Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 244 Wutong’s choice, the boy grew up overnight!
[The funeral was extremely simple and hasty. Mother had no relatives, and no one from the Xie family came. Only you were kneeling in the mourning hall.]

[My mother’s name was never engraved in the Xie family temple and she was buried in Niu Mountain outside Bianjing.]

【Then, everything returned to normal.】

[Outside the courtyard, the guards who had been following him like shadows have disappeared.]

[When parents die, the legitimate son needs to observe mourning for three years.]

[Da Qi ruled the world with Confucianism and filial piety, and both high-ranking ministers and ordinary people were required to abide by it.]

[During the mourning period, people are not allowed to wear colorful clothes or hold any kind of banquets. They must always look sad to express their grief for the deceased.]

[However, the mourning period is not a full three years. According to etiquette and law, it only takes twenty-five months.]

[When the funeral is over, it will be the second year when the spring is in full bloom. You are still young, so you only need to place a spirit tablet in the courtyard to observe the mourning period.]

[During the three months since your mother passed away, you did not go out at all and stayed in the courtyard the whole time.]

[This year, Wutong is already eleven years old. She has grown up. The originally dark-skinned girl has become even more graceful and beautiful.]

[In the Xie family mansion, even among the carefully selected maids, few could compare with Wutong in beauty.]

[Thinking back to the autumn when my mother was still alive, I don’t know why the housekeeper Wu in the courtyard delayed distributing autumn clothes. ]

[The weather was quite cold at that time. When I woke up in the morning, the courtyard was already covered with glittering frost.]

[The maids in each courtyard have changed into warm autumn clothes, except Wutong, who is still wearing only a thin shirt when walking in the courtyard.]

[Many maids in the courtyard sneered at her, "Sister Wutong, it seems that you were born in the snowy weather, and you can endure the cold."]

【Wutong blushed.】

[After my mother passed away, housekeeper Wu immediately sent me monthly allowance and autumn clothes. The monthly allowance that had been exploited at every level was actually increased by two taels of silver every month.]

[However, compared to the illegitimate children of the Xie family, whose monthly pocket money is as high as four or five hundred taels, not to mention the legitimate children like Xie Yu, all their requests are met.]

[After hearing about your mother's death, you were so grief-stricken that you cried until you went blind. This alarmed Old Lady Xie.]

[The old lady was born into one of the five surnames and seven noble families. She always attached great importance to filial piety. She felt the pain of losing your mother when you were only nine years old.]

[During the Lantern Festival, I asked the maid to bring you vegetarian food. ]

[The mistresses of the main courtyard and the second courtyard of Xie's mansion both sent people to send new clothes as a token of consolation.]

[This matter has spread widely among the maids and servants. Everyone is talking about it, but they don’t talk much about you and your mother. They all praise the kindness and goodness of the old lady and the mistress.]

[The Xie family has also invited a government doctor to check your eyes every month.]

[This incident aroused the curiosity of the young ladies and gentlemen in the courtyard. They called their friends and brought a few servants with them, preparing to come to the small courtyard where you live, but were stopped by the wives of the various families.]

[In the summer of the same year, the weather was hot and dry.]

[There are cicadas chirping in the sycamore trees in the yard, making annoying noises.]

[Because you are blind, you can only stay in the room with the windows sealed, so you can’t see the light.]

[It was extremely hot inside the house! ]

[Today, the official doctor has walked into the courtyard with a medicine box and started to treat you.]

[The sycamore trees stood under the eaves in the courtyard early in the morning, and the green leaves on the sycamore trees in the courtyard were all wilted and curled up due to the heat.]

[She looked anxious. She had been applying the medicine for a month, and today was the day to reveal the results.]

[If he was blind, how could he study and take care of himself? Wutong, who was only eleven years old, could not help but feel anxious. He felt sorry for his young master. His loved ones passed away, and he suffered such a heavy blow.]

[For the past few months, you have locked yourself in your room and refused to see anyone.]

[Wutong can only watch you secretly from outside the window and shed tears. ]

[She was sold to the Xie family when she was seven years old. The Xie Guan family treated her like a family member. She was filled with gratitude and couldn't help crying when she saw this.]

【Wutong was afraid that the official doctor would announce that you would never see the light again.】

[If this is the case, she doesn't know if you can bear this heavy blow, but she feels a little relieved thinking that you have been strong-willed since childhood and never give up easily.]

[Wutong couldn't help but sigh in his heart, wondering why the kind people in this world always have to go through so many hardships and tribulations.]

【At this time, there was movement outside the courtyard! 】

[Several people have entered the courtyard, and Wutong looks up.]

[The third young master of the Xie family's second courtyard, Xie Renfeng's maid, and a few others walked into the courtyard.]

【Wutong feels strange! 】

[The Xie family currently only has two branches left, the first and second branches, and they have two large courtyards where they can start their own families and businesses.]

[The Xie family is naturally the lineage of Dingyuan Hou Xie Ling, and the second branch is Xie Ling's younger brother, the great scholar of the time, Xie Hong.]

【Xie Hong, the second master of the Xie family, was a first-class scholar at an early age. He was studious and known for his talent and conduct. He was simple and generous. He was also good at riding and reading scriptures. People called him "all-rounder". 】

[His career was also very successful. When Emperor Yuan first settled in Jiangzuo, he was appointed as Jijiu, and later promoted to General Zhenwei and Governor of Yixing.]

[In the past, the three brothers of the Xie family were all of high esteem, both literary and martial, and were known as the "Three Xies" in the city of Bianjing.]

[A sudden palace coup, perhaps it was a fight within the family, or the unspeakable darkness in the court, Xie Hong finally got tired of it and resolutely resigned from his post. ]

[He was originally a great scholar, but turned to Taoism. He often stayed with the ancient Buddha and lived in Qingliang Temple, cultivating himself and not competing with the world. He only went home a few times a year.]

[Old Lady Xie doted on this youngest son the most. When she mentioned the third master of the Xie family, tears often welled up in her eyes. Before Xie Hong entered the government, he often served his mother and was the most filial.]

[Xie Hong has five sons, and the third son, Xie Renfeng, is quite famous among the arrogant young men and women in the Xie family. He has a gentle temperament and acts steadily, unlike others who are so arrogant and domineering, and is quite loved by the old lady.]

【“Master Guan, are you in the house?”】

[Wutong calmed down and didn't want to lose his manners, so he went to greet him with a smile.]

[“Sister Shilan, why are you here?”]

[Shi Lan is Xie Renfeng's maidservant. She is already 28 years old and in her prime this year. She is the most favored.]

[She is tall, wearing a royal blue long sleeve skirt, with fair skin, a pretty face, a small mole on the tip of her nose, and a pair of beautiful eyes that reveal a shrewd and well-behaved look.]

[Shi Lan's attire is much better than that of Xie Guan and his servant, and even better than that of the daughters of some officials in Bian Jing.]

[Several maids followed Shi Lan, all led by her.]

[Wutong was a little confused and nervous. Sister Shilan was a maid that she envied. She subconsciously touched her dress, which was the worst among the maids in the courtyard.]

[Shi Lan looked around the simple and old courtyard. There were dozens of pots of flowers and plants growing well. It was obvious that the person who took care of them was very serious, but she didn't see a single valuable plant.]

[There was also a stove and a water tank standing out in the courtyard, as well as a set of unpolished and uncarved stone tables and benches. She couldn't help but shake her head.]

[Although she had known for a long time that Xie Guan was not favored, she never expected that a young man from a prominent family would be in such a difficult situation.]

[The young master's food and clothing are all of the utmost quality. Every three days, a chef will prepare a "food supplement", which includes the "demon meat treasure" of the Thirteen States, which can strengthen the bones and muscles and nourish the spleen. ] [The dozens of sets of clothing for the four seasons are carefully sewn by dozens of female workers at Jiangnan Textile over a year.]

[Shi Lan came back to her senses, smiling like a flower, with a somewhat intimate tone, "Why, can't you come and see your sister if you have nothing to do?"]

[“I heard that Master Guan is going to treat his eyes today, so my master specially prepared a lot of medicinal herbs. I asked my sisters to carefully buy them today. There are chrysanthemums, cassia seeds, wolfberries, plantain seeds, selfheal, as well as deer antlers and safflower for nourishing the body.”]

[After hearing this, Wutong became even more confused. She and her master and servant had never interacted with the Third Young Master Xie Renfeng of the Second Courtyard. Even when the mistress was alive, they rarely interacted with each other.]

[If there is any connection, it was only after the mistress passed away that time, when she went to the Second Hospital to receive the new clothes given by the head of the family, she had the honor of meeting this "Xie Renfeng" once.]

[At this moment, Wutong's eyes fell on the medicinal herbs handed to him by the maid behind Shilan.]

[She carefully recalled Shi Lan's words. These herbs were not sent in the name of Mrs. Zhao of the Xie family, Xie Renfeng's biological mother, but were sent by Xie Renfeng himself.]

[“When the mistress was alive, she always taught the young master not to accept anything without a favor. These are too valuable, please ask Sister Shilan to take them back for me.” Wutong said firmly.]

[“What are you talking about, sister?” Shi Lan still smiled, but her eyes were more serious. “Although our two families don’t visit each other often, we are all blood relatives of the Xie family. Why should we be so formal?”]

[“Wu Tong dare not thank you for this kindness, nor do I dare to accept it. Please come and thank you in person after the young master finishes the treatment.”]

[Shi Lan looked at Wu Tong and immediately refused without hesitation, and her face became more and more satisfied.]

[Shi Lan smiled and said: "Sister Wutong, the Master actually asked me to come here this time because of a happy event for you."]

【Wutong was stunned, and became even more confused.】

[“Master Renfeng wants Master Yuguan to do a good deed and place his sister in the mansion as a caring maid.”]

【Wutong's pupils widened, and he looked confused.】

[The maids behind Shi Lan all had envious looks in their eyes. You have to know that the food, clothing and daily expenses of the Third Young Master in the Second Courtyard are very different from those in this shabby little courtyard.]

[This is equivalent to having great luck, winning the favor of Master Renfeng, and even coming to ask for it. This favor made the maids "jealous beyond measure." ]

[After hearing this, Wutong's eyes flashed with confusion, and then he shook his head firmly.]

【Shi Lan saw this, took Wu Tong's hand, and said earnestly: "Sister, please don't be confused. Master Shao Feng is a kind-hearted, talented and interesting man. He can be a scholar or a talent in the future. If you follow him, you will never suffer."】

[“Look at Master Guan again. He is now helpless and has offended the legitimate mother of the Xie family. His future is worrying! Now he is blind, I am afraid…”]

【I won’t finish my words! 】

[“Sister, your name is Wutong. Phoenixes rest on Wutong trees. Young Master is also known as Human Phoenix. This is a matter of fate. Don’t refuse it!”]

[There was a hint of regret and worry in Shilan's words, as if she was thinking about Wutong's future.]

[Wutong gently pulled back his hand and said firmly: "The mistress has been kind to me, and now the young master is suffering even more. If I leave, Wutong will never be disloyal or unrighteous."]

[Shi Lan smiled and said, "Silly sister, this is not up to you. You have to ask your young master."]

【at this time!】

[A sound suddenly came from behind the house, breaking the tranquility in the yard. ]

[“Master Guan, I will take my leave now.” A slightly old voice came. ]

[“Thank you, Doctor Hua. I’ll see you off.” A gentle and childish voice.]

[Shi Lan's brows relaxed when she heard this, and she turned her gaze towards the door, which slowly opened. An old man with a hunched figure and a medicine box on his back walked out.]

[Perhaps he took a deep breath, the old man wiped the sweat on his forehead, the front of his clothes were already soaked.]

[The windows in the house are all closed, there is no light, and in today's weather, it feels like a steam room.]

[This old man is none other than Hua An, the official doctor of the Xie family. His family has been in the Xie family for generations. He has superb medical skills and a high reputation, and is highly respected in the Xie family.]

【“Doctor Hua!” Shi Lan greeted him upon seeing this. 】

[Hua An looked up and smiled: "It turned out to be Miss Shi Lan. She is becoming more and more beautiful."]

[Hua An still gave some face to the maid of the third young master of the second courtyard of the Xie family. In the secular world, "a mother is honored by her son". In this courtyard, the master served by these maids is their "backer" and "tiger power". ]

【Xie Renfeng has reached adulthood today and has passed the Tongsheng exam. He will take part in the provincial exam this year. His biological mother, Madam Zhao, is also from a prominent family and has a promising future.】

[Hua An couldn't wait to walk to the courtyard, picked up a bucket of water and drank it all, his face was refreshed.]

[Wutong looked anxiously at the young man who came out from behind.]

[Shi Lan's gaze also fell on this person.]

[This rumored least favored young master of the Xie family is "Xie Guan". ]

[The young man walked out slowly. He was dressed simply and without any accessories. His face could not be seen because he had a black cloth covering his eyes. His face was covered with beads of sweat.]

[Surprisingly, Shi Lan noticed that the boy looked normal, and he didn't seem to be bothered by the stuffy air in the room. He looked calm.]

[You know, Xie Guan cannot stand the light and has lived in there for several months. The house is dark and stuffy, but he has not shown any impetuousness. This level of concentration is really admirable.]

【Shi Lan bowed and said: "Master Guan!"】

[The young man nodded slightly, then said to Wutong: "No problem!"]

【Hua An also said beside the water tank: "Miss Wutong, don't worry, the young master is fine. He just needs to stay out of the light for a hundred days, and then he will be able to recognize things normally."】

[“You don’t have to stay indoors anymore. You can wear a black cloth and go out and walk around.”]

[There is a look of joy on Wutong's face.]

【Hua An said: "I will take my leave now. I still have to report to Madam Yuan and tell her about Master Guan's situation." His tone was respectful, and it was obvious that he was in awe of Madam Yuan.】

[The young man smiled and said, "Please ask Doctor Hua to thank my mother on behalf of Xie Guan."]

[Although Madam Yuan is not Xie Guan's biological mother, she is indeed the legal wife of Marquis Dingyuan. According to the law, she is the real mother of the Xie family and has the right to manage the family.]

【Hua An looked at Xie Guan, his expression slightly changed, and then he smiled: "Of course, of course."】

[“After watching the young master and Miss Shilan, I will take my leave.”]

[After Hua An left, only Wu Tong and Shi Lan were left in the courtyard.]

[The young man smiled and said: "Wutong, make some tea!"]

[“Young lady, you have come to my humble abode. It is too hot inside. Please take a rest in the shade to avoid the midday heat.”]

[Wutong looked at his young master, who had not left his room during this period.]

【Today, there seems to be something different, and the behavior is calm. 】

[Although he just turned ten, he already looks like the boss. ]

【The boy grew up overnight after his mother passed away.】

(End of this chapter)