Chapter 26 Undercurrents “Maybe… he was planning to save me…
General's Mansion, front hall.
Qi Yu suddenly felt dizzy. He frowned, put down the bamboo slips in his hand, and gently rubbed his forehead.
"It seems that the poison is not yet cleared." He muttered to himself, then looked at the medicine beside him. It was already cold, he thought.
The newly appointed housekeeper didn't even bother watching him drink the medicine. He simply picked up the bowl listlessly, pinching his nose and drinking it all in one gulp.
He has hated taking medicine since he was a child. The bitter liquid slid down his throat into his stomach, almost making him tighten all the muscles in his body. Qi Yu couldn't help coughing.
When Liu Yeshu entered, she saw Qi Yu's eyebrows knitted together, a look of disbelief on his face. She glanced at the empty bowl beside her, which still contained brown medicine residue. She realized the bitter taste of the medicine he had just consumed had caused him to choke. She pulled maltose from her sleeve and respectfully presented it to Qi Yu. He held it in his mouth, and his frown finally relaxed a little.
"You are in a hurry. Are you thinking of something again?" Qi Yu thought it was still about what happened just now.
Liu Yeshu blurted out all his speculations.
"He stole my hair and framed me before. I originally thought it was because he was upset with the previous personal chef and thought I had squeezed out his master's position, so he wanted to take revenge on me. Now I think about it, maybe he just wanted to get rid of me. Whether it was framing the kitchen or setting fire to the mansion, his goal was to prevent the birthday banquet from taking place as scheduled."
"On the day of the fire, he came to my room. This is the jade pendant he carried with him. Perhaps... he had intended to save me, but I didn't expect that I didn't eat the food he prepared that day. Instead, I took it back to my room and didn't touch it."
Qi Yu listened in silence, then took the jade pendant from Liu Yeshu and caressed the patterns on it nonchalantly: "In that case, the birthday party must be held."
Liu Yeshu's eyelids jumped. "General, if Yang Qing was an assassin, he would definitely not try so hard to hinder the birthday party. The last assassination attempt failed, and he will definitely not give up. The birthday party is crowded with people, it is a good opportunity to strike. General, your injuries are not healed yet, please think twice."
Qi Yu listened to her words, but remained silent without comment. His eyes were slightly lowered, and his fingers tapped lightly on the table, as if he was thinking about something. Liu Yeshu looked at Qi Yu's thoughtful expression, and her heart became more and more uneasy, but she didn't dare to say another word.
After a moment's silence, Liu Yeshu mustered up the courage and tentatively asked, "General, could this assassin... be from the Xiongnu?"
Qi Yu smiled and said, "Not really." Then he instructed Liu Yeshu, "The bigger the birthday banquet this time, the better. Invite the thousand households as well. It will be a good omen for the couple."
Qi Yu didn't seem like someone who liked to waste money. He must have a deep meaning behind doing this deliberately. Liu Yeshu stopped trying to stop him and said, "The preparations are almost done. The menu and ingredients are ready, and the seating arrangements for the banquet have been preliminarily completed. We just need the general's review..."
Qi Yu listened absentmindedly: "You can arrange these." After speaking, he stood up and turned around to change clothes.
"The general is going to the barracks," Liu Ye thought comfortably. Seeing him take off his wide-sleeved robe and change into his casual clothes, she immediately realized that the general was going to the barracks to discuss matters rather than to train. Considering that Qi Yu was still unwell and unfit for riding, she ordered the servants to prepare the carriage immediately.
Before leaving, Qi Yu turned around and said, "If you don't go back home at noon, you don't have to cook."
Liu Yeshu nodded slightly upon hearing this and replied, "Yes, General."
She went back only after watching Qi Yu walk away.
*
Since the general was away, Liu Yeshu just took the time to go home.
The East Market clinic, called Renxin Hall, opened its carved wooden door, and the rich aroma of herbs greeted me. Inside, the light was soft, and several patients sat on vermilion-lacquered benches, waiting. Medical illustrations hung on the walls, and a cabinet in the corner was neatly arranged with a variety of medicine jars.
"Excuse me, which room is Butler Zhao in?" Liu Yeshu asked the servant who was preparing medicine.
The servant looked up and said, "It's in the second guest room in the backyard."
Liu Yeshu nodded in thanks, then walked through the inner hall and into the backyard. Beneath an old locust tree stood a few bamboo chairs, presumably for patients to rest. She gently knocked on the door of the second room.
"Please come in." Butler Zhao's slightly weak voice came from inside.
Liu Yeshu pushed the door open and saw Butler Zhao leaning against the bed, his face slightly pale, but in good spirits. Seeing that it was Liu Yeshu, Butler Zhao stood up anxiously: "Miss Liu, what happened to Brother Qing?"
Liu Yeshu originally wanted to follow Qi Yu's instructions and say that Yang Qing had died in the fire, but she was afraid that Housekeeper Zhao would be upset, so she said, "He's still in the General's Mansion."
Hearing this, Butler Zhao sighed deeply, his gaze becoming profound. "That silly boy, although he has a stubborn temper, he's not a bad person. His father's death was a big shock to him, but I've watched him grow up, and he's definitely not someone who would intentionally harm others."
Liu Yeshu changed the subject: "How are you feeling today?"
Housekeeper Zhao smiled wryly, pointing to his heavily wrapped leg. "It was hit. The doctor said it probably won't heal for ten days or half a month." He paused, then asked, "Is everything okay at home while I'm away?"
Liu Yeshu sat down on a chair beside the bed and told the story of how she had temporarily taken over as housekeeper, and also gave a detailed explanation of the new guests at the banquet. Butler Zhao listened attentively, nodding from time to time.
Seeing that Butler Zhao just nodded, Liu Yeshu said, "You should take good care of yourself. The general is also waiting for you to return home."
These words put Butler Zhao's heart at ease.
"Your arrangements are basically in place," Butler Zhao said approvingly, then frowned slightly, "There's just one thing you need to pay attention to. Captain Ji and Captain Cheng don't get along, so don't sit them together." He then reminded of a few details that needed attention.
Liu Yeshu listened attentively, nodding from time to time, and memorized all the important information. After Butler Zhao finished speaking, she thanked him respectfully: "Thank you for your guidance, Butler Zhao. I will do my best to make proper arrangements while you are away."
Butler Zhao smiled with relief and said, "You did a great job. I'm relieved."
Liu Yeshu stood up to say goodbye, and before leaving, she told Butler Zhao to take good care of himself. Before leaving the room, she looked back and saw Butler Zhao leaning against the headboard with his eyes closed, looking much more relaxed than when he came.
As I entered the village, the late summer sun shone on the bluestone pavement. The cicadas' chirping had died, but the tranquility was far from over. The usual crowd of aunties, uncharacteristically absent from the gathering place at the village entrance, was instead bustling from Aunt Sun's house. Following the sound, I saw a group of village women gathered at Aunt Sun's door, their necks craned, their eyes filled with the excitement of watching the action unfold.
"You said you don't want to marry? You've already received the twenty taels of silver as a betrothal gift!" Aunt Sun's sharp voice penetrated the wooden door.
From inside the house came Aunt Sun's daughter's sobbing voice of resistance: "I won't marry! If you force me to marry, you're forcing me to die!"
Liu Yeshu frowned and was about to leave, but was discovered by Aunt Li.
"Isn't this Miss Liu from the general's mansion?" Aunt Li's voice attracted everyone's attention.
Liu Yeshu pretended not to hear and continued walking forward, but the next words made her stop.
"This dress looks better than last time!"
"This general's mansion is really different. They are well-fed and clothed in fine clothes and delicious food!"
"Comparing yourself to others makes you feel nauseous. People from the same village have different fates!"
Liu Yeshu turned, her gaze sweeping across the crowd, finally landing on the faces of the women who had spoken. "Cooking in the General's Mansion might sound like a life of luxury, but at first glance it makes sense," she said, slowly unfolding her left hand, calloused from work. "But the General dislikes extravagance, advocating that the people's money should not be wasted. Everyone in the mansion follows this mantra, but we only eat simple meals every day. Who do we think is being lavished and enjoying the luxury of life?"
The village women looked at the calluses on Liu Yeshu's hands, which were indeed the result of hard work. They were also choked by her pointed questions, and no one dared to respond for a while.
Liu Yeshu smiled softly and continued, "A fire burned all the clothes I brought with me. The general was kind enough to lend me a few changes of clothes." She paused, her eyes becoming sincere. "But I can't shamelessly not return them. Do any of you aunties have any extra clothes at home? Could you lend me a couple?"
The aunties looked at each other and immediately fell silent. Some looked down at the ground, while others pretended to straighten their clothes, not daring to meet Liu Yeshu's gaze.
Aunt Sun heard some noise outside and came out of the house. She looked Liu Yeshu up and down and sneered, "Liu girl, are you here to see a joke?"
Sun Hong then limped out of the house, perhaps because she was angry, as she twisted her body with extra force every few steps until she reached her mother's side. She stared at Liu Yeshu with eyes as sharp as knives. "If you hadn't sold that formula to Li Bufan... I would have started a business at home. Why would I have married?" Her voice was filled with bitterness, and she continued angrily, "You are the one who shouldn't be here to laugh at my joke!"
Aunt Sun turned and glanced at Sun Hong with satisfaction, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes. She puffed out her chest, as if silently declaring: her daughter is still clear-headed and has always stood together against the outside world.
Liu Yeshu's concerned expression instantly turned cold, and she sneered, "Are you the only one in the world in trouble? Why didn't you offer to lend me money when I was short of money?" She paused, a sharp glint in her eyes, "Since it's a bidding war, the highest bidder wins. I accept the loss."
These words hit Sun Hong like a hammer in the heart. She was speechless and could only stand there, trembling all over, the expression on her face turning from anger to shame, and finally to a deep sense of powerlessness.
There was an invisible pressure in the air, and the people around held their breath and watched the confrontation quietly.
Liu Yeshu looked at Sun Hong deeply, with helplessness and sympathy in her eyes, but she quickly restrained her emotions, lowered her eyes and said lightly: "First of all, I wish Sister Sun Hong a happy wedding." After that, she bowed and turned to leave. Her back was crisp and she disappeared around the corner in the blink of an eye.
"That girl isn't easy to mess with," someone in the remaining crowd muttered, their tone tinged with fear and reluctance. The once lively scene gradually quieted down with Liu Yeshu's departure. The village women stared at each other, the frivolousness in their words fading, replaced by an indescribable awkwardness.
Sun Hong stood there, the anger in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by a complex mix of emotions. Liu Yeshu's back was gone, but she still stared, as if trying to poke a hole through which she could crawl out of this embarrassing situation and leave. Her fingers trembled slightly, the resentment and frustration of being counterattacked intertwined, leaving her almost at a loss.
Sun Hong felt a surge of irritation and unease. She had originally just wanted to vent her frustration by picking on Liu Yeshu, but now, she had become the laughing stock of everyone else. Unwilling to accept this, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, as if she wanted to say something to defend herself, but nothing came out. The crowd gradually dispersed after watching the show, and Aunt Sun had already gone into the house, leaving Sun Hong standing there alone, her eyes flickering.
"Why is she so lucky? It must be because your situation isn't bad enough..." Sun Hong murmured, as if asking herself, or making excuses for herself, "If you ever end up like me, or even worse...will you still be able to smile?"
*
Liu Yeshu opened the door and saw her father and mother sitting in the main room, their brows furrowed. Seeing their daughter return, they exchanged glances. Father Liu sighed deeply, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. After much hesitation, he finally spoke:
"Shu'er, the master of the family has died in prison."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yeshu's body stiffened slightly, but she quickly recovered: "The general also received the letter this morning. I came back this time to inform you of this."
Father Liu shook his head and smiled bitterly, "News from the General's Mansion is coming fast." He stood up and paced back and forth in the courtyard, his footsteps particularly clear in the quiet yard. "It will be difficult to get rid of the membership in the future."
Liu Yeshu pursed her lips, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes: "The general said that if you earn military merit, you can be released."
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Di suddenly stood up from the stool, his eyes shining: "Then I will join the army, earn military merit for our family, and escape slavery. Dad, how old do I have to be to join the army?"
After hearing this, Father Liu stopped and turned to look at his son. His brow furrowed even deeper, his fingers unconsciously clenching and unclenching. He was anxious, but unfortunately, his family was a civil official, and he himself had no martial arts skills. Thinking of him fighting on the battlefield would be a joke.
Liu Yeshu walked to Liu Di and gently ruffled his hair: "Take care of yourself first."
Liu Di shook his head in dissatisfaction, his face flushed slightly, and he said seriously, "Sister, I take good care of the family. Look at the vegetable garden, the fruits and vegetables are growing so well, and those chickens, which one is not healthy? They crow happily every day, and I feed them well, and they never miss a bite."
"And our seasonings are selling well too. Manager Li always comes with a smile on his face. Looking at him, business must be good." Liu Di puffed out his chest. "We can make some money with these, and our lives are getting better and better. Sister, you don't have to worry too much."
"Yes, our Ling'er is the best." Liu Yeshu nodded with a smile.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll exercise every day to make myself strong." Liu Di became more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes showing the determination of a young man. "That way, I can go to the battlefield and win military merit for our family! I'll bring honor to our family and give you one less thing to worry about!"
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