Fall in love with your enemy

Continuing from the last time, I changed the rule that the second and third wives, as concubines, should be demoted to a lower generation. Before my second uncle and my younger uncle saw it, the two ladies knew about it first, and my second wife was about to invite me to Yifeng Courtyard for tea.

It's not that I intend to please her. I know that although my second uncle still gives face to my mother, he hates her in his heart for creating the identity of an illegitimate child for love. However, the old lady is old and has been suppressed by the identity of a concubine all her life. In the end, she can finally be buried with my grandfather because of me. She can't help but be grateful to me. As a junior, it is not easy to refuse. Otherwise, if my second uncle hears about it, he will be sensitive and it will be the same as if I have offended him.

Indeed, I should go to visit my second grandmother. I heard that her health has been very poor in recent years and she might pass away some day. I have to prepare for her funeral, and I can't delay other work, so as not to be caught off guard. It is better to bring people to estimate the time in advance.

So I called Zhang Ji. Fortunately, he was not very busy recently. He had also planned to go up the mountain to burn incense for my grandfather. So I happened to meet him in front of Yifeng Courtyard half an hour later. He followed me into the yard. The wind blowing in my face was filled with the strong smell of traditional Chinese medicine, which made me dizzy. Zhang Ji took a deep breath. He couldn't give me any specific judgment for the time being, but his face didn't look very good.

Well, she is over seventy years old. If she continues to live, she will be tortured by her son and all kinds of people who hate her. I am the one who is most kind to her. It is better for her to die. Dying now can be considered a good end.

Thinking of this, I went into the house. Second grandma liked quietness, so there were not many people to take care of her daily life. Cui Yu was the most skillful one, and occasionally had to go out to do errands for her. Apart from them, all the others were disabled people who could not speak. So as soon as I entered the door, I felt quiet, so quiet that it was scary.

Zhang Ji whispered that this was called deathly air, and that the air in Yifengyuan was slightly lighter than that in the morgue.

The light from outside shone in for a moment when the door was opened, fell on the mahogany bed, and quickly disappeared. The window was also sealed, so not a single breeze could get in. It was pitch black and stuffy. It was only when I arrived that Aunt Cui hurried to turn on the light, led us to the bed, moved a stool and asked us to sit down, and lifted a thick curtain. I felt that she had grown old at first sight. I couldn't imagine that when she came back from high school summer vacation, she was still the exquisitely dressed and decisive second wife, and now she has become like this.

Yes, it has been seven years since those days, and Second Grandma has been shutting herself in and refusing to see anyone for two years.

Cui Yu struggled to help the person up from the bed and put a cushion behind the Second Grandma. She tried hard to wake up and then came to look at me. She took my hand with all her kindness: "Shishi is here. I haven't seen you properly in the past two years since I came home. I only saw you once when Lingling and Yunyun were 100 days old, and I stayed for a short while."

"Second grandma is sick and needs to rest. The fact that you still managed to come out and see your two great-granddaughters is enough to show your love for us young ones. How can we ask for anything else? You were not feeling well later on and you didn't even visit Zhou Zhi." I bowed in reply, feeling the warmth of the old lady on my palm. It wasn't too cold as I had been wrapped in the quilt, but there was an indescribable sickness.

It looked like she was really going to die.

My second uncle didn't come back to accompany me, and even my brother wasn't told by anyone about Second Grandma's illness. You can imagine how much hatred they have for me. I need to be even more cautious when I meet Second Grandma.

"Cui Yu, why did the medicine arrive so late today? You go and take a look. Yifengyuan is far away. Maybe something happened on the way. If there is no signal on your cell phone, then you will be helpless." Second Grandma said to me.

I looked back and saw Cui Yu still hesitant. She smiled and added, "Aunt Cui seems to be dizzy after taking care of the patient for so long. I will take care of Second Grandma this morning. You should go and rest after you finish taking the medicine, otherwise you may not be able to hear clearly."

Cui Yu paused, blinking awkwardly a little too fast. Second Grandma chuckled, "She is old and dizzy. I don't blame her for getting carried away. Who doesn't want a better life? It must be tiring for her to take care of an old woman like me."

"The servants said something about being tired or not. Second Madam, you are really too kind. This is what I should do..." Cui Yu was a little flustered. He wiped his hands and hurried out.

I knew that these two were also at odds with each other, and suddenly I felt that Second Grandma's old age was a bit pitiful. But it was not over yet. A little girl came in from the back room and quietly cleaned the tables and chairs not far away. But she was too young and looked back too many times, so it was obvious. I approached Second Grandma and said, "It's boring to be bored all day. Let me tell you a story."

Second Grandma chuckled and nodded.

"You may not know this story, but I also found it scary when I heard it. There was a woman named Qiao He'er who served my mother, Madam Zheng. In order to get this good job, she pretended to be deaf and dumb to gain sympathy from the housekeeper at the time. However, she could only hear but could not speak. Later, she used sign language and writing to pass on some news to the outside world. She was discovered by the housekeeper, and as she wished, she was really made deaf. Something was poured into her ears. After a long time, I forgot whether it was cement or molten iron..."

The second grandmother took a deep breath, covered her heart and chanted "Amitabha" twice: "Is that so? I really can't stand hearing such things when I get old. Although this girl is indeed guilty, it's too much. I still have to chant some sutras for her to be liberated."

As soon as I finished speaking, the little girl behind me disappeared, and I signaled Zhang Ji to go forward and feel the pulse of Second Grandma.

"I'm old. It's a long life to live to this age. It's normal to get sick. Many doctors have seen me but it's no use. It's not working for me. I know you have the intention, so even if it doesn't work, I appreciate it." Second Grandma smiled bitterly. I really couldn't say anything good about this. I was just waiting for Zhang Ji's result.

He felt my pulse, read the medical records, and asked a few more questions. He then fell into deep thought. After a while, he smiled again. "Madam, I've examined you. I can see that you had a good foundation before. It's just that your body functions have weakened somewhat due to your age, and you're sick. Medicines are poisonous to some extent. Drinking too much medicine will make you feel listless. If you can go out for a walk every day, even if you can't walk, it would be good for you to have someone push your wheelchair out to bask in the sun. Of course, it would be even better if you could stand up and take a few steps."

"The previous doctors said the same thing. It's a pity that I just don't like to move. It's not their fault that they can't cure me." Second Grandma sighed and held my hand again: "Forget it, let's not talk about this. Of course, I will accumulate more blessings if I live one more day, but it's not as important as what you young people are doing. Child, I really thank you for giving my family a little dignity. I remember that you were wronged in this matter. It's also my fault. Why didn't I think it through and degenerate to become a concubine? Not only me, but even my son and grandson have been looked down upon and embarrassed..."

I sneered in my heart, but I couldn't show it on my face. I still leaned forward respectfully and said, "Grandma, this is all in the past, so don't mention it. As long as you have the ability, who will laugh at you? My father passed away, and I am young and incompetent. If he wasn't there to keep things under control, who knows what would happen to my family."

Second Grandma smiled, shook her head and clapped my hands: "You are the only one who would say this. I don't need to guess, I know you have a hard life, your second uncle is not an easy person to get along with. Shuchen is simple-minded, but he is different. I know my own son well. He is full of holes and full of tricks."

I almost couldn't hold back my laughter, but it was also mocking. I suppressed my irritation and said, "What are you talking about? Second uncle and brother are really good to me."

"That's also your own fault, Shishi. The Second House owes you this. Let me promise you that no one in the Second House will dare to say anything about your return to the First House. You are half buried in the ground, so you should accumulate some virtue for the younger generations. Even if I have to stand up to this old body, I will go out and deal with those gossipers."

I smiled and helped her lie down again, and said earnestly: "Grandma, you should take good care of yourself and stop imagining nonsense. I have enjoyed all the benefits of the second house and returned to the first house. It is reasonable for them to say anything. If I cross the river and burn the bridge again, I will be a traitor."

"Madam, the medicine is here. Please drink it first--" I had just finished speaking when Aunt Cui's voice came from outside, with a long tone.

I knew that Lin Song or Yun Yan was about to come. A long time ago, Second Uncle arranged for them to personally deliver medicine to Second Grandma every day to show his concern. I didn't understand why at first, but later when a "traitor" appeared around Yun Yan, I understood why Second Grandma's illness became worse with medicine delivered every day? Second Uncle wanted to give Yun Yan a chance to take revenge and let her turn against me.

It's just a story of three traitors.

My second uncle betrayed his mother, Yun Yan betrayed me, and the people around Yun Yan betrayed her. The interesting thing is that when I assigned a manager to Yun Yan, I had expected this to happen. A student from an old house who had the opportunity to become a superior person suddenly had his studies interrupted and was assigned to a young lady from a side branch with no future. It is inevitable that he would feel dissatisfied. I was worried about Yun Yan at the beginning, but now I am glad. If Sui Jiyun had not considered her own future, I would have been in big trouble. What's even more ridiculous is that Sui Jiyun was assigned to Yun Yan by my second uncle himself.

I got up and went to wait at the door. It was Lin Song who delivered the medicine today. He was still very surprised to see me when he came in. He only calmed down after I took the medicine with a normal expression. I took the medicine back and fed it to Second Grandma myself. Finally, I wiped the corners of her mouth with my handkerchief and rubbed off some medicine residue. After I had said what I needed to say, I coaxed her to sleep. Aunt Cui pulled up the curtain on the bed again and took me out.

"You are the housekeeper, taking care of such a large family, and you have to walk such a long way every day to deliver medicine. Can you handle it? Is Yunyan used to doing business now that she has just started?" I turned around and asked Lin Song as we walked.

The latter paused, and the "shock" just now disappeared: "I'm used to it, probably because of my family's learning. Yun Yan has the temperament of a wealthy businessman when she started, and there have been no problems so far. I had a hard time at the beginning, but now it's fine. I have a few confidants to help me, so it's not too tiring."

"That's good. You are the only ones who can take care of things at home right now. I have to take care of the children. The second and third grandmothers are old, and my young aunt is not good at managing the household. You are the only one my second uncle likes. There are many and complicated things to do below, so you have to take care of them. But you should combine work and rest, and take a rest when you have free time. I see that you are not that old, but you look older." I said with a smile.

Lin Song also scratched his head and said, "Sister, please stop laughing at me."

"Okay, we still have to work on Grandpa's death anniversary. Go get ready early. I still have a few questions to ask." I nodded. Lin Song replied and left with a sense of relief. I turned around and pulled Cui Yu aside. "Second grandma is seriously ill. Treatment is one thing, but some superstitious things are better than nothing. Have you prepared the coffin? It's okay to celebrate."

"It has been done a long time ago, but... Miss, you also said it is superstition and useless. There is still nothing that can make the Madam really happy." Cui Yu lowered his head and sighed.

It can be seen that Cui Yu still feels sorry for the relationship after so many years. It is difficult to bounce back and forth between the future and loyalty. I patted his hand and said, "I will bring Zhou Zhi here some other time. The old man always likes his great-grandson. Maybe he can sit up for Zhou Zhi."

"That's great. Miss has worked hard in taking care of Young Master Zhou Zhi these days. The Second House is truly grateful for that." Cui Yu bowed and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.

After saying goodbye to Cui Yu, I continued to walk out. The horses were tied next to the stage in the outer courtyard. As soon as I approached, I saw Cheng Cheng and Shen Qilin. I went over to meet them. Cheng Cheng couldn't leave me alone in recent years. She took two quick steps to pull me and said, "Sister, it seems that we have gained something today?"

"You're well-informed. Of course, this is due to Shen Qilin's sharp ears." I smiled and glanced at Shen Qilin, who was also very proud. Immediately, Cheng Cheng put her hands on her hips and blocked me in front of him.

"His super hearing is one thing, but my reaction is quick too! It only took a moment for Lin Song to come over and say hello to me, and then Sui Jiyun passed by and stuffed this thing in my hand. I immediately understood and put it away. It's obvious that he is gifted and I am a real god!" Cheng Cheng said unconvinced, and at the same time handed me a small bag of brown ice cubes.

This is the medicine that Second Grandma drank that was frozen into ice. Sui Jiyun couldn't meet me often, so she often gave me the medicine in this strange way. I smiled and gave the ice cubes and the handkerchief to Zhang Ji.

"You check it out and tell me the result as soon as you get it. I'm not sure about Sui Jiyun's credibility. This is a good opportunity to see if the medicine on the handkerchief is the same as the one she gave me. Then we can make a conclusion." I said very tiredly. Zhang Ji took a deep breath and nodded.

Cheng Cheng lost her joy and suddenly pulled my hand with sorrow: "Sister, will Second Uncle really poison her to death?"

I looked back at Chengcheng, and for a moment I didn't know how to tell him. It was horrible no matter how I felt about it. No matter how much I hated and resented it, it was still matricide. No matter how I looked at my second grandmother, I felt chilled by her death. Ji Bing might not kill Lu Yinyin for Chengcheng and me. If my second uncle could really kill his own mother for the sake of profit, why would he be soft-hearted? If my second grandmother really died, it would be enough to prove that Chengcheng and I would have a hard time.

"Wait, wait, actually, that's not the case, at least not now. According to my current judgment, the second wife will at most be paralyzed and unconscious. She will still have several years to live." Zhang Ji raised his hand to interrupt, smiling.

I sighed inexplicably, and couldn't tell which was better for me: the death of my second grandmother or a fate worse than death.

Zhang Ji was silent for a long time. When I figured it out, he waved his hand in front of me and said, "So you want me to kill her quickly?"

"No, I used to think it was just a play between the mother and son. It wasn't that serious until I saw it with my own eyes today..." I paused, unable to raise my head: "Treat her well, I'll ask Sui Jiyun to keep an eye on her."

"Sister, are you soft-hearted?" Cheng Cheng pursed her lips: "In fact, she is old, and when a person is about to die, his words are kind. She has begun to speak some truths. Besides, in the current situation, her life will not have any impact on us, so just regard it as a great act of kindness."

I just thought it was cute and couldn't help laughing. I pinched Chengcheng's face and said, "Do you think she is really kind? Living under someone else's roof, checking each other, some dramas have to be performed unforgettable so that people will believe them. She had no choice but to ask me to meet her."

Cheng Cheng frowned: "Then she mentioned your second uncle to you..."

"If she doesn't mention it, don't I know? Now is not the time for Old Fu to protect us from the storm. Can't I see through his true nature when I see it every day when I open my eyes?" I shrugged and became depressed again: "I am afraid that something will happen to her too soon. If she dies as soon as I leave, what a problem that would be."