Chapter 22 Chapter 21 The Death of the Old Lady

one Since entering the twelfth lunar month, Du Yunqing has suffered from a problem: she loves to feel sleepy and often drowsy.After a while, whether sitting or standing, whether you have something to do or not, you will feel sleepy at every turn.Struggling, shaking his head and blinking, trying to hold on, how can it be?After struggling a few times, I was already crooked and confused. Du Yunqing repeatedly told Du Mu to wake her up quickly when she saw that she was in a daze.But Du Mu and the maids tried all kinds of methods, but it was still difficult to wake her up.Every time, I had to carry her to the kang bed and let her sleep.This sleep, I don't know when it will be.

What especially annoyed Du Yunqing was that she became confused and often couldn't even take a bath.On the way into the city, I like to get confused in the car, falling over and unable to wake up.In such a situation, Du Mu had no choice but to ask the driver to turn the spirit of the animal around and return to Kangzhuang as soon as possible.Sleeping like this, I can't wake up screaming, and I can't take a bath in Huaqing Pool.Sometimes, struggling not to get confused on the road, I have to fall asleep in the bath.This can really piss her off!Being the old lady of the Kang family, only going to the city to take a bath is a little bit of fun, but it's too much to bear?

In order not to get sleepy, Du Yunqing drank strong tea and learned to snuff snuff, but it didn't work.She finally found a slightly more effective method: trying to starve herself.People are tired after meals and restless when they are hungry.Then starve you, see if you are still confused!Especially when you go to the city to take a bath, you will not eat enough the first day, and you will not eat more rice the next day.It's really confusing to drive into the city like this.Just taking a bath on an empty stomach, apart from feeling weak and powerless, is actually not much fun. Sudden feeling sleepy like this, is it because of some disease, or because I am getting old?

Over the years, this strange disease has become more and more severe.The first month is still freezing cold, but it seems to be trapped in a deep spring sleepiness.Apart from being confused, she didn't seem to have any other discomfort, unlike being sick.Only the feeling of old age is felt all the time.She has been an old lady for the Kang family for more than ten years, and she is indeed a very old lady.It's just that her age can't be considered old: she's only thirty-three years old. It is said that after getting old, you will feel less at night and be confused during the day.Compared with old things, she is really not old.The old thing is strong and unfailing, able to eat and sleep, so she has an old face first?

The old man saw that she was so sleepy, so he didn't pretend to be ignorant like before. He came over a few times and greeted her attentively: Did you not sleep well at night?Have a nightmare?Is the diet too plain?Still have something on your mind?The current situation is like this, and there is no need to be too tortured, just let fate. She was sleepy day and night, wanted insomnia but couldn't get it, couldn't dream, and couldn't eat or drink well. Even if there were infinite thoughts on her mind, she couldn't think about it anymore: once she thought about something in her mind, it didn't take long for her to be confused, and it was just a tormenting thought. , I have to let it go.But facing the old man's gracious greetings, she didn't say much, just said: If you're sleepy, just sleep, it's not uncomfortable.

Since the beginning of winter, Kang Hu Nanzhen moved back to live in this palace-like main house in the backyard.After living alone for many years, his sudden arrival made Du Yunqing terrified for a few days.Fortunately, he only came to say a few words during the day and didn't bother her at night.He lives in the east, she lives in the west, there are several rooms between them, and they are relatively safe.It's just that there are more servants, and the fire on the kang couch in this cold palace is much warmer than in previous years. He moved here just to show: the old lady is no longer indifferent to her?

Just leave it alone, I'm used to living in the cold!Now, I should also be neglected. I have already committed crimes, and I have already pierced the majestic sky of your Kang family!You are respected like a god, but you have not noticed it so far?I do not believe.I can't believe it anymore!You must have known it, and pretended not to know it.You are a god with a great reputation, how could you endure such humiliation!Haha, are you pretending to be confused?This winter, you suddenly moved here, just to pretend to be confused?You want everyone to believe that nothing happened, the old man did not neglect the old lady, how could such a thing happen!If you pretend to be confused like this, how can you be furious in your heart!Haha, I just want to make you furious, but I don't want to make you suffer.You should show your rage, quickly abolish me, this wicked old lady, and let everyone in the world know the humiliation you have suffered

It's just that Du Yunqing felt very tired in his heart when he was excited like this, and his head was also swollen, and he couldn't stop being confused again.Therefore, she is not able to think deeply. When her spirit was a little better, Du Yunqing would also doubt: Can the old man really pretend to be so invisible?Did he know it? Before the first lunar month, Kang Hunan invited a famous doctor from the city.This old man surnamed Tan often came to Kang's house for outpatient visits, and everyone called him Mr. Tan.First of all, it is the abbreviation of the villagers for Mr., which sounds like a fairy.That's what doctors call it.

It's just that Tan Xian has never seen a doctor for the old lady.In the past, Du Yunqing never had a serious illness. Occasionally, she would have a headache, and would like to call Mrs. Laihoude from the Congregational Church for treatment.Now that she has such a strange disease, she thinks of Mrs. Lehoud a few times, but where else can she look for it?I feel that the world is impermanent, and I feel a lot of sadness. The Kang family was considered open-minded, and doctors did not have many taboos when they came to treat female relatives.Therefore, Du Yunqing was able to face Tan Xian.She saw Mr. Tan as a kind elder.He closed his eyes, checked his pulse carefully, asked about his diet and daily life, and said: "There is nothing serious about it, it's just deficiency of yin and hyperactivity of fire. First, take a few doses of medicine to recuperate."

Influenced by his father and Mrs. Laihoude, Du Yunqing was not convinced by the old Chinese medicine doctor.However, Tan first diagnosed her as having no serious problems, and it was pleasant to hear that. During Tan Xian's diagnosis and treatment, Kang Hunan sat by his side all the time.Hearing that there is no serious problem, he let out a long breath, and asked again: Is there really no serious problem? Du Yunqing rarely enjoyed Kang Hunan's concern, so she was surprised and suspicious.Did he show it to Tan Xian, or did he have other intentions? After drinking the four or five doses of medicine prescribed by Tan Xian, Du Yunqing's lethargy didn't improve, on the contrary, it seemed to be getting worse.Kang Hunan urged Tan to come again, but Du Yunqing refused.She said: How can it be so fast, drink a few more doses, it will always be effective.But she thought in her heart:

It's good to be sleepy like this! When you fall asleep, you don't have to think about anything.Those who can't figure it out, those who are suspicious, those who are sad and sad, and those who have been depressed for a long time can be thrown aside and ignored.Wouldn't it be better to be able to fall asleep like this and never wake up! But not long after, Kang Hunan invited Tan Xian over.Tan Xian took his pulse, contemplated for a moment, and still made a diagnosis: no serious problem, add or subtract a few medicines, take some time to see. A large bowl of decoction was taken every morning and evening, and after taking it for another four or five days, there was still not much change.However, Du Yunqing said: It has improved slightly.Although the drowsiness is still the same, the mind is not very swollen when sleepy.She said this because she didn't want to invite Tan to come first. After Tan Xian came twice, the whole family knew that she was ill, and they seemed to think she was seriously ill.Second Master, Fourth Master, and Sixth Master came to visit her one after another, and they all had serious expressions on their faces.Especially fourth master, his face was even heavier, he ran frequently, and came to greet him almost every day.The housekeeper, Lao Xia, also runs frequently, coming more than once a day.There are also aunts, second mothers, third mothers, fourth mothers and daughter-in-laws who have also been here. Du Yunqing didn't like being promoted like this: I didn't see her before, but seeing that the old man has changed, you have changed too!Who cares about this set.Besides, she wasn't sick enough to die. The old thing deliberately mobilizes the crowd in this way, clearly doing it for everyone to see.But is he really doing this to cover up his ugliness?He just pretended to be so steady, so that he couldn't show any anger? Du Yunqing couldn't believe it more and more. Now, the one person she wants to see the most is Lu Bu who served her before. After Sanxi disappeared last year, Lu Bu's behavior was quite abnormal.He used to be so capable and agile, but suddenly became demented, often in a daze, and would not respond to a few calls.When asked what happened, she always said in a panic: the pain of losing her father was hard to recover for a while. At that time, Du Yunqing was only thinking about Sanxi, and didn't pay much attention to Lu Bu.I just think that it is human nature to experience a great funeral and suffer physical and mental setbacks. When Kang Hu returned from his south-south tour, Du Mu was transferred, and Lu Bu was transferred to take care of Wu Niang's orphaned daughter, but Du Yunqing didn't pay much attention.Du Mu moved away because the old man brought back a charming female cook from Jiangnan.It seems reasonable to give Lu Bu to take care of the unfortunate fifth master's daughter, showing the old master's care and affection. However, not long after Lu Bu arrived at Fifth Master's side, he was quietly dismissed.Du Yunqing didn't think of going to see Lu Bu until the twelfth lunar month. But when he arrived at Wuye's courtyard, he was told that Lu Bu was long gone.Where did it go?Sent away early, the old lady still doesn't know? Du Yunqing was not angry when she heard this, but suddenly realized that this was driving Lu Bu away!That thing finally came to light?How could a maid like Lu Bu who had served the old man up close for no reason be quietly driven away?Lu Bu has served her for many years, and he didn't say anything when he left?There is no doubt that that incident was brought to light, and Lu Bu was implicated! Du Yunqing has been waiting for this day.In her imagination, once that incident was revealed, the Kang family would definitely cause a shocking storm: the old man was furious, and everyone was filled with righteous indignation. Of course, she, an adulteress, would die, but the situation was not like this: Lu Bu had been expelled for many days , the Kang family has been calm as usual.Especially the old stuff, there is nothing unusual these days! That day, Du Yunqing came out of Wu Ye's house and went straight to see Steward Xia.He was not polite when we met, and asked right away: Lu Bu has served the old man and me for many years, how can I just send it away?Even if it should be dismissed, you have to say something, right?Whoever I am used to, who do you drive away?How did I offend you, Mrs. Xia? Lao Xia hurriedly lost her smile and said: The old lady said this, she is going to drive me away You, Lao Xia, hold the power, and I live in your hands too! The old lady is so grand, what is the reason for it? Said, why did you drive Lu Bu away? Madam, it's not that we drove her away, it's that she wanted to leave with all her heart, and we couldn't stop her. Why is she so determined to leave? It's a big burden at home.Serving the old lady here for many years, it is not easy to get away, and I can't manage the house.A small family has no women for many years, the family is no longer what it is, and it is very distressing.This year, she finally got out of the nursing home and was able to escape, so she wanted to go back to her hometown to take care of her family. Why don't you say anything? Lu Bu was afraid that the old man and the old lady would ask him to stay, so he couldn't refuse, so he didn't dare to say goodbye to the old man's house.As usual, Lu Bu has also reached the age where his hands and feet are not agile enough, so it's time to let him out. Asking again, it was just similar words, as if nothing happened, Lu Bu just let it out normally.How else could Du Yunqing force her to ask?Is that still unnoticed? But after she came back and thought about it, she still felt that Lu Bu's release was too suspicious.So, she wanted to visit Lu Bu privately.After meeting Lu Bu, you will probably be able to understand the details. However, Du Yunqing went to look for it several times, but he never saw Lu Bu.For the first time, the driver lost his way and drove the car to another village!A few times later, although I found Lu Bu's house, he was never there: either he left his relatives, or he went to the city to go to the market.On the fixed day, I ran away, but the person was still not there.It's so abnormal, it's obviously a ghost.Either Lu Bu couldn't come out of hiding, or they didn't allow Lu Bu to come out! Du Yunqing pretended to be angry and yelled that she never wanted to see Lu Bu again.After a long time, pretending to have forgotten about it, she suddenly made a motion and arrived unexpectedly.Strangely, Lu Bu still couldn't see her face: the family said she had returned to her mother's house again!After a year of tossing and fighting, Lu Bu was never seen. Now that she has such a strange disease, it is obviously impossible to visit her any more.But she was already a little suspicious: Although the incident had been revealed, they kept it from the old man!If so, it would be terrible: she herself was stained with sin for nothing, but she didn't hurt a single hair of the old thing!Could God be so unfair? Therefore, Du Yunqing especially wanted to meet Lu Bu.When they met, Lu Bu didn't say anything, and she believed she could see a general idea.They prevented Lu Bu from showing up in this way, and they could see a general idea. In the Kang family, there were not many people who dared to hide the truth from the old man, and were able to hide it from the old man.The third and fourth masters who are newly in charge of the family, encountered such a scandal, of course they also wanted to hide it from the old man.But who can they hide such a shameful incident in their hearts? Can you not show a trace on your face like that?The third master has a bad temper, and with such a thing in his heart, it should have exploded long ago.But this year, when Sanye Fan came to see her, apart from being courteous, he seemed to be more kind, even warm.Fourth master is even more kind-hearted. After knowing such things, would he still be as humble as usual? The only ones who dared to lie to the old man quietly were the two old servants, Lao Xia and Lao Ting.They are the ones who are the best at putting on a superficial smile!Once the old thing is furious, he will inevitably vent his anger on these two old servants.But among the two old slaves, the one who dared to do this thing the most, and was able to accomplish it the most, was the cold old Ting.If he sticks to the old thing, it is really impossible to insert a needle or splash water!Lao Xia is sleek, but he's not that bold, is he?He knew the truth, even if Lao Ting stopped him, he might not be able to tell the truth. Du Yunqing suddenly came up with a new idea, begging fourth master once: she is so ill, she can't help but miss some old people.Lu Bu has served her for many years, and he misses her very much recently, can he find her and meet her?From fourth master's response, we can also see some signs, right? On this day, the fourth master came to greet her again, and she said: His fourth master, you also know some medicine, what disease am I suffering from?Not always good! The fourth master hurriedly said: Don't worry too much, old lady.Tan Xian is a famous doctor. If he says it's not a problem, it means it's not a problem. It is always said that it is not in the way, but it is not good! Some minor ailments are not easy to take care of, you have to work slowly and don't worry. His fourth master, you also take my pulse to see where the problem is? Madam, how can I compare with Tan Xian?I can only scratch the surface of a doctor Famous doctors are not famous doctors, I still can't trust Tan Xian!His fourth master, take my pulse and see if Tan Xian is right. Only my name is not allowed, how can Tan be not allowed? Immortals make mistakes too, not to mention that old gentleman!His fourth master, I can trust you. Fourth master couldn't shirk it, so he had to call the old lady's pulse.After finishing the call, he pondered for a moment and said: "Tan Xian said well, the old lady is fine, just calm down and recuperate." Du Yunqing smiled and said: Since his fourth master said so, I feel more at ease.When a person is sick, he likes to think wildly.When I was sober recently, I couldn't help thinking about some old people.Alas, I don't have anyone close to me in Taigu. One person I often think about these days is Lu Bu who served me before.She has been with me for many years, close to the family.His fourth master, I beg you something, I don't know The fourth master hurriedly said: Just tell me the old lady! Can you ask someone to bring Lu Bu here and meet me? Don't worry, old lady, it's easy to do. His fourth master, I really feel relieved when you say that.I mentioned this matter to Lao Xia several times, but he failed to do it.This is not a complaint against Lao Xia!I looked at it coldly, it seemed that Lao Xia and Lu Bu were having some festivals, maybe he didn't want to invite Lu Bu to come?His fourth master, if you want to fulfill me, don't disturb Lao Xia, just send someone quietly and call Lu Bu over. Fourth master said obediently: Then listen to the old lady's orders. Fourth Master's response satisfied Du Yunqing very much, and it also made her believe that Fourth Master might really know nothing.After talking about Lu Bu for a long time, Fourth Master didn't look unusual at all. After the fourth master left, Du Yunqing really had some hope: after all, the fourth master is in charge of housekeeping, maybe he can really call Lu Bu? However, three days later, the fourth master came in and reported that Lu Bu was sent to Tianjin to serve his fifth master. When was it sent? Have you gone early?The current situation in Tianjin is too chaotic, and Wu Ye has too few people there.When Lü Bu went to Tianjin, her man followed her as a servant. Lu Bu was sent to Tianjin?Why didn't you say it before?Going to Tianjin to serve the fifth master, there is no need to dodge it, right?Today I said that I lived with my natal family, and tomorrow I said that I went to the city to go to the market. What is that for? Fourth master's reply made Du Yunqing even more suspicious.But she didn't make it difficult for fourth master anymore.She also saw it: fourth master was also hiding it. two It is true that Lu Bu was sent to Tianjin.It's just that it didn't take long to be sent. Lu Bu was dismissed and threatened not to talk about the Kang family's affairs, and not to see the old lady again. Of course, this was all handled by the housekeeper, Lao Xia.In order to frighten Lu Bu, Lao Xia also gave her some money.Now, Lao Xia is even more threatening to the coachman who is driving the old lady's car. If there is any movement, he has to report it in time.Therefore, it's not surprising that Du Yunqing's search for Lv Bu was always in vain.When the old lady came unexpectedly, Lu Bu couldn't hide, and his family members came forward to deal with it. Even so, this out-of-the-ordinary old lady still terrified Lao Xia.That damned Sanxi had already been sent away far away.Only this well-informed Lu Bu is left. What is the reason for the old lady's insistence on meeting?Lao Xia really has no idea. Fortunately, word came from Tianjin in the twelfth lunar month of last year that Crazy Fifth Master needed manpower on his side.Especially with Mrs. Yu who went to wait on her, she hadn't traveled far.It's a good trip this time, it's been a year and a half, and it's still far away.So weeping and crying all day long, I just want to quit my job and go home.Lao Xia thought about it, serving the servants of Crazy Fifth Master in Tianjin, it is inconvenient to follow the rules of foreign companies, and it takes three years to come back from get off work.After being sleepy for a long time, they still have the heart to serve the Lord's family!So I told the fourth master that those who serve the fifth master in Tianjin, regardless of martial arts masters, male servants, and maids, will be discounted by half every three years, that is, they will be rotated every year and a half.Even if anyone is always there, it is difficult to guarantee that they will not make troubles. Fourth master said again and again: Very good, very good, just do as you said, Lao Xia. But when Lu Bu was sent to Tianjin, Lao Xia didn't tell Fourth Master. He sent Lu Bu far to Tianjin, of course to deal with Du Yunqing.As for Lu Bu, after being dismissed by Lao Xia, he not only lost a considerable amount of income, but was also often frightened, and his life plummeted.So when she was asked to return to work, of course she would.At that time Tianjin was still in the hands of foreigners, but it had become somewhat stable.Even during the chaos, Wu Ye was not robbed.In order to win Lu Bu over, Lao Xia asked her to bring a man to serve Fifth Master.So in the twelfth lunar month, Lu Bu and his wife quietly went to Tianjin with several other male servants. Now that the old lady actually entrusted Fourth Master to see Lu Bu, Lao Xia was lucky to have made an early move!If Lu Bu hadn't been sent to Tianjin earlier, there might have been some troubles.Especially at times like this! A few days into the twelfth lunar month, Lao Ting quietly told him: The old lady is ill. He hurriedly asked: What disease? Lao Ting said coldly: It's still the old disease. After Lao Xia heard this, his heart skipped a beat: Is that woman finally going to the end?Ever since he asked a painter to paint her a portrait last year, he knew that this day would come soon, but he never expected it to come so soon. He didn't say anything more, and Lao Ting didn't say anything more, and left quietly. Only Lao Xia understands the meaning and weight of Lao Ting's old illness.So he couldn't help but be surprised, because this matter is no small matter!However, he had been looking forward to this day.When the woman came to the end, he didn't have to be so frightened.That woman committed a great crime, and she should have been old and sick long ago. Knowing this important news, Lao Xia suddenly understood: last winter, the old man suddenly moved back to the main room in the backyard to live with the old lady, so it was for this move!The old man has not lived in the main house for many years, and he insisted on moving there after winter last year.Lao Xia also persuaded that if you want to move, you can't wait until the New Year is over, after the spring is warm and the flowers are blooming?This winter is so cold, moving into a big house, looking for suffering?At that time, the old man pulled his face down and said: I knew you wanted to be lazy!If I don't go there, the old lady is still living in the main house, and she even carelessly burns the kang and cage fire, trying to freeze her to death? Lao Xia hadn't seen the old man talk to him like this before, so he was really shocked at that time, and didn't dare to say anything more.Looking back now, the old man had other deep meanings. That being the case, I hope all goes well. Now that this extraordinary situation has come true, there is no delay in what Lao Xia should do: the Kang family will organize another luxurious and grand funeral.At the latest, this funeral will not happen in March. It's just that it's too abrupt to open up the coffin, shroud, and cemetery now.And the coffin is ready-made.In the early years, a pair of birthday materials had been prepared for the old man.The material is not very expensive, just ordinary cypress.Because the old man has strict instructions: he does not want expensive life materials.The birthday cake prepared for him more than ten years ago was also made of cypress wood.The old man gave up the birthday suit to the old lady who left first.The ready-made pair will be given away when needed urgently.Shrouds and cemeteries are not too difficult to find. What Lao Xia had to worry about was to let everyone in the Kang family know that the old lady was seriously ill, without arousing any suspicion.This woman has always been in good health and has hardly suffered from any disease.Suddenly it's gone, even if you get a sudden illness, you have to have an explanation, right? Therefore, before inviting Tan Xian to come for treatment, Lao Xia didn't make much publicity.He just said to fourth master: The old lady has been in a bad mood recently, and she is sick due to suspicion.I don't see it, with such a good physique, you can't get on with minor disasters and illnesses, so how can there be major problems?Fourth master is a doctor, so he went in to say a few words of comfort. After hearing this, fourth master hurried into the old courtyard.When the fourth master came out, Lao Xia asked, "Look, fourth master, he doesn't look sick, does he?" The fourth master said: The old lady is sleeping.According to Du Mu, there is nothing else, the old lady is just sleepy recently.Let's worry more about being safe and healthy. Lao Xia said: It’s spring, Yang Qi rises, and it’s inevitable that people love to get sleepy. The first time I invited Tan Xian to see a doctor, Lao Xia didn't make much of it.It was only when someone asked, that he told me: "I'm not really sick, but I'm not in good spirits, and I'm more sleepy than usual."It was the old lady who was worried and asked Mr. Tan to come.Tan said it first, it's okay. However, Si Niang heard that Si Ye had invited Mr. Tan, so she ran over to give San Niang a message.Therefore, the daughters-in-law of the two principals went in first to greet the old lady.Then, the aunt and the second mother also went in to greet them.Later, all the men also went in to say hello. Probably everyone saw that the old lady was not important, so the matter did not make much publicity. After Tan Xian came back for the second time, Lao Xia went door to door and told the situation of the diagnosis and treatment: Tan Xian saw that the prescriptions he prescribed didn't work at all, and he was very disturbed.Quickly took the old lady's pulse carefully and asked about various situations, but still couldn't figure out what was wrong.Tan Xian was even more uncomfortable.On the contrary, the old lady opened it up and said that it would be better to take a few more doses, the worst would be to sleep more.But I can see that the old lady has lost weight obviously.The old man is also very unsteady. After hearing such news, no one dared to take it seriously, and rushed to greet the old lady and comfort the old lady.The atmosphere of the Kang family really changed. When Lao Xia reported the news to San Niang, he inadvertently said one more sentence: Tell me, the old man should not move back to the main house. San Niang asked: Why? Lao Xia whispered: San Niang, you forgot, the old man's fate is too hard? San Niang couldn't help but yelled: "Ah!" Lao Xia hurriedly said: San Niang, I am talking nonsense.Tan Xian is a well-known doctor, but he couldn't figure out the cause of the disease, which was too worrying! Sanniang was surprised by Lao Xia's slight dial, because she had thought the same way in her heart. It's not that, a good person suddenly suffers from such a strange disease, even a competent doctor can't figure out the cause, so how can we not be suspicious.Everyone knows that the old man is hard-working and prosperous.But you suspect that the old lady contracted an inexplicable disease and asked the old lady to restrain her. It is really inconvenient to say such things.It's all right now, Lao Xia has broken through this layer first, and there is a reason for bringing it up again. So, after Lao Xia left, San Niang called Si Niang, went into the old house to greet the old lady, and met the old man.After coming out of the old courtyard, San Niang pulled Si Niang into her room, and said mysteriously: Guess what Lao Xia told me? Si Niang hurriedly asked: What did you say? Sanniang said in a low voice: He said that the old lady was so sick, maybe she asked the old lady to give it to her. After hearing this, Si Niang couldn't help screaming, and then said: Lao Xia really said this? What's the matter, I'm still coaxing you?He is also suspicious.The old man's life is too prosperous, who doesn't know! But all these years, the old lady has been safe and sound, and her physique is stronger than you and me, right?I thought that this enlightened old lady finally convinced herself. Who said no!Although this old lady is sometimes a bit out of line and doesn't pay much attention to old etiquette, she is not mean-spirited.He doesn't care about anyone, doesn't like to be critical, and doesn't hold grudges.Such an old lady can't bear it? It's really hard to say about fate.The old lady in front also passed through ten years in peace, and gave birth to the sixth master.Who would have thought that it would not work if it could not be done? The old lady in front of her was no longer physically fit, and she was always sick.He is not as enlightened in temperament as this one, especially with high eyesight!The whole family, who can she fancy?That's what it means to have a strong heart but not a strong life. The one in front has only been a lady for more than ten years, right? Fourteen or five years ago?This one is less than fourteen or five years old. His fourth mother, do you know what else Lao Xia told me? What did you say? Lao Xia said that in winter, the old man should not move back to the main house! Why? If the old lady doesn't move there, maybe the old lady won't be sick. If you don't live in one room, you can't do it? His fourth wife, think about it, since this old lady entered Kang's house, the old man hasn't lived in that main house for a few days.We thought the old man didn't like to see this restless old lady very much. Looking back now, maybe the old man avoided her because he was afraid of restraining her. If this is the case, the old man will love this one too much!She would rather be wronged by herself and hide in that small courtyard all her life than to disturb her. I heard from Lao Xia that the old man moved back to the main house last winter because he was afraid of freezing the old lady.It's too cold this winter, the main house only lives in the old lady's house, how can it be warm?Coupled with the bad times, the whole family lived frugally, and if the servants took the opportunity to inadvertently light the fire, the old lady would really suffer from the cold!The old man just moved in. In order to love her, he actually hurt her. The old man is afraid that he will be even more anxious! I think so too.But how can the things in life be left to others? Third sister-in-law, we are also suspicious of whether the old lady has been restrained by the old man.I think of a person, she must have a bottom line in her heart. who? Sister-in-law.The eldest brother has studied "Yi" as an adult, and the old lady is really going to such a critical point, can he not see it?He saw it, could my sister-in-law not know? His fourth mother is still your heart, I am so anxious to patronize, even my aunt has forgotten! San Niang and Si Niang immediately went to see the aunt. To their surprise, the aunt was calm as usual.After she understood the purpose of the two sisters-in-law's visit, she actually said: "The deaf ghost didn't say anything." Si Niang asked, "Brother, do you know that the old lady is sick?" The aunt said: I know.I have already gestured to him. Sanniang hurriedly asked: Got it, did you really have nothing to say? The aunt said: He didn't even open his eyes.I also scolded him: All the men have gone to greet him, so you can't express it?Can't talk, can't show your face?If you scold him like that, he will stare at you! Siniang said: Since elder brother doesn't take it seriously, then the old lady's illness is really not a big problem. San Niang also hurriedly said: No way!Brother, don't worry, we can rest assured. The aunt said: He is a deaf ghost, do you really respect him?I was just about to ask you two, is the old lady's illness serious? Siniang said: Sister-in-law, you ask us, who shall we ask? Sanniang also said: We didn't know the truth, so we came to ask my sister-in-law. The aunt said: I am like a deaf ghost, an outsider, what can I know?His third master and fourth master are in charge of the family. I don't ask who you ask? Sanniang laughed and said: They are the ones who are in charge of the house, so they don't have to work too hard. How much do they know about the old house? Siniang also said: "The fourth child is even a long-term foreman, listening and drinking all day long, how can he be in charge of the house?" The aunt also smiled: I am not in charge, you complain to me, isn't this the wrong graveyard when you go to the grave and cry? Three Niangs and Fourth Niangs wanted to find out what the auntie had in mind, but the auntie just refused to say a word.This aroused their suspicion even more: how could the aunt be willing to say such unlucky words? Therefore, the old lady was seriously ill by Shou Ke, fearing that there would be unexpected rumors, so she quietly spread them among the Kang family. When Liu Ye's nanny first heard this kind of discussion, she seemed a little gloating.She always thought that it was the appearance of Du Yunqing that year that caused Mrs. Meng's early death.Tit for tat now, it's finally the turn of Mrs. Du! However, when she heard about Mrs. Du's illness later, she was still secretly surprised: This old lady's symptoms are also sleepy?When Liu Ye's first mother was seriously ill, she was lethargic day and night.When awake, he is not confused, just like ordinary people, but he will feel sleepy within a short time.Why do the two old ladies have the same disease?The old lady's life is too prosperous, they can't bear it, and they will get the same disease at the end of their lives? From this point of view, Mrs. Du is really not long in the world? The nurse couldn't help it, so she told Liu Ye her surprise. The sixth master no longer dislikes Mrs. Du now. Hearing what the nanny said, he thought it was her partiality, and hoped that something bad happened to Mrs. Du.Therefore, he didn't like to listen to it very much, and said: Nurse, please stop listening to gossip.The old lady is ill, but she provokes many people to gossip, isn't she taking advantage of others' danger? Seeing him like this, the nurse said, "How is this old lady's illness? If we worry about it, what can we do?"I can't help but think of your mother.When your mother was seriously ill, who would worry about it? She said with tears in her eyes.The sixth master hurriedly said: "Nurse, I'm not talking about you."Everyone, there are too many gossips.If you want to be quiet, you have to shut the gossip at the door! The nanny said: Master Liu, am I nosy?Just thinking of your mother makes me uncomfortable!Who bothered about your mother when she was seriously ill?The doctor first said: It looks like typhoid fever.As soon as they heard it was typhoid fever, they hid far away, for fear of catching it.I don't think she has a severe fever, just lethargy.When I was awake, I wanted to eat, and my speech was not muddled, let alone gibberish.But the more he took the medicine prescribed by the doctor, the more sleepy he became.I told them, ask the doctor to change the prescription first, and only treat typhoid fever, I'm afraid it won't work?But who will listen! The sixth master asked: Is Mr. Tan the doctor who was invited at that time? The nurse said: No.But he is also a famous doctor, surnamed Gao, everyone calls him Gao Xian. Sixth Master patiently listened to the nanny's story before comforting her.He had heard his nanny talk about his mother since he was a child, and he had long believed that his mother's death was painful and wronged.After his mother died, ghosts would linger for many years, and he also firmly believed.Like his nanny, he has always been wary and disgusted with the current Mrs. Du.But suddenly, he found that he didn't really hate this stepmother, and even adored her a little, and it seemed that he could never go back to the past.He believed that there would be no hatred between his mother and this stepmother.None of them had seen anyone.Of course, he also knew that he couldn't change the nanny.He was also moved by her unswervingly guarding his mother. After the sixth master knew that Mrs. Du was ill, he had an inexplicable sense of foreboding.It was the first time he entered the nursing home to greet her, and the old lady he saw was much healthier than he had imagined, but his sense of ominousness remained undiminished.He didn't understand where this ominous feeling came from, but it was hard to get rid of it. The old lady's illness was actually caused by her fate?Before the nanny said this to him, Liu Ye had already heard the discussion of the two servants.At that time, he severely reprimanded the two servants, but his heart was still a little heavier.Now, the nanny is also talking like this, of course the sixth master is even more unhappy. That day, he comforted the nanny, and went to the old home when he came out: He couldn't help but see the old lady again, did she really have bad luck?But he failed to see the old lady, she was asleep again!Du Mu said that he just fell asleep. He asked: Is the old lady better recently? Du Mu said: It's still the same, but the food and drink are less than before. Still so lethargic? Isn't it? Has Mr. Tan come here again? came.The old man was also a little flustered, as if he was still not sure what the disease was. Why don't you change doctors immediately? I heard from Lao Xia that it is hard to find a master who can beat Tan Xian in Taigu.The old lady wants to find a Western doctor first, but in this year's time, where can I find it?The old man has sent a message to the shopkeepers stationed abroad, pay attention to inquire about good prescriptions.I hope the distant water can quench the near thirst. What else can Liu Ye say?When he came out of the old courtyard, he suddenly wanted to go to the temple to ask for a lottery: to ask a good or bad luck for the old lady.It's just that a premonition told him that the lottery he got must be very bad.Instead of asking about the next murderous lottery, why not ask? But the more ominous the premonition, the more unable to let go.Sixth Master finally went to ask for a signature.If it is effective, it should go to Longquan Temple in Fengshan.But he was afraid that he would be too smart, and he would really ask for a bad sign, and he couldn't stand it.So I chose the Toji Temple in the city.In Toji Temple, he was already very happy to win the lottery in one of them, no pain or itching.If this catastrophe of the old lady is really painless, it will be no different from getting a lottery! Therefore, when he came out of the East Temple and saw the Sun family's mansion, Liu Ye no longer felt bored.Since the lady of the Sun family was recommended by the old lady, he shouldn't be too picky, right?If the old lady is really safe, he will come to the East Temple to fulfill his wish, without extravagant hopes, and marry back to the second young lady of the Sun family with peace of mind. three Of course, no one would tell Du Yunqing about the old man's order to force his wife.But she finally thought of this layer herself. But now it's early spring. The spring is getting stronger day by day, but Du Yunqing's illness is still not getting better.她幾乎是整日臥床了，因為她清醒的時候越來越少。食慾也越來越差，人便更消瘦憔悴。進城洗浴早已成為舊事。譚先還是常來，也依然只開方子，不說病名。杜筠青早在懷疑了：他們都在瞞她，不肯告訴她得了什麼病。不用說，瞞著她的，一準是不祥之症！ 就這樣，她將走到盡頭，她的性命真要油盡燈滅了？ 這是上天對她作孽的報應嗎？ 杜筠青對做康家這樣的老夫人，已經沒有一點留戀；她走向罪孽，也早預備了去死，可真意識到自己將走到性命盡頭，還是驚慌了。 誰願意被奪去性命！早知道會這樣一步一步被奪去性命，那還不如自己棄命而去。自家棄命，尚有幾分壯烈，而現在她是連壯烈的力氣也沒有了。就這樣一天比一天不由自主地昏睡，直到醒不來，無聲息地被奪去性命。只這樣一想，也覺自己太可憐了。 但在這種驚慌中，她也並沒有想到老太爺的命硬命旺，想到的只是自己的罪孽。她落到這一步，應該是上天對她的嚴懲吧。她作了孽，本想捅破康家的天，辱沒老東西一回，可上天不叫她稱心，又有什麼奈何？ 所以，天氣暖和以後，杜筠青已經不再有什麼想望，也不再想探知老東西是否知道了她的醜行，是否在心底強壓著暴怒。她把什麼都丟下了，只想靜靜地消受這最後的春光。她能感知春光的清醒時刻，也已經越來越短促。在這樣短促的春光裡，還淨想些不稱心的，那真不如早一步棄世而去。 面對令人敬畏的天意，杜筠青極力想平緩下來，但又怎麼能夠做到！她不想掙扎了，但還是停不住要回憶：知道自己行將離世，誰能停住回憶！而她能夠憶舊的清醒時刻因為太短促，許多往事就總是蜂擁而來，叫她難以梳理，難以駐足回味，只是覺得沉重，勞累。一累，就要犯睏，睏了也就什麼都想不成了。所以，杜筠青想起老太爺的命硬，又將這個記憶抓住不放，也是不容易的。 她記起了這一層，起先只是無力地流出了眼淚。 當年，一面傳說康笏南命太旺，連剋四婦，不是凡人；一面對他的續絃，又是應聘者如雲。杜筠青就此還問過父親：那個老財主的命相如此可怕，為什麼還有這麼多的女人爭著往死路上跑？當時，父親是怎麼說的：命相之說可信可不信？但是，她意外地被這個老財主選中時，父親，母親，還有她自己，誰也沒有感到恐懼。當時，除了感到意外，好像什麼都忘了去想。其實，她和父母都被一種意外的幸運壓倒了。 那是一種什麼幸運？幸運地走向今天的死路？ 今天，她無力無奈地躺在這最後的春光裡，除了流淚，還能怎樣？父母的在天之靈，大概已經看見了她今天的結局。你們也不用傷心，我不埋怨你們。既然是命中注定的事，也許想逃也逃不過吧。 杜筠青意識到自己命定要這樣死去，本來更想丟開一切，平緩地解脫了自己，可到底還是做不到。流著淚想了許多次，到底把天意也想破了。天意難違，也無非是去死吧。既已必死無赦，還有什麼可畏可悔？這條死路也快走到頭了，自己的罪孽已經鑄就，再悔恨也無用了。 就是在這樣想的時候，杜筠青終於抓住了一個念頭：懺悔，她可以假借懺悔，把自己的罪孽說出來！我知道我快死了，有一件事，我必須說出來，不說出來，我嚥不了氣，合不上眼，因為我做下的這件事，對不起康家，更對不起老太爺這是一個好辦法，也是她現在能夠做到，更是她最後一次掙扎了。 在得病以前，杜筠青一直就想親口對老東西說出那件事，氣他一個目瞪口呆。只是，每每臨場又總是說不出口。你還沒聽說呀，我跟趕車的三喜相好上了，我早跟他有了私情這樣的話，真是說不出口。現在好了，改用懺悔的口氣，就很容易說出口了。這樣說出來，老東西也更容易相信吧。他相信了，也才會暴怒吧？他暴怒了，也就說明他被傷著了 這樣一個好辦法，怎麼就沒有早想出來？ 杜筠青想出這個辦法以後，她的心境倒真正平緩下來。因為只要對康笏南做這樣一次懺悔，她就再也沒有什麼可牽掛的了。無論老東西是目瞪口呆，還是假裝不相信，那都無關緊要了。她真可以平靜地去死了，無憾地為自己的罪孽去死。 所以，在做這樣一次懺悔以前，杜筠青想進城去洗一次澡。她已經很久沒有進城洗澡了。就是關在這密不透風的屋裡，杜牧她們也不願叫她多洗浴，她們怕她受風病重。她已經太骯髒了。她不能這樣骯髒著身子去死。 這天，趁著清醒時，她對杜牧說：你去給老夏說一聲，叫他們套好車馬，我要進城洗浴一回。 杜牧立刻驚訝地說：老夫人，你病成這樣，哪能進城洗澡呀？ 杜筠青就平靜地說：我知道我病得快不行了，趁還能動，進城洗浴一回。只怕這也是最後一回洗浴了。 杜牧慌忙說：老夫人是開通人，怎麼也說這種嚇唬人的話呀？ 我何必嚇唬你？病在我身上，還能不能抗住，也只有我清楚。 老夫人，譚先不是說了嗎？能熬過春天，就該大愈了。眼看春天已經來了，你正有熬頭 你不用多說了，能熬過熬不過，我比你知道。你就照我的話，去對老夏說！ 老夫人，這麼不吉利的話，我哪敢說？ 杜牧，我真熬不過春天了。生死在天，天意不活我，我也不強求。只是，平生喜愛洗浴潔身，我不能這樣滿身骯髒死去。你把這話說給他們。 老夫人想乾淨，我們在家也能伺候你洗浴。 在家哪能洗得乾淨？最後了，我得把自己洗乾淨。 可是，你怎能經得起 杜筠青忽然變了口氣說：杜牧，我求你也這樣難了？ 杜牧慌忙說：老夫人，我這就去把老夏叫來！ 等你把他叫來，只怕我又迷糊過去了。杜牧，叫你傳句話，真這樣難？ 老夫人，我還能不聽你吩咐？我這就去見老夏！ 杜牧剛出去，睡意果然又像濃霧般瀰漫過來。等杜筠青醒來，已經是斜陽西照的時候，她並沒有想起這件事。直到杜牧伺候她吃過飯食，喝下湯藥，才終於想起來，忙問：杜牧，叫你見老夏，見著沒有？ 杜牧說：見著了，見著了，老夫人有吩咐，他哪敢不見！ 他答應沒答應？ 老夏初聽了，也不敢做主，趕緊去問老太爺。老太爺斟酌半天，還是答應了，說：出去走走、洗洗，或許能散散邪氣。只是，你們得萬分小心伺候！ 他們真答應了？ Not really.老夏當下就過來了，想問問老夫人什麼時候套車。那時，老夫人又犯睏，睡著了。 快去告他，明天一早就把車馬預備妥吧！ 杜筠青真沒想到，他們會這麼容易就答應了。看來，他們也相信她快要死去。不去多想了，臨死前能進城洗浴一次，她已經滿意。 進城的日子，他們推遲了幾天，說是要等她精神好些，再出行。進城的那天，她的精神還果真格外好。在車轎裡，雖然被包裹得嚴嚴實實，可居然沒有犯睏！馬車一直跑到那片棗樹林，她依然清醒著。 杜筠青湊近小小的轎窗口，望著還未出新葉的那片棗樹林，任心中翻江倒海。 這是罪孽之地。 這也是令她刻骨銘心之地。 她不恨三喜。她依然想念他。這個英俊的車倌，是她這一輩子唯一喜歡過的男人。他也許真的為她而死了。 馬車駛過去了，但她還能望見那片棗樹林。而且，就這樣一直望著，很久了，居然沒有犯睏。 今天這是怎麼了，病也忽然變輕了？ 不過，杜筠青還是再次吩咐杜牧：洗浴時，她犯了病，迷糊著了，你不用怕，請繼續為我洗浴。只要小心不要把我淹死，別的都不用怕。 做了這樣的吩咐以後，她依然沒有犯睏，直到快進城時，才有種睏意慢慢飄來。 這最後一次洗浴，杜筠青沒有留下多少太清晰的記憶。完全清醒後，已經重新躺在那久臥的病榻上。不過，她感覺到了身體的輕快：洗浴是真的。 趁著乾淨，趕緊做最後一件事。但她似乎許久沒見老東西了。 她問杜牧：老太爺一直沒有過來？ 杜牧忙說：老太爺常來。來時，淨趕上老夫人沉睡不醒。老太爺不讓驚動老夫人，但要細問病情，醒的時候長些了？進食多些了？還常坐著等一陣。 杜筠青問：老太爺常在什麼時候來？ 杜牧說：也沒準。 既沒個準頭，就都趕上她昏睡不醒的時候？杜筠青就對杜牧說：老太爺再來時，你長短把我搖醒，我有話跟他交代。 杜牧說：老夫人的吩咐，我記住了。只怕到時搖不醒 那你就用針扎！不拘用什麼辦法，叫醒我就是了。 就怕老太爺不許 杜筠青冷冷地說：杜牧，我求你真這麼難了？ 杜牧忙說：我當然聽老夫人吩咐 然而，兩天過去了，杜筠青依然沒見著康笏南。杜牧說，老太爺來過一回，她使了大勁搖，也沒搖醒。後來，老太爺喝住她，不許再搖。 杜筠青沒跟杜牧生氣，只是平靜地說：那你過去，請老太爺過來，就說我有要緊的話，跟他交代。 杜牧倒是立刻去了，但遲遲不見回來。直等得杜筠青的睏勁又上來了，杜牧才匆匆回來，說：老太爺不在屋裡，跑出去也沒找見，去問老夏，才知道進城了，說是有 杜筠青沒聽完，就睡過去了。 改日清醒時，又吩咐杜牧去請老太爺。這回，杜牧倒是很快就回來了，並說：老太爺說了，他立馬就過來。 可杜筠青沒等來康笏南，就又昏睡過去。醒來問起，杜牧說：你剛睡著，老太爺就到了，只差一步！ 以後幾次也一樣，不是找不見人，就是等不到人，好像老東西已經看透她的用意，故意不見。 杜筠青感到自己已經支撐不了多久，因為醒著的時候，分明更短暫。她不能再延誤了。見不著老東西，見著別人也成。挑一位適當的人，做那樣一次懺悔，也會傳到老東西耳中吧。 挑誰呢？ 可挑的人，無非是四爺、六爺，三娘、四娘。那件事，說給三娘四娘，她們一定會叫嚷出去的，尤其一定告訴老太爺。可老東西也許不大相信她們的話，媳婦們說三道四，他一向討厭。四爺呢，他會不會被那件事嚇倒，手足無措？六爺太年輕，也不宜對他說這種事。三爺不在家。What about the second master?他大概也不愛聽她多說話。還有一個老東西正寵著的人：宋玉。可你能把她叫來？老東西從不許宋玉進這大書房來。 杜筠青挑來挑去，又剩下了那兩個人：老夏和老亭。 老亭是老東西的近侍。但他太冷酷，也太可能瞞下不報。 老夏呢？老夏圓滑，什麼話都聽。他對老太爺更是忠心不二。他知道了這樣的醜事，不敢瞞下不報吧？三喜失蹤，呂布反常，說不定老夏早有猜疑。她臨終說破，他更會深信不疑。他也許會對所有人瞞下不報，但不大敢欺瞞老太爺吧？他得給自己留後路。也只有老夏，有可能穿過老亭的防線吧？ 杜筠青就這樣錯誤地挑中了老夏。 老夏當然是一叫就來了。杜筠青剛說：我怕快不行了，有幾句話想向老太爺交代 老夏立刻就把杜牧一干僕傭支開了。 杜筠青沒有遲疑，趕緊說：我對不住老太爺於是，把那件事說了出來。 老夏瞪著眼聽完，說：老夫人，你是剛做過這樣的夢吧？ 杜筠青說：這幾個月，我已經不會做夢了，一睡過去，就像死了似的。這事，你不說給老太爺也成。但我死後，怕不宜進康家的墳地吧？我這樣的人，埋進康家墳地，只怕要壞了他家風水的！ 老夏極力忍耐著說：老夫人，你在說胡話吧，我看得趕緊把譚先叫來！ 我不是說胡話。這件事，老亭已經知道，你依然不知，只怕老太爺會遷怒於你。所以，我才給你做此交代。這件事，於你們誰都無關，只是我一人的罪孽。你要怕受牽連，就在我死前，設法把老太爺請來，我當面給他做交代。 老夫人，你一定做噩夢了！ 這是我臨死前的交代！ 老夏卻已經在招呼杜牧她們：快過來，小心伺候老夫人！ 杜牧一進來，老夏匆忙就走。 杜筠青看那形勢，相信老夏是匆匆見老太爺去了。 老夏雖被杜筠青的臨終交代，嚇得出了一身冷汗，但跑出來後，卻很快就平靜了。老亭已經知道了那件捅破天的醜事？他越想越不像！老亭是個什麼人，他能不知道？老亭要真知道了這件事，即使要瞞住老太爺，也不是現在這種做法了。他會叫這婦人死得更痛快！ 老夏留心試探了老亭，沒有任何異常，一切還是依老例進行。 此後三天，杜筠青很想見老東西，看他知道了那件事是什麼表情。可惜終於沒有見著。她清醒的時刻，也是越發短暫了。 到第四天，她就片刻也沒有醒過來。 Four 三爺得知老夫人病重的消息，正在杭州。 去年臘月，三爺帶著汝梅南下時，最先也是停在漢口。漢口是大碼頭，加之已近年關，漢號的陳老幫極力挽留，他們就留在漢口過年。過罷年，即沿江而下，經九江，安慶，蕪湖，鎮江，到南京，一路都有停留。出正月時，才經蘇州，到了上海。 因為戴膺在上海，三爺就多停留了一些時候。 汝梅初到江南，偏趕上一隆冬，外間不算冷，屋裡卻太不暖和。再加上不能習慣的潮濕感，又冷又濕，真是不好受。三爺嘴上對她說：出來就得受罪！這點潮氣就扛不住，你還想到口外？口外，那才叫受罪！可還是很心疼她，見上海的上等客棧屋裡還暖和些，也就有意多住些時日。 出來這一路，三爺所見著的各莊口老幫，都不似孫大掌櫃那樣令人心冷，一個一個既知禮，又不生分，坦誠說事，情同故交，很叫他感到舒服。這才叫他想起邱泰基勸過他的話：多往外埠碼頭跑跑，尤其該多往江南跑跑。所以，他曾想在上海住到春暖時候，再從容往別處去。可汝梅哪能長住得了？沒多久，就又嚷著去杭州。 他們到杭州沒幾天，就得到老夫人臥病的消息。三爺初聽了，覺得很突然，老夫人一向心寬體健的，怎麼說病就病倒了？他看老號發給杭州莊口的信報，說老夫人得的還是一種疑症，只嗜睡，不思飲食，城中名醫亦有些束手無策。各莊口可於本埠尋醫問藥，有驗方秘方速寄回，切切。 得的還是疑症？ 三爺回想這次出遠門前，曾去見過老夫人。那時也看不出什麼異常，只是有些憔悴罷了。怎麼就忽然得了疑症？既已這樣滿天下尋醫問藥，可見病情不尋常。 三爺就毅然決定不再往前走，立馬返回太谷。汝梅當然有些不情願，但見父親不容分說，也只好默然了。也幸虧她早催促，來到了杭州！ 返回上海，三爺與戴老幫說起來，戴老幫也是驚歎不已：這位老夫人心性開通，體格也好，怎麼就忽然得了這種病？應該無大礙吧？ 滬號的孟老幫，已張羅了幾種昂貴的西洋藥物，託三爺帶回。他也是揀吉利話說，但隱約露出的一種暗示，三爺還是覺察到了：這位老夫人，不會像前頭那一位吧？前頭那一位老夫人去世時，四下裡都議論：老太爺的命太旺，一般女人服不住。三爺不敢這樣想，可孟老幫的暗示還是將一種不祥之感扯了出來，揮之不去。 匆匆離開上海，趕到漢口時，家中已發來急報：老夫人病重，告三爺速歸。陳亦卿老幫感嘆時，竟也無意間流露了與孟老幫相似的猜疑：老太爺的命相真是太不一般了。這種可畏的猜疑，居然在各地的字號間流傳開了？三爺越發多了不祥之感。老太爺的命相就真是那樣可怕？但願老夫人不是一般女人，一般命相！ 離開漢口後，都是旱路，三爺還是日夜兼程往回趕。其時，已處處可見明媚春景。尤其南地的新綠，經水氣洇潤，格外鮮嫩，又格外飽滿。汝梅初見，真是迷戀不已。可父親對此簡直就視而不見，只是一比一天憂愁。所以，汝梅獨覽春景，也漸漸失去了興致。 老夫人的病情，居然也叫父親這樣牽掛？ 汝梅忽然想起為老夫人畫像的事。她就問父親：老夫人早就病了吧？ 三爺說：我們走時還好好的。 汝梅說：我看，早就病了。 三爺瞪了她一眼，說：你胡說什麼！ 汝梅就小聲說：去年剛入冬，我就看見請了畫師，給老夫人畫像。 三爺說：畫像哪能挨著害病！不是也給你畫了一張嗎？ 汝梅更小聲說：給老夫人畫的那幅，尺寸跟前頭幾位老夫人的遺像一般大小 汝梅！三爺呵斥了一聲。你淨胡說些甚！ 汝梅並不害怕，依然小聲說：爹，你聽我說。 她就把鳳山尼庵所見，前老夫人遺像上那顆美人痣，以及老太爺的莫名冷淡，都說給了父親聽。她看父親聽得愣了神，以為相信她了。但父親聽完，還是拉