Chapter 33: Strange Encounter

  On He's side, the illness was explained clearly and they believed it. He Zhen is fine now. Chen Xuan and Chen Er both want to take their leave.

  The three aunts insisted on keeping them for dinner.

  "Yesterday the water was treacherous, grandfather already knew, but I'm afraid he didn't sleep all night. I have to hurry back and tell grandfather about my cousin's recovery, so he can..."

  "Don't worry." Chen Er smiled and refused.

  Chen Jing thought of his sister-in-law at home, who was probably equally anxious. So, he also refused his aunt's invitation to stay for dinner and wanted to go back with his second brother.

  Auntie knew Chen Jing didn't have a carriage and asked He Ti to send Chen Jing.

  Chen Jie did not push back.

  Chen Er said: "Uncle and aunt are busy on this side too. The water curve is good, relatives and friends can't help but come to congratulate, the eldest nephew wants to help with the reception, it's better for me to help send"

  "We're all family, why be so polite?"

  "Yes, Auntie, I'll just follow Second Brother back." Chen Jing also said.

  He Ti also didn't sleep all night last night.

  Now that his brother's illness has been settled, he felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and let out a series of yawns, barely covering up his exhaustion. He hoped to get some rest soon and take a nap.

  It's also good.

  "Alright then." Third Aunt didn't decline again, "This time I treated you lightly, another day I'll invite you brothers again."

  Then she said to Chen Er, "Ask your grandfather for me and tell him that Zhen'er's illness has reduced by more than half, let the old man be at ease. When Zhen'er recovers again

  A few days ago, I took him to visit his great-grandfather and kowtow to him.

  Chen Erdao is right.

  The two brothers came out of He's house.

  He Ti and San Gu Zhang saw them off at the gate.

  Chen Jiong and Chen Er bid farewell to San Gu Zhang and boarded the carriage to head back.

  On the road, Chen Er glanced at Chen Jing several times and asked him: "Central, your medical skills, who did you learn from?"

  "Read it yourself." Chen Jiong said.

  He shook his head and smiled, saying: "You don't want to say it, that's fine. This time, although we managed to cure He Zhen, it was a bit too reckless. What if he really...

  "If you don't wake up, what can we do? From now on, be more cautious in your actions."

  "Yes." Chen Jing replied.

  This time, Chen Er didn't cause any trouble for the Chen family, but instead made the He family owe a favor to an adult. This was Chen Jing's skill, but also had something to do with Chen Er's.

  Merit

  Grandfather let Chen Er handle this matter, and the result was very satisfactory. Chen Er's ability has been further enhanced. Therefore, his resentment towards Chen Jing has alleviated a bit.

  Chen Jiong saw Chen Er's attitude was very good, seemingly with the intention of pulling and making friends, and thought that there were many people on the other side of Jingzhong Alley, with complex relationships, he didn't want to get involved.

  He was taciturn on the road. Chen Er asked a question and he answered one sentence, answering very perfunctorily.

  The horse carriage soon arrived at Qi Wan Lane, and Chen Er came down to pay his respects to Li Shi.

  Chen Jiong's older brother is older than Chen Er, so Li Shi is also Chen Er's sister-in-law.

  Arrived at the gate, naturally had to pay respects to Li's family.

  Li smiled and exchanged greetings with Chen Er.

  Chen Er also did not sleep all night and was extremely tired, so he didn't stay for long before taking his leave.

  When Chen Er-yi left, Li's expression became calm and reserved, without revealing any joy or anger, and she asked Chen Jing to sit down.

  Qingyun poured tea.

  Li held the Qingci wrapped branch pattern tea cup, her pink fingertips gently stroking along the edge of the cup, like water clear and bright eyes flashing. She occasionally used the lid to lightly stir

  She poured the floating leaves, and the tea fragrance wafted, filling the whole house with a strong tea aroma. She lowered her eyelids and remained silent.

  Silence is a terrible thing.

  Chen Jiong coughed.

  Li raised her eyes slightly and looked at him, her pupils shining brightly, still without speaking.

  "Eldest sister-in-law, He Zhen is much better now." Chen Jing spoke first, "Third Aunt said that another day when He Zhen is even better, she also wants to come and thank you in person."

  Li nodded slightly and remained silent.

  "...It was also me who cured Third Uncle's illness last time." Chen Jing said.

  Li listened silently.

  "I'll take the medical skills." Chen Jing continued, "At that time, I was knocked unconscious by Seventh Brother and had a strange dream. It seemed like I dreamed of the Medicine King Temple. Don't know which elder..."

  "My golden body suddenly fell over and knocked me unconscious. When I came to, looking at the medical book was just like reading it in my past life."

  "What?" Li finally relaxed a bit.

  This lie is still quite believable in this era.

  The legend of ghosts and gods has not yet encountered the science of later generations, but in the hearts of ordinary people, it is a kind of faith.

  Chen Jing said so, and Li listened.

  "...is true." Chen Jing said, "I thought about it too, but I didn't know whether it was good or bad luck, and I was afraid that Big Sister would worry, so I didn't mention a single word. Now seeing Big Sister still..."

  "Worry for me, I have no choice but to tell you the truth."

  Li listened and was stunned for a moment.

  Then she let out a soft sigh.

  "If it's true, I'm afraid our ancestors will bless us. Our family line, from grandfather to parents and siblings, has never been healthy, with short lifespans."

  Now that only you and your brother are left, the family is in a precarious state. Our ancestors will appreciate our kindness, filial piety, and understanding of etiquette, which may have brought about this rare opportunity for you.

  "Don't be afraid..." Li comforted Chen Jing.

  Chen Jing's heart flashed with some unbearable thoughts.

  His elder sister-in-law is a rare good person.

  In just a short half year of getting along, Chen Jing held her actions and behavior in high esteem.

  A woman who can achieve this is a remarkable one.

  She handled it properly in the face of major issues. If Chen Jing's brother could come back, his sister-in-law would undoubtedly be an excellent virtuous assistant; if his brother couldn't come back,

  Come on, elder sister can also educate nephew and Chen Jing into talents.

  Chen Jing respected her and couldn't bear to deceive her.

  But honestly speaking, what is honesty?

  His arrival in this world was more absurd than the strange encounter he had fabricated. Rather than telling his sister-in-law how he came, it would be better to fabricate a story.

  Compared with Chen Cang's origins, ghost stories are more credible by a few points.

  "Sister-in-law is absolutely right." said Chen Jing.

  Li nodded.

  She paused for a moment before continuing: "Don't discuss this matter with outsiders. You're clever and knowledgeable about medicine, that's your talent. As for the rest, it's better not to mention it."

  "It's just idle talk."

  She didn't like outsiders pointing fingers at Chen Jing and gossiping about her.

  Li knew that Chen Jing hadn't read medical books for a long time. He only started liking to read medical books after he got injured during the Mid-Autumn Festival last year. It was such a short period of time.

  Talented, unbelievable.

  But outsiders don't know.

  To outsiders, Chen Jiong said that he was because his parents were in poor health and wanted to alleviate their suffering. He read medical books from a young age and eventually became self-taught. This reflects Chen Jiong's intelligence.

  It can also reflect his filial piety, killing two birds with one stone.

  Li's family made arrangements for Chen Jing everywhere.

  "It is," said Chen Jiong. "Elder sister, rest assured, I understand what's at stake. This matter, apart from you, I haven't mentioned it to anyone."

  Mr. Li was satisfied and nodded his head.

  Chen Jie's words were strange and unusual, the kind of strange encounter that one only hears about in operas. But Li also couldn't think of a second possibility. The child he had raised himself, what was going on with him?

  Li knew best what he did during the day.

  Chen Jinn did not have a master-apprentice relationship.

  "The storytellers and opera singers always talk about these ghostly encounters, maybe they're true after all." Li consoled herself.

  She didn't quite believe it, but she kept it in mind, thinking about it over and over again.

  Chen Jing saw that his sister-in-law was no longer angry and thought of the sacrificial field he had bought back last time. If he told his sister-in-law, she should be happy.

  How about taking out the deed and silver ticket, and telling everything about the Wenyuan Pavilion at once?

  Since we've already started talking about it, should I tell her that my dream isn't studying, but opening a medical clinic?

  With this in mind, Chen Jiong was about to try and speak up, but then he heard his sister-in-law say: "Our Chen family has been known for its poetry and literature for generations, your brother is also a scholar..."

  Dad, how many eyes are watching you.

  If I were to have such an extraordinary encounter, I would no longer study, and insist on becoming a doctor. How could my ancestors rest in peace? It's better to study and take the proper path, like you.

  Just like your elder brother, you shine brightly at the gate, and it's not in vain that our ancestors and the immortal have entrusted you with such talent.

  Chen Jiong swallowed his words.

  Her anger had just dissipated a bit, and when she turned her head again, it was another round of such talk. If she were to express her own thoughts, she would be even more angry.

  Compared to Tian Qi, Chen's sister-in-law hoped he could take a proper path.

  Since she dared to sell the sacrificial field, to save face for Chen Xuan's brother and Chen Xuan, and to prop up the gate of Qiwan Lane, it means that what is most important in her heart is reputation.

  Prosperity and good fortune, rather than sacrificing for the sake of fame.

  Only when she saw him willing to study hard would she feel relieved.

  The woman is weak in this world, she can fight with all her might for Chen Jing, and Chen Jing really cannot bear to go against her and make her sad. She supports this family.

  It's already very difficult. If I can't help, just go along with her and let her be happy.

  "It is." Chen Jiong said.

  No matter what words, they need an opportunity to be said just right. Now is not that opportunity.

  "...If you can listen to your sister-in-law's words, she will be happy too." Li's tone finally relaxed a bit, "If your brother were at home, he..."

  Whatever you want, your sister-in-law won't advise much.

  Nowadays, your brother is not at home, and outsiders may say that there is no one to teach you at home, so you are not well-behaved. If you lose your book and don't study, outsiders will

  I don't know how to scold you, and I don't know what to say to you. Rumors and gossip, I'm not afraid of them either, what can you do?

  She thought out every step for Chen Xuan.

  She was afraid of outsiders speaking ill of Chen Jing even half a word.

  In this era, a man's reputation is very important.

  Chen Jiong didn't quite understand at first, but as time went by, he gradually came to understand.

  "I understand, sister-in-law," Chen Jing promised, "From now on, study hard and be like your brother."

  Li nodded.

  It wasn't until things got to this point that it was finally over.

  Compared with before, Li's kneeling down and crying to beg him to study, Chen Jing feels that the current situation is still okay.

  Afterwards, Chen Jiong thought about it and felt that his own ideals had made no progress.

  After He's family matter was over, Chen Cui's sister-in-law watched Chen Cui even more closely. Two days later, Chen Qi came to the door, and Li let Chen Cui go back to her room before saying to Chen Qi:

  Chen Jiong is not at home.

  She wanted to cut off Chen Jing and Chen Qi's contact.

  Chen Jiong told him about his strange dream, and Li thought it over carefully, but still felt that something was not quite right, so he asked Chen Jiong several more times.

  Chen Jiong simply said it was a dream and he wasn't clear about it himself.

  Li himself didn't know if it was a good or bad thing, and said to Chen Jing: "Let's go to the temple and ask the old monk to perform a ritual, maybe it will get better."

  "Although your dream is extraordinary, it's not a proper origin after all. What if it harms you in the future?"

  In this era, men who read books and want to achieve success in their careers need not only talent and hard work but also good luck; they need the ancestral tomb to emit auspicious smoke.

  Stand out from the crowd of 10,000 horses.

  If it were this matter, Chen Xuan would never have good luck again, and it would not be worth it. Li thought, so she asked the old monk to give Chen Xuan a cleansing ritual to ward off evil spirits.

  "Alright." Chen Jing replied.

  Li spent five taels of silver and invited an old monk to perform a ritual for Chen Jing.

  The old monk spoke nonsense, saying that Chen Jinnan was possessed by the spirit of his ancient ancestor Chen Jinnan. He performed rituals for Chen Jinnan and also instructed Chen Jinnan's elder sister to offer sacrifices to their ancestors.

  After several days of turmoil, Li's heart was slightly calmer.

  Chen Jing made great efforts to cooperate with them in their mischief.

  Days passed slowly, and Li saw that Chen Cui had not been at all out of place, nor did he say anything about seeing a doctor again. He completely put his mind at ease, and his mood improved a lot.