The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 441

"Uncle is back!"

The two dolls held Zhu Xiu's hands, one on the left and the other on the right, and jumped into the archway of the back courtyard, shouting in childish voices.

Several figures ran out of a large room in the middle, and those gathered in the middle were Zhu Wu and Yang Qiaolian.

"Brother!" Zhu Wu was overjoyed and rushed forward in three steps. He pinched Zhu Xiu's shoulders with his rough hands and looked at him all over.

The honest man's lips trembled with excitement and his eyes were red. He couldn't say anything and just slapped Zhu Xiu hard on the shoulder.

Zhu Xiu consoled him: "My brother and sister-in-law are worried about me. Everything is fine, little brother!"

Zhu Wu grinned and nodded vigorously: "It's good to come back safely!"

Yang Qiaolian wiped the corners of her eyes and rolled her eyes at her husband: "Brother Xiu is on official business under the emperor's order. What dangers can there be in the land of Dazhou? Besides, Brother Xiu is lucky and has great fortune. He can even break out of dangerous places like Jiangning. , You are very capable!"

Zhu Wu stared back at her: "My mother-in-law knows nothing! Some dangers are right in front of you, while others are hidden behind you so that you can't see or touch them. If you make one wrong move, it could be a disaster!"

"Bah!~Brother Xiu just came back and he said something unlucky!" Yang Qiaolian hit her husband and wanted to cover his bad mouth.

Zhu Xiu looked at Zhu Wu and said in surprise: "But what did someone say when they came to the house?"

Zhu Wu said in a low voice: "Master Feng came here a few days ago to check on my condition and chatted with me for a long time.

The old teacher was talking in a roundabout way, and I couldn't quite understand it, but there seemed to be something behind his words, and he seemed to be reminding us to be careful. "

Zhu Xiu was thoughtful, and it seemed that Feng Dao also saw the ambiguous attitude of the official family regarding the heir's position.

Moreover, Zhu Xiu was ordered to inspect Chanzhou and stayed there for seven or eight months. Anyone with any sense would be able to see that there was something wrong here. The official arrangement must have deep meaning.

It seems that Feng Dao came to Zhu's house to inquire about news, asked when Zhu Xiu would return to Kaifeng, and took Zhu Wuxu to talk.

"Brother, please don't mention these words to others. I have my own opinions." Zhu Xiu asked softly.

"Don't worry." Zhu Wu nodded knowingly.

Yang Qiaolian saw the two brothers muttered with their heads close to each other, and she didn't know what to say in a mysterious way, so she urged: "Brother Xiu, you'd better go see your mother quickly. She talks about you all day long."

As soon as Zhu Xiu stepped on the stone steps, a beautiful figure walked out of the door of the big house. When he took a closer look, he turned out to be Feng Qingchan.

After not seeing each other for a long time, Zhu Xiuhuang was taken aback, opened his eyes wide and blurted out: "Why are you here?"

Originally, when Feng Qingchan saw Zhu Xiu, her beautiful face flashed with excitement and joy, but when she heard him ask this question, her eyes flashed with a bit of embarrassment, she straightened her chest, rolled her eyes at him, and snorted heavily in her nose.

Zhu Xiu's eyes moved downwards, glancing at the proud curves, and her heart skipped a beat.

Darling, in a year and a half, this girl has developed a lot, I don't know how she grew up
A green narrow-sleeved underskirt, with a light green tube top inside that is fully rounded, barely visible under the cover of the gauze and silk fabric.

"Hehe~"

An old voice came from behind Feng Qingchan, and an old man with silver beard and hair slowly walked forward with a cane.

"The elder doctor!" Zhu Xiu hurriedly came forward and saluted, "Junior Zhu Xiu pays homage to the elder doctor!"

This person was none other than Yuan Jingrun, a royal physician who had served six emperors in three dynasties.

Yuan Jingrun is 76 years old. He can be called a living fossil at this age.

Even Feng Dao, who always liked to rely on his elders and show off his talents, did not dare to show off in front of him.

Yuan Jingrun is old, and his beard and hair are as white as snow. Although his skin has many wrinkles, his complexion is still rosy, and his eyes full of vicissitudes of life are still bright and lively.

Although his official rank is not high, his reputation among the government and the public is quite high, and he can be regarded as highly respected.

Since he resigned from the post of Imperial Physician, if you want to ask him for consultation again, you can only visit him in person at his residence, and you have to make an appointment in advance.

Unless summoned by the emperor, Yuan Jingrun would not come to the doctor easily again.

The old man came to Zhu Xiu's mansion, which really surprised him.

"Master Zhu, you don't need to be too polite." Yuan Jingrun stroked his silver beard, narrowed his old eyes, and looked back and forth between Zhu Xiu and Feng Qingchan.

"How can I, this junior, be so kind as to ask the elder doctor to come to my door in person?" Zhu Xiu bowed deeply.

Yuan Jingrun joked: "I didn't come to see you just for the sake of Lord Zhu Zhu. If you want to thank me, you have to thank my dear disciple properly."

There was something in Yuan Jingrun's words. Zhu Xiu was startled and turned to look at Feng Qingchan.

Feng Qingchan raised her chin arrogantly, her slender swan neck was white and tender, dazzling.

"You also know that I rarely go out in recent years. Unless summoned by an official, I will not go to an official's house easily.

The old man is old, and he wants to devote his energy to free clinics and teaching the next generation while he still has a few years to live.

I was originally going to Luoyang for a medical consultation in the past two days, but I couldn't stand this girl Chan'er's persistence, so I changed my schedule and came to your home first."

Yuan Jingrun spoke slowly, and Feng Qingchan's cheeks turned red, and she stamped her feet in a coquettish way: "Master!"

"Haha~" Yuan Jingrun's childlike innocence was still intact, and he winked at his precious apprentice. It was obvious that he was being narrow-minded, and Feng Qingchan rolled his eyes.

Feng Qingchan glanced at Zhu Xiu and said angrily: "Master Weng said that you have been kind to the Feng family, and the Feng family will try their best to repay you! Aunt Wu's health is poor, and she fell into the water and suffered from typhoid fever. The evil spirit infected her heart, and she was tired all the way. Only after receiving good treatment did the condition recur.

I was afraid that my lack of academic skills would delay Aunt Wu's condition, so I invited my master to consult me."

Zhu Xiu bowed solemnly: "Ms. Feng's kindness will never be forgotten by Zhu Xiu! One day, I will personally come to pay homage to Mr. Feng!"

Feng Qingchan hummed softly, leaned against Yuan Jingrun and said nothing, secretly looking at Zhu Xiu from the corner of her eyes from time to time.

Zhu Xiu whispered: "May I ask the elder doctor, how is my mother's condition?"

Yuan Jingrun stroked his beard with a solemn expression and said in a deep voice: "There is no room for optimism. You have to be mentally prepared. It could be half a year as soon as possible or a year as late as possible."

Zhu Xiu felt her heart tightening suddenly, her ears and eyes feeling dizzy, as if she had been hit on the head, and her body shook slightly.

Feng Qingchan was startled. She had never seen Zhu Xiu so distracted before, and his face suddenly turned pale.

"My mother is only half a hundred years old, and her body was still strong before. How could she suddenly..." Zhu Xiu remained silent, her chest was heavy and she could not speak.

Yuan Jingrun sighed: "Just like that dead tree, it looks intact on the outside, but the meridians inside have long been empty and decayed, and there is no chance of recovery."

After a pause, Yuan Jingrun looked at him, "Your Majesty's ability to hold on for so many years is all due to an old incident that she has never forgotten. This incident made her depressed, but it was also the hope that supported her survival. I guess that this It should be related to your life experience.

You have been separated from your family since you were a child. Over the years, your parents have been concerned about you and look forward to meeting you again. This hope cannot be extinguished, and the vitality can barely survive.

Now that you are reunited with your family, your father's wish has been fulfilled, and this feeling is gone.The typhoid fever and lung disease caused by falling into the water opened a hole in her decaying body. No matter how difficult it is to heal with human medical skills, the vitality will only gradually disappear."

Zhu Xiu was silent, her head lowered, her eyes were moist, her vision was a little blurry, and her whole body was trembling slightly.

Yuan Jingrun took a few steps forward and whispered: "Now that you are back, stay with your mother. Every seven days, I ask Chan'er to bring herbal medicines. They are all prescriptions to soothe the mind and nourish the mind. They can make her feel better." Live these last days without any pain."

Zhu Xiuchang bowed his head to the ground and said in a hoarse voice: "Thank you, old doctor!"

Feng Qingchan bit her lips lightly, and said in a low voice: "Go to the back room to accompany Aunt Wu, she has been waiting for you! I will prepare the herbs and deliver them on time, so don't worry."

Zhu Xiu lowered her eyes, nodded silently, cupped her hands and walked towards the back room.

Feng Qingchan looked at his back, her eyes full of worry.

"Let's go, girl, this young man is not simple. He is stronger than you think. This little hardship cannot overcome him!" Yuan Jingrun smiled slightly.

Feng Qingchan sighed: "Not long after he reunited with his relatives, he had to endure the pain of separation between heaven and man. He is so pitiful~"

Yuan Jingrun heard a bit of choking in his voice and shook his head. He knew his precious disciple's temper. To be so interested in a young man, needless to say, he must be showing affection.

"No wonder Feng Dao and Fu Yanqing did not hesitate to stage a joke about competing for a son-in-law before the emperor. Looking at the history of Zhu Xiu's success in just a few years, we know that this son is by no means an ordinary person!
If there is a woman of the right age in my family, I will fight for this good son-in-law no matter what! "

Yuan Jingrun stroked his beard and muttered to himself.

Feng Qingchan who was supporting her heard it clearly, her face was blushing, she pursed her lips tightly and did not speak.

Yuan Jingrun chuckled twice, walked out of the house on crutches, and the master and apprentice left the Hou's mansion under the escort of Zhu Wu and others.

Bypassing the painted wall, Zhu Xiu entered the back room. The air was filled with the strong smell of soup and medicinal herbs. Autumn had just begun, but a fire pit was already burning in this room. A stove was placed near the window, making the room very hot.

Sweat dripped from Zhu Xiu's neck, she walked lightly, and walked around behind the screen.

Wu Youdi was lying on the bed, covered with a thick mattress.

Zhou Xian was wearing single clothes and was busy wiping Wu Youdi's hands and feet with hot water.

Her forehead was covered with sweat, and her face was flushed by the heat in the room.

"Ehuang." Zhu Xiu called softly.

Zhou Xian looked up at him, hesitated, smiled slightly, and said softly: "I heard Zhu Liang shouting just now, and I thought I heard him wrong."

She reached out and pushed her hair behind her ears, rolled up the cuffs of her hands to her elbows, and stood there quietly holding the basin.

"But Brother Xiu is back?" On the bed, Wu Youdi opened her eyes with a heartbeat, and her voice was unbearably excited.

Zhu Xiu hurriedly came forward and sat on the edge of the bed, gently held her calloused hands, leaned over and said in a low voice: "Mom, the baby is home!"

"Brother Xiu is back! He's home, okay! Okay!~" Wu Youdi's voice trembled, and she held her son's hand with all her strength.

Zhou Xian took the basin and quietly closed the door and left.

The room was warm and the bedding was warm, but Wu Youdi's hands were still cold.

Those rough hands gently rubbed Zhu Xiu's cheeks, and tears rolled down Wu Youdi's old, yellow eyes.

Wu Youdi murmured, describing the life of his family after arriving in Kaifeng City.

"In the first few days after I moved in, my mother couldn't sleep all night. I don't know which generation of our old Zhu family burned incense so that I, Mrs. Wu, could live in such a big house in this life.
Those days were so lively. People came to visit me every day and gave me many gifts, saying they came to see me.
My mother is just an illiterate country peasant woman. She doesn't know the complicated rules of a wealthy family.But Mom knows that those officials are here for you.
Mom also met Mrs. Feng and Mrs. Shi. They are both smart, beautiful and kind-hearted good girls. Their families are well-off, and I like them both."

As she spoke, Wu Youdi laughed cheerfully and felt much better.

Zhu Xiu tucked in the quilt and said with a smile: "If mother likes it, I will marry them all and let them take turns to serve you!"

Wu Youdi's eyes gleamed: "Seriously?"

"Haha, how dare you kid to deceive your mother!"

Wu Youdi took Zhu Xiu's hand: "It's a blessing to marry one of these good girls!"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "My child is very capable and can marry them all."

Wu Youdi smiled heartily and kept mumbling: "Okay~ Marry them all back! That would be great."

Seemingly thinking of something, Wu Youdi said seriously: "Son, you promise mother that you will never let Madam Zhou down! Madam Zhou fled with us all the way, and she was thousands of miles away from home, and had no one to rely on. It was really not easy! Without her to take care of me, Madam Zhou This life was lost a long time ago! In my mother's heart, I have long regarded Mrs. Zhou as the daughter-in-law of the Zhu family!"

Zhu Xiu patted her hand gently and comforted: "Don't worry, mother, the child will take good care of her."

Wu Youdi gave some more warnings and then felt relieved.

"Brother Xiu, mother knows her own body, I'm afraid I won't last long."

Wu Youdi squeezed Zhu Xiu's hand, "My last wish is to see you get married and have children with your own eyes. Can you promise me not to make me wait too long? I'm afraid I won't be able to wait until this day comes."

Zhu Xiu grinned, but her eyes were a little blurry: "Don't worry, Mom, I won't keep you waiting for too long."

"That's good, that's good." Wu Youdi murmured and smiled.

"Mother knows that you are a person who does great things, but in this troubled world, human life is worse than a dog. You promise mother that no matter what, you will keep my Zhu family alive! In this way, mother will have the face to see your father when she goes down. "

"Mom, don't worry, my Zhu family will be full of children and grandchildren, and their blessings will be endless!"

"And your eldest brother, he has no vision and cannot be a high official. This officialdom and the human heart are too complicated for him to handle. You have to take good care of him for your mother and don't let him get into too deep."

"Don't worry, mother, I will definitely protect my eldest brother and his family!"

"As long as you are here, don't worry, Mom, Mom is a little sleepy. You can sit there for a while, and then you can leave after Mom falls asleep."

"Mom, sleep peacefully, and the baby will be by your side."

After a while, Wu Youdi fell into a deep sleep, breathing very softly. Zhu Xiu sat motionless on the edge of the bed, closing her eyes and meditating.

The light on the window lattice gradually moved westward, and the bedroom also became dim.

(End of this chapter)