Chapter 439: Chapter 160 Dark Clouds and Light-vented Bulbuls_3
"Yes," Lin Danqing spat out a seed, "It’s just a renal carbuncle, not some fatal disease, such that there’s a need to be so panic-stricken..."
Of course, Jin Xianrong was panicking.
Ever since he had found out about his illness, he had been living in constant fear, dreading that he would follow in his father’s footsteps. He took his medicine on time and took great care in his recuperation, hoping for the disease to turn and for a chance to recover.
However, his youthful arrogance had led him to take the favor of many women in the household, and his long-term illness inevitably raised suspicions.
Jin Xianrong took pride in his male self-esteem and wouldn’t allow it to be trampled upon, so he couldn’t resist three days ago and had a tryst with a young concubine. When he awoke the next day, he was immediately filled with alarm.
Lu Tong had repeatedly warned him during the treatment to abstain from sexual relations, and now that he had broken this prohibition, he was unsure whether all his previous progress was lost. Jin Xianrong wanted to consult Doctor Lu, but when he sent someone to the Medical Officer Institute, he learned that Lu Tong had returned home for his ten days of rest.
These three days had passed like years.
Jin Xianrong had nightmares for three consecutive nights, dreaming every night that he became a eunuch, scorned by all his beloved concubines, his already sparse eyebrows now almost completely fallen out.
Now that Lu Tong had returned from his rest, Jin Xianrong was close to tears.
"Doctor Lu, do you think... is there still a chance for me?"
Jin Xianrong clasped his hands tight, staring at Lu Tong, nervous like a child.
The female medical officer frowned at him, her tone stern: "Sexual intercourse during treatment is strictly forbidden, Lord Jin, you have violated the restrictions..."
Her silence lasted a bit too long, long enough for Jin Xianrong’s heart to rise to his throat, almost bursting into tears when she finally said slowly, "The effectiveness of the treatment will be slower, but Lord Jin must remember not to engage in sexual relations for the next few months."
"Just slower?"
Jin Xianrong let out a sigh of relief.
He thought Doctor Lu was about to pronounce his death sentence, and he hadn’t expected to still have a glimmer of hope. Overcome with a sense of surviving a disaster, he nodded continually in agreement: "Yes, yes, not anymore, definitely not anymore, I will strictly adhere to Doctor Lu’s instructions."
Lu Tong stood up to pack her medical kit, walking past a room door, her gaze swept inside for a moment. The Purple Sandalwood Inlaid Gemstone screen at the door was still there, but there was no one in sight on the deeper part of the Purple Sandalwood Bed.
She asked as if offhand: "Is Minister Qi not around?"
"Yu Tai?" Jin Xianrong waved his hand, "Ever since your last visit, I’m not sure if it’s because of a chill he caught earlier or something else, but he hasn’t been feeling well. There wasn’t much to do at the Ministry of Revenue, so I told him to return to the mansion to recuperate."
"I see," Lu Tong nodded, turning back to him: "Lord Jin, I have something to give you."
Jin Xianrong was startled: "What is it?"
...
At the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion.
It was the lazy afternoon sun. In the courtyard, two maids were cleaning the yard and now hiding in the shade of a tree to cool off.
The younger maid, wearing a light green armored skirt, with a pure and lovely appearance still showing traces of youthfulness, was lying on her stomach by the koi pond, watching the goldfish swimming in the pond.
"Su Qing, what are you doing leaning over the pond? Be careful not to fall in," the older maid warned while sitting to the side.
"Sister, it’s the first time I’ve seen so many beautiful fish. Auntie didn’t lie to me, the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion really is wonderful!" The young maid giggled, dabbing at the water, startling the gathered fish that quickly dispersed.
The Grand Preceptor’s Mansion was very demanding in choosing servants, preferring good-looking, capable, and clever children from decent families. Su Qing was young, only fourteen that year, and the Qi Family Steward had chosen her when picking servants, finding her fair and likable at a glance.
When the news reached them, Su Qing’s family was overjoyed beyond words.
After all, it was the residence of the current Grand Preceptor!
This Grand Preceptor was not only high-ranking and powerful but also notorious for his uprightness and loyalty, and moreover, was known as a great philanthropist. Every year, he set up porridge kitchens to feed the poor and repaired bridges and roads. Even getting a job as a servant in the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion was something many would vie for but not obtain.
Su Qing’s family worked for others on their plantation, and never imagined being chosen to serve in the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion. Although she hadn’t even seen her masters after three days in the mansion, Su Qing was very happy every day.
The galleries in the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion were beautiful, the gardens were beautiful, and everything, from cups to dishes, was ornate and exquisite. Even the goldfish swimming in the pond beneath the rockery seemed more precious than anywhere else.
After all, she was still young; when Su Qing’s playful nature took over, she chased after the most beautiful fish, not noticing someone approaching until a shadow appeared abruptly by the pond, cutting off the path before her.
Startled, she instinctively looked up, only to see an elderly man in a black robe standing not far in front of her, gazing at her calmly.
The old man appeared to be over sixty, his beard and hair partly gray. He wore a black Taoist robe and had an air of an immortal about him, with an aloof expression in his eyes. A small steward followed behind him, standing to the side respectfully, head bowed.
Fear gripped the elder maid’s voice from behind her.
"...Master."
Master?
In the entire Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, the only one who could be called "Master" was Grand Preceptor Qi Qing.
Grand Preceptor Qi usually took his midday rest at this time, and she had not expected anyone to come. The mansion always emphasized strict behavior among the servants; her boisterous antics in front of the master were beyond disrespectful and warranted a beating with the board.
Su Qing’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly knelt down to kowtow: "This servant has been impertinent, I beg for Master’s mercy."
There was silence for a long while.
Just as Su Qing was growing increasingly anxious, a calm, aged voice came from above: "Get up."
Su Qing was startled, and carefully raised her head to look at the person in front of her. The elder was looking down at her, his expression not as angry as she had imagined. His tone was even quite gentle.
"New here?"
"Yes," Su Qing replied softly, "This servant, Su Qing, entered the mansion three days ago."
The elder nodded, "The poolside is prone to accidents, be careful in the future."
Su Qing was taken aback, then felt a surge of excitement.
The Grand Preceptor had not blamed her!
Not only had he not scolded her, but he also warned her not to fall into the pond!
In wealthy households like this, servants were typically treated harshly. Where else could one find such a reasonable master? The rumors were not deceiving; Grand Preceptor Qi truly was a compassionate and kind-hearted person! She must share this story in a letter to her parents and spread the good name of Grand Preceptor Qi!
Su Qing lowered her head, concealing the joy in her heart, and obediently responded.
Seeing her like this, the elder nodded and said no more before preparing to leave. As he passed by, his gaze fell upon the figure kneeling. The young maid had her hair done up in a style for young girls and was humbly bowing her head, revealing a small pattern embroidered on her garment’s collar.
Bright wings and a song rising high.
It was a Light-vented Bulbul.
He suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Kneeling, Su Qing saw the man who had begun to step away suddenly halt. The next moment, a hand as gnarled as tree bark stretched out and abruptly seized her collar, the fingers, like segments of pale, dead wood, harshly ground over the embroidered pattern on the fabric.
A sudden panic shot through her heart.
"What is this?" The elder’s voice came from above, emotionless.
"It’s... a Light-vented Bulbul."
The elder maid standing behind trembled with fear as she looked at her. Su Qing did not see it.
"A Light-vented Bulbul?"
Su Qing tentatively said, "It is this servant’s nickname, Light-vented Bulbul. My mother embroidered it."
Before she joined the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, even though her family was happy for her, they were also worried. Su Qing had brought her original undergarment with her when she left, which had a Light-vented Bulbul embroidered by her mother. Wearing it was like having family close by, always adding a touch of warmth.
There was no further response from above.
For some reason, Su Qing’s heart began to pound uncontrollably, as if she sensed an imminent omen of misfortune. The thin garment on her body felt unbearably heavy, causing her to break into a fine sweat without realizing it.
All around, silence reigned.
Su Qing wanted to sneak a peek at her master’s expression, so she gathered her courage and looked up. That’s when she saw him—
The white-haired elder was standing in the sunlight, with the afternoon sun piercing through the gaps in the trees, dazzling her eyes, making it hard to discern the man’s expression under the tree, only casting a shadow over him.
Like a compassionate yet indifferent immortal.
After a long while, he raised his hand, touched the Buddha Beads on his wrist, and spoke slowly.
"Take her away."