This day was particularly long and depressing for Bixiaotang, until a little maid shouted excitedly in the yard: "The old man is here! The old man Lin is here!"
Xiao Yi just changed Nangong Yue's wet towel into a cold compress, and when he heard Lin Jingchen came, he stood up quickly and looked in the direction of the door curtain.
After a while, there was a rush of footsteps from far to near, and with the sound of curtains being raised, Que'er led Lin Jingchen and Han Qixia to come briskly.
Both Lin Jingchen and Han Qixia were dressed in Tsing Yi, dressed very plainly, and their descriptions were a little dusty. At a glance, they knew that they had just returned to Lin's house, and they were led to Bixiaotang by Que'er.
The faces of both grandparents and grandchildren could not hide their worries.
"Grandfather!" Xiao Yi stepped forward half a step. The moment he saw Lin Jingchen, his restless heart seemed to have a backbone.
He took a deep breath, stepped back a little, and said: "Grandfather, after Ah Yue took the medicine prescribed by herself, the fever subsided for a while, but the fever came back soon, and now she is still 'asleep'... "Speaking, Xiao Yi's voice was bitter and unbearable, and he didn't know if Nangong Yue was sleeping or in a coma...
Lin Jingchen nodded slightly, and sat down on the little quilt beside the bed. Baihui slightly opened a corner of the brocade quilt, and pulled Nangong Yue's right wrist out from the brocade quilt.
Lin Jingchen caressed his right cuff with his left hand, and gently rested the three fingers of his right hand on Nangong Yue's white wrist. He half-closed his eyes and didn't speak for a while...
Han Qixia silently opened the medicine box at the side and was on standby all the time, while her eyes nervously watched Nangong Yue's sleeping face and Lin Jingchen's expression nervously.
After a while, Han Qixia sensed something was wrong, and frowned slightly.
Among the several people present, apart from the "sleeping" Nangong Yue, the person who knew Lin Jingchen best was Han Qixia.
During the year with Lin Jingchen, Han Qixia studied medicine with him, traveled with him to collect medicine, and practiced medicine with him everywhere. She had seen Lin Jingchen touch the pulse of thousands of people, no matter how serious it was. For the disease, Lin Jingchen only needs three breaths to feel the pulse, and he already knows it well.
But now it's more than just three breaths, time is passing by bit by bit, at this moment, time seems to be slowed down by some mysterious power, passing extremely slowly...
Gradually, not only Han Qixia, but also Xiao Yi and several maidservants also felt that something was wrong.
Lin Jingchen's pulse detection took too long. Is there something wrong with Nangong Yue's pulse
Baihui has a little knowledge of medical skills, and the feeling is more acute and direct, as if a huge stone is pressed against her heart. The concubine Shizi is good at medical skills, her body has always been in good health, and she rarely gets sick on weekdays. This time, the illness is violent, and it seems a little strange... Moreover, the concubine Shizi was unconscious for three hours because of the high fever. It made Baihui feel a little weird.
Baihui's heart sank little by little, and there was a faint premonition in her heart.
In the inner room, there was no sound, even the sound of breathing could not be heard, and there was a sense of oppression in the air.
At this time, Lin Jingchen finally withdrew his hand, his face was as sinking as water, his eyes were drooping, and he seemed to be thinking about something.
Xiao Yi clenched his fists, and finally couldn't help asking: "Grandfather, Ah Yue..."
Lin Jingchen seemed to have never heard of it, and after a while, he raised his eyes to look at Xiao Yi, and said slowly with a solemn expression: "Ah Yi, Yue'er's pulse is not right..."
After he finished speaking, the inner room became quiet again, a dead silence, as if there were layers of thick clouds pressing over everyone's heads.
Xiao Yi's heart sank to the bottom of the valley all of a sudden, feeling as if several holes had been broken in his heart, and the whistling cold wind passed through his heart...
Huamei, Que'er and Ying'er all had pretty faces as pale as paper, and Huamei murmured, "Didn't the concubine catch a cold and have a fever?"
"Sister Xia, get me a silver needle..." Lin Jingchen stretched out a hand and said.
The dazed Han Qixia suddenly came to her senses, and hurriedly took out a needle pack from the medicine box, while Baihui handed Lin Jingchen a clean white towel to wipe her hands.
Lin Jingchen skillfully took out a silver needle from the needle bag, pinched the index finger of Nangong Yue's right hand with one hand, and quickly pricked it on her fingertip.
The bright red blood bloomed on her fair fingertips like a strange demon flower, it was dazzlingly red...
Lin Jingchen's movements are naturally extremely fast and neat, as can be seen from Nangong Yue's rather peaceful face.
Xiao Yi on the side couldn't help clenching his fists. He had suffered countless injuries, big and small, on the battlefield, and he was never moved. But at this moment, he felt as if his heart had been pricked by the needle.
Lin Jingchen picked up a white handkerchief, wiped off the blood stains on Nangong Yue's fingertips, and asked Han Qixia to fetch a bottle of medicinal powder, and sprinkled some on the blood stains.
On the veil, the blood-colored blood stains gradually became darker, until they turned black and red.
Lin Jingchen thought for a moment, looked at Xiao Yi solemnly, and said, "Ah Yi, Yue'er is most likely poisoned!"
Poisoned? ! Everyone shrank their pupils and looked at each other in blank dismay.
With Nangong Yue's medical skills, it's not easy to poison her!
The first thing Baihui thought of was the kitchen. Could it be that the people in the kitchen did something wrong? But the food that the concubine eats is often distributed to the maids in the yard, and everyone seems to be fine. They even smelled the incense in the house... What else could there be? !
Lin Jingchen stroked his beard, and slowly said: "If my prediction is correct, what Yue'er poisoned should be a chronic poison..." As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked at the sleeping Nangong Yue , "Actually, the poison in Yue'er is not deep, and it should not be discovered now, but because Yue'er had a bad foundation when she was a child..."
After a pause, Lin Jingchen explained: "Yue'er's mother had a difficult delivery when Yue'er was born, so Yue'er's physique was born weaker than others, and judging from the pulse condition, Yue'er had another serious illness six or seven years ago..."
Baihui thought of something, and said: "Master, I remember that An Niang mentioned that when the concubine was nine years old, she once had a high fever for several days and was seriously ill for a long time, which frightened the second lady... Fortunately, she woke up later. Come here." Could it be this time that Mrs. Lin was talking about
Lin Jingchen nodded slightly, and continued: "After recovering from the illness, Yue'er should have taken care of herself carefully. As she got older, her body and bones have become much healthier, but after all, she is not as good as ordinary people at all, so this time After being aroused by this toxin for a little bit, the disease will suddenly fall like a mountain." Lin Jingchen looked at Nangong Yue with a complicated expression, and sighed, "This time, for Yue'er, I don't know whether it is a blessing or a curse..."
Everyone was confused by Lin Jingchen's last words.
Lin Jingchen quickly explained: "Although the poison is not strong, it acts slowly in the body, just like termites living in a house, there is no change at first, but as time goes by, the toxin accumulates to a certain extent, just like The house is as if it has been eaten away by termites, and it will hurt life if it is serious, or damage its internal organs if it is light. As the saying goes, the embankment of a thousand miles collapses in an ant's nest, and then it will be really troublesome.... At this moment, although Yue'er's situation is a little dangerous, but Before reaching a desperate situation, I first tried to reduce Yue'er's fever and stabilize her physical symptoms, and then I had to find a way to find the source of the toxin, and I had to figure out what the poison was before I could prescribe the right medicine... "
"Check!" Xiao Yi said coldly, his voice seemed to be squeezed out from the bottom of his throat, although it was only one word, it was like the cold wind of the severe winter, making people feel bitingly cold.
Everyone's eyes fell on him involuntarily, and they saw that his face was covered with a layer of snow, and his eyes shot out with a cold light. In an instant, his whole body released a fierce murderous aura, like a fierce beast generally.
Xiao Yi is always smiling and cynical. This is the first time for Lin Jingchen and Han Qixia to see such a murderous Xiao Yi. The army repelled the people of Baiyue and Nanliang.
In southern Xinjiang, he is the god of war among the people;
But for enemies like Baiyue and Nanliang, he is a killing god!
"Yes, my son!" Baihui solemnly accepted the order.
Afterwards, Xiao Yi's expression slowed down a little, and he bowed to Lin Jingchen cautiously: "Grandfather, Ah Yue is begging you!" His dark eyes looked at Lin Jingchen for a moment, and the daring general who had killed the previous moment changed now. Become a helpless child, a child who is afraid of losing a loved one.
Lin Jingchen smiled: "Ayi, Yue'er is my granddaughter." Why bother to say "please"!
After speaking, after Lin Jingchen made a gesture to Han Qixia, Han Qixia skillfully took out another needle bag that was rolled up, untied the long one, spread it out into a long one, and took out another candle to light it.
Seeing that Lin Jingchen was going to give Nangongyue acupuncture, Baihui hurriedly helped her, turned Nangongyue's body on her side, and lifted the brocade quilt a little.
After Lin Jingchen calmed down, he first twisted five gold needles, and after burning them with fire, he injected needles at Quchi, Hegu, Dazhui, Weizhong, and Fengchi points successively.
Soon, Nangong Yue's breathing calmed down. Baihui tried the temperature of Nangong Yue's forehead for the first time, and said in surprise, "The fever is gone, Shi Zifei's fever is gone."
Lin Jingchen took the green handkerchief from Han Qixia, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "Ayi, in my opinion, this poison must be in a place where Yue'er can often come into contact with it. Take a closer look..."
The night was getting dark, but the whole Bixiao Hall was commotion and boiling.
Bixiao Hall was completely sealed off, and no one was allowed to enter or leave at will.
The maids and women rummaged around for suspicious things. The most frightened person was probably the kitchen. The steward in charge of the kitchen ordered the people below to carefully check the existing ingredients and asked them to bring them. The dishes in the kitchen this month are almost in a hurry...
Nangong Yue's yard was not much better than the kitchen, and the maids were nervously rummaging through the flowers and plants in the front and back yards, fearing that some poisonous flowers, weeds, and insects would be mixed in.
Before the servants could figure out what was going on, Nanny Chu, who was wearing a rust-colored, dark makeup and floral beanie, came here with a dissatisfied expression.
The news of the son's return to the mansion was known to everyone in the Zhennan Palace, so she naturally got the news. But thinking that Shizi had just come back, he was busy with travel and dust, and needed a good rest, so he planned to come back tomorrow morning to say hello. Unexpectedly, just as she was about to take a rest, there was a commotion all around, those maids and wives rampant, making Bixiaotang a mess, what a shame!
She can't ignore it.
So, Nanny Chu came in a hurry.
These days, every time she tried to admonish the concubine Shi Zi, she was turned away, and she couldn't even enter the courtyard. However, now that Shizi is back, let's see who dares to stop him.
Thinking of this, her steps became more brisk.
From a distance, I saw a young man in a purple dress accompanied by an old man in plain clothes, looking at the two Magnolia trees in front of the yard.
This must be the son of the world!
Nanny Chu quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and shouted joyfully, "Master!"
She looked at the handsome young man in front of her with comfort, her eyes were slightly red.
Shizi has really grown up!
When she left, the eldest son was only five years old, and now he is an upright man. His appearance is about six or seven points similar to that of the previous concubine, but he is not feminine, but heroic and extraordinary!
The former princess is in the spirit of heaven, seeing the present son, she must be able to rest in peace!
Nanny Chu settled down and said, "Master, do you still remember the servant girl?... When the former princess was still alive, she asked the servant girl to take good care of you. When you were young, you liked the goat milk and egg custard made by the servant girl the most. I have to use a bowl every day. It's a pity that the servant girl couldn't help herself at that time... Fortunately, the servant girl is finally back now."
Mother Chu looked joyful, and she said to herself, "It's getting late, the slaves shouldn't have disturbed the son late at night, but this Bixiao Hall is so noisy, it's really inappropriate to mobilize people like this. When the first concubine was alive, this Bixiao Hall was orderly..."
Nanny Chu felt loyal and courageous in giving advice, but she didn't think that Xiao Yi didn't have the heart to listen to her nagging. He frowned and said without raising his head: "It's so noisy. Get out of here." !"
Que'er, who was carrying the medicine box for Mrs. Lin, had long been used to Xiao Yi's uncompromising and never giving face, so he agreed without changing his face, while Mother Chu was almost dumbfounded, and couldn't believe herself. Ear: She is an old servant left behind by the former princess. The son of the world does not look at the monk's face and the Buddha's face, so why should he give the former princess some face
Mother Chu was in a daze, and Que'er instructed the two women to drag her down.
"My son..." When Nanny Chu came back to her senses, she still wanted to call out, but one of the women covered her mouth. I don't know how to find out, this age is like a stunned young man.
Nanny Chu didn't cause any ripples here at all, and was dragged down.
Mrs. Lin quickly checked the two magnolias, shook his head and said, "No."
At this time, Huamei came over in a hurry and said: "Old Master, this servant has sorted out the clothes, jewelry, incense and quilts that the concubine has worn these days..."
Lin Jingchen nodded and said, "I'll go and have a look."
Xiao Yi also hurriedly followed.
Everyone was busy with their duties, not only the clothes, jewelry, and daily decorations, but also the books, calligraphy, paintings, pens, inks, papers and inkstones that Nangong Yue had read these days were sorted out one by one, and handed over to the Lin Jingchen inspected.
However, these things were rejected one by one by Lin Jingchen. At this time, the sound of gongs could be heard from a distance in the street outside, and it was past two o'clock at night.
Baihui walked into the inner room through the curtain, and reported to Xiao Yi who was sitting by the couch: "My lord, the whole Bixiao Hall has been inspected by the old lady of the Lin family, and nothing suspicious was found."
"Bi Xiaotang is finished, then check the palace!" Xiao Yi looked at Nangong Yue's face tenderly, but his voice was stern and cold, "Tell Zhu Xing, even if the whole palace is turned over, I still have to check!"
Even if you dig the palace three feet into the ground, you have to check it out!
Baihui immediately bowed her knees and accepted the order, as long as she has the words of the son, they will naturally have the confidence to do things!
The Zhennan Prince's Mansion was commotion centered on Bixiao Hall, and the candles that had been extinguished were lit again one by one, illuminating the entire Palace as brightly as day.
It's so late, those servants who were not supposed to be on duty originally were unwilling to be reconciled, but at this time, they more or less heard that the son of the son would go to war so violently because the concubine of the son was seriously ill and bedridden, and it seemed that he was still in bed. Poisoned! They were afraid of being implicated, and it was too late to be trembling, and they didn't dare to complain at all, even to whisper to themselves.
However, there were also people who secretly wanted to watch the excitement. Everyone knew that the prince had always disliked the son, and he didn't know if the prince would be furious if he made such a big commotion in the middle of the night.
Today, King Zhennan happened not to go back to the backyard, but rested in the study in the front yard, so his eyes were quietly staring at...
First, Aunt Mei came into the study coquettishly carrying the supper... Not long after, the prince's eldest son was called into the study.
I thought that a storm between father and son was about to kick off, but no one expected that after the chief entourage came out, an order from King Zhennan was passed on, ordering all the stewards of the palace to cooperate with Bixiaotang.
The nuns in charge of the inner courtyard are alright, they have been tamed by Nangong Yue these days. The stewards of the outer courtyard were all a little dumbfounded, and they simply wondered if they were dreaming. Hasn't the prince always been at odds with the eldest son? Doesn't the mortal son think it is good, the prince thinks it is not good
Why didn't the prince care at all this time
Could it be because of the Crown Princess
No matter what they think, with Zhennan Wang's order, the guards of Bixiaotang swaggered rampantly in the inner and outer courtyards of the palace, sweeping all the places where the crown prince often goes...
There was a lot of commotion in the palace, and the movement naturally spread to the second room, a maid in Tsing Yi told Qiu Shi and Xiao Ni one by one vividly.
Xiao Ni's eyes were half downcast, her face was as pale as paper, and her whole body trembled unconsciously, both startled and frightened.
how so? ! Why is my sister-in-law seriously ill? !
Miss Gu clearly swears to the sky that "that" will not endanger the life of her sister-in-law. She clearly cursed the sky, and if there is any truth, she will be bombarded by five thunders...
"Sister Ni!"
Qiu's call brought Xiao Ni back to her senses, and she intuitively looked at her mother.
At this moment, the fear and insecurity in Xiao Ni's eyes were exposed in front of Qiu's eyes.
Knowing a daughter is like a mother, Qiu immediately realized that something was wrong with her daughter, and hurriedly asked, "Sister Ni, what's wrong with you?"
Xiao Ni avoided Qiu Shi's gaze in panic and guilt, only then did she realize that the maid had gone out at some point, and only their mother and daughter were left in the room.
Seeing Xiao Ni's appearance, Qiu felt an ominous feeling in her heart, her daughter made a mistake when she was a child with this expression, could it be...
"Sister Ni!" Qiu Shi raised his voice slightly, and there was a sharpness in his voice, Xiao Ni still didn't dare to look at Qiu Shi, his bloodless lips trembled slightly...
There was a sound of picking up the curtain, and the girl in green came in again, and said, "Second Madam, the movement at the palace has stopped, and it seems that they have found something that was poisoned."
The servant girl was both startled and relieved when she said that, what was shocking was that there were really people in the palace who had the audacity to want to harm the concubine; what was relieved was that since the thing was found, it will be over tonight, and everyone can be safe and sound. Get a good night's sleep.
But what the servant girl didn't expect was that after she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room was still so heavy.
As if something happened that she didn't know...
The turmoil in Wangfu and Bixiaotang gradually subsided.
One by one, the candles began to be blown out again sporadically, only Nangong Yue's yard was still brightly lit.
Afraid of disturbing Nangong Yue who was resting in the inner room, most of the people moved to the east.
Lin Jingchen and Xiao Yi sat at a round table, and the others surrounded them around them.
Lin Jingchen was looking carefully at a Huanxiang that had been burnt to only a third, picked up some incense ash with a silver spoon and soaked it in the water, after a while, the gray incense ash gradually settled down like dust , but the water in the cup is showing a strange light green color.
Lin Jingchen put down the white porcelain cup, raised his eyes and said, "A Yi, the poison is in the incense ring of this small Buddhist hall!"
With the fall of these words, the room fell into a dead silence!