I can't afford to mess with the concubine doctor

Chapter 104
"The master has set up a net this time, even if the Xu family has wings, he will not be able to escape, just relax."

Qu Lingxu didn't respond to Yunyi's words, but raised her eyes to look at the distant sky. The sky in the morning is clear and transparent, like a piece of fine crystal glass, which isolates all the dirty and dark things in the world, but unfortunately she is not a floating cloud in the sky , You can freely walk in the sky, but you can only get stuck in this mundane quagmire, find out those people who are peeping behind you day and night, and then drive them into hell with your own hands, forever.

Unlike the previous murderous attempts, this time, Qu Lingxu left the palace gate smoothly, got into the carriage and headed all the way to the Emperor's Mansion.

In order to allow Chen Zhongshi to retire peacefully, the emperor purposely avoided the noisy and bustling Suzaku, Chaoyang and other downtown areas, and gave him a house in Shifang Lane, the northern suburb of the capital. The northern suburb is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the air is fresh. It's a very good place to keep in good health, but it's a bit far from the imperial palace. After walking for more than an hour, I didn't see the gate of the Emperor's Mansion until ten minutes after lunch.

The Emperor's Mansion doesn't look very big. It is a well-regulated courtyard building. The two small red and vermilion lacquered gates are closed tightly. There is not even a doorkeeper. "The three big characters will definitely be regarded as the residence of an ordinary small rich family, which shows that Chen Zhongshi is a low-key person.

Qu Lingxu watched quietly outside the door for a while, feeling more fond of this grandfather whom he had never met before, turned his head to Yun Yi and said, "Go knock the door."

Yun Yi agreed, and knocked on the door. After a while, a young servant in dark brown coarse cloth opened the door. Hearing that it was the eldest lady of General Zhen Guo's residence, she couldn't help being overjoyed, and respectfully said: "Little Miss, wait for a while, and the servant will report back to the master."

Qu Lingxu nodded, and Yunyi took out a silver ingot from his sleeve knowingly and stuffed it into the servant's hand, "This is my master's kindness, please accept it."

The servant took the money, smiled unconsciously, and rushed into the courtyard to report.

So about a cup of tea time passed, only to hear a burst of hurried footsteps gradually approaching the door, and before seeing anyone coming, the old man's cheerful and cheerful voice came to his ears, "You people are too unlike you!" It's so cold, how can I let my precious niece stand outside the door, please come in quickly!"

Chen's elder brother passed away due to illness a few years ago, leaving only an only son who was three years older than Qu Lingxu. The official, naturally did not receive any bad news, and thought it was just an ordinary visit to relatives. Thinking of this festival, Qu Lingxu felt more and more sad, and hurried up the stairs and entered the gate.

The original owner hadn't seen Chen Zhongshi for two years before his death, and the impression of his grandfather was already blurred in his mind. Just as he was thinking about it, a group of people had come to him, and what Qu Lingxu saw was a kind old man, pale and sparse. His hair is neatly pasted on his temples, like the first snow in severe winter. He is not tall, but his waist is very straight and tough. His dark red cheeks are slim and thin, and his deep eyes are shining brightly. With a sincere smile, his voice was as clear as a bell, completely different from the weak professor Qu Lingxu imagined.

It is worthy of being a generation of erudite Confucians, and it really has the demeanor of everyone.

Thinking like this, the person has come close, Qu Lingxu bowed deeply, respectfully saluted, and said in the mouth: "Xu'er pays respects to my grandfather, may my grandfather be in good health and blessed forever."

"Good girl, get up quickly." Chen Zhongshi helped Qu Lingxu himself, and said with a hearty smile, "Why don't you say hello before you come, so I can ask someone to prepare more dishes that you like."

Chen Zhongshi's cheerful appearance made Qu Lingxu's heart ache. She could hardly imagine how sad this kind old man would be when he learned that his only daughter had passed away.

Qu Lingxu was so engrossed in her thoughts that she couldn't help being stunned. It was Yun Yi who gently pulled her cuff behind her, and then she came back to her senses as if she had just woken up from a dream. She forced a smile and said: " Grandfather doesn't need to worry, as long as he can eat with you, Xu'er will be happy even if he eats pickled vegetables."

"Your little mouth is sweet, much better than your cousin who annoys me all the time." Perhaps because he was too happy, Chen Zhongshi didn't notice Qu Lingxu's strangeness, so he just took her hand and walked towards her. Walking in the main courtyard, he said as he walked: "I have sent someone to the study to tell your cousin. He hasn't seen you for a long time. He must be happy to meet you today."

Seeing that the old man was so excited, Qu Lingxu didn't want to dampen his interest, and said with a faint smile: "What grandfather said is that Xu'er misses his cousin very much."

All the way into the main courtyard, a blue-gray brick and stone road in the middle of the courtyard directly leads to the hall. The main entrance of the hall is four dark red carved wooden doors, the middle two are slightly open, and the carved wooden windows on the side corridor are also half open, clean and bright. In front of the corridor, there are elegant rattan chairs and a rattan table of the same color. On the rattan table is a Go board with black and white chess pieces in an orderly arrangement. It must have been left by Chen Zhongshi playing chess with someone in his spare time. In addition, there are flowers and plants all over the courtyard, which is very fresh and elegant.

Chen Zhongshi took Qu Lingxu's hand into the main hall and sat down. Just as he was about to say something, he raised his head and opened the teacup. Seeing that the maid was brewing only the usual Tieguanyin for entertaining guests, Chen Zhongshi frowned and said, "It's really a little bit of eyesight." No, how can I give this kind of tea to my precious niece, hurry up and go to my room to get the Dahongpao that the emperor rewarded me last time."

The maid agreed and hurriedly went. From the moment she stepped into the Imperial Master's Mansion, Qu Lingxu had been thinking about how to tell the news of Chen's death so as to minimize the harm to the poor old man in front of her. But the fact is there, even if she speaks eloquently, I'm afraid she can't change it a bit.

That being the case, short-term pain is worse than long-term pain.

Qu Lingxu has never been a person who is overly entangled. Now that she has made up her mind, she no longer has any hesitation. She slowly got up, went to the center of the main hall, knelt down, and said in a low voice: "Grandfather, Xu'er is not filial. Protect your mother."

As the emperor's teacher, Chen Zhongshi is naturally not a fool. Hearing this, the smile on his face disappeared as if it had been sucked dry by absorbent paper. He only stared at Qu Lingxu and said in a concentrated voice: " Your mother... what happened to her?"

Qu Lingxu looked up at Chen Zhongshi, saw that there was no trace of blood on his pale cheeks, and was even more worried in her heart. She walked to Chen Zhongshi's side on her knees, tightly holding his calloused hand, and said with a sob: "Mother I’ve already gone, and I’m asking my grandfather to mourn, from now on, Xu’er will respect you even more, and never let you be sad again.”

This is the only thing she can do for the original owner, and the only thing she can do for the Chen family.

Although Chen Zhongshi had already guessed the result when Qu Lingxu said the first sentence, but now that he heard the news like a bolt from the blue, he still couldn't believe it. His long snow-white beard kept trembling. , all the expressions in his eyes dimmed almost instantly, leaving only ashes-like silence.

Just when Qu Lingxu was about to say something to comfort Chen Zhong, there was a bang, and a teacup fell to the ground, followed by a young man's unbelievable voice, "Cousin, what are you talking about, aunt... isn't there?"

Qu Lingxu turned back in response, and in front of him was a clean and comfortable young man, with a gentle look between the corners of his eyes and brows, as if he still had a faint scent of books. Looking carefully, his facial features were very similar to Chen's. Very similar, presumably this is her cousin Chen Xudong who she has never met.

"Xu'er pays homage to cousin." Qu Lingxu stood up and was blessed, but finally couldn't bear the sadness in his heart, and she shed tears, "Cousin loves mother's heart, Xu'er understands, but... the dead is gone, If my mother is alive in heaven, I don't want to see my grandfather and cousin sad."

Although Chen Zhongshi was mourning, he did not completely lose his mind. At this time, he had recovered from the initial shock, and said in a daze: "Xiang'er has always been healthy, so it is impossible for him to suffer from any incurable disease. Xu'er, Tell your grandfather the truth, Xiang'er... how did she die!"

Xiang'er is Chen's boudoir name.

"Grandfather, I blame Xu'er for not being able to take good care of my mother!" Qu Lingxu's tears could not be stopped like broken beads. This kind of crying was the same as when facing the emperor in Qinzheng Hall. The feeling of strong purpose is completely different, just the sadness and reluctance between relatives for the loved ones they have lost together.

Seeing Qu Lingxu crying sadly, Yun Yi, who was by the side, couldn't help but cry too. It took a while to hold back the tears, choking up the ins and outs of Chen's accident, and what Qu Lingxu did after returning to Beijing, He said everything in detail, kowtowed his head at the end, and added: "Don't worry, my lord, the emperor has ordered His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Jingzhao's governor to do their best to investigate this matter, and the Xu family will definitely not be able to escape!"

Chen Zhongshi closed his eyes tightly. After a while, a cloudy tear finally slipped down from the corner of his eye. He raised his hand and gently stroked Qu Lingxu's soft hair, choked up and said, "My good boy, I have wronged you all these years." I blame my grandfather for being useless, for not being able to see Qu Liancheng's true face early, for making Xiang'er and you wronged in the general's mansion for so many years, and now I can't even save my life!"

"No, this has nothing to do with my grandfather." When she raised her head again, Qu Lingxu's cold eyes had no more tears. She took out a silk handkerchief to wipe away the tears from the corners of Chen Zhongshi's eyes, and said coldly: "Man since ancient times How ruthless, Qu Liancheng doesn't care about his mother, it doesn't matter at all, but the Xu family is too vicious, that's why he let his grandfather send a white-haired man to a black-haired man. Xu'er will repay the debt ten times and a hundred times. Grandpa, please take care of your health and watch Xu'er avenge your mother with your own eyes!"

(End of this chapter)