In the feudal era, men and women were not allowed to touch each other, and they had to avoid suspicion even in melon fields and plum trees. What's more, it was late at night, and the sister-in-law was the easiest to be rumored to have a romantic scandal. Folk proverbs such as "sister-in-law is half a wife" and "sister-in-law's buttocks are half of her brother-in-law's" were often heard, so it was natural to avoid suspicion. Of course, the most important thing was that Zhu Ping'an was eager to go home and couldn't wait to see Li Shu. So Zhu Ping'an just nodded, said "It's me", and turned to walk into Jingxiang Garden.
"That, that's the fifth... fifth uncle?" The golden-sparrow boss opened his mouth wide, staring blankly at Zhu Ping'an's back as he disappeared in Jingxiang Garden, with an expression of disbelief on his face.
“It seems so… ..” Yinge nodded stupidly, as if he was struck by lightning.
The two girls looked at each other after they finished speaking, and further confirmed their opinions from each other's expressions. Then their four eyes widened even wider, "Ah... Fifth Master was released from prison so soon?!"
I am naturally beautiful, but he didn't even look at me. Humph, are you in a hurry to reincarnate? I am not a hundred times prettier than that sick cat!
When the Sixth Miss saw that Zhu Ping'an just nodded and rushed into Jingxiang Garden without even looking at her, she almost crushed the handkerchief in her hand.
"Just get out of jail, what's the fuss?"
The Sixth Miss had a gloomy face and glared at the two maids unhappily. She clenched a handkerchief in her small hands, stamped her feet vigorously, gritted her teeth and yelled at the two maids, then walked away with a sway of her waist.
Miss, you were more surprised than we were just now... ... The Goldfinch and the Silver Dove kept their words in their hearts and hurriedly chased after him.
"Such a strong medicinal smell?"
At first, he didn't notice the smell of medicine, but when Zhu Ping'an entered the gate of Jingxiang Garden, a strong smell of medicine hit him in the face, and it was hard not to notice it.
"Who's sick?"
Boiling Chinese medicine means that someone is sick. When Zhu Ping'an thought of this, his heart tightened and he quickened his pace.
As he walked into the courtyard, Zhu Ping'an saw Hua'er, a little maid, walking out of the kitchen with a bowl of buns in her hand.
"Hua'er, who is this medicine for?" Zhu Ping'an hurriedly stepped forward and asked, his heart already in his throat.
"Master, this medicine is for the young lady." Hua'er, the chubby maid, nodded her head when she heard Zhu Ping'an's question. After she finished answering, she felt something was wrong. She looked at herself, the medicine, and Zhu Ping'an. Then she reacted and screamed excitedly. She almost spilled the medicine in her hand. Fortunately, Li Shu always ranked first in Hua'er's heart. Hua'er regarded the medicine as her life, so she didn't spill it. However, she was so excited that she spoke incoherently, "Ah, Master... It's Master!!! Master, you are back?!!"
"I made this for Sister Li!"
When Zhu Ping'an heard Hua'er say that the medicine was made for Li Shu, his heart almost jumped out of his throat, his face turned pale, and his palms were sweating with worry and fear. Without saying a word, he ran to the bedroom. When the quick-moving maid Hua'er reacted, all she saw was Zhu Ping'an's back disappearing into the room.
"Master... wait for me..." The chubby little maid Hua'er, holding the medicine, ran after him but couldn't catch up.
In midsummer, the nights are slightly cool, and people usually open the windows to let in some air before going to bed to reduce the heat in the house. However, the doors and windows of the master bedroom in Jingxiang Garden are tightly closed, and a plum-red felt curtain is hung at the door, for fear that a little wind will come in. As a result, the temperature inside the master bedroom is several degrees higher than outside, and even the smell of medicine is much stronger than outside.
In the master bedroom.
Li Shu was half lying on a six-post bed with horseshoe legs and cloud pattern made of huanghuali wood, with a plum blossom embroidered pillow behind her. The bed curtains with blue and gold silk edges were half-drawn. The mat, pillow and other cool bedding on the bed were all removed. There was one more mattress than before, and she was hugging a quilt with double mandarin ducks. Over her white nightgown, she also wore a bodice embroidered with pine flower colors and butterflies.
Li Shu's usually rosy and charming face now looked sickly pale, and she looked like the sick beauty Lin Daiyu.
Qin'er knelt in front of the bed, gently rubbing Li Shu's shoulders with her small hands. There were three maids serving her in the room.
"Miss, the medicine is almost ready. You can take it today and ask old doctor Zhang to see you again tomorrow." Qin'er spoke softly while gently massaging Li Shu's shoulders.
"The medicine prescribed by Uncle Zhang is bitter and hard to drink... I really don't want to drink it..." Li Shu couldn't help but frowned when she heard that she had to take medicine.
"Miss, good medicine tastes bitter but is good for the disease. If not for yourself, you should do it for..." Qin'er advised.
Just as Qin'er was persuading Li Shu, the curtain of the master bedroom was lifted and Zhu Ping'an strode in.
"It's that girl who's so irritable. Doesn't she know that the young lady can't catch a cold? If it affects the young lady's recovery, be careful..."
Qin'er heard the noise and turned around angrily, ready to see which girl was so absent-minded. A good lesson would be the least of her worries. She had told her many times that the young lady could not be exposed to the wind, yet she still opened the door so loudly.
When Qin'er turned around, she saw Zhu Ping'an striding towards her with a worried and anxious look on his face. She was stunned for a moment, then immediately recognized Zhu Ping'an. Then she was completely stunned and her words were stuck.
"Sister Li, why are you sick? Where do you feel uncomfortable? Is it serious?" Zhu Ping'an was extremely anxious and worried. He went straight to Li Shu as soon as he entered the room and pushed Qin'er, who was kneeling on the bed and rubbing Li Shu's shoulders, aside.
Li Shu was facing the bedroom door, and she saw Zhu Ping'an the first time. Although Zhu Ping'an had a stubble and tattered clothes, Li Shu recognized him at a glance before Zhu Ping'an lifted the door curtain and came in.
"Brother Zhu."
Seeing Zhu Ping'an return, Li Shu's sickly and pale face couldn't help but add a touch of redness.
"Brother Zhu, how did you become like this? You have lost weight... Brother Zhu, you have suffered in the imperial prison..."
Li Shu looked at the stubble on Zhu Ping'an's face and the tattered clothes on his body, and tears suddenly flowed down her face. She stretched out her little hand and stroked Zhu Ping'an's rough face. The tears on Li Shu's pretty face flowed even more violently.
"I'm fine. I didn't suffer at all. I ate well, slept well, and lived a very comfortable life in the imperial prison. Really, I was reluctant to let Your Majesty release me so early." Zhu Ping'an held Li Shu's little hand and comforted Li Shu with a smile on his face.
"You're lying."
Li Shu couldn't help but burst into laughter, and said angrily with a crying voice.