"Mother, there have been a lot of people seeing patients recently. Is there some kind of illness in the city?”
Yi Huatuo, who was over 30 years old, was in the courtyard, picking out the herbs that had just been picked from the mountains and picking out the suitable parts.
Yi Huatuo's body emitted waves of lotus fragrance from time to time. Although she was in her early thirties, her appearance was the same as Yi Qiling's, both of them extremely beautiful. The only difference was that Yi Qiling's body emitted a pure spiritual aura that was not affected by human affairs. Yi Huatuo, on the other hand, gave people a solemn feeling.
Yi Huatuo gave people the illusion that she was like an immortal who ate pine and cypress. It was as if she would not eat mortal food at all. The corners of her lips were always smiling. Just seeing the smile on her lips, his illness was more than half cured.
"The weather has been a little cold recently.”
my clothes are cold and my eyebrows are wrinkled. "It can't be. Recently, there seem to be fewer people who have caught a cold. Most of them have problems with their feet.”
Yi Huatuo was silent as he quietly picked the herbs.
"Mother?"
Yi Huatuo put down the herbs in his hands, patted his hands that were stained with mud, and picked up the bamboo sieve that was filled with herbs. He placed it on a shelf that had been raised high and arranged several layers.
"Mother." Yi Qi Ling felt that there was something wrong with her mother's attitude. "Mother, are you hiding something? You must know what kind of illness everyone has, right?”She tugged at Yi Huatuo's sleeve tightly." Mother, why are everyone's feet festering like that? Why don't they feel any pain even though their feet are festering?”
"Ling 'er, there are some things that you don't know.”Yi Huatuo coldly replied to his beloved daughter's question.
She turned around and entered the house, but Yi Qi Ling did not give up and chased after her.
"Ling 'er, boil some water to brew this tea. There will be people coming for treatment later, so we have to serve some tea for them to drink.”
"Mother." Yi Qi Ling sat down, determined not to get up and leave until he asked clearly. "If you don't explain clearly, Ling 'er won't move.”
Yi Huatuo took a sip of tea to soothe his throat and took a short rest. He sighed helplessly.
"Ling 'er." Yi Huatuo was shocked by his beloved daughter's stubborn attitude, and then he only shook his head with a faint smile.
"Who exactly is your temperament like?”She tucked Yi Qiling's hair behind her ears, her fingers lovingly caressing that young, smooth, snow-white skin.
"Of course he looks like you. Ling 'er was born by you. If he doesn't look like you, who else can he look like?”Yi Qiling used her cheeks to rub Yi Huatuo's warm hands, which had grown calluses and thickened from years of picking herbs on the mountain. For some reason, her heart ached and her eyes became moist.
"Why are you crying?" Yi Huatuo wiped away Yi Qiling's tears and smiled gently. "You're already so big, yet you're still crying. Quickly wipe your tears.”
"Mother, I have never hated or blamed anyone. You taught me this. But today, I hate, I hate Father for abandoning us. I hate him for not caring about us.”Yi Qiling pulled down Yi Huatuo's hand and gently stroked the rough cocoon on his palm. Tears fell again. "This shouldn't be Mother's hand. Mother's hand should be holding the hot tea and sipping it, not picking the herbs every day before the sky is bright and picking the herbs when the morning dew is falling on the dust.”
Yi Huatuo's eyes were red. Seeing that her beloved daughter's tears were already overflowing, she quickly comforted her," Don't cry."”
Her eyes would tear up whenever she thought of the " regret " in her heart, and her heart would ache so much that it felt like it was being dug out.
Back then, she was willing to stay away from him, to erase his memories of her, and to erase all the time they spent together. Although that was her regret, she didn't regret it. She didn't even regret that he didn't know about Qi Ling's existence.
"Mother?"
Yi Huatuo was called back to his wandering mind by his beloved daughter's cry. Should she tell Ling 'er that it wasn't that her father didn't want them, but that all of this was her own choice, that she had begged the heavens for it?
"Mother, what kind of person is father?”This was the first time she had asked about her "father".
Yi Huatuo's thoughts were pulled back to the past.
"Your father is an upright person. He is humorous, affectionate, gentle, and kind. That is why mother fell in love with your father.”He made her willingly give up her immortal lattice and stay with him.
It was not allowed for immortals and mortals to fall in love. Just like her, she was originally a little fairy who took care of the lotus pond under Guanyin Bodhisattva. However, she accidentally fell into the pond and slipped into the passage connected to the mortal lotus pond. She was saved by him.
" I don't believe it!" Yi Qi Ling shook his head desperately." I don't believe it! Mother, you must be speaking up for Father. If Father is really as Mother said, a loving, gentle, and kind person, why would he abandon us?" Why?"
Yi Huatuo frowned when his daughter kept interrogating him. He shouted,""Enough!"
Yi Qi Ling was shocked. Ever since she could remember, her mother had never shouted at her loudly. She was always gentle and soft to her. Now, the gentle and graceful mother in her memory was furious because she asked about something she should have known long ago. How could she not be shocked?
"Mother."
"Your father doesn't even know of your existence. To be more precise, he doesn't even know of your mother's existence.”
She was willing to be demoted to a mortal in order to seek his life. She could only help the world by hanging a pot to accumulate merit for Ling 'er. She hoped that when the heavens blamed her, it would not affect the innocent Ling' er, so that she would not be punished for her momentary inability to control herself.
After all, being in love with a mortal was one thing. Giving birth to a mortal's daughter was another matter.
"Why doesn't father know of my existence? There's still Mother. Father can't forget Mother!" Yi Qiling was shocked and in disbelief. He tightly grabbed Yi Huatuo's sleeve and interrogated.
Yi Huatuo closed his eyes that were filled with sorrow. "Stop asking." When she opened her eyes again, she regained her original calmness, as if the memories were no longer important and no longer affected her.
"Ling 'er, you only need to understand that your father didn't abandon your mother. It's my fault for not telling your father about your existence. You just need to remember that your father is a righteous and gentle good person. That's enough.”
" Is it really enough, Mother?"
" Sixth, Young, Master…" Jinhai, the personal servant and bodyguard beside Zhangsun Lie, had been running up and down with Zhangsun Lie the entire day. Zhangsun Lie wandered around happily. He was not having such an easy time.
Under the orders of the Zhangsun Clan's Old Master, no matter what method he used, he had to kidnap his master out of the Zhangsun Clan's main gate and on the way to find his daughter-in-law.
Now, other than his master, who had no interest in finding a wife and was still staying in the mansion, the other eleven young masters had already " packed up " and embarked on their journey to find a wife. Therefore, everyone placed their hopes on him, hoping that he could persuade the only " rebellious young master ".
As the light faded away, another day was about to pass. Jinhai's reward today was--
" Young Master, my dearest Sixth Young Master-"
Zhangsun Lie propped up his cheek and poked the scattered walnut shells on the table in boredom. He sighed for the impatience he had felt for the past few days and kept rolling his eyes at Jin Hai.
"What?"
"Sixth Young Master, I beg you, please take the painting that Old Master gave you and go on your way.”
Zhangsun Lie sighed again and frowned. "Did I ask you to persuade me to go out?”
"Old Master is very concerned about your lifelong happiness, Sixth Young Master.”
"Hmph, why would he care!" Zhangsun Lie scoffed at Jin Hai's words.
"If Old Master wasn't worried, he wouldn't be looking for wives for the young masters when he's out doing business.”
"But no one is grateful to him." As if it was none of his business, Zhangsun Lie peeled the walnut in his hand and started eating.
Ever since his father's 59th birthday, the house had become much quieter. It was all because of his brothers. They actually ran out to look for him as if they were serious, leaving him alone at home. No one was with him to bully others.
It wasn't like he couldn't get a wife, it was just that he didn't want to. This time, the twelve of them seemed to have pockmarked faces or carry a big pot on their backs, as if they were hunchbacks that no one wanted.
"Young master, my good young master, just take it as going out to play. Just don't stay at home.”Jin Hai was already begging so much that he was about to kneel down.
Zhangsun Lie raised his eyebrows. "What? Are you going to be slashed and scraped if I don't go out?”
"It wasn't just being cut and scraped. Old Master was furious and accused Young Master of being unfilial and disobeying him.”
Zhangsun Lie couldn't suppress his laughter, and he laughed so hard that he leaned back.
"Young Master!"
As he thought of the excitement, Zhangsun Lie slammed the table violently. A high-quality solid wooden table was hit so hard that it was deafening and shook violently.
"Miaomiao!"
" Young Master." A servant girl stood outside the door, timidly standing by the door, not daring to enter the room.
Seeing this, Jin Hai walked towards the servant girl.
"Little Shui, what's the matter?"
"The Old Master invites the Young Master to the hall.”
Zhangsun Lie, who was originally overjoyed, immediately hid his smile from his handsome face.
" Young Master." Jin Hai turned to look at Zhangsun Lie awkwardly.
After eating a walnut, Zhangsun Lie said,""He really doesn't want to give up."
He sighed deeply and got up to go to the hall, thinking about how to deal with that old fox.
Before he stepped into the hall, he heard a group of people making a racket outside. Zhangsun Lie paused for a moment and listened to some of the conversation before stepping through the door.
"Lie, son, quickly, quickly come and sit here.”Bai Fengyi patted the chair beside her.
The old master of the Zhangsun Clan, who was sitting at the head of the table, quietly sipped his hot tea and stared at Zhangsun Lie with a sharp gaze.
Zhangsun Lie raised his eyebrows and pretended not to see his father's cold gaze. He sat down and poured tea.
The original liveliness in the hall instantly disappeared. It was silent due to the strange interaction between the Old Master and Zhangsun Lie. The two of them seemed to be comparing who could keep their cool.
After a long time, Great-Grandfather finally could not help but rebuke,"
"Do you still have me in your eyes? Can't you even say hello?"
"Grandpa." Zhangsun Lie put down his cup and called out before he started to sip his tea again.
"Why are you still at home? Everyone else went out to look for him, but you actually stayed at home!”Great-Grandfather Fang stomped his feet in anger. "Do you think the person I found for you is not good? I don't believe you can find someone better than that girl!”
"Yes, I did." Zhangsun Lie answered randomly.
" You found it?!" Everyone looked at Zhangsun Lie in surprise.
"When did you go out to look for it?" He had planted many spies in the residence, and he knew his grandson's every word and action very well. He did not believe that Zhangsun Lie had gone out to look for someone. "Jinhai, bring Young Master's painting over.”
"Yes."
Zhangsun Lie sat leisurely, his left hand holding a fragrant hot tea to drink, his right hand picking up the sunflower seeds produced by his family to munch on. His ears could not help but hear the old man's words. He asked in confusion,"What's the use of that scroll?"
Great-Grandfather Fang snorted coldly as he waited for Jin Hai to bring the painting over.
Not long after, Jin Hai took out a painting from Zhangsun Lie's room and spread it out on the table. After looking at it, Great-Grandfather Zhang mocked angrily,""You found him? Didn't you say you went to look for him? Then why was this painting still as good as new? If he were to take the painting and go from house to house to find the person, the painting would naturally become soft and wrinkled due to the constant rolling, or even break. However, this painting scroll of yours is as good as the one I brought back.”
Only then did Zhangsun Lie understand why his Grandpa Fox had asked Jinhai to bring the painting over.
"Since I understand, why are you still asking me?”
"Lie 'er, your father is doing this for your own good. I thought that all your brothers would obediently take the painting scroll and go out to look for their wives. Why are you the only one who is unwilling to go out and look for her even if you die?”Zhangsun Cangneng frowned.
"Why should I go out for such a meaningless matter? Besides, I didn't say where the person in the painting lived. The whole country is so big. There are so many cities and towns. How can I find him? I'm just asking for trouble.”
" Looking for trouble?!" Great-Grandfather Zhang was so infuriated by Zhangsun Lie that he almost couldn't swallow his anger. "I've worked so hard to find a wife for you, and you're telling me that you're asking for trouble?”
Zhangsun Lie dug his ears. "Don't be so loud, my lord."
Great-Grandfather Fang was so angry that the corners of his mouth kept twitching. He immediately called out to Jinhai. "Jinhai, I'm telling you, pack your bags and go to the capital today.”
"Yes." Jin Hai was still wondering when the Old Master would flip out, but he didn't expect it to start.
Zhangsun Lie's face immediately turned ashen. He threw a tantrum and slammed the cup in his hand on the table. He stood up and turned to leave.
What a joke! If he wanted to find someone, he would have to think about it slowly.
"Zhangsun Lie!"
Zhangsun Lie stopped in his tracks, sighed, and turned around. "I know, okay? I'll find him. Please spare me.”Of course, he would go and look for them. However, the method was different. He could just send someone to take the painting out and look for them. He did not have to do it himself. Since he had managed to get information from his father that the girl lived in the capital, he only needed to send someone to the capital to find her and bring her back. Wouldn't that be peaceful?
In any case, their father only wanted them to find the person. As for the process, it was not important.
" That's what you said." Great-Grandfather Zhang grinned in satisfaction when he heard Zhangsun Lie's words.
"Lie 'er, is what you said true?”Bai Fengyi couldn't believe that her precious son would be led around by the nose like this.
In the past, he was the most opinionated person and hated being led around by the nose, but now he was actually obedient enough to go all the way to the capital to find his wife?
This was too scary!
" I'm telling the truth." Zhangsun Lie gave everyone a fake smile before turning around and leaving.
Jin Hai quickly packed up the paintings on the table and left as well.
He had no choice. Who taught Jinhai to be his personal bodyguard and manservant? Of course, wherever his master went, he had to follow to protect his master's safety.
The Zhangsun Clan was too big and too rich. They were the richest people in Luoyang. There were already people who could not stand it anymore. Not only were they secretly pulling the strings, but they were also openly stealing business. There were even people who wanted to use such lousy tricks like sneak attacks on the Zhangsun Clan. That was why the Old Master had assigned a manservant to protect the twelve young masters.
"Young Master, will you really listen to Old Master and go out to look for Young Madam?”Jin Hai's words clearly showed that he didn't believe her.
Halfway through, Zhangsun Lie stopped. Jinhai, how long have you known me?"
When Zhangsun Lie asked this question, Jin Hai started to calculate carefully. "Jinhai has only been in the residence for ten years.”
"So, you've been with me for ten years. Don't tell me that ten years isn't enough for you to understand me?”
Hearing Zhangsun Lie's words, Jin Hai's face turned pale. "Young Master, do you mean that you won't go out to look for him at all? And what you said in the hall just now was just to brush off the old master?”He swallowed with difficulty.
Zhangsun Lie took the scroll from Jin Hai. "Do you think the person in this painting still exists?”
"Of course it exists!"
"Wrong."
"Wrong?" Jin Hai really didn't understand what his master was thinking.
"Of course not. Based on how well I understand her, this girl must be perfect to make me like her. I like her from the bottom of my heart, but is it possible that such a perfect girl hasn't gotten married yet? I don't know how long it's been since I came back. Now that I've taken out the painting, who knows if the person inside is alive or dead? I don't want to do anything that's good for me. Find? Alright, send someone to find out if she was a human or a ghost, and if she was married or not.”
"That's not right either! Young Master, perhaps Old Master has really found a perfect woman for you.”
As soon as Jin Hai finished speaking, Zhangsun Lie picked up the heavy scroll in his hand and smashed it on Jin Hai's head. He cried out in pain. "Young Master, why did you hit me?"
"Because you're the closest to me." Zhangsun Lie gritted his teeth.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]