Chapter 96: Liar If he kissed her rashly, would she be angry with him?
Following Mei Lianqing's command, the wind stopped blowing and the birds on the branches fell silent.
The servants looked at each other in bewilderment. Sir... whose legs are you going to break?
"Aren't you going to make a move yet?" Mei Lianqing's eyes were cold and frosty, and he glanced at the servants gathered outside the house but remained indifferent. "Do you think I'm joking?"
The servants looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Although the master had always been strict with the young lady, anyone with a discerning eye could see that he was deeply protective of her. So what had happened today? He was actually… actually trying to break her legs?! Besides… even if they stepped forward, they would never be able to defeat her!
The situation was so tense that no one dared to move.
During the stalemate, they suddenly heard a flurry of footsteps outside the courtyard. The next moment, the doorman rushed in and reported, "Sir! Marquis Cangping, he, he, he..."
Before the concierge could finish his words, a young man in brocade clothes and a white face stepped into the courtyard with a spring breeze.
At that time, the Mei brothers and sisters were already standing in the courtyard.
Along with Li Qingrang, a long line of mahogany boxes were brought into the hospital.
Mei Lianqing's eyes twitched, and she demanded, "Are you going to join her in some mischief? Or do you have some other tricks up your sleeve?"
Li Qingrang smiled and directed the attendants to arrange the boxes and crates in order. He said leisurely, "I'd like to ask my brother-in-law, what's going on with you?"
The whole yard was silent. All the Mei brothers and sisters had a look of "keep away from strangers" on their faces. Only Li Qingrang had a cheerful face, looking very relaxed.
"What kind of relationship are you trying to establish? Who is your brother-in-law?" Mei Lianjun glared at him and said, "Aren't you just sick with a cold and bedridden? You're such a coward..."
A normal man would probably throw a tantrum upon hearing the term "coward," but Li Qingrang's laughter only grew wider upon hearing it. Mei Lianqing's gaze flickered between the two of them, and she said calmly, "Regardless, Princess Yunwei is right. The Marquis shouldn't make such casual claims."
Everyone looked sideways in shock at Mei Lianqing's extremely distant address, but they saw no unnecessary expression on his face. He said coldly, "My sister has repeatedly disobeyed her elders and committed crimes against her superiors. As her brother, I will break this evil creature's legs today and expel her from the Mei family. From now on, she will have nothing to do with the Mei family anymore."
"Brother, are you really going to do this?" Mei Lianjun had originally thought her brother was just angry, but he still wouldn't budge. She wasn't afraid of these servants and slaves. If they really wanted to break her legs, who in the courtyard could stand up to her? But if her brother insisted on expelling her from the Mei family...
My mother and father have passed away, and my elder brother is now the head of the family. What is written in the family tree is just a matter of his decision.
Now, in order to stop her from going to Xiayang, her brother not only wants to break her legs, but also wants to sever all blood ties with her.
"Oh, in that case, I won't call you brother-in-law anymore. I don't want to have another cold-faced relative..." Li Qingrang raised an eyebrow and pointed at a mahogany box. "It was originally a betrothal gift. Since Master Mei wants to sever his blood relationship with A Yin, the betrothal gift naturally doesn't need to stay in your house..."
He leisurely directed the servants to carry out the so-called dowry one by one. Finally, Li Qingrang walked up to Mei Lianjun and said seriously, "My marriage with Yin has been decided since we were young... Yin, will you come with me?"
The man's eyes were like daggers, as if he wanted to gouge him alive. Li Qingrang couldn't help but laugh dryly. He took a few steps forward and said in a voice just loud enough for the two of them to hear: "A Yin, no matter what you want to do, I won't stop you. As long as you come with me today... okay?"
Mei Lianjun remained motionless, but he still did not give up and continued to persuade her, "My mother's health is not good anymore. She is looking forward to our marriage. Ah Yin, if you marry me, no matter what decision you make in the future, you don't have to look at the face of Mei Lianqing, the male tiger. You and I..."
"You fulfill my filial duty, and I'll help you leave the capital. It's a win-win for both of us, okay?"
Mei Lianjun suddenly raised her eyes. For the first time in her life, she felt that marrying Li Qingrang would bring her some benefits.
That's right, marrying into the Marquis's Mansion... naturally she wouldn't have to be constrained by her brother anymore, not to mention... her brother actually threatened to break her legs and expel her from the Mei family?
...Can Li Qingrang really be trusted?
She stared into his naturally smiling peach blossom eyes and asked tentatively, "If you really let me go to Xiayang, I will..."
"I know that Yin won't be able to return once she goes to Xiayang, right?" Li Qingrang's smile remained undimmed. He said gently, "I also know that Yin will never be willing to be confined in a golden cage. Yin, please believe me, I will let you go."
The courtyard unknowingly fell back into silence from its bustling noise. Mei Lianqing looked at her sister, whom she had taken good care of since childhood, without hesitation as she followed the man away.
The light from the sky stretched out the figures of the two people, and finally, they merged into one, making it difficult to distinguish them.
Li Qingrang said that he would protect Ayin on his behalf, and ensure that she would live a peaceful life, and protect her from her youth to old age. Xiayang would never let Ayin get close to him. Although he despised Li Qingrang for his unruly behavior, he knew that Qingrang had liked Ayin since childhood and had never changed his mind over the years. In this case, he was willing to believe him for once.
What he had to do now was to completely wipe out the Mei family. Ah Yin had to leave, even...
"Husband."
Mei Lianqing turned around and saw his wife leaning on the porch and smiling at him.
His cold eyes were instantly soaked with spring water. Mei Lianqing quickly stepped forward and tucked a strand of Rongyin's hair behind her ear. "Ayin, spend one more meal with me. I will draft a divorce letter tonight... Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to send you back to your parents' home."
Rong Yin nodded and raised her hand to pinch Mei Lianqing's face. "You were so ferocious just now... I was afraid that Yin would have a nightmare at night..."
"Really?" He hesitated for a moment, "Ayin... you don't know, Ayin is too tough, if I don't..."
"Okay, I know, I know." She suddenly grabbed one of his hands and placed it on her still flat belly. "Before you leave, how about you give the baby a name?"
Mei Lianqing's throat choked, and he hugged his wife into his arms, "I'm sorry, Ayin, I'm sorry..."
"What are you sorry for? Look at you, why are you crying again..." Rong Yin stroked his trembling back and said softly, "By the way, the noble lady looked much better this morning, and she ate more than usual. If you have time, you might as well go and pay her a visit. Anyway, the food isn't ready yet."
She stood on tiptoe to wipe the moisture from the corners of his eyes and said softly, "I'll wait for my husband in the small flower hall, okay?"
"Hmm..." Mei Lianqing kissed his wife's forehead, then walked out of his younger sister's courtyard and went straight to a side room in the corner of the mansion.
Before I even stepped into the narrow courtyard, I saw a person standing under the bright sunlight.
Mei Lianqing paused in surprise. In reality, what was the difference between him and Song Lang? In fact, compared to Song Lang, he was even more worthy of the word "treacherous and flattering." As my younger sister had said... Mei Lianqing was nothing more than a weak official huddled in the imperial court, relying on his eloquence to gain a high position.
No, he was different from Song Lang in his flattery. Song Lang always remained neutral and did not lean towards any side, but he...
Mei Lianqing glanced at the people in the upper chamber. He straightened his clothes and bowed deeply, "Your Highness, my position has never changed."
…
Inside the bedroom, there are incense burners in all four corners, and the rich aroma, sticky like honey, fills the lungs.
Jiang Zhi's clothes were half open, and he was leaning on the jade steps with his skirt and clothes scattered. He glanced down and saw a group of palace maids and concubines lying on the steps.
He raised his hand slightly, and immediately a palace maid with her open clothes knelt down and filled Jiang Zhi's wine. Jiang Zhi sipped it casually, and when it was all gone, he clamped the wine bottle with two fingers and knocked it heavily on the jade steps.
The captain of the Flying Dragon Guards responded to the summons and entered the palace. He saw the emperor's long-cherished finger sliding down the slender neck of a palace maid into the deep valley...
He hurriedly lowered his head and rested his forehead on the brick.
The sound of tearing cloth, the woman's moaning, and the sound of friction all hit his ears.
It doesn't seem like he is enjoying the pleasure, but rather like something is strangling his throat.
Soon, the palace returned to peace, and the emperor said, "Drag him out."
The captain of the guards then raised his eyes tremblingly, only to see the palace maid lying on the steps, her neck covered with bite and pinch marks, her pomegranate red skirt fluttering like a withered flower.
This person is no longer making any sound.
Jiang Zhi tiredly stood up. He looked down at the beauties kneeling in the hall and sighed softly, "What a pity."
He had never been addicted to this, but that day he was assassinated with a flower...
Often, the more powerless one is, the more competitive one becomes due to human nature.
"Drag them away, gouge out their eyes, and then kill them." The emperor suddenly smiled, stared at him, and asked, "Did you see anything?"
The guard chief was so frightened that he almost buried himself between the bricks. "Your Majesty, I was deaf and blind..."
Jiang Zhi remained silent, watching coldly as the Flying Dragon Guards rushed in from outside the palace and dragged the women away one by one. Just as the guard leader was about to retreat to the palace gate, the emperor asked idly, "How are things at the border?"
The guard chief lowered his head and was about to report, but a palace maid, clinging to the threshold, glared at Jiang Zhi and cursed him: "You are a eunuch emperor who looks like a dog, but you are so weak! You are taking advantage of us, you spineless eunuch emperor..."
Come to an abrupt end.
The sudden smell of blood instantly overwhelmed the sticky fragrance in the hall.
Only after all the palace maids were dragged out of the hall by the Flying Dragon Guards and the cries and curses faded away did the Chief of Guards kowtow and report.
"The various small nations on Ying's western border have gathered their forces and are approaching Xiayang. We initially thought Qing was allying with the smaller nations and tribes surrounding them, planning a sudden attack on Ying... Instead, the Qing army withdrew for no apparent reason..."
After the servant finished reporting, he looked up and saw Song Xieqing handing the secret letter sent by Qingdi to the candle.
Seeing the flames completely engulf the wildly flying words, Song Xieqing sneered.
A secret letter? He was so afraid that no one would know about it that he ordered it to be brought to the Song residence in a sedan chair with drums and gongs. Why? Did he think he wasn't being bullied enough in the court? Wasn't he being condemned by the people? Or was he trying to accuse him of collusion with foreign countries?
The servants reported again, as usual: "Ms. Zhu has been visiting Gongsun's residence quite frequently lately... and she always changes into a patched, coarse cloth. When she returns, she's always covered in dust and dirt, and her hands are often stained with ink."
Song Xieqing frowned. Why did she go in and out of Gongsun Mansion?
Gongsun Jia is already old. Although he has been cleared of the imperial examination paper selling case, he has already asked the emperor for his remains and will soon set off to return home.
…
Zhu Haoshang is still copying medical classics at Gongsun's house.
Quesheng walked out of the pharmacy holding a stack of medical books that were burned to pieces. He looked at Zhu Hao who was writing furiously at the stone table with a complicated expression.
The sound of the bird was caused by a child selling medicine for wounds at the stall.
What on earth was this man up to? Five days ago, he'd come to his house in a patched, rough coat to pay for his medicine, which would have been fine, but now he was crying in front of everyone, saying he was homeless and hungry.
Wasn't she the wife of the Song Emperor's tutor? Why was she pretending to be a refugee in the Gongsun family? Why was she crying poor?
Quesheng ran to Gongsun Jia and poured out all the good things he had wished for. At the end, he did not forget to add: "Sir, don't you want outsiders to know that you are good at medicine? Now you allow that woman who appears kind but is full of tricks to enter your house..."
Lord Gongsun Jia, however, was just idly stretching his ears and shouting, "Quesheng, what did you say? I'm hard of hearing! Speak louder! Louder!"
“…”
Quesheng took a deep breath and whispered louder and louder into Gongsun Jia's ear. Gongsun Jia, stroking his long, flowery beard, said, "Quesheng... I've already resigned from my position, so why are you still talking about being a master or not? Besides, if that girl can really read, then let her copy the half-broken medical manual in the room... It's just fragments anyway, what good is it?"
Bird sounds: "..."
Are you listening carefully to his analysis of the pros and cons? It really makes him angry!
Zhu Hao suddenly felt a burning, even slightly hostile gaze resting on her. She put down her pen, looked up and saw a small bird called Quesheng standing on the porch. She waved at him, "Quesheng, you've come just in time. Could you please come forward..."
The bird's chirping remains still.
"Three copper coins." Seeing that he still didn't move, Zhu Hao gritted his teeth and made a five.
The sound of the bird just moved away reluctantly.
Zhu Hao pointed to a large, charred hole in the book and asked, "Do you still remember what was originally written here?"
She saw Quesheng put down the book in his arms heavily, put his hands on his hips, raised his chin high, but did not answer a word. Zhu Hao held his forehead and said, "Five more copper coins, okay?"
Quesheng squinted his eyes as he looked at her. He was certainly tempted by the silver and copper coins, but now he hesitated, his mouth opening and closing again. Finally, he spread his hands and said, "I can't read, and besides, I'm not your apprentice. Although I'm a book boy, I only need to wash your brushes, grind your books, and organize them..."
Best wishes: "..."
After observing for many days, she was 80% sure that Lord Gongsun Jia was the renowned Doctor Jia a hundred years later.
Zhu Hao longed for the soul-snatching acupuncture technique, which would become world-famous a hundred years later but was incompletely documented. If this acupuncture technique were passed down, Li Yuan's father would be saved... But he had searched through medical classics for days and could find no mention of this acupuncture technique...
Even if we find it...it will only be fragments.
Zhu Hao leaned against the pen and pondered: Elder Gongsun Jia hadn't revealed her identity, but had allowed her into the mansion and provided her with food. Such indulgence was truly unreasonable...
Ordinary people should have been on guard against her long ago, but the elders just let her do what she wanted again and again.
Zhu Hao sighed softly and flipped through a few more pages. The medical texts under her hands were all missing pages and chapters. She didn't know where to start. No wonder Elder Gongsun let her flip through them...
Suddenly, the fingertips that were about to turn the page stopped.
A line of writing, blurred by the flames, leaped into view: "There's a medicine in Wushan. Its flowers and leaves don't meet, its branches are curled, and its leaves are like bamboo. It blooms in summer and withers in winter. It can be soaked in turtle blood and become poisonous. If anyone who drinks this poison has children, they will develop a hidden disease, which will be passed down through the generations. When the disease isn't acting up, they're no different from ordinary people. But when it does, they'll feel a tightness in their chest and a sharp pain in their heart..."
The remaining words are difficult to discern, but just a few words are enough to make Zhu Hao feel like he was struck by lightning.
Distant memories came flooding back, and she thought of one person - Shi Chunsheng.
Isn't the Shi family's inherited hidden illness exactly the same as what's recorded in this book? Could it be that... the Shi family wasn't born with a hidden illness, but...
Zhu Hao concentrated and thought carefully for a long time. During these days, in addition to reading the remaining scrolls, she also fanned Gongsun Jia from time to time, served her tea, rubbed her shoulders and back... Thinking of this, Zhu Hao put down her pen, stopped listening to the birds, and went to find Gongsun Jia.
At this moment, Gongsun Jia was lying on a bamboo rocking chair in the yard. The bright sunlight made his gray hair and beard look like they were coated with a layer of gold and silver threads. He half-closed his eyes, fanned himself with a palm-leaf fan, and hummed a folk song from Sichuan, looking very relaxed.
Zhu Hao tiptoed forward, took the palm-leaf fan from Gongsun Jia's hand, and fanned it for him. Gongsun Jia, without raising her eyelids, simply said, "Ah, that bird's voice? Have you packed your bags? In a few days, we should set off back to Shu."
"Sir, I wish you well."
Gongsun Jia propped up his old bones, looked up and down to wish him well, then lay back down, "It's you, girl."
Zhu Hao was speechless for a moment. This Chengzi, Gongsun Jia was either hard of hearing or blind, but he was clearly about to resign from his post, so why did it come to this?
She pondered over it again and again, finally making up her mind, "Master Gongsun... you're still hoping those medical texts will be passed down through the ages, right? Otherwise, why would you allow me to enter the pharmacy to read and copy them?"
Gongsun Jia said nothing. Zhu Hao thought for a moment and continued, "Most of the medical classics are already in fragments. Elder, please forgive my ignorance. Even if I copy them, it would be difficult to complete them."
"It's because it's incomplete that I let you browse through it. It's an heirloom. Otherwise, how could I let you get this close?" Gongsun Jia slapped the palm-leaf fan back. "You better give up. I'll take that kid Quesheng away from this place soon."
"Is your deafness and vision clearer now, sir?" Zhu Hao smiled, and then continued to tell him about the hereditary hidden poison she had just glimpsed. She asked, "Sir... is there a cure for this poison?"
Gongsun Jia's fanning hand paused, her eyes swept across her fingertips, which had thin calluses from copying books for days, and she fanned herself again, remaining silent.
Since it's a fragment, what on earth is this girl copying? She's either asking questions or asking about the Soul-Snatching Needle Technique.
Nowadays, the world is corrupt and the court is full of corrupt officials. Even if there is a miraculous doctor who can cure minor illnesses, it is difficult to cure terminal diseases. Moreover, so far, I have never met a satisfactory disciple. In this case, let the medical books be burned.
Thinking of this, Gongsun Jia's fanning hand faltered again. He did have a disciple he liked, but it was a pity that Song Lang wasn't interested in this. It was a pity that when he passed through Huaicheng that year, he had snatched Song Lang back from the clutches of the King of Hell while he was still playing in the mud...
If I had known this would happen, I would have let that stubborn boy die.
Could it be that the boy changed his mind, so he asked his wife to test the waters and copy some medical books?
...That's not right. Song Lang was just that young back then, and he must have forgotten about this matter a long time ago.
…
Zhu Hao returned home dejectedly. She was so hungry that her stomach was sticking to her back. She groped her way to the small kitchen as if she knew the way.
When he lifted the food cover, he saw several exquisite side dishes and a bowl of bright and plump white rice inside. Zhu Hao couldn't help but smile with his hands covering his mouth.
When she was satisfied, a servant dressed in black and carrying a sword walked in from outside the door at the exact moment.
"Miss Zhu, the young master is waiting in the study."
I have been busy with other things these days and almost forgot about Song Xieqing.
She did not delay any longer. After her knee injury healed, she lifted her skirt and walked through the layers of carved doors straight to the study.
The door was wide open, obviously waiting for her.
Zhu Hao pursed his lips and lowered the curve of his lips, putting on the same cold face as he had a few days ago.
As soon as he stepped in, the door behind him was gently closed. Zhu Hao raised his eyes and saw the person sitting at the desk holding a book with a focused expression.
Zhu Hao reminded him, "Song Xieqing, the book is wrong."
The man glanced at her, then calmly put down his book and asked, "Where have you been lately?"
She had been slow to come find him, and he had been slow to find a suitable excuse to see her.
Now, he understood why he had to make up an excuse to see her? Couldn't he just see her whenever he wanted?
"Young Master, don't you always order people to follow me? How could you not know where I go?" Zhu Hao said jokingly before leaving. "Young Master, why do you have the time to pay attention to me today? A few days ago, didn't you wish I would disappear?"
Song Xieqing frowned, "When have I ever..."
"You didn't say it explicitly, but I've told you a lot. Have you ever responded properly?" Zhu Hao stood at the table, chin in his hand, and asked him, "Song Xieqing, what were you upset about that day?"
...Did she really not know why he was angry?
Song Xieqing's hands on his knees loosened and clenched several times. Seeing that he was speechless again, Zhu Hao was about to leave. Just as he turned around, he suddenly felt a tightness around his waist and his feet were suspended in the air.
He pressed the blessing on the edge of the table.
Song Xieqing leaned over, their breathing entangled, their clothes rubbing against each other, he spread out his arms, trapping her in a corner, and when Zhu Hao blinked, her long eyelashes brushed against his chin faintly.
The atmosphere suddenly became sticky and stuffy.
Seeing that she didn't avoid or retreat, he felt more upset. If it was someone else, would she not avoid it?
Song Xieqing's Adam's apple rolled, and he pressed his fingertips lightly on her lips, "Liar."
Zhu Hao felt confused and was about to speak, but when he opened his lips slightly, the pink and wet tip of a tongue touched his fingertips first.
A tingling sensation spread from his fingertips to Song Xieqing's limbs. He wanted to retreat, but Zhu Hao grabbed his collar first. Song Xieqing was forced to look into her eyes and hear her question: "What did I lie to you about?"
Were her lips also bright red and lustrous without lipstick? He had no idea what Zhu Hao was mumbling, and just stared at her lips intently.
If he kissed her rashly, would she be angry with him?
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