Chapter 227 Your Majesty, Your Health Matters
Fusheng glanced at the silver in Xie Liangchen's hand and hurriedly pushed it back, saying, "Brother Xie, thank you, but really, it's not necessary. I already have silver."
"Fusheng, we're classmates, why are you being so polite with me?" Xie Liangchen sighed. "Please don't refuse. How could I not know your family's situation? This money isn't much, but use it to tide you over. I just paid my taxes and I'm short on cash. Let's make do for a while. Once my hand is healed, I can paint again and earn money. At that time, you just need to focus on your studies."
"Thank you, Brother Xie, really, there's no need. Look, I have some silver." As he spoke, he took out the silver pouch that Jiang Nuanzhi had given him from his bosom: "There are ten taels of silver here, enough for me to settle all the affairs at home. Naturally, I don't need to sell the land anymore."
Where did you get the money?
Fusheng lowered his eyes and patted his little sister's shoulder: "Aman, you go in first and take care of Mother."
Fu Man glanced at her brother with concern before going inside.
When only the two of them remained outside the courtyard, Fusheng said, "Thank you, Brother Xie. I've sold myself and my little sister."
Xie Liangchen's handsome face was filled with shock: "You! You're confused! Fusheng, how could you so easily ruin your future!"
He stamped his feet in frustration: "No, who did you sell yourself to? Let's go and return the money, and that'll be the end of it. Don't worry about the money, I'll figure something out."
Fusheng finally stopped Xie Liangchen: "Brother Xie, what other way do you have? Look, your wrist is swollen. Have you been copying too many books lately? The doctor said that you should take good care of your wrist injury. Your family has so many mouths to feed, and you are the only one supporting them. I imagine life must be hard for you. I don't want to add to your burden."
Fusheng knew all too well that the old Brother Xie was a man of integrity and upright character, always impeccably clean, with his hair always perfectly styled. He was certainly not the kind of person to compromise his principles for a meager living.
Some time ago, he saw him eating only a dry, hard pancake, without even a piece of pickled vegetable. He was writing letters for people with a forced smile. His wrists were swollen from writing so much, and he had only earned a few coins. It was less than what he earned as a waiter. He seemed to have not used his pen in a long time, and his clothes were too short and obviously didn't fit. He didn't even look like the person he had first met. Naturally, he couldn't hold him back.
"What are you saying?" Xie Liangchen looked somewhat embarrassed, but still said, "Life is a bit difficult now, but we're not afraid. If you pass the preliminary examination next year and become a student, life will be much better. If you pass the county-level examination, all these taxes will be waived. You must not give up your studies."
Fusheng smiled and nodded, "Yes, I will. But, Brother Xie, I'm selling myself to the village this time, so I won't go too far. The family is lenient; I can come back to see my mother whenever I have time. That's good. My mother's illness is settled. The land can be left for them to live on. My little sister and I won't go hungry anymore. In the future, if I can earn more money, I can redeem myself and go back to take the exam. Don't worry, Brother Xie, I won't abandon my studies."
Xie Liangchen hesitated several times, but ultimately said nothing. He simply patted his shoulder and said, "If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me."
He thought that once his wrist recovered, he could paint to earn money and then redeem the person. However, he would have to endure some hardship.
"Don't worry, Brother Xie, I will."
"Go back quickly, your mother must be getting impatient."
"I'll see Brother Xie off."
Xie Liangchen waved his hand, turned around and strode away.
On a sweltering summer day, walking in the shade under a tree with a gentle breeze should have felt comfortable and refreshing, but Xie Liangchen felt a tightness in his chest.
The world is becoming increasingly difficult.
Now he can't do anything.
Looking at the two taels of silver he had left, he subconsciously glanced in the direction of Jiang Nuan's house. Perhaps he should go find her again.
If this wrist injury isn't treated properly, he really won't be able to hold on any longer.
He's been to many places to have his wrist checked these past few days, but the treatments haven't been very effective. On the contrary, it improved somewhat after Jiang Pangya gave him acupuncture last time.
I just don't know if two taels of silver will be enough to cure him. It seems that Jiang Pangya charges a lot of money for treating him.
Before he knew it, he had arrived at the door of Jiang Nuan's house. Xie Liangchen hesitated several times but did not go in. In the end, he turned back home.
On the way home, I absentmindedly slapped my forehead. What a scatterbrain! I forgot to ask Fusheng who he'd sold me to. Oh well, I'll ask him later when I see him.
On the other end.
A quaint and spacious horse-drawn carriage was parked on the road in the wilderness.
The group of people had just settled down next to the carriage.
The divine physician squatted down, brewing the medicine: "Your Majesty, have you finished your morning medicine? Do you feel better? Are you still feeling dizzy today?"
A slender man with an air of nobility sat on a stool. He appeared to be around thirty years old, though a few strands of white hair adorned his temples. His hair was meticulously tied high and topped with a purple-gold jade crown. He exuded an imposing presence without anger, but he looked sickly. Upon hearing the words of the Divine Physician, he merely shook his head almost imperceptibly: "Cough cough... No need to worry, I'm fine. How many more days until I reach the Divine Physician's residence?"
The Divine Physician said, "Your Majesty, it should arrive in about three more days."
The emperor nodded slightly and turned to admire the scenery along the way.
However, upon seeing the group of people behind him, his pupils contracted. His finger trembled as he pointed at the people in the distance, his face grim as he asked, "What are those soldiers doing?"
Following the Emperor's gaze, Physician Que wiped the sweat from his brow. "I suppose you're escorting a convict? Your Majesty, you're not in a good position to be exposed to the wind right now. Why don't you wait in the carriage first?"
"Where are these slaves? This is conscription!"
"What conscription? Shut up!" Sanqi was interrupted by Doctor Que halfway through his sentence.
The physician, Magpie, smiled and looked at the emperor: "Your Majesty, please don't listen to his nonsense."
"Don't try to fool me. Do you think I'm blind? I've seen many soldiers along the way. They're collecting taxes right now, so why are they taking these men away? Wang Yong, tell me, what exactly happened!"
The old minister beside him, named Wang Yong, looked to be around sixty years old with white hair and beard. Hearing this, he was filled with resentment, but when he saw the divine physician beside him, he barely managed to hold back and said, "Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance. I will report back after your poison has been cured."
"Very well! If you won't tell me, I'll go ask you myself!"
As he spoke, he walked off into the field next to him.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance." The people around him immediately went to help him up.
"Get out of my way, stop supporting me, stay where you are and don't move. Anyone who moves will have their head chopped off."
As he spoke, he struggled to walk into the field and sat down next to an old farmer.
"Old man, I have something to ask you. What happened to those people just now?"
(End of this chapter)
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