Looking at the familiar vermilion lacquer gate, Ruqing let out a long sigh, the golden nest and the silver nest were really not as good as their own kennels. Although the Pingyang Hou Mansion is gorgeous and extraordinary, she is really overwhelmed when she lives.

It's just that as soon as Hui Qing returned to Fangfu, she heard bad news that Aunt Zhu was seriously ill.

Ruqing's heart tightened, and when she heard the news, she hurriedly picked up her skirt and ran towards Aunt Zhu's yard. As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw the smell of medicine in the room, there was a small stove at the entrance of the courtyard, and there was an earthen pot on it, which was steaming at the moment, Ruqing hurriedly ran into the inner room, passed through the pinched room, bypassed the pear wood screen, and a graceful figure was sitting on the shelf bed covered by a powder blue curtain, and was carefully feeding Zhu to take medicine.

It was the weather in June, only one door and window were opened in the house, Ruqing only felt a damp and humid heat hit, when she found that it was not the girl in Aunt Zhu's room who was sitting on the edge of the bed and carefully feeding the medicine, but Aunt Zhang herself, she screamed in fright, "Aunt Zhang----"

Aunt Zhang heard this scream, and was so frightened that she could barely hold the medicine bowl in her hand, and was about to be reprimanded, when she found out that it was Ruqing and changed her smiling face, "Ouch, it turns out that the fourth girl is back." Fourth girl, you're finally back, sister, come and see, the fourth girl is back. ”

Ruqing couldn't care about the suspicion in her heart, and immediately ran to the bed, squeezed Aunt Zhang away, snatched the medicine bowl in her hand by the way, stared at the medicine in the bowl, and said, "Aunt Lao Zhang takes care of my aunt like this." Ruqing is grateful. She looked at Zhu's yellow cheeks and thin sunken eye sockets on the bed, and a fear held her deeply, she couldn't be clearer about what this Aunt Zhang was, and she actually gave up her identity to take care of Aunt Zhu, would she be okay?

Ruqing put the bowl aside, hurriedly climbed onto the bed, stretched out her hand and shook Zhu, "Mother, aunt, what's wrong with you?" What's uncomfortable? I was fine when I left, why did I get sick like this? ”

Zhu Shi opened her eyes and looked at Ruqing, a touch of relief flashed on her yellow face, and she said weakly: "Qing'er, my mother finally saw you." She stretched out her thin hand, stroked Ruqing's pink cheeks, and said happily: "I thought I wouldn't be able to survive your return?" ”

"Mother, don't talk nonsense, you'll be fine. What disease do you have that makes you so sick? Ruqing was incredible, she carefully calculated the time, it would only take half a month for her to leave Fangfu and go back and forth to Tianjin Wei, and Aunt Zhu was fine when she left, why didn't she see her for half a month.

She looked at Aunt Zhang, "Aunt Zhang, what is wrong with my mother?" How did you get sick like this? ”

Aunt Zhang didn't dare to look directly at Ruqing's too bright eyes, took a step back, and said sadly: "The doctor said it was a cold wind." On the second day after you left, the lord took his wife, and me, and your aunt went out to Baotu Spring together, the scenery of Baotu Spring was beautiful, I watched it for a while, and I forgot about it for a while, so I accidentally slipped under my feet and fell into the spring. Your aunt and I don't know how to be watery, and we almost died in the water, but fortunately, the master arrived in time to save us. For fear of the wind and cold invading the body, as soon as I returned to the house, I asked people to boil a thick ginger soup for your aunt to drink, and also invited another doctor to see, the doctor said that Sister Zhu had been infected with the wind cold, and I was even more panicked, thinking that if it was because of me, my sister would be affected, but it was not mine. Then he urged the doctor to use the best medicine, and begged his wife to open the warehouse and take the best ginseng bird's nest out to replenish his sister's body. But I didn't expect it, I didn't expect ----" Speaking of this, Aunt Zhang couldn't cry, she wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and her voice was choked, "But I didn't expect that this time my sister's wind and cold were menacing, and the medicine prescribed by the doctor did not improve at all, and my sister became more and more sick---. Can't you leave the four girls behind? If you leave like this, my sin will be great----" said and pounced on Aunt Zhu and cried loudly.

Aunt Zhu opened her eyes and smiled weakly, "It's none of my sister's business, it's my own blessing." Sister doesn't have to blame herself, all of this is fate. ”

Aunt Zhang cried: "Sister, don't say that, the more you are like this, the more sad I feel in my heart, it's just, it's like a knife." ”

Ruqing stayed aside, staring at Aunt Zhang like a torch, her crying skills for Aunt Zhang are almost described as unprecedented and unprecedented, but she has a thorough understanding of her personality. Ruqing has also heard of the fierce battle between wives and concubines in the inner house, and she doesn't believe Aunt Zhang's words at all, but Aunt Zhu is a cowardly, soft-hearted and unprincipled good person, and she will definitely say good things for her. Again, Aunt Zhang personally grabbed the medicine and decoction and fed the medicine to Aunt Zhu every day, took care of the diet and daily life, and personally invited a doctor, that doctor is Dr. Liao, who often sees Aunt Zhang, that Dr. Liao's character, Ruqing has also heard of it, and intuitively believes that Aunt Zhu's condition is aggravated by this woman's ghost.

However, in the absence of conclusive evidence, she did not dare to make indiscriminate accusations. can only suppress the doubts and resentment in his heart, and send Aunt Zhang away with kind words.

Aunt Zhang walked a few steps, turned back, lowered her voice and said to Ruqing: "The fourth girl waits for Mrs. Peace, you have to ask for a favor." ”

Ruqing asked why?

Aunt Zhang looked around, her face sad, "My sister is so sick because of me, I have already blamed myself, so I can only do my best to save her." However, my wife still wants to send your aunt to the village village on the grounds of serious illness, and even the carriage has been completed, if it weren't for me begging your father and kowtowing the head of a pillar of incense, your father would have avoided the embarrassment of leaving your aunt. But because of this, my wife is very unhappy these days. ”

Ruqing found that Aunt Zhang's forehead did have some red and swollen scars, and her heart moved, and she couldn't figure out whether Aunt Zhang's words were true or false.

After Aunt Zhang left, Ruqing invited a few girls around the Zhu family to ask the reason.

"What Aunt Zhang said is true, after coming back that day, the two aunts were infected with the wind and cold at the same time, and they also invited doctors, Aunt Zhang took two patches of medicine and was fine, but Aunt Zhu's condition worsened. Aunt Zhang felt guilty, so she went to our yard every day, and she also boiled medicine and water herself, which was more attentive than us. ”

Another girl also said: "No, Aunt Zhu's condition has worsened in the past two days, and Aunt Zhang is even more guilty of not being able to do herself. ”

"Yes, Mrs. is really ruthless, seeing that Aunt Zhu is so seriously ill, she still wants to send her to the countryside Zhuangzi, fortunately, Aunt Zhang knelt and begged for love for a long time, otherwise, the fourth girl would not be able to see Aunt Zhu for the last time."

Ruqing's face sank, looking at the daughter-in-law in front of her, her heart was cold, she clenched her fists tightly, she had never underestimated Aunt Zhang, for her ability to flutter in the inner house, she admired the five-body throw. However, because there is no big conflict of interest with her, she turns a blind eye and avoids as far as she can. But she didn't expect that she had only been away from the house for less than half a month, and Aunt Zhang quickly turned Aunt Zhu into a seriously ill patient.

Ruqing waved her hand to let the girls go down, pacing in the room alone, Linglong couldn't help but whisper: "Girl, could it be this Aunt Zhang's ghost?" ”

Agarwood reprimanded: "Before the matter is clear, don't talk nonsense." She walked up to Ruqing and said softly, "Girl, Linglong and I will first find someone to inquire about the doctor, as well as other relevant people in the house." ”

Ruqing nodded and said in a deep voice: "Go ahead, remember not to startle the snake." She looked at Linglong, "I know your ability, everyone next to you is confused, but it is a powerful bag to inquire, I will leave the matter to you, I am also relieved." It's just that the opponent this time is Aunt Zhang, Aunt Zhang's great ability, I don't need to say more, right? ”

Linglong heard the heaviness in Ruqing's words, and nodded solemnly, "Girl, please rest assured, the slave will come back to tell you if she inquires clearly." ”

Ruqing instructed a few more important things, "First go and inquire about the person who sees Aunt Zhu, Dr. Liao, and whether she has too much contact with Aunt Zhang at ordinary times." Again, find a way to find out what medicine Dr. Liao prescribed to my aunt. ”

Linglong nodded and took the order.

Ruqing continued to pace in the room, and Agarwood said: "Girl, you have been tired of driving all the way, so let's rest first, Aunt Zhu, there are slaves and maids to take care of you." ”

Ruqing shook her head, "My aunt has always been strong, how can I have been in such a situation over the years." That Aunt Zhang is a person who harbors evil intentions, and with this diligent performance these days, there must be other conspiracies. ”

"Do you want to tell the master?"

Ruqing shook her head sadly, "Aunt Zhang has a status in Daddy's mind that others can't reach. I don't have any definite evidence, so I don't dare to divulge a word. Besides, if you boldly say it to your father, then Aunt Zhang is used to reversing right and wrong, can speak well, and has always loved to pretend to be a good person, so I can't take advantage of it. also scared the grass, so that she was on guard, but the gains outweighed the losses. ”

Agarwood nodded, and couldn't think of a better way for a while, so she couldn't help scolding: "This Aunt Zhang is really vicious." Aunt Zhu has always been peaceful, and she didn't hinder her or anything, how could she be so ruthless to put Aunt Zhu to death? ”

Ruqing's heart moved, and suddenly guessed that Aunt Zhang would have thoughts, yes, Aunt Zhang seems to have unlimited scenery over the years, but in fact, Fang Jinglan is tired of it, coupled with what she does at ordinary times, it has made Fang Jinglan disgusted, although she has not touched her foundation, but the number of times Fang Jinglan has gone to Aunt Zhang's Yiqingxuan is Liao Liao, but she has gone to Aunt Zhu's house more often, and Aunt Zhu is beautiful, tame and tame, and never causes trouble, of course, Fang Jinglan pities and pampers her. In addition, Rushan was disgraced and thrown into the capital last time, although Fang Jinglan did not punish her heavily, he no longer waited to see her. But at that time, Fang Jinglan knew the importance of the rules of the concubine, since then, Aunt Zhang's previous privileges have almost been withdrawn, and she was used to calling for wind and rain before, but now she has to be low, and her treatment has been cut by half, and she has to bear the suppression of the Li family and Fang Jinglan's snubbing, plus Fang Jinglan has become more and more fond of Aunt Zhu's house in recent years, which makes the Zhang family have a sense of crisis, and it is not difficult to guess if she wants to get rid of Aunt Zhu.

Ruqing carefully observed all kinds of furnishings in Aunt Zhu's room, carefully inspected the beds, quilts, and clothes, and carefully took all the teacups, kettles, and spit bowls on the table, even the flowers on the windowsill. No suspicious thing was found, and finally, he targeted the medicine jar in the courtyard.

Ruqing didn't know how to use medicine, so she hurriedly secretly asked Hu's mother to take the medicine residue in the jar for the doctor to see, and in the evening Hu's mother came back and said that this medicine was fine, and it was for treating lung diseases caused by wind and cold.

Ruqing was surprised, Aunt Zhu actually had a serious cold to the point of pneumonia, this pneumonia is only a small problem in modern times, but in ancient times, if you don't pay attention to it, it will kill people.

In the evening, Fang Jinglan came to visit Aunt Zhu again, and when she saw that Aunt Zhu was coughing heartbreakingly, she couldn't bear it, and while personally bringing water to Aunt Zhu to drink, she sighed lamentingly, "Why is the little wind chill so serious?" Then he scolded Dr. Liao, who was really a quack. You can't cure even a minor illness.

The corners of Aunt Zhu's lips rose with a wry smile, and she said weakly: "Master, they are all concubines, and they can't complain about anyone." ”

Fang Jinglan said: "You take care of your illness, don't think about what you don't have." It's all Zhang's hateful, and if you fall down, you will be dragged into the water. Fang Jinglan also hates Zhang's in his heart, but these days, Zhang's crying every day, blaming himself every day, and taking care of Aunt Zhu with undressed, is so tired that people are extremely haggard, looking at her self-blame and apology, he doesn't blame him too much.

Aunt Zhu said: "I can't blame Sister Zhang, it's all my blessing." Master, don't blame Sister Zhang anymore, she blames herself enough for my illness. He coughed again.

Fang Jinglan was busy beating her back again, and seeing Aunt Zhu coughing like this, her mood was also very heavy.

Ruqing took the water and handed it to Aunt Zhu, and said, "Daddy, since Aunt Liao doesn't take Dr. Liao's medicine, let's change it again." I heard from my grandmother that Dr. Liu's medical skills at Hutchison Pharmacy in Chengxi are also good. He specializes in internal medicine. The daughter thought, just go and ask Dr. Liu to come over and have a look. ”

Fang Jinglan nodded, "It's okay, let's change the doctor." ”

*

Fang Jinglan accompanied Zhu for a while, couldn't stand Zhu's coughing method that almost coughed out his lungs, and sat for a while before leaving.

Although Ruqing was angry with him, she also knew that in this era, a seriously ill concubine could not be treated as a "patient" at all, Fang Jinglan's performance was quite good, if he met a mean family, like Aunt Zhu, who was seriously ill, he would have been sent to the countryside Zhuangzi to fend for himself.

Ruqing immediately asked people to invite Dr. Liu in the west of the city, because it was already late at night, for fear that Dr. Liu would not come, Ruqing also specially instructed Wangfu and his daughter-in-law, who ran errands, "This Dr. Liu heard that he is old, and it is estimated that he will not be able to come from the west of the city for a while, so you went to the stable to set up a carriage and quickly picked up Dr. Liu." If this person refuses to come, you can only tell me the name of your father. Give more reward, anyway, no matter what, you two must invite Dr. Liu. ”

Wangfu's daughter-in-law's face was a little uncertain, Ruqing didn't say much after seeing it, and asked Agarwood to take a small bag and handed it to Wangfu's daughter-in-law, "At this time, I also let you run errands, I don't want to go, these gold bills, I let Agarwood weigh them, there are two or two, you take them, buy a few pots of sprinklers for Brother Wangfu, buy some head and face jewelry for sister-in-law, and then buy some clothes and snacks for the boy." ”

When Wangfu's daughter-in-law saw this golden bill, she immediately smiled, nodded desperately with Wangfu, and said loudly: "Girl, please rest assured, even if we use to carry Dr. Liu, we will carry Dr. Liu over." ”

After a while, Laifu hurried in all the way, sweating profusely, "Fourth girl, the horses in the stable have been taken away by Mrs. How can this be born? ”

Ruqing got up and said sharply, "What did you say?" Say it again! ”

Wangfu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "When my daughter-in-law and I went to the stable to lead the horses, we found that the stables were empty, and there were no horses. Later, he woke up Old Man Wu, and Old Man Wu said that his wife had only ordered someone to take the carriage out soon. ”

Ruqing frowned, "It's so late, why is my wife still going out?" ”

"This, I don't know about this." Wangfu lowered her head.

Ruqing calmed her face, biting her lip tightly, for a while the six gods were ownerless, Fangfu was located in the east of the city, and it would take more than half an hour to go back and forth from the east of the city to the west of the city, if there was no horse, it would be delayed for a longer time, Aunt Zhu was coughing heartbreakingly, and she could hardly even breathe, and Ruqing was also uncomfortable when she heard it being scratched by a cat.

Ruqing didn't pace back, suddenly gritted her teeth, and said, "You go and knock on the door of the Zhang family next door now, and let them borrow a carriage to use with us." ”

Wangfu hesitated, "It's so late, will people agree?" ”

Ruqing said: "Daddy is the political secretary of Qizhou City, and he has a bit of face in Qizhou City, and the Zhang family has always been friendly with us, so I guess this face will still be given." ”

Wangfu hurriedly nodded and was waiting to receive the order, but was caught by her daughter-in-law, she hurriedly said to Ruqing: "But, girl, one of our subordinates will run to borrow a carriage, it is estimated that we will eat closed-door soup, or, please ask the girl to come forward in person, or, let the master run and lie down in person?" I, Wangfu and I, really don't have that much ability to let people borrow cars. ”

Ruqing sneered: "It's just borrowing a carriage for use, and it's not that you don't pay it back, if you don't give these faces, then what's the mix?" If you don't think it's easy to handle it, sister-in-law, then come on, give me the gold bill, and I'll send someone else. ”

Wangfu's daughter-in-law hurriedly laughed and said, "The girl is serious." I'm just talking. Okay, okay, let's go knock on the door of the Zhang family, if it happens, the girl will have to take note of our credit. If not--- if not----

Ruqing said: "That proves that your husband and wife don't have the ability to do big things." In the future, I will not dare to send you any more. ”

Wangfu's daughter-in-law's face froze, and she wanted to say something, but was stopped by Wangfu in a rough voice, "Come on, what nonsense?" It's important to get down to business! As he spoke, he pulled his daughter-in-law's hand and dragged him away.

After about two quarters of an hour, Wangfu's daughter-in-law came back and said that the carriage had been borrowed, and now she immediately rushed to the west of the city to invite Dr. Liu to come. Ruqing breathed a sigh of relief, praised a few words, and asked Agarwood to take some broken silver and reward them.

Agarwood had a calm face, and after rewarding Wangfu's daughter-in-law, she waited for them to leave, and then complained: "The girl is too good-natured." How can there be a reason why a master sends a slave to do things and has to take money, and if he doesn't give money, he won't do anything? ”

Ruqing said: "This family is the world of my wife and brothers, and for me, it is just a place to live, and these subordinates still respect me as a master, which is not bad." It is impossible to let them do things without losing a little silver. ”

Agarwood looked at Ruqing's calm and delicate face, and her heart was heavy for no reason, and suddenly her heart ached for Ruqing.