After a brief moment of silence, Sang Wan dropped her chopsticks and got up anxiously.
“What did you say? What happened?” Sang Wan swayed slightly and her entire body seemed unstable. The news was abrupt!
“Something happened to Young Master? Who said it? Where is the person who came with the report? Tell me what happened quickly!” Before Xiu Chun could respond, Nanny Li arrived in a hurry. Her face was even more anxious and worried than Sang Wan, and her hands kept pulling at Xiu Chun without stopping. The expressions of all the servants in the house had changed as they stared at Xiu Chun.
“I, I…” Xiu Chun was startled by everyone’s response. She stammered and was unable to say anything.
“Nanny Li!” Sang Wan refrained from fainting and pulled on Nanny Li, saying, “Let’s go to Mother’s place now…”
“Yes, yes!” Nanny Li, who was flustered, held onto Sang Wan as they staggered out and almost fell, which made the rest of the servants cry out in fear.
In the main courtyard, the situation was worse. When Sang Wan went in, she saw Zhang Huan kneeling in the hall and Wang Shi wailing Shi Fengju’s name. By the side, Nanny Jiang and Xiu Li were painfully comforting her.
The atmosphere was miserable.
“Mother!” Sang Wan’s nose turned sour and tears started welling up in her eyes. She took a few steps forward and knelt beside Wang Shi before tugging her sleeve and asking as she tried not to cry, “Mother, don’t be upset. If Lord sees you like this, how would he feel? Mother, what exactly happened? It wasn’t the first time he went out on a trip so there’s no way he was unprepared. He also has experienced servants following him. No matter how big the problem, he will surely overcome it! Mother, you mustn’t be agitated!”
“Old Mistress, Young Mistress is right. Young Master will definitely overcome it! If you fall ill from crying, Young Master will surely be worried when he returns,” Nanny Li quickly added.
Zhang Huan did not expect Wang Shi to have such a reaction and became startled for a moment. While lost in thought, he noticed Sang Wan giving him a firm glare which returned him to his senses. He hurriedly crawled ahead and kowtowed a few times before whimpering, “Old Mistress was given a huge scare because I did not explain the situation clearly enough. Old Mistress, please do not worry. There is a famous doctor taking care of him as we’re speaking. Young Master will surely be fine. The injuries on him… are superficial.”
“Really?” Wang Shi stopped weeping and gazed at Zhang Huan.
“Yes, yes,” Zhang Huan hurriedly said, “I wouldn’t dare to deceive Old Mistress!”
“Fengju, my son! You have to return safe and sound! Otherwise, I wouldn’t want to live anymore!” Wang Shi once again covered her face and cried loudly. However, Nanny Jiang and the rest quietly heaved a sigh of relief as they knew that she cried because she had come around.
Nanny Li’s tears were already falling like rain. She went up and comforted Wang Shi together with Nanny Jiang, and they eventually managed to do so with much difficulty.
Wang Shi wiped off her tears. When she saw Sang Wan still kneeling beside her, she helped her up, “Sang Wan, get up! Don’t cry anymore!”
Sang Wan did what she had been told and got up. Her tears that were streaming down her face like a string of broken pearls immediately stopped as well.
“Tell me in detail just what exactly happened!” Wang Shi told Sang Wan to have a seat first and sort out her feelings before asking Zhang Huan again.
“Aunt Wang! Aunt Wang! What happened to Big Cousin? What happened to him?” Before Zhang Huan could explain, Gu Fangzi rushed in like a gust of wind. Once she saw Wang Shi, her tears started streaming down her face. She then threw herself in Wang Shi’s embrace and started bawling as she hugged her. While she cried, she kept wailing for her aunt and Shi Fengju.
Wang Shi, whose feelings had only just calmed down after much difficulty, could not help but feel devastated again. She wrapped her arms around Gu Fangzi’s head and cried bitterly.
Nanny Li glared hatefully at Gu Fangzi. Zhang Huan was about to tell them what happened. However, this unruly thing came in and interrupted him!
Nanny Jiang also frowned slightly. Wang Shi was an elder so it was not good for her health to receive the shocking news of what happened to her beloved son. They had persuaded her with much difficulty, but their efforts had come to naught because of Gu Fangzi! If she truly cared about the elders, how could she disregard Wang Shi’s health?
Both Sang Wan and Nanny Li were quietly frustrated as well. They hurriedly went to comfort Wang Shi again. Nanny Jiang also went to comfort Wang Shi first before she glanced over at Xiu Chun, Xiu Li, and the other servants to pull Gu Fangzi away forcefully.
Gu Fangzi wept and hugged Wang Shi, unwilling to let go as she cried out for her cousin sorrowfully.
Sang Wan could no longer watch any further and shouted loudly at Gu Fangzi before saying calmly, “Lord only met with a minor mishap. He’ll definitely be alright. What are you trying to do by crying like this?”
“How can it be just a minor mishap? He…” Gu Fangzi realized the situation after a while and quickly became quiet. She wiped her tears and said, “Aunt Wang, Big Cousin will be fine. Please don’t feel sad anymore!”
“Miss Gu, please step aside and take a seat! That way, Zhang Huan can quickly tell us everything!” Nanny Li glared at Gu Fangzi unhappily and told herself: You can still say that right now? Young Mistress is right. What are you trying to do by crying like this? When your father passed away, you didn’t even shed as many tears! Pah, pah! Dear me, what am I saying!
Xiu Chun and Xiu Li assisted Lan Xiang in helping Gu Fangzi to a seat. Upon seeing Wang Shi finally calming down once again, Sang Wan then ordered Zhang Huan, “Spill it!”
Zhang Huan nodded and told them the entire story.
It turned out that when Shi Fengju was searching for Shi Fengming in Dezhou, he soon heard that Shi Fengming and that woman had left Dezhou and went south. As for where, he did not know.
Although Shi Fengju could not find him, he could at the very least provide an explanation to Second Uncle Shi and Second Aunt Shi with the news that Shi Fengming was safe and sound. Being away from home for a long while, Shi Fengju missed his mother and Sang Wan, so he intended to return home quickly. He instructed all the shopkeepers in the southern cities to be on a lookout. Once there was news about Shi Fengming’s whereabouts, they were to send someone to tail him and report back.
When the boat anchored at Handan’s dock to replenish their supplies, Shi Fengju had set his heart on returning home as quickly as possible so he did not climb ashore to stay in an inn. He lodged in the boat cabin and waited for the boat to start early the next morning. Who knew that in the middle of the night, one of the boats had caught fire. The fire was intense and nobody realized it in the dead of the night. Soon, many boats that had anchored at the dock went up in flames. Shi Fengju’s boat was not spared.
On that night, the raging blaze reflected a sheet of red on the water surface. The crackling sounds of fire could be heard and thick smoke surged from all sides. The people were wailing like ghosts and howling like wolves at the scene. It was chaotic!
In the midst of the chaos, Shi Fengju was hit by a falling pillar that was on fire and fell into the water. He was unconscious when he was rescued.
The physician said that the smoke had heavily weakened his body and a heavy object knocked him unconscious. As such, he could not guarantee whether Shi Fengju would regain consciousness, but he would do his best.
Zhang Huan and the others also suffered injuries but were conscious. Once they heard this, they panicked and went to plead with the physician. They also went around to ask whether there were any famous physicians in the nearby cities. They were clear that if Shi Fengju had met with death, their Old Mistress would definitely tear them apart. Moreover, they had followed Shi Fengju for so many years and would want to see him get well soon.
Three days had already gone by but Shi Fengju still remained unconscious. After a quick discussion, the servants did not dare to delay any further. Everyone else stayed to watch over their master while Zhan Huan hired a carriage to return to Qingzhou and report the incident. Nobody dared to decide on what to do next. The Masters should be the ones to do so!
“Good for nothing! How do all of you even serve him?” When Gu Fangzi heard the story, she rushed up to Zhang Huan and said hatefully, “How are all of you still fine while Big Cousin has to be the one who met with such a thing! How can you put your lives ahead of your master in such a situation? All of you are servants who betrayed your Master! If anything happens to Big Cousin, I won’t spare your lowly lives!”
“I deserve to die!” Zhang Huan was so frightened that he shrunk his neck and kowtowed as if his life depended on it.
“Heng, so you’re aware that you deserve to die! Zhan Huan, Big Cousin has always thought highly of you, yet this is how you repay him? Let me ask you. Where were you when it happened? How could you not be by his side!” Gu Fangzi frowned angrily.
Tears welled up in Wang Shi’s eyes and she lifted her handkerchief to wipe them off. She then glared hatefully at Zhan Huan.
“Sister Fangzi!” Sang Wan anxiously yelled at Gu Fangzi to stop before looking at Wang Shi, “Mother, this is not the time to point fingers. Zhang Huan, how is Lord’s condition? What did the physician say? Did his condition take a turn for the better? Hurry up and tell us in full detail!”
“That’s right, Zhan Huan. Hurry up and tell us!” Nanny Li also said anxiously.
Zhang Huan was slightly relieved and he hurriedly explained, “As to what Young Mistress asked, we invited Physician Li who is the most famous physician in Handan city. The abrasions and burns on Master have been treated and his wounds are bandaged after applying medicine. He did not suffer any other serious injuries. Since it is not hot this season, Physician Li said that we just have to look after him and make sure his wounds do not get infected to avoid him having a fever. It’s just that since Master was hit by a heavy object on his head and choked on the smoke, he is still unconscious… Ah, however, he is breathing steadily and looks normal. Physician Li said that it is likely due to a blood clot in his head, so he performs acupuncture everyday on him. As long as the clot in his head is gone, he will wake up!”
“That means he is still unconscious now?” Wang Shi was saddened and anxious upon hearing him. “How do you and the rest of the servants serve him! Fengju too, why is he so careless! If anything happens to him, who can I rely on?”
Zhang Huan moved his lips as if wanting to say something. Eventually, he kept quiet and lowered his head.
“Did Physician Li mention when he would wake up?” Wang Shi hurriedly asked.
Zhang Huan replied, “Physician Li, Physician Li said… said he can’t be sure! Old Mistress, this is why I came back in a hurry. You have to tell us what we should do next!” Zhan Huan clenched his teeth and said. He would face the same punishment regardless of what was decided. No matter the outcome, servants like them could only face it. There was no way to avoid it!
Wang Shi groaned and fell onto her seat.
“Mother!” Sang Wan hurriedly went to support Wang Shi. “Mother, which physician can tell us anything for certain? How can Mother not know? Since the cause of his unconsciousness is already diagnosed and Physician Li is willing to prescribe medicine and perform acupuncture on Young Master, that means he can be saved! Who knows, he might have regained consciousness after Zhan Huan left to report to us!”
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After a brief moment of silence, Sang Wan dropped her chopsticks and got up anxiously.
“What did you say? What happened?” Sang Wan swayed slightly and her entire body seemed unstable. The news was abrupt!
“Something happened to Young Master? Who said it? Where is the person who came with the report? Tell me what happened quickly!” Before Xiu Chun could respond, Nanny Li arrived in a hurry. Her face was even more anxious and worried than Sang Wan, and her hands kept pulling at Xiu Chun without stopping. The expressions of all the servants in the house had changed as they stared at Xiu Chun.
“I, I…” Xiu Chun was startled by everyone’s response. She stammered and was unable to say anything.
“Nanny Li!” Sang Wan refrained from fainting and pulled on Nanny Li, saying, “Let’s go to Mother’s place now…”
“Yes, yes!” Nanny Li, who was flustered, held onto Sang Wan as they staggered out and almost fell, which made the rest of the servants cry out in fear.
In the main courtyard, the situation was worse. When Sang Wan went in, she saw Zhang Huan kneeling in the hall and Wang Shi wailing Shi Fengju’s name. By the side, Nanny Jiang and Xiu Li were painfully comforting her.
The atmosphere was miserable.
“Mother!” Sang Wan’s nose turned sour and tears started welling up in her eyes. She took a few steps forward and knelt beside Wang Shi before tugging her sleeve and asking as she tried not to cry, “Mother, don’t be upset. If Lord sees you like this, how would he feel? Mother, what exactly happened? It wasn’t the first time he went out on a trip so there’s no way he was unprepared. He also has experienced servants following him. No matter how big the problem, he will surely overcome it! Mother, you mustn’t be agitated!”
“Old Mistress, Young Mistress is right. Young Master will definitely overcome it! If you fall ill from crying, Young Master will surely be worried when he returns,” Nanny Li quickly added.
Zhang Huan did not expect Wang Shi to have such a reaction and became startled for a moment. While lost in thought, he noticed Sang Wan giving him a firm glare which returned him to his senses. He hurriedly crawled ahead and kowtowed a few times before whimpering, “Old Mistress was given a huge scare because I did not explain the situation clearly enough. Old Mistress, please do not worry. There is a famous doctor taking care of him as we’re speaking. Young Master will surely be fine. The injuries on him… are superficial.”
“Really?” Wang Shi stopped weeping and gazed at Zhang Huan.
“Yes, yes,” Zhang Huan hurriedly said, “I wouldn’t dare to deceive Old Mistress!”
“Fengju, my son! You have to return safe and sound! Otherwise, I wouldn’t want to live anymore!” Wang Shi once again covered her face and cried loudly. However, Nanny Jiang and the rest quietly heaved a sigh of relief as they knew that she cried because she had come around.
Nanny Li’s tears were already falling like rain. She went up and comforted Wang Shi together with Nanny Jiang, and they eventually managed to do so with much difficulty.
Wang Shi wiped off her tears. When she saw Sang Wan still kneeling beside her, she helped her up, “Sang Wan, get up! Don’t cry anymore!”
Sang Wan did what she had been told and got up. Her tears that were streaming down her face like a string of broken pearls immediately stopped as well.
“Tell me in detail just what exactly happened!” Wang Shi told Sang Wan to have a seat first and sort out her feelings before asking Zhang Huan again.
“Aunt Wang! Aunt Wang! What happened to Big Cousin? What happened to him?” Before Zhang Huan could explain, Gu Fangzi rushed in like a gust of wind. Once she saw Wang Shi, her tears started streaming down her face. She then threw herself in Wang Shi’s embrace and started bawling as she hugged her. While she cried, she kept wailing for her aunt and Shi Fengju.
Wang Shi, whose feelings had only just calmed down after much difficulty, could not help but feel devastated again. She wrapped her arms around Gu Fangzi’s head and cried bitterly.
Nanny Li glared hatefully at Gu Fangzi. Zhang Huan was about to tell them what happened. However, this unruly thing came in and interrupted him!
Nanny Jiang also frowned slightly. Wang Shi was an elder so it was not good for her health to receive the shocking news of what happened to her beloved son. They had persuaded her with much difficulty, but their efforts had come to naught because of Gu Fangzi! If she truly cared about the elders, how could she disregard Wang Shi’s health?
Both Sang Wan and Nanny Li were quietly frustrated as well. They hurriedly went to comfort Wang Shi again. Nanny Jiang also went to comfort Wang Shi first before she glanced over at Xiu Chun, Xiu Li, and the other servants to pull Gu Fangzi away forcefully.
Gu Fangzi wept and hugged Wang Shi, unwilling to let go as she cried out for her cousin sorrowfully.
Sang Wan could no longer watch any further and shouted loudly at Gu Fangzi before saying calmly, “Lord only met with a minor mishap. He’ll definitely be alright. What are you trying to do by crying like this?”
“How can it be just a minor mishap? He…” Gu Fangzi realized the situation after a while and quickly became quiet. She wiped her tears and said, “Aunt Wang, Big Cousin will be fine. Please don’t feel sad anymore!”
“Miss Gu, please step aside and take a seat! That way, Zhang Huan can quickly tell us everything!” Nanny Li glared at Gu Fangzi unhappily and told herself: You can still say that right now? Young Mistress is right. What are you trying to do by crying like this? When your father passed away, you didn’t even shed as many tears! Pah, pah! Dear me, what am I saying!
Xiu Chun and Xiu Li assisted Lan Xiang in helping Gu Fangzi to a seat. Upon seeing Wang Shi finally calming down once again, Sang Wan then ordered Zhang Huan, “Spill it!”
Zhang Huan nodded and told them the entire story.
It turned out that when Shi Fengju was searching for Shi Fengming in Dezhou, he soon heard that Shi Fengming and that woman had left Dezhou and went south. As for where, he did not know.
Although Shi Fengju could not find him, he could at the very least provide an explanation to Second Uncle Shi and Second Aunt Shi with the news that Shi Fengming was safe and sound. Being away from home for a long while, Shi Fengju missed his mother and Sang Wan, so he intended to return home quickly. He instructed all the shopkeepers in the southern cities to be on a lookout. Once there was news about Shi Fengming’s whereabouts, they were to send someone to tail him and report back.
When the boat anchored at Handan’s dock to replenish their supplies, Shi Fengju had set his heart on returning home as quickly as possible so he did not climb ashore to stay in an inn. He lodged in the boat cabin and waited for the boat to start early the next morning. Who knew that in the middle of the night, one of the boats had caught fire. The fire was intense and nobody realized it in the dead of the night. Soon, many boats that had anchored at the dock went up in flames. Shi Fengju’s boat was not spared.
On that night, the raging blaze reflected a sheet of red on the water surface. The crackling sounds of fire could be heard and thick smoke surged from all sides. The people were wailing like ghosts and howling like wolves at the scene. It was chaotic!
In the midst of the chaos, Shi Fengju was hit by a falling pillar that was on fire and fell into the water. He was unconscious when he was rescued.
The physician said that the smoke had heavily weakened his body and a heavy object knocked him unconscious. As such, he could not guarantee whether Shi Fengju would regain consciousness, but he would do his best.
Zhang Huan and the others also suffered injuries but were conscious. Once they heard this, they panicked and went to plead with the physician. They also went around to ask whether there were any famous physicians in the nearby cities. They were clear that if Shi Fengju had met with death, their Old Mistress would definitely tear them apart. Moreover, they had followed Shi Fengju for so many years and would want to see him get well soon.
Three days had already gone by but Shi Fengju still remained unconscious. After a quick discussion, the servants did not dare to delay any further. Everyone else stayed to watch over their master while Zhan Huan hired a carriage to return to Qingzhou and report the incident. Nobody dared to decide on what to do next. The Masters should be the ones to do so!
“Good for nothing! How do all of you even serve him?” When Gu Fangzi heard the story, she rushed up to Zhang Huan and said hatefully, “How are all of you still fine while Big Cousin has to be the one who met with such a thing! How can you put your lives ahead of your master in such a situation? All of you are servants who betrayed your Master! If anything happens to Big Cousin, I won’t spare your lowly lives!”
“I deserve to die!” Zhang Huan was so frightened that he shrunk his neck and kowtowed as if his life depended on it.
“Heng, so you’re aware that you deserve to die! Zhan Huan, Big Cousin has always thought highly of you, yet this is how you repay him? Let me ask you. Where were you when it happened? How could you not be by his side!” Gu Fangzi frowned angrily.
Tears welled up in Wang Shi’s eyes and she lifted her handkerchief to wipe them off. She then glared hatefully at Zhan Huan.
“Sister Fangzi!” Sang Wan anxiously yelled at Gu Fangzi to stop before looking at Wang Shi, “Mother, this is not the time to point fingers. Zhang Huan, how is Lord’s condition? What did the physician say? Did his condition take a turn for the better? Hurry up and tell us in full detail!”
“That’s right, Zhan Huan. Hurry up and tell us!” Nanny Li also said anxiously.
Zhang Huan was slightly relieved and he hurriedly explained, “As to what Young Mistress asked, we invited Physician Li who is the most famous physician in Handan city. The abrasions and burns on Master have been treated and his wounds are bandaged after applying medicine. He did not suffer any other serious injuries. Since it is not hot this season, Physician Li said that we just have to look after him and make sure his wounds do not get infected to avoid him having a fever. It’s just that since Master was hit by a heavy object on his head and choked on the smoke, he is still unconscious… Ah, however, he is breathing steadily and looks normal. Physician Li said that it is likely due to a blood clot in his head, so he performs acupuncture everyday on him. As long as the clot in his head is gone, he will wake up!”
“That means he is still unconscious now?” Wang Shi was saddened and anxious upon hearing him. “How do you and the rest of the servants serve him! Fengju too, why is he so careless! If anything happens to him, who can I rely on?”
Zhang Huan moved his lips as if wanting to say something. Eventually, he kept quiet and lowered his head.
“Did Physician Li mention when he would wake up?” Wang Shi hurriedly asked.
Zhang Huan replied, “Physician Li, Physician Li said… said he can’t be sure! Old Mistress, this is why I came back in a hurry. You have to tell us what we should do next!” Zhan Huan clenched his teeth and said. He would face the same punishment regardless of what was decided. No matter the outcome, servants like them could only face it. There was no way to avoid it!
Wang Shi groaned and fell onto her seat.
“Mother!” Sang Wan hurriedly went to support Wang Shi. “Mother, which physician can tell us anything for certain? How can Mother not know? Since the cause of his unconsciousness is already diagnosed and Physician Li is willing to prescribe medicine and perform acupuncture on Young Master, that means he can be saved! Who knows, he might have regained consciousness after Zhan Huan left to report to us!”
If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.
Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.
