Chapter 202: Deathbed

The next morning, while everyone was together, Su Fengzhang brought up the matter of sending Su Lanzhang back to his hometown for the imperial examination.

When Su Lanzhang heard this, he immediately asked excitedly, "Second brother, can I really take the county exam?"

Su Fengzhang handed him a steamed bun and said with a smile, "Whether it works or not, we'll know when we go back and participate."

Su Lanzhang said cheerfully, "My second brother said I can do it, so I definitely can do it. The magistrate of Hushan County is only a Juren (a successful candidate in a juren degree), so he's definitely not as good as my second brother, a Jinshi (a successful candidate in a jinshi degree)."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Su Fengzhang's face darkened. "Lan Zhang, who taught you to speak like that? The magistrate is the local leader. How can you, a scholar, be disrespectful to him?"

Su Lanzhang was startled by his sudden change of expression and quickly restrained his expression. He said hesitantly, "Second brother, I don't mean to be disrespectful to the county magistrate. I just think you are more powerful."

Su Fengzhang glanced at him and continued, "There are so many scholars in the world. It's rare to pass the imperial examination. Do you know how many people have spent their entire lives taking exams, only to end up with nothing but a commoner?"

Su Lanzhang has always been a casual person. Even though his family is full of changes, he has a capable brother to support him. He has not suffered much, so his mind is simpler.

Especially since Su Fengzhang had been promoted rapidly and his path to the imperial examination was very smooth, Su Lanzhang also followed him to the capital, and it was inevitable that he looked down on him a little.

Now, after being yelled at by Su Fengzhang, he realized his carelessness and quickly said, "Second brother, I remember it."

Seeing this, Su Zhaoshi spoke to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, Erlang, don't be angry. Lan Zhang is still young, and it was just a joke. Apart from anything else, his father and elder brother never passed the imperial examinations. How could Lan Zhang not know the difficulties of studying?"

Aunt Bai also said, "That's right. Studying for the imperial examination requires a down-to-earth approach and hard work. You can't be careless. Erlang said you did it for your own good."

Su Lanzhang usually had a very good relationship with Su Fengzhang, closer than the twin sister, but the closer they were, the more admiration he felt for her, so much so that she secretly glanced at him and said, "Second brother, I won't say such things again in the future."

Su Fengzhang sighed, picked up a piece of dessert for him, and said in a soft voice, "Sanlang, it's not that Second Brother wants to teach you a lesson, but you've grown up now. You have to rely on yourself when you go to Hushan County. Without Second Brother by your side to give you advice, you have to be aware of what's going on."

"Remember this: there are always people who are better than you. Be kind to others and don't aim too high."

Su Lanzhang nodded quickly: "I remember everything."

The two smiled at each other, and the slightly tense atmosphere disappeared.

Su Zhaoshi and Aunt Bai looked at each other and smiled, feeling relieved.

Aunt Bai smiled as she fed them some porridge. Then she said with some concern, "When we came here, several nephews came to see us off. Now I'm leaving alone with them. I feel uneasy."

Aunt Bai became a concubine in the Su family at a very young age. Over the years, she has become accustomed to Su Zhaoshi making decisions on all matters, big and small. Not to mention going on long journeys, she would even feel nervous when going out to buy rouge and powder.

Su Fengzhang had thought about this problem last night and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Auntie. The Gu family often has caravans traveling between the capital and Hushan County. When the time comes, you can follow the caravan. It will save you trouble and be safe."

Aunt Bai knew that the eldest young master of the Gu family had a very good relationship with Su Fengzhang. The correspondence had never stopped. Even after they came to the capital, someone from the Gu family would come to visit every once in a while, and the eldest young master Gu himself had come several times.

After hearing this, she was relieved: "It turns out that Erlang has made all the arrangements. Then I feel relieved."

Su Huihui frowned slightly and said, "Second brother, Sanlang is going back to take the county exam. What's the point of me going with him? I'll just be a hindrance. It's better for me to stay in the capital and help mother."

As soon as she started talking, Aunt Bai also said, "That's right. Huihui is a girl who has never left home. It would be inconvenient for her to go back with her."

After saying this, she looked at Su Zhaoshi and said, "I'll have to trouble you, Madam, to keep an eye on her. Take her out for a walk when you have the chance."

After hearing this, Su Fengzhang felt reluctant to let Su Huihui go back with him. Then he thought that since she was a girl, it would be inconvenient for her to go back with him.

At this moment, Su Arong walked in with an anxious look on his face: "Erlang, the maid who takes care of Old Madam Liu is here. She said that Old Madam Liu was not feeling well yesterday, and when she woke up this morning, she looked like she was about to die."

"What!" Su Fengzhang's face changed.

"What should we do?" Su Zhao was also worried.

Su Fengzhang didn't even bother to eat breakfast. He stood up and said, "I'll be right there. Ah Rong, please go to the government office and ask for leave for me."

Su Zhaoshi quickly followed and said, "Erlang, I'll go with you. Who knows, there might be something I can help with."

Su Fengzhang frowned, and Su Zhaoshi said, "Erlang, Madam Liu is a woman after all, so it would be more convenient to have her mother around."

If Mrs. Lao really went, Su Fengzhang, as a man, would inevitably encounter some inconveniences.

Su Fengzhang said nothing more and hurried out with Su Zhaoshi. The girl outside was panicked and cried when she saw him come out, "Master Su, please go over and take a look. The old lady is dying."

Su Fengzhang couldn't help but feel a little angry: "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

The maid cried and cried, "I thought it was just an old illness. The old lady also said it was late at night and she didn't want to disturb Master Su. Who knew that it would get worse this morning."

"Have you called a doctor?" Su Fengzhang asked again.

"We invited the doctor early in the morning, but he refused to prescribe any medicine and told the family to prepare for the funeral," said the maid.

Su Fengzhang had a terrible headache and could only instruct Su Arong: "Take my name card and go to the Imperial Hospital first to ask Doctor Wang for help, and then go to the government office."

"And..." Su Fengzhang looked in the direction of the palace and stopped talking.

"Forget it, let's go first." Su Fengzhang sighed and helped Su Zhaoshi into the carriage.

The three people who were left behind, Aunt Bai, had no appetite to eat anymore. Aunt Bai stood at the door and looked out, her words filled with worry: "What should we do? It was fine before, why did it suddenly become unwell?"

"Aunt, should we go and help?" Su Lanzhang asked.

Aunt Bai glared at him and said, "Come on, if you don't make trouble, you'll be helping Erlang."

Su Lanzhang said somewhat dissatisfiedly: "Auntie, you always treat me like a child. If I go there, I can at least help run errands."

Aunt Bai said, "That will be later. Going there now will only cause more trouble."

Before Su Lanzhang could say anything else, Su Huihui spoke up, "Su Sanlang, the Liu family must be in chaos right now. What can you do there? Wait until things are settled, and there will be times when you can help."

Su Lanzhang was most unhappy to hear her lecture him, and snorted coldly: "At least I wanted to help, unlike you."

Su Huihui stared at him coldly: "What's wrong with me?"

Su Lanzhang deliberately said, "You don't want to follow us back to Hushan County. Have you been dazzled by the prosperity of the capital and look down on the countryside?"

Su Huihui didn't expect him to speak like this. Her face turned red and her eyes were filled with moisture.

Su Huihui was usually a very strong-willed person. Su Lanzhang had never seen her cry since she was a child. Seeing her on the verge of tears, he panicked and said quickly, "Hey, don't cry. I didn't mean to scold you."

Aunt Bai slapped her son and scolded him, "How dare you say that about your own sister? Don't you know what kind of person Huihui is? If I hear you say that again, I'll tear your mouth off."

Su Lanzhang shuddered, looked down and saw Su Huihui staring at him stubbornly, and apologized honestly: "Huihui, it's all my fault for speaking without thinking, I really didn't mean that."

Su Huihui snorted coldly and turned away.

Aunt Bai pushed her son and said, "Go and apologize to Huihui again. You two are siblings, why do you always act like enemies? Sanlang, I can't help you this time. Can't you learn from your second brother and speak nicely?"

Su Lanzhang followed reluctantly, only to see Su Huihui sitting in the pavilion with a cold expression.

Su Lanzhang coughed and spoke again: "Huihui, I was wrong, please forgive me."

Who knew that Su Huihui sneered, turned her head to look at him with a cold face, and said coldly: "You are right, but you are too stupid."

Su Lanzhang gritted her teeth and said, "Hey, I've already apologized, why are you still cursing at me?"

Su Huihui said, "I told you you're stupid, and you become even more stupid. Do you really think that my second brother sent us back to Hushan County just so you can take the county exam?"

Su Lanzhang was stunned, then frowned as he thought about what she said: "Huihui, are you saying that Second Brother is afraid that we are in danger?"

Su Huihui nodded and said, "The situation in the capital is tense. Mother has been keeping us under house arrest these days. We don't even like to go to the silver shop. It must be Second Brother's order. Why did he ask us to go on such a long journey at this time? What do you think is the reason?"

Su Lanzhang also reacted and said hurriedly: "Could it be that my second brother is in danger? How can I leave the capital at this time?"

Su Huihui scoffed, "What can you do if you stay? Sanlang, if I were you, I would go back to Hushan County and study hard to get a good degree. One day, I can become a helper to my second brother."

"My second brother said you've grown up, but in my eyes, it's because my second brother treats you too well that you're so childish."

Su Lanzhang wanted to refute his sister's words, but he didn't know where to start. In his heart, he had to admit that Huihui was right. The existence of his second brother was like a towering tree, helping them to support a peaceful sky.

In the end, he just managed to squeeze out a sentence with difficulty: "What about you? What are you doing here?"

Su Huihui turned around and said, "You are a man. If something happens, you can leave a bloodline for the Su family. But I am a woman. It is useless for me to go back. It is better to stay here. At least my second brother won't feel lonely."

Su Huihui's voice was calm, yet firm.

Looking at his sister like this, Su Lanzhang suddenly felt powerless. He was not as talented as his second brother, who was the pillar of the family, nor was he as insightful as his sister, who could see the reality clearly. Perhaps he should work harder.