Chapter 123 Chapter 123: Recuperation and Illness...
Liu Zhongliang was a grain merchant in the capital. He had a lot of grain in his hands, and he also ran businesses in silk, porcelain, spices, etc. He was well-known among the merchants in the capital.
In previous years, he had always sent tributes to the Kangping Marquisate, practically running amok in the capital. But all the suffering Xu Yuanheng had endured in recent days was now being repaid on him.
Half of his properties were taken over by Xu Yuanheng, a small half was taken over by the Kangping Marquis Mansion, and the rest were divided up by other businessmen, who wanted to chew his bones into pieces.
In just a few days, the two men's situations had changed dramatically. Liu Zhongliang had originally hoped Xu Yuanheng would reveal the spice recipe so he could take over the business, but he hadn't anticipated this outcome. In his past business ventures, he had been dishonest, secretly helping the Kangping Marquisate amass wealth. Compared to the charge of killing someone with the spice, which had been leveled against Xu Yuanheng, his crimes were far more serious.
In the past, he had given money to the Marquisate, and the Marquisate had covered up for him, so he could get away with things like robbing women and killing people. Now that the Kangping Marquisate was disregarding him and even letting him off the hook, Liu Zhongliang was bound to end up in jail.
As luck would have it, Liu Zhongliang was in the same cell where Xu Yuanheng was imprisoned. But looking back, he had committed suicide by banging his head against the wall not long after entering. Death without witnesses at least kept his family safe.
The family left the capital and headed south, claiming they had a house there where they could live comfortably and worry-free. This was both innocent and innocuous; after all, Liu Zhongliang's earnings had been enjoyed by his family. Of the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans, merchants were at the bottom of the hierarchy, but they enjoyed the protection of the powerful and lived a carefree life, unlike ordinary businessmen.
Although Xu Yuanheng was unscrupulous in his business dealings, willing to make any money he could, he was still presentable on the surface. He didn't wear silk or satin when he went out to work, and he didn't play around in private. He arranged things to make business easier. He had been dishonest in the past few years, but he had changed for the better.
After this, the Xu family's fortune grew. Although the Kangping Marquis's residence didn't receive the spice recipe, it did receive a considerable amount of money. However, they still knew the difference between being well-fed today and being well-fed every day. Without Liu Zhongliang's support, the residence would soon find itself struggling financially. Not everyone could manage the estate well and run a business, so generally speaking, the future would be difficult.
Liu Zhongliang loves to stir up trouble, but he gives a lot of money.
Kangping Hou intended to continue this relationship with Xu Yuanheng, but Xu Yuanheng was backed by the Dingyuan Marquis's mansion. After further investigation, he discovered that Xu Yuanheng and Xiao Xun were both from Yu'an, Xuzhou. Why hadn't he inquired about this earlier? This is really...
The two families are close, and in the past some people said that he came from a small place. Although the emperor conferred him the title of earl, he had no background. But now it seems that Xiao Xun doesn't look like he is short of money.
However, Kangping Hou was overthinking this. Xiao Xun's help was not because of the tributes or silver he had given him, but because of the friendship they had in the past.
Xu Yuanheng was the one who took care of the rest. He was still injured and unlike Xiao Xun, a military commander who could handle the work, it took him two days to deal with the rest, and he collapsed from exhaustion when he came back.
He had a high fever that wouldn't go away, and he often talked nonsense in his dreams. He called Tangyuan's name and Lin Qiuran's name in his sleep.
Steward Xu watched and listened, feeling uncomfortable and trembling as he served with trepidation. He was afraid Xu Yuanheng would become depressed, and since Xu Yuanheng was unmarried and not young anymore, he had no one to take care of him. No matter how good Lin Qiuran was, she had children and a husband.
Manager Xu took care of him for two days without taking off his clothes. On the eighth day of April, Xu Yuanheng's fever subsided, and when he opened his eyes, it seemed as if he had returned to the days in the dungeon.
His head felt heavy and he felt weak. He opened his eyes for a moment but was about to fall asleep again. Manager Xu quickly called out, "Master! Master! Drink some water first."
He had been wiping Xu Yuanheng's mouth for the past few days. Manager Xu helped him sit up and fed him water. Xu Yuanheng drank two sips and stopped. "What time is it?"
Xu Yuanheng saw that it was getting dark outside.
Steward Xu: "It's three quarters past midnight. The young master has been in a coma for two days. The Earl of Dingyuan and his wife came to see you. I told them you weren't in a position to see them, and they didn't insist on coming in. They just said they'd send a letter when you're better."
Xu Yuanheng still looked a little dazed, which made Manager Xu feel very uncomfortable. "How are you? Are you still feeling uncomfortable? I'll ask someone to call a doctor."
Xu Yuanheng just felt sore all over, but his head no longer hurt. His body and face were cold, not like the two days when he had a fever and was drowsy. Sometimes he was half asleep and half awake, and felt like he was being roasted on a fire.
"I'm much better. Don't worry. Those who survive a disaster will have good fortune in the future." He was injured, and had a little bit of a heartache. He had been running around for two days, so it was hard not to be sick.
Xu Yuanheng also came to terms with it.
He recuperated for another two days and was finally able to go out by himself. The weather was getting warmer, and on the tenth night he made an appointment to drink with Xiao Xun.
He arrived early and bought two jugs of wine, but Xiao Xun asked the waiter to remove the wine as soon as he arrived, "Your injury hasn't healed yet, it's not suitable for you to drink."
Xiao Xun's face was filled with a hint of smugness. Although he was a military commander, he had the indifference of someone who had seen all the flowers in Chang'an in one day. He seemed happy for his recovery, but not entirely.
Xu Yuanheng smiled and said, "I listen to you. When friends get together, we can have a good chat even if we drink tea. There's no need to drink alcohol."
Xiao Xun agreed with this point. They smiled at each other and asked, "How is your injury?"
Xu Yuanheng: "You're sitting here peacefully. It's nothing serious. I'm just tired these past few days. But I've made a lot of money. Liu Zhongliang has a bit of a temper, so he's suitable for being a businessman."
Xu Yuanheng was amazed at the extent of his cunning deeds.
Xiao Xun didn't understand business matters, so he said, "Well, when you're fully recovered, we'll get the recognition done."
Xiao Xun has never forgotten this. He originally planned to recognize Xu Yuanheng as his relative when he came back this time, but something went wrong. Now that the person has come out, there is nothing to worry about. He is Tangyuan's father, and he has to bring up this matter, not Xu Yuanheng.
Xu Yuanheng smiled and nodded, "Well, wait until I'm better."
Xiao Xun: "You should take good care of your injuries. If you have anything to say, just tell me directly. Don't be polite."
Xu Yuanheng picked up the teacup, lowering it a little, and said, "Hmm."
The two drank tea and ate some food that was suitable for recuperation. After dinner, they each returned to their respective homes.
Lin Qiuran looked at Xiao Xun and asked, "Didn't you drink?"
Xiao Xun: "I don't drink often. Seeing that Master Xu's injury hasn't healed, I didn't drink."
Sun asked hurriedly, "It's not fully recovered yet, why is it like this?"
Xiao Xun: "A broken bone takes a hundred days to heal, so it's not that fast, but he looks better. This can be considered as going through a great disaster. If you survive a great disaster, you will surely have good fortune in the future."
Sun clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, may Buddha bless you."
These days she prayed to gods and Buddhas. There was a small Buddhist temple in Shou'an Hall, and burning incense and chanting scriptures were what Sun did every morning and evening.
When the weather got warmer, she was happy to go out. She even asked Lin Qiuran to take her to the Wanxiang Temple on the outskirts of the city to burn incense and pay her respects to the Buddha.
Burning incense is nothing more than blessing the family members to be safe, Tangyuan to grow up healthily, and hoping that the Buddha will have mercy on them. And also, those people in the old house will get what they deserve.
Lin Ming came back last month and said Xiao Dashi had been driven back to Xiaojia Village. Sun's heart softened for a moment, and as expected, she felt relieved. She thought it was Xiao Dashi who wanted to go back. If he hadn't spoken up for his family, admitted his fault, and stopped doing this again, Sun wouldn't have let him go back during the Lunar New Year.
After going back and seeing what her hometown looked like, she realized she regretted it, but it was too late. She decided to stay there for a while and see what would happen next. After suffering, she realized how difficult her life had been before.
It is true that if the knife does not stab yourself, it will not hurt. Sun is living a life of luxury now. She has everything she wants. After she finished drinking the bird's nest sent by Anyang Marquis' Mansion, Lin Qiuran replenished it for her. She also eats donkey-hide gelatin. The opera troupe often comes to the house, and the clothes and other things are all good. It is Xiao Dashi who is not satisfied.
These past few days, Sun had been praying to the Buddha to bless Xu Yuanheng. I don’t know if it was of any use, but he is better now.
Sun: "When will we recognize each other?"
Lin Qiuran said, "It will take more than half a month to recover from this injury. Tangyuan will be on holiday at the end of the month, or will it be two days at the end of the month?"
Xiao Xun said: "You decide on the arrangements. I'll do as you say."
He has to work during the day and can have two days off at the end of the month, so he will definitely be there.
Tangyuan had been asking Lin Qiuran about Xu Yuanheng these past few days. Every day after school, he'd come home first to ask if Uncle Xu was doing well. But Tangyuan hadn't come home yet tonight, saying he'd been playing cuju with his classmates that evening. Wait, I'll be sure to ask when he gets back.
At 2:15 PM, Tang Yuan came back from outside, covered in dirt from crawling around on the ground. The first thing he asked when he got home was, "Dad, didn't you say you were going to drink with Uncle Xu today? How's Uncle Xu doing?"
Xiao Xun: "I'm much better now, so you don't have to worry."
Tang Yuan nodded. "Don't worry. Next time you see Uncle Xu, please tell him to take good care of his injuries and not to worry about me."
After saying this, he asked again: "Dad, have you drunk the medicinal food today?"
Xiao Xun no longer takes medicine, and the chilblains on his hands have all healed, but he still drinks medicinal food frequently to regulate his body.
The medicinal food didn't smell good. Tang Yuan thought Xiao Xun was afraid of bitterness just like him, so he insisted on supervising Xiao Xun to drink the medicinal food every day. However, he came back late today, and Xiao Xun ate outside again, and the soup was already finished.
Tang Yuan couldn't help but ask, "Dad, can you wait for me next time?"
Just as Xiao Xun was about to agree, Lin Qiuran said, "What are you waiting for? Stop pestering your father. Go wash your hands and eat. After dinner, do your homework. I'll tell you something after you finish."
Tang Yuan nodded without showing any impatience, "I know, I know."
He had already played today, so he definitely wouldn't play first when he came back. He had dinner in the main courtyard and then went back to his own courtyard.
The homework is a lot more than when I first started school, but I can finish it quickly as long as I don’t get distracted. Tangyuan can handle the homework.
After finishing writing, he checked it himself. When Lin Qiuran came over, he sat obediently and asked eagerly, "Mom, is there anything you want to tell me?"
Lin Qiuran said, "Your father and I thought that since you and your Uncle Xu are close, you could acknowledge him as your godfather in the future. It wouldn't be much different from what you have now, because your Uncle Xu is busy and has to travel all over the country. It would just be a different name."
Tang Yuan thought for a moment, "What about my dad?"
Lin Qiuran patted his head. "Of course your father is still your father. After all, there's only one character difference between godfather and biological father, and the meaning is different. The one you see every day is your father. Having more godfathers means having more people who love you. Of course, in the future, when your godfather has his own children, he might not be as good to you as he is now. You can be sad, but you can't do bad things, because you see, your father is the best to you. Although he takes care of other people's children, he's not as good to you as he is now."
For example, the Ying family, I visited them once after the New Year and once last month. Ying's sister-in-law is in much better condition, and the two of them bought a lot of food and toys for the children at home.
Tangyuan is still young, and Lin Qiuran is willing to explain things to him step by step.
Tang Yuan thought about it for a while and felt that there was nothing wrong with it. "Okay!"
Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "Go out and play for a while, then go to sleep. You'll have a holiday at the end of the month to meet your relatives. They're all family, so don't be afraid."
Tangyuan nodded heavily. He had been in class for two months and had gotten used to getting up early every day to study. Then after school in the evening, he would talk about the interesting things that happened in school and tell Lin Qiuran about his friends, which ones he could get along with and which ones he hated.
Lin Qiuran felt that he was like a newly grown bird, tirelessly bringing branches and all kinds of novel gadgets home.
Every time he saw it, Lin Qiuran felt soft in his heart.
There was nothing else to do at Tangyuan's place, so Lin Qiuran returned to the main courtyard.
It was late at night, and the wind was gentle. After entering the house, Lin Qiuran told the maid to go downstairs and not to wait on him in the house.
The candlelight in the room was a light orange-yellow. After a while, Xiao Xun came in from outside. He had just taken a shower and was wearing new pajamas. After coming in, he pulled his collar open a little.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: Thank you for your support! ~Please give me some water [Panda Head][Cat Head]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
