Chapter 98: Action (two chapters combined into 4000 words)
It was a bleak late autumn, and the leaves on the branches were falling in the north wind. It was getting dark earlier and earlier. When Su Yanli returned home, the oil lamp had been lit. The aroma of food wafted through the courtyard, and the warm yellow light sprinkled onto the patio.
After opening the courtyard gate, he did not walk quickly as usual to blend into the light that belonged to him. From the time the hangers-on found him until now, he had been thinking about how to rescue Aunt Ding from the wolf's den in the Bo's Mansion.
But until he reached the doorstep of his home, he had not thought that this time, if his guess was correct, his "good mother-in-law" had set her eyes on the mooncake recipe, otherwise, given her character, how could she have thought of Aunt Ding.
What is the perfect plan to save the aunt while not losing the recipe that his daughter has worked so hard to come up with?
In the kitchen, Mao Ya was making a fire while holding Xiao Silang in her arms, and Su Ruojin was helping Cheng Yingzhen. She calculated the time when Su Yanli was on duty every day to prepare dinner. Otherwise, if she cooked too early, the food would be cold, and if she cooked too late, she would have to wait again.
Su Ruojin clearly heard the sound of the courtyard door, but why didn't she see her father coming back for so long? She couldn't help but lift the kitchen door curtain and look outside. As soon as she opened it, a chill air rushed in, and it was very cold.
"Dad... Dad..." Why are you standing at the door without moving?
Su Yanli was awakened by his daughter's shout, "Ajin——"
Su Ruojin heard a thousand worries in these two short words: "Dad?"
Su Yanli was afraid that his daughter would notice something, so he tried to smile casually and gently, "Go in quickly, it's cold outside."
Su Ruojin didn't move. She looked at Shu Tong who came in from the door. He was busy leading the mule cart. She looked calmly at her father going up the corridor and turning to the kitchen. He was smiling as usual, but she just felt something was different. Something must be wrong.
What could it be?
The naughty Su Sanlang pushed her out of the kitchen from behind and threw himself into Su Yanli's arms, "Dad... Dad, today I learned a poem from my elder brother..." He recited it, "The grass is lush on the plain..."
Su Yanli listened while carrying his son into the kitchen. After his son finished reciting, he nodded gently, "Good, keep up the good work."
Su Sanlang wanted to hear more than just this. He also wanted his father to continue praising him, "Dad, I can recite it after just three times of learning it. Isn't that amazing?"
Don't be fooled by Su Yanli's usually gentle personality and friendly smile, but he rarely praises his son's academic performance and is always strict. Su Sanlang is young and it's not time for him to be strictly disciplined, so he didn't hesitate to praise him just now. As for whether he would praise him again, there is no such thing.
"Don't be naughty." Putting down his son, "Study hard."
Su Sanlang didn't get the praise he wanted, so he pouted. His father became serious, so he didn't dare to cry. But he was unwilling to give up, so he turned around and asked Su Ruojin, "Sister, am I learning quickly and well?"
Su Ruojin had already walked down the stairs. She went to find Shu Tong who had parked the car and asked in a low voice, "Uncle Shu Tong, what happened to my father?"
"Ah?" The clerk who was spreading grass for the mule obviously didn't notice anything wrong with the master. "Nothing wrong, right? When I arrived at the Imperial College, the master was on duty, chatting and laughing with his colleagues as usual!"
Could it be that she was overthinking?
In a blink of an eye, his daughter went to the patio to find Shu Tong. Su Yanli thought that since he didn't reveal anything in front of Shu Tong, it shouldn't be a big deal.
After a while, Shu Tong and Su Ruojin also entered the kitchen. Su Sanlang stared at her for praise. Encouragement and education are actually important, so she smiled and said, "Of course!" She gave him a thumbs up and said, "Keep up the good work and recite two poems tomorrow."
"No, I will recite three poems tomorrow, and then Dad will definitely praise me."
When Su Yanli heard San'er say this, he reached out and touched his head, "It's time to eat."
Cheng Yingzhen had just brought the dishes to the table and asked, "Sir, is it cold outside?" Then she took a towel and wiped his hands.
"It's okay." Now Shu Tong drives him back home in a mule cart every day, so it's not too cold.
The whole family eats in the warm kitchen.
After eating, the weather was cold, so except for Su Yanli who was testing the eldest son's homework, everyone else washed up and went to bed.
Su Ruojin couldn't sleep. Tonight, Dad ate one less bowl of rice. Something must have happened. What could it be? Was it criticism from the superiors in the Imperial College or a conflict between colleagues? Now that he has Lord Fan's protection, even Lord Jijiu gives him some face, it shouldn't be that;
Was it a letter from Pingjiang Prefecture? Asking his father to get his uncle, whom he had never met, into the Imperial College? That couldn't be right. This had already happened in the fall. Another letter was just to urge him to do something. It wouldn't make his father so worried that he had to hide his emotions.
What would that be?
Suddenly, Su Ruojin thought of something, and sat up, "Yes, I was prepared. I should have thought of it a long time ago."
Mao Ya's bed was opposite Su Ruojin. She was about to undress and go to bed when she was startled by her young master's action. "Second Madam, what's wrong?"
"It's okay, it's okay?" She waved her hands.
Mao Ya didn't believe it, "What should I have thought of earlier?"
Su Ruojin looked at Mao Ya, thought for a moment, and waved at her.
Mao Ya came closer, "Young lady..."
"Are you afraid of the cold?"
"Where have we got to? Second Madam, if you have anything to say, just tell me."
Su Ruojin hesitated again, "I heard from Mother Dong that Uncle Hua Ping often goes out at night. I don't know if he is still in the shop when you go there."
It's just a wasted trip, Mao Ya said, it's okay, she put on a thick coat and was about to go out, but Su Ruojin stopped her, "Go out quietly, don't let my dad see you."
Mao Ya nodded.
"If you see Uncle Hua Ping, you will do this..."
"good."
Mao Yatou stuck to the door of the room, listened to the sounds outside, then turned off the lights and waited for a while before quietly slipping out.
The weather is cold and business is good, so Mother Dong prepared extra ingredients for tomorrow today and finished it a little late. She made the Cordyceps chicken soup for Hua Ping a little late. The weather has been cold recently, so Su Ruojin didn't let Shu Tong bring soup to Hua Ping, and asked Mother Dong to help stew it.
When Dong's mother put the liquid into a small jar and was about to take it to Hua Ping's room, Mao Ya arrived and asked, "Is Uncle Hua here?"
"Did the Second Lady bring him food?"
Mao Ya shook her head and said, "I have something to do." She took the soup pot and said, "I'll go deliver it."
The young master must have something to do with Hua Ping, so Mother Dong nodded and let Mao Ya go.
There was a knock on the door, and Hua Ping was lying on the bed: "Come in."
Recently, Xianggui no longer came to bring him food. Hua Ping thought it was Dong's mother, so he let her push the door in herself. He was too lazy to move.
Mao Ya hesitated for a moment, pushed the door open a crack, and said, "Uncle Hua——"
Hey, it turned out to be the maid next to Su Erniang. Hua Ping jumped to the door and opened half of it. "Why is it you?"
"Second lady, please help me."
"What's the matter?"
"Please come in, Uncle Hua."
Hua Ping stepped aside and let the little girl into the room, "What is it?"
The weather was cold, and Mr. Shen was not used to the fact that Hua Ping had not brought him any soup today. He despised the cooking skills of the kitchen master, Mr. Du, and asked, "How about you go to Su Ji and learn from him?"
On a cold autumn night, Old Du sat opposite Mr. Shen, drinking his old wine slowly and leisurely. After a long while, he said, "If you are not afraid that Hua Ping has something to do with you, and you have something to do with the young prince, then I will go and learn."
“No, no, no…” Mr. Shen waved his hands quickly, “I’m just saying.” After that, he sighed, “If I had a daughter with such skills, it would be worth it in my next life.”
"You are not old now, you can marry a young and beautiful woman."
I don’t know what’s going on recently. Everyone wants to get married, start a family and have a daughter, which makes Old Du look depressed.
Mr. Shen shook his head. "Forget it, forget it. Let's not talk about love. Let's talk about how the spy you were spying on is going."
Old Du is ostensibly the cook of this courtyard, but in reality he is an old scout, keeping watch while buying vegetables and daily necessities.
"That person doesn't look like someone who has a list."
"If there is no list, then what is his purpose in coming to Bianjing City?"
"So far, we've only noticed that he went to Su Kee's BBQ stall and seemed to be interested in the fans that were displayed in the summer."
"artisan?"
"Perhaps."
"Why did Liaoxia send craftsmen here?"
"Sabotage our dynasty's construction?"
It's possible.
For a moment, Mr. Shen was in a heavy mood. A few years ago, spies from the Liaoxia Kingdom had destroyed the defensive walls of the capital, but unfortunately no one was caught.
"Don't be fooled by the prosperity of our Great Yin Dynasty. In fact, it is a time of raging fire and boiling oil. If one is not careful..."
I dare not say anything that is treasonous.
The two of them drank in silence when suddenly a signal came in.
"Why is the young prince here?"
Pingyang County Prince Zhao Lan is now learning about investigating matters from Mr. Shen, but they have agreed on a date, every two days. Logically, he should come tomorrow, so why did he come early?
Mr. Shen quickly put down his glass and opened the door to welcome people.
In the Cold Dew season, Zhao Lan strode into Mr. Shen's small room. As soon as he entered the room, he looked at the dining table. There was no soup or water on it.
Mr. Shen: …
The young master is craving for the food at the Su family! Unfortunately, it was cold. Hua Ping said that Su Erniang asked Dong Mama to make soup for him, and it tasted good. However, he didn't even wait for it today. I'm afraid that the young master is destined to be disappointed tonight.
When Mr. Shen was wondering what to say, another signal came in and Hua Ping came.
The master and servant came here one after the other as agreed?
Of course not, Shuangrui glanced at the little master secretly, he was just trying his luck.
Everyone turned to look towards the door.
Hua Ping came in with a can of soup and a food box, feeling cold. He was quite surprised to see the young prince. Tonight was not the day for him to study with Mr. Shen, so why was he here?
Seeing that he was staring at the soup pot he was carrying, he understood, smiled, and quickly asked Father Du to heat it up, "It will be served with pot cakes when the time comes, it's a must."
Zhao Lan, who had a cold expression on his face, relaxed his brows unconsciously when he heard about the new food.
Shuangrui quickly took the opportunity to take off his outer robe and brought him water to wash his face and hands. By the time he was done, the Cordyceps old hen had just warmed up.
But before the soup pot could be opened, Hua Ping spoke first, "Young Master, I need two people tonight."
Zhao Lan raised his eyelids instantly.
"Madam Su's aunt was dragged back to the mansion by the Bo's Mansion and tortured again. I am going to teach the Ministry of Internal Affairs to break one of Cheng Baotai's legs."
Zhao Lan asked coldly: "And then?"
"Tomorrow morning, the old Taoist priest will work with us to find a way to get Madam Su's concubine out."
Mr. Shen interrupted, “Are you going to teach them a lesson, or solve the problem once and for all?”
"Su Erniang means to solve the problem once and for all."
"How can we solve this problem once and for all?"
"Su Erniang means that as long as it does not involve the Su family, I can think of any solution."
Su Erniang...Su Erniang...
One night, the young master came over to make soup for Su Erniang, and Hua Ping came over to run errands for Su Erniang. Mr. Shen had only heard of her name but never seen her, which made him want to see if a seven-year-old girl had become a spirit.
It was the fifth watch, the coldest time of the day. Aunt Ding was locked in the utility room. She had not had a single bite of food or water since she was brought back to the mansion yesterday afternoon. The small room was drafty and she was shivering with cold. She was numb to the point of not being herself anymore.
Suddenly, there was howling everywhere as if something big had happened outside. She wanted to listen, but she was slapped by her mistress last night and her ears were almost deaf. She only heard someone howling, but she didn't know what they were howling for.
Cheng Zhaolin was the illegitimate son of the Earl's mansion. The courtyard he was assigned to was a side courtyard, which was relatively remote. Normally, any noise would not be heard by the main courtyard, but Cheng's howling was so loud that the entire Earl's mansion was alarmed.
Even Old Xuanbo came over. When he saw his bastard grandson being carried back on a wooden board, covered in blood, he showed no pity but disgust, "Why didn't you die outside?"
Cheng, who used to howl with a loud voice, suddenly didn't dare to howl anymore.
Mrs. Bo said coldly, "It's good if it's alive, but if it's half dead, don't keep it at home for bad luck."
After saying this, the old couple left without hesitation.
The others looked at him with disgust or contempt, and in an instant, the crowd dispersed completely. Cheng Zhaolin and his wife, who had originally wanted their father-in-law to intervene, failed to gain anything and ended up losing the rice.
He had no choice but to carry his precious son into the warm room and quickly light the charcoal fire. He was busy until early morning before he could call a doctor.
After the doctor examined him, he said, "Your life is saved, but I'm afraid your leg is useless."
Cheng was so shocked that she almost gasped, "My son... my son..."
The doctor shook his head. He was not interested in the filthiness of these noble families. He wrote a prescription, took the consultation fee and said, "My medical skills are limited. If you want to save your legs, you should seek help from another expert." After that, he asked the boy to pick up the medicine box and leave.
"My son...my son...who did you offend to have your legs broken?"
At dawn, Cheng Yuzhu also rushed to the mansion. When she heard her mother howling, she frowned and asked, "Mother, have you dragged Aunt Ding back?"
Hearing her eldest daughter's question, Cheng cursed angrily, "It's all that unlucky bitch. As soon as she came back, my son..." Suddenly, she couldn't curse anymore and looked at her eldest daughter in horror, "Yuzhu, what do you mean..."
On the way here, Cheng Yuzhu had asked someone to find out that her brother had suddenly had a conflict with Princess Yuyang's son last night and had his leg broken.
My younger brother has been the music director of the Jiaofang Bureau for several years. He knows who to please and who to fawn on. Logically, he should not make any mistakes. But something goes wrong as soon as Aunt Ding comes back. If this has nothing to do with Cheng Yingzhen, then who has it to do with?
"That little bitch can't even speak in a roundabout way to anyone she meets. How can she possibly ask Princess Yuyang's son to break my son's legs?"
"Mother, you forgot that the youngest son of the Prince of Jin is now his male student."
The Prince of Jin is the younger brother of the current emperor, so he can do whatever he wants.
Suddenly, Cheng felt a chill down her spine, but she still didn't give up. "Can a mere eighth-rank doctor ask King Jin to help?"
In order to make the reading more enjoyable for you, I will combine two chapters into one, and there will be no more chapters at noon!!!
(End of this chapter)
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