Chapter 8 Ren Clan
"Ah? Young Master, are you feeling unwell? I..."
"no."
Zhuang Dongqing took a deep breath and grabbed Liu Fu, who was trying to go look for someone.
"Don't look for the doctors in the manor. You...you secretly inquire for me about a famous doctor in the capital."
Zhuang Dongqing stared intently at Liu Fu and said seriously, "But this matter must not be revealed to anyone else."
"Yes, yes, young master."
Captivated by that gaze, Liu Fu stammered, "I understand."
After saying that, Zhuang Dongqing realized that he had overreacted. He breathed a sigh of relief and his body went limp. Fortunately, Liu Fu was quick-witted and caught him, managing to steady him.
"Young Master, what's wrong with you?"
Liu Fu murmured.
Seeing that Zhuang Dongqing's expression was unusual, he spoke very softly.
Zhuang Dongqing let out a breath and subconsciously shook her head.
My mind is actually very chaotic, with many and varied thoughts, and I have no clear direction.
Forcing himself to calm down, Zhuang Dongqing said weakly, "Let's eat first."
"...Is it still edible?"
"Please sit down first."
"Okay, sure."
After sitting down, Zhuang Dongqing let Liufu eat first. He drank a couple of sips of water to suppress his discomfort, and smelled each dish. Everything else was fine, except for the chicken soup and chicken meat, which he couldn't touch.
I vomited twice, which upset my stomach. I could only eat half a bowl before I couldn't eat anymore.
I have to study tonight, but I have things on my mind and can't concentrate.
After drifting off several times and feeling that he really couldn't continue cramming, Zhuang Dongqing put down his pen.
After calculating, I've already learned the characters to be about 70-80% similar. I've also memorized all the essays, policy proposals, and poems that the original owner wrote. That should be enough to handle the imperial examinations. Anyway, the result isn't that important.
The two candidates who are the bookmakers should not be able to wait for the results.
I poured myself a glass of water and sat in the yard for a while. The weather wasn't as cold as when I first arrived, but my mind was still a mess. I couldn't calm down at all, and I... had no idea what to do...
Zhuang Dongqing didn't sleep well that night, tossing and turning.
Just as he was starting to feel sleepy, he closed his eyes and saw the farmhouse ablaze with fire. Soldiers carrying long knives filed in, and the lady, the eldest son, the third son, the fourth daughter, and him—each and every one of them—had a knife to their neck, were restrained and forced to kneel, and were put into wooden shackles one by one…
He struggled slightly, and the scene changed again.
The gavel slammed down, and the man sitting high on the throne spoke in a shrill voice, as if he were performing a play, "How dare you slander the Prince of Dingxi! Guards, beat him!"
Looking down, I saw that his belly had swelled up like an inflated balloon.
I looked up to try and figure it out, but met a pair of light-colored, smiling eyes, as if they had everything under control...
Zhuang Dongqing woke up with a start.
His head was covered in sweat.
Liu Fu called to him from the side, and seeing that he was awake, quickly wrung out a handkerchief for him.
Zhuang Dongqing wiped her face, drank a glass of water, and finally pulled herself out of the nightmare and recovered.
Liu Fu was afraid that he would have nightmares again, so he brought in a quilt from the outer room and wanted to sleep at the foot of the footstool to keep watch over him.
It is said that he had always slept like this before, but Zhuang Dongqing was not used to it. After he transmigrated, he sent Liufu to the outer room. Now that Liufu is determined to stay with him, Zhuang Dongqing has no energy to send him away again.
I lay down again, but I just couldn't fall asleep.
After turning it over and over several times, Zhuang Dongqing called out, "Liufu..."
"Yes, young master."
Liu Fu couldn't sleep either.
After a moment of silence, Zhuang Dongqing made up her mind and asked, "Have you ever heard of my aunt?"
Liu Fu thought for a moment: "I've heard the old folks in the house talk about it a few times. Hmm, they all say that the concubine was extremely beautiful. It's such a pity."
Zhuang Dongqing didn't want to ask about those things. "Did they mention my aunt's background?"
"origin?"
"Hmm, did Father buy it, or was it chosen from among the maids? Where is your hometown?"
“Young master, you miss your concubine, huh?” Liu Fu scratched his head, recalling seriously, “She must have been bought from outside. As for whether she ever worked as a maid, I’m not sure. As for the rest… oh right, I overheard the matrons in the main courtyard chatting that your concubine ended up in the capital because of the war…”
"She's not even Han Chinese, she's what, a Ren ethnic minority, oh right!"
Liu Fu asked curiously, "It is said that men can also give birth among the Ren tribe, but I don't know if it's true or not."
"..."
Zhuang Dongqing's voice was hoarse: "What the mothers in the main courtyard said?"
"Yes, it is said that before the capital was in chaos, many nobles who preferred men would seek to marry a Ren clan man in order to ensure the continuation of their lineage. However, after the war, they are rarely seen anymore."
"That's all I know. Is there anything else you'd like to ask, young master?"
That's all.
Liu Fu had already answered all the questions he wanted to ask.
Zhuang Dongqing closed her eyes briefly and changed the subject, "If you were to leave the Zhuang family one day, what would you want to do?"
"Young Master, that's a very strange question..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Just answer."
His tone was somewhat serious, and Liu Fu stammered, "Oh, oh."
"If I leave the farm, I'll probably go back to the village, but my parents probably won't like me much."
"Don't you have anything else you want to do?"
"Would it be possible to become a shopkeeper?" Liu Fu's tone became lighter when he mentioned this. "If I could be a shopkeeper under Madam, managing a shop or helping a noble person manage a shop, that would be a very good business."
Zhuang Dongqing pondered for a moment, "I guess I should start as an apprentice."
"Yes, you need capital, so it's just a thought."
Zhuang Dongqing, however, thought it was a great idea.
Without explaining further to Liu Fu, he simply said, "I understand."
"Go to sleep."
*
After that day, the smell of meat still made me feel nauseous, but it didn't last long; after two or three days, I felt better.
But Zhuang Dongqing dared not continue to engage in wishful thinking, deceiving herself that it was just a stomach problem.
Liu Fu was trained by the original owner of the body and was extremely efficient. He found several famous doctors in two or three days and listed them for Zhuang Dongqing.
With Master Zhuang having to go to his official duties every day and the imperial examinations approaching, Madam Zhuang focused all her energy on preparing her eldest son for the exams, making it relatively easy for Zhuang Dongqing to go out.
At first, he didn't dare to take people's pulses. He pretended to be a student who read miscellaneous books and was interested in this area. He would ask several questions mixed together. When he left, he would take some herbal medicine to stimulate appetite and make tea, saying that he had a poor appetite and would make tea to drink.
So, starting with ordinary doctors, I saw several, and the descriptions of the Ren men they spoke of were almost identical to what Liu Fu had described. I'd heard they could get pregnant, but I'd never seen one, and I didn't know how to handle it.
But the doctors knew each other after all, and one of them was mentioned twice, and happened to be on Luk Fook's list of renowned doctors.
That day, Zhuang Dongqing took Ding Muli with her and went out alone to find that famous doctor.
When you stretch out your hand, you're always tense.
After taking the pulse with his left hand, the doctor switched to his right hand, and then back to his left hand shortly after.
Zhuang Dongqing is a bit of a sore person.
Doctor: "Only a little over a month?"
"ah?"
Doctor: "Is it only been a little over a month since you had intercourse?"
Zhuang Dongqing's ears turned bright red, and she responded softly.
The doctor switched to the right hand, and this time quickly released the grip, shaking his head, which made Zhuang Dongqing's heart race.
They didn't beat around the bush. "I can't tell by feeling. It's not easy to judge the pulse of a Ren clan man who is pregnant. Your pregnancy is too short. It looks a bit like it, but we can't be completely sure."
"Then...then, there's absolutely no way to do it now?"
"Not necessarily." The doctor had a good reputation and a kind heart. He stroked his beard and said to Zhuang Dongqing, "The men of this tribe who are fertile all have one thing in common: after becoming pregnant, a red line will appear below their navel. It is said to be the incision site for childbirth, making it easier for the doctor to remove the fetus."
Oh right, if he were pregnant, he wouldn't be able to produce naturally.
"Since you have doubts, just go back and wait. If it appears, it's pretty much true."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Okay, okay."
The doctor glanced at him again and asked another question that caught him off guard, "If you are indeed pregnant, young master, would you like to keep it?"
ah? !
...
When Zhuang Dongqing came out of the clinic again, his back was covered in cold sweat, and he had a packet of medicine in his pocket, which he said could induce miscarriage.
The doctor didn't actually recommend it, but for some inexplicable reason, he went ahead with it anyway.
She couldn't quite describe her feelings, only that her mouth was incredibly dry. She found a secluded corner, removed the curtain, and dealt with the situation. All Zhuang Dongqing wanted to do was get back to the manor as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. They didn't run into any acquaintances along the way, and just as they were about to enter, Zhuang Dongqing was stopped.
He was in a state of utter confusion, and with only a few steps to the side gate, he wanted to pretend he hadn't heard anything and return to the Zhuang residence first. However, as soon as he took a step, the shouts behind him grew louder, and after two steps, Zhuang Dongqing was grabbed by the sleeve.
Now I can no longer pretend to be hard of hearing.
Resigned to his fate, Zhuang Dongqing turned around and looked at the person clearly, surprised.
"Brother Dongqing, it's great to see you again."
The male protagonist of this story, the sixth prince Li Yang, said with a slight pant.
It was obvious at a glance that he must have run a few steps to catch up with her after she called him without getting a response.
Zhuang Dongqing touched his nose guiltily, but Li Yang didn't blame him for being hard of hearing. Instead, she asked with concern, "You didn't come for two days after the Spring Banquet, saying you were sick. Now... are you feeling much better?"
His expression was sincere, not feigned.
Even though she still felt uncomfortable, Zhuang Dongqing found it difficult to put on a stern face under such care.
"Six..." Zhuang Dongqing had only said one word when, fearing that someone might overhear, he changed his words and said, "Sixth Young Master, it's been a long time."
"I was thinking about something and didn't hear you, I'm sorry."
"My health... is alright."
"What are you doing here...?"
Zhuang Dongqing didn't think it was a coincidence that she encountered Li Yang at the Zhuang family's gate or side gate.
As expected, Li Yang smiled sheepishly upon hearing this, but didn't shy away from the topic, saying frankly, "I've been wanting to find you since that day, but I haven't been able to run into you. Now the imperial examinations are coming up again... It just so happened that San De saw you going to see a doctor a few days ago, so..."
He paused for a moment, then suddenly bowed deeply, "Brother Dongqing, I was wrong about what happened before. I apologize to you and hope you will forgive me."
"If Brother Dongqing is still willing to listen to my explanation, that would be wonderful."
"If Brother Dongqing is unwilling, then I have already apologized and have a clear conscience."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
After Li Yang finished speaking, she stood still in front of him, still in a bowing posture.
Full of attitude.
This is really...
After much deliberation and internal struggle, Zhuang Dongqing slowly reached out and finally helped Li Yang up.
He forced a smile: "Sixth Young Master, you mustn't. I was a bit short-tempered that day, please don't take it to heart. As for forgiveness, you're being too harsh."
Sensing that there was still room for maneuver in the relationship, Li Yang gave a bright smile.
Zhuang Dongqing laughed along, but her heart was filled with extremely mixed feelings.
Since things had come to this point, Li Yang wasn't going to leave anytime soon. The side door wasn't exactly a good place to chat, so Zhuang Dongqing led the group to another spot.
By the time they returned to the manor, it was already getting dark.
"Brother Dongqing, have you been seeing a doctor lately? Do you need any help?"
"That day, I really owe you a lot, Brother Dongqing. If it weren't for that... If you ever have any difficulties in the future, just ask me. I will do my best to help."
Recalling Li Yang's promise, Zhuang Dongqing felt powerless.
Although he could roughly foresee what would happen the moment he helped the male protagonist up, but...
Even after receiving this guarantee, he wasn't particularly happy about it.
The dealer is definitely doomed.
But throwing oneself into the male protagonist's arms is just another kind of fire pit.
My head hurts.
Zhuang Dongqing couldn't choose between dying and suffering.
Back in the courtyard, he hid the packet of medicine that was also bothering him. After a moment of confusion, Zhuang Dongqing put everything out of his mind and went to have dinner with Liu Fu.
Eating is the most important thing, of all things.
*
Having suffered such double shocks, Zhuang Dongqing mustered up her courage and went to see Master Zhuang and his wife separately.
I tried to persuade Master Zhuang to resign from his job related to the imperial examinations, but as soon as I got to the point, I was given a severe dressing-down.
The lady listened to his beginning, but remained calm and unconcerned. She only gave him some platitudes about preparing for the exam and not focusing on currying favor with the powerful and wealthy, and then had her trusted servant escort him out.
Although she knew this would be the outcome, at least Zhuang Dongqing had tried her best.
A few days later, the examination hall opened, and the spring examination began.
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