All Hail Cousin Brother

Chapter 528: Difficult to Fill

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

It was already the end of the year, and every family was busy celebrating the new year. It was not appropriate for them to visit uninvited, so they had sent a greeting card in advance. If it were in the past, there would not have been a need to do this.

Yu Youyao was stunned. “Heir Song is back?”

Zhou Linghuai turned to look at her and saw her frown. In the blink of an eye, she returned to normal, as if that moment of emotion was just his imagination.

Old Madam Yu did not notice this and nodded. “I returned to the residence yesterday. It’s just that the weather is cold and the journey is long. He probably suffered too. As soon as he returned to the residence, he fell sick. He only felt better after receiving a prescription from Imperial Physician Shi and taking some medicine.”

It was also because the Zhenguo Marquis Residence had sent a greeting card to the residence and explained the reason that she knew that Song Mingzhao had returned.

Although it was a little strange, in the end, it was still the Zhenguo Marquis Residence’s own business, so she did not probe further.

Yu Youyao looked thoughtful.

Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “Since Song Xiuwen’s case was sent to the Imperial

Court, it was also investigated clearly. It’s almost the end of the year. Song Mingzhao is neither an official nor an aide. It’s only right for him to return to the capital first.”

Old Madam Yu nodded. “That’s right.” She changed the topic and said, “Heir Song is young and smart. I think he’s helped your father a lot this time.” Yu Youyao nodded but said nothing.

However, she felt that it was strange. Song Mingzhao had followed Yu Zongzheng south. If he had returned to the capital in advance, he should have sent a message to the Yu Residence immediately.

What kind of illness was it? Not only did he have to invite Imperial Physician Shi over, but he also had to delay the news for a day?

The Zhenguo Marquis Residence was a military family. Although Song Mingzhao had taken the path of an imperial scholar, he had also practiced martial arts since he was young. Although his martial arts weren’t that good, he was still physically strong. As it was cold, it was reasonable for him to fall sick after a long journey back to the capital. But wasn’t this “sickness” a little too serious?

The Zhenguo Marquis Residence had said that they had invited Imperial Physician Shi over. Naturally, this was true. After all, this matter would be clear as soon as they asked around.

Imperial Physician Shi had already retired. Usually, he would not do external consultations unless it was very important.

So Song Mingzhao was really sick?

He was also seriously ill.

She thought of Song Mingzhao’s previous incident of vomiting blood and fainting for no reason. Could it be that he had some extraordinary illness?

But all of this was just speculation.

Since Song Mingzhao was coming over tomorrow, his condition must have improved a lot.

As Yu Youyao was thinking, she heard her grandmother say to her cousin,

“Heir Song will come tomorrow. I think he’s here because of the matter in Jiangnan, so you’ll have to greet him and talk about political matters. We women and children of the inner residence don’t know much.”

Zhou Linghuai nodded in agreement. He also wanted to meet this talented and famous heir of the Song family.

The next day, Yu Youyao finished her breakfast and worked for a while before going to An Shou Hall.

Zhou Linghuai had already arrived and was chatting with the Matriarch about the situation in Jiangnan. “Song Xiuwen is also involved in Li Qiguang’s rebellion. I think as soon as Ye Hanyuan arrives in Zhejiang, the imperial envoy will release Song Xiuwen into the capital. After the trial, he will probably be convicted. Song Xiuwen’s case also implicates many officials in Jiangnan. Next, the emperor will vigorously reorganize Jiangnan. The officials in Jiangnan won’t sit back and do nothing. They will definitely take action.” Old Madam Yu frowned when she heard this. “What do you think they’ll do?”

Zhou Linghuai pointed out, “They’ll start from whatever the Imperial Court cares about the most.”

Old Madam Yu’s expression immediately darkened. “What the Imperial Court is most concerned about is exterminating the pirates. If they use this to suppress the Imperial Court, I’m afraid it won’t be easy for the Imperial Court to reorganize Jiangnan. In that case, I’m afraid Jiangnan will be in chaos.”

This chaos would continue for a long time.

With the chaos in Jiangnan, most of the court was in chaos.

Song Mingzhao stood outside the door and did not move. The servant who had welcomed him into An Shou Hall did not move either. He only entered the Hall after Old Madam Yu finished speaking.

Zhou Linghuai did not go to Jiangnan, but he had already guessed most of the situation there.

Great talents could always catch a glimpse of the overall situation.

Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty once wrote, “I’m not as good as Zhang Liang.” He was also inferior to Zhou Linghuai.

As soon as Song Mingzhao entered the house, Old Madam Yu was shocked.

After making a trip south, Song Mingzhao’s face was sickly pale. He looked even weaker than Linghuai. He was wearing a large cloak, but it couldn’t hide his skinny figure.

He was really seriously ill.

Song Mingzhao took off his cloak and handed it to Kong Qing. Then, he went forward to greet Old Madam Yu and Zhou Linghuai. However, his gaze moved slightly as he quietly sized up Zhou Linghuai.

Zhou Linghuai sat in a wheelchair, his bones exuding a rugged aura. He was one of the few people in the world who looked dignified. There was a quote to describe him. “In ancient times, there was nothing like him in the world. He was beautiful and dignified, as bright as the moon. He was unparalleled.”

Zhou Linghuai nodded slightly and said calmly, “Please forgive me for the inconvenience.”

Song Mingzhao retracted his gaze and stepped forward to greet Yu Youyao.

Yu Youyao stood up and bowed back.

The two of them did not interact. However, Song Ming’s gaze when he looked at Yu Youyao was as deep as a ravine, making Zhou Linghuai’s eyes darken.

“Heir Song is sick, so there’s no need to be too polite. Please sit!”

Old Madam Yu reacted and quickly said, “Linghuai is right. Sit down and talk.”

Song Mingzhao followed suit.

It was unknown what incense had been burned in An Shou Hall, but the fragrance was strong and slightly pungent.

As he smelled it, he also felt that his body, which was freezing just now, had warmed up. Unknowingly, his mind also relaxed.

Seeing that he had sat down, Old Madam Yu asked, “I heard from your family that you fell sick as soon as you returned yesterday. Are you feeling better?”

song Mingznao said respectfully, “It was almost tne end ot tne year. song Xiuwen’s case was almost done being investigated, so I was in a hurry to rush back. I accidentally caught a cold. It was also because the family was too tense that I fell sick. Grandmother Yu, don’t worry.”

He had practiced martial arts since he was young and his health had always been good.

However, this time, after following Lord Yu south to Zhejiang for a few days, he broke down. His chest often hurt. Although it wasn’t too painful, it was still torturous.

Lord Yu had found a famous doctor in Zhejiang to treat him. The doctors all said that there was nothing wrong with his body. He was probably just not used to the weather, so he prescribed medicine and took it. It did not work too well.

He vaguely knew that this illness was very likely related to the last time he suddenly vomited blood and fainted.

After investigating Song Xiuwen’s case, he returned to the capital in advance.

As soon as he arrived home, his grandmother was shocked to see that he had lost all his vitality. She was also worried that his previous illness had not recovered completely, so she quickly invited Imperial Physician Shi over.

After Imperial Physician Shi took his pulse, he only said that he might have fallen ill and had to recuperate carefully.

After taking the medicine, the pain in his chest indeed eased a little..