Old Three

  Old Three

  "Has Seventh Brother's injury healed?" Yin Jin Hong raised his head, speaking with some arrogance, and didn't even glance at Bi Yu's greeting.

  Although he was a child born out of wedlock, his birth mother Chen Yiniang was highly favored. Whenever there were good things to be had, she would always get a share. Previously, Yin Ruofei still held the position of eldest son, and his aunt would often remind him, but over the past half year, his status as eldest son has been in free fall.

  Yin Jinhong's mouth corner revealed some disdain, what kind of son is he without his biological mother? The title of this marquis, it's still uncertain who will get it. He himself has no chance, but looking at how his father treats his older brother, I reckon the eldest son will be pushed aside too.

  "Thanks, Third Brother, for your concern. I'm fine now." Yin Ruo Fei replied lightly. He and this Third Brother weren't close usually, if he were to smile all over his face at this time, it would instead arouse suspicion.

  "Hmph." Yin Jin Hong circled around Yin Ru Fei once, then suddenly sneered coldly, "In the past, you looked silly and foolish, but unexpectedly, as you grew up, you became even more cunning and sly!"

  Yin Ruofei's face sank, "What does Third Brother mean by this?"

  "Hmm, where did the jade pendant on you come from?" Yin Jinhong's face was full of jealousy. "Is it something you got by pretending to be ill and flattering your father? You're so young, yet you're already quite cunning!"

  This jade pendant has been worn by Yin Haicheng for many years, and several favored concubine sons have seen it and know that it is one of Yin Haicheng's treasured possessions. Yin Jinhong had also wanted it, not only because the jade was crystal clear, but also because it represented a certain status, unfortunately his concubine mother used every means to try to get it but failed.

  At this time seeing Yin Ruofei wearing it, how could he not be angry?

  "This is what Dad gave me."

  "Nonsense, you must be a deceitful and cunning person, or else Father wouldn't have given it to you!" In the end, Yin Jin Hong was only a twelve-year-old boy, unable to hold back his anger, and immediately pointed at Yin Ruo Fei's nose and scolded him.

  Yin Ruofei sneered inwardly, thinking to himself: If I were always so foolish, you'd probably devour me whole! But on the surface, he said, "Third brother, what are you talking about? Although I'm the eldest son, I've always put my brothers first in everything. Why would you say that I'm cunning and deceitful? And if it's because of this jade pendant our father gave me, then I should be even more unwilling to accept it. This pendant was a gift from me to our grandmother, and only then did Father feel slightly pleased and rewarded me with it. If Third Brother were to serve our grandmother filially, you'd probably receive even more favor than I do."

  Yin Ruofei's face showed a childlike innocence and simplicity, as she pulled on the sleeve of Biyu beside her. "Sister Biyu isn't sending me back to the courtyard? Let's hurry up, I'm starving."

  Biyu remained silent with her head hung low, although she was also a maid due to her status. As the senior maid by Old Madam's side, she usually had a lot of face and even the high-ranking stewards would give her some respect when they saw her. If she were to speak up now, Jin Hong naturally wouldn't dare say anything.

  However, she didn't speak up, which was exactly what Yin Ruofei had in mind. He wanted the old lady's ears and eyes to be by his side, listening to every move he made, so that the old lady could trust him and help him suppress these few useless people who were trying to get ahead of themselves.

  Bi Yu bowed to Jin Hong and Fu, then turned around and walked away with Yin Ruofei. Jin Hong's face was red with anger as he watched them leave, but he didn't dare to stop them.

  "Bixia sister, this is for you." Yin Ruofei instructed the big maid Ziling beside her to take out a handbag and handed it to Bixia. "Thank you, sister, for sending me back."

  "The Seventh Young Master is being polite, this is what a servant should do." After declining several times, seeing Zilong insist on giving it to him, he accepted it. However, looking at Yin Ruofei's eyes, his expression changed again.

  Watching Biyu leave, Yin Ruofei picked up the tea and took a sip, narrowing her eyes to think about what would happen next. With this package of silver, it's likely that Biyu will say something slightly different when she returns, after all, there are one or two more pieces of silver in there, enough to equal a month's wages for a senior maid.

  Although the old lady usually had some rewards, this money was never a hot potato, and anyone who could get it would be willing to let go. When Lin's family was in charge, these small amounts of money were always being used, although the money was scattered more widely, and the servants may not have been wholehearted in everything they did, but now that there is no money, it is likely that no one will be willing to help him.

  Zi Yun placed the few pastries brought by Bi Yu on a delicate plate and presented them to Yin Ruofei. Yin Ruofei was busy reading a book, but it wasn't a classic or historical text, rather a medical text.

  This was arranged by Zi Yun for him, Zi Yun's mother is the old cook in his courtyard, and her father and brother are all working as managers in other courtyards. Although it's not a particularly important place, nor are they people who can be spoken of in polite conversation, but it has the advantage of being convenient and flexible to come and go.

  Yin Ruofei flipped through these few medical books and found that they were different from what she had read before.

  Before leaving the Hou Mansion, he had not been in contact with books of this kind. He only followed Mr. Sun to read books, especially without any outstanding place, so he was not valued.

  After being driven out of the Hou Mansion, he fortunately got to know his master and was thrown a few books to recite. It wasn't until then that he came into contact with medical texts. Previously, he had stumbled over the words while reciting them, and was often scolded by his master for lacking talent. However, having suffered hardship already, even if he was scolded harshly, he would grit his teeth and continue to recite.

  Reborn in this life, those medicinal formulas have not been forgotten, but instead are even clearer in his mind. Yin Ruofei feels that this may be the compensation given to him by heaven, and he must make good use of it. For this reason, he specially found a few books, wanting to learn more.

  Who would have thought that after flipping through these few medical books, he suddenly realized the profundity of his master's teachings. These medical books only talked about the most superficial principles and some pharmacological theories such as mutual generation and mutual inhibition, which were already deeply ingrained in his mind.

  The book also lists some diseases and attaches prescriptions, but in his opinion, they are far inferior to the wonderful teachings of his master.

  After flipping through them briefly, Yin Ruofei looked up at Zi Yun, who was arranging the pastries on a plate. "Sister Zi Yun, are there only these few volumes?"

  "Seventh Master, these are all the ones that can be found." Even if Rong was a thoughtful and meticulous person since childhood, she really couldn't guess what this young master of her own family wanted to do. These few medical books were already bought by her brother after running around for half a day, and there were indeed no deeper ones, but they were not something that her brother could get.

  "Uh-huh, I see." Yin Ruofei nodded and picked up a pastry to take a bite. The crispy outside wrapped around the sweet and soft filling, with a delicate sandy texture, tasted pretty good. "This pastry tastes great, let's share it with Zi Yun sister."

  "This..." Zi Yun was taken aback. Having followed Seventh Young Master for several years, this was the first time he had acted like this. In the past, even if he didn't eat those things, they wouldn't have dared to move them. If one were to say who was closer, it would be her own young master and Zi Ling, but not her. She hadn't said much to him before, although she had felt a bit uncomfortable about it. However, as time passed, she also knew that he wasn't distrusting her, he just liked Zi Ling's clever smile more.

  These two days, Qi Shao and she talked about things, entrusting her with tasks, all of which showed his trust in her. Zi Yun was not a talkative person, but in her heart, she felt a subtle joy.

  No one likes to be ignored, let alone the master who has been carefully served being ignored. Although Ziyun had long believed that no matter how the master was, she would still serve him well, after all, the lady had treated their family kindly in the past, but at this moment, being truly valued felt different.

  "I alone can't finish so much." Yin Ruofei smiled and pushed the plate over a bit. The pastry was good, but it was still too sweet. Medical books say: Three bodies and six teeth, pain and illness will not stop, tooth decay and loss, falling into its nest. Once you get tooth decay, toothache is troublesome. "Sister Zi Yun will give twenty taels of silver to Old Man Chen in a while, just consider it as the money for buying books. Besides... don't let others know about buying books."

  "What is Seventh Grandfather going to do with so many books?"

  "Oh, nothing, I think it's quite good-looking." Yin Ruofei shook his head with a smile. Although he trusted Zilong Ziyun, there were some things that were better left unsaid. Wasn't it because of protecting his private belongings in his past life that Zilong Ziyun had died in vain?

  The gentle side is calm and peaceful, while the beautiful courtyard has already turned upside down.

  After lunch at his mother's house, Yin Haicheng went to the military training ground. However, the anger in his belly did not fade with time, but instead accumulated deeper, especially after a few words from his mother, which made him even more convinced.

  A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and a family cannot be without a master for a day. Men rule outside and women rule inside, this is the way it should be, and now it seems that this young Lin lady is not suitable for the position of mistress.

  After returning from the military training ground, Yin Haicheng went directly to Liyuan. Regardless of whether Xiaolin could be promoted to a legitimate wife, she was now in charge of the household and had to be diligent and meticulous. If she continued to stir up trouble with such carelessness, don't blame him for not cherishing their past relationship.

  Marquis Hou returned to his residence, and the servants had already reported to Xiaolin's place. After Xiaolin went to Old Lady Yin's place at noon, she didn't feel quite right in her heart.

  However, the old lady's courtyard was not a place she could easily enter, and she knew that although the old lady had always been gentle, she was not someone to be trifled with. Moreover, although she went to pay her respects every day, she was never one of those whom the old lady would see.

  Something happened at the Specific Fushou Temple, and Kobayakawa didn't know what it was, but someone saw Lord Hou punishing Yin Ruofei to kneel in the yard. This made Kobayakawa feel sweet in her heart, as if she had eaten honey.

  This kid is the last stumbling block to her wealth and glory. Without him, her son would be the undisputed heir, the future master of the Hou Mansion, with no more suspense. And as long as Yin Ruofei lives for another day, she feels like she's choking, having nightmares in the middle of the night.

  This time she caught the opportunity, how could she let it go? I heard that Lord Hou returned in a rage, and hurriedly applied some powder to her face before going out to greet him.

  However, this time Master Hou's reaction was beyond her expectations. Not only did he not sympathize with the weak appearance she had deliberately put on, but his face sank like water, and he took on an air of stern interrogation.

  Kobayashi's heart skipped a beat, could it be that things weren't as she thought?