Chapter 194 World Eight (Seventeen)
When Shen Liushi came to deliver the handkerchief sachet she had sewn, Hu Xiu Niang told her about this. Upon hearing this, Shen Liushi's eyebrows tightened, and she pondered secretly, and asked aloud: "How much is the rich businessman willing to pay for the work?"
Seeing that Shen Liushi was interested, Hu Xiu Niang quickly stretched out three fingers and said, "This number."
Shen Liu thought to herself, three taels of silver is worth a try. Although this embroidery work is urgent, it can be completed by rushing day and night. Shen Liu looked at Hu Xiu Niang and said, "Time is tight, and we will definitely need to light lamps at night. Apart from the money for the lamps, there are less than three taels."
Hu Xiu Niang quickly promised: "If you are willing, I will negotiate with the rich businessman and ask for more money."
The wealthy merchant knew that he was desperate for the job, and few embroiderers in town were willing to take it. Otherwise, if he spent so much effort and failed to create a wedding dress, he would surely be mad at the merchant and not even get paid. Upon learning that Shen Liushi was willing to take it, the merchant was not stingy and raised the salary by another 10 taels.
For four taels of silver, Shen Liushi nodded and took on the embroidery work.
The styles of wedding gowns in the capital were complex, and even the silk threads required were multicolored and numbered in the dozens. Bao Shan stretched out her bare hands, separating the silk threads into strands and balls. Bao Shan wasn't a good needlework woman, so she could only help embroider small ornaments like flowers, birds, fish, and insects.
The red-gold phoenix that covered the entire hem of the skirt was embroidered by Shen Liu herself.
The moon hung high in the sky, and all around was silent. Bao Shan leaned against the bed, sound asleep. The threading of a needle made a rustling sound. Bao Shan opened her eyes slightly and saw that Shen Liushi was still wide-eyed, staring at the hair-thin silk thread. Bao Shan rose softly, called out "Auntie," and handed her the tea.
Shen Liu took it and casually instructed Bao Shan: "You go to sleep first. This phoenix is extremely delicate, with every thread connected to each other. It cannot be made by a second person."
Baoshan nodded softly, but did not leave immediately. Instead, she turned around and added some lamp oil to the candlestick.
"The dim light will hurt Auntie's eyes."
Shen Liushi understood this principle, but she threaded the needle for a long time without getting up to add lamp oil, just to save money.
"I understand. I'll embroider this phoenix feather and then go to rest."
Only then did Baoshan leave.
But when Shen Liushi was the only one left in the room, she scooped out the lamp oil from the candlestick with great regret, and then continued to sit down and sew the wedding dress.
She worked day and night like this, and finally on the appointed day, Shen Liushi finished embroidering the last stitch.
Bao Shan's face was filled with joy, and her cheeks flushed. "Aunt, please come back soon. I'll make some snacks and a pot of rice wine to celebrate."
Hearing these words, Shen Liushi's tense body suddenly became relaxed. She nodded lightly: "I'll go early and come back early, and buy a roast chicken to add some meat to the table."
Embroidery workshop in town.
Hu Xiu Niang took over the wedding dress embroidered by Shen Liushi. The phoenix was lifelike and the stitches were dense. Hu Xiu Niang praised repeatedly: "Who can not be satisfied with your work?"
Hu Xiu Niang promptly gave the agreed four taels of silver.
Shen Liushi put the wages into the inner clothes, covered it carefully, and went to the town where vendors gathered to buy a roast chicken.
But before she even reached the stall, Shen Liushi felt her steps were weak and her vision was dark, and she couldn't even perceive a single ray of light.
As soon as Li Dongran turned around, he saw someone lying on the ground in a daze. Judging from the clothes and appearance, it looked like Shen Liushi. Li Dongran quickly packed up the stall and said, "I won't sell today."
When Li Dongran arrived, several people nearby had already helped Shen Liushi up and fed her some water.
Shen Liu slowly woke up, but there was still no light in front of her eyes, and she was inevitably panicked. Li Dongran pushed through the crowd and shouted, "Aunt Shen!"
Shen Liushi couldn’t see anyone, but could only hear the voice. Knowing that it was someone from the same village, she hurriedly said, “Go find the treasure fan quickly.”
Shen Liu was in such a situation that she could not recognize the scenery and people in front of her, so she could only trust her niece.
What's more, she still had some small change on her body, and Shen Liushi didn't trust anyone except the treasure fan.
But Li Dongran did not listen to Shen Liushi's words. She knew very well that if Baoshan came over, Shen Liushi would definitely not let her get close to her.
Li Dongran supported Shen Liushi and said, "Aunt Shen, I'll ask someone to call Miss Baoshan. You come with me to see the doctor first."
Shen Liushi was panicked, so she followed Li Dongran's footsteps and went to the medical clinic.
After the doctor took the pulse, he did not directly explain the truth to Shen Liushi.
The doctor saw that it was Li Dongran who supported Shen Liushi here, so he regarded Li Dongran as Shen Liushi's relative.
The doctor sighed softly, "This is an acute illness, also caused by overwork. It sounds horrifying, but there is a cure. The herbs needed are not available in town. It's best to get her to a major clinic as soon as possible, otherwise the condition will only get worse, and she won't be able to see clearly anymore."
Li Dongran pinched the money in his pocket and asked softly, "How much silver will it cost if I use the good medicine?"
The doctor only asked Li Dongran: "How much is on the girl's body?"
Li Dongran took out the purse from his body. The doctor glanced at it and shook his head slowly: "These copper coins can only buy some crude and simple herbs.
Although it can relieve the symptoms, it cannot cure the disease. Even if you can see again, it will be blurry.
Why don't you save your money and go to a big medical clinic to buy some herbs that can cure the disease and help this lady see the light sooner."
Li Dongran naturally knew that what the doctor said was the best way.
But she was short of money, and even if she took out all the money she had saved over the past few days, she might not be able to save Shen Liushi's eyes.
The copper coin caused Li Dongran's palm to feel extremely painful through a layer of whitish cloth.
Li Dongran made a decision. Instead of taking incomplete and incomplete medicine, it is better to prescribe a complete medicine. As long as he takes good care of her, Shen Liushi will surely recover soon.
"Doctor, please take a pair first..."
"aunt!"
Hearing the soft voice calling, Li Dongran opened his eyes wide and looked at the weak figure outside the clinic in disbelief.
She knew clearly that she hadn't had time to call for the treasure fan, so how could the treasure fan come...
Baoshan walked hurriedly to Shen Liushi's side. Shen Liushi's brows relaxed, and her hands hurriedly grasped in the air: "But Baoshan?"
Baoshan quickly handed her tender hand to Shen Liushi, her voice choked with sobs: “Aunt, it’s me.”
Feeling the familiar softness, Shen Liushi finally calmed down.
On the way to the clinic, Shen Liushi already knew that the person who supported her was Li Dongran.
Although she knew that Li Dongran had good intentions, Shen Liushi always felt uncomfortable.
If she hadn't been blind, she would have left early.
Baoshan's eyes were slightly red. She comforted Shen Liushi in a gentle voice before asking the doctor about Shen Liushi's health.
The doctor repeated what he had just told Li Dongran.
Baoshan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she vaguely remembered that in that dream, when Shen Liushi took her to the Shen family, Shen Liushi's eyesight was not very good.
Bao Shan once asked about this matter, but Shen Liushi didn't want to talk about it, so she just said, "I injured my eyes before, but I didn't take good care of them, so I got this problem."
Seeing Shen Liu's reluctance, Bao Shan, who was living under someone else's roof at the time, was used to judging other people's expressions and did not continue to ask.
Now it seems that the disease that caused the eye to fall was probably caused by this.
Bao Shan took out her purse and gave the doctor the consultation fee. She bent her waist towards Li Dongran again and said softly, "Thank you very much today, Miss Li. Tomorrow, when my aunt feels better, I will definitely come to thank you."
Li Dongran responded in a muffled voice.
Baoshan returned to Shen Liushi's side and asked softly, "Does Shen Liushi feel better?"
Shen Liushi grasped Baoshan's slender wrist, and only then did she feel somewhat at ease.
"Let's go back."
The two got up and left. Li Dongran walked to Baoshan and asked her what she was going to do.
After all, it is urgent to see Shen Liushi's eyes.
Baoshan lowered her beautiful eyes, letting her soft hair fall to her ears. She did not reach out to hold her hair back, but simply let it brush against her cheek, her look and posture revealing her fragility.
"I... don't have any good ideas. Auntie's actions have left me panicked. For a moment, I felt like no matter what I did, it was wrong. I had to tell Cousin Yunshan.
Cousin Yunshan is knowledgeable and experienced, so he will definitely come up with a good solution."
Li Dongran raised his eyes and said with a hint of reproach: "Brother Shen is far away at Xiangjiang Academy, worrying about his studies all day long, and he is already very tired.
You're using this matter to disturb Brother Shen's mind, which is really wrong."
Her delicate eyelashes trembled slightly, and Baoshan looked bewildered. "But I'm just a woman, and I've never seen such a storm. The only solution I have is to ask for help from my cousin Yunshan..."
Li Dongran felt a little uncomfortable when he saw that Baoshan didn't understand the overall situation and only knew how to cling to Shen Yunshan like a weak vine to survive.
According to Li Dongran, the most important thing for the Shen family is Shen Yunshan's studies.
Shen Liushi's illness could be alleviated with herbal medicine. If the treasure fan hadn't suddenly appeared, the doctor would have already prescribed a prescription...
Li Dongran suggested, "Although the herbal medicine in town is crude, it can relieve Aunt Shen's symptoms. Why don't you buy a few first and don't tell Brother Shen about this."
Seeing Bao Shan's eyebrows furrowed, Li Dongran continued, "If you don't have enough silver at home, I have some here. Brother Shen... and Aunt Shen are from the same village as me, and we have some affection for each other. These copper coins should be enough to buy enough herbs."
Baoshan thanked him softly.
Li Dongran thought that Baoshan accepted his proposal.
But before Li Dongran could breathe a sigh of relief, he heard Bao Shan whisper, "Miss Li has a kind heart, but I am uneasy in my heart, and that is not something Miss Li can calm down."
Bao Shan leaned forward softly: "Miss Li, I will take my leave first."
On the way home, Bao Shan told Shen Liushi all about her plan. After all, this matter could not be concealed.
Shen Liushi pondered for a moment, but did not stop the treasure fan. Instead, she hesitated and said, “Will this… disturb Yunshan’s mind?”
Bao Shan understood that Shen Liushi would not refuse. Although Shen Liushi always put Shen Yunshan first in everything, she also regarded Shen Yunshan's studies as the most important thing.
It’s just that she can’t see anything with her eyes, and Shen Liushi is more panicked than anyone else.
At this moment, what she wanted most was for Shen Yunshan to stay by her side without having to do anything else. As long as he comforted her, Shen Liushi would feel at ease.
In the dream, perhaps Li Dongran had never told Shen Yunshan about this, which was why Shen Liushi had never let it go.
Telling Shen Yunshan about this was not Baoshan's sudden idea.
First, according to the doctor, Shen Liu's illness is not serious, she just needs good herbal care.
Shen Yunshan is usually calm and composed, and has never been panicked or anxious about anything.
Shen Yunshan was a man of his temperament, so he wouldn't be upset by hearing about this, and thus delay his studies. Secondly, there was still a lot of time before the imperial examination. Even if Shen Yunshan returned, he wouldn't miss the exam. If the imperial examination was approaching and Shen Liushi had this incident, even if Baoshan wanted to tell Shen Yunshan, Shen Liushi wouldn't agree.
The third reason was to let Shen Yun return, not because he wanted him to take care of him personally, but to seek peace of mind for Shen Liushi.
The Shen family only has two female members, Shen Liu and Bao Shan. Without Shen Yunshan as the backbone, they will inevitably be panicked and don't know what to do.
In addition, this is also a good opportunity to meet Shen Yunshan.
Baoshan’s voice trembled slightly, and he stroked Shen Liushi’s palm: “With such an unexpected change, I can only think of my cousin Yunshan, and it’s me who is useless…”
Seeing this, Shen Liushi comforted Baoshan in turn: "Forget it, just tell Yunshan."
In this situation, Shen Liushi also wanted her son Shen Yunshan to make a decision.
Xiangjiang Academy.
Shen Yunshan received a letter from home, which was written by someone Baoshan asked to write it. Every word and sentence showed Baoshan's uneasiness.
She didn't know what to do, and only Shen Yunshan could comfort her.
Without hesitation, Shen Yunshan found the Confucian master, reported the situation to him, and set off for home.
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