by Ning er
婆子 pozi – old female servants
As everyone’s heart tightened, Su Qing suddenly turned and rushed into the room. Her voice was full of grief as she cried, “Xue’er, what has happened to you? Like this, how can mom survive……”
As the curtains were pulled apart, Yun Ruo Xue could be seen being forcefully held back by a few yatou. Her current appearance was unlike her usual demeanor of a young miss from the xiangfu. Her hair which was usually meticulously combed was now loosely scattered down her shoulders; those rosy cheeks of hers were currently frighteningly pale; in particular, her pretty eyes that she had inherited from Su Qing were bloodshot and widely opened as she glared directly at Yun Qian Meng. Her hands that were restrained by yatou fiercely stretched outwards, pointing all ten fingers squarely towards Yun Qian Meng as she screamed, “Ghost! It’s a ghost! Aah……”
After that, Yun Ruo Xue frightfully stepped backwards and clutched at her own hair as she crawled into her bed while shivering from head to toe. Her unceasing howls prevented others from approaching her……
Su Qing tearfully threw herself towards Yun Ruo Xue and hugged her, lamenting inconsolably, “Xue’er ah… Please wake up… Like this… Mom doesn’t want to live either… My poor child… Which heartless person would harm you like this……”
Everyone turned to look at whom Yun Ruo Xue was pointing at and, one after another, fearfully lowered their heads……
Yun Xuan Zhi saw the change in his perfectly fine daughter, eventhough he had experience as a prime minster, he still blanked out for a while, only gradually regaining his spirit after quite some time. As he noticed Yun Ruo Xue’s countenance, Yun Xuan Zhi only felt a wave of anger surge to his head. He loudly yelled while facing the servants within the room, “Are all of you dead? Hurry and get out to see if the doctor is here or not! er xiaojie’s condition, if even half a word of it leaks out, ben xiang will take your life!”
At such a fierce and severe warning, all of the servants bowed in salute as they cautiously answered, “Yes!”
Yun Xuan Zhi then turned towards Yun Qian Meng to see that his eldest daughter had a serene expression, her eyes clear and calm; Su Qing’s earlier words couldn’t help but be echoed within his heart!
To say that he didn’t have the slightest shred of suspicion towards Yun Qian Meng’s recent transformation, was absolutely impossible!
However, to the truthfulness of Su Qing’s words, whether Yun Qian Meng had brought in a curse into the xiangfu, Yun Xuan Zhi still had some doubts.
After all, for the past few days, Yun Qian Meng had, just as usual, stayed in Qi Luo Yuan all day, nor did she do anything that could be considered overstepping her bounds!
But still, his Ruo Xue wouldn’t become like this without any good reason, yet she pointed exactly at Yun Qian Meng to say that she was a ghost!
Yun Qian Meng just let Yun Xuan Zhi take measure of her, and retrieved her own gaze from Yun Ruo Xue’s body before lightly sweeping a glance at Liu yiniang who stood by the side.
Liu Han Yu was seen deliberating deeply before she moved beside Yun Xuan Zhi. Her eyes carrying condolences as she consoled in a small voice, “laoye, er xiaojie is already a bit mentally unstable, simply babbling nonsense when she saw people. This doesn’t seem to have anything to do with ghosts! Besides, er xiaojie had been staying in her own boudoir these days. If you must punish, it’s still the fault of the servants by her side who were not attentive with their service……”
Sadly, Liu Han Yu hadn’t even finished her sentence when Su Qing dashed before her and raised her hand to give her a slap to the face! Following which, she glared at her and scolded, “Liu Han Yu, you slut! What do you mean er xiaojie is already mentally unstable? Is er xiaojie something you can arrange? Whose power are you wielding?”
After reprimanding Liu Han Yu, Su Qing immediately put away her ferocity and donned the appearance of a wounded little girl to throw herself into Yun Xuan Zhi’s bosom, loudly crying, “laoye, I’ve been with you for so many years, has this kind of thing happened before? But as soon as Liu yiniang managed the house, see what kind of days us mother and daughter have to go through? Can’t even see your face for the whole day, and it even took so long to notice that Xue’er had fallen sick! You say, if it’s not because of her bringing us bad luck, how could my Xue’er be like this?”
Finishing, Su Qing burried her head into his bosom, while her shoulders shuddered uncontrollably. The watching Yun Xuan Zhi felt his heart soften and gently stroked her back, silently consoling her.
Liu Han Yu got slapped for no reason whatsoever, and now saw Yun Xuan Zhi and Su Qing closely knit together like passionate lovers; her heart filled up with rage. Her half-lowered eyes were gradually suffused in bitter hatred……
As Yun Qian Meng watched the farce before her, she silently came to Liu Han Yu’s side, and said so softly that only both of them could hear, “Sorry for dragging yiniang into this!”
She then raised her head and spoke steadily, “Father, nü’er empathizes with Su yiniang’s anxiety towards er mei’s natter, but Liu yiniang has not done anything wrong! Hope that Su yiniang will pay more attention to handle things more appropriately in the future, and not borrow er mei’s name to simply throw a tantrum!”
As they heard this, both Yun Xuan Zhi and Su Qing froze……
Yun Xuan Zhi couldn’t help but look at Liu Han Yu. He only saw that after she had been hit by Su Qing, she didn’t make any noise, only quietly stood to the side. Even though her head was lowered, a bright red hand print could still be seen on her snow white cheeks.
Recalling that Liu Han Yu had, just today, virtuously found him a few girls who had first-class appearance and manners as well as pure and innocent social backgrounds, Yun Xuan Zhi’s heart momentarily filled with tender pity for Liu Han Yu. He gradually released his hands that were embracing Su Qing, and said apologetically, “Is Yu’er alright?”
Liu Han Yu saw that Yun Qian Meng stuck out for her, gratefulness burst forth within her heart. As she heard Yun Xuan Zhi show his care, her momentarily eyes reddened and she softly replied, “nubi is fine! laoye should still go in to look at er xiaojie. Right now the most important thing is that er xiaojie doesn’t illness is properly treated!”
Su Qing had already raised her head from Yun Xuan Zhi’s bosom, her eyes only shot towards Yun Qian Meng and Liu Han Yu with malicious intent. Just as she waited to speak up, an uproar was heard from outside. In a few moments, an old man that looked like a doctor was led in by the pozi……
When he saw that the doctor still wanted to bow, Yun Xuan Zhi felt anxious and waved his hand to have him hurry into the room to treat her; the servants inside had already lowered the screens around the bed, waiting for the doctor to start his diagnosis……
“Doctor, how is it?” Su Qing tightly pulled a silk handkerchief with both hands, she looked so nervous that she could faint, and her voice was actually quivering!
“xiangye, about xiaojie’s illness, I am incapable of treating!” The doctor took a look at the people inside the room then finally placed his gaze on Yun Xuan Zhi, as he fearfully spoke.
Yun Xuan Zhi noticed that the doctor was frowning as if he had something difficult to say, then clearly commanded, “Aside from Su yiniang, Liu yiniang and da xiaojie, the rest of you get lost!”
After everyone had complied and quickly withdrew from the room, Yun Xuan Zhi fixed his stare at the doctor and asked solemnly, “Exactly what is the matter?”
The doctor muttered to himself for a bit before gradually saying, “Answering xiangye, xiaojie’s illness, from what I see, I fear that she was frightened by ghouls or spirits! When checking xiaojie’s pulse just now, I noticed that everything was normal, but hearing from behind the drapes xiaojie’s crazed screams, from my inference, I’m afraid that this is not an illness that can be treated with medicine!”
Hearing the doctor’s words, Su Qing lost the strength in her legs. If not for Yun Xuan Zhi supporting her body from the side, s
he would likely have embarrassed herself in front of others, yet although Yun Xuan Zhi looked calm and steady, but his quivering eyes had betrayed his current feelings!
Liu yiniang’s face paled as she was shocked by the doctor’s words. Even though the matter had nothing to do with her, according to the circumstances, the blame would surely fall on the eldest young miss’s shoulders. If she fell, then wouldn’t her own situation be……
Thinking along these lines, Liu Han Yu looked towards Yun Qian Meng in a cry for help, but she saw that the other was full of calm, her eyes exposing faint mockery towards Su Qing. This allowed Liu Han Yu to momentarily gather her thoughts and think clearly about the other side, her nervous feelings thus gradually relaxed!
“Then, according to the doctor’s opinion, how should we save er mei?” As the people in the room engaged in acts of crying and blank stares, Yun Qian Meng had never shifted her gaze away from the body of the doctor who had lowered his head!
The doctor suddenly heard a chilly clear voice from within the cacophony of tears, his nervous heart slowed by a beat and only felt that a cold chill was creeping into his body……
Chapter 25: Doctor, Taoist priest, ready for battle | Chu Wang Fei
后院 houyuan – the rear courtyard or backyard of an estate, where the women live
Still, the words were already spoken from his mouth. Even if he wanted to take them back now, he fears that it was no longer possible. Hence, he could only harden his head and continue, “From what I’ve seen, I’m afraid that there’s no choice but to invite a profound Taoist priest to perform an exorcism for xiaojie to dispel the demonic spirits around her, this way, xiaojie will be able to heal completely!”
Now that Su Qing heard the the doctor say the things she wanted, she planned speak to acknowledge his words, but her speed could not compare to Yun Qian Meng, as the opportunity to speak was snatched over by Yun Qian Meng!
Yun Qian Meng took two small steps forward, her gaze that was fixed on the doctor was as sharp as a knife. A sneer floated in her eyes as her red lips lightly moved, her voice level and forceful, “This is the first time ben xiaojie has met a doctor that could unexpectedly comprehend spirits and demons! Don’t know if doctor usually studies medicine or alchemy?”
Yun Qian Meng was originally a person from the modern world as well as a police detective. She did not believe in ghosts or spirits at all. As she saw that this doctor was making up nonsense in an attempt to smear her name, she didn’t hold back any retorts!
Everyone heard the mockery in Yun Qian Meng’s tone and one after another, showed different expressions!
Liu Han Yu saw that Yun Qian Meng’s thoughts were so meticulous, and that her speech was so eloquent and full of wit, her originally anxious heart was completely relieved!
Even Yun Xuan Zhi looked at the doctor with a fierce glint in his eyes, his lightly furrowed brows made his expression even more grave, causing the doctor to lower his head even further, not daring to meet his gaze!
Su Qing secretly shot Yun Qian Meng a glare, her soft body slightly straightened from Yun Xuan Zhi’s embrace. Her hands moved up to his chest as she tightly pulled at the seams of his clothes and said pleadingly, “laoye, it’s not that nubi stubbornly believes in these superstitions! But Xue’er’s condition is as you see, why not give it a try?”
When she finished, a single tear trickled out from the corner of Su Qing’s eyes. She only sobbed slightly and then turned to face Yun Qian Meng to plead, “da xiaojie, Xue’er is your sister after all! Even if she had offended you usually, but please, considering your relationship as siblings, please help her!”
As she spoke, Su Qing tried to leave Yun Xuan Zhi’s embrace and faced Yun Qian Meng to kneel without leave, but was stopped by Yun Xuan Zhi……
Su Qing raised her head in shock, but as she saw that Yun Xuan Zhi was looking reproachfully at Yun Qian Meng, she momentarily laughed in glee inside her heart, but her determination to kneel was just as persistent……
“What are you doing? Quickly stand up!” Although Yun Xuan Zhi was more of a scholar, the strength of men was naturally greater than that of women. He only exerted a bit of strength, and managed to lift Su Qing’s body. Then, his line of sight swept past the calmly standing Yun Qian Meng as he turned to the doctor, “Remember well what you have just said! If xiaojie still can’t be healed, see how ben xiang will judge your crimes!”
As Yun Xuan Zhi said this, everyone inwardly understood his standpoint!
Yet Su Qing pushed down her inner joy, her expression was distressed as she bowed to Yun Xuan Zhi. She said thankfully, “nubi thanks laoye greatly for approving! nubi will have Wang mama go and prepare right away!”
After she spoke, Su Qing hurriedly walked out of the room, only to find her path blocked by the still silent Liu Han Yu……
She only saw Liu Han Yu wear a cordial smile on her face, her eyes showing a sincere expression as she warmly grasped her hands and said amiably, “jiejie, er xiaojie needs people to take care of her. It’s better for me to manage the preparations!”
Su Qing’s eyes momentarily narrowed. Seeing how amaible Liu Han Yu was being, her heart immediately became more vigilant. Without batting an eyelid, her own hands immediately covered Liu Han Yu’s as she gratefully said, “Many thanks for meimei’s kind thoughts! But still, my own child’s matters, tell me, how can I be assured to leave matters in other people’s hands? Furthermore, meimei is temporarily managing the fu on my behalf right now. How can I bear to let these things cause worry for meimei?”
Finishing, Su Qing suddenly strenghtened her grip, her smiling eyes emitted an ominous glint……
As Liu Han Yu felt the pain in her hands, a hot anger lit up in her heart. Still, her face kept smiling as she forcefully pulled her hands away. Her body still in Su Qing’s way, she looked past Su Qing’s shoulder at Yun Xuan Zhi and softly said, “laoye, look! jiejie won’t let nubi help with even this small thing!”
Yun Xuan Zhi isn’t really an idiot. Even though he coudln’t see their earlier small movements, he was clear about how the houyuan strived for his favor, thus naturally understanding what Su Qing was trying to prevent!
Moreover, Yun Ruo Xue was the daughter he had raised dearly with his own hands. Such an important matter, it was naturally more appropriate to allow Su Qing to handle!
Even so, Liu Han Yu was recently rather to his liking. So, Yun Xuan Zhi’s expression was relatively gentle when he said, “Yu’er should just manage the fu well! As for Xue’er, just let Qing’er take care of it!”
Hearing this, Su Qing’s heart lit up with joy and she immediately agreed, “Yes! laoye, recently, you haven’t come to see nubi. With Xue’er like this now, you should rest here at nubi’s place for the remainder of the night! Perhaps your aura of dignity can suppress the abominable spirits!”
Yun Xuan Zhi was already concerned about the woman he had just embraced. As he heard the shouting from Yun Ruo Xue’s bed, he also felt that he had been neglecting Su Qing for some time. Nodding his head with some reluctance, he waved his hand to let Liu Han Yu and Yun Qian Meng return to their own courtyards!
“da xiaojie, do you think there’s anything fishy happening inside?” Only after they were some distance away from Feng He Yuan, did Liu Han Yu finally ask quietly!
Seeing that Yun Qian Meng hadn’t made a sound from before, Liu Han Yu’s heart grew anxious once again. She couldn’t tell what this young miss was thinking in her heart in the end!
Yun Qian Meng just gave a dry look to Liu Han Yu beside her, then raised her hand to pull back the hair brushing at her cheeks before she said with a smile, “Liu yiniang is too sensitive. Su yiniang loving her daughter is only human nature! However, Liu yiniang is now in charge of the xiangfu. You naturally understand, unfamiliar men must not be allowed to enter the houyuan!”
At these words, Liu Han Yu immediately came to an understanding and turned to give some instructions to one of her servants in a low voice. She then carefully escort
ed Yun Qian Meng back to Qi Luo Yuan before turning to leave.
“Mi mama over and said cautiously, “The next few days, sort the servants into three shifts. Have them take turns to watch over the courtyard in the morning, afternoon and night. Absolutely cannot let any strangers approach!”
Mi mama saw that Yun Qian Meng’s expression was grave and knew that this time, the second miss’s matter must have been planned by Su Qing; most likely to deal with her own young miss!
In particular, she was quite near to Yun Qian Meng just now and heard the conversation with Liu Han Yu. Immediately understanding the consequences, she quickly nodded and went to work!
Yun Qian Meng went back to lie down on her bed under Mu Chun’s care. After rushing about for half a night, she was unexpectedly not sleepy. Opening her eyes wide and looked at the surroundings in familiar darkness, she only felt that her current plight was also similarly, in complete darkness. She couldn’t see any safe path from which to advance, spending all day defending against stabs from the dark, the only thing she could do now was to counter appropriately according to the enemy’s movements!
Today’s matter looked simple, but underneath, it revealed meticulous planning!
Why did Su Qing only inform everyone of Yun Ruo Xue’s illness in the middle of the night? It was because just after one o’clock tonight, her punishment for half a month would end. For her to leave Feng He Yuan now, others couldn’t find anything to gossip about!
After that, the actions that Yun Ruo Xue performed, as well as the matter of hiring a Taoist priest to perform an exorcism, were obviously colliding towards her!
With this, it was not hard to see through Su Qing’s intentions. On one hand, she could bribe the priest to slander Yun Qian Meng’s reputation and innocence. On the other hand, she could also borrow the priest’s words to claim that she was the demonic spirit around Yun Ruo Xue, thereby eliminating her!
It can’t not be said that Su Qing really did have her methods. But, since she was now the host of this body, of course she couldn’t let her fuss about for free; she still needed to return this huge gift!
