Chapter Thirteen: The Passerby

  On Saturday, Lang personally went to Jiangzhou and returned in a few days. There was an additional beautiful young girl by his side, which shocked the people at home.

  After discussing with her father and mother, this maid who had been speculated about by everyone became Zhou Liulang's personal attendant.

  This position is a rare opportunity for a young girl from a good family who has been trained and polished for at least three years.

  This suddenly appearing wild girl unexpectedly became so important to the young master, and for a time became the focus of the family.

  What's the point of saying that it was bought by Old Lady Zhou when she was alive and given to the idiot in the Cheng family? Now that the idiot has returned home, wouldn't she naturally return to the Zhou family as well? It's so simple. Who would believe that?

  Ban Jin was described as being both shy and uneasy, she wasn't a smooth talker, having grown up in a Taoist temple, interacting with these maids at home made her feel somewhat apprehensive, but fortunately, everyone treated her kindly for Zhou Liu Lang's sake.

  But she still can't handle everyone's jokes and teasing, I wonder what would happen if her mother-in-law were here?

  The two words "wife" flashed by, and Han Qian's heart suddenly sank, as if a heavy iron weight was hanging from it, sinking down, down.

  Daughter...

  Are you okay?

  She just threw herself down and walked away like that. Will she be sad? Or has she already forgotten that there is a person named Banqian in this world?

  At this moment, thinking back, how did she get infatuated at that time, without even thinking about it, just...

  "Hey, you're finally here."

  Someone suddenly shouted from above their heads.

  With a concentrated gaze, she saw that by the window on the second floor, a young man was looking over with furrowed brows and a look of impatience on his face.

  "What's taking so long!" he said with an arrogant and overbearing attitude.

  The half leek felt joy spreading from the bottom of his heart. The weight suddenly disappeared.

  "Yes." She responded, hastily entering the wine building. Under the guidance of the shopkeeper, she passed through the noisy main hall and came to a elegant room on the second floor.

  Just went up the stairs. Several women came face to face, most of them wearing colorful veils, and two of them each held a five or six-year-old girl by the hand.

  One of the girls suddenly let out a cry as they dodged to the side.

  "Sister?" she cried, "Which sister are you?"

  Along with her shouting, everyone stopped in their tracks, somewhat perplexed. Half of the people subconsciously looked up to see that little girl rushing towards him with a surprised and delighted smile on her face.

  "Wow!" The little girl looked clearer and more excited. Raised her small hand, "You are the daughter of the mother who can summon the wind and rain!"

  Ban Jin looked at her, bewildered.

  In the rain, a dilapidated temple, an old man and a young boy eating red bean cakes together.

  At this time, there was no old man beside the little girl, and her mother was also gone.

  For a moment, Ban Jin felt a little melancholy.

  "It's you," she said, unable to help but smile, "Little sister. You've also come to the capital."

  The little girl nodded happily and busily shook hands with the woman who was pulling her along.

  "Sister, this sister is the one I and grandpa met on the road. She's amazing, she can make it rain and also cook delicious food." She said in her childish tone.

  The women present knew that the girl had come all the way from south to north. Although it was not common for people who met on the road to meet again, it was not unheard of either. So they took a glance at her and didn't think much of it.

  The woman pulling the little girl nodded slightly at Ban Cui. It was a greeting.

  Half of the celery is still polite.

  "Sister, what's your name? Where do you live? My name is Dan Niang, I live in..." The little girl said excitedly.

  The girl's words were cut off as she was gently pulled down by the woman.

  And the girl on the other side also urged.

  "Hurry up, young master is waiting." she said.

  Both parties were satisfied, and Ban Jin again paid his respects to the women, who reluctantly bid each other farewell as they went their separate ways.

  Just like on the road, we met and smiled at each other, but in the end, we still had to go our separate ways.

  "We also have old acquaintances in Dan Niang."

  The women traveling together tease the little girl.

  The little girl felt a bit proud, coming to the capital city and leaving behind the environment she had lived in since childhood. For this child, it was really a bit lonely and desolate, especially with her grandfather being ill...

  Grandpa!

  Thinking of her grandfather, the little girl felt somewhat anxious.

  "Hurry home, hurry home, I want to tell Grandpa." She said excitedly.

  When she mentioned her grandfather, a few women's faces showed a hint of sadness. They patted the little girl's head and went downstairs to get in the car.

  The horse carriage drove through the streets and turned into a quiet alley, stopping in front of an ordinary-looking residential house.

  The house is ordinary, but there are many people coming out to greet us, and the momentum is not small either.

  The little girl broke free from the old woman's hand.

  "I'm going to find Grandpa," she shouted, running towards a courtyard.

  My wife is busy chasing after me.

  A little girl with a small body and light footsteps pushed open the gate and entered a courtyard, colliding head-on with someone. The person's eyes were bright and their hands were quick to grab her, barely preventing her from falling over.

  Even so, it still made the little girl cover her nose and tears welled up in her eyes.

  "Forgive me, forgive me, I didn't see the young lady." The old man with a shock of white hair hastily apologized.

  The man following the old man had a solemn expression.

  "Dan Niang, you're being rude." He said in a low voice.

  The Chen family's discipline is strict, and regardless of whether they are boys or girls, they start their education at the age of four. Now, Dan Niang, who is only five years old, already knows how to behave properly in front of her father. Seeing that her father is displeased, Dan Niang hastily made a polite gesture towards him.

  "It's Madam Dan being rude." she said with a nod.

  The old man smiled and nodded, stroking his beard.

  Chen Shao's expression eased slightly.

  "Father, I want to go see Grandfather." Dan Niang hastily said with a look of concern.

  "Don't go, Grandfather has just taken his medicine, don't go and disturb him." Chen Shao said, looking at the nervous maid who had followed over and waving his hand, "Take the mistress downstairs."

  The women rushed forward and grabbed the girl, coaxing and comforting her as they carried her away.

  Chen Shao let out a soft breath.

  The old man looked at him, thought for a moment, and stretched out his hand.

  The little servant following behind immediately took over the medical box, and the old man took out a porcelain bottle from it and handed it to Chen Shao.

  "This will come in handy," he said.

  Chen Shao's face showed a look of surprise and delight, and he subconsciously grasped the old man's hand.

  "Doctor Li, is this medicine for my father..." he asked in a trembling voice.

  The old man shook his head.

  "It's for you to use." He said, slapping the porcelain bottle into Chen Shao's hand, lowering his voice. "Lord Chen is worrying too much, take care of yourself. This medicine can regulate your vital energy and relieve Lord's loss of appetite and insomnia."

  Then patted Chen Shao's arm again.

  "Steady, old chap," he said.

  Facing the patient's family, a doctor said not to worry about mourning, but to stabilize, which sounds strange, but Chen Shao suddenly became alert.

  My father's illness was initially caused by a sudden fall, and the elderly are afraid of hurting their tendons and breaking their bones when they fall. Fortunately, my old father only scratched a little skin, and several doctors took a look and said that it would be fine after some rest.

  But unexpectedly, this nursing not only didn't get better, but instead became even more severe.

  First, I couldn't get out of bed, then my legs and feet lost all sensation, soon after that I lost control over my bowels and bladder, and now I've been in a coma for half a day.

  From a spirited elder to lying in bed unconscious and on the verge of death, all within just half a month's time, this is too fast! Too sudden!

  The doctor changed like a galloping horse, but couldn't even say a unified cause of the disease. In the end, Chen Shao didn't dare to ask for a doctor easily anymore.

  As news of his father's serious illness spread, discussions about his mourning period had already begun in the imperial court. It was said that someone had already submitted a memorial to the emperor recommending a replacement for him.

  Just returned to Beijing, haven't started to make a big plan yet. But have to leave again, and this time it will be for three years. Three years, how many three years are there in one's life!

  How can I bear it? How can I bear it?

  His father's illness, his own future. The Chen family's future, day and night tormenting Chen Shao, this refined and elegant scholar, almost to the point of collapse.

  If outsiders see us like this, rumors will spread even more wildly.

  Chen Shao gripped the porcelain bottle tightly in his hand, these medicines could keep him spirited and composed.

  An imperial physician would think of this?

  Chen Shao looked back and saw the old man's figure slowly walking out of the door, shaking unsteadily.

  Who entrusted him with this message?

  Hold on, hold on.

  Chen Shao gripped the porcelain bottle tightly, his mind focused and immersed in thought for a long time without moving.

  A small figure took advantage of the maid carrying out the medicine bowl and slipped into the room.

  The smell of medicine and the stench mixed together in the room, Dan Niang didn't mind, but instead looked anxiously towards the back of the curtain, where an old man was sleeping on the couch.

  "Grandfather, grandfather." Dan Niang called out, tiptoeing over.

  The old man on the couch covered with two layers of brocade quilts closed his eyes and was silent, his slightly open mouth gasping for air, telling others that he was still alive.

  Dan Niang still couldn't tell apart illness and death, she only knew that Grandpa was tired so he needed to rest more. At this time, she knelt down beside the bed, holding up the doll in her hand.

  "Grandpa, grandpa, look what I bought." she said.

  The girl's voice was crisp and clear. The old man slowly woke up, turned his head, and looked over with blurry eyes. This was one of the rare moments when he was lucid.

  Really happy to see my granddaughter.

  "Ah, Dan Niang..." He let out a hoarse and muffled voice.

  The little girl was even more delighted when she saw her grandfather wake up, chattering away to tell him about the things she had seen and done in the market, what she had eaten and what she had played.

  "Grandpa, get well soon," she said with shining eyes, shaking grandpa's arm, "when we're fifteen, let's go see the lanterns together, I want you to carry me on your back and hold me high."

  An old man's turbid eyes shed a tear.

  It's no use anymore, Dan Niang, Grandpa can't accompany you to watch the lanterns anymore, Grandpa won't be able to accompany you anymore...

  "Ah, right, Grandfather, I saw that sister today." Dan Niang said, putting down the doll in her hand, "The one who gave me red bean cake to eat."

  The old man's mind was stunned for a moment.

  Red bean cake

  "Grandpa, do you still remember? That time when we were hurrying on the road and it was raining. The old lady said that if she said it would rain, then it would rain, and if she said it wouldn't, then it wouldn't. And that old lady's servant girl gave me red bean cake, which tasted especially good."

  Children's words are confusing, talking nonsense, saying whatever comes to mind without any logic or punctuation.

  These confusing words became clear and distinct in the ears of the mentally confused old man.

  That girl...

  That wife!

  Old man, your illness must be cured as soon as possible...

  A dull sound exploded in his ears, the old man suddenly lifted up his body, but ultimately powerless, only raised his hand, and let out a hoarse "huh" from his throat.

  "His wife!" he exclaimed in a low voice.

  The little girl was startled, staring blankly at her struggling grandfather in a daze. The people outside the door heard the commotion and rushed in, Chen Shao also came in, saw his father's pale face, eyes bulging out, and suddenly broke out in cold sweat.

  Is it over... so soon?

  His mind went completely blank.

  "Father." He rushed over and grabbed his father's hand.

  His father's hand also grasped him with unprecedented force.

  "Sanlang, that daughter-in-law..." He looked at his son and shouted with all his might, "Save me!"