Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 460 The Matchmaker

Yangzhou, the office of the Lianghuai Salt Inspection Office.

In the inner hall of the backyard, an old man with gray hair and beard was checking Lin Ruhai's energy and pulse.

There was also a young man standing next to Lin Ruhai. He had a slender figure, a graceful temperament, a handsome appearance and an intelligent face, which was unforgettable.

Jia Cong and his party had just arrived at the Yangzhou Salt Inspection Office this morning, while Zhang Youpeng had been staying in the back hall of the office for four days, concentrating on diagnosing and recuperating Lin Ruhai.

When Zhang Youpeng finished taking the pulse, Jia Cong asked, "Mr. Zhang, has my uncle's condition improved?"

Before Zhang Youpeng could answer, Lin Ruhai said with a smile: "The doctors we hired in the past used a lot of acupuncture and medicine, but the effect was minimal.

In the past few days, Mr. Zhang has been treating me with herbal medicine, which has had an immediate effect. His medical skills are amazing and admirable."

Zhang Youpeng stroked his beard and said, "Lord Lin, you are too kind. If there is no unusual method, what I can do for you is just what I see now.

"These past few days, I have examined you and found that your illness is caused by worrying and overworking, but the root cause of the disease is somewhat different from others."

After hearing this, Jia Cong and Lin Ruhai were a little surprised and didn't understand what Zhang Youpeng meant.

Jia Cong asked: "Mr. Zhang, why is the root cause of the disease different from others?"

Zhang Youpeng said: "All things in the world are born and die, and there is no permanent law, but each has its own gains and losses.

Everyone is born after ten months of pregnancy. Some people are born with strong bones and muscles, while others are born with weak qi and blood. This is because each person's innate qi and blood are different. "

Lin Ruhai asked, "According to what you said, sir, am I born with a weak meridian system, which is why I am always plagued by illnesses?"

Zhang Youpeng replied: "In fact, it is not uncommon for people to be born with weak qi and meridians. As long as they can take good care of themselves, eat carefully, take care of their body and mind, and stay away from grief, they can live past sixty, just like ordinary people.

However, people with weak qi and meridians are easily invaded by external evils and are often ravaged by illnesses, which is inevitable.

These days, I have been treating the adults. Doctors pay attention to observation, listening, questioning and palpation, and tracing the root cause of the disease. I can also determine the root cause through casual conversations with the adults and rumors of the adults' reputation.

You were born into a wealthy family, and you had enough money to live a comfortable life.

However, as a young man, he was very successful in the imperial examinations, and he studied hard, pouring his energy day and night into the world, which caused great damage to his physical foundation. After the age of thirty, the congenital weak qi and meridians became difficult to suppress.

After that, I lost my family members and was separated from my family. I was inevitably sad and depressed. In addition, I was busy with official duties and worried day and night. It was difficult to reverse the situation. I got the disease I am in today. It is very difficult to cure it. "

After hearing this, Jia Cong felt a little sympathetic. Zhang Youpeng spoke frankly. He had already diagnosed that Lin Ruhai's illness was very serious and the treatment was very difficult.

……

Jia Cong had seen Zhang Youpeng's miraculous medical skills several times.

At that time, Zou Min'er was stabbed in the chest and abdomen and was seriously injured. If she had been treated by an ordinary doctor, she would have died long ago. However, under Zhang Youpeng's magical acupuncture and medicine, she seemed to be brought back to life.

Therefore, he believed in Zhang Youpeng's diagnosis without a doubt. His congenitally weak blood vessels were exactly the same as what was later called congenital deficiency.

Some people are born with congenital heart disease, hemophilia, etc. Their physical condition is much weaker than that of ordinary people, and their life span will not be too long.

Congenitally weak meridians will most likely be passed down from generation to generation. I am afraid that this is the root cause of Daiyu's weak constitution, sensitive mind, and easy sadness and crying since childhood.

Lin Ruhai smiled calmly and said, "I am nearly fifty years old, and I have long been open-minded about matters of life and death. Mr. Zhang, can you tell me how much longer I have left to live?"

Zhang Youpeng said: "My Lord, don't be too pessimistic. We are not in a desperate situation yet. I can just use precious medicine as a guide and the method of monarch and minister yin and yang to make a pill that suits your condition.

If you take the medicine according to the law, nourish your body, and restrain yourself from working too hard, it will be no problem to extend your life by ten years, or perhaps even longer.

But you are already over 40 years old, and your foundation is already solid. It is impossible to cure your congenital disease."

It is human nature that people are afraid of death and love life. Lin Ruhai was ill and had been mentally prepared for the unexpected, but he was still very happy to know that there was a medicine for his disease and could extend his life by ten years.

He said, "Mr. Zhang, you have this wonderful recipe. Please grant me the benefit of the cure. I will definitely give you all the money and medicine you need."

Ten years of life was enough for Lin Ruhai to complete the unfinished business in his heart.

He glanced at Jia Cong, his mind churning with thoughts. Within ten years, my Yu'er should have found someone to take care of for life, and he would have nothing to worry about.

Jia Cong suddenly asked, "Mr. Zhang, my cousin has also been weak and sickly since childhood. Is she also suffering from congenital weakness of the meridians?"

Zhang Youpeng replied, "When I was in the capital, I also heard my brother talk about Miss Lin of Rongguo Mansion. Although I have never seen her in person, Miss Lin's illness must be passed down through her bloodline."

Jia Cong's eyes sparkled as he asked, "With your precious medicine, can you help my cousin eliminate her congenital calamity?"

Lin Ruhai was also excited and said, "Sir, if you can cure my daughter's hidden disease, the Lin family will be forever grateful!"

Zhang Youpeng glanced at Jia Cong and said, "Since Miss Lin is still younger than Earl Weiyuan, she has not yet reached the age of marriage and her essence, blood, and bones are still being nurtured.

Her condition is much more optimistic than Lord Lin's. As long as she uses my precious medicine and takes it for two years, she will be able to nourish the blood, strengthen the foundation and eradicate the disease of weak blood.

It is still possible to let her have the same fertility and longevity as an ordinary woman in the future, but everything can only be confirmed after I return to Beijing and diagnose Miss Lin in person."

……

After hearing this, Jia Cong also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he has often comforted and cared for Daiyu in recent years, helped her calm down, and taught her some maintenance methods for the future, Daiyu is no longer as weak as she was in her childhood, but these are only temporary solutions and not a cure for the disease.

Only a famous doctor like Zhang Youpeng, who has medical methods specifically tailored to the symptoms, can solve the problem once and for all and cure both the symptoms and the root cause.

When he left Beijing, he thought of asking Zhang Youpeng to treat Lin Ruhai. He never expected such an unexpected surprise that could cure Lin Daiyu's physical weakness. There was nothing better than this.

Lin Ruhai was also excited and said, "I have been suffering from Mr. Zhang's illness for a few days and I am no longer seriously ill. Tomorrow, Cong will leave for Beijing, and you can come with me."

Zhang Youpeng laughed out loud: "Lord Lin loves his daughter so much that he ordered me to leave."

Lin Ruhai quickly smiled and said, "I am rude and would never dare to have such an intention. Please forgive me, sir."

Zhang Youpeng said: "That's good. Your condition has stabilized. As long as you follow my prescription and take the medicine on time, you will be fine within a year.

The medicinal materials I need to make medicine are all in Shenjing, so it is right to return to Beijing early to prepare. When the pills are ready, ask Weiyuan Bo to send someone to Yangzhou so that you can take them in time. "

Jia Cong asked curiously, "What kind of rare medicine is this precious medicine Mr. Zhang mentioned?"

Zhang Youpeng smiled and said, "The last time you came to Huaxi Village, you saw this precious medicine, it is the Three-Life Welcoming Soul Grass."

Jia Cong suddenly realized, and remembered that when he went to Huaxi Village in the north of Shenjing City, he saw a strange orchid in Zhang Youpeng's house.

Compared with ordinary orchids, this orchid has a somewhat strange shape. There are three eye-catching gold lines on the top of each orchid leaf, as if it were painted with gold paint.

At that time, Zhang Youpeng told him that this strange orchid grew in the vast swamps of southern China, and was born from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, making it extremely rare.

It looks similar to orchid, but it is not an orchid. Because there are three golden threads growing on the leaves, it is repeatedly recorded in ancient medical books and is called San Sheng Yinghun Grass.

This herb has the miraculous effect of calming the soul and nourishing the mind, and nourishing life and death, and can be used to refine top-grade precious medicine.

Jia Cong never expected that it was this strange orchid that could be used to make a precious medicine to cure Daiyu's congenital disease.

……

The next day, Jia Cong and his party and Zhang Youpeng set out on the official road heading north from Yangzhou to return to the capital.

Jia Cong also brought half a cart of gifts prepared by the Lin family for Daiyu.

Lin Ruhai and Aunt Chen came to see them off in person. As they watched Jia Cong and his convoy gradually go away, his carriage remained parked on the side of the official road, watching them go.

Aunt Chen beside him said, "It was thanks to Doctor Zhang invited by Cong that the master's illness got better so quickly."

He also found a way to cure the eldest girl's deficiency. This Cong brother is really rare. I can see that he is particularly attentive to the eldest girl. "

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "Yu'er is staying at my maternal grandfather Jia's house. I feel more at ease when she has a cousin like this to take care of her."

Aunt Chen said: "From the several letters from the eldest lady, I can see that she values ​​this cousin very much, and Congge also cares about the eldest lady very much.

The two of them are such a perfect match, and the master has never thought of arranging a matchmaking agreement for them, and the Jia family will most likely agree."

Lin Ruhai said: "Of course I have thought about this. I also like Cong Ge'er very much, but now is not the right time."

Aunt Chen asked curiously, "Why is that? With Cong'er's talent and looks, there must be many people who like him. Why is the master still hesitating about this matter?"

Lin Ruhai said: "You are also from the Jia family of Rongguo, so you should know about Cong'er's biological mother. This old case is the biggest worry for my mother-in-law.

Because of this, Cong'er was not liked by his mother-in-law since he was born.

When my wife was alive, she mentioned this matter several times and expressed a lot of regret.

In the eyes of my mother-in-law, the most precious son of the Jia family is not Cong, but Baoyu, the son of my second brother-in-law. From the news I heard a few years ago, my mother-in-law has always wanted to marry Yuer to Baoyu.

It's just that the children are too young, so I haven't said it out loud. I have to make the decision for Cong'er and Yu'er. This matter may not be smooth sailing on the Jia family's side.

And there is something more important right now.”

Aunt Chen asked, "What is the important matter? Is it related to Cong'er and the eldest lady?"

Lin Ruhai said: "A few days ago, I received a letter from my former colleague in Lantai Temple, which mentioned the recent news from the palace.

It is said that Congge was favored by the old Concubine Zhen in the palace, and she wanted the emperor to marry the third daughter of the Zhen family in Jinling to him. "

Aunt Chen was surprised when she heard the news. She said, "No wonder the master said now is not the right time."

Lin Ruhai said: "Brother Cong is the youngest imperial noble in the Great Zhou Dynasty. It is not an exaggeration to say that a tall tree attracts the wind. It is not surprising at all that he is honored with a marriage.

Now the marriage has not been arranged yet. If I propose a matchmaker now, what will happen to Yu'er if the palace really issues an imperial decree?

Besides, Yu'er is not yet of marriageable age, has blood problems, and is weak, so now is not the time for a matchmaker to arrange a marriage. Marriages have always been made in heaven, and no matter how people plan, they can never beat the will of heaven.

I hope Mr. Zhang's diagnosis and treatment can relieve Yu'er's worries about her weak body, so that she can become a wife and mother in the future and have a prosperous family business, which is the long-term plan."

……

Jinling, Mingdefang, Zhen Mansion, Yuhetang.

In addition to Old Lady Zhen, not only were Zhen Yingjia and his wife present, but even the absent Second Lady Zhen was also present.

In the morning, the servant brought word that a retainer from the Beijing Prince's Mansion in Shenjing had come to visit, saying that the Beijing Princess had an urgent letter to deliver.

Mrs. Zhen, who had just suffered the pain of losing her son, felt greatly comforted by hearing this.

Although she had lost her eldest son, she still had a daughter who was a princess. She was always thinking about her mother from afar. Just as Mrs. Zhen felt a little more excited, she went to Yuhetang.

However, the maid who brought the letter into the inner hall said that the military officer who delivered the letter repeatedly told her that the letter was written to Miss Zhen San in the mansion and must be opened by Miss Zhen San in person.

Mrs. Zhen was very depressed after hearing this. Her own daughter came all the way to see her off, but instead of giving the gift to her as a mother, she gave it to this unkind third girl.

Recently, Zhen Fangqing used various methods to eliminate the people that Zhen Shiwen had placed in various shops, thus completely destroying the eldest wife's years of planning.

This made Mrs. Zhen extremely jealous. Her own son's body was still warm, but Zhen Fangqing, who used to be so precious, became so cold-blooded and heartless that she did so many cruel things.

However, without Zhen Shiwen, the first house had no one to take charge of the business. In addition, it was discovered that people under his son had done many things that were harmful to the Zhen family.

Even though Zhen Fangqing acted so swiftly and decisively, Zhen Yingjia and Zhen's second wife were unable to say a word and could only watch helplessly as Zhen Fangqing reorganized the family business.

The various shops that had been somewhat loosely decentralized in the past were once again under the control of the second wife.

Everyone saw Zhen Fangqing opening the letter and reading it. After reading just a few lines, her pretty face quickly turned pale.

Seeing her unhappy expression, Old Lady Zhen asked hurriedly, "Qing'er, what did your second sister say in the letter?"

Zhen Fangqing said with tears in her eyes, "My second sister's letter said that the old concubine had a cold more than ten days ago. Although she was treated by the imperial physician, her condition has not improved, but has become more lingering.

Now she is too ill to get out of bed, and can only take porridge and ginseng soup every day to survive. The imperial physician said that the old concubine is over eighty years old, and if the disease is not cured, it will be extremely dangerous.

My second sister went to the palace to visit the old concubine. The old lady said that she was worried that she would not live long, so she asked my second sister to send a message to me, asking me to... to go to the capital as soon as possible and meet her in the palace!"

When Old Lady Zhen and others heard this, they were all shocked. People over eighty years old were considered extremely old nowadays, and if they were terminally ill, they would be in danger of death.

The old concubine asked Zhen Fangqing to come to Beijing because she realized that she would not live long and wanted to see Zhen Fangqing, the blood relative of her family who had been raised by her since childhood, for the last time.

All the Zhen family members present knew that the Zhen family had been able to continue its wealth and prosperity for several generations and had become the most prominent wealthy family in Jinling City. Even compared with the four major families of Jia, Wang, Shi and Xue, the Zhen family was not inferior at all.

The reason why they were able to have such glory and dignity was because of the respected status of Concubine Zhen in the palace.

If the old Concubine Zhen passed away due to old age, the Zhen family in Jinling would lose their greatest support. In addition, the recent incident of Zhen Shiwen had already been noticed by the Jinyiwei.

Without the protection of the palace, the Zhen family was in danger of collapse and disaster was imminent.

Zhen Fangqing said to Old Madam Zhen, "Old Madam, my second sister's letter said that the old concubine has been ill for more than ten days. This letter will take four or five days to travel, which means that the old concubine has been bedridden for half a month.

She is so old, this is extremely dangerous, time is of the essence, I will leave for Shenjing early tomorrow morning, I hope I can still see her in time."

Old Madam Zhen and the others naturally agreed. If the old concubine really reached the end of her life, Zhen Fangqing must be by her side. This way, perhaps she could obtain the final blessings for the Zhen family.

……

After Zhen Fangqing left Yuhetang, he picked reliable maids and servants from the inner courtyard to accompany him, and asked them to pack their luggage and carriages and set off early the next morning.

Then he changed into men's clothes and went to Hongxuan Hall outside the second gate, and asked someone to summon Liu Xian into the hall to discuss matters.

After a while, Liu Xian came in. When he heard about the old Concubine Zhen, he was also shocked. As an old servant of the second branch of the Zhen family, he naturally knew the significance of the old Concubine Zhen to the Zhen family.

Liu Xian said, "Miss San, I will select the most reliable guards to escort you to the capital."

Zhen Fangqing ordered: "I will be leaving tomorrow, and there is no time to prepare many things. Please help me select a few capable managers.

Also prepare a batch of gold and silver gifts and escort them to the capital. I will be able to use them."

"Don't worry, Third Miss. I will handle this matter myself and personally escort the things to Shenjing."

Zhen Fangqing shook his head and said, "You can leave the escort to a reliable steward. If you want to stay in Jinling, there are other important things that need you to do."

"I wonder what important matter the young lady has that needs Liu Xian to do?"

Zhen Fangqing sighed, "If the old concubine is really unlucky this time, the Zhen family will definitely be affected, and we have to be prepared!

After I arrive in Shenjing, I will enter the palace to meet the Concubine Dowager and determine the situation. I will then immediately send a letter back to Jinling. You can then act according to what I say in the letter.

In addition, how much of the important goods and materials we have on hand have been delivered to Mingxia Island?"

Liu Xian said: "Seventy percent of it had been delivered before. After the Third Master's accident, I received instructions from the young lady to ship a few more rounds. Now more than ninety percent of it has been delivered.

The captains of the merchant ships are all the master's most reliable subordinates. According to the girl's instructions, the sailors are all selected newcomers. These people come from poor families and are loyal and reliable. "

Zhen Fangqing's expression relaxed slightly, and he said, "While I'm in Shenjing, you can check for deficiencies and fill in the gaps in the next few days, and then sort it out carefully again.

Also, you should be prepared. If what I say in my reply is unexpected, you should escort my mother to my maternal grandfather's home in Huizhou for temporary shelter."

Liu Xian's face changed and he said, "Miss, why do you have to be like this? Things won't get to that point!"

Zhen Fangqing smiled bitterly and said, "I don't want this to happen either, but you have to know that Third Brother didn't die from robbery, but was murdered by someone to silence him!
I don't know what he did, who was behind it, and what huge connections were hidden. I know nothing about these things, so things become more and more unpredictable.

Mingxia Island is just a retreat when there is no other way out. Before thinking about victory, think about defeat first, so as to ensure safety."

……

Jia Cong and his party set out from Yangzhou and, after a long journey of several days, they entered Dezhou Prefecture, which was less than a hundred miles away from the capital.

When the carriage and horses arrived at the foot of Yunyan Mountain, they stopped at a flat area near the stream and sat down to rest.

Yunyan Mountain is a mountain range that stretches for hundreds of miles. It is majestic and towering, and lies between Dezhou and Shenjing. It is said that the scenery in the mountain is beautiful and magnificent, especially Luofengpo.

Zhishao and Lingguan moved dozens of melon plants from the carriage, placed them by the stream, and sprayed each one with clear stream water.

Daiyu had always wanted to see the plum blossoms on Xuanmu Mountain in Suzhou. When Zhishao left the capital, she agreed to transplant some of the best plum trees from Xuanmu.

These dozens of megenia were all selected by Zhishao herself from Xuanmu Mountain and prepared to be transplanted in the Earl's Mansion.

After leaving Yangzhou, Megan would be taken out to dry and watered every other day along the way to keep her vitality.

Jia Cong found a rock by the stream and sat down, watching Zhishao and Lingguan busying themselves by the stream. The two of them were talking to each other from time to time, and their laughter was pleasant to the ears.

At this time, Xing Xiuyan came to the stream carrying a small white cloth package, washed her hands with the stream water, and then took out a baked cake from the small package and handed it to Jia Cong.

"Cousin, this is the fire-baked bread I made last night using the stove in the inn. Try one to fill your stomach."

Jia Cong took it with a smile, brushed the rocks beside him with his sleeve, and said, "You sit down too, it's tiring to stand."

Although the fire-baked bread was vegetarian, it was sprinkled with sesame seeds and was roasted to a crispy and delicious taste. It must have taken a lot of thought to prepare it.

Jia Cong suddenly asked, "Xiu Yan, why did Madam suddenly write to you and invite you and your family to the capital? Is there something going on?"

After hearing this, Xing Xiuyan trembled slightly, her face gradually flushed, and she said, "I... I don't know either. My parents said they would come, so I followed them."

"Cousin, don't you like me coming to Shenjing?" Xing Xiuyan asked uneasily.

Jia Cong said with a smile: "What are you talking about? Of course I am happy that you have come to the capital. I will let Zhishao accompany you to visit the garden. There are many sisters in the mansion, and they are all easy to get along with. It will be a good opportunity to have one more person to accompany you."

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Xing Xiuyan breathed a sigh of relief.

She took a piece of fire and chewed it in her mouth, then side-glanced at Jia Cong. The sun was bright, the water was gurgling, and the lines of his eyebrows were smooth and handsome, so beautiful that it looked like a painting. She was trembling in her heart and turned her head away, not daring to look at him again.

After a long while, she said, "My parents asked me to come, so I came. I don't have any ideas. I am not from a noble family like my cousin. I am just a girl from the Heike family.

I have been learning to read and write with Sister Miaoyu since I was a child. She always told me that as long as a person is honest and self-disciplined, he will eventually be happy. I don’t want to ask for anything, I just want to live a peaceful and comfortable life. "

Jia Cong could tell that these words came from Xing Xiuyan's heart, but he was a little surprised that she would say them to him suddenly.

Ever since he learned that it was Mrs. Xing who wrote the letter to invite Xing Zhong and his family to come to the capital, he originally thought that it was just an ordinary visit to relatives, which was not strange to him.

But along the way, Xing Zhong and his wife looked at him in a rather strange way, and Xing Xiuyan would blush inexplicably every time she looked at him.

In addition, Jia Cong knew Mrs. Xing's temperament very well, and he guessed something about it, but he was not quite sure. However, he did not take it to heart, because Mrs. Xing could not control herself.

Xing Xiuyan added: "Cousin, if there is anything that doesn't go your way in the future, just ignore it. It's also because I can't make my own decisions. Cousin, please don't be estranged from me because of this..."

After hearing this, Jia Cong was slightly shocked and realized that his guess made some sense.

Smiling, he said, "You are talking nonsense again. I know your personality very well. No matter what, I will never be estranged from you. Also, this fire-baked bread is delicious."

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Xing Xiuyan was happy but also a little surprised. He had only met me twice in a few years, so how could he say he understood my personality so well?

The group left the foot of Yunyan Mountain and walked for another day. After staying overnight, they arrived outside Shenjing City early the next morning.

Jia Cong lifted the curtain of the carriage, and the tall and majestic Shenjing Hongde Gate came into view.

The city gate was as usual, with an endless stream of people flowing in and out, and the place was bustling and lively. In the distance, one could see the city's magnificent buildings, lined up one after another, worthy of the aura of a capital city.

As the motorcade entered the Xuande Gate, Xing Xiuyan and Lingguan, both of whom were visiting the capital for the first time, each lifted the curtain of their carriage and looked around with excitement at this magnificent first city of the Great Zhou.

(End of this chapter)