Chapter 346: It’s Auntie
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The family never let the third brother handle guests. Moreover, the third brother never bothered with such matters. He was either out with his group of friends enjoying themselves in the mountains or hiding in his study, reading, writing, and composing poetry. Why did they make him come out today?
Could it be that Dad also wanted to play a trick? There was no one more suitable than the third brother for that. The eldest brother was dignified and serious, always keeping his true thoughts hidden. If he suffered, he would pretend nothing happened. The fourth brother was cold and ruthless, smiling brightly even when in pain, making it impossible for people to sympathize with him. So, the third brother was the most suitable. His crying was natural and innocent. Seeing Fu Mingqing sobbing, Mingzhu couldn’t help but feel hopeful: “Why is it the third brother receiving guests? What about eldest brother and fourth brother?”
Fu Cong replied indifferently, “They both have important matters to attend to.”
The implication was that what the third brother was doing wasn’t important? Mingzhu wanted to inquire further, but Yuwen Chu signaled her with his eyes, indicating that she shouldn’t ask anymore. Even if there was something, they could ask inside the room. She had to keep her mouth shut and silently followed Fu Cong into the house.
Fu Lin was already asleep. Lady Qian stood quietly on the side, wiping her tears. Seeing Fu Cong and the others enter, she wiped her tears and got up to salute, “Greetings to Your Highness and Wangfei, greetings to Father.”
“You don’t need to be so polite to family members.” Fu Cong approached to check on Fu Lin’s complexion and whispered to Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu, “The injured area is very painful. He took a sedative medicine; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to sleep.”
Mingzhu was the most afraid of pain. Just thinking about Fu Lin’s situation made her anxious. Yuwen Chu instructed Tang Chunlai, “Take good care of this child.”
After Tang Chunlai carefully examined him, he shook his head and sighed softly, “The injuries are not light.” He asked who set the bones and requested the prescription. After taking a look, he made some changes to the ingredients and reduced the dosage. “It’s not good for young people to take too much sedative medicine. He’s not in pain now, but he’ll feel it later. The most painful time has passed; he just needs to endure a little longer.”
At this point, Mingzhu truly believed that Fu Lin’s leg and hand were both broken, and he wasn’t pretending. She didn’t dare to ask more in front of Lady Qian, so she secretly signaled Tang Chunlai and asked him, “Although they are both bone injuries, I heard that some people can fully recover, while others may have uneven lengths. From your perspective, which type is Fu Lin?”
Tang Chunlai said, “It’s very serious. The leg bones are fine, so as long as he heals well, there shouldn’t be any uneven lengths, but the arm is severe. It’s hard to say. However, Young Master is still young, and the family is not lacking in money or good medicine. Perhaps he can recover, but it’s uncertain.”
Doctors always liked to be vague, but Tang Chunlai was straightforward. However, this also indirectly informed Mingzhu that Fu Lin’s right hand was likely to be disabled. Fu Lin was a strong child, with excellent handwriting. Anyone who saw his handwriting would praise him. Now that his right hand was useless, she didn’t know how sad he must be! But it was absolutely impossible for him to accompany Yuwen Fu to study again.
Mingzhu turned to look at Lady Qian, who was eagerly looking at her. Obviously, she knew that Mingzhu was secretly asking Tang Chunlai about Fu Lin’s condition. Mingzhu instinctively smiled at Lady Qian and walked over to hold her hand, saying, “Just make sure to take good care of him, and there shouldn’t be any uneven lengths.” She didn’t mention anything about his hand.
Lady Qian’s eyes showed a hint of joy, and she rallied herself, asking the maidservant to give Tang Chunlai a red envelope. Then she asked the steward to accompany Tang Chunlai downstairs for tea and food. At this time, second sister-in-law, Lady Su, came over to inform him, “The kitchen has prepared food and alcohol. Where should we set it up?”
“Set it up in Jiehuai Pavilion.” Fu Cong invited Yuwen Chu to have a meal. The father and son-in-law had a lot to talk about. They usually had to avoid suspicion, but this was a rare opportunity to have a detailed conversation.
After sending off Fu Cong and Yuwen Chu, Lady Su asked Mingzhu, “Little Sister, please go to the main courtyard to see Mother and have a meal with her.”
Mingzhu intended to spend more time with Lady Qian, so she said, “Please inform Mother on my behalf, and I’ll come after having a few words with Eldest Sister-in-law.”
Lady Su understood Mingzhu’s intention and said gently, “If that’s the case, there’s no rush to eat. Spend more time with Eldest Sister-in-law and let her wash up and rest for a while. You don’t know, from the accident until now, she hasn’t closed her eyes. She has been guarding here without leaving a step. Even if Wen Er and the others want to come and take care of their brother, she won’t feel reassured.”
Lady Qian smiled faintly but didn’t say anything.
Lady Su sighed helplessly and left.
Mingzhu sat down beside Lady Qian, holding her arm and gently leaning her head on her shoulder, whispering softly, “I still remember when I was young, Mother was old and couldn’t play with me. Geng Momo was always afraid of risks and restricted me, not letting me play freely. Only Eldest Sister-in-law was willing to accompany me, letting me climb high and low. I always liked to cling to Eldest Sister-in-law, always vying for affection with Ah Lin. You always held Ah Lin in one hand and me in the other. They say a good sister-in-law is like a mother, and you’ve lived up to that.”
Lady Qian’s eyes reddened, and she gently patted Mingzhu’s hand with tears in her eyes. Being a wife in a large family was not easy, and the difficulties were hard to explain in detail, but in this family, the in-laws were polite and kind, the husband was respectful and loving, and the brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law were reasonable. She had put in efforts and received returns, so there wasn’t much more to say. For someone like Fu Lin, she felt sorry and distressed but harbored no resentment; it was fate.
Mingzhu whispered, “I like Eldest Sister-in-law and Ah Lin the most. Don’t worry, no matter what, I will do my best to take care of Ah Lin.” She liked and cared for them, sometimes feeling like it was all a dream, afraid that nothing would be left once she woke up.
Lady Qian whispered tearfully, “Don’t worry. Your brother said that as long as Fu Lin is alive, it’s the best outcome. He’s a man, about to marry soon. How can he be so easily defeated by a small setback?”
Mingzhu was waiting for this: “Yes, since Sister-in-law understands, she should show it to Ah Lin. Otherwise, when he wakes up and sees you like this, he might think something is wrong with himself. If you’re lively and cheerful, he won’t be so scared, right? You’re his backbone now.”
Lady Qian pondered for a moment and then agreed, “Okay, little sister, watch over me. I’ll go wash up and change clothes before coming back.”
“Go ahead.” Mingzhu instructed the maidservants around Lady Qian to take good care of her, while she herself sat down where Lady Qian had been sitting earlier, staring at Fu Lin.
Fu Lin was actually a year older than her, he hadn’t married yet since he was waiting for her, his younger aunt, to marry off first. The marriage had already been arranged, originally planned for the end of the year. However, with this fall, who knew if it would be delayed.
Suddenly, Fu Lin’s eyelashes moved slightly, and he let out a barely audible sigh. Was he waking up? Mingzhu hurriedly said, “Ah Lin? It’s Auntie.”
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