Chapter 22: The best choice is that no one will ever find her
Facing the mixed looks in the hall, Chen Lianxiu said, "I went to the library to look for some medical books. My husband doesn't have them in his study, and the Duke's Mansion has a large collection of books, so it's only natural for me to go and have a look."
As soon as she finished speaking, Mrs. Wu became impatient: "You read medical books? What do you know about medicine? It's nonsense!"
Chen Lianxiu wasn't angry, but her voice had grown colder. "I've already told you why I went to the library. As for whether I understand it or not, I'm afraid it's none of your business, right? Even if I don't understand anything, who says I can't go and see it?"
This time, before Little Wu could refute her again, she turned to the sullen Wu and said, "Old Madam, I've been putting bookmarks cut from letter paper in the books I've been reading these days as a mark. I also have notes in Zhuxinzhai. Bookmarks can be slipped in on a whim, but notes can't be recreated instantly. If you still don't believe what I say, just ask someone to verify it."
Mrs. Wu raised her eyes and looked at her, then at Zhou Linjin beside her, and finally at Zhou Linyu. Zhou Linyu's expression was different from before, and he was obviously more flustered than when he first arrived at Shou'an Hall.
"No need. I don't want to delve into this matter any further. Let's all go back and don't mention it again. If anyone among you wants to gossip, send them away immediately." Mrs. Wu finally pressed her forehead, looking tired, and let the matter go.
Little Wu had been making a fuss before, but after hearing what Shen Lianxiu said, she knew that if she continued like that it would be bad for her precious son. Fortunately, Wu was on their side after all, so she winked at Su Qiong, and then pulled Zhou Linyu, who was obviously relieved, to leave.
"Wait!" Before they had taken a few steps, they heard Zhou Linjin's voice, which was clear but resounding, causing several people to shudder.
Little Wu quickly looked towards Wu and called out for help, "Mother..."
Zhou Linjin didn't give Wu a chance to speak. He sat there, looking relaxed, but his tone was bone-chillingly cold. "Since A'yuan has said so, let's get to the bottom of it. This will prevent Aunt from saying that our eldest branch isn't strict or doesn't know how to manage the household. Over the years, Uncle and Aunt have been burdened with taking care of Grandmother at the Duke Cheng's Mansion. Especially recently, Mother has been unwell, so many household chores have been handed over to Aunt. I remember Aunt's contribution, but Uncle's branch will have to move out eventually, so let's start today. Mother is frail, and A'yuan is still young, so I'll take the lead and sort out what needs to be sorted out."
Little Wu opened her mouth. She thought Zhou Linjin would never delve into such a trivial matter and would just argue for a few words. Besides, even Wu had the final say. She was immediately panicked: "Erlang, why are you talking like that..."
"Someone come here." Zhou Linjin ignored what Xiao Wu said. He called the servants in and asked Chen Lianxiu a few more questions in detail. Bing Ying immediately led the people to the library.
Soon, Bing and others came with the books that Shen Lianxiu had mentioned, as well as the notes they had taken back from Zhuoxinzhai.
Mrs. Wu was at her wit's end. She finally opened the book and took a look. After nodding, she had nothing to say. She just let Zhou Linyu learn the family rules himself and let his father discipline him.
Xiao Wu's face was pale and she hit Zhou Linyu hard several times. Zhou Linyu didn't dare to cry out for injustice anymore, but just begged for mercy, saying that he was drunk at the time and that he didn't see clearly that it was Chen Lianxiu, and thought she was an ordinary maid. After hearing this, Xiao Wu started to cry and mumbled something in her mouth.
Although Zhou Linjin couldn't see, all the noisy sounds reached his ears, like sewage pouring in, which was unbearable.
He took Shen Lianxiu's hand, and before he could say he was leaving, he heard Su Qiong on the other side finally couldn't help wailing, crying and falling on Zhou Linyu. Unlike Xiao Wu who was pretending, she was really angry when she beat Zhou Linyu, and she didn't hold back.
Zhou Linyu was not a man who would show sympathy to women. He was already angry enough, so how could he tolerate Su Qiong's behavior? He immediately tried to push her away, but Su Qiong naturally refused, and the two of them started fighting.
It suddenly became even more noisy.
Zhou Linjin's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again, but only briefly. He stood up, turned sideways, and said to Shen Lianxiu, who had also stood up with him, "Let's go."
After saying that, he just said goodbye to Wu, and without caring what Wu said, he pulled Shen Lianxiu away.
Shou'an Hall was not very close to Zhuoxinzhai. Although the rain outside had subsided, it was still damp and windy today. Chen Lianxiu had changed clothes at Wu's house, but her hair was still wet. Even though she was sitting in the sedan chair, the journey was not comfortable.
When they arrived at Zhuoxinzhai, Shen Lianxiu sneezed right after coming down. Zhou Linjin said, "Hurry in. I've asked Madam Lou to prepare ginger soup."
After drinking a large bowl of ginger soup, Shen Lianxiu felt much better, and the slight headache that had just started also slowly stopped.
At this time, Zhou Linjin said to Madam Lou again, "Go boil some water and let her take a comfortable bath to get rid of the cold and dampness in her body."
After Aunt Lou left, for safety reasons, Shen Lianxiu slowly sipped the second bowl of ginger soup.
Her hair had just been let down by Madam Lou, and was now tied loosely with a piece of silver-red silk. Her little face was pale, and the warm air made her features look even more picturesque and charming.
Unfortunately, Zhou Linjin couldn’t see it.
He listened to the sound of Shen Lianxiu slowly drinking ginger soup, and his heart seemed to be filled with warmth, making him feel numb.
"You went to the library to look for medical books, was it for my eyes?" he asked.
Shen Lianxiu moved her mouth away from the edge of the bowl and nodded, then immediately realized that he couldn't see and said quickly, "Yes."
She was not surprised. Zhou Linjin could have guessed such an obvious thing.
Zhou Linjin raised his eyebrows, which was rare for him, and said with a smile, "The doctors all said that my eyes are difficult to heal."
Perhaps only she would go to such great lengths for him.
Chen Lianxiu put down the bowl and said, "Anyway, let's go and take a look. It doesn't cost anything. What if I find a solution?"
Zhou Linjin asked, "Have you studied medicine?"
Chen Lianxiu had long expected him to ask this question, and she had already thought of the excuse. When she mentioned the matter of going to the library to read medical books, it was not completely impulsive and reckless.
"I know a little, but not much," she explained clearly, as if it were the truth, to avoid Zhou Linjin's suspicion. "We hired a teacher in the past. He knew quite a bit about medicine. I heard his family had been practicing medicine for generations. I was still young then, and he often taught me because he found it interesting. Even my parents didn't know about it. He taught me for many years until I was about ten, when he resigned as the Shen family's teacher."
Chen Lianxiu paused, then continued, "Perhaps because he thought I was compatible and eager to learn, he left me some medical books before he left. I've read them often over the years, but they're not enough. I have nothing to do every day, so I thought about going to the library. Although I don't believe I'm better than those famous doctors, it's better than doing nothing. I'm just a little embarrassed to tell you, and I'm afraid my work is in vain, so I didn't say it."
After hearing this, Zhou Linjin did not doubt it, but just sighed.
Chen Lianxiu lowered his eyes and picked up the bowl of ginger soup to drink.
"What should I say?" Zhou Linjin suddenly laughed. "If I say I don't believe you, it would be too depressing for you, and it's not what I really want. But if I say I do believe you, I'm afraid it would put too much pressure on you, and I'm also afraid that we would be disappointed."
When he said the last word "we", he pronounced it a little more strongly. Shen Lianxiu heard it and the hand holding the ginger soup trembled slightly.
She really wanted to tell Zhou Linjin that she was actually Shen Lianxiu, not Shen Wuyu, and the "they" he was talking about were Zhou Linjin and Shen Lianxiu.
But she can't.
She could only rejoice secretly like a thief who had successfully stolen something. She could not make the treasure she had obtained public, nor could she show off in front of the owner of the treasure.
If she really did that, she might be doomed.
That beautiful dream that seemed real would also vanish in an instant, leaving her with only a dark void.
She just curled up in a conch-like shell, hoping that no one would ever find her so that she could hide for the rest of her life.
The best.
Chen Lianxiu went from being nervous and afraid of being discovered at first to now hoping that she would never be seen by Zhou Linjin.
But if that was the case, why would she look for a way to treat his eyes?
She wanted to find the solution immediately, and she searched through all the books and documents, but she still couldn't find it.
At first, she hadn't decided whether to go to the library to read, but she finally decided to go. At that time, she thought to herself, it's just a look, no one else knows about it, and she may not be able to find it.
Then, today, Zhou Linyu stirred up a lot of complications. Zhou Linjin asked her not to prove herself, but she still told him the purpose of her going to the library, letting Zhou Linjin know that she was trying to find a way to cure his eyes.
In the future, if she really found that method, could she disappoint Zhou Linjin and bear not to treat him?
Although it was contradictory, she made her own choices step by step.
If she really cured his eyes, the moment he saw her, the moment he knew she was a fake, could he have any forgiveness for her?
She suppressed the waves of emotion that kept churning in her heart and continued to say to Zhou Linjin, "My dear, you must trust me, otherwise I will lose my confidence. As for future disappointments, that is a matter for the future. Even if there is disappointment, I will be with you to face it together."
Zhou Linjin's beautiful yet lifeless eyes drooped.
He didn't speak for a long time.
After a while, he nodded.
At this moment, a pair of slightly warm fingers suddenly touched his eyes.
Zhou Linjin closed his eyes.
Chen Lianxiu didn't know why she suddenly did this. By the time she reacted, her hand had already touched it.
She gently rubbed his eyelids until he took her wrist.
"From now on, if you want to read a book, you don't have to avoid me. Just ask them to bring it back from the library. It will also be convenient for you to write down your thoughts." Zhou Linjin said, "As for the library, I will also send more people there. You can go there in peace and avoid my brother from turning it into a filthy place."
Shen Lianxiu did not refuse.
At this time, Madam Lou came over and said, "The water in the bathroom is ready, please go over there, Madam."
Chen Lianxiu stood up and was about to go to the bathroom, but Zhou Linjin also stood up and said, "I'll go with you."
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