In the courtyard of the Xiao Mansion, Xiao Ling passed by the living room from a distance on his way home. Looking at the guards outside and the closed door, he could probably guess what was being said inside. After just a glance, the door of the living room had already opened, and several people who appeared to be officials in plain clothes saluted towards Xiao Du one after another, and then left under the guidance of the servants of the Xiao Mansion.
"snort!"
Xiao Ling snorted coldly, turned around and prepared to walk towards the back house, but he heard his father's voice shouting to stop him from afar.
"stop!"
Xiao Ling turned around and saw his father standing at the door of the living room looking in this direction.
"Come here, your father has something to tell you."
After saying this, Xiao Du went back to the guest hall first. Xiao Ling stood there for a few moments, then obeyed the order and went to the guest hall.
The previous tea, cakes and fruits in the living room had been removed and replaced with some new ones. As soon as Xiao Ling came in, he saw his father sitting on the chair below. He pointed to the chair next to him and motioned for him to sit down as well.
After Xiao Ling sat down, Xiao Du drank a sip of tea to moisten his throat. After waiting for a while, he spoke with a smile.
"Ling'er, I have another marriage proposal for you. The daughter of the governor of Duhong Prefecture, she is 28 years old, pretty and charming. She will definitely be able to..."
"Father!"
Xiao Ling took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, tried to make his tone calmer, and looked at his father Xiao Du.
"Father! I am already 28 years old and my son can be her father. Besides, I already have three concubines over the years. Why would you marry another one and waste the girl's time?"
"How can this be considered a delay? My Xiao family is in charge of the Imperial Censorate, and we are powerful. Marrying into my Xiao family will bring endless wealth and honor, and it will also bring many conveniences to her family. You are also talented in both literature and martial arts, and you have a handsome appearance. No matter from which aspect, it is not an injustice to the girl."
Hearing what his father said, Xiao Ling also laughed out of anger.
"Father, you are right, but I cannot obey you."
Xiao Du knew that his son would object, but he spoke calmly.
"I have already negotiated with Prefect Liu. You can't just refuse to agree to the marriage. All right, you can go. This matter is settled. I am not here to ask for your opinion. I just want to let you know so that you won't be surprised."
Xiao Ling clenched his fists, stood up, took two steps and then stopped.
"Father, you can do this once or twice, but not three times. If you can't bear to refuse, I will send someone to explain the matter. Otherwise, even if I marry you, I will be a widow."
"Bang~"
Xiao Du slammed the coffee table next to him, stood up and looked at Xiao Ling.
"Rebellious son! Do you want to see my Xiao family die out?"
Xiao Ling turned around and looked at his father.
"All the children who should be tried have been tried. Perhaps it would be more useful to do more good deeds instead of letting them marry more wives."
After saying this, Xiao Ling walked out of the living room and left. Xiao Du walked a few steps to the door and pointed at his back and said angrily.
"My Xiao family is loyal to His Majesty. Loyalty to the royal family is loyalty to the world, and it is a good deed that benefits all people! I allowed you to marry that brothel girl as your principal wife. It is a great sin that you have not given birth to a child for the Xiao family. Either you marry my concubine, or I will kick her out!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling stood where he was, clenching his fists without looking back. After a moment, he quickly left, leaving Xiao Du behind, panting.
"Master, calm down, calm down, the young master will understand your painstaking efforts!"
An old servant hurried forward to serve him. After a long time, Xiao Du finally calmed down and snorted coldly as he walked into the hall. After Xiao Du's breathing became calmer, the old servant took another step closer.
"Master, I have been treating the young master for so many years. Apart from prescribing tonic medicine, the doctors all said that the young master was healthy and strong. It is indeed strange that the ladies cannot get pregnant. It does not seem like a disease. I heard that Master Du who returned to the capital has great skills. Should we ask him to come and take a look?"
The problem that has troubled Xiao Du the most in recent years, apart from the pressure from the court, is the continuation of the Xiao family's bloodline. The daughters-in-law of the Xiao family have been unable to get pregnant. Xiao Ling has married concubines one after another, and has never stopped seeking medical treatment, but every woman who married into the Xiao family has no improvement in her pregnancy.
Xiao Du even secretly found a few young women outside, trying to have a child in his old age, but there was no improvement. As he got older, his anxiety became stronger and stronger.
Hearing the old servant say this, Xiao Du's heart moved and he narrowed his eyes and fell into thought.
As for Xiao Ling, after leaving angrily, he did not return to his backyard residence immediately, but went directly to his own training room, where he punched the iron man pole to vent his anger.
After a long time, Xiao Ling suddenly stopped and looked to the side. An old servant of the family was standing at the door.
"Young Master... Don't blame the old master. He is not young anymore. The Xiao family has been a single-line family for generations. How can he not be anxious? This marriage..."
"Huh..."
Xiao Ling let out a long breath and said dejectedly.
"Okay, go tell my dad and let him handle the marriage."
The old servant bowed at the door, said nothing more, and slowly backed away. As soon as he left, Xiao Ling suddenly punched forward.
There was a dull thud with a "bang", and a shallow fist mark was left on the Iron Man's chest, while blood was oozing from Xiao Ling's fist.
…
At this moment, Du Changsheng certainly didn't know that he was also being talked about by the Xiao family. He was currently riding in a carriage, heading to Yin's Mansion with his eldest disciple.
Du Changsheng's disciples were sitting outside side by side with the coachman, while Du Changsheng himself was sitting cross-legged in the carriage. Even though the carriage was driving on a relatively flat stone road, the ride was still a little bumpy. Du Changsheng's body swayed slightly with the carriage, just like his heart at the moment.
As the carriage drove into Rong'an Street and got closer to Yin's Mansion, Du Changsheng felt something in his heart. He opened his eyes, lifted the curtain on one side of the carriage, and looked far in the direction of Yin's Mansion, feeling an inexplicable sense of openness. After thinking for a while, he closed his eyes and concentrated his magic power into them, then slowly opened them after concentrating for a moment.
In an instant, the scenery of Yin Mansion had become completely different in Du Changsheng's eyes. Under the influence of the righteous spirit, the surroundings were shining brightly, and no turbid air was generated in a vast area, let alone any evil spirits.
Half a quarter of an hour later, in the guest house of the Yin Mansion, Ji Yuan was flipping through one of Yin Zhaoxian's books, while the two children of the Yin family were sitting on the stone bench opposite, leaning on the table with their cheeks in their hands, looking at Ji Yuan, waiting obediently for "story time".
Even now, Yin Qing is more often working outside during the day, while Yin Chong is in the military camp. The arrival of Mr. Ji gives the two children a rare opportunity to not go to the study to study without being criticized, so of course they try every means to stick to Ji Yuan.
At this moment, Ji Yuan suddenly shifted his attention from the book and looked at the two children.
"Someone is here to see your grandfather. Go wait in the back, and when the man comes out, bring him here."
Yin Chi and Yin Dian looked at each other and said to Ji Yuan.
"Okay!" "Yeah!"
"Then Mr. Ji, shall we go now?"
Ji Yuan smiled and nodded.
"Not so fast. Wait until he finishes his work. Well, let me tell you a story first. Do you want to listen?"
"I want to listen!" "Okay!"
As the two children responded excitedly, Du Changsheng was being led by A Yuan to the backyard where Yin Zhaoxian was. Every time A Yuan passed an intersection, he would slow down slightly to invite Du Changsheng, which was considered to be the utmost in courtesy.
"Master Du, please. The master's bedroom is in front. Please don't make loud noises, Master Du."
"well!"
Seeing A Yuan bringing Du Changsheng and his disciples into Yin Zhaoxian's room, the imperial physician over there had to go and take another look, otherwise he would not be at ease. After learning that it was the Celestial Master of the Imperial Observatory sent by the Emperor, the imperial physician gave a few instructions and left directly.
Du Changsheng saw that Yin Zhaoxian was still a little nervous. The frail old man lying on the sickbed in front of him was no longer an ordinary mortal. He was simply the "sage" in the eyes of scholars. Even Du Changsheng respected him very much. He and his apprentice walked to Yin Zhaoxian's bed and saluted solemnly.
"I am Du Changsheng, and I am here to meet Prime Minister Yin!"
"Oh... Master Du, there's no need to be so polite. I won't return the greeting. A Yuan, help me up."
"Yes, Master!"
A Yuan walked over a few steps to support Yin Zhaoxian, while Du Changsheng said in panic.
"Prime Minister Yin, there is no need to sit up. Just lie down. Just lie down! I have received your order to come and check on Prime Minister Yin's condition. You do not need to get up."
"Hehe, okay, you can take a look at it as you like."
"yes!"
Du Changsheng quickly cast a spell, trying his best to check on Yin Zhaoxian's condition. Looking at him from such a close distance made his eyes sore. He found that apart from the bright and righteous aura of Yin Zhaoxian, other auras were not strong. Not only was his life fire weak, but his face was even a little gray. It couldn't be worse.
After a long time, Du Changsheng put away his Dharma Eyes and let out a breath.
"Tianshi, how is the master's health? Is there any way to cure him?"
A Yuan asked with concern, and Du Changsheng was in a dilemma. He considered for a long time before making up his mind and said with determination.
"Prime Minister Yin, please rest at home. I will go back and prepare myself. I will definitely fight with all my skills to see if I can fight against destiny!"
Du Changsheng spoke these bold words with great passion. He had already decided to go back and take all the treasures he had collected with him, and try every means to save Yin Zhaoxian. Putting aside the imperial edict and the struggles between the government and the opposition, the man in front of him was probably the one who deserved least to die in the world. Since medical treatment was ineffective, he would just give it a try. If it still didn't work, he would just quit being a Taoist priest and find a way to run away.
Yin Zhaoxian just smiled.
"Life and death are determined by fate. I have served as an official for decades. Although I have not done my best, if I die now, I will be able to smile in my grave. Heavenly Master, don't worry!"
Du Changsheng smiled and bowed slightly to Yin Zhaoxian again.
"Prime Minister Yin, please have a good rest. I am a true practitioner after all, and I am different from those swindlers who deceive the world and steal their reputation. I will try my immortal skills. Even a dead tree may be able to have spring! I will take my leave first and will come again tomorrow!"
Du Changsheng said this with full confidence. Even though he was originally unsure, he was infected by his own full emotions.
"Okay, Yin will wait for good news. Ayuan, send the Heavenly Master off!"
"Yes, Master!"
Du Changsheng saluted towards Yin Zhaoxian again, and after saying goodbye again, he followed Ayuan away. At the same time, he was already thinking about how to treat the patient. He looked at the unique spiritual herbs and other things he had found, and it would be best if he could call for an imperial physician to cooperate.
Just as I was thinking about it, two children rushed out from the corridor in front, and one of them shouted as he ran over.
"Ayuan, Ayuan, are these two the ones who are here to see Grandpa?"
"Uh, yes."
Du Changsheng and his eldest disciple were also looking at the two lively children. Before they could say anything, the older child spoke again.
"That's good. Mr. Ji asked us to take them to see him."
A Yuan was slightly stunned, and quickly said "yes", then turned to Du Changsheng and the other man.
"Master Du, since Mr. Ji invites you, please follow me to the guest house!"
"Mr. Ji?"
Du Changsheng's heart skipped a beat. Who is this Mr. Ji? There aren't many people with the last name Ji in the world, but there aren't many either. It can't be such a coincidence, right