"Cough, cough, cough......"

On the silent top of the mountain, the sound is heard far away. These heart-rending coughs seemed to shake the snow on the trees.

"Sir......" Zhiran looked at Mr. Zhuang, who was clumped up, with a bit of compassion on his face.

Far away on the side of the stone road, two packers kept stomping their feet, trying to dispel the chill around them.

In their hearts, they may be contradictory, they are looking forward to such weather, and someone can sit on a sedan chair up the mountain to enjoy the snow, so that they can earn a few meals before dinner; Maybe he kept muttering in his heart, isn't this a panic for rich people to eat well?

Especially today, this little old man, looking half-dead, still went up the mountain. But then again, wearing a big sweater and sitting on a pannier sedan chair can't get cold.

Nowadays, it is already the ninth number of weather.

"Cough, cough, cough......"

Mr. Zhuang only felt that his throat was salty, so he took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and covered his mouth.

When the coughing stopped, he didn't look at the handkerchief in his hand, but crumpled it up and stuffed it back into his sleeve.

He slowly straightened his waist, and for a moment, Zhiran had an illusion that the figure of the little old man in front of him suddenly became tall and needed to be looked up.

"Why are you here?" Mr. Zhuang's expression was extremely serious, and his voice was a little cold.

When Zhiran heard this, he couldn't help but be stunned.

Mr. Zhuang turned his head, looked at Zhiran, and said slowly, "Your inner demon, can you go?" ”

A wry smile appeared on Zhiran's face, and he looked at Mr. Zhuang and said, "Mr. has always cared for Cao Hao, is this to clear the obstacles for him?" ”

His expression could not hide his sorrow, his shoulders couldn't help but tremble slightly, and his voice was a little lonely.

It has been a year since Zhiran went to Beijing.

Even if Zhiran has been in Xiangshan for more than half a year, Mr. Zhuang often comes here, and the two of them have tea and chess, which can be described as a year-old friend.

The two of them have said a lot of witty words, but they have never been so straightforward as today.

Zhiran glanced at the packer in the distance, then looked at the old Mr. Zhuang, and sighed.

Mr. Zhuang did not answer immediately, but looked at the mountains in the distance.

The snow on the mountain has not melted, and it is beautiful to reflect in the sunset.

"The old man will be a sixtieth year, and he has been a guest for thirty years, and in the past six and a half years to Cao Mansion, he has lived the most leisurely life. Listening to plays, drinking, coaxing girls to practice big characters, the joy of life, Yusi. Speaking of this, he turned around, looked at Zhiran and said, "You have been in the Cao family for more than half a year, and everything is in your eyes." Cao Hao treats you with sincerity, you don't need to say this, you should also know. Lao Yu said that he came here to ask you to come here, not to promise you anything, and I hope you can think about it, if there are too many shackles in your heart, it will be vulgar. ”

Zhiran listened carefully in front of him, and when he heard the word "vulgar", he was distracted, and he hurriedly said: "Amitabha." ”

Seeing him like this, Mr. Zhuang couldn't help frowning, and said, "You have been enlightened in Xishan for half a year, and you haven't made a decision yet?" ”

Zhiran raised his head, his eyes were clear and firm, shook his head, and said, "Mr. misunderstood, the little monk has taken refuge in the Three Jewels, and has never had the idea of returning to the world. ”

Speaking of this, as if he had been empowered, he subtracted the heaviness of his body, and only his face was full of compassion: "The Buddhas who have attained the Buddhahood have the virtues of the Ten Powers, the Four Fearlessness, the Eighteen Non-Common Dharmas, the Four Immeasurable Minds, the Freedom of Life, and the Freedom of Divine Power." Wisdom and virtue are not easy to say, and the little monk is willing to break virtue and drive away the troubles and confusion in his heart. ”

"The evil that has been born is stopped, the evil that has been born is not born, the good that has been born increases, and the good that has not been born is born. The little master is also a mortal, and sorrow and joy are not a big deal, I just hope that the little master will guard his heart and not fall into the devil's way. Mr. Zhuang groaned and said.

But the sky was about to change, and suddenly the sky was dark, and the wind rose on the top of the mountain.

Zhiran's monk's robe was blown by the wind, and Mr. Zhuang couldn't help coughing again.

Zhiran slowly lowered his head, closed his eyes, folded his hands, and didn't know what was in his mouth.

Although Zhiran said a lot, he still didn't have what Mr. Zhuang wanted. Mr. Zhuang coughed and swept towards Zhiran, with a little coldness in his eyes.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the two tovs in the distance, and there was no joy or anger on his face.

When Natov saw him looking at each other, he reached out and touched his waist, and when he shook his head slightly, he put down his hand.

Zhiran had already opened his eyes, looked at Mr. Zhuang, and was very solemn: "Sir, the past life cannot be chased." The little monk has no resentment in his heart, nor does he have hatred, but he is just confused in his heart. Now, it is the blessing of the Buddha, which makes the little monk's mouth open. Mr. rest assured, the little monk has no intention of harming the Cao family. The Buddha is above, and the little monk does not dare to lie. ”

When Mr. Zhuang heard this, a smile appeared on his face.

He thought about it for a while, hesitated, and said, "If the six roots of the little monk are difficult to break, it is okay to return to the vulgar." Cao Hao's hands and feet are thin, if you know ......"

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Zhiran: "Sir, the little monk grew up in Buddhism, and in the past 22 years, he has only been with Buddhism." In the past two years, although he traveled to the capital, he did not practice in the temple, and his heart to the Buddha has not diminished. ”

The north wind tightened and made the branches of the trees on the top of the mountain tremble, causing the snow to fall on them.

Mr. Zhuang looked at Zhiran, saw that his expression was firm, and did not say anything more.

If you want to go back to the same mountain, Mr. Zhuang sat in a pannier and walked wisely.

Both of them were very silent, and along the way, they heard the sound of fierce wind and chaotic footsteps.

It was already dark, and the snow was already falling, and if you wanted to go back to the city, it was too late.

Mr. Zhuang and Zhiran rested in Biyun Temple for one night, and then took a carriage back to the city.

Mr. Zhuang stopped coughing, but his face was red and frightened.

When Zhiran saw this, he was also quite worried, and he couldn't stop his heart like water, and urged the carriage to go quickly.

Mr. Zhuang was wrapped in fur and holding a handstove in his hand, seeing Zhiran's nervous appearance, he joked at first, but then he was confused and couldn't open his eyes.

When the carriage entered the city, when it arrived at Cao's mansion, Mr. Zhuang had already fainted in the carriage.

The chief housekeeper Cao Zhong got the news, hurried out, sent Mr. Zhuang back to the Rong Courtyard, and sent someone to send a letter to the imperial doctor in Wangermen.

* Orchid Courtyard, upper room.

Li sat on the edge of the kang, looked at Su Xin sitting in front of him with a smile, and said softly: "Speaking of which, we are still a little worse than your father's ancestor, but your grandfather's side has been friends with the Cao family for several lifetimes. It's your mother, I also saw it when I went to Beijing with our master to send women to the draft in the forty-fifth year. is a virtuous person, but looking at the thin body, I also advised her to make up for her life at that time. I didn't expect it, but I went to ...... in less than two years."

In the end, with a little sentimentality, Li took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his eyes.

Su Xin sat on the chair on Lee's right hand and listened quietly.

Hearing the mention of her mother, her body straightened, her expression was a little more solemn, and she said without humility or arrogance: "The slave and maid Eniang also mentioned the love of the lady to the slave and maid many times before her death, if the enniang is still alive, she will be happy to know that the lady is in Beijing." But heaven does not fulfill people's wishes. ”

Chu Yu sat on the chair opposite Su Xin, listening to her say "Eniang", a little puzzled. Then I thought that the Dong Shang family was different from the Cao family, and there were many Beijing officials in the past dynasties, and they did not retain Han customs like the Cao family.

"What slaves and maids are not slaves, don't make people panic! Speaking of minions, who in this Great Qing Kingdom is not a servant of the emperor? The Queen Mother Lafayette is a compassionate person, Xu is to see that the master of our family and God bless the father worked hard, let the girl come over, this honor is just for people outside. What kind of people are we, and where do we really dare to bother girls? ”

Speaking of this, Li sighed, leaned out, took Su Xin's little hand, and rubbed it: "Poor insight, I heard that you have a new bride in your family, and you married into your family after entering the palace." Although it is said that the birth of grace is not necessarily greater than the support of the mother, but in the end it is not as good as the mother, and they have never lived together.

With this little one added last month, I gave birth to three children, but four children. The third girl of my family came back a while ago, and you should have seen it. To tell the truth, although it didn't come out of my stomach, I hurt her more than her sister.

Look, I'm really long-winded, and I just want to tell you that since I have received the grace of the Queen Mother, I have let you come to our house, and you have the right to be like your own family, and you don't need to go outside. On my side, I also have an extra daughter. Living in a guest room like this is not a long-term solution, I have sent my mother-in-law to clean up the courtyard on the east side a few days ago, and this arrangement is according to the house where our three girls did not go out of the pavilion. If the girl thinks that there is something that is not cheap, don't go outside, let's add and subtract. ”

Seeing that Li was like this, Su Xin hurriedly stood up, bowed down and said, "The slave has thanked Mrs. for her love, but she is on her own and does not dare to break the rules." ”

Li said with a smile: "Don't worry, don't embarrass the girl." It's just that the rules are dead, and the people are alive. I heard that you worked as an errand in front of the emperor, except for the emperor and the masters of the harem, in this world, who would dare to eat the bear's heart and leopard guts to instruct the girl to fail? Don't embarrass me, girl, or I'll have to offer her up. ”

Su Xin saw that Li said this point, but it was irrefutable, and he was thinking about what to say, when he heard a person walking in from outside the door, it was Li's eldest girl embroidered warbler.

She looked a little flustered, took a few steps closer, and replied: "Mrs., grandma, just now the big housekeeper sent a message to the second door, Mr. Zhuang is sick, do you want to ask the doctor to come over immediately." ”

When Li heard this, he smiled; Chu Yu's side was already standing up.

"In the end, I'm old, I've been sick a few times since the beginning of winter." Li Shi said, and said to Xiuying: "If there is anything else to ask, naturally I want to take the imperial doctor over immediately, and quickly go and tell the chief butler that it is delayed carefully." Li Shi stabilized his mind and said.

Xiuying answered, and Chu Yu said: "Madam, the big housekeeper has asked people to ask, which is really reassuring." The daughter-in-law went over to take a look first, hoping that there would be no danger. ”

Li nodded and said, "Well, go, go, if you look heavy, you will send a letter to the yamen." ”

Chu Yu went, and Li also lost his interest in greetings, and after talking to Su Xin for a while, he asked someone to send her back.

* Banyan Courtyard, upper room.

Mr. Zhuang was lying on the kang with his teeth closed. When he first entered the Rong Courtyard, his face was red and frightened, but now he is so white that he is afraid of people.

The thin face is extraordinarily peaceful, without the color of pain. It was as if I was asleep.

Lianqiu held a wet handkerchief in her hand, her eyes were red, and she wiped Mr. Zhuang's forehead and wrists.

Xiqiu was standing on the ground, holding Niuniu in her hand, looking at Mr. Zhuang on the kang, tears like beads with broken threads, falling non-stop.

Niuniu has always been naughty, but at this time, she was quiet, much more well-behaved, raised her head, and asked in a low voice, "Auntie, is Daddy sick again?" ”

Xiqiu nodded tearfully, Niuniu's little face was wrinkled, looking at Mr. Zhuang on the bed, pouting, and muttering: "Quimity, it's not good to treat Daddy......"

In the end, it is a child, I don't know how to lower my voice, Niuniu's voice is a little loud.

Lianqiu was afraid of disturbing Mr. Zhuang's rest, so she hurriedly turned around and glared at Niuniu.

Mr. Zhuang was in bed, his eyes were closed, and he listened to Niuniu say "Daddy" twice, his eyelids moved, and he slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing that the concubine and daughter were in front of him, looking at him with concern, Mr. Zhuang had a little more smile on his face, and said in a dumb voice: "I'm fine...... Do not worry...... It's all an old problem, just drink two doses of medicine......"

Niuniu originally called Mr. Zhuang "father", and later Mr. Zhuang saw and heard in the teahouse and diner, and many of the ways of getting along with father and daughter were called "Daddy".

When he heard it, he felt that he was kissing, so he teased Niuniu and changed his words.

When Niuniu saw that Mr. Zhuang was awake, she immediately let go of Xiqiu's hand, ran forward, threw herself to the side of the kang, and said, "Daddy, Daddy, get better quickly......"

Mr. Zhuang looked at his daughter and wanted to reach out and touch her head, but he couldn't lift his arm.

In the midst of this struggle, a layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Seeing her father like this, Niuniu was also a little distressed, so she stepped forward very sensibly, grabbed Mr. Zhuang's arm, and said, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, if you are sick, just eat some decoction." Daddy wants to get better early and teach Niuniu to ride a horse and shoot arrows. ”

Mr. Zhuang only felt that his body was getting lighter and lighter, and his consciousness was becoming more and more blurred.

His heart welled up with deep sadness.

He clenched his fists vigorously to make himself feel better, and then opened his eyes and said to Lianqiu and Xiqiu: "You don't have to stay here, which of the two of you takes Niuniu down, it's not too early this day, and you should rest early." ”

Lianqiu and Xiqiu both stopped and shook their heads, Mr. Zhuang had no choice but to persuade: "In the end, she is sick, don't let Niuniu get sick, or take her to the backyard to rest." ”

This time, Lianqiu took a look at Niuniu and asked her sister to take her to the backyard to settle down.

Xiqiu's eyes were red, and before she could speak, Niuniu had already grabbed Mr. Zhuang's sleeve, shook her head, and said, "Don't go!" Niu Niu wants to be with Daddy. ”

Mr. Zhuang looked at his daughter's little face and wanted to speak, but he couldn't open his mouth.

He only felt a splitting headache, dizzy and dizzy, but his eyelids could no longer be opened, and they closed heavily.

"Sir......" Lianqiu's face turned pale with fright, and her voice was choked.

Chu Yu happened to walk under the porch, and just wanted to let the maid report, when she heard Lianqiu's voice, she couldn't help but be shocked. I didn't care much about it, so I directly picked up the curtain and entered the upper room.

Lianqiu stood aside, tears streaming down her face, unable to speak.

Xiqiu knelt on the side of the kang, took Mr. Zhuang's hand, and muttered, "Sir, sir, ...... you wake up"

Seeing that Mr. Zhuang was still motionless, she didn't look back, and said directly: "Niuniu, call someone quickly, call someone quickly...... her voice was panicked.

(To be continued)