Chapter 74: The venomous snake no longer needs to follow your gaze...
It was a pitch-black night, and the sky seemed to have a hole in it, with rain pouring down straight away, leaving no room for pedestrians.
Zhou Linjin was on the road with five or six followers.
Since leaving the city gate, the road near the capital, which was originally relatively flat, became difficult to walk on due to the night rain.
Although Zhou Linjin was wearing a straw raincoat, he was already soaked by the rain.
The rain kept washing his face, almost making it impossible to see the road ahead.
Zhou Linjin would occasionally raise his left hand to wipe the rain off his face, while his right hand was always tightly holding the reins. His originally fair and slender hand was now so pale from being strangled.
Because they were looking for someone, they didn't walk fast.
It was raining and I couldn't even light a fire, so I could only search in the dark.
There was not even a single person on the road on a rainy night. Everyone knew to avoid the weather. The forests and mountains became increasingly silent except for the sound of rain.
Zhou Linjin really hoped that if he walked a little further, he would see his father Zhou Chang appear in front of him, and they would meet and go home together. However, he never saw any other moving things on the road except them, not even an animal.
He kept forcing himself to calm down.
The decision to go out and look for his father was not an impulsive act. Fifteen days had already passed. Zhou Chang was no unknown person. If he had had an accident anywhere on the road during these fifteen days, even if it was discovered a little late, someone would have rushed to report it to the capital. But he did not return home on time, so the most likely scenario was that the accident happened when he was about to reach the capital.
Although Zhou Linjin was very reluctant to believe it, he had to infer the worst at this moment. His father had been in trouble and was near the capital, which should be no more than a day's walk away. He just hadn't been discovered yet.
If only he could be quicker and find his father sooner, maybe his father... could still be saved!
"Father!" Zhou Linjin finally couldn't bear it anymore. He shouted towards the woods as if venting or collapsing.
But it was soon drowned out by the sound of rain.
I don't know how much time has passed, the rain is still falling, there is no sign of dawn, and I can't tell the time. Zhou Linjin finally found traces of a fight in a slightly higher place that was not flooded by the rain. The bloodstains had long been washed away, leaving only some broken knives and swords.
Soon, he found Zhou Chang, who was dying, not far away.
If no one was looking for it, no one would have seen it on such a rainy night, and no one would have even come over.
Zhou Linjin stumbled over to Zhou Chang and picked up his father's tall body. He could no longer feel the warmth of his father's body. "Father, father! I'm here, I'm Erlang!"
While calling his father, he used his trembling hands to check his father's breath. Fortunately, although the breath was weak, his father was not dead yet.
Zhou Linjin wrapped his father in the clean clothes handed to him by the attendants, then took off his own straw raincoat and put it on him. He carefully helped his father onto the horse, and then got on the horse himself. While he asked someone to quickly go to the mansion to quietly inform Yang and the others, he took his father forward and left two people nearby to continue searching for the subordinates and attendants who came with his father.
***
Shen Lianxiu hurriedly washed up as if in a dream, and was then taken outside.
The rain that fell all night stopped only after dawn. The ground was muddy and the yard was desolate.
Sometimes she would suspect that she was still dreaming, even the crying sound was almost the same as in her dream, the only difference was the difference between night and day.
Chen Lianxiu thought of what he had seen in his dream and kept restraining his urge to go find the two coffins, and cold sweats broke out on him.
When she arrived at Si Ning Garden, she heard the cries of Yang and Zhou Yishao from afar, and her steps became quicker. She almost tripped when crossing the threshold, but fortunately she was supported by a maid.
Fortunately, there were no things in Si Ning Garden as she had imagined. Chen Lianxiu walked up to Yang and the others, only to see that Yang was about to faint from crying. Zhou Yishao could still speak, but when he tried to open his mouth, he cried even more.
No one had told her what had happened on the way here. Only then did she hear Zhou Yishao say intermittently, "Erlang just sent someone with a letter saying that he had found his father, but the situation..."
Shen Lianxiu opened her mouth, but no words came out.
His throat seemed to be choked, and before he could even ask "When will they come back?", someone else came to report that Zhou Linjin and Zhou Chang had arrived.
Yang no longer had the strength to walk, but still insisted on going. Before the three of them reached the door, they saw Zhou Linjin walking quickly in front of them. His body was still wet and his eyes were red. Behind him was Zhou Chang, who was carried by servants.
Yang covered her mouth and sobbed, forcing herself to go forward and see Zhou Chang, while Zhou Yishao suppressed his sadness and said, "The doctor has been invited, hurry to Si Ning Garden."
After the doctor examined him, he shook his head and said, "These are all fatal injuries. It's already..."
Yang and Zhou Yishao began to feel pain. Zhou Linjin stood there, his whole body shaking and shaky. Shen Lianxiu thought about it and finally stepped forward.
She whispered, "I'm holding on just to see you. If you have anything to say, just say it!"
As he spoke, Chen Lianxiu's arm went around Zhou Linjin's back and supported his body.
At this time, the ginseng soup had been cooked and brought over. Zhou Yishao went to feed it to Zhou Chang. He fed little in and more out, but after about half an incense stick of time, Zhou Chang finally opened his eyes.
Everyone knew that this breath had come to an end, and it was the last breath of life, so they tried their best to suppress their sadness and gathered around the bed.
Zhou Chang's gaze moved to Zhou Linjin's face and lingered there for a long time.
Zhou Linjin half-knelt in front of his father and choked up, "Father, I'm listening. You speak."
Just as he had imagined, Zhou Chang was attacked as he neared the capital. Zhou Linjin had previously warned him, so he had taken precautions. He could have brought a detachment to escort him to the capital, but the border troops had been severely reduced by the emperor in recent years. The Rong Kingdom, fearing him, had refrained from further attacks. Now that King Hui was colluding with the Rong, Zhou Chang naturally hesitated before leaving. Ultimately, he decided to travel light, taking only a few trusted elite soldiers with him. He had indeed dodged many attacks along the way, but his men were exhausted, and as they neared the capital, something happened.
By the end of the conversation, Zhou Chang's voice was almost inaudible, leaving only the sobbing of his relatives.
Zhou Yishao held back his tears and whispered to the maid to quickly bring Zhu'er and An'an over. Just as he finished speaking, he heard another commotion in the yard.
Seeing the chaos inside, Chen Lianxiu asked the maid to bring the child quickly, and then she went out to see what was going on. As a result, she saw Zhou Linyu walking towards her.
During the past few days since Wu's funeral, Zhou Linyu has not shown up at the house. I don't know if it is because he is afraid of poisoning Wu or for some other reason.
But at this moment, he had a smile on his face and looked quite cheerful.
He also saw Chen Lianxiu, and the corners of his lips immediately curled up: "Oh, sister-in-law, it's been a long time since we last met. Are you willing to come back? Or are you reluctant to leave the splendor and wealth of our Duke's Mansion?"
Before Shen Lianxiu had time to retreat, Zhou Linjin inside had already heard Zhou Linyu's voice and hurried out.
Zhou Linyu originally wanted to go in, but when he saw Zhou Linjin blocking the door with a sullen face, he paused and ultimately did not dare to come forward.
"Someone, show him out!" Zhou Linjin didn't bother to be polite with Zhou Linyu and directly ordered him to leave.
But how could Zhou Linyu be willing to go on a wasted trip? The servants in the mansion didn't know his background, so it was difficult for them to really chase him away. He seized the opportunity and immediately said, "I heard that my uncle had returned, so I came to see him off sincerely. After all, we are uncle and nephew, and our family relied on him a lot in the past..."
Zhou Linyu's tone suddenly paused, then suddenly rose again, saying: "But from now on, we don't have to rely on you anymore."
The tone of his voice was extremely artificial, like a venomous snake baring its fangs in search of prey. Even Shen Lianxiu, who had been able to stay out of it, couldn't help but hold his breath when he heard it.
Although the second branch had always lived with the old lady Wu in the Chengguo Mansion and had not moved out separately, because Wu liked the second branch more, their food, clothing and other expenses were never worse than those of the first branch. Wu also subsidized the second branch from time to time. In addition, Zhou Chang and Yang were both kind people. They did not compete with the second branch and always treated them kindly. There was no such thing as Zhou Linyu saying that he was giving them a hard time. It was simply nonsense.
She couldn't help but look at Zhou Linjin, only to see that his face had turned from pale to blue, and he was obviously trying his best to endure it. If Zhou Chang was not on his deathbed inside, she had no doubt that he would go up and beat Zhou Linyu.
At this time, Zhou Linjin walked down a step, still looking down at Zhou Linyu, and said coldly: "After grandma's funeral, you will get out of the Duke's Mansion."
Zhou Linyu smiled and said, "Of course we will leave, but I'm afraid you won't be able to live in peace. After my uncle left a few days ago, the Rong Kingdom launched a massive invasion. They have abundant food and fodder, and their momentum is strong. Even though my uncle made every effort to arrange everything before leaving, he couldn't withstand the weakness of the border troops. For so many years, he has been the only one who has held the line. The Rong Kingdom is half afraid of him and half admires him, so they dare not attack. Second brother, you are smarter than me. Tell me how this will develop next. I'm afraid the capital will..."
He deliberately concealed the fact that King Hui was involved in this action, but how could Zhou Linjin not understand his implication? Zhou Chang had left the border for many years, and every time he left, everything was peaceful. This time, King Hui was colluding with the Rong State. The Rong State knew that Zhou Chang was most likely unable to return, so they dared to take such a move.
"Brother! Come in quickly!" Zhou Yishao's urgent shout suddenly came from inside, making Zhou Linjin and Shen Lianxiu's hearts sink.
Seeing this, Zhou Linyu was afraid that Zhou Linjin would hit him, so he turned around and ran away.
Zhou Linjin and Shen Lianxiu returned to the house and saw that Yang had collapsed on Zhou Chang crying. Zhou Chang's hand was still tightly holding Yang's fingers, and he was still breathing.
But his eyes were half open, his gaze was blurred, and almost black blood was flowing out of his mouth. If this breath dissipated, he would be dead.
At this time, Zhu'er and An'an were also brought in and both stood in front of the couch. Zhu'er had already started crying. She was older and had been with Zhou Chang before, so she naturally understood what was going on. An'an was still confused, but at least she didn't seem to be scared, which made Shen Lianxiu feel a little relieved.
During this trip to the capital, An An came into contact with many things related to death. Chen Lianxiu was not without heartache and guilt, but he also understood that matters of life and death were common in the world and were helpless. Even if he was afraid, even if he was unwilling, he could only accept it until that day came for him.
Zhou Linjin called Zhou Chang a few more times and told him that Zhu'er and An'an had arrived, and also told him about An'an's origins. Zhou Chang did not respond, but just seemed to raise his eyelids. It was almost as if it was an illusion to everyone. His originally tall and agile figure seemed to have been drained of blood and flesh in just a short time, leaving only a skeleton.
At the last moment, he still held Yang's fingers tightly, and uttered two words clearly: "revenge". Then the light in his eyes, which was about to fade away, finally dissipated, leaving a pair of eyes that were half-open and never closed.
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