The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 261 Muttering (First Update, Please Vote)
At the Rongguo Mansion, Grandmother Jia enjoyed her breakfast very much today.

Shen asked for more than three million taels of silver on behalf of the Jia family. Although the silver would not ultimately reach the Jia family, the construction of martyrs' cemeteries throughout the Great Zhao Dynasty would be a meritorious deed for the Jia family.

When local governments revised their local chronicles, and even during annual sacrificial ceremonies, they inevitably mentioned the Jia family.

If my father-in-law and the Duke are still alive, they can rest in peace.

The old lady is now increasingly satisfied with her grandson Jia Lian, whom she used to pay little attention to.

According to She'er, the child's timing was perfect; he fired six shots in quick succession, which immediately made those bastards on the other side go limp.

That's good!

"old lady!"

After making sure the old lady had eaten and drunk her fill, Yuanyang stepped forward and said to her, who had just rinsed her mouth, "The eldest mistress of the East Mansion is not feeling well."

Ok?
Grandmother Jia was a little confused. "What's wrong with it?"

“The First Madam had a fever last night, and her condition is said to be very bad,” Yuanyang said, not daring to say too much and frighten the old lady, but the situation there was indeed bad. “Just as dawn broke, Master Zhen went to fetch the imperial physician, and soon Fourth Aunt and the others went over there.”

what?
Grandmother Jia suddenly stood up, but perhaps because she stood up too quickly, her vision went black. Yuanyang quickly supported her, "Grandmother~~"

"It's nothing, it's nothing!"

The old lady couldn't help but be anxious. "Quick! Prepare the sedan chair and go to the East Mansion."

Min'er and the others have all gone there, so it must have been dangerous.

This family can't do without the Shen family!
My eldest nephew is gone, and now Madam Shen is gone too...

The old lady was very worried.

She was worried about both the Jia family and herself.

My nephew passed away less than three months ago. If Madam Shen were to also pass away, that would be an ominous sign. And with ominous signs, there will inevitably be three more. She... she probably won't survive this year either.

When Grandmother Jia hurriedly ordered someone to carry her over, Shen Ning's injured hand was soaked in the warmed medicine and carefully washed by He Yuanzheng.

Now we need to find out what's extra in that powder.

If we don't find out clearly, and it turns out to be incompatible with the newly prescribed medication, then it won't be a life-saving measure.

Because Dr. He had already ordered the accompanying apprentice to quickly send the problematic wound medicine to the Imperial Hospital for a thorough examination.

But this potion...

In her dazed state, Shen Ning felt a piercing pain.

She couldn't help but groan.

However, Chief Physician He did not let it go. After sealing several acupoints with silver needles, he even took out a small knife that had been burned and carefully cut off the swollen part in the medicine.

The risk is high, but the risk of not cutting is even greater.

After swelling comes suppuration, and the pus and blood may flow through the blood vessels, causing systemic problems. At that point, even a miracle worker could only lament in vain.

This is also why there are such high casualties in the military.

Many people do not die on the battlefield, but rather from complications arising from their wounds.

"It's pressed down, don't move it."

He Yuanzheng glanced at Wen Peilan, who was helping to hold people down.

The maids and servants in this courtyard are problematic, but this guard should be fine.

Before the New Year, she risked her life to save Madam Shen, and then rode a horse with her all the way to rescue Jia Zhen and Jia Jing.

"...Don't worry, I'm pressing very firmly!"

Wen Peilan felt very guilty!

Yesterday, Madam must have sensed something was wrong, and she even had the royal physician summoned. However, she was so engrossed in her thoughts that they didn't dare disturb her, which caused them to miss the best opportunity to discover the problem.

She had been living a comfortable life for too long and had lost her vigilance.

only……

The maids and servants outside the courtyard knelt on the ground.

If the wife is not well, then... I'm afraid none of them will survive.

"Ah~~~"

Dr. He's knife was swift; he cut the back of her hand and then her palm, and the pain jolted Shen Ning awake.

She was too weak to speak, so she could only lie on the couch with her eyes half-closed, enduring the pain as Dr. He treated the wound caused by the hairpin.

"Somebody come!"

Jia Zhen saw a large amount of fresh blood flowing out of the medicine, and even though he quickly changed the medicine, ...

He hated all those maids and servants who served him.

“Drag all the servants who were in the room yesterday out and beat them to death.”

He told these people to investigate themselves, but even now, they still can't figure out how something was added to his mother's medicine.

Although he wanted to believe Qingzhu and the others, his mother was the one suffering now, and if things went wrong...

"What are you still doing?"

Jia Zhen's eyes were bloodshot. "Drag him out."

"It's my fault!"

Tears streamed down Qingzhu's face. She didn't know what had gone wrong. Only she and Qingping had ever been inside the madam's inner room.

Xiaodong and the other three could have gone in, but they spent the whole day yesterday with their wives.

It doesn't make sense to say that they changed the medicine after they came back.

"This servant failed to take good care of the household; it has nothing to do with Qingping..."

They grew up together, and she believed that Qingping would never do such a treacherous thing.

"No, it's my fault!"

Qingping liked to wander around and listen to gossip. The problem with the madam's medicine was probably because when she wasn't home, Qingzhu went to relieve herself or something, and someone took advantage of the situation. "Sir, hit me, it has nothing to do with Qingzhu."

"Shut up, she won't survive, but you think you can?"

Jia Zhen was furious. "Drag them all away!"

Hearing the rapid footsteps and sobbing outside, how could Shen Ning possibly bear it?
"Zhen'er, stop!"

Her voice was weak, but Wen Peilan heard it and quickly relayed the message, "Sir, Madam wants you to stop."

"Mother~"

Jia Zhen rushed in.

Hearing the noise, Qingzhu and the others, with tears in their eyes, tried to crawl inside.

"Mother, are you feeling better?"

"It has nothing to do with them."

Shen Ning trembled all over in pain, her fever had not subsided, and she was panting heavily. "It's me, my calamity."

Did the bald-headed monk really not do anything during his visit?
When the wound became problematic, her first suspect was the bald-headed monk.

"If they can't endure it, let them leave the manor."

"Madam~~~~"

The shouts from outside were tinged with sobs.

Qingzhu and the others dared not provoke them.

The lady is still here; if they were to burst into tears, it would be a very bad omen.

"They brought all their belongings with them."

Shen Ning could barely open her eyes. "Zhen'er, don't make things difficult for her."

"My son knows, and he won't make things difficult for them."

Jia Zhen cried, "Mother, I've already lost my father, please take care of yourself, don't let me lose my mother too!"

He had so many tears that he couldn't even see his mother clearly anymore.

Jia Zhen quickly wiped his face, "And my younger sister, she's so young, she comes to see you every day now."

Yue'er?

Yes, and Yue'er too.

Shen Ning struggled to open her eyes and looked at her son, who was about to cry like a fool. "Zhen'er, an elder brother is like a father." She tried to cheer herself up and forget that He Yuanzheng was still cutting the flesh on his hand. "Your father and I... are just hoping for Yue'er."

The thought of not being able to watch her grow up, the thought of her crying and looking for her every day these past few days, the thought of her being all alone again in the future...

Shen Ning's tears also fell. "Please take care of her for us, and don't let her be bullied."

Children without mothers are always more pitiful.

Even with other family members around, there's no mother...

Shen Ning lost her parents at a young age. No matter how well her grandparents took care of her, seeing others with their parents by their side often made her cry in the middle of the night.

Besides, Xichun is so pitiful!

"You should also be a good boy/girl~"

Shen Ning felt her wound being twisted, and the pain made her vision go black. "Listen to Madam You, listen to... Rong-ge'er."

As she let herself faint, Dr. He finally finished his work. "Change the pot."

He was afraid that there might be some unclean things on the piece he cut off.

Upon hearing this, Rong-ge quickly changed him into the new clothes.

At this moment, he dared not trust anyone.

But it seems impossible to convince him that Sister Qingzhu and the others poisoned him.

Grandma probably had a premonition yesterday, otherwise, why would she share things with him?

Why would they add things to their aunt's dowry list?

This calamity...

Grandmother might know some of the reason.

"Bring me my first-aid kit."

The medicine boy has returned to the Imperial Hospital.

The maids were all kneeling outside, so Principal He could only order Rong-ge around.

Rong-ge'er moved quickly and hurriedly brought over his medicine box.

He is very scared!
His eyes were filled with terror, his face was pale, and his lips were trembling slightly, but he dared not slow down even a little, for fear that if he slowed down even a little, his grandmother would suffer more.

"Use my medicine for now."

After taking out the medicine, Dr. He carefully smelled it to make sure there was no problem before taking Shen Ningshuang's hands, which were stained with the medicine, out of the basin and gently wiping them with a fine cloth.

At this point, everyone could see that what was originally just a small wound on the palm had become much more ulcerated.

"Once the medicine is applied, everything will be fine once the injury subsides."

Even if my hands become inconvenient in the future, it's better than losing my life.

He Yuanzheng applied the medicine powder and bandaged the wound in one smooth motion. "The Imperial Hospital is already investigating what the other party used. Once they find out and it's the right treatment, things will be much easier."

I'm afraid we won't be able to find it right away.

He Yuanzheng got up and began to smell and taste the remaining medicinal powder bit by bit.

He tasted it and then spat it out.

At this time, all the imperial physicians on duty in the Imperial Hospital gathered together to help with the examination.

They were the ones who helped prepare most of the medicines for the Jia family.

But they couldn't quite figure out what this extra thing was.

"Could it also be related to the north?"

Nowadays, the people who hate Madam Shen the most are probably those Jurchens.

If the origin of the drug can be determined, the subsequent investigation will be much easier.

"...Let's try it first!"

The imperial physician who was speaking gave his apprentice a wink.

The apprentice busied himself bringing out a little bit of all the medicines produced in the north.

Time passed slowly, and Dr. He had no clue whatsoever. There was no news from the Imperial Hospital either. The method of reducing fever with acupuncture was gradually becoming ineffective, so he could only prescribe medication to reduce the fever.

The medicine was administered, but the fever kept recurring, and the patient not only failed to sweat, but also started experiencing shivering.

By imperial decree, several more imperial physicians arrived from the Imperial Medical Academy.

Jia Zhen and Jia Rong dared not leave, and they didn't even let Jia Yue go.

They used to comfort their little girl whenever she cried, but now...

When the little girl cried, they would carry her to Shen Ning's room.

The two had hoped that their mother (grandmother) would cheer up if their younger sister and aunt cried, but they did not expect that the little girl would also fall ill in the evening.

His voice was hoarse, he looked listless, and he had a slight fever.

Both of them were startled.

Dr. He couldn't say anything, as the child was too young to be given medicine, so he could only give her a few injections while she was asleep.

Now that Grandmother Jia has come over, it's not good for her to go home, but this time, she didn't send anyone to call the imperial physician.

All she wants now is for Dr. He and the others to cure Ms. Shen as soon as possible.

She got better, and so did she.

If she's not well...

Grandmother Jia lay on the couch, listening to Madam Xing talk about how Shen Ning was perfectly fine, adding to Jia Yue's dowry and giving things to Rong-ge'er, and then listening to her talk about robbery and other things.

The old lady's heart was like it was being fried in oil.

Some people have a vague idea of ​​their own timeline.

That undetectable drug...

Where is She'er?

"The master saw that you had taken your medicine and then went to the other mansion."

"...Have him find some highly respected monks or Taoist priests to see if he has offended anyone."

what?
Xing blinked, somewhat confused.

"go with!"

The old lady was too lazy to look at this stupid daughter-in-law. "Go, just say it was my order. If anything happens, I, the old lady, will take responsibility."

"Yes!"

Lady Xing dared not disobey and left in a hurry.

"Old lady~~"

The mandarin ducks were a little scared.

The patriarch of the Eastern Mansion had only recently passed away, and this incident...

"Since they've already escorted the coffin back to their hometown, they shouldn't have come back!"

The old lady suspected that she had offended Jia Jing.

They have always been a loving couple.

Grandmother Jia sighed and lamented at home, while the Emperor and Empress in the palace were also very troubled.

"If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have let Sister Shen come back."

The Empress was filled with regret.

"Will not."

The emperor could only comfort her, saying, "Madam Shen is very lucky and will be alright."

Those who wished for her death, besides the sinners of the previous dynasty, the Jurchens, and the Japanese, included that mysterious figure within the royal family who had even targeted his own son.

The emperor gritted his teeth inwardly, vowing to skin him alive once he found out.

"Your Majesty, what Sister Shen cares about most is Xiao Yue'er."

The Empress seemed to be thinking a lot lately. "There's a custom among the common people of using wedding ceremonies to bring good luck, so perhaps..."

"How about I bestow upon her the title of County Princess?"

The emperor doesn't really care about granting her the title of princess, but the more he gives her now, the worse it might be for the Jia family.

Without Madam Shen, before Rong-ge'er grows up, those people in the Jia family... might not even be able to protect their own homes.

"Hmm~"

The Empress nodded vigorously, "Let's not wait until tomorrow, let Liu An go and deliver the imperial decree now!"

Regardless of who the master is, if she is treated well in the future, probably no one will dare to bully her.

"to make!"

Even the emperor couldn't bear to see Lady Shen die!
With her around, the Jurchens couldn't cause any trouble.

The couple, one went to write the imperial edict, and the other prepared gifts for the county princess.

When Liu An arrived with great fanfare and a large entourage of palace servants, the drowsy Shen Ning felt as if she were back in the time when she was reading Dream of the Red Chamber.

"Flowers fall and fly, filling the sky; their beauty fades and their fragrance vanishes—who will mourn them now..."

Lin Daiyu's anxiety, confusion, sadness, and grief deeply troubled her.

"Daiyu~"

Shen Ning murmured in her sickbed.

Having received the imperial decree, Jia Zhen hurriedly sent someone to invite his cousin Lin.

He knew that among his many cousins, his mother loved his cousin Lin the most.

Lin Daiyu had already rested by then, but upon hearing that her aunt was missing her while she was ill, she immediately got up and cried.

However, just as she finished dressing, someone from the East Mansion arrived again, this time calling for Baoyu.

Even while Shen Ning was ill, she started calling out to Bao Yu.

When the two of them arrived, Yingchun and Tanchun were also mentioned.