are you feeling better?" Chen Er asked He Zhen. Looking at He Zhen wearing such thick clothes, with a winter fur hat on his head, Chen Er felt hot. But He Zhen's lips were pale and he looked chilled to the bone.

  He Zhen was a chubby boy when he was young, with a big waist and thick arms, just like his brother. So when he raised his hand, he could push his father's concubine down the stairs, causing her to break her neck and die on the spot.

  It's all because of He Zhenpang that he has been able to hold on for five years despite his poor health. Now, He Zhen is so thin that his skin is stretched tight over his bones. The veins on the back of his hands are bulging, his eyes are dull and lifeless, and there's no sign of improvement - in fact, he's getting worse and worse.

  Chen Er asked if he was recovering well, but it was just a polite inquiry.

  "It's better now, thank you for your concern, Brother Biao."

  Others, including Shen Changyu, couldn't help but cast curious glances at He Zhenji.

  He Zhen sat for a moment, his whole body chilled to the bone. He had someone pour him a cup of scalding hot tea, and ignoring the strange looks from others around him, he slowly drank it down, only then feeling a little warmth in his heart.

  "Second Brother!" He Zhen was drinking tea when he suddenly heard a loud voice.

  He knew it was for him.

  He Zhen slightly turned his head and saw Chen Qi, wearing a stone-blue brocade robe with a straight collar, walking over from afar. Behind Chen Qi were two young men whom He Zhen didn't know very well.

  Chen Qi shouted "He Zhen" from afar, and people around heard it.

  He Zhen had no choice but to put down his teacup and stand up to greet Chen Qi.

  "Long time no see, Brother Shui. You look much better now, are you almost fully recovered?" Chen Qi said with a smile.

  Whether true or not, He Zhen liked to hear such words. He was tortured by this illness and couldn't bear to die like this. So when others said some auspicious words, He Zhen was also delighted.

  "Thanks for your kind words, brother." He Zhen's voice was weak, and a rare faint smile appeared on his face.

  "It's the last one..." He Zhen's brother, He Ti, also greeted Chen Qi.

  "Big brother." Chen Qi returned the courtesy.

  Everyone bows together.

  Chen Jiong and Chen Ba also came forward and exchanged greetings with He Zhen brothers.

  Then Chen Qi sat down next to He Zhen.

  Chen Jing and Chen Ba sat beside Chen Qi.

  "Hello Uncle, hello Auntie?" Chen Qi asked the Ge family members, "Is your elderly lady doing well?"

  "It's all right," said He Zhen.

  "What medicine have you been taking recently?" Chen Qi asked again.

  Whenever he mentioned taking medicine, He Zhen felt a wave of annoyance in his heart, and his palms gradually became cool. He picked up the cup of hot tea again, feeling warm, before slowly saying: "Still take some 'Fuzi Ba Wei Wan', 'Pao Jiang Shi Quan Da Bu Tang'..."

  The medicines he mentioned are all dry and hot in nature, the main ingredients are all ginger, aconitum, sulfur, etc., which are all used to dispel cold.

  If it's really a cold syndrome, after eating these medicines for several years, I would have recovered long ago.

  "...how many years have you been taking it?" Chen Jiong suddenly spoke up, "Apart from these, haven't you taken any other medicines, such as cooling gypsum or bamboo shoots and so on?"

  He Zhen was taken aback and looked at Chen Jing in surprise.

  It's been five years, except for the doctor, others asked him what medicine he took, even if he said it, the other party just nodded vaguely as if they knew. No one has ever been like Chen Jing, asking if he had taken any other medicines and being able to say the names of the medicines he had taken.

  And in He Zhen's case, he had symptoms of fever and weakness, but no one would ask him if he took cold medicine, even though he really did.

  Chen Jiong was the first to ask.

  "A drying medicinal herb, I've been taking it for four or five years, and I'm still taking it." He Zhen replied seriously to Chen Jing, "Two years ago, a doctor said that my illness was 'true heat false cold', not that I had cold, but that I had heat, so he prescribed some medicine to dispel the heat and clear the body. The main medicinal herbs were raw gypsum, Huanglian and Zhuru. After taking it, my condition became even more severe..."

  He Zhen was so afraid of the cold that he wore a padded jacket even in the hottest summer days. The doctor took one look and knew it was a case of chill, requiring medicine to dispel the cold. But after three years of treatment, with all sorts of methods tried, including inviting a high-ranking monk to exorcise evil spirits, there was no effect.

  Then a doctor said this was "true heat and false cold", and tried using cool medicine.

  This statement is extremely bold and sounds like nonsense. However, the case of "true heat and false cold" has occurred. The He family, who have been suffering from He Zhen's illness for many years, would also be willing to try if there was a glimmer of new hope.

  He Zhen took the cold medicine prescribed by the doctor to clear heat and relieve fever.

  Drugs that clear and dissipate heat usually induce downward purging.

  After taking a bowl of medicine, He Zhen vomited and had diarrhea, almost losing his life.

  It can be seen that he is not what is called "true heat and false cold".

  He's family broke one of Lang Zhong's legs and drove him out, then they invited another doctor to give He Zhen a prescription for warming medicines like cannonball ginger and attached pepper, after which his condition slightly improved.

  After a big scare, his life was almost gone, and his fear of colds had increased, He Zhen was in extreme pain.

  It's been five years in the blink of an eye.

  He Zhen sighed helplessly when he mentioned this matter.