A piece of paper

Qiao Fangzhi didn't know the final relationship between the Chen family and Xianjin, and he had never asked in detail. He was more than happy to have Xianjin come to the capital and live in the Qiao family. Don't delve into things too deeply, because once you do, the inside story is always disgusting - although separation will eventually reunite and reunion will eventually separate, but Xianjin was doing a good job in the Chen family and left suddenly, there must be some secret lawsuit involved. It was also heard that after Xianjin left, the shrewd and capable old lady of the Chen family lay in bed for a long time. The second son of the Chen family and his wife rarely left the shop, and went on a trip to Suzhou Prefecture, Songjiang Prefecture, and Yingtian Prefecture, looking like lazy rich idlers.
The Chen family had been in chaos for a long time, and his old friend Xiong Ling even wrote him a letter, asking him to go to the Chen family as Chen Jianfang's teacher to give them some advice - Old Xiong was determined to make the Xuan paper, and watched the Chen family fall because of the internal strife, and his heart was filled with pity for the Xuan paper.

However, his foot injury had not yet healed, and Xianjin and Baoyuan were preparing to go to Japan, so he was really unable to spare any time.
At this difficult moment, it was the widow of the eldest son who stood up, set up rules and regulations, and forced the Chen family members to work in order to have food to eat, thus bringing this stagnant situation to life.

My mother enjoyed a second spring in her career, but my son unfortunately fell behind.

In the special examination held in March this year, Chen Jianfang went to Beijing quietly without telling anyone. Everyone thought he would make it big, but unexpectedly he did not make the list.

Qiao Fangzhi was not shy about showing off his wealth and Qiao Hui, and patted Chen Jianfang on the shoulder: "Now that the family is at peace, you should study hard in the Imperial College! Don't let others laugh at me, Qiao Fangzhi, who has taught for a lifetime, but in the end, neither of the two most promising young men in Jing County can pass the imperial examination - Baoyuan can't count on it, you must fight for Jing County, for your teacher, and for Qingcheng Mountain Academy."

Chen Jianfang lowered his head slightly, and his long eyelashes cast a fan-shaped shadow on his face like a crow's wings spreading.

"Before you find a place to live, Baoyuan will live in the East Garden, and you will live in the South Garden. Don't be anxious, take your time." Qiao Fangzhi felt that he was secretive and great: he even supported his father-in-law, so it shouldn't be a big deal to have a favorite student.

Chen Jianfang lowered his head again and agreed.

After giving a few instructions, Qiao Fangzhi was about to leave. Before leaving, he glanced at Xianjin, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself: My master is really worried about me, but he hasn't gotten married yet, my daughter!
Xianjin was afraid that his teacher would nag him, so he shrugged his neck and followed Qiao Fangzhi out of the door very obediently.

Qiao Fangzhi felt somewhat relieved: this girl at least has some sense.

Satisfied with this girl's ability to read people's expressions, he naturally thought of another girl. Qiao Fangzhi leaned on his cane and walked in the inner corridor, turning his head to ask his long-time attendant: "Why haven't I seen Baozhu these days? Where did she go?"

The attendant replied, "My eldest lady went to the east of the city today. She heard that Mr. Du's mother cooked some lamb chops and invited her to taste them."

Qiao Fangzhi: "What about now? Not back yet?"

The head of the long-servant hunched lower and lowered: "It seems that the eldest girl followed Mr. Du to Jinghu Lake to watch the lanterns."

Qiao Fangzhi frowned and felt numb.

He is indeed not suitable to raise a daughter.

One by one, they are quite outgoing, without any trace of the reserved style of the ancient times.
Then think about Qiao Hui's evil look, telling him not to rush the marriage and fearing that Xianjin would be unhappy.

Qiao Fangzhi shook his head.

Never mind, he has some problems raising his son.

Maybe the water quality at home is not good.

In the inner room, Qiao Hui helped Chen Jianfang drag the luggage to Nanyuan. The yard was empty, and the weeds in the yard had obviously just been truncated, leaving a neatly short stubble, like the cleanly shaved back of a little boy's head.

The two of them had known each other almost since they were little kids.

Chen Jianfang didn't have much stuff, just two boxes, one large and one small. Qiao Hui helped to fetch hot water and washed two porcelain glaze cups. In the empty hall that had been deserted for a long time, Qiao Hui made a pot of tea for Chen Jianfang and fetched hot water to heat the two cups.

His movements were skillful and his expression was calm.

Chen Jianfang took the tea and said calmly, "Why do you, our loyal and martial marquis, wash the cups and heat the tea yourself? I thought your house would be full of people and followers."

The tone was not sarcastic, but rather contained obvious ridicule towards a good friend.

Qiao Hui leaned back, resting his shoulders on the back of the chair, and smiled happily, "There are more than 20 people in the mansion. In addition to the old uncle who has always been with my father, the youngest aunt who cooks, and A Jin who dries books, there are also a few aunts and uncles who used to do the sweeping in the Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard. Even if His Highness has given ten or so people to help take care of the courtyard, this courtyard is like fertilized. If you are not careful, the grass will grow higher than your waist. The grass and trees in the north are strong. If you are not careful, you will definitely get a bloody mark by cutting them."

Chen Jianfang smiled slightly and said, "Don't you plan to stay in the capital forever?"

Otherwise, how come even the people in the family are not complete?
Qiao Hui followed with a smile: "I have always wanted to find an opportunity to be sent out, even if it means going to Yumen Pass as a lieutenant general, it is easier than serving those second-generation rich kids in the capital." Qiao Hui paused, pondered for a moment, and then said: "Xianjin also wants to go out and see."

Chen Jian's smile remained unchanged, his eyes were as warm and clear as ever, he said "Oh", and looked at Qiao Hui sincerely: "You two are together now?"

Qiao Hui raised his head and nodded: "We are together. We have been together since we came back from Fujian."

Qiao Hui also spoke sincerely and with a genuine attitude, without any perfunctory or boastful attitude: "I hope you won't blame me, or alienate me, or resent me."

Chen Jianfang lowered his eyes slightly, the teacup curled in his palm, the burning sensation made him feel the truth: "Why should I blame you? You left for two years, and I have been with Xianjin day and night, but there is still no sequel, which shows that Xianjin and I have no fate; besides, you didn't steal my love or use despicable means, so I deserve to go through this battle, and it has nothing to do with you or Xianjin."

Qiao Hui's eyes were deep as he saw Chen Jianfang raise his head, staring at the slightly worn window lattice, as if he was looking at the vast night sky and the stars through the window lattice.

He waited quietly for Chen Jianfang's next words.

"After Xianjin left the Chen family, I fell seriously ill. I had a high fever and couldn't get out of bed or speak. It was as if my throat, legs, hands and mouth had changed hands and were no longer mine."

Chen Jianfang's expression was calm, and in his usual calmness, there was a hidden scrutiny and confidence.

"I couldn't drink the medicine. I felt confused and drowsy all day long. It was as if my brain had stopped working. Whenever I tried to think about something, I would always think about emotions such as regret, great sorrow, and guilt, and then I would start vomiting and crying."

He must have replayed this experience many times.

When I speak out, all that remains is calm recollection.

"During that period, Xianjin was actually in the Orange Courtyard near Xuancheng Prefecture. I really wanted to get out of bed and see her from a distance, but I was completely powerless."

"About twenty days later."

"After I drank the medicine, I couldn't stop vomiting. My mother came in from the afterglow of the sunset, grabbed my wrist, raised her hand, and slapped me twice. The next day, all my medicines were gone. My mother asked someone to carry me in a sedan chair covered with curtains. Every day at sunrise, she would set out from Chen's house to Chongqing Temple. She didn't go to see Abbot Xinhe, but just let me stay in the forest of the temple for an hour. I could lie down or sit. After an hour, she would take me to eat vegetarian food."

"More than half a month later, somehow, I was finally able to walk again."

"On the day I could walk shakily, my mother took me to the Bi Ma Hall to kneel before my grandmother."

"At that time, half of my grandmother's white hair had fallen out, and her cheeks were sunken. When she saw me, she spoke weakly and I could barely understand a few loud words. My mother pinched my neck and told me to kowtow, saying, 'Grandma may have let down the world, but she has never let down me.' 'Threatening your future can only threaten those who truly care about you.' I kowtowed about 20 times, and then I heard my grandmother sobbing and crying."

"I cried because she was sorry to my father, sorry to my third uncle, sorry to my second uncle, and sorry to me. I cried because she was petty and thoughtful. I cried because she was blind and only cared about power and money."

"Hearing her cry, I feel like I'm fine."

"It will be fine in a moment."

"It would be nice if I could stand up without crutches or help."

Chen Jianfang let out a long sigh, calmed down for a moment, and finally turned to look at Qiao Hui, raised the warm teacup and made a toast gesture to Qiao Hui.

“I’m always running away.”

"I used my father's death to escape the pressure; I used your life experience to escape the gap; I used Xianjin to avoid admitting my own weaknesses -" Chen Jianfang smiled: "Look, how ridiculous I was at that time. I even hoped to use the power of Xianjin to escape the invisible mud brought to me by the Chen family, but I didn't think about whether my action would drag Xianjin in as well."

(End of this chapter)