Chapter 163 The Past

Yu Huatang said as they walked, "Let's go back as soon as possible. I don't know how long it will take to make anything."

Zhao Yan was touched and helped her carry her things. "Okay, let's go. Remember to rest in the carriage later."

After that, they didn't eat breakfast anymore and just ate a few bites of dry food. The carriage didn't stop along the way. The carriage was shaking. Yu Huatang and Qingxing slept for a long time. When the sun set, the carriage finally entered the city.

They hurried all the way, and when they arrived at Zhao's house, it was already late at night.

The carriage stopped and Anfu went to knock on the door. Yu Huatang came down with Qingxing and stood aside.

Qingxing looked up at the two majestic stone lions at the entrance. The vermilion lacquered gate shone with a deep luster in the moonlight. Atop the lintel hung an ebony plaque, the three gilded characters "Zhao Mansion" appearing vigorous and majestic. She turned to look at Yu Huatang, who stood there in a daze, feeling an indescribable melancholy. It was then that she remembered her master's past life here.

When Zhao Yan looked at her, it seemed as if he had returned to the time when they were still husband and wife, except that they rarely met and rarely had the chance to walk through the gate together.

The door opened, and the person inside said upon seeing Anfu, "The Third Young Master is back. I'll open the door right away."

Zhao Yan said to Yu Huatang, "We're here, let's go in."

Yu Huatang withdrew his gaze and followed him in silently.

Anfu and the others went to put their things away. Zhao Yan took her to the backyard. Just as they passed Chunhua Pavilion, Rong's mother came out. She was surprised and happy and said, "The Third Young Master is back."

When he saw Yu Huatang, he was stunned for a moment and didn't know how to start.

Mother Rong only knew that the young master was looking for a skilled craftsman from all over the world, but she didn't know it was Yu Huatang. She asked, "Who is this..."

Zhao Yan asked, "Is mother asleep? This is the chief lantern maker in Quanzhou and one of the most knowledgeable people in mechanical engineering."

Upon seeing Yu Huatang, Rong's mother was surprised and puzzled. When she asked Madam about it, she said sadly, "The poison has already invaded my upper arm. Yesterday, someone from the Imperial Hospital came and prescribed medicine, saying it can slow down the onset. But if it still can't be cured within ten days, then..."

"What should we do?" Zhao Yan asked.

Mother Rong choked up and said, "It's time to prepare for the funeral..."

Zhao Yan asked, "Did Second Brother go to Pharmacist Valley and get back what they wanted... Also, take me to see mother quickly."

Rong Mama immediately took him in and said, "The Second Young Master has already brought it back, but everyone in the capital has seen it, and no one knows what it is. Besides, the Second Young Master's wife is attending to an illness today."

Zhao Yan stood outside. Rong Mama whispered inside, "Madam, the Third Young Master has returned. He's brought the chief lantern maker from Quanzhou with him. He's said to be skilled in mechanical engineering. Madam, there's hope."

"Uncle San, come in quickly. Mother has been talking about you for a long time." Xu Yuanyi's voice came from inside, and Zhao Yan also walked in anxiously.

When she saw Yu Huatang outside, even Xu Yuanyi, who was always dignified and well-mannered, was so surprised that she was speechless. She stared at the person in front of her in silence for a long time.

Yu Huatang didn't plan to visit any of them. At this time, Zhao Yan came out from the inner room and said, "I'm going to get something from my second brother first. You can rest first."

Yu Huatang nodded and continued waiting there.

Soon, Zhao Yan returned, followed by the second son, Zhao Yu, who said anxiously, "I've asked many people, but none of them can understand what we want."

Zhao Yan handed it to Yu Huatang and said, "Take a look first."

The lights in the courtyard were bright. Yu Huatang spread the drawings on the stone table, and Qingxing came over to help.

Everyone fell silent. After a while, Yu Huatang said, "I have a rough idea of ​​what they want, but this mechanism is quite difficult. It will probably take me ten days to complete something they approve of. Why don't I write down my idea first, and then Lord Zhao can take it to Pharmacist Valley and ask if they can give me some medicine first."

When Zhao Yan heard her say this, and considering the scene he had just witnessed, where his mother's hands were already black, he became even more anxious, fearing that this would be the last time he would see her.

Seeing that he looked a little sad, Yu Huatang pursed her lips and said, "I'll write another letter to Su Qinghe. He's the heir of Pharmacist Valley, so it should have some effect."

At this time, He Lingfei, who was originally asleep, heard the noise and came over here. When she arrived, she saw Zhao Yan and Yu Huatang. She glanced into the room imperceptibly, not knowing whether her mother knew that the person who came was her third daughter-in-law.

Although they had seen Yu Huatang in Quanzhou and knew that she was a lantern maker, none of the mechanical masters in the capital could make what Pharmacist Valley wanted. Could she, a lantern maker, make it?

Thinking of this, she also began to doubt her third brother's decision.

At this time, Yu Huatang said, "If you think it's feasible, then prepare your pen and ink."

“It takes time to go back and forth, and I can’t guarantee that I can do it within the time limit.”

"How can that be? Isn't this relying on something so illusory for the safety of our mother?" He Lingfei asked quickly.

Yu Huatang looked up at her and said to Zhao Yan, "Since that's the case, Lord Zhao, please hire another mechanical engineer. I can't do anything else. However, please pay our lost wages and our food and lodging expenses all at once."

Zhao Yan hurriedly said, "No, Miss Yu, I believe you can do it. It's my sister-in-law who speaks without restraint, please don't be offended."

He hurriedly instructed Chu Huang who was standing beside him, "What are you waiting for? Get some paper and pen for Miss Yu and grind them."

Chu Huang ran into the room half asleep and half awake, and got pen, ink and paper.

Zhao Yan personally laid the groundwork, saying, "Miss Yu, please tell Su Qinghe, the heir of the Pharmacist Valley, that Zhao Yan would like to ask him to treat my mother out of friendship with his fellow medics."

Yu Huatang nodded, sat down, and wrote down his words. At the end, she wrote that time was pressing, and Yu Huatang would only present the key points of this mechanical technique. She would present the finished product to Pharmacist Valley within ten days, and asked Brother Su to show leniency.

The letter was quickly packed. Zhao Yan called for someone to equip him with a fine horse that could travel a thousand miles overnight. When the servant was about to leave, Yu Huatang said, "If that person doesn't want to let you in, just say that you are Yu Huatang, the chief lantern artist in Quanzhou, and you have a request for Master Su. If Su Qinghe knows, it will be much faster."

The servant said, "Yes."

There was silence outside the courtyard. At this time, Xu Yuanyi said, "Please don't see Miss Yu. My sister-in-law spoke too hastily. Since Third Uncle invited you here, we naturally trust you."

Yu Huatang looked at Zhao Yan and said, "In that case, please prepare the things for me, sir. I will build the framework tonight and try to finish half of it within five days."

Zhao Yan said, "Okay, I'll have them prepare now."

"In addition, Lord Zhao should remind them not to touch the things I made. I will place poisonous substances in the mechanism this time to avoid accidentally hurting others." Yu Huatang continued.

"Okay." Zhao Yan said to Rong Mama, "Please tell the people in the mansion."