Chapter 285: King Yan is Convicted
After hearing what the old lady said, Mengxi called out softly:
"Old lady..."
"Xi'er, I've wronged you in the past two years. Xi'er has such good medical skills and opened Yichuntang outside. If you had told me earlier, I would never have let you suffer so much. Now that I think about it, I regret it so much."
"Because there is no precedent of women doing business in Da Qi, I was afraid that you would object at first, so I didn't dare to tell you. Later... it became a big deal, so I couldn't tell you. In fact, Mengxi has always wanted to tell you."
"Jun'er's illness back then was also cured by Xi'er, right? I don't know what disease he had, but Jun'er mentioned it last year, saying that he had sequelae. Xi'er, since Jun'er risked his life to protect you, please check on Jun'er when you see him next time."
After hearing what the old lady said, Meng Xi paused while massaging, thought for a moment and said:
"The Second Master had a very strange disease. Mengxi also happened to see it in a strange book. When the Second Master's half-month period was over, he went to the backyard. Mengxi never had the chance to feel his pulse again, so the root of the disease remained. This time, I happened to meet the Second Master in the south and have examined him. He is no longer a problem."
Mentioning the half-month period, Meng Xi felt a little embarrassed when seeing the old lady's stiff expression, and said hesitantly:
"Old Lady, Mengxi...I lied to you back then, are you still angry?"
"Why are you still angry? Xi'er only cared about Jun'er's own good. It was Jun'er who treated you wrongly. If Jun'er had treated you better, I believe you wouldn't have done that. It's all in the past. Xi'er, don't hold it in your heart."
Seeing that the old lady looked relieved, Mengxi also breathed a sigh of relief and continued to gently massage the old lady's legs. Suddenly, he remembered that the eldest master had knelt in Yichun Hall, which always had a knot in his heart. Seeing that the old lady was silent, he raised his head and said carefully:
"Old Madam, when the Second Master couldn't eat, Mengxi knew about it and asked Li Du to give him medicine. When the First Master went to Yichun Hall , Li Du was not there. The waiter didn't know the rules and bumped into the First Master... This is all a misunderstanding, not Mengxi's intention. Please persuade the First Master not to take it to heart and forgive Mengxi's unintentional mistake."
"Don't worry, Xier, this matter has passed a long time ago. When the eldest master first heard about this, he was also very angry for a long time. Don't be upset. After going through so much, he has come to terms with it. If it weren't for the people's petition organized by Xier, I'm afraid all the Xiao family would have been wiped out. The fate of the Xiao family was caused by Xiuer. The poor eldest lady treated Xiuer as a treasure, but she died in her hands. Fortunately, Xier is a skilled doctor, otherwise, I, an old man, would have died a long time ago. My Xiao family owes you a few lives..."
"Old Madam, please stop saying that. Although Cuiping leaked the news that the Xiao family was raided this time, it was ultimately caused by Mengxi's deception of the emperor. Mengxi feels very guilty about this. Before returning to Pingyang, Mengxi had submitted a memorial in the name of the director of the Imperial Hospital, requesting Your Majesty to allow Mengxi to regain the title of Xiao family in exchange for his merits in treating the plague. I didn't expect that there has been no news for a long time. I recently heard that it was the Prince of Yan and Zhang Yushi who obstructed the memorial. Mengxi's memorial was kept by Your Majesty. But don't worry, old madam. After the crown prince comes to power, Mengxi will submit another memorial. With the crown prince's mediation, it will definitely work..."
"I'm sorry to have troubled Xi'er. If I could see the Xiao family rise again with my own eyes, I would die with a clear mind."
"Old lady, you are in such good health, you will definitely see it..."
At this point, both of them shut up. Expectations are always good. The King of Yan is arrogant and has long been insolent. Who can guarantee that the prince will win? If the prince loses, what will be waiting for them...
The room fell silent for a moment, and Mengxi just gently rubbed the old lady's legs.
…
In the blink of an eye, it was May. Under Mengxi's careful treatment, the old lady recovered very quickly and was able to move freely.
On this day, Mengxi, Shishu, Ruyan and other maids sat together on the small kang in the west room of Shouxi Hall, playing flower cards with the old lady. This deck of cards was specially carved by a skilled craftsman out of wood with reference to modern blind supplies. The style and size of the cards were the same as paper cards, but they were a little thicker. The patterns on the cards protruded from the surface, making them very convenient to touch.
Mengxi's purpose was to help the old lady practice her hand feel, which was very important for a blind person.
The old lady picked up another wooden sign, fumbled with it for a long time, and said:
“This is a money string.”
"Yep!"
Seeing that the old lady had touched the right place, several people clapped their hands and said it was right. Ruyan said obediently:
"Old lady, your fingers are becoming more and more sensitive. You have been playing for so long today and you have made very few mistakes. In my opinion, you don't need to touch this money string anymore. You have never made a mistake with this card."
The old lady heard this and scolded with a smile:
"You are the only one who is so talkative..."
As she spoke, she fumbled for a card and began to touch it. Everyone looked at the card and held their breath. The old lady touched it for a long time and said:
"This is Hammer Six... Hmm, it doesn't seem to be..."
Seeing no one responded, the old lady began to feel it carefully again and said:
"It's the Seventh Bitch... No, it's Hammer Six"
"You got it right this time. Yesterday you kept confusing Hammer Six with Seventh Wife. Today, if you just feel carefully, you will get it right..."
"Yes, it seems that in a few days, I can play cards with you. The old lady has deft hands. I have learned to play cards with you. I also practiced secretly at night when I had nothing to do. But until now, I can't even play the simple tricks such as the holes on the ground and the benches, let alone the difficult ones. This is really incomparable."
After hearing Ruyi's words, Shishu said:
"Drawing cards requires not only careful memorization, but also skill..."
Listening to the chattering of several maids, the old lady couldn't help but laugh. Looking at the old lady's smiling face, Mengxi felt a lot more at ease. The old lady finally accepted the reality of her blindness. She was no longer like before, when she would lose her temper, throw things, or curse Xiu'er. Her mood gradually calmed down.
It was time for her to go back. She had been in the Xiao Mansion for almost two months. Zhiqiu and Zhichun were so anxious that they were jumping up and down. They were just thinking about how to say goodbye to the old lady when a little maid knocked on the door and came in to pass on a message:
"Replying to the old lady, the second master and second wife are here."
Everyone was startled, stopped what they were doing, turned to look at the little maid, and the old lady also turned her head and said:
“Please Let Them In”
"Mom, good news, great news..."
As soon as the old lady finished speaking, the second master came in excitedly. His slightly plump body was trembling, and his round face was flushed with excitement. Because he walked too fast, a layer of sweat seeped out of his forehead.
Seeing the Second Master suddenly come in, the maid and others stood up in surprise, hurriedly got down from the ground, and greeted the Second Master and the Second Madam who came in later. The room was in chaos. Mengxi was about to get down from the ground, but was held down by the old lady, who asked her to sit still and said casually:
"Qing'er, please sit here. The Second Master and the Second Madam are not outsiders."
When Mengxi saw this, she greeted the Second Master and Second Mistress on the kang, then sat there in a dignified manner.
Listening to the messy noises in the room, the old lady felt annoyed. She turned towards the door and complained in dissatisfaction:
"Look at you. You are so old, but you are still so unstable. Learn more from your big brother in the future."
Seeing that the old lady was unhappy, the second master paused, his smile froze on his face, and he glanced at the maids who came to pay their respects, his face flushed the color of liver.
When Shishu and other maids saw this, they held their breath, tiptoed aside and started to get busy.
After a pause, the second master came to the kang and said respectfully:
"Mother taught me that I will pay more attention to it in the future. It was a great happy event just now. I was anxious to tell you about it and wanted you to be happy."
The second wife who followed in also hurriedly apologized to the old lady. Hearing the second wife's voice, the old lady said:
"The Second Master is reckless, so the Second Madam should try to persuade him more and not just follow his lead. Just say what you need to say. If he doesn't listen, come find me..."
"The daughter-in-law follows her mother's teachings."
"Alright, alright, hurry up and sit down. Tell me what happy event ."
Shishu and others had already moved the chairs and placed them beside the kang. The second master and the second mistress sat down. Ruyi was clearing the cards on the small kang table. Ruyan served tea. After a busy period, several maids stood on both sides.
Seeing his mother asking, the second master became excited again and said:
"Mother, the news has spread all over Pingyang now. General Zhenwu and Prince Yan have had their homes raided and their homes confiscated for collaborating with the enemy, and have been thrown into prison!"
After hearing this, the old lady shuddered all over as if she were electrocuted. She sat up straight and turned her head towards the direction of the voice. Her unfocused eyes stared at the direction of the voice. Her lips moved but no sound came out. Her hands trembled as she reached towards the direction of the second master.
When the second master saw this, he leaned forward and grabbed the old lady's hands, and shouted:
"Mother……"
"The Prince of Yan...has his house really been confiscated...is that true...is that true?...Say it again..."
Holding the second master's hand tightly, the old lady asked uncertainly, her voice trembling a little.
"It's true, mother. Last August, General Zhenbei's vanguard, Zhang Jidong, led an army of 50,000 soldiers on the eastern front. They were ambushed by the Shanrong people on the south bank of the Mulu River and were completely wiped out. General Zhang disappeared at the time, but was later rescued. Upon questioning, we learned that General Zhang's defeat was due to collusion with the enemy. General Zhou, the commander of the Second Route Army, followed the clues provided by General Zhang and found the secret letter from Prince Yan to General Zhenbei's Situ Sen and the evidence of his collusion with the enemy. This time, General Zhou returned victoriously and has presented all the evidence to Your Majesty..."
Before the second master could finish, the old lady's face was distorted, and she gritted her teeth and said:
"You old villain, Prince Yan, you have finally met your end. I never thought that I, Shangguan, would be alive to see this day. God is truly merciful! Ha! Ha!..."
Due to excessive excitement, the old lady was laughing and spitting, and fainted, her body limply leaning to one side. The second master stood up suddenly, hugged his mother, and shook her while shouting:
"Mother! Mother! ..."
"Old lady..."
"Old lady..."
Shishu, Ruyi and others screamed in shock and rushed over. Mengxi held the old lady with his hand and said to the second master:
"Second Master, calm down first. The old lady is just confused by the phlegm. Quick, let her go first."
After hearing what Mengxi said, the second master calmed down. Under Mengxi's instruction, he slowly laid the old lady flat. Everyone held their breath and watched Mengxi pinch the old lady's philtrum with his thumb. After a while, the old lady slowly woke up and exhaled a long breath. Hearing no sound around, she unconsciously reached out to touch what was in front of her, and said as she touched:
"Where are all the people? Where are all the people? What happened to me?"
Mengxi saw it and said:
"Old lady, we are all here. You were too excited just now and fainted. You are fine now."
"Mother, my son is here"
The second master held the old lady's hand while speaking. Hearing the voice, the old lady nodded in relief after holding the second master's hand. Mengxi reached out to support the old lady and said:
"Old lady, Qing'er will help you up first. Drink some water and you will be fine in a while."
As Mengxi was speaking, the maid had already stepped forward and helped her to lift the old lady up. Ruyi found two pillows and leaned them against the old lady's back. Ruyan had already handed her a cup of sugar water. The second wife took it and carefully fed the old lady to drink.
