Time: 2010-11-2111:49:23 Words: 11688
December
Looking at her deceased husband's portrait, Luo Yuzhen's heart was filled with dark clouds. Afraid that her daughter would be sad to see this, she lit a kerosene lamp and went upstairs alone. It was hot and stuffy, so she didn't close the glass window.
Occasionally, the chirping of a cricket could be heard outside the window, as if it was filled with sorrow and resentment.
She couldn't sleep, so she sat on the bed and smoked Peony cigarettes. In the past, she loved quiet nights. The couple would sit and drink tea and smoke, and they would kiss and laugh. Now that the house was empty and lonely, she was afraid of this lonely night. She silently recited Cai Wenji's poem: " The mountains are high and wide. I will never see you again. In the deep night, I dream of you coming here.”The most hateful thing was that she had never dreamed of her beloved husband in the past few months. She couldn't help but cry when she thought of the 20 years of married life she had with Hua Shiliang.
She hated the person who forced her husband to die. What was even more difficult for her to tolerate was that her husband, who had died unjustly, was now accused of counter-revolution. She felt that as Hua Shiliang's confidant, she had to clear this injustice for her deceased husband. Therefore, this quiet and elegant woman, who had always been aloof from the world, decided to risk the world and step out of the house to file a complaint for her late husband to the county.
That was half a month ago. Luo Yuzhen had written her own complaint and walked into the county government.
County Head Zhou received her kindly and even made her a glass of water. He asked,"Why are you looking for me?"
"My name is Luo Yuzhen, Hua Shiliang's wife."”
Zhou Peiwen looked at the complaint impatiently and returned it to her, saying,"Regarding Hua Shiliang's problem, we have done a serious investigation and analyzed it carefully. What else is there to complain about? Do you know what it means to appeal for the injustice of a counter-revolutionary? I don't think you're a messy woman. I forgive you for being careless and not being strict. Go back. There's no good in fooling around!"
Luo Yuzhen did not leave. She said calmly,""Hua Shiliang did not participate in any political group before his death, and he had no connection with the rebels. There is no need to be dissatisfied with the New China. He never asked about politics, and he only cared about medicine and treatment. Saving people was his purpose. He treated all patients equally, did his best, and never harmed anyone. Village Head Gong was indeed suffering from typhoid fever, which was proven by the medical records and prescriptions that Hua Shiliang had personally recorded before his death. Moreover, Hua Shiliang had indeed done his duty as a doctor. For this reason, I implore the government to re-investigate and seriously consider this case.”
"We've already thought about it seriously. You don't need to remind us. You are sympathizing with the counter-revolution, which is extremely wrong. If you don't repent, it will be extremely dangerous. Go back quickly and stop pestering me!" County Head Zhou stood up and said,""I still have a meeting." Then, he left the office.
Luo Yuzhen did not give up. Before she took this first step, she had already thought it through. She understood that the road to overturning the case was not smooth. There were storms, twists and turns, and even immeasurable risks. This was a rugged road full of thorns. She wanted to go to County Head Zhou the next day. He felt that he could not be too hasty. It's an urgent matter, so it should be delayed. He should be given some time to think. She thought that he would not be an ordinary person if he could be the county magistrate. Since someone had defended him, he would not have delayed it without reflecting.
It had been half a month since the incident. Luo Yuzhen felt that she should go to the county magistrate tomorrow to ask for a second favor.
She smoked two cigarettes and lay down to sleep. The bell in the guest hall downstairs had rung eleven o'clock, but she was still awake. She missed her late husband.
Suddenly, a strong wind blew, causing the windows to clang.
She got up and wanted to close the window. Just as he reached the window, he saw a bolt of lightning from the night sky, like a sharp sword that was about to pierce through the hard earth. If it was in the past, she would have thrown herself into Hua Shiliang's arms in fear and asked him to protect her with both hands. Now, she seemed to have changed into a different person. She was no longer afraid of anything. She knew that a deafening and frightening thunder was coming, so she did not dodge. She stood in front of the window, waiting for the impending thunder.
Crackle! A loud sound shook the heavens and the earth. At the moment when his soul was scattered, there was really a feeling of heaven and earth overlapping and chaos.
The wind was still blowing.
There was lightning and thunder.
Heavy rain poured down from the sky. It brought comfort and coolness to this stuffy world.
Luo Yuzhen felt that the wind, rain, thunder, and lightning were the feats of nature, rough but cute. It was not destruction, but bestowment. Humans had tempered their willpower and courage in this terrifying ordeal. She smiled, laughing at her timidity in the past. She realized that this wasn't fear, but a deep infection of beauty. Nature created the green leaves and red flowers, the clear beauty, but also the wind, rain, thunder, lightning, and rough beauty. She laughed at herself for favoring the former and timidly avoiding the latter. She didn't close the window again to let the wind in. She didn't want to close the window and let the rain in. She wanted to open the window and admire the lightning. She thought that she was also a creation of nature, so she should be one with nature's magnificent feat. She wanted to appreciate this vigorous beauty. He wished that he could turn into lightning and rain to participate in this magnificent creation.
She remembered what her late husband had said before he died."A man's embrace is warm, but this warmth will nurture the weak. I believe that you are a strong woman. I hope that my love and my embrace will not make you a delicate flower.”
At that time, she did not believe it. She needed the comfort of warm love. Now she understood that her timidity was due to her husband's selfless caress. Now that her Shi Liang was gone, she was alone in this room on a stormy night. Not only was she not afraid, but she also experienced this rugged beauty. She seemed to have understood some kind of life philosophy. Then what was it? She was still in a daze. This old and deep courtyard, this fragrant little garden, this thick wall and door had sealed her off for twenty years, causing the ideals of her student days to be broken. In those long years, she was smug and unaware of her husband's love. It was impossible for this hazy epiphany to immediately connect with her student days. How would she know that this appeal would allow her to step out of the old wall courtyard and a new path of life would be laid out under her feet? She had been caught up in the new era, and she was about to experience a new life. The times needed a woman like her who had a firm determination in her direction.
The wind stopped, the rain stopped, the thunder stopped, and the lightning stopped. A quiet night, a cool night, a comfortable night. She was tired and fell asleep sweetly.
It was dawn. Luo Yuzhen didn't wake up as early as usual. She slept until 7:30 am before she got up. He tied his long black hair into a bun at the back of his head. She put on a white poplin short-sleeved shirt, white poplin trousers, and a pair of satin shoes with white flowers embroidered on them. She never put on any makeup. She loved the natural beauty of " hibiscus in clear water, carved by nature ". She went out. She wanted to go to the county government for the second time.
She didn't have the habit of walking with her head down, nor did she like to look left and right. She walked slowly. He met Zhuge Chang on the south side of the long bridge. He only forced a smile at her and walked over, no longer greeting her warmly like before. She didn't care. She could understand and understand this street cadre in her heart. Ever since Hua Shiliang was declared a counter-revolutionary who committed suicide to avoid punishment, his relatives and friends didn't dare to come in contact with him. It was as if there was a dangerous plague in her family that could infect her.
Luo Yuzhen had just reached the Guanyin Hall on the bridge when she saw her good sister, Nun Ru, standing there and calling out to her.
He sized her up and asked with a smile,"Looking at your outfit today, you look even more energetic. You're really a lotus flower out of the water! Where are you going?"
"Go to the county government," Luo Yuzhen said softly.”
" You want to barge into the county government twice?!" Seeing Luo Yuzhen nod with a smile, Ru Ru was sympathetic and worried. She said,"" Logically speaking, Brother Shiliang should have appealed for his injustice, but now-" She looked around cautiously and lowered her voice a little." I heard that all the places are carrying out the purge of counter-rebels. I think it's a little too much." If you sail against the current, you might capsize. Anyway, he was already dead, so it didn't matter what happened.”
"It's precisely because Shi Liang is dead that he can't avenge himself. I'm his wife. I can't let him die and take the blame.”
"The last time you barged into the county government, it was already a storm. They said that you lost your courage and dared to go against the government. Brother Shiliang was such a good person when he was alive. He did good deeds and accumulated merit. There were many people who sympathized with him, but who was willing to come out and say something fair? They were afraid of getting burned. You saw Zhuge Chang's attitude just now. He has received a lot of benefits from you in the past, but what about today? I can't wait to hide from you. Human feelings are thin, the world is evil, wind and rain at dusk flowers fall easily.'I heard that you were a woman last time, so I didn't hold it against you. In my opinion, it's better to bear with it.'”You should think about your own safety and the living people in your family.‘You have to lower your head under his eaves. You are the most patient. What can't you see through?'
"'It is a disgrace not to fight when insulted.' I can't let Shi Liang bear this shame, and I can't let the living people in my family bear this shame!”Luo Yuzhen smiled and said.
If that was the case, he still had to persuade her: " I know you want to fight for Shi Liang's reputation. Sigh, if you want to wear it, what's the value of reputation? It's still just a 'empty' word." I heard that you will be convicted and sent to jail if you cry out injustice like this. The prison food of the people's government was not delicious. It was better to live in peace. Avoiding right and wrong is a comfortable place. Endure it!”
"Since I understand Shi Liang, I know that this is an injustice, and I know that he took a dead end because of this, I should avenge him! -- Thank you for your kindness." Luo Yuzhen said as she left resolutely and walked towards the county government.
She put her palms together and prayed, Amitabha, Bodhisattva, please bless her, Luo Yuzhen, to be safe and sound!”
The guard on duty didn't let Luo Yuzhen in. She begged again and again, but it was useless. The more she spoke, the more strict the guard's attitude became.
Luo Yuzhen was anxious and angry. She wanted to stand in the middle of the door and shout,"I'm innocent!" She still restrained herself. She thought that this would damage the image of the government. She was a citizen and should not use such a rough method. He could only plead patiently.
When Zhang Haitao arrived and saw that it was Luo Yuzhen, he understood why. He had heard about her visit to County Head Zhou. He never expected this demure woman to have such courage to barge into the county government again. He wanted to hear the woman's defense, so he said to the guard,"Let her in!"
"The higher-ups have informed us that she's not allowed to enter!”
Zhang Haitao said,"I'll go and tell her now. Let her in first."”
Only then did the guard let Luo Yuzhen into the county government.
Luo Yuzhen didn't know Zhang Haitao, so she felt grateful and said,""Thank you!" Then, he walked towards the county head's office.
Zhang Haitao saw that she was still as demure and generous as ever. She did not have a nervous expression on her face, unlike the typical aggrieved person who pretended to be wronged and sad. She also did not complain about her grievances and try to gain sympathy and support like some people. It seemed that she was very confident and self-respecting. He had seen many people who cried out for injustice, but he had never seen someone so calm and self-contained. He secretly admired her. No wonder his senior brother was obsessed with this woman. He saw Luo Yuzhen walk into the county head's office, so he followed her.
County Head Zhou got angry when he saw Luo Yuzhen. He said,""Who let you in?"
Luo Yuzhen smiled calmly.”
Zhou Peiwen sneered and said,"Hey, you have guts!"”
"In the old society, there were still people who would roll the nail board and complain. In order to seek justice, they would even disregard their lives. I don't have that now. If I had that, I would have done the same. This wasn't courage or cowardice, it was because he didn't want to be wronged.”
"I advise you not to mess around again!"
"I'm here to make a reasonable complaint."
"You're still stubborn!"
"I've always been clear-headed."
"I advise you to go back immediately! Crying injustice for the counter-revolution will not come to a good end!”
"My husband is not a counter-revolutionary, but a good doctor who thinks for his patients! The people's government is most serious about seeking truth from facts. I beg you to investigate carefully again. My husband did not do anything harmful when he was alive.”
"Your husband did do some good things before he died. This can only be said that he was tactful, kind on the surface, and vicious on the inside. Moreover, people would change. The past was good, but it might not be the present.”
"I don't think a sheep will turn into a wolf. Hua Shiliang and I have been husband and wife for twenty years. I dare say that he has always been convenient and kind to others in his life. County Head Zhou, please tell me where he is vicious. If he is really a vicious person, I really shouldn't defend him anymore.”
Zhou Peiwen said angrily,"He deliberately killed our revolutionary cadre. Isn't that vicious enough?!" I don't think you're backward in your thinking. To a certain extent, you're just like your husband. You're rebellious in your thinking, dissatisfied with the great party, and hostile to the New Dynasty!”
Luo Yuzhen was not frightened and said calmly,"" If my husband really did it on purpose, it could indeed be said to be 'vicious'. Not only should he be labeled as a' counter-revolutionary,'even I, the person who defended him, should be punished. But that's not the case. My husband did not' deliberately treat his death', nor did he 'accidentally treat his death'. This can be proven by the medical records and prescriptions my husband made when he was alive.”
"Your husband is not a fool. He would not falsify medical records and prescriptions after the fact!”
"Then we can open the coffin and examine the corpse. Since it was an intentional death, he must have been given some kind of fatal drug. Now that science was so advanced, he would definitely be able to find out what was right and wrong.”
The female cadre sitting at the opposite table felt that Luo Yuzhen was too arrogant to speak to the county head like this, so she said with a straight face,"How you investigate is the government's business. You don't have to decide. You have to be honest. This is a government office.”
Luo Yuzhen smiled at her." I'm just stating the facts and making a request. How can you say that I'm just spouting nonsense?" We've been wronged and asked for a review. Is that considered dishonest? Comrade-"
The officer was so angry that he suddenly stood up and said,"Who is your comrade? Let me tell you, you're a family member of a counter-revolutionary! He had no right to come here and cause trouble! Get out!"
Luo Yuzhen still sat steadily and smiled at her, saying,""Even if I'm a family member of a counter-revolutionary, you shouldn't say that. In the old society, there was a crime that implicated nine families. In the new society, one person was responsible for the crime. -- Actually, I'm not here to look for you. There's no need to talk to you.”
The officer was so angry that his face turned red. He said,"It's also illegal for you to cry injustice for the counter-revolution. I have the right to stop you. Get out! Otherwise, I'll get someone to chase you away!"
Luo Yuzhen still smiled and said,"I think as a cadre of the people, you should convince people with reason."”
When the female officer saw her secretary, Tu Zhongguo, walk in, she said,""Xiao Tu, this family member of the counter-revolutionary is not honest and is interfering with the work of County Head Zhou.”
Tu Zhongguo recognized Luo Yuzhen and knew what she was here for. He was also dissatisfied. It was obvious that County Head Zhou and Police Chief Zhang Haitao did not say anything, and they did not want to blindly listen to her orders. Moreover, they had also heard what Luo Yuzhen said at the end, so they said to Luo Yuzhen,"The government investigated your husband's case before deciding. County Head Zhou has a good attitude and even taught you patiently. Let's go back. County Head Zhou is a busy man. He should know his place. Let's go!”
"No! Since I've barged in, I won't leave easily. I'm not here to stir up trouble. I'm here to defend myself. County Head Zhou, you said that my husband 'deliberately caused his death', but you need evidence. If the evidence is conclusive, I'm willing to be punished. I'll be locked up if you want, and I'll be sentenced to whatever punishment I should be sentenced to.”
Regarding Hua Shiliang's medical case, Zhou Peiwen only read the investigation report of the county's cultural and health department and listened to the deputy county magistrate's attitude towards this matter. The investigation team was arranged by Jia Jinshi. He trusted Deputy County Magistrate An and Jia Jinshi very much. Moreover, the other three members of the investigation team were all young officials with high class awareness and a firm revolutionary stance. Therefore, he had no doubt about the nature of the case. Although Luo Yuzhen's words were sharp and sounded reasonable, he always felt that she was just good at sophistry and was bold. He had been in charge of the underground party's work in this area before the Liberation, and he had also heard the people's praise of Hua Shiliang and his wife. Therefore, although he was disgusted by Luo Yuzhen's repeated "mischief", he still adopted a tolerant attitude. He suppressed the anger in his heart and said,"Why did your husband commit suicide?"
"He's timid and afraid of trouble."
"If it wasn't intentional, you can say it clearly. We value facts and reason. He knew that he couldn't escape the blame and was afraid of being punished, so he took this path that cut himself off from the people.”
"No, he told the investigation team about Gong Laifa's illness in detail and showed the medical records and prescriptions to the investigation team. The investigation team didn't believe him. They came to talk to him again and again. He naturally realized the seriousness of this matter. To be honest, he was not hostile to Gong Laifa, but rather, he sympathized with him. He knew that Gong Laifa had no money to pay for his treatment, so he didn't even take a cent of his medical fees. In his opinion, if he did a good deed and was suspected instead, he would naturally take things too hard because he was not a optimistic person. He was filled with resentment and had no choice but to take this road. I think a timid person who was not good at words would take this road when faced with such a thing.”
"This is just your thoughts and subjective analysis. It doesn't match the objective facts. -- You don't have to say anymore. I don't have time to listen to these baseless excuses.”Zhou Peiwen stood up." I'll give you another piece of advice. Go back and reflect on yourself. Stop pestering me." If he continued to be stubborn, he would be severely punished!”After saying that, he left. Luo Yuzhen chased him to the office door and said,""If you want to do it, do it now. Otherwise, I still have to defend myself!”
Zhou Peiwen didn't want to bother with him anymore and left.
Luo Yuzhen didn't chase after him. She didn't want to say such things to the county head on the way. It would be a bad influence. She didn't leave either. Instead, she silently walked back to her original chair and sat down. She wanted to wait for the county head to return before she made another request. It wasn't easy to enter the county government.
Zhang Haitao, who had been sitting quietly at the side, felt that what Luo Yuzhen said made sense. She did not seem like a woman who would pester others. She also wanted to talk to Luo Yuzhen, but she felt that this matter was directly arrested by the two county governors, so it was inconvenient for her to intervene. Moreover, she could not rely on her intuition and her few words of defense to conclude that Hua Shiliang was innocent. He understood Zhou Peiwen. Once he was certain, he would not let anyone overturn the case easily. He had also seen through Luo Yuzhen's personality. She was also determined to go in the right direction. He understood that things had to continue to develop, so he observed calmly for the time being. In the end, it was proved that Luo Yuzhen was wrong. Needless to say, she was aggrieved for the counter-revolution. Her attitude was so stubborn that she had to be dealt with severely. If Luo Yuzhen was not wrong, then they should support her. They must not let the people be wronged. He stood up and left without speaking to anyone.
The female officer said to Luo Yuzhen with a straight face,""What are you still doing here!"
Luo Yuzhen understood that this kind of person only treated people with respect to their superiors. There was no need to say anything more. She just smiled and ignored him.
The young female officer had been rebuffed. Seeing that Tu Zhongguo did not speak up for her, she looked at Luo Yuzhen angrily and said,""Stubborn!" He just went to work.
It was time to get off work. The female officer glanced at Luo Yuzhen, who was still sitting there, and left.
Tu Zhongguo also hated Luo Yuzhen. Seeing that County Head Zhou and Zhang Haitao didn't do anything to her, and that female officer didn't scare her, he didn't want to take a hard stance. He only said,"County Head Zhou went to the district for a meeting and will only be back in a few days. What are you still sitting here for?”He felt that this was equivalent to asking her to come back in a few days. It was inappropriate, so he added," Your husband's case has already been settled. There's no need for you to stir up trouble again. County Head Zhou is quite lenient towards you. Go back. It would not do any good to continue making trouble. You can't just sit there and make things difficult for us.”
Luo Yuzhen thought that since County Head Zhou had gone to the district meeting, there was no point in sitting there. She thought that if she didn't leave, this young man wouldn't leave either, and it would affect his meal. Why make things difficult for him?"How many days will County Head Zhou be gone before he comes back?"
Tu Zhongguo clearly knew that it would be three days, but he was unwilling to say it, afraid that she would come back on the fourth day. "That's hard to say. Who knows about the leaders?" In short, the days will not be short."
Luo Yuzhen walked out of the county government.
Master had instructed the little nun to wait for Luo Yuzhen at the entrance of Guanyin Hall. Seeing that Luo Yuzhen had already walked onto the long bridge, he hurriedly went in to tell his master.
He hurriedly walked out of the mountain gate and called Luo Yuzhen into the Guanyin Hall.
Luo Yuzhen said,"Don't go into the meditation room. I'm waiting for dinner at home."”
"What did they say?" he asked.”
Luo Yuzhen was worried about her, so she simply said,""Looks like I still need some time."
They didn't make things difficult for you?”
"I made a reasonable complaint, and they didn't do anything.”
"Amitabha, Bodhisattva bless us. That's good.”When she saw Luo Yuzhen in the morning, she was determined to go to the second trial. She asked for a divine lot for her, saying that she could turn the case around, but she would have to go through some hardships. Therefore, she had been worried about Luo Yuzhen. Looking closely at Luo Yuzhen's body, she naturally did not suffer much. However, things did not go smoothly. It was best for the person concerned to ask for the divine lot himself, so she said,"You better ask for a divine lot."
Luo Yuzhen had heard people say that such a divination was very effective. However, she never believed in Buddhism, nor did she believe in the Lord Jesus. She only believed in the person's character and ability. The divine lot could only foretell the final trend of development, indicating whether to continue to advance or retreat. She wanted to seek justice for her late husband and the surviving members of the Hua Family. For this, even if she suffered misfortune, she would not hesitate. She would never hide from fear, and there was no need to predict the outcome of the situation. She knew that she would win the lawsuit, but she was very confident that it would be difficult. She thought that if she got a bad lot, it would make Ru worry for her. She said,"I don't need to trouble the gods. It's fine as long as you pray for me. It's getting late. I should go back."
Since he understood her temper, he didn't force her and said,""Wait a moment, wait for me." She went to the meditation room and took out a bag of heavy tea leaves. She gave it to Luo Yuzhen and said,"This is Longjing tea that a visitor from Hangzhou just sent over.”
Luo Yuzhen didn't mind giving in and said,""Thank you." He left.
He sent Luo Yuzhen to the door of Guanyin Hall and said softly,"'To be determined but not sharp, success depends on time but not speed.'Even if you are cutting through thorns, you should be careful.”
"Thank you for your care." Luo Yuzhen then walked home.
Luo Yuzhen felt a little frustrated after being rebuffed twice. He was still smiling when he got home. She didn't want her family to worry about him.
"Sister-in-law, I heard that you went to the county government again. What did they say?" Hua Shijie asked.”
Luo Yuzhen was most worried about her youngest uncle. He would run around aimlessly, so she said,""It's alright."
"They agreed to reinvestigate?" Hua Shijie was a little excited.”
"This isn't a small dish like buying radishes. It's so light, so there will be some trouble. It's fine. I can deal with it. I'll solve it. -- Tomorrow is your birthday. Your second brother has left, and you are the head of the family. This birthday should be more lively than in previous years. You can do whatever you want, but don't forget to invite your brother to celebrate his birthday. He was also quite pitiful. He was full of knowledge, but he had contracted this disease.”
"What birthday? Second Brother had just left, yet he had to run into this unlucky thing again. He was so annoyed that he didn't want to join in the fun.”
Luo Yuzhen smiled." The more it's like this, the more lively it is. Those who are alive should live happily."-- Bingying, is the summer cloth shirt and pants you made for your uncle ready?”
"I just got it from the tailor shop," Hua Bingying said.”
"Then leave it to your uncle." Luo Yuzhen then said to Hua Shijie,"You can send it over and invite your big brother along the way." Then, he checked if there was still food left in his big brother's vat. If there wasn't much, he would ask Binghuan to carry some for his uncle.”
"Sister-in-law, you have to worry about this family.”
"Then you should have found an exquisite and obedient sister-in-law for sister-in-law as soon as possible so that sister-in-law can live a relaxed and peaceful life.”
Hua Shijie touched his head and smiled. Good sister-in-law, even if I have eyes all over my body, it would be difficult to find a woman who can compare to your sister-in-law.”
Hua Bingying interjected,"She knows how to sing and act. She's a famous actor, but she's not clever enough!" Don't be too arrogant."
Luo Yuzhen knew that her daughter was talking about Zhou Peiying. She had seen Zhou Peiying's "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai." The stage was good, the voice was good, and the work was good. Especially the scene where Zhu Yingtai sent her off at the 18th birthday. Zhu Yingtai's bold and shy attitude was really excellent. She loved this girl. Jiang Shanshan had also told her that Zhou Peiying was so dexterous on stage, but she was very cultured off the stage. She would even blush when she spoke. Even Lu Chunhua praised her disciple for being smart, capable, and demure. She really liked that Zhou Peiying could be her sister-in-law. Because her uncle had been hiding it, it was inconvenient for her to ask more. Seeing that Bingying had exposed it, she said,"This girl is not bad!"
Hua Shijie said to his niece,"How do you know that he is willing? We only talked a few times and he can be serious!" You should go and teach your little cat how to call a little dog to jump. Don't take the lilac radish as ginseng and beat drums for me.”
Luo Yuzhen saw that Bing Ying still wanted to say uncle, so she stopped him and said," Smells so good. Are you wearing a white orchid?"
Bing Ying nodded and went to the study to get a pair of white flowers. He pinned them on his mother's clothes and said,"It was sent by Shen family's granny. The fragrance is more elegant than the ones sold on the streets, and it is said that it wilted later than those sold elsewhere. The other pair was left for Hui Lian.”
The mother-in-law of the Shen family that Bing Ying was talking about was the wife of the gardener, Shen Shuigen. She was also in her fifties. Shen Shuigen suffered from liver disease ten years ago and was cured by Hua Shiliang. Seeing that the old couple did not have a good life, they were even exempted from medical expenses. The Shen couple remembered this benefit. Seeing that Luo Yujen loved to grow flowers, they often sent her some good potted plants. Luo Yuzhen didn't want to take it for free. Even though Shen Shuigen was unwilling to say the price, she still had to pay. The old couple felt very apologetic and felt that they owed the Hua Family a favor. Luo Yuzhen didn't think so. She felt that it was quite pitiful for the old couple to be childless. He had to go there four or five times a year to send gifts. This was the house she visited the most. Ever since Hua Shiliang had been labeled as a counter-revolutionary, his relatives and friends had almost never dared to visit him. Only the old couple had come frequently. Grandma Shen would come over every other day to help wash clothes and do some housework before she was willing to leave. During this period of time, Luo Yujen didn't have the heart to take care of the bonsai plants in the garden. It was all thanks to Shen Shuigen's help. Luo Yujen was grateful when she heard that Granny Shen had sent the white orchid to her. She remembered that a friend in need was a friend indeed, so she said to Bing Ying,""The bag of white fungus in the kitchen was originally for Granny Shen. Did you take it away for her?”
"No matter what I said, Shen family's granny refused to take it. She also said,'Your mom has lost some weight recently. Leave it for your mom to make some fungus lotus seed soup. We smell the flowers every day, and our bodies are strong. Do you believe that even a tiger would retreat when it sees me? My fists are not as powerful as its claws, but it is afraid of me. This is what makes a strong tiger afraid.'I quietly put it in her basket, and she quietly put it back in the kitchen.”
"After dinner, send it to her. We've caused a lot of trouble for her family.”
"Hey. Let's eat!"
Although Luo Yuzhen hadn't eaten breakfast, she didn't feel hungry. She forced herself to pick up her bowl. She tried her best to hide the annoyance in her heart and chatted and laughed with her children and uncle to liven up the atmosphere.
Hua Binghuan was sensitive. He guessed that his mother must have met with a setback today. He knew that the more difficult his mother was, the calmer she would appear. Instead, she would talk more and find more words to cheer him up. He didn't point it out because he could vaguely sense from his mother's expression that her mother was not discouraged and was still full of confidence in her appeal. He also knew his mother very well. Once she wanted to do something, she would persevere until the end. She would not give up until she achieved her goal. Moreover, his mother, who was usually silent, would also be sharp with words once she opened her mouth. After dinner, he asked in a low voice,""Mom, your words didn't get refuted, right?”
Luo Yuzhen nodded with a smile.
Hua Binghuan laughed out loud, then whispered,"Mom, then you should cheer up. There's nothing in this world that you can't do.”
Luo Yuzhen was happy for her son's sensitivity and understanding.
Hua Bingying washed the dishes and set up a rattan chair for her mother. She urged her mother to lie down and rest, saying,"I forgot. Grandma Shen said that in two days, she will come to my house every day. She comes in the morning and goes out late to buy vegetables, cook, and wash clothes for us.”
It turned out that he had been a helper for the Hua family for more than ten years. Ten days ago, he had returned to his family in the countryside. He was afraid that his reputation as a counter-revolutionary would be bad and affect his identity as a poor farmer. Luo Yuzhen couldn't persuade him to stay. However, she had never done any housework before. It was all thanks to Grandma Shen and Shen Huimin helping her daughter take care of the house. She wanted to invite another one, but no one was willing to help the counter-revolutionary family. She said," Granny Shen is warm-hearted and loves to talk and laugh. It's best that she can come. It's just that our family has a lot of work to do and I'm afraid that she'll be tired out. What's more worrying is that she won't take her salary.”
Bing Ying said," I can help wash the clothes. Huimin knows how to carry water and chop wood. It won't tire her out much. You can also tell her the salary. I'll pay her once a month. If she doesn't take it, ask her to go back." Since she had said this, she was afraid that she would have to come no matter what.”
" If Mrs. Shen really comes," Luo Yujen said to Bing Huan," you all have to respect her like your own grandmother. Don't hurt her good intentions."”
Bing Ying went to school after saying that. Hua Shijie also went out to see if Zhou Peiying had returned from her performance.
Binghuan made a cup of chrysanthemum tea for his mother and said,"Mom, calm down."
"Mommy doesn't have a fire in her heart."
Bing Huan laughed.
Luo Yuzhen felt the sharpness of her smart son. She was both happy and worried. She was afraid that her son would unknowingly intervene in her current appeal. She also realized that if the appeal failed, the consequences were indeed unimaginable. She would go to jail and be sentenced. She was already thirty-eight years old. For the sake of her late husband, she did not care even if she died. However, her son was only seventeen years old and she could not ruin his future. She deliberately said to her son,"Mom's appeal is not going well. She's going to lose.”
Hua Binghuan was shocked. He thought that if his mother really lost the lawsuit, she wouldn't have told him so early. Even if she said so, she wouldn't have been so direct. She might have been testing his thoughts. Of course, ever since his mother filed a complaint, he was mentally prepared, but he did not fight to go like his uncle. He knew that his mother was different from other women. She would never let anyone interfere with what she wanted to do. If he argued, he would expose his own bottom line, which would attract his mother's attention and strictly control him. Although his mother didn't beat or scold him, there was a tension in her leniency, so tight that he couldn't take a step beyond the boundaries. He just thought that he had to fight it out as a last resort. He could not let his mother go alone, nor could he let his father die unjustly. He could not let his mother see through this, so he only pretended to be indifferent and said,"So be it."
"If you lose the lawsuit, you'll go to jail."
"Then forget it. Don't complain." He could already tell that his mother was testing him. If it was really that scary, his mother would not have said that.
"Do you have any ideas?"
"What do I know? Forget it.”He was afraid that his mother would ask him what was on his mind, so he smiled and said,"Mom, I'm going to be late. It's time to go to school.”
Luo Yuzhen also saw through her son's thoughts. The more he said it as if nothing had happened, the more it meant that he had a plan in mind. She was worried, but she smiled and held her son's hand."Mommy was just teasing you."
"Your son is stupid. He thought that you would really lose the lawsuit.”
"You have to concentrate on your studies. Go to school.”
Bing Huan walked to the main entrance and turned around. He smiled at his mother who was standing at the entrance of the guest hall before leaving.
Luo Yuzhen was shocked and became even more worried. It seemed that her son had a plan and would intervene at any time. She had to be on guard at all times. She was no longer in the mood to rest. She lit a peony brand cigarette and went for a walk in the garden.
The two pots of gardenia that Shen Shuigen had helped her cultivate had bloomed. The green leaves were like jade, the flowers were like white jade, and the rich fragrance was really fascinating!
Luo Yuzhen stood in front of the flowers and gently recited the poem "Ode to the Gardenias" by the Ming Dynasty poet Huang Chaojian.
Shen Huilian walked in with a big mandarin fish that weighed more than three catties. She called out,"Good mother" and walked straight to the kitchen.
Luo Yuzhen turned around and saw the fish in Hui Lian's hand. When she came out, she said,""It's not easy to get such a big mandarin fish. It's better to let your brother sell it. It's worth a lot of money.”
"Brother said that such a big mandarin fish is rare, so he took it to eat. -- Good mother, I heard you reciting a poem just now. Was it about the gardenia?”
"Yes, you understand."
Shen Huilian shook her head and said,"I saw you chanting to the gardenia, so I guessed so."”
"Do you want to learn?"
"I'm afraid I'm stupid and won't be able to learn."
"Is there anyone smarter than you?" Luo Yuzhen held Hui Lian's hand lovingly and said,""Go into the study. I'll teach you."
As soon as they entered the study, Luo Yujen asked Shen Huilian to sit down at the desk. Then, she sat down, picked up a brush, and wrote the poem. Then, she put the paper in front of Shen Huilian.
Shen Huilian grew up on a fishing boat and never went ashore to study. She only relied on Bing Ying and Bing Huan to patiently teach her. She was smart by nature and had learned a lot of Tang poems from Binghuan. She even memorized them thoroughly. She softly read the poem on the paper,"Ode to the Gardenias," the orchid leaves bear fruit in spring, and the laurel flowers are full of autumn dew. How can it compare to the hot day, the ice and snow branches stand up. Pine and cypress have the highest nature, not necessarily in the cold season. The fragrance is not intermittent, and the quiet is private. When I woke up, I tried new tea. I dreamed that I had finished playing chess. I would rather enjoy the cool night, the breeze blowing on the ground.”
After Hui Lian finished reading, Luo Yuzhen explained,""The orchids are bathed in the bright spring light, filled with a complex fragrance. The osmanthus flowers moistened the cool autumn dew, revealing a rich fragrance. Under the scorching sun, only the gardenia flowers dared to bloom. The snow was cold and the fragrance was overflowing. Because gardenia had the fearless spirit of pine and cypress to resist the cold, it could spit out beauty in the heat and constantly emit a strong fragrance. Naturally, it was loved by those who did not care about fame and fortune. They stood in front of the gardenia flowers, admiring the flowers and cultivating their nature. When drunk, they would appreciate the new tea, and when they woke up, they would clean up the mess. Just like this flower, it refused to flatter the evening breeze, refused to fall to the ground with the wind, and never followed the waves to flatter the rich and powerful.”After she explained, she repeatedly chanted," Dream back to deal with the mess, I'd rather seduce Wanliang."
Shen Huilian understood the meaning of the poem. She read it silently a few times and memorized it. She said,"Good mother, I think that a person should be like a gardenia, daring to resist the heat, not flattering the secular world, not caring about fame and fortune."”
Luo Yuzhen secretly praised Hui Lian's comprehension and said,""You like this poem too?" Jian Huilian nodded." You can recite it?"”
Shen Huilian closed her eyes and recited the poem word for word.
Luo Yuzhen liked this smart girl even more. She remembered her late husband's words: "This girl is beautiful on the outside but beautiful on the inside. If she could study, then she would be even more beautiful and graceful. I like this kind of wife." She also had this intention. She had advised Hui Lian to go ashore to study several times. Hui Lian was afraid that her brother would be too tired from fishing alone. Moreover, her family relied on fishing to survive and did not have any spare money. She did not want to rely on the Hua family, so she did not enter school. She wanted Binghuan to teach Hui Lian. She said to Hui Lian,"Sit down, I'll come."”He went upstairs.
Shen Huilian saw that Luo Yuzhen's handwriting was beautiful, so she folded the poem paper and put it in her pocket. She wanted to go back and copy it.
Luo Yuzhen came down from upstairs, holding a pair of jade earrings to put on Hui Lian.
Shen Huilian repeatedly declined. Piercing her ears was her grandmother's idea when she was young. She had never thought of wearing gold and silver.
Luo Yuzhen managed to convince Hui Lian to cut off the red thread on her ear and put on the jade earring. However, she didn't tell her that the earring was meant for her future daughter-in-law.
"Thank you, good mother." "Brother is still fishing, so I have to go help him," Shen Huilian said.”
"Then go quickly. Don't tire your brother out.”
"Big brother said that after we collect the net and sell the fish, he will cook.”Hui Lian said and left.
Luo Yuzhen smiled in satisfaction as she watched Hui Lian leave. She knew that although her son didn't say it, he liked this girl in his heart. Whenever he was free, he would go to her fishing boat and home, saying that he was teaching Hui Lian to read and write. As a mother, she didn't need her son to say it out loud. Sigh, with such a son and such a wife, she was satisfied. The Hua family had suffered a setback, but they would not be unable to recover. She felt that the burden on her shoulders was heavy. She had to clarify this counter-revolutionary injustice and clear the obstacles on the road for her son, daughter-in-law, daughter, and uncle.
It was late at night, but Luo Yuzhen was still awake. She was still thinking about the appeal. She had already met with County Head Zhou for the second time. Judging from the county head's attitude, he might not accept her appeal. It was better to go directly to the district. This would naturally escalate the situation and embarrass the county. She could not bear to do so. Changing a person's opinion on something was not something that could be done overnight. It required both time and the patience of the persuader. As the saying goes," To be determined is not to be sharp. Success depends on time, not speed." She then remembered the person who had asked the guards to let her in at the gate of the county government in the morning. She reckoned that this person was not an ordinary cadre and had some status in the county because she saw the female cadre make a cup of tea for him. County Head Zhou also turned to smile at him several times. He had been sitting not far away, listening to her talk with County Head Zhou. He seemed to be very focused. She knew that her words were a little sharp, but he was not as angry as the female officer. This meant that there were still people in the county who were willing to listen to her appeal. She had to go to the county government three times. She also thought that the county head might turn hostile and punish her. Venting a grievance was a matter of going up a mountain of knives and going down a sea of fire. So be it. As long as she was still breathing, she would go to the district, the provincial government, and Beijing to turn this injustice around. That was right. One had to be careful and think carefully.
It was late at night. There was no wind or rain. The moon was round and the stars were shining brightly. She walked to the window and looked at the pots of gardenia in the garden downstairs."Meng Xing, clean up the mess." She was full of confidence, as if she could see the Hua family getting back on their feet.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。