Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 148 Kneeling at the Door
"Master, Doctor Ding is here!"

Chen Siyuan sighed upon hearing this, knowing that Qingwen would probably not be able to persuade the doctor before the consultation. He immediately put down his bowl of porridge, stood up and went out to greet him.

Perhaps because Qingyu had briefly described his condition, Doctor Ding covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief. Seeing Chen Siyuan, he was startled. After the two men exchanged greetings, Doctor Ding said, "Mr. Chen, this item is extremely exquisite. I wonder what it means?"

Chen Siyuan pointed to the mask he was wearing and said, "This is a mask. I was alone and weak before, and I accidentally fell into the water and caught a cold. I was afraid that the disease would spread to others, so I ordered someone to make this."

"Mask? Yes, this thing can indeed isolate the disease to some extent." Ding Daojian secretly kept it in mind and thought to himself that he should make more for himself later. It is much better than the handkerchief used to cover the mouth and nose now.

Chen Siyuan led Ding Daojian to the kang and said, "Doctor, please give me your diagnosis."

"Easy to say."

Ding Daojian sat down on the kang and reached out to feel Qingwen's pulse. After checking both hands, he frowned and said, "This is a wind-heat lung-heat syndrome caused by delayed treatment of a cold. It can't be considered a lung abscess at all."

As soon as these words came out, Qingwen forgot to cover her mouth and nose, letting the corner of the quilt slide down. She stared at Doctor Ding with open eyes and asked, "Is it true?"

Ding Daojian stroked his beard and said, "I believe I have made some progress in internal medicine... I'm sure."

Qingwen's eyes suddenly turned red with joy.

The maidservant Yunxiang had been shielding her mouth and nose in the main hall. Upon hearing this, she walked inside, patting her chest and saying, "Thank goodness it's not lung abscess. Sister Qingwen can be saved now."

Chen Siyuan had anticipated this, and immediately said to Doctor Ding, "Please give me a prescription, Doctor."

"Easy to say."

Yunxiang reacted after hearing the sound, looked around, and then said with a smile: "Master, where did you get the writing brush and ink here?"

Chen Siyuan frowned slightly, thinking about sending Qingyu back to the small courtyard of Rongguo Mansion to take a look?
At this time, Ding Daojian said, "That's fine. Why don't you send someone with me back to Heniantang and prescribe the medicine along with the prescription?"

Chen Siyuan said "OK" and hurriedly took out ten taels of silver from his sleeve and presented it to him.

Ding Daojian accepted the silver, said "you're welcome," and then stood up to leave. Chen Siyuan escorted him out the door and sent Qingyu with him to get the medicine before turning around.

When I entered, I saw Yunxiang talking to Qingwen.

"...Among the servants in the palace, only Imperial Physician Wang has some skills. Imperial Physician Bao is mediocre, and Imperial Physician Hu...I'm afraid he has ulterior motives."

Qingwen said angrily, "I'll go find that Hu doctor tomorrow! What a quack he is! He almost killed me! Ahem—"

Hearing that Chen Siyuan had returned, Yunxiang also understood what was going on. She stood up, made room for him, and went outside to get some hot water.

"Uncle Yuan." Qingwen struggled to get up, knelt on the kang and kowtowed to Chen Siyuan solemnly.

"Eh? What are you doing? You're not well yet, lie down quickly."

Qingwen said, "Thank you so much, Master Yuan, for saving my life. Master Yuan, you don't know that at noon I felt like everything was over. I came here and cried, and then I didn't think about anything else. If it weren't for Master Yuan's help, I'm afraid I would have died! I can't repay your kindness. From now on, Master Yuan, if you have any instructions, just use me."

As she spoke, she stood up, wiped away her tears, and sobbed, "I may not be good at other things, but I am quite good at needlework. In the future, even if Master Yuan asks me to embroider ten or a hundred things, I will do it!"

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "So I saved you just to order you around for nothing? Sit down quickly."

Qingwen pursed her lips and said, "Anyway, that's what I feel. I'm not very talkative, so please don't argue with me, Master Yuan."

Chen Siyuan brought the warm millet porridge back and handed it to her, saying, "You look more energetic. Come and eat."

"Hmm." Qingwen took it and sniffed. Perhaps she was really hungry, so she started eating spoonful after spoonful.

Chen Siyuan waited for her to finish her meal before he said, "Just now I heard you say that you wanted to go and seek justice from Hu Junrong?"

Qingwen immediately raised her eyebrows and said, "That quack doctor, I'm going to give him a good scolding!"

"and then?"

"What then?" Qingwen's face was full of confusion.

Chen Siyuan pondered, "The severity of wind-heat and lung heat is different from that of lung abscess. Even if he comes to your house, what can you do to him?"

"Even if I can't do anything, cursing can still help me vent my anger!"

Chen Siyuan shook his head and said, "Besides, do you think Hu Junrong really misdiagnosed the patient?"

Qingwen blinked and asked in surprise, "Master Yuan, are you saying... there's something else going on?"

Chen Siyuan pondered, "Think carefully, was there anyone to see you off when you left the house?"

Of course not, only a little maid threw a bundle over from a distance.

Qingwen frowned and said, "What did Master Yuan want to say? I was diagnosed with lung abscess at the time, so it was difficult for them to see me off."

Chen Siyuan immediately scratched his head. Qingwen was charming and clever, but her brain was all spent on needlework, and she knew nothing about the ways of the world.

After pondering for a while, Chen Siyuan finally said, "I know your nature. If others treat you well, you would like to treat them ten times better. But some of those kindnesses are real, while some are fake. I'm afraid you can't tell the difference right now.

You said earlier that you were grateful to me for saving your life, so how about you just listen to me for once?"

Qingwen nodded immediately and said, "My life was saved by Master Yuan. Master Yuan, please tell me what you say. I will listen to everything."

"Well, wait a couple of days. If Baoyu... or the sisters from Qixianzhai come looking for you during these two days, then I won't stop you from returning to Rongguo Mansion. If no one comes looking for you, why don't you just give up the thought of going back? Once it happens, it will happen again. I'll be frank with you: you can avoid it this time, but I'm afraid you won't be able to avoid it next time."

Qingwen just disdains to waste time on worldly affairs, but she is not stupid. How could she not understand the implication of Chen Siyuan's words?
He frowned and glared, "Master Yuan, what you mean is... I've been tricked this time?"

Chen Siyuan smiled and stood up, saying, "You'll have to figure this out for yourself." He paused, then added, "I'll let Yunxiang stay and look after you for a few days. It's getting late, so take care of yourself. I have to go back."

Chen Siyuan turned around and walked out. He went outside to find Yunxiang for instructions, and then he moved back to Rongguo Mansion.

Qingwen was lost in thought for a long while. When she came to her senses and wanted to see him off, Chen Siyuan was nowhere to be found. She suppressed her suspicions and let Yunxiang help her wash.

After Qingyu got the medicine back, Yunxiang boiled it and waited for Qingwen to take it. Only then did Qingwen fall into a deep sleep. Yunxiang remembered Chen Siyuan's instructions and forced herself to stay awake to watch over Qingwen.

As expected, Qingwen had a fever again at night. Yunxiang followed Chen Siyuan's instructions and wiped her body with wine. She only fell asleep after the fever subsided.

But Chen Siyuan returned to Rongguo Mansion in the middle of the night. He took a long time to knock on the door. The gatekeeper kept chattering for a long time until Chen Siyuan threw a dime to her and she stopped talking.

Chen Siyuan was too lazy to argue with the old woman and went straight back to his own courtyard. When he entered, only Liu Wuer came out to greet him.

Chen Siyuan was stunned for a moment, then he and Liu Wu'er went inside in a low voice. Liu Wu'er said, "Xiangling and Hongyu thought the master wouldn't be back tonight. It just so happened that Sister Hongyu brought a pot of wine from her home today. We drank a lot, and Hongyu and Xiangling felt sleepy, so they just rested in the side room first."

Liu Wu'er had her own thoughts, so she took the opportunity to come to the main room to guard, and sure enough, she waited for Chen Siyuan to come back.

Chen Siyuan nodded and said, "Since they're asleep, there's no need to wake them. Fetch some water, I'll wash up and go to bed."

Liu Wuer obeyed obediently and quickly fetched some warm water to help Chen Siyuan wash up. Meanwhile, she added, "Yes, right after the master left, Steward Lai came over and had a long, hushed conversation with Sister Hongyu. He then waited for quite a while before leaving."

Chen Siyuan was clear-headed, certain that the Lai family was referring to Qingwen. After a moment's deliberation, he decided that since he'd gotten Qingwen for no reason, he had to openly tell the Lai family about it... Otherwise, how could he get Qingwen's indenture?
As for Lai Shangrong, he has no chance of becoming an official.

After washing up, Chen Siyuan yawned and went into the warm room. Liu Wu'er hesitated for a while, holding the quilt, but finally pursed her lips and went to the bed.

She naturally blamed herself for not living up to her expectations, but she just couldn't bring herself to say such shameless words.

It was a cold night, and Liu Wu'er tossed and turned, making occasional rustling noises. Suddenly, Chen Siyuan's voice said, "Is the bed too cold?"

Liu Wuer was startled and said vaguely, "Not bad."

Chen Siyuan said, "Since it's cold, why don't you move to the warm room?"

Liu Wu'er was immediately delighted, responded in a low voice, stood up, hugged the quilt, and walked towards the warm room with the dim light of the incense burner.

Carefully spreading the bedding, Liu Wu'er cautiously slipped into bed. Turning her head slightly, she could see Chen Siyuan's back. After staring for a while, Liu Wu'er simply rolled over and stared at him intently. Although she longed to throw herself into Chen Siyuan's arms immediately, she was already extremely satisfied just sleeping so close to him.

It was late at night, and Liu Wu'er didn't know when she fell asleep. She woke up twice in the night, and only when she saw that she was indeed sleeping in the warm room with her master next to her did she close her eyes again with relief.

At dawn, Liu Wuer was woken by the noise. She got up and was surprised to find that Chen Siyuan had already gotten up. Liu Wuer hurriedly put on her clothes and hurried out to find that Chen Siyuan had already washed up.

Liu Wuer hurriedly said angrily: "It's all my fault. I don't know how I fell asleep."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "You are weak, so it would be good for you to sleep a little longer."

Xiangling couldn't help but laugh, "Don't we still have you? You don't have to worry too much."

Liu Wuer bit her lower lip and agreed. She looked up and saw Hongyu carrying the food box inside. She glanced at her strangely, then moved closer to Chen Siyuan and said, "Master, Lai the steward came here yesterday."

He immediately exchanged glances and dragged Chen Siyuan to the study to mutter something. As Chen Siyuan had expected, the Lai family had contrived to drive Qingwen out in order to ease the feud!
Although Chen Siyuan was very proud of Qingwen after only meeting her a few times, he was really wary of the Lai family's actions and methods.

At this time, there was a distinction between master and servant, and the Lai family played all their masters in the palm of their hands, which was simply a case of the servants bullying their masters! No wonder Jia Qiang and other younger members of the Jia family called Lai Da "Grandpa Lai"!
Hongyu finished muttering, frowned, and said, "Master, did the Lai family send Qingwen here on purpose?"

"Well, pretty much the same."

After hearing what he said, Hongyu's brows suddenly turned worried and she said, "This is too..."

In order to ease the hatred, they simply deceive their superiors and hide the truth from their subordinates. This is really too much.

Chen Siyuan sighed and said, "Being called Grandpa Lai, I'm afraid everyone in the Lai family has long forgotten their own surnames. The Lai family was able to drive Qingwen away yesterday. Do you think they did anything else before?"

Hongyu took a deep breath and sighed, unable to speak.

Chen Siyuan added, "Let's not talk about anything else. I just feel pity for Qingwen. It's a good thing I rushed over yesterday, otherwise she might have been gone!"

"what?"

Chen Siyuan briefly described Qingwen's situation and said, "I left Yunxiang to take care of her. I'm afraid she won't be back for a few days."

Hongyu blinked and suddenly said, "How old is Yunxiang? I'm afraid she's not doing things properly. How about I go over and take care of her?"

"Where can I leave you at home?"

"That's right...then why not let Liu Wu'er go instead?"

Chen Siyuan glanced at her, reached out and pinched Hongyu's nose, and said with a smile, "Why are you so scheming? You and Xiangling went to bed last night, so wasn't it her turn to keep watch?"

Hongyu snorted and said coquettishly, "There's no reason why I can't stay by my side while I'm on night watch."

"Alright, alright, today is Miss Lin's birth day, remember to send the gift over later."

Hongyu agreed with a pout, looking rather pitiful. She knew that her master would not tolerate any sand in his eyes. If it were someone else, they would probably not dare to say anything about Liu Wu'er climbing on the bed. At most, they would give Liu Wu'er a cold shoulder in private.

Hongyu did the opposite and deliberately revealed a flaw, letting Chen Siyuan know that she was jealous but without causing any harm.

After Chen Siyuan had breakfast, Xiangling said before leaving, "Master, Miss Lin is giving birth today. Remember to come back early."

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "What difference does it make if it's earlier or later? Can I still go to Rongqing Hall?"

Daiyu's birthday celebration must be held in Rongqing Hall. Even if Lady Xing and Lady Wang pleaded with her, I'm afraid Lady Jia would not allow Chen Siyuan to show up.

After Chen Siyuan left, Hongyu waited until noon before heading to Rongqing Hall. Knowing that the old lady disliked her master, Hongyu was afraid of being pissed off, so she asked the head maid, Hupo, to call Xueyan out after they passed through the Chuihua Gate.

He then delivered the gift that Chen Siyuan had prepared, gave a few brief instructions, and then returned to the courtyard.

Xueyan took the gift and hurried back to Rongqing Hall. At this time, Baoyu, Sanchun and Baochai gathered together, chatting with each other.

Glancing at the bundle in Xueyan's hand, Baochai smiled and said, "You know it without asking. It must be a gift from Brother Yuan."

Xichun said anxiously, "Hurry up and open it. I bet Brother Yuan's gift this time will be different from the one he gave to Second Sister." Daiyu glanced at little Xichun and said with a smile, "You are the impatient one. I am not, but you are."

Xichun said, "It's all because Brother Yuan gave the most unique gift."

Daiyu had previously received a music box, so she knew this was probably just an ordinary item. She opened the bundle and, as expected, found a treasure chest inside.

It is still made of tin, engraved with hibiscus patterns, and other than that it is exactly the same as the Yingchun one.

Xichun frowned and said, "So they are the same... I thought the gift for Sister Lin was different."

"How is it different?" Daiyu said with a smile, "I have nothing more than Second Sister."

Baochai covered her mouth and laughed, "That's hard to say."

Daiyu was immediately annoyed when she heard this and said, "Sister Bao, if you keep talking nonsense, watch out for your hide!"

Baochai giggled and hid behind Yingchun, saying, "I won't dare to do it again. Sister Lin, please forgive me this time."

The sisters were all playing and frolicking, but Baoyu alone had a gloomy expression. He had been heartbroken over Qingwen's expulsion, and now, thinking of the marriage certificate, his mood was suddenly unsettled.

Unfortunately, although Baochai and Xichun had hinted at something just now, they did not mention it at all, because Baoyu was angry but could not express it.

After feeling depressed for a while, Baoyu simply went to the west room to talk to Jia Mu, leaving his sisters to play around in the green gauze cabinet.

The third girl, Tanchun, had sharp eyes and suddenly caught sight of the music box on the antique shelf. Having never seen it before, she asked curiously, "Sister Lin, what is this?"

Daiyu pondered for a moment, unsure how to respond. Zijuan quickly said, "It's a zither. The young lady brought it back from Suzhou and just found it yesterday."

"Automne? Can it really play like a chime clock?"

Xueyan came over, turned the handle, and when she released it a moment later, a pleasant tinkling tune came from the air.

Xichun looked at it eagerly and said, "That's great, that's great! If it's my birthday, I wish Brother Yuan could make me a zither."

Yingchun smiled gently and said, "Don't make a fuss, Fourth Sister. This zither is not something that an ordinary person can make."

Baochai, who had seen a zither before, also said, "Yes, most of these things are from the West. It's not easy to make one yourself."

Daiyu watched from the side with a pursed smile, feeling a little strange. She was particularly fond of such hidden preferences, just as she was now aware that the zither was a gift from Chen Siyuan, while the other sisters all thought she had brought it from home.

Suddenly remembering that pleasant tune, Daiyu thought to herself that she must send Xueyan to listen to it later to find out what the tune was called.

Baoyu stayed with the old lady until the banquet was set in the afternoon, and then he showed up with everyone else to drink and watch the show.

Although Chen Siyuan had told Hongyu that he would definitely not be invited, he still had the idea in mind and returned to Rongguo Mansion early that day. However, even after the banquet ended, no one came to invite him.

Chen Siyuan laughed at himself, thinking that he really shouldn't expect too much, so he wouldn't be disappointed. He then went into his study and studied hard, then went to bed early.

............................................................

Two days passed in a blink of an eye and it was already February 14th.

There are three alleys across the area, and many of them are occupied by officials.

The little maidservant Yunxiang counted the copper coins one by one and handed them to the vendor with reluctance. The vendor handed her a sesame paste pancake wrapped in oil paper. Yunxiang held it in her hand, sniffed it, and then sighed with relief.

After the peddler had left with his cart, he frowned and said, "I've spent almost a whole bunch of money in three days... I wonder if you'll give me some money. If not, won't I be at a loss?"

Mumbling something, she closed the door and went inside. She looked up and saw Qingwen sitting on the kang in a daze, her hair uncombed and her face unwashed, looking extremely disheveled. The half-embroidered waist fan lay on the kang beside her.

Qingwen stared blankly at the window, but the window was covered with window paper painted with tung oil, which only let a little light through. How could she see outside?
Yunxiang had never thought much of Qingwen. She had only fulfilled her duty in taking care of her, having received Chen Siyuan's orders. She boiled the medicine when necessary and cooked when necessary, but she didn't bother to pay attention to anything else.

But two days passed, and not only Master Bao and the maids of Qixianzhai, even her cousin Duoguan had disappeared... Yunxiang finally felt a little pitiful.

Seeing Qingwen's dazed look again, he sighed, walked over and said with a smile, "Sesame paste pancakes. I'll make a pot of soup with cabbage later. We'll have that for lunch."

Qingwen withdrew her gaze, glanced at Yunxiang and said nothing.

Yunxiang put the oil-paper bag aside, came over and frowned and said, "I should say something I shouldn't say. No matter what, we are still servants. If the master is happy, he will pamper us. If we make the master unhappy, there will be many people who are driven out of the house and left to fend for themselves, right?

Let's not talk about other places, just Qixianzhai. Didn't they drive Qianxue out earlier? And then there's Bihen... Qianxue was lucky, she ruined her reputation, but turned a disaster into a blessing and got married. But Bihen... I heard the old woman gossiping about her, and she went to Shitou Hutong the day after she left the house—"

"Shitou Hutong?" Qingwen was shocked! That was not a good place. Jinxiangyuan was at least a brothel, but Shitou Hutong was full of whorehouses!

Yunxiang said, "Why do you think the servants below are afraid of being kicked out of the mansion? Without a bond, they are left to fend for themselves. This bond is still in the Rongguo Mansion. Which family would dare to take it in for free? If there is no other way, won't they have to engage in the flesh trade?" After a pause, she said with some sourness, "You are lucky, born with a good complexion. Master Bao can't save you, but my master is thinking about you. If I were you, I would not think about Master Bao now. It's already the third day. It's better to think about my master."

Qingwen smiled miserably, and her eyes became red again.

Since that day when Chen Siyuan rescued her, revealed her secret, and made a bet with her, Qingwen's cold has gradually improved. Now she only has a slight cough and no longer has a fever at night. She is grateful for Chen Siyuan's life-saving grace. During the day, she puts away her embroidered waist fan and in her spare time, waits, hoping for someone to come to her door.

I thought to myself, even if Second Master Bao didn't come, it would be fine if Musk Moon, Qiu Wen, and Tan Yun came. But I waited for three days and didn't even see Second Master Bao, let alone a ghost!

Qingwen's heart went from hope to disappointment, and from disappointment to the current despair. She had previously considered Baoyu only a friend, but now she knew the difference between master and servant.

So what if Baoyu dotes on himself? What master in the world would risk his life for a slave?

Qingwen thought sadly, and suddenly her face was stunned - yes, there really was someone, but this person was Mr. Yuan, whom she had only met a few times.

He...I'm afraid he also covets his own color?
While she was lost in thought, she heard a noise outside. Yunxiang went out curiously, and Qingwen heard the official ask in surprise, "Huh? Who are you?"

Yunxiang said, "I am Qingwen's friend."

"She's not dead yet," Duoguan said. "If she were, I'd find someone to carry her out and bury her quickly... What bad luck! I've even prepared a bridal chamber in this house."

Yunxiang said, "Sister Qingwen is fine."

Duoguan sneered and said, "What good is there in having a daughter with tuberculosis? Well, tell her to stay for two more days at most. After that, I have to clean up the house and prepare it for the wedding. Let's go!"

How could Yunxiang bear it any longer? She cursed, "You bastard, you're such a ruthless person! Qingwen, thinking of you as cousins, how much money did she give you in private? Now that she's sick, you're just ignoring her. Do you still have a conscience?"

Duoguan said, "She has female tuberculosis. What can I do? No amount of money can cure such a disease of the rich. Rather than burden others, it would be better to find a place to kill herself."

"You! I'll beat you to death, you heartless bastard!"

"Hey, hey, hey? If you hit me again, I'll hit you back... Ouch, you really hit me. Okay, okay, I'm leaving. Remember, it's only two days!"

The official's voice faded away. After a long while, Yunxiang finally returned with a humming voice and went inside to say, "What kind of human nature is this!"

Qingwen laughed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. She coughed a few times and then whispered, "Master Yuan should be here today, right?"

Yunxiang said, "How would I know? But it's time for him to come."

Qingwen quickly put on her clothes and said, "Sister, please fetch some water. I want to wash up."

Yunxiang felt that Qingwen was strange, so she asked for some warm water. She watched Qingwen wash herself carefully, and then find some rouge and powder to dress up.

Afterwards, she had lunch with Yunxiang, and in the afternoon she sat on the kang with one leg sideways and embroidered a waist fan.

At the end of the afternoon, there was a noise outside. Yunxiang hurried to see what was happening and then shouted, "Master, you're finally here."

Chen Siyuan smiled and nodded, saying, "Thank you for your hard work these past two days. I forgot to leave you some money that day. I'll let Hongyu make up for whatever you've spent these past two days."

Yunxiang immediately breathed a sigh of relief, agreed with a smile, and quickly led Chen Siyuan inside.

When Chen Siyuan reached the eastern end of the room, he saw Qingwen bow, then stand up and call out woodenly, "Master Yuan."

Chen Siyuan took a quick look and asked, "Have you been feeling better these past few days?" He glanced at the waist fan and frowned, "You're still sick, so there's no need to work too hard. It's just the same if you wait until you're better."

Qingwen shook her head and said woodenly, "No one came to see me, and I'm free anyway." After a pause, Qingwen suddenly said to Yunxiang, "Sister, please buy some mugwort. I'm suddenly craving some."

Yunxiang hurriedly looked at Chen Siyuan, and when she saw Chen Siyuan nodded, she turned and left.

Chen Siyuan thought Qingwen had something to say in private, but as soon as Yunxiang left, he saw Qingwen suddenly undressing.

Chen Siyuan was stunned and asked, "What are you doing?"

Qingwen laughed and said, "Master Yuan was willing to take the risk to rescue me. Isn't this what he wanted?"

Chen Siyuan sighed, stepped forward to straighten her clothes, and said thoughtfully, "If you say I haven't coveted you, I'm afraid I wouldn't believe it myself. But compared to this, I can't bear to see a girl like you, as beautiful as a flower, suddenly wither away."

Qingwen blinked, and if it weren't for Chen Siyuan, she would have thought it was Baoyu who said this. So she said, "Master Yuan is just as kind and gentle as Master Bao."

Chen Siyuan frowned and said, "I'm the same as him? Haha, if I provoke a girl, I have the ability to protect her." After a pause, Chen Siyuan said, "No one has come to see you these two days?"

Qingwen's heart ached when she heard this. All her wild behavior just now was just an act. How could she be like that in her true nature?

Chen Siyuan's words pierced through Qingwen's heart. Tears welled up in her eyes and she laughed bitterly, "My cousin came over at noon—"

"Oh."

"Oh, he told me to move out in the next two days so as not to delay his wedding night... wuwuwu——"

Qingwen burst into tears, and Chen Siyuan took her in his arms and sat on the edge of the kang, gently stroking her back and whispering comforting words.

Qingwen vented her anger, and the depression in her heart eased a little. After a while, she wiped her tears and said, "No one comes to see me, and those who come are trying to drive me away... I have nowhere to go now, and I only ask Master Yuan to take me in."

Chen Siyuan thought that with Qingwen's personality, it would be difficult for her to go to Xiaohuazhi Lane. It would be more appropriate for her to stay with Zhen Fengshi. So he said, "Tomorrow I will send someone to send you to Xiangling's mother."

"it is good."

Qingwen had been nestling in Chen Siyuan's arms, but now, seeing that his lapel was wet, she could not help but stand up shyly, twisting her own lapel with her hands and remaining silent.

I hadn't felt anything when I was crying just now, I just felt so safe and secure in Uncle Yuan's arms. Now that I had let out my anger, it would be inappropriate to snuggle in his arms again.

At this moment, Yunxiang returned with an oil-paper bag, looking strange and making a noise. She went inside to take another look, but seeing that there was nothing unusual, she offered the oil-paper bag to him suspiciously, saying, "I walked two blocks to buy it. Come and try it."

Chen Siyuan glanced at the sky, stood up and said, "That's it, tomorrow--"

Qingwen suddenly said, "Master Yuan, I want to leave the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, then the day after tomorrow, I'll send Qing Yu to take you to the outer city early in the morning."

At that moment, Chen Siyuan gave Yunxiang a few more instructions, then got up and returned to Rongguo Mansion.

Yunxiang and Qingwen saw Chen Siyuan off and returned to their room. Qingwen only ate a little Aiwo Wo and said she was full, but Yunxiang devoured the rest like whirlwind.

The next day, after breakfast, Qingwen dressed neatly, saying she felt bored after two days and wanted to go for a walk. Yunxiang didn't suspect anything and went to rest.

But Qingwen came out of the alley, turned from the back street to Ningrong Street, and went straight to the main gate of Rongguo Mansion. She raised her eyes to look at the wealthy mansion, and the scenes inside in the past came to her mind vividly.

Sometimes she was in a bad mood, and Baoyu kept complaining; sometimes she had quarrels with other maids; sometimes she was running around the house laughing and joking.

All the past events flashed before her eyes. Qingwen smiled to herself and thought that this place had nothing to do with her anymore.

Doorman Yu Liu caught a glimpse of someone stopping at the door. He stepped down and took two steps before suddenly spotting Qingwen. He exclaimed in shock, "Qingwen...you, why are you here?"

Qingwen didn't even bother to look at him. She lifted her skirt and knelt before the gate. After bowing, she pleaded loudly, "Old Madam, Madam, Second Master Bao, please have mercy! I have an incurable disease. Before I die, I wish to return home to visit my parents. I beg you, Master, to release me from my indenture, so that I may fulfill my filial duty!"

(End of this chapter)