On March 18, the eldest master got up before dawn, worshipped his ancestors, and talked about some things that should be paid attention to in the next exam. Then he and the eldest wife, the eldest grandmother, the fifth wife, the tenth wife, the eleventh wife, and the maids and servants escorted Luo Zhenxing to the door.

The carriage and horses outside had already been prepared. The servant held a lantern and helped Luo Zhenxing get into the carriage. The eldest wife still stood there looking around until he was out of sight.

"Go back!" The master looked at him and smiled, "There are still a few days left!"

The Great Zhou imperial examination consisted of three consecutive tests, and Luo Zhenxing did not finish them until the 21st.

The eldest wife nodded and followed the eldest master back to the house. On the way, she was still muttering: "I wonder if there is anyone to take care of Mr. Qian."

"Don't worry so much!" said the eldest master. "This kind of thing is also about man proposing and God disposing. Otherwise, how could so many talented people fail in the imperial examinations?"

The eldest wife thought it made sense and stopped nagging. After breakfast, she started chanting. The eldest grandmother was also very uneasy and chanted along with the eldest wife.

Everyone in the room held their breath and tiptoed.

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

The master's face turned colder when he heard this. When Luo Zhensheng came in, he threw the chopsticks in his hand at his face: "... You finally knew you were here. Do you know what happened to your eldest brother today?"

Sixteen-year-old Luo Zhensheng is in his growth spurt. He is tall, fair and thin. He always hunches his chest as if he cannot stand straight, giving people the impression that he is a little timid.

Seeing his father getting angry, he immediately turned pale with fright and stood there blankly, not knowing what to do.

The eldest wife winked at Mrs. Xu who was standing by, then smiled and stood up to persuade her: "Okay, okay. The child has never been far away, so it is normal for him to be a few days late. Today is a good day for Brother Xing, so don't lose your temper, be careful not to offend..." She swallowed the word "bad luck" and changed her words to "not appropriate."

The eldest master glared at Luo Zhensheng, and the eldest wife hurriedly instructed Wu Xiaoquan who was standing beside him. It was he who went to Tongzhou to pick up Luo Zhensheng: "The fourth master must be tired from the journey. Let's go downstairs and have lunch!"

Luo Zhensheng hurriedly bowed to the eldest master and the eldest mistress, and was led away by Wu Xiaoquan.

Wu Niang heard the news and sent her maid Ziwei to greet him: "Fourth Master, you are here!"

Luo Zhensheng hurriedly pulled Ziwei's hand and said, "Sister Ziwei, go tell Fifth Sister that Dijin is sick."

Ziwei was startled, then looked at Luo Zhensheng who was sweating profusely, responded, and hurried to Wu Niang.

Di Jin was two years older than Luo Zhensheng. She had been serving him since she was a child and was loyal to him. She was the person that Third Aunt and Fifth Aunt trusted the most. Now that they heard that she was ill, Fifth Aunt was also very anxious. She hurriedly slipped off the kang and asked, "Where does Fourth Master live?"

"Live in the east wing of the main courtyard!" Ziwei said hesitantly.

Wu Niang slowed down her movements. After thinking for a while, she said, "Go and see where Di Jin is feeling uncomfortable. I still have some Baihe Gujin Pills, Zhishi Xunzhi Pills, and Wuling Pills..."

Ziwei agreed and went to see the ground ivy.

Di Jin looked pale and unhappy: "It's all my fault. I delayed the Fourth Master's trip. I'm fine. Tell the Fifth Miss that I'm just seasick."

Seeing that she was just in a bad mood, Ziwei comforted her with a few words and returned to Wu Niang.

Wu Niang was still a little worried, so she asked Ziwei to bring some Lily Strengthening Gold Pills.

As they were going in and out like this, Eleventh Lady also got the news and sent Amber to greet them. She came back and said, "Sister Dijin is also seasick."

Eleventh Lady asked Hubo to send a pack of Longjing tea: "Drink some light tea, you will feel better."

Di Jin thanked Shiyi Niang for her kindness, and Amber sat there and chatted with her for a long time. During this time, a little maid brought in noodle soup. Di Jin felt uncomfortable after smelling it, and felt dizzy and wanted to sleep. Seeing this, Amber said goodbye. She went back and told Shiyi Niang: "…something happened at home, and Fifth Aunt often cried at first. Later, Wu Xiaoquan's family often went to comfort Fifth Aunt. When Di Jin and others came, Fifth Aunt was much better, and began to follow the master of Ci'an Temple to eat long vegetarian food."

Eleventh Lady's eyes darkened.

Fifth Aunt is not even thirty years old!

Amber knew that Shiyi Niang was worried about her biological mother, but what was the point of worrying, unless she could get married...

As soon as she thought about it, she was shocked and changed the subject as if to escape: "Miss, the Fourth Master went to the First Master to report. I wonder how the First Master will deal with the Fourth Master?"

"Now that things have come to this, it's just a few words of admonition." Eleventh Lady cheered up and responded with a few words, then asked someone to bring needle and thread to do it.

Seeing this, Amber said nothing more. She took a small stool and sat down next to Eleventh Lady, helping to make shoes and socks for Fifth Lady's wedding. The eldest lady brought a list and asked the people in Eleventh Lady's room to do needlework according to the list.

Just as Eleventh Lady had said, the master calmed down a lot after scolding Luo Zhensheng. He looked at him with a timid look, sighed deeply, and let him leave.

He went to see Wu Niang.

Wu Niang couldn't help but scold him: "...You left someone in Tongzhou to take care of Di Jin, why didn't you just bring people here yourself? Why did you have to drag it on for so long? Father just threw a chopstick at you, that's already the least of it."

Luo Zhensheng smiled timidly.

Wu Niang looked at him and shook her head. She could only smile and said, "When will you be able to make people stop worrying about you?" Then she asked, "How is Third Aunt?"

Luo Zhensheng smiled and said, "Not long after you left, my aunt caught a cold. I went to Hangzhou Prefecture to invite a doctor to treat her. He also used the best ginseng and bird's nest, and she recovered quickly."

Wu Niang couldn't help but stare at him. "How could you go to Hangzhou Prefecture to hire someone to treat Auntie? Isn't there no doctor in Yuhang? And you used the best ginseng and bird's nest. Did you get them from the storehouse or buy them outside? If you got them from the storehouse, did you get them before you came?"

Luo Zhensheng couldn't help but feel disappointed when he heard his sister say that, and whispered: "Why are you saying the same thing as my aunt..."

Wu Niang tapped the table lightly and asked: "Where did those ginseng and bird's nest come from?"

Luo Zhensheng was startled and said hurriedly, "I took it from the library. But my aunt made up for it for me."

Wu Niang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then her face lit up: "Be good and don't cause any trouble. If your brother-in-law passes the imperial examination this time, I will ask him to take you to work as a legal advisor or something like that... You don't have to be so reserved."

Luo Zhensheng was stunned when he heard this: "What brother-in-law? Fourth brother-in-law? If he wants to invite a master, he will only invite the third brother, how could it be my turn?"

Ziwei covered her mouth and laughed, "It's our young lady! Our young lady just got engaged a few days ago. Her husband was my classmate in the Imperial College and he is also taking the imperial examination today."

Luo Zhensheng was shocked when he heard this: "Really, really! This is a great thing!"

Wu Niang smiled and said nothing.

The brother and sister were just feeling happy when a maid from Luo Zhensheng's side came in and said, "Fourth Master, Sister Dijin just vomited again."

When Luo Zhensheng heard this, an expression of panic immediately appeared on his face. He hurriedly said to his sister, "I'll come to see you later," and followed the little maid.

Wu Niang couldn't help but frown as she looked at it: "When did this ground brocade become so delicate!"

As she was talking, Ziwei came in and said, "Miss, the people from Yongping Marquis's Mansion are here to ask for the eldest wife again."

Wu Niang was slightly startled and murmured, "Could it be that we can't delay any longer..."

* * * * * *

The eldest wife hurriedly followed Yanhong to Yuanniang's residence. When she entered the door, she was startled.

The room was filled with people standing in silence. The Third Madam, the Fifth Madam, Madam Wen, and the new Madam Qiao were all there, wiping their eyes with handkerchiefs.

The eldest wife's heart skipped a beat when she saw this.

Just as she was about to ask, Wei Zi, who was beside the old lady, came over with a solemn expression: "Madam, please follow me." Then she turned and went to the inner room.

The eldest wife had no choice but to follow him in.

I saw the lady sitting on a brocade stool beside the bed, shedding tears, and beside her stood a eunuch wearing a round-necked shirt with sunflower patterns on the chest and back.

When the eunuch saw the eldest lady come in, there was sympathy in his eyes.

The eldest wife had already understood something, her legs went weak and she couldn't even take a step.

Mother Xu, who was standing by, quickly supported the first wife.

Hearing the noise, the lady stood up, wiped her eyes gently, and said softly, "Madam, please sit here!" Her voice was choked with sobs.

The eldest wife felt weak all over. With the help of Madam Xu, she stumbled to Yuanniang's bedside and said, "Yuanniang, Yuanniang..."

Yuanniang's face was as pale as a draft, her lips were blue-gray, and she lay there motionless, without even feeling the rise and fall of her chest.

The eldest wife couldn't help but hold her daughter's hand. As soon as she called out "Yuan Niang", Yuan Niang's eyelids moved slightly and she opened her eyes.

Those were a pair of unfocused eyes, with a dull and lifeless look.

"Mom!" she called softly.

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

Yuanniang's mouth twitched, and she wanted to laugh, but she didn't.

"After I die, Zhun Ge will be handed over to my sister Shiyi Niang." She said this in a loud and clear voice and began to breathe heavily.

This is my daughter's last words...

The eldest wife couldn't help crying, but she still said loudly: "I know, I know!"

For a moment, there was a low sobbing sound inside and outside the house.

Yuanniang called out "Lue'e" with difficulty.

Lu'e answered "yes" with tears in her eyes, and then took out a carved red lacquer box from under Yuanniang's pillow.

"For you, my lord." Yuan Niang's voice was as soft as a mosquito. "Please help me give it to the Queen."

Lu'e handed it over respectfully.

The eunuch bowed and said "yes", and the room immediately became quiet, but one could still hear the lingering sound of someone gasping for air. The eunuch smiled respectfully and said, "Madam, don't worry, I will definitely bring it to you."

"I wrote this memorial to the Empress," Yuan Niang raised her lips slightly, "Please, Empress, please be considerate of my son's loving motherly heart."

"Don't worry, don't worry." The lady sobbed, "I will take care of this matter for you."

Yuanniang relaxed and said, "Mom, I want to see Brother Zhun!"

After hearing this, the lady hurriedly ordered someone to pick up Zhun Ge.

After a while, the wet nurse brought Zhun Ge over.

Zhun Ge opened his eyes wide and looked panicked. When he saw his mother, he was about to rush over.

The nurse didn't dare to let go, and Zhun Ge struggled: "Mother, mother..."

Yuanniang raised her hand and dropped it again in mid-air.

The lady sobbed, "Let him go..."

Only then did the wet nurse dare to put Zhun Ge on the ground.

Zhun Ge immediately trotted towards his mother.

"Mom, mom..." He climbed onto his mother's bed skillfully, "Aren't you going to sleep?"

Yuanniang smiled: "I want to sleep. But when I sleep, you have to listen to your aunt Eleven." Her tone was as light as a feather.

"Who is Aunt Eleven?" Zhun Ge was very confused and tilted his head to look at his mother. "Why should I listen to her? Isn't it good for me to listen to my mother?"

The eldest wife couldn't help herself and burst into tears.

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I was writing an article in the middle of the night when the network suddenly went down... Then I called 10000 and it finally worked again!

It really feels like an adventure!