Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 79: Bitterness and Joy
The next afternoon after returning from school, Gao Jingming returned to the courtyard after lunch.

He didn't walk back by himself, but was carried back by Madam Gao's personal maid Qinghe in a princess-like posture.

In Qinghe's arms, Gao Jingming no longer had the lively demeanor of the past. He was listless, his face was a little pale, and his eyes revealed self-blame and fear, with faint dark circles under his eyes.

When Qinghe brought him back, Chen Xuan was practicing calligraphy by the window of his little house. Seeing this, he immediately put down his brush and went out to ask, "Sister Qinghe, what's wrong with the young master? Did something happen?"

Gao Jingming looked like he had suffered a serious illness.

Qing He shook his head and said, "Xuan'er, don't worry. The young master is fine. He just accidentally fell at Madam's last night and didn't sleep well all night. It's not serious, just a little inconvenient for him to walk. He will be fine after two days of rest."

She didn't smile as she spoke, but she didn't show much expression either.

This is enough to show that Gao Jingming’s case is not really a small matter, but there is another hidden story, or even it is quite serious, but it is not convenient for outsiders to know.

Chen Xuan immediately understood what was going on. This kid must have been severely punished when he went to Madam Gao's place yesterday. His look of despair showed how severely he was punished. It was definitely because he stole Madam Gao's imperial edict and took it to the school.

This is a matter of reckoning, and it's not appropriate to make it public. I didn't disturb him from studying at school, but I can't escape being punished when he comes back.

He dares to take everything out. He deserves to be punished.

Chen Xuan was grumbling inwardly, looking at him like that, wondering if Madam Gao would really break his legs. It probably wouldn't happen. After all, he was her own child, her only biological son. If nothing serious happened, his legs wouldn't be broken, but he would probably learn a lesson he would never forget.

I just don't know how it was dealt with, and I can't ask about it. I'm really curious.

Pretending not to know, Chen Xuan looked at Gao Jingming with concern and said, "How could this happen? How could the young master be so careless?"

In fact, I almost laughed out loud.

Soon, Xiao Cai and Xiao Ye rushed over after hearing the news. Seeing Gao Jingming's expression, their eyes immediately turned red. They choked and said, "Master, what's wrong with you? How could you be so careless? What are the others doing? Why didn't they serve you well?"

"Master, are you in pain? Call a doctor!"

Chen Xuan didn't think their reaction was exaggerated at all. After all, as Gao Jingming's personal maid, as long as she didn't grow ugly in the future, she would definitely serve him in the emperor's bedchamber. At worst, she would be a concubine, and she could forget about becoming his wife.

In this way, the girls in their teens have begun to understand things and may have regarded Gao Jingming as their own man, so it is normal for them to see Gao Jingming in such a miserable state.

Qing He said calmly, "Okay, no need to find a doctor. I've already checked it out. It's nothing serious. In fact, the young master can walk, but he's a little uncomfortable. You can just support him later. I'll carry the young master over to rest first."

"Oh, have you applied the medicine?"

After hearing this, Xiao Cai and the others relaxed a little, but tears were still welling up in their eyes.

Qing He gently placed Gao Jingming on a chair in the living room of the main building and said, "He has already been treated with medicine. I brought some with me. You can apply some medicine after giving the young master a bath in the evening. Apply it three times a day, morning, noon and night. He will be back in two or three days."

As she spoke, she took out a small jade bottle from her bosom and handed it to Xiaoye. This was obviously not an ordinary medicine. It was actually contained in a jade bottle. Even with the lid covered, one could faintly smell a cool medicinal fragrance.

It takes two or three days to recover. This is done on purpose so as not to affect his schooling, but at the same time let him get the lesson he deserves.

"Okay, we got it. We will definitely take good care of the young master," Xiao Cai took the medicine bottle and nodded.

Gao Jingming remained silent, as if he had been played to death.

Having sent him back, Qing He said, "My wife has something else to do, so I'll go over first." "Well, take care, Sister Qing He."

Nodding, Qinghe walked away, but when she was at the door, she stopped and smiled at Chen Xuan, saying, "Xuan'er, I heard what you asked Qingyu sister to say that day. Thank you for your concern. Drinking hot water is really helpful."

This is none of Gao Jingming's business, but it's still funny.

She actually still remembered this. Chen Xuan had forgotten it long ago. He quickly said, "Sister Qinghe is good to me. You are all good to me. I heard that Sister Qinghe is not feeling well. I can't help her. I can only say it. It's my duty."

"Xuan'er, you actually still want to help? Haha, you don't know anything, forget it, but you are really sweet and considerate. It's a pity that your sister is much older than you...Okay, sister is leaving, I will bring you something delicious next time." As she said that, she touched Chen Xuan's head, smiled and left.

It's similar to what the bluefish said that day. It's a joke to Chen Xuan, so don't take it seriously.

Chen Xuan was speechless, thinking to himself, I actually understand. Qinghe, you are driving, don't think I can't hear it, and think that everyone here is a child who hasn't even grown all his hair yet and dares to talk nonsense because he doesn't understand anything. Many times, adults use this kind of cognitive gap to tease children.

Then Gao Jingming and his friends were the only ones left in the courtyard. Without Qinghe, Xiao Cai squatted beside Gao Jingming, tears rolling down her cheeks, as if the pain was on her body. She choked and said, "Master, what happened to you? You were fine yesterday, but after a night you fell and it's hard for you to even walk?"

"I fell accidentally. It's okay. Don't cry." Gao Jingming finally spoke, looking a little upset and obviously in a bad mood.

Xiao Ye and the others panicked and tried to calm down. They didn't know how to comfort him, so they simply asked, "Young Master, do you need us to give you a gentle massage?"

"No, let me rest for a while," Gao Jingming stopped him immediately. He was obviously a little nervous, but it was inconvenient for him to reveal the truth.

How could he dare to say a word? Yesterday he went to see his mother happily, but ended up being treated badly by his mother, who was even punished according to the family rules. After that, his mouth was probably harder than a dead duck.

Mrs. Gao didn't beat him, but explained to him clearly the consequences of stealing the imperial edict, and then made him kneel in the ancestral hall all night to teach him a lesson, and she was not allowed to sleep!
His legs were almost broken after kneeling on the stone floor all night, so he didn't dare let anyone touch him easily.

Fortunately, he was young, and the Gao family had plenty of secret medicines to treat him, and there were also masters who used their true qi to relax his muscles and promote blood circulation. He would be back to normal in less than two days, but this lesson was enough for him to remember for the rest of his life.

Just kidding, Madam Gao personally valued the imperial edict of being a noble lady more than her own life. This was probably the only chance she would get in her life. It represented not only glory but also recognition from the court. It was stolen by Gao Jingming, and it was a good thing that he was not beaten to death. After all, even if her son died, she could still have another child.

Personally, this matter could be a big deal or a small one. If it gets out and is used by someone with ulterior motives, the Gao family might be in great trouble. So how could they let Gao Jingming go easily?

Anyway, this matter is over. I think Gao Jingming will never make the same mistake again in his life.

After leaving the environment and people that nearly cost him his life, Gao Jingming's mood gradually stabilized. His eyelids began to droop after not sleeping all night. Seeing this, Chen Xuan thought that he should not have to accompany him to do homework today.

It’s not a big problem. I can make up for the homework in one day.

Gao Jingming fell asleep in a short while. Xiao Cai and Xiao Ye were about to help him go upstairs to sleep, but a sudden scream almost spread throughout the Gao family, startling Gao Jingming awake.

Without waiting for him to open his mouth, he was scolded and asked who had disturbed his sleep. When he heard the content, his face turned from gloomy to bright, and he forgot the suffering he had suffered. He shouted that he would get up and go to see it himself.

Then, a voice that had almost spread throughout the Gao Mansion was heard saying, "Great joy, great joy! News has come from Prince Qing's Mansion. The eldest daughter has given birth to a prince. Both mother and child are safe. The messenger will be here soon. Quickly prepare for the reception..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Gao family was in an uproar.

Chen Xuan found it hard to empathize with the Gao family as to why they were so excited. He just thought to himself that the person who spoke up had a really great lung capacity. And since it was a happy occasion, there would probably be some reward money, right?

Gao Jingming's siblings are truly fascinating. Both tragedy and happiness unfold on the same day in the Gao family's home. One dares not utter a single word, while the other wishes the whole world could celebrate together...

(End of this chapter)