Chapter 27 Exclusive 8 "Chen Ying, I am not yours...
Chen Ying picked up the pen and asked him to report the age, symptoms, and hidden diseases of the patients at home, and find out the taboos before giving them the medicine.
"Doctor Shen, you don't know. My old man has lived in the capital for many years. He asked the famous doctor Shen to see him, but he couldn't cure him. Hey, the girl's surname is also Shen. Could she be related to the Shen family?"
Chen Ying shook her head slightly and said with a smile, "It's okay. This is your medicine. Please take it."
The man said, "I don't think you have any connection with them. The Shen family in the capital only treats the royal family and nobles. They are very arrogant, unlike Doctor Shen who is so easygoing."
Chen Ying didn't answer, but there was a faint smile on the corner of her lips.
The man had no reason to stay any longer, so he was helped away by two servants.
Chen Ying accidentally heard about her grandparents' family, but was still caught off guard. However, unless it was absolutely necessary, it would be better for her to keep away from that family.
The next morning, Chen Ying and Chen Jinxing took a carriage to Zhang's house.
Mrs. Zhang welcomed them very warmly.
"Miss Shen, I haven't seen you for a while, and you look better and better."
"Ma'am, you look radiant too."
Mrs. Zhang looked around and only breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't see Chen Jin.
Both families tacitly agreed not to mention what happened last time.
"I heard that the second master of your mansion has gone to take the provincial examination? That's amazing. Your mansion is about to have a master who becomes a juren." Mrs. Zhang's words were full of admiration.
Chen Ying nodded and smiled, "Yes, he just left two days ago. He's still young, so this is just a test run, don't take it seriously."
Mrs. Zhang led her into the hall, and Chen Jinxing followed behind. When they passed through the corridor, Zhang Ruoling was hiding behind a tree and watching him.
Just a quick glance and her face turned red.
"Miss Shen is too modest. Everyone knows that your brother is extremely intelligent."
After entering the inner hall, the host and guest sat down, and the Zhang family's maid served them tea.
Seeing this, Chen Ying also thought that the family should have a few more servants.
The second and third branches of the Chen family originally had a large number of slaves. After the first branch separated, since the mistress passed away, Chen Jichuan was away fighting all year round, and there were only two brothers and one sister in the house. With so many servants, it was inevitable that there would be trouble with the slaves bullying their masters, so most of them were dismissed.
The two brothers can take care of themselves, and only Chen Jinyun has a few wet nurses and maids in his yard who are responsible for taking care of them.
Chen Ying originally had no habit of having maids to serve her in her daily life. After coming to the Chen Mansion, she did not add any slaves to the house. Now, seeing how grand the Zhang family entertained their guests, with a row of maids coming up to serve tea and greet them, she felt quite comfortable.
He thought that before Miss Zhang got married, he would definitely have to bring some maids and servants into the house, as he couldn't let the new bride see that the house was too deserted.
Mrs. Zhang glanced at Chen Jinxing and saw him sitting upright sipping tea with a gentle demeanor. She glanced at her future son-in-law a few more times and was still very satisfied.
"I heard that the Chen Family Clinic is getting bustling with people these days. Jin Xing must be incredibly busy, yet he still took the time off to come here. He's really thoughtful."
Chen Jinxing put down his teacup and said gently, "I should have come to pay my respects to my aunt a long time ago, but I just couldn't get away a few days ago.
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Ruoling came out from behind the screen holding a plate of newly peeled curtains. She had a few pink pearl flowers pinned to her hair, which made her already pretty face look even more charming and innocent.
"I saw that the kitchen was stewing lotus seeds with rock sugar. There were some fresh lotus seeds left. I brought some to Aunt Shen and Brother Jinxing."
Her voice was soft and thin, her eyes fell on Chen Jinxing's face for a moment, then she hurriedly looked away and stood beside Chen Ying.
Her mother had taught her that Aunt Shen would be like her mother-in-law from now on and must be treated well. The two masters of the Chen family were extremely filial to her.
Mrs. Zhang glared at her daughter, as if blaming her for coming out so rashly, but her eyes were full of smiles.
Chen Ying also had a smile on her lips. She took Zhang Ruoling's hand and said, "Young lady, you are becoming more and more beautiful."
Madam Zhang narrowed her eyes in a smile. "You're the only one praising her. Speaking of which, I recently found a few embroiderers and wanted to help them embroider a few quilt covers. Miss Chen, you're here just in time. Could you help me look at some patterns?"
Chen Ying secretly glanced at Chen Jinxing, then smiled and replied, "That's good. Let the embroiderer start embroidering earlier, otherwise she won't be in a hurry when she needs it."
Mrs. Zhang was delighted to hear this and pulled Chen Ying to the inner room. Only Zhang Ruoling and Chen Jinxing were left in the outer room.
Turning around the screen, Madam Zhang ordered, "Xiao Tao, go get that set of 'Hundred Sons and Thousands of Grandchildren' pictures' and show them to Miss Chen."
Although she was the elder at this time, Chen Ying's face still turned red. Without the two young men, Mrs. Zhang had no taboos when talking to her, not knowing that she was still an unmarried girl.
Just as she was thinking about it, the painting of "Hundred Sons and Thousands of Grandchildren" was presented. Chen Ying examined it carefully and praised it, "The color combination is extremely elegant. If the embroiderer has good skills, the embroidery will definitely look beautiful."
Madam Zhang said, "Look at this pattern again. If you get married in a warm winter, this pattern won't make you look bloated."
Chen Ying nodded. "That's exactly what Madam said. Speaking of which, a daughter's wedding requires more preparation. If everything is ready in your family, it would be a good time to get married around the winter solstice when the weather is perfect, and for an auspicious reunion."
Mrs. Zhang said hurriedly, "It should be in time before the winter solstice. The trousseau has already been prepared. It's just a few boxes and decorations."
Chen Ying nodded and replied, "That couldn't be better."
The two of them agreed on a time in private. Chen Ying came out of the inner room, looked at Chen Jinxing, and nodded slightly at him.
"It's getting late, ma'am. I'm really sorry to bother you today. We'll go home first."
Mrs. Zhang walked them to the door, took Chen Ying's hand, and gave her a few more words of advice: "Nothing is more important than your brother's career. If you need my family's cooperation, just let me know."
"Thank you for your concern, ma'am." Chen Ying agreed with a smile.
On the return carriage, Chen Ying said softly, "Everything is settled. Jinxing, I'm so sorry for asking you to get married in such a hurry."
Chen Jinxing shook his head slightly: "It would be better if Am could live her own life sooner. Maybe, Am could meet the man she likes."
Chen Ying smiled helplessly, all that appeared in her mind was Chen Jinshi's appearance, which was really annoying.
She shook her head. Who should she think of when she pushed Chen Jin away?
Actually... Xie Qingyue is also okay. He is also a strong and powerful man. He is the general's apprentice and has the general's shadow on him. He also has tight and graceful arms, waist, abdomen, and shoulder and back lines.
She shook her head again. If everyone had the general's shadow, why didn't she just tell the general... No, the general had never responded to her.
well……
Chen Jinxing looked at her frowning in thought, then her ears turned slightly red, along with her cheeks, and then he shook his head, as if throwing something away.
He said nothing, but he felt obligated to remind her.
"Mom, Shi Ge'er is young and doesn't understand things. Please be patient with him and don't bother with him."
Shen Ying came back to her senses and nodded: "Yeah, I know."
The three provincial examinations lasted a total of nine days, with a gap of one or two days between each session. However, there was some distance between the Chen Mansion and the Imperial Examination Hall. In order to avoid traveling back and forth, the Chen family originally planned to let Chen Jinshi live in a Chen family shop next to the Imperial Examination Hall.
Chen Jinxing had informed the owner of the shop in advance and asked him to take good care of Chen Jinshi during this period.
"He should be coming out of the Imperial Examination Hall tonight. Has the shopkeeper given all the instructions?"
Although the two brothers seemed to be at odds, Chen Ying knew that Chen Jinxing had always loved his younger brother.
"The shop is small, but quiet. There are two clean rooms in the backyard, with new mattresses."
Chen Ying nodded lightly and didn't ask any more questions.
No matter what, Chen Jinshi is about to have a sister-in-law, so it is not her turn to worry about it anyway.
A few days passed quietly. Chen Ying was busy looking for servants for the mansion. It would be too embarrassing to wait until Miss Zhang came to do this.
Besides, we need to speed up the repair work in the backyard.
That day she saw a chip on the eaves somewhere, so she brought a ladder and was about to climb up. Just as she stepped on two steps, she suddenly remembered what Chen Jinshi had said.
If he were there, he would definitely drag her down and scold her for not asking the servants to do the work.
Chen Jinxing happened to be passing by. Seeing this, he stepped forward and held the foot of the ladder: "Mom, be careful. Why don't you ask the bricklayer to do it?"
"There's no need to call anyone for such a small matter. I see the missing corner of the eaves is not that big, so I can just fix it." Chen Ying was startled and climbed onto the beam. As she spoke, she reached out to grab the loose tile.
"Amu, you come down first, I'll do it."
"Don't worry."
Chen Jinxing was not as annoying as Chen Jinshi. He held the ladder at the bottom and said nothing, handing her tools from time to time.
Chen Ying had asked a pawnbroker to bring in a new member, specifying that she wanted someone with a clean background, hardworking, and well-mannered, but not slick. She particularly disliked those from wealthy families with opportunistic tendencies. The Chen family was simple, and she didn't want to make the house noisy.
The broker did not dare to be negligent and selected some deeds for her to review in person.
After selecting seven or eight people, he had everyone's background thoroughly investigated and confirmed that there was no hidden secret before he signed the contract.
Within three or five days, the mansion had become more lively, but there was no chaos. The servants each performed their duties properly, and the Chen Mansion's gate looked much more magnificent. Chen Ying was finally satisfied.
As he was giving orders, several servants in the front yard shouted, "Second Master is back! Second Master is back!"
As soon as Chen Jinshi entered the house, he thought he had really become a juren, and why his house was so luxurious.
Chen Ying and Chen Jinxing looked at each other and quickly stood up to greet them.
Chen Jinshi's hair was tied up in a messy bun, his face was slightly pale, and there was a dark tinge under his eyes. Only his eyes, although bloodshot, were surprisingly bright.
Among the students who graduated from the Imperial Examination Hall, his condition is already considered good. Who wouldn't be half-hearted in taking the provincial examination?
Chen Ying was stunned. She saw that he was wearing a moon-white long gown with frayed cuffs, probably because he was working on the answers at his desk. He didn't even bother to change into a new gown.
Everything was fine at first, but when she met his eyes, her heart seemed to be hit hard by something, and her cheeks turned red.
She avoided his eyes and tried not to think about what happened that day.
It was all just a coincidence, the two of them accidentally bumped into each other's mouths, that's all.
"I'm glad you're back." Chen Jinxing patted his brother's shoulder.
But the younger brother's eyes were only on Am.
Chen Ying calmed herself down and said, "I'm glad you're back."
She stepped aside to make way for him. "Come in. I'll ask the kitchen to make some ginseng soup."
She deliberately avoided looking at him. When he passed by her, he suddenly grinned at her. Chen Ying felt that there was something evil about him.
She had no choice but to avoid him repeatedly. His eyes wandered around her face, and when he saw her ears turn red, a dark light flashed in his eyes.
He stood up and walked into the house, followed by Chen Jinxing. After the two brothers left, Chen Ying looked up and breathed a deep sigh of relief. The two men in front were both strong, with broad shoulders and backs.
Chen Jinshi changed into a green robe, tidied himself up briefly, and looked better.
The three of them sat in the hall, and Chen Ying took out the account book and pretended to look through it.
Chen Jinshi sat back in his chair and talked to Chen Jinxing.
Chen Jinxing asked him what the test questions were and how he generally answered them.
The two chatted with each other, sipping their tea as they spoke.
"The first exam was on the interpretation of the classics. The title was 'I examine myself three times a day,' which wasn't too biased."
Chen Jinxing nodded: "Where's the strategy paper for the second round?"
"The policy essay test is about river engineering." Chen Jinshi raised his eyebrows slightly, and his gaze fell on Chen Ying solemnly and quietly.
Chen Ying held the account book in her hands and listened involuntarily.
She knew his gaze was lingering over her head, as if it had substance, but unlike before, this time it was gentle, a caress.
"A few years ago, my father mentioned the Yellow River floods, saying that river management should be 'dredging and blocking at the same time, while also taking reputation into consideration.' I used this as an excuse to elaborate on the methods of repairing dikes, relocating people, and setting up warehouses."
When Chen Jinshi spoke, his tone was not as impetuous as before. When he talked about river engineering, his tone was firm and steady. His comments were not empty and every word he said was practical.
He has always been studying hard and thinking hard, and is not a naughty and frivolous seventeen-year-old boy.
Chen Jinxing, holding a teacup beside him, a smile glittering in his eyes. Regardless of whether his brother passed the exam this time, his education had not been in vain; he already had the ambition to rule the world.
After the words fell, everyone was silent for a while, and Chen Ying could only vaguely feel his gaze.
He glanced at her from time to time, between conversations with his brother.
When no one spoke, his eyes remained on her.
It was like something substantial, rubbing back and forth on her head.
Her scalp felt tingling.
She suddenly raised her eyes, forcing him to retreat. He chuckled and avoided her eyes, put his hands on the armrest, picked up the teacup and took a sip, as if nothing had happened.
The ginseng soup was ready and the maids brought it over. Chen Ying asked them to put it in front of Chen Jinshi.
Then he said to Chen Jinshi, "By the way, there are some new people in the mansion."
Chen Jinshi nodded, not looking at the two maids, but only at her.
Chen Ying then said to the two maids, "This is the Second Master. You should all recognize his face and serve him well from now on."
The two maids bowed to Chen Jinshi and said, "Greetings, Second Master."
Chen Jinshi said "hmm", moved his eyes away from Chen Ying's face, and glanced at them lightly.
It had long been heard that the second master of the Chen family had a bad temper and was difficult to get along with, which made the two maids feel a little restrained. After bowing, they stood by with their heads lowered.
Chen Ying pointed at the ginseng soup on the table and said, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and serve a bowl to your Second Master."
As one of the maids' hand touched his bowl, Chen Jinshi reached out and held it down: "I'll do it myself."
The maid glanced at Chen Ying's face and then moved away.
Chen Ying softened her tone and said, "You guys go down first. You don't need to serve here."
Chen Jinshi scooped up some ginseng soup and drank it slowly. His gaze fell back on Shen Ying: "Why did you suddenly think of adding someone to the mansion? Haven't you been doing well all these years?"
Chen Ying glanced at Chen Jinxing and said to Chen Jinshi, "In just over two months, the eldest grandmother will be coming home. It's not nice to have such a quiet house here."
She gave him that heavy, distant look, bracing herself for a testy response.
Chen Jinshi paused while drinking the soup, then continued to drink slowly, his tone calm, "It's only right. We can't let Miss Zhang marry in when we can't even find a few servants in the house."
Chen Ying was a little surprised. She would rather Chen Jinshi had a big fight with her.
Such a peaceful and quiet scene actually made her nervous.
Chen Jinshi looked up at his brother with a smile in his eyes: "Brother, congratulations."
He put down the soup bowl, wiped the corner of his mouth elegantly with a handkerchief, and turned to look at Chen Ying:
"Amu, when are you going to leave?"
Chen Ying's heart tightened, and she looked up at him. He still had a smile on his face, but his eyes were deep and unfathomable.
Her voice was a little tense, and she deliberately maintained her composure: "I haven't thought about it yet, Shi Ge'er, what do you think?"
Chen Jinshi leaned back in the chair, tapping the armrest with his fingertips, again and again, as if tapping on Shen Ying's heart.
Chen Jinxing stood up and calmly reprimanded: "It's her freedom to go or stay. Chen Jinshi, you shouldn't ask her this question."
Chen Ying's hands gripping the hem of her skirt tightened more and more.
Chen Jinshi didn't care about his brother at all, and his eyes slowly fell on Chen Ying again.
"Amu, please don't go, okay?"
The smile on his face slowly faded, and the pretentious depth in his eyes slowly melted away, revealing a bit of the fragility of a young man.
The tapping of his fingertips stopped and fell on the armrest, curling up slightly with a barely perceptible tremor.
"When my eldest brother gets married, the house will be more lively. Jinyun is still young. I... I am also at the age of understanding and will not make you angry again. Am, you should stay, stay and enjoy your life."
Chen Ying was startled and her hand holding the hem of her skirt loosened.
Chen Jinshi's plea comforted her heart, but she didn't want to admit that she didn't want to see Chen Jinshi making a fuss about her staying, nor did she want to hear Chen Jinshi seriously expecting her to leave.
But when he prayed so earnestly and sincerely, she was helpless.
Chen Jinxing relaxed his expression, sat down again, and said nothing more.
Chen Jinshi was still looking at her, the unfathomable emotion in his eyes had dissipated, leaving only straightforward pleading.
"slim Shady……"
Chen Jinxing endured it for a while, and finally spoke: "Chen Jinshi, I said, it is her freedom to go or stay. Don't use your appearance to hold her hostage. She has her own life."
Chen Ying breathed deeply, her emotions surging.
She stood up and said, "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's welcome Miss Zhang home first."
Chen Jinshi had just finished his exams and was waiting for the results to be announced. Chen Jinxing had also scheduled an audience with the Empress Dowager in the palace next month. There were many things going on in the mansion, so Chen Ying had no time to think about when to leave.
She looked at Chen Jinshi solemnly, with a look that contained both comfort and warning, warning him that as long as he didn't do anything rash, everything would be fine.
Chen Jinshi, be good.
You must be good.
Chen Jinshi watched her leave intently, glanced at his brother, and asked:
"Why did you agree to an early marriage, Chen Jinxing? Do you want her to leave?"
Chen Jinxing shook his head lightly, stood up, and didn't want to say anything more to him. He patted his shoulder and said, "If you hadn't forced her, she could have lived in the Chen family forever."
Chen Jinshi's brows were tightly knitted together, his fingertips clenched white. These words were like a thorn, making his face darker and darker.
He pushed his brother's hand away and said coldly, "You're talking nonsense."
He stood up and took longer steps than his brother.
Chen Ying returned to the room, closed the door, leaned her back against it, and tried to calm herself down.
Not long after, Chen Jinshi knocked on her door.
She was startled and turned around suddenly, and he was just outside the door.
"Chen Ying, open the door and let me in."
Chen Ying didn't say anything for a moment.
"I know you are here, Chen Ying. I have something to tell you. Don't you want to listen?" His voice came through the door.
Chen Ying was a little shaken.
But it was already dark, and for whatever reason, she couldn't let him in.
"Chen Ying, no matter what, things should be made clear, right?"
Well, she was about to be convinced by him.
But this reason is not enough.
She finally spoke: "There is nothing to explain. Chen Jinshi, there is nothing between you and me. Go back and have a good sleep. You should rest well after so many days. It's already late."
"Chen Ying, there's something, something you want to say, have you forgotten?" He said persistently.
Chen Ying pinched her palm and asked in a trembling voice, "What?"
She closed her eyes and prayed that he would just leave.
Let's just keep things as normal, okay?
Chen Jinshi, be good, you are a good boy.
But his words still exploded in her head like thunder.
"Chen Ying, I'm not your good girl. I kissed you that day. Have you forgotten?"
Chen Ying pressed her hands suddenly against her chest, her face pale. These words seemed to be a verdict from God on her guilt.
The breathing sounds outside the thin door were clearly audible, trying to get in through the gaps in the wood and wrap around her throat.
That, that wasn't, that wasn't a kiss, that was just them bumping into each other accidentally.
Chen Jinshi's voice came through the door clearly: "Your lips are so soft, Mom, your body smells so good..."
"Shut up!"
She turned around, resting her forehead against the door, breathing heavily. The instant warmth, the roaring in her ears, the touch of his fingertips on the back of her neck, all flooded back to her mind. She hadn't forgotten...
"Chen Jinshi, don't go crazy!" She raised her voice, trying to rebuke him with a stern voice as Am.
There was silence outside the door for a moment, and Chen Ying's heart was in her throat.
I heard him chuckle softly, with a hint of stubbornness in his voice: "I never thought of you as Eminem."
Chen Ying opened her eyes and couldn't help shedding tears. She choked and interrupted him: "Stop talking."
Chen Jinshi again firmly requested: "Chen Ying, open the door."
He heard her heartbeat, fast and rough.
He lowered his voice and said, "Am, at least you should have scolded me for that matter today. Why didn't you scold me?"
He trapped her from the front and back, and she couldn't find a way to escape.
The door opened and she gasped, barely catching a glimpse of his face.
He picked her up by the waist and kicked the door shut.
She couldn't help but scream: "Chen Jinshi!"
His arms were incredibly strong, holding her up steadily. He patted her thigh and said, "Shh, keep your voice down. Do you want my brother to know?"
Chen Ying struggled twice.
Chen Jinshi grinned wickedly: "If you want him to know, I don't mind."
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