I hurried to the Fourth Old Master's house, only to find the Fifth Old Master and the Tingdi couple already sitting inside, talking to the bewildered Fourth Old Lady, "Don't worry, Sister-in-law. Relax. We're all this age now, and life and death are determined by fate..."
Gu Tingye and Minglan came forward to greet him and apologized for being late. The Fifth Old Master slowly waved his hand, his expression kind: "We live close by, so we came faster. You are also early. ... Go in and see your fourth uncle first."
Madam Xuan led them into the inner room. Gu Tingying and several other maids and servants were serving her medicine by the bedside. Seeing Minglan and Tingye arrive, she leaned slightly to the side and sighed, "...The doctor said her life was safe, but she's paralyzed. Now she can't move, and she can't even speak..." At this point, her voice choked.
Minglan leaned over to take a look and saw the Fourth Old Master lying straight on the bed, his eyes half-open and half-closed, as if he could neither open nor close them. His limbs were stiff, his face was twisted, and the corners of his mouth were crooked at a strange angle. When he was fed a spoonful of medicine, half of it leaked out.
There was nothing much to say in this situation. Minglan said a few nonsense words like "Fourth uncle, take good care of yourself", and Gu Tingye also said two synonymous sentences with an expressionless face. Then the two of them withdrew with Mrs. Xuan.
After sitting down in the central hall, everyone started chatting.
Gu Tingye asked first: "What on earth is going on? He was fine, why did he collapse so suddenly?"
It was a simple question, but Tingxuan hesitated for a long time. "...A letter came this afternoon saying...that my second brother was in the northwest and had gotten into trouble again...When Dad heard about it, he got so worried that he fell ill."
Minglan turned to look at Madam Xuan. "Didn't my sister-in-law just say after the New Year that Brother Bing had made some minor mistakes? Is this the same thing? Could it be that the government office over there still refuses to let it go?"
Mrs. Xuan smiled bitterly. "They're two different things. The original case was almost settled, but my second brother was too restless. He's still not clean, and he's causing trouble again. It's said that he got into an argument with someone at night and beat someone to death. My second brother also had a leg broken! The old account hasn't been settled yet, and a new one has come. The person he killed was a good person. The commander is angry and says he will never let my second brother come back in this lifetime!"
Minglan turned back silently. At this moment, Mrs. Bing's sobs rose from a low note to a high note, and she sobbed to the Fifth Old Master, "I've always said that the northwest is a desolate and dangerous place, and the people are mostly vicious. Your nephew is an honest man. If he hadn't been bullied so badly, why would he argue with others..."
Before she could finish her words, Gu Tingye interrupted, "Second Brother Bing is living in the exile camp. He uses money and connections to bribe people, so he doesn't even have to work. His food, clothing, and other things are all taken care of by the servants. Even if he's free during the day and goes out for a walk, he should be back home at night. How could he kill someone at night?!"
The reason was clear, and the Fifth Old Master closed his mouth again, shaking his head and stroking his beard. Mrs. Bing Er was unable to refute, and said embarrassedly, "Maybe there's something important that requires him to go out..."
The fourth old lady suddenly snorted coldly, "He's going into exile, what could be the important matter? The family is worried about him, but he's just messing around and getting his father into trouble!" The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She had finally found a good marriage for her daughter, and the discussions were almost over. If her father died now, Tingying would have to observe mourning for three years, and wouldn't she be an old maid? Not to mention whether the other party was willing to wait. Even if he was, by the time her daughter married, she would probably have already had any illegitimate sons or daughters.
She has always been gentle and non-confrontational, but now she wants to crush Gu Tingbing to death.
The word "filial piety" weighed on her, and Mrs. Bing Er became anxious and blurted out, "This can't be entirely blamed on him. Dad has been in poor health recently. It's all because of that new wife..."
Gu Tingxuan coughed loudly and his face turned red. Mrs. Bing Er realized that she had said the wrong thing and quickly shut up.
"That's true." Gu Tingye said slowly, "I also found it strange just now. Fourth Uncle has always been in good health, and what happened to Second Brother Bing was not an immediate death. Why did he become so seriously ill?"
As soon as this question was asked, everyone in the fourth house lowered their heads. The fourth old lady was exhausted and discouraged, while Tingxuan and his wife were ashamed and embarrassed. Mrs. Bing, who was sitting huddled nearby, rolled her eyes.
After a long pause, the Fifth Old Master stroked his beard and said, "They say family disgrace shouldn't be aired in public. But we're all family now, so there's nothing to hide." He sighed and continued, "Back when my eldest brother and his wife were around, Fourth Brother could be restrained. But since the separation, he's become increasingly unruly. Recently, Fourth Brother even married a skinny girl from Yangzhou, and they've been having fun all day. Your eldest nephew is worried, and he asked me to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen, and that's why he's become like this."
This was said obscurely, but no one in the room could understand it.
Minglan lowered her head and translated it into a complaining version: He is an old man, but he still thinks he is invincible and can't do it day and night. If he had only found a maid at home, it would be fine. After all, she is from a good family and her tricks are limited. But who knew he would get a professional, and he might even use drugs. He has been fighting for several days in a row and his body is exhausted. Maybe he fought three hundred rounds last night, and had overtime at noon, and then heard the bad news about his beloved son in the afternoon. Of course, he couldn't bear it.
Gu Tingxuan might still want to cover up for his father, but Mrs. Xuan has no intention of protecting this old father-in-law.
The Fifth Old Master turned to the couple and kindly consoled them, "Fourth Brother is confused. What can you, as his children, do? If you don't obey him, you will be considered disobedient. Nephew and niece, we are all discerning people and will not blame you."
Gu Tingxuan shed tears and said, "Thank you for your sympathy, Fifth Uncle. I, I... we are at our wit's end..."
"Life and death are determined by fate. At our age, the King of Hell has long been keeping an eye on us." The Fifth Old Master smiled. "Since the doctor says your life is safe for now, you should take good care of yourself and you will recover slowly."
These words were spoken in a gentle, open-minded, calm and clear manner. Minglan finally couldn't help but look at the Fifth Old Master.
However, after not seeing him for a few months, the Fifth Old Master seemed like a completely different person. His previous arrogant and conceited demeanor was gone. Although he was still old, he was in good spirits, spoke in a gentle and sincere manner, and was very reasonable.
Gu Tingye seemed a little puzzled as well. He glanced at Minglan and agreed, "Fifth Uncle is right. As long as the child can be saved, we should take good care of him." Then he turned and said, "If there's anything you need, just let me know, Big Brother and Sister-in-law."
Mrs. Xuan wiped her tears and smiled, "Thank you, brothers, in advance." Seeing this, Gu Tingdi also stood up and said, "If there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to help me, brother-in-law."
Tingxuan and his wife were both moved and expressed their gratitude.
Mrs. Bing Er saw that everyone was talking at once, as if they had forgotten about Ting Bing's matter. She became very anxious, rolled her eyes, and whispered a few words to the maid beside her. The maid nodded and left.
Gu Tingye turned around and smiled at the Fifth Old Master, "I haven't seen you for many days, uncle. I'm delighted to see that you look and feel better than before." Minglan murmured to herself - didn't you just want to ask, 'Uncle, why did you suddenly change?'
The Fifth Old Master smiled and said, "Even if you didn't ask, I would have told you." He paused and sighed, "Ever since that evil creature passed away, I've been thinking deeply and day and night, and I'm shocked to realize that my life has been wasted. I haven't achieved any academic success, my career hasn't been successful, my family business hasn't prospered, and I haven't even raised my children well. Alas, my life has been in vain, in vain..."
Gu Tingye was silent. He had privately mocked his uncle who considered himself a scholar countless times, probably with the same intention. Unexpectedly, when he was old, his uncle finally figured it out.
"Uncle, don't say that..." Gu Tingxuan interrupted, then suddenly stopped, probably wanting to say 'You are much better than my old and frivolous father', but stopped midway.
The Fifth Old Master didn't care about the crowd's reactions at all. He shook his head with an open mind and said, "I've made up my mind. In a few months, when the weather gets cooler, the Tingdi couple will stay in the capital to look after the family. Your Fifth Aunt and I will take Xun'er and his mother to Dingzhou."
When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was surprised.
Mrs. Xuan was impatient and was the first to speak: "Dingzhou? That's not close. What is uncle doing there?"
Gu Tingxuan was completely bewildered, completely baffled. Gu Tingye was lost in thought, silent. Minglan paused, then whispered, "I've heard for a long time that Dingzhou is a place of picturesque beauty and a rich literary tradition, and that the Manishan Academy is renowned throughout the land. Could it be that my uncle..."
Mr. Zhuang studied there in the past.
The Fifth Elder nodded and said with a smile, "Your father-in-law is much better than me. Not only are his sons all accomplished men, but his daughter is also well-educated and knowledgeable." He then continued, "I once had a classmate who is now a teacher at the Monishan Academy. I'd like to go and join him. His limited knowledge won't produce a successful scholar, but it can certainly help educate a boy, and I can also find a teacher for Xun. It's a good match for both of us."
"But, but uncle is old..." Gu Tingxuan said hesitantly. Gu Tingdi, who had been silent all the time, also spoke up, "My cousin is right, father, think twice."
"No need to say more." The Fifth Old Master smiled and waved his hands, "I've accomplished nothing in my life. If I don't do something now, I'll have truly wasted my life."
This happened suddenly and everyone was speechless. On the contrary, the Fifth Old Master was in a very high spirits, talking and laughing, as if he was ten years younger.
At this moment, suddenly a miserable cry was heard, and Aunt Liu was seen leaning against the door with disheveled hair, her face full of tears: "I beg uncles and brothers, please save my Bing'er!" Then she knelt on the ground.
Aunt Liu's old age was evident, but she could not care less: "I know Bing'er has caused trouble, but at least since we are from the same family, please don't ignore him!"
Everyone was stunned by the sudden interruption. The Fifth Old Master, who couldn't stand Aunt Liu, frowned and said, "Stop being so ugly! Hurry up and get up. Tingbing is a member of the Gu family after all, and we will help him. But he is so stubborn and he deserves to suffer!"
Aunt Liu kowtowed repeatedly to Gu Tingye: "Bing'er was ignorant in the past and offended the Marquis. I beg you to be magnanimous and forgive him. For the sake of the deceased Marquis, please save him."
Why should we consider the old marquis's sake? Could it be that Gu Tingbing was born to Gu Yankai? Minglan almost laughed out loud.
This was a nonsensical and clichéd repetition, and everyone was tired of hearing it. Madam Xuan was about to have Aunt Liu dragged away when she heard Gu Tingye coldly say, "Since when have servants had the right to speak in Fifth Uncle's room?"
Ever since Aunt Liu came into the house, everyone in the mansion has been polite to her because she was favored by the Fourth Old Master. Even the Fourth Old Lady who came in as a concubine had suffered from her, but she had never been spoken of like this before. She was stunned to the ground.
"What do you think, Brother Bing? It's my fifth uncle and my brothers who make the decisions. What does it have to do with you? You rely on my fourth uncle's kindness and dare to come here and act so rudely." Gu Tingye's eyes were cold, and he glanced at the fourth old lady without leaving a trace.
Aunt Liu was so angry that she was about to collapse, but she refused to give up. She immediately crossed her legs and sat on the ground, wailing loudly: "Although I am a lowly person, I have at least endured in this room for thirty years and expanded the Gu family. Now that the old master is still alive, someone comes to treat me like this! I will not live anymore, I will not live anymore..."
Mrs. Xuan saw that this was too outrageous and ordered people to take Aunt Liu away immediately.
At this moment, the Fourth Old Lady suddenly stood up and sneered, "It would have been better not to have given birth to such an unfilial son who disobeys the laws of the country and disobeys his father and brothers. That evil creature has caused endless trouble for our family, and now we have to thank your concubine Liu for her contribution?! If you dare to be so presumptuous again, I will ask the Marquis to expel him from the ancestral hall and put an end to this once and for all."
Everyone was shocked. They didn't expect that the usually gentle Fourth Old Lady would act like this. However, the effect was good. Aunt Liu immediately stopped crying and collapsed on the ground, trembling.
Mrs. Bing Er saw that the situation was not right, so she quickly stepped forward and cried to Mrs. Xuan Da, "You are trying to force us to death! Are you waiting for Ting Bing to die outside and then you can manipulate us as you please after the old man dies?!"
At this time, Gu Tingye suddenly said: "I will go and take care of Brother Bing's affairs."
Mrs. Bing Er didn't even bother to wipe her tears and said happily, "Really?"
"But let me be frank. Brother Bing is a criminal, and he killed an innocent citizen. Even if he has great honor, he will not be able to escape for more than ten years. Sister-in-law and Aunt Liu, if you want to get a lighter punishment, please seek help from others." Gu Tingye said leisurely, "But Brother Bing keeps getting into trouble, and even the Lord can't do anything about it. I think it would be better to send someone to the northwest to accompany him nearby, first to take care of him, and second to give him advice."
When everyone heard that Gu Tingye was willing to help, some were surprised and some were happy. But when they heard that it would take at least ten years and that someone was needed to accompany him, they slowly turned their eyes to Aunt Liu and Mrs. Bing Er, which made them feel uneasy.
Mrs. Bing's arrogance had disappeared, and she shrank back, saying, "They say the eldest brother is like a father. Ting Bing should listen to the eldest brother. It would be better for the eldest brother to go."
Mrs. Xuan was so angry that she almost laughed. She stepped forward and said, "Sister-in-law, please sort out your thoughts before you speak! Now the family is old and sick, and the only ones left are women and children. If Lian Tingxuan also goes to the northwest, who will support this family? As the saying goes, husband and wife are one. After all, we have our parents to take care of us. Sister-in-law, pack up now and go to the northwest to accompany your second brother!"
Mrs. Bing Er waved her hands repeatedly, her face pale with fear: "The child is still young. In the poor and remote northwest, how can he make a living? He can't even find a good teacher, and his studies have been delayed."
"Filial piety is the most important virtue!" The Fourth Old Lady cursed with disdain. "A high-ranking official of the first or second rank has even given up his official position to observe mourning. Which is more important, fame or filial piety? Humph, even an ignorant mother like you can corrupt a good child!" She turned her gaze to Concubine Liu. "Since that's the case, mother and child are connected by heart. Why don't you invite Concubine Liu over?"
Aunt Liu was quite courageous and said with gritted teeth: "Okay! Let's go, and we'll take the children with us. But we don't know when we can come back, so why not divide the family first?" The money business of the fourth house was originally in the hands of Gu Tingbing. Since he was exiled, Tingxuan and his wife had almost taken over it in the past two years. While she still knew the details, she should divide the family business quickly to avoid being in the dark in the future.
"How dare you!" The fourth old lady was unusually aggressive today, as if intent on suppressing them. She cursed, "The old man is fine, yet you dare to mention dividing the family? Are you cursing him to death?!"
The Fifth Old Master also scolded, "You lowly slave, when will it be your turn to have a say in something as important as the division of the family?! You've divided the family twice in three years, do you want others to stab the Gu family in the back?"
The fourth old lady continued, "After the old man passes away, you can divide the family property if you want. Either Tingbing comes back, or Dege'er (Gu Tingbing's eldest son) comes of age, and then I will decide the division! Otherwise..." She smiled coldly, and swept a piercing contemptuous look at Bing's second wife, "The child is still young and can't make the decision on her own. With a mother who refuses to endure hardships with her husband, who knows what will happen if the family property is divided?"
The words were so harsh, almost like calling her "water-tempered," that Mrs. Bing Er immediately burst into tears. The fourth old lady looked at her coldly, not saying anything, waiting for her to become a topic of conversation later.
Gu Tingxuan was kind and seemed a little reluctant. He was about to say something, but was stopped by Mrs. Xuan, who pulled his sleeve and looked at him. Mrs. Bing was still crying, not knowing what to do. Aunt Liu knelt on the ground, looking at the people in the room, and gradually understood - with the Fourth Master's illness, her family of grandparents and grandchildren would be at the mercy of others.
After being a powerful concubine for most of her life, Aunt Liu had to suffer in her old age. She was at a loss.
…
Minglan watched this scene silently, and followed Gu Tingye back to the mansion without saying a word. It was already night and the moon was high in the sky. The two of them changed their clothes, took a bath, and then dismissed everyone and closed the door.
The carved, square table at the head of the bed was originally inky black, but in the dim candlelight, a faint tinge of dark red shone through. Atop it sat a small, white porcelain pot stained in blue and white, its delicate spout slightly tilted. The flickering candlelight cast undulating shadows across the table. Minglan, wrapped in a thin satin midriff, sat on the edge of the bed, watching silently for a long moment before finally looking up.
Gu Tingye sat at the head of the bed, his moon-white satin robe draped loosely over the edge, his jet-black hair cascading down to his bare chest. Tonight, he didn't use a book as a pretext, but simply stared at her, watching her confusion and hesitation. Normally, he would have offered to clear her mind, but today... he wanted to see if she would actually ask.
There was a barely perceptible hint of sarcasm at the corner of the man's mouth, almost self-deprecating.
He just looked at her quietly, watching her struggle between asking and not asking, and waited.
"Yu... Yu Yanhong..." Minglan found it difficult to breathe. Across from her, beneath the dark shadows of the tent, the man's deep eyes seemed to be entangled with her like chains. "...Is it Gu Tingbing?"
There was a long, horrible silence.
The man put away his idleness and said in a voice as cold and hard as ice: "He won't be able to come back for at least thirty years."
Minglan's mind went blank as she stuttered, "But... why is this?" She had imagined many people, always thinking he would be a romantic and lustful man, but she had never imagined it would be Gu Tingbing, who was obsessed with power and wealth?!
"For money." Gu Tingye was unusually calm.
Minglan's heart sank. The truth was even uglier than she had expected. The cause wasn't even just a casual affair.
"The Yu family's dowry was generous. In addition to the farms and shops, Yanhong had at least 20,000 taels of silver in her hands. After Yanhong died, when she returned the dowry to the Yu family, this silver disappeared. Naturally, given the circumstances at the time, the Yu family didn't ask any questions."
"...Gu Tingbing had long coveted Yanhong's dowry, but he had no excuse. After I left, everyone said I wouldn't come back, so he started to make plans."
"It's a pity that the truth was revealed too early. He only took the cash, and those shops and farms are still untouchable..."
The calm narrative tone is like a cruel farce.
Minglan felt a tightness in her chest. "Does the Fourth Old Master know about this matter? Where is Aunt Liu?"
Gu Tingye said slowly, "It was planned by them and their son from the beginning. After the first sum of money was obtained, I also knew about it."
"Fourth uncle didn't stop it?" Minglan was so angry that she couldn't express it.
Gu Tingye didn't answer, just smiled sarcastically.
A thought flashed through her mind, and Minglan blurted out, "Is Fourth Uncle's illness related to you?"
"It's related. And it's not related." The man smiled faintly. "I'll send someone to tell those friends that although Fourth Uncle and I have separated, we are still family. Don't neglect our elders."
After a while, Minglan asked again, "Fourth Aunt...why are you willing to help you?"
"She wasn't helping me, she was helping herself and her daughter."
"Sister Tingying's marriage...?!" Minglan was shocked.
"I was the one who asked for that marriage."
Seeing Minglan's look of shock and worry, the man smiled and said, "Don't worry, they are a good family. Speaking of which, considering the situation of the four branches after the family division, Tingying is still marrying up."
——Then there is an explanation for the fourth old lady’s abnormal behavior today.
"Since my sister is getting married soon, you still, you still... Fourth Uncle..." Minglan was too anxious to continue.
Gu Tingye frowned slightly: "This is unexpected. Fourth uncle was too ridiculous. It's a blessing that no one died."
The original plan was to wait until Tingying got married before the fourth old master fell ill. However, the old lecher was too impatient and solved the problem early. It must have scared the fourth old lady.
"After my sister gets married, I think Fourth Aunt will have more time to take good care of Fourth Uncle." The man smiled with interest.
Minglan knew that, like those patients who had been paralyzed for more than ten years, the Fourth Old Master would probably never recover until he died.
Judging from today's situation, Tingxuan and his wife were unaware of the situation at first, but as the situation developed, Mrs. Xuan obviously quickly realized the key to the problem: once the fourth old man was unable to move, the eldest elder in the fourth room would be the fourth old lady. If Tingxuan and his wife wanted to completely suppress Tingbing's room, they had to unite with the fourth old lady.
Father's long-time concubine was difficult for a son to handle, but the wife of the first wife had every right to do so; his half-brother lived far away in the northwest, and his brother-in-law and his wife had to be considerate of his orphaned siblings and their children, but the fourth old lady could discipline him as a grandparent. Similarly, the sonless fourth old lady and the married Ting Ying also needed the support of Tingxuan and his wife.
It is mutual benefit and win-win.
At that time, the Fourth Old Lady can take care of the Fourth Old Master however she wants. After today, she even has the leverage to control Ting Bing's wife - as long as she is not honest, she will let her go to the northwest to accompany her husband; as for Aunt Liu... her son is gone and her husband is paralyzed, so the Fourth Old Lady can vent her anger.
Minglan was filled with fear. "Nothing will happen in the northwest, I hope. If people knew it was you..."
"What do you think I did?" Gu Tingye laughed.
"When Gu Tingbing was exiled to the northwest, his eldest brother brought him four servants and two maids, and I added two guards. These days, I often send people to remind those servants and maids to serve well, to obey the master's orders, and not to neglect or disobey. I must make sure the master lives comfortably and will reward him handsomely when he returns. I also told the two guards that the people in the northwest are tough, so they must protect the master well and not let anyone hurt him. That's all."
Minglan stared at Gu Tingye blankly for a long time.
Yes, he really did nothing; he just followed everyone's temperament and slowly pulled up the spider web.
The fourth old master was lustful, absurd and foolish, and he hung out with this group of people all day long. After Gu Tingye passed the message, in order to curry favor with Marquis Gu, they naturally used the best stuff to entertain the fourth old master - but was there anything wrong with that message?
Once the fourth old lady got into the role, she could only do what Gu Tingye wanted. She couldn't say anything - she was just a cousin who cared about her younger sister and found a marriage for her. There was nothing else to it.
As for Gu Tingbing, Gu Tingye knew him too well; he was the kind of greedy villain who was obsessed with wine, sex, money and power, and would never give up. Once his life was no longer in danger and he had a group of people to serve him with good food and drink, would he stay in the exile house honestly every day?
No, he certainly couldn't stand it. Considering Gu Tingbing's previous behavior in the capital—seizing family property, coveting other people's businesses, and forcing people to death—would he really behave himself in the northwest? It's hard to change one's character, and with two powerful guards who only hit people, it would be strange if he didn't act arrogantly.
The spider web has been drawn. Gu Tingye only needs to say some ambiguous words and wait patiently, and a satisfactory result will appear.
"When I was down and out, they ignored our flesh and blood and insulted and bullied me wantonly. So, they deserve this retribution today." Gu Tingye's expression darkened, unable to conceal the hostility in his eyes.
Killing someone is not the right path, it is a great shame and humiliation, and he was also betrayed by his relatives. How humiliated and angry he must have felt at that time.
Thinking that the man in front of her could actually endure so much, knowing clearly what the father and son of the fourth room had done to her, but in the past two or three years, he did not show a word, secretly making arrangements - Minglan felt a chill in her back, hugged the quilt, and said in a trembling voice: "I, I, I didn't, never..." Her chin was pinched.
Gu Tingye leaned over and held her face, casting a shadow on her face.
"After you married me, you have always treated me very well. You are considerate and smart. You do everything you are supposed to do perfectly. You never ask questions that you shouldn't ask, or that you think will make me unhappy."
In the darkness, the ridges of his eyebrows looked even more fierce and sinister. For some reason, Minglan felt inexplicably scared.
"No matter how many problems you face, you only speculate on them. No matter how many doubts you have, you stubbornly suppress them and never bring them up. How long have you been hiding Yanhong's matter? Well... tell me, the day you gave birth to Tuan Ge'er was so dangerous, but after waking up, you still didn't ask a single question... You're afraid of embarrassing me, right? But in my heart, there are more important things than you and Tuan Ge'er. What's a little embarrassment?"
The man's breathing became heavier and heavier, and he seemed to be unable to suppress his anger.
"In the past few years, what have you wanted to do, what have you wanted to know, what have I not agreed to? But you just don't trust me, you are on guard against me, cautious of me, secretly guessing about me, and you won't let any mistakes in my words or actions! Well, well, I have finally found a good wife!" Minglan punched the bed hard, and he felt the sky shaking and the earth swaying, and a hot feeling flowed from the corners of his eyes.
Seeing her tears streaming down her face and her eyes filled with fear, Gu Tingye gradually calmed down, wiped away her tears, and held her and the quilt in his arms tightly.
Minglan tilted her head slightly and from this angle, she could only see his slightly bulging cheeks, which were tense and tense, as if he was gritting his teeth.
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