Chapter 12
Lin Qingyu didn't know why Lu Wancheng wanted to apologize to him.
——Just because he didn’t die? Didn’t you try hard enough to die before the Imperial Medical Bureau exam?
There are still more than three months before the exam. If Lu Wancheng dies of illness during this period, he will have the opportunity to take the exam. He should hope that Lu Wancheng would die soon, just like he did when he first married him. Lu Wancheng was not aware of the wedding, and he would not harm an innocent person. He just needs to be patient and wait for Lu Wancheng to run out of energy.
But what has he been doing these days? He got the prescription from his father, and went through untold hardships to improve, prepare and make the medicine. It is true that he did it out of interest, but could it be that he really never thought of saving lives?
Haha, this can't even be called saving people. At most, it will allow Lu Wancheng to survive for another half a year. Since Lu Wancheng doesn't care about life or death, what difference does it make whether there is these six months or not.
"If you really want to die so much, just..." Lin Qingyu's throat moved slightly and he didn't say anything else.
Lu Wancheng seemed to have guessed what he was thinking, and said half-seriously: "No, Doctor Lin, if you commit suicide, you will go to hell. Not only will you never be able to reincarnate, but you will also be enslaved by the ghosts to do hard labor every day, without a break. You know me, I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid of being tired."
Lin Qingyu snorted coldly: "Nonsense."
Lu Wancheng woke up, but his body was extremely weak. After he said a few words, his face turned pale. Apart from liquid food, he vomited everything he ate. He lived on light white rice porridge every day and could not even eat meat.
Huantong had recently bought a lot of storybooks from a bookstore on Yongxing Street as he instructed. When he was awake, he would half-lean on a soft pillow and read storybooks. Before going to bed at night, he would half-force Lin Qingyu to listen to his "storytelling" until he fell asleep.
That day, Lu Wancheng was reading a storybook when he saw the servants of Lanfeng Pavilion rummaging through the house. He asked, "What are they doing?"
Lin Qingyu said: "Looking for something."
"Of course I know they're looking for something. I'm not blind—what are they looking for?"
Lin Qingyu said: "The 'lost' account book."
When you are recovering from an illness, you should avoid thinking too much. Lin Qingyu didn't want to tell Lu Wancheng about the account book. But on second thought, Lu Wancheng doesn't even care about life and death, so he won't worry too much about such a trivial matter.
He couldn't help but feel a little curious. Is there anything that could make Lu Wancheng pay a little attention?
Lin Qingyu briefly recounted what happened the day before. Lu Wancheng's reaction was much bigger than he expected, and there was even a hint of coldness in his eyes: "If you don't commit suicide, you won't die. Why don't some people understand that?" Lu Wancheng pondered for a moment, raised his lips and smiled, "Doctor Lin, this is a good time for you to fight for the inheritance."
As soon as Lin Qingyu heard it, he knew that Lu Wancheng had the same idea as him. "I know." He said, "Why else do you think I asked them to look for a non-existent account book?"
Lu Wancheng pretended to sigh: "I'm not saying that we get along too well, how about... we become sworn brothers?"
“…No.”
Lu Wancheng coughed in shock: "Ahem -- why?!"
"I've already been married to you once, and I don't want to be married to you a second time." Lin Qingyu said coldly, "Besides, I don't think I get along well with you."
Lu Wancheng was hit hard and whispered, "Why is it so difficult for me to hear you call me 'Brother Wancheng'?"
The servants searched the Lanfeng Pavilion thoroughly but could not find any trace of the account book. When Lin Qingyu told Liang about this, Manager Wang immediately looked as if the sky had fallen: "What should we do? The account book is confidential, and the account office only has this copy. That page has no account to match, what if there is trouble in the future..."
Liang was also frowning, and repeatedly asked Lin Qingyu to confirm: "Are you sure you have searched every corner of Lanfeng Pavilion? But the servants didn't search carefully?"
"I've looked for it, and the account book is definitely not in Lanfeng Pavilion."
Madam Liu was finally able to raise her eyebrows and breathe a sigh of relief: "Such an important thing was lost. Not only did the young master betray the madam's trust, but according to the rules of the Marquis' Mansion, he must go to the ancestral hall to meditate in seclusion!"
Lin Qingyu asked: "Madam, why are you so sure that the account book must have been lost in Lanfeng Pavilion?"
Madam Liu interrupted, "It was fine when it was sent to Lanfeng Pavilion, but it was missing when it was brought back! If it wasn't lost in Lanfeng Pavilion, where else could it be?"
Liang thought Lin Qingyu would argue, but he just nodded: "I understand."
Liang didn't react for a while: "You are..."
"In that case," Lin Qingyu said calmly, "I was negligent in this matter. I hope Madam will forgive me."
Several people looked at each other, and after being surprised, they all became eager to make a move. Liang pursed her lips, vaguely feeling that something was wrong, and said, "Qingyu has tried very hard to find it, and there is nothing we can do if we can't find it."
Just like a tolerant and generous mistress.
Madam Liu asked, "Madam, should we inform the master about this?"
Lin Qingyu raised his eyes slightly.
Losing an important page of the account book might be considered a big deal in the rear house, but in the eyes of Marquis Nan'an it was far from a big deal.
Marquis Nan'an had the merit of following the emperor, and his original wife and the Empress Central Palace were sisters, so he could be regarded as the head of all officials. He seldom asked about matters in the rear house, and Lin Qingyu had seen him only a handful of times since she married into the family. Anything that is worthy of being brought to his attention must be a major event that the Liang family cannot control.
A single negligence on the part of the young master was nothing, Liang told Marquis Nan'an, but he would only think she was making a big deal out of nothing. But if he made mistakes one after another and Liang mentioned it in front of Marquis Nan'an, the source of displeasure would be the person who made the mistake.
Liang thought for a moment and said, "The master has a lot of things to do in the past, so he doesn't need to worry about the affairs of the mansion."
Steward Wang shook his head and sighed, "This is the first time that Young Master has been involved in the affairs of the palace. I am really worried. It is better for Madam to be the housekeeper..."
In order to avoid embarrassing Lin Qingyu, Liang "thoughtfully" interrupted Steward Wang and said, "Qingyu is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis's Mansion. If she doesn't share my worries, who else can I count on? Let's end this matter here. If there is any trouble in the future, I will take responsibility for Qingyu."
Lin Qingyu lowered his eyes and said, "Thank you, Madam."
Liang sighed and asked the maid to present another account book: "This is the account of the Marquis' Mansion for the whole winter. Qingyu, take it back and sort it out carefully. Don't lose it again this time."
This time, Lin Qingyu told Zhang Shiquan to take good care of the account book. Zhang Shiquan did not dare to be negligent. When the person was there, the account book was there. When the person was not there, he would lock the account book in the cabinet. When the day came for the report to Liang, Zhang Shiquan counted the pages carefully to make sure there was not a single page missing before handing the account book back to Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu brought the account book to the front hall to meet Liang. Liang ordered someone to serve tea, asked Lin Qingyu to wait for a moment, and then started to look through the account book in front of him.
"That's strange. Why didn't I see last year's charcoal money? Manager Wang, did you miss it?"
Steward Wang said hurriedly, "I have written it down. It should be on page 26."
Lin Qingyu also said: "There is indeed such an account. I have seen it."
"Twenty-four, twenty-five... twenty-seven?" Liang's eyes widened. "How come... there's another page missing?"
Lin Qingyu frowned: "Impossible."
Liang confirmed again and again: "Really not."
"Please look carefully again, ma'am."
Liang's face fell and she threw the account book at Madam Liu. But anyone with a discerning eye could see that she wanted to dump this account book on Lin Qingyu.
Liang was no longer as tolerant and kind as usual, and said coldly: "Since you don't believe me - Madam Liu, help the young master count."
Madam Liu flipped through the account book quickly: "It is true that there is not twenty-seven pages... Steward Wang, how many pages are there in total in an account book?"
Steward Wang said, "There are one hundred and twenty pages in total."
Madam Liu counted from beginning to end: "This account book only has 119 pages. How come another page is missing?"
Lin Qingyu's always cold face finally showed the uneasiness they wanted to see: "How is this possible. Madam, the account book was not lost in Lanfeng Pavilion."
"You're here again." Liang said earnestly, "Qingyu, I can protect you once, but I can't protect you every time."
Lin Qingyu remained silent, his eyes half closed.
The corners of Liang's mouth curled up silently, and the smile on Matron Liu's face could not be suppressed. Steward Wang was just as anxious as last time: "Madam, regarding the housekeeper's affairs, for the sake of the peace of the Marquis's residence, please think twice! Madam!"
Liang rubbed her forehead and said, "Perhaps, I shouldn't have placed high hopes on you. Wan Cheng is so seriously ill, you should stay by his side and take care of him."
Lin Qingyu finally bowed his head in front of them: "The young marquis has his own servants to take good care of him. Qingyu still wants to take care of the affairs of the mansion. I hope Madam... will give me another chance."
A strange look flashed in Liang's eyes. She was right. Lin Qingyu came for the Marquis's property. What a pure and cold beauty, yet she is so worldly and sinister inside. What would happen if he really took charge of the family?
Liang thought for a long time, and said in a compromised manner: "Don't get involved in the account book. The prince's biological mother, Concubine Chen, will be celebrating her 40th birthday soon. You should take care of the birthday gift."
The gift-giving between officials in the court was extremely particular. It was a matter of reciprocity and also a matter of social etiquette. The amount of gifts given to the Marquis' Mansion by different people over the years is all recorded in a book. The gifts to be prepared in return must be carefully considered based on the official positions and relationships between Marquis Nan'an and them. Any carelessness may arouse suspicion. This is the case for ordinary officials, let alone the mother of the current crown prince.
Liang has laid so much groundwork and is finally going to do something big.
Lin Qingyu hesitated and said, "I have never had any contact with the Eastern Palace, and I don't know what Concubine Chen likes."
"I have a book here that records the rewards that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Concubine Chen have given to the Marquis over the years. You can prepare the gift according to it." Liang said, "Remember, His Majesty does not like the concubines to be extravagant, and he does not like the crown prince to make friends with powerful officials. The gift you prepare for Concubine Chen can be of equal value to their rewards."
Inside the Lanfeng Pavilion, Lu Wancheng was feeding himself medicine. His movements were very slow and it took him half a day to drink half a bowl of medicine. Huantong wished she could help him drink it.
Hearing a voice outside saying "Young Master is back", Lu Wancheng looked towards the door, waited for Lin Qingyu to come in, and finished the remaining half bowl of medicine in one go.
Huan Tong asked in confusion: "Why did the young marquis drink the medicine so happily when he saw my young master?"
Lu Wancheng laughed softly and said, "The medicine is too bitter, I need something sweet to take with it - Doctor Lin, how are you?"
Lin Qingyu ignored him: "Huantong, go and ask Manager Zhang to come."
Zhang Shiquan was quite excited when he heard that another page of the account book was missing: "How is it possible? I have clearly checked it again and again!"
Lin Qingyu said: "It's very simple. There are people from the Liang family in Lanfeng Pavilion who took away the account book at the last moment."
"It might be Fengqin," Lu Wancheng said casually, "She is quite loyal to the Liang family."
Everyone's eyes immediately focused on Lu Wancheng.
Lu Wancheng said with a smile: "Why are you looking at me?"
Lin Qingyu asked: "How do you know?"
"I observed it."
Huan Tong shouted loudly: "Such an important matter, the young marquis didn't tell us?!"
Lu Wancheng was also surprised: "Liang has been in power in Nan'an Marquis' Mansion for many years, and the servants of Lanfeng Pavilion were all selected by her personally. Except for Hualu, who was a maid sent by my grandfather, everyone else would more or less listen to Liang. Don't you know this?"
Several people had no expression for a moment. Lin Qingyu said calmly: "Thank you for your reminder, young marquis. Now we know."
Huan Tong said angrily: "I'm going to argue with her!"
"No need," Lin Qingyu stopped Huantong, "Let her go."
Huan Tong said in disbelief: "Master? Why?"
Lu Wancheng smiled and said, "Let me guess, is there someone trying to do something bad?"
Lin Qingyu did not deny: "She was the first to do it."
Lu Wancheng looked at Lin Qingyu, with a smile in his eyes that he couldn't hide: "It's okay, Doctor Lin is also beautiful when he does 'bad things'."
"Young Master, you can sleep as much as you want, but you can't say anything you want." Huan Tong said seriously, "Our young master is kind and warm-hearted. He never does bad things!"
Lin Qingyu: “…”
Lu Wancheng smiled: "He hasn't done it, but he must have thought about it a lot, and he might do it in the future. Am I right, Doctor Lin?"
Lin Qingyu's heart tightened slightly.
Huantong grew up with him and was unaware of some of the hidden thoughts in his mind, so she thought he was a kind person. And Lu Wancheng, who had only known him for a few months, seemed to be able to see through him.
Once he married into a noble family, he thought he would endure humiliation and rot in the mire, but he never thought that he would meet a... confidant?
Lin Qingyu looked down at someone lying on the bed, who was obviously seriously ill but looked contented, with a dark look in his eyes. Then he smiled softly and said, "Wrong."
Lu Wancheng's cough relapsed. He coughed while awake and asleep, and he could even wake himself up with his cough. After waking up that night, he subconsciously looked at the screen, but didn't see anyone behind the screen. He forced himself to sit up and saw Lin Qingyu standing by the window.
Standing alone, his figure is lonely and cold, as if shrouded in a layer of light.
Lu Wancheng stared at it in a daze for a long time, and couldn't help but call out: "Qingyu?"
"exist."
Lu Wancheng asked, "Why haven't you slept yet?"
Lin Qingyu was silent for a long time before saying, "You said that I look good when I do bad things."
Lu Wancheng smiled and said, "Hey, if you want to talk about this, I won't be sleepy anymore."
Lin Qingyu looked back at him and asked softly, "If the 'bad thing' I did was to poison someone, or even... take someone's life, would you still think I look good?"
Lu Wancheng was slightly startled, his breath seemed to hide a hint of excitement and anticipation, and he slowly smiled: "It looks good, I like the way you use poison the most."
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