Volume 1 Chapter 65 Withered (Part 1) (Pink Tickets: 300)

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  On the eighteenth of March, they paid respects to their ancestors and mentioned some things to note for the next exam. Then, with Mrs. Dai, Mrs. Er, Wu Niang, Shi Niang, Shiyi Niang, and a large group of maidservants, they sent Luo Zhenxing off at the gate.

  The carriages outside had long been ready. The young servant lit the lantern and helped Luo Zhenxing onto the carriage, until they were out of sight. Madame was still standing there, looking around.

  "Go back!" The old master said with a smile, "There are still several days of work left!"

  The big Zhou Keju, three consecutive exams, will be finished on the 21st when Luo Zhenxing takes the exam.

  The old lady nodded and followed the old master back into the house, still muttering to herself: "I don't know if there's anyone taking care of Master Qian."

  "Don't worry so much!" said the old master, "This kind of thing also emphasizes that planning is done by man, but success is determined by heaven. Otherwise, why would there be so many talented scholars who failed to pass the imperial examination?"

  The lady listened and also made sense, no longer nagging. After finishing breakfast, she started chanting sutras. The wet nurse was also very anxious, following the lady to chant together.

  Everyone in the house was quiet and still, tiptoeing around.

  When it was time for lunch, Fourth Master Luo Zhensheng arrived.

  The old master's face turned three degrees colder as he listened, and when Luo Zhensheng came in, the chopsticks in his hand flew onto his face: "...... You finally know you've arrived. Your big brother is going down today. Do you know or not?"

  At the age of sixteen, Luo Zhensheng was in his growth spurt, tall and slender, with a pale complexion, always hunching over as if he couldn't stand up straight, giving people the impression that he was somewhat timid.

  Seeing his father's anger, he was immediately frightened and turned pale, standing there stupidly, not knowing what to do.

  The lady gave a glance at Mrs. Xu beside her, then smiled and stood up to persuade: "Alright, alright. The child hasn't traveled far before, so it's normal to be late for a few days. Today is Brother Xing's good day, don't get angry, be careful not to...". She swallowed the two words "bad luck" and changed her tone to say "not suitable."

  The old master glared at Luo Zhensheng, and the mistress hurriedly instructed Wu Xiaquan beside him - Luo Zhensheng was brought back by him from Tongzhou: "Fourth Master is also tired from traveling, go down and have lunch!"

  Luo Zhensheng hastily paid his respects to Master and Mistress, then followed Wu Xiaquan out.

  Fourth Master, you've finally arrived!

  Luo Zhensheng hastily pulled Ziwei's hand: "Sister Ziwei, you quickly go and tell Fifth Sister that Di Jin is ill."

  Ziwei was taken aback and looked at Luo Zhensheng who was sweating profusely, responded with a sound, and hastily went to Wu Niang's place.

  Di Jin is two years older than Bi Luo Zhen Sheng, and has been serving him since childhood. She is loyal to him and is the most trusted person by San Niang and Wu Niang. Now that she's heard Di Jin is ill, Wu Niang is also anxious and hastily puts on her shoes: "Where does Fourth Master live?"

  "The east wing of Zhōngzhèng Yuàn!" Ziwei hesitated.

  Wu Niang's movements slowed down. After thinking for a moment, she said: "You go and see where the earth is uncomfortable, I still have some Lilium lancifolium, Aurantii Fructus, and Five-Lily Pills..."

  Ziwei went to see the earth carpet.

  Di Jin's face turned pale, and he looked dispirited: "It's all my fault, I delayed Fourth Master's journey. I'm fine, just tell Fifth Miss that it's just seasickness."

  Ziwei saw that she was just feeling unwell spiritually, comforted her with a few words, and returned to Wu Niang.

  The Fifth Girl was still a bit worried and had Ziwei bring some Lilium lancifolium pills.

  They came and went like this, and the eleventh girl also got the news, sending Amber to ask for a moment, and when she returned, she said: "Dijin sister is also seasick."

  Eleventh Sister had Amber send a package of Longjing: "Drink some light tea, people feel more comfortable."

  Di Jin thanked the good intentions of Eleven Niang, and Amber sat there chatting with her for half a day. During this time, a young maid brought in some noodles, but Di Jin felt unwell after taking just one sip and began to feel drowsy again. Seeing this, Amber took her leave. On returning, she told Eleven Niang: "Something happened at home, and Fifth Aunt was crying all the time at first. Later, Wu Xiaoquan's family often went to comfort Fifth Aunt. When Di Jin and the others arrived, Fifth Aunt had improved a lot and started following the master of Ci'an Temple to eat vegetarian food."

  The eleventh girl's eyes darkened involuntarily.

  The fifth aunt is not even thirty years old yet!

  Amber knew that Shiyi was worried about her birth mother, but what's the use of worrying if she couldn't even get married...

  She changed the subject abruptly, as if fleeing: "Miss, Fourth Master has gone to Grandfather's place to apologize. I don't know how Grandfather will deal with Fourth Master."

  "It's come to this, just a couple of words of advice." The eleventh daughter plucked up her courage and responded with a few sentences, then had someone bring over needle and thread to work on.

  Amber stopped talking and sat down beside Eleven with a small stool, helping to make shoes and socks for Five's wedding - Big Nai brought the list over and had the people in Eleven's room do the needlework according to the list.

  The old master scolded Luo Zhensheng severely, just as the eleventh girl had said, and after venting his anger, he looked at him with a timid and fearful expression, let out a long sigh, and told him to withdraw.

  He went to see Wu Niang.

  "…You left someone in Tongzhou to take care of the land, and you brought people here yourself. Why did it have to drag on for so many days? Father only lost a chopstick because of you, which is already a light punishment."

  Luo Zhensheng smiled and nodded in agreement.

  The fifth daughter-in-law shook her head and could only laugh: "When can you stop worrying people!" And then asked, "Is the third aunt doing well?"

  Luo Zhensheng smiled and said, "Not long after you left, she caught a cold. I went to the Hangzhou government office to invite a doctor to come and treat Auntie's illness. We also used high-quality ginseng and bird's nest, and Auntie recovered quickly."

  Wu Niang listened and couldn't help but glare: "How could you go to Hangzhou Prefecture to ask for a doctor for your aunt, are there no doctors in Yuhang? And you used the best ginseng and bird's nest, were they taken from the warehouse or bought outside? If they were taken from the warehouse, did you report it before you came?"

  Lu Zhensheng was somewhat disappointed when he heard his sister say this. He said in a low voice, "Why are you saying the same thing as Auntie..."

  The fifth daughter lightly patted the table: "Where did those ginseng and bird's nests come from?"

  Luo Zhensheng was startled and hastily said: "I took it from the warehouse. However, Auntie has already compensated me for it."

  Wu Niang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then her face flushed with color: "You're fine, don't cause trouble. If your brother-in-law succeeds this time in the imperial examination, I'll have him take you to his post and make you a tutor or something... You won't have to be so constrained either."

  Lu Zhensheng listened in shock: "What brother-in-law? Fourth brother-in-law? He wants to invite a teacher, he will only invite Third Brother, how can it be my turn?"

  Ziwei covered her mouth and smiled: "It's our family's young lady! Our family's young lady was just engaged a few days ago, her fiancé is the eldest brother's fellow student at Guozijian, and he also participated in the imperial examination today."

  Luo Zhensheng's spirit was shocked: "Really, really! This is a great thing!"

  The fifth daughter smiled without making a sound.

  The sister and brother were delighted when a little maid from Luo Zhensheng's side came in and said, "Fourth Master, Di Jin sister vomited again."

  Lu Zhensheng's face immediately showed a look of panic, and he hastily said to his sister "I'll come back to see you later", then followed the little maid away.

  The fifth daughter looked at it with a frown: "This brocade, when did it become so delicate!"

  Just then, Ziwei came in and said: "Miss, people from Yongping Houfu have come again to invite the old lady."

  The fifth daughter couldn't help but look stunned, murmuring: "Could it be that we can't drag it out any longer..."

  Mrs. Lai hurriedly followed Yan Hong to Yuan Niang's residence. As soon as she entered the door, she was startled.

  The room was filled with people standing silently, including Third Lady, Fifth Lady, Wen Niang and the newly arrived Qiao Niang, each holding a handkerchief to wipe away tears.

  The big wife's heart skipped a beat as she watched.

  Just as she was about to ask, Wei Zi, who was beside Madame Tai, came over with a solemn expression: "Madame, please follow me." She said, and turned around to head towards the inner chamber.

  The lady had no choice but to follow him in.

  She saw Madame Wang sitting on the edge of the bed, crying, with a eunuch standing beside her wearing a round-necked jacket with peony flowers embroidered on the front and back.

  When she saw Madame entering, a sympathetic look appeared in the eyes of the maid.

  The big wife seemed to have understood a bit, her legs softened and she couldn't take a step.

  Mrs. Xu quickly supported the old lady with her quick eyes and hands.

  Old Lady Tai stood up upon hearing the commotion, gently wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes while softly saying: "Auntie, please sit down!" Her voice was already choked with sobs.

  The old lady felt herself going weak all over, and was supported by Mrs. Hsu as she stumbled to Yuan Niang's bedside: "Yuan Niang...Yuan Niang..."

  Her face was as pale as a rough draft. Her lip color was grayish blue, and she lay there motionless, not even the rise and fall of her chest could be felt.

  The old lady grasped her daughter's hand and called out "Yuanniang", Yuanniang's eyelids slightly moved, and she opened her eyes.

  Those were a pair of eyes without focus, with scattered gaze, and no vitality.

  "Mother!" she called out softly.

  The big wife's tears were already falling like rain: "Yes, it was me."

  Yuanniang's mouth corners twitched, wanting to smile, but didn't smile out loud.

  "After I die, Brother Jun will be married to my sister, Eleventh Sister." She said this with a clang, and people began to breathe heavily.

  This is the daughter's last words...

  The old lady couldn't help but burst into tears, yet she still shouted loudly: "I know, I know!"

  For a time, both inside and outside the house were filled with low sobbing sounds.

  Yuanniang strained her voice and shouted "Lü'e".

  Green sleeves choked back tears and nodded "yes", then from under Yuan Niang's pillow, she fished out a carved red lacquer box.

  "For you, sir." Yuanni's voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum. "Please help me deliver it to the Empress Dowager."

  The green leaf was handed over with reverence.

  The eunuch bowed his head and replied "yes", the room immediately fell silent, and the sound of someone inhaling cold air could still be heard. The eunuch then smiled respectfully and said: "Don't worry, madam, I will definitely bring it."

  "This is a memorial I am presenting to Her Majesty the Empress," said Yuan Niang, her mouth slightly curving upwards. "I beg Her Majesty to sympathize with my loving motherly heart for my child."

  "Don't worry, don't worry." The old lady sobbed, "I'll take charge of this matter for you."

  The girl suddenly relaxed: "Mother, I want to see Brother Yun!"

  Old Mrs. heard it and hastily ordered someone to hold Zongge.

  Before long, the wet nurse brought Tongge over.

  Brother Tong opened his big eyes, his gaze was flustered, and when he saw his mother, he wanted to rush over.

  The mother did not dare let go, and her son struggled: "Mother, mother..."

  Yuanniang raised her hand, and again fell from mid-air.

  The old lady sobbed: "Let him go..."

  The girl finally dared to put her brother on the ground.

  Brother Ge immediately ran to his mother.

  "Mother, mother..." He climbed onto his mother's bed with ease, "Aren't you sleeping yet?"

  Yu Niang smiled: "I want to sleep. However, when I'm sleeping, you have to listen to your eleventh aunt." Her tone was light as a feather.

  "Who is Aunt Eleven?" Er Ge was puzzled, tilting his head to look at his mother, "Why should I listen to her? Isn't listening to Mother good enough?"

  The lady couldn't help it and burst into tears.

  Wrote until midnight, suddenly the network went down... then called 10000, and it's working again!

  It's just like an adventure story!