She didn't rush to see Qin Jian immediately, but went to find Jiang Jiuniang first.

After confirming that Jiang Jiuniang was alright, he hugged her and cried loudly.

"The people my brother-in-law sent have all disappeared. I was so worried something had happened to you, sob sob sob. Thank goodness you're alright, thank goodness you're back, sob sob sob..."

Peng Yuan has been unable to eat or sleep well these past two days. She is worried about Qin Jian's safety, but even more worried about Jiang Jiuniang's safety.

Because it was she who came to find Jiang Jiuniang, Jiang Jiuniang said she had to go in person. If something happened to Jiang Jiuniang because of this, then she would be the one who harmed Jiang Jiuniang, and her conscience would be uneasy for the rest of her life.

"I'm fine, don't worry. It's Brother Qin who's in trouble. Although his wound isn't serious, he's suffered a lot of damage to his body this time. Don't take him home for now. Let him rest here for a while, and I'll help him recover."

After being controlled, every move he made was a drain on his body. If he didn't take good care of himself, Qin Jian would lose at least ten years of his life.

Upon hearing this, Peng Yuan's eyes reddened: "What exactly happened? How could the injury be so serious?"

She knew Qin Jian was out on business, but she didn't pay much attention to it when he said it was nothing serious. It wasn't until Qin Jian lost contact with her that she started to worry.

She didn't know the specifics of what was being done, because Qin Jian felt that the less she knew, the safer she would be. He generally didn't tell her these things, unlike Lu Baichuan and Jiang Jiuniang, who always discussed things with each other.

Jiang Jiuniang didn't know how to explain Qin Jian's control to her, so she could only say, "It's a long story, but as long as he's still breathing, I can cure him, so don't worry."

After that, she mentioned some of the things Qin Jian could eat, and Peng Yuan couldn't wait to go see Qin Jian.

After Jiang Jiuniang finished dealing with these matters, she went to see Xiangxiang. The little one was sleeping soundly. If it weren't for her red eyes, which proved that she had been crying earlier, she would have thought that the little one had been sleeping all the time for the past few days.

"Hurry up and take this away, I'm exhausted, I need to get some sleep!"

Sun rudely chased them away, behaving like a wicked mother-in-law.

Jiang Jiuniang knew that this old lady was all bark and no bite, so she didn't argue with her and carried her daughter back to her own courtyard.

She hadn't slept well these past two days, so she quickly washed up and went to catch up on sleep.

Gou'er came home late today. He was just about to go see his sister as usual when the maid told him that Jiang Jiuniang had already returned and was taking a nap.

He tiptoed into the main courtyard, not going inside to disturb anyone. He stood outside the door for a while, and only after his anxiety subsided did he return to his room to read and write.

He has been feeling very heavy-hearted these past few days. He is a big boy now and can't cry like his sister. In fact, in order not to worry his family, he has to be extra sensible and even comfort his equally anxious grandparents and coax his sister.

Because he didn't sleep well, he didn't hear what the teacher said in class very clearly. Now he feels relieved and can take out the parts he didn't understand in class to review.

The next morning, when Gou'er got up for school, Jiang Jiuniang was still asleep. He didn't disturb her, but waited until he came back from school in the evening before he was able to see his parents.

Mother was fine, still listless as ever, but Father was badly injured and couldn't even sit up. He was worried and wanted to take care of Lu Baichuan.

As a son, this is what I should do.

"What illness do you have at such a young age? Don't worry about me. Your father's condition just looks serious, but it's nothing serious. Just focus on your studies and don't worry about these things."

My son is at the age where he is growing, and if taking care of him while he is sick affects his health and development, then it would be a loss.

Besides, there are so many maids and servants in the house, it's not a child's place to do these things.

"Son, your father and I know you are filial, but you are still young. We appreciate your good intentions. Don't worry, with what your father has done in the court, you will have plenty of opportunities to take care of me when I am ill. We'll talk about it when you grow up!"

Lu Baichuan: ...

Dog: ...

He didn't really want to take care of his ailing father; he certainly hoped his father could stay healthy forever.

Coincidentally, Lu Baichuan thought the same thing.

After this round, the only one who was happy was Jiang Jiuniang.

However, after her antics, Gou'er's previously heavy mood immediately improved, and he said with a smile, "I understand, Mother."

Xiangxiang was originally playing with her toes on the bed, but when she saw her brother suddenly laugh, she laughed along and clapped her hands excitedly. It's strange how she knows how to support her brother.

As Lu Baichuan watched this scene, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up. He didn't ask for much in this life, and this scene was enough for him.

Two days later, Jiang Jiuniang went to the palace in person, ostensibly to pay her respects to the Empress.

She hasn't seen the Empress since she returned; she really should.

After all, the Empress was the first truly sincere friend she made in this world, and she had helped her a lot before.

She brought the gifts she had prepared for the Empress and took Xiangxiang into the palace.

It was Xiangxiang's first time entering the palace, but she wasn't curious or scared at all. She was completely absorbed in playing with her hands, and would suck on them when Jiang Jiuniang wasn't paying attention. She was incredibly happy.

"So this is Xiangxiang! She's so beautiful!"

When the Empress first saw Xiangxiang, she was overjoyed and took her into her arms, refusing to let go.

"It would be so much better if you waited until after you had the baby to go on your trip. That way I could have attended Xiangxiang's 100-day celebration, which would have been so much fun!"

"You must come to the palace more often in the future. I'm often all alone in the palace, it's so boring!"

...

The Empress hadn't seen Jiang Jiuniang for a long time, and kept talking, regardless of whether Jiang Jiuniang was listening or not, she just kept babbling on and on.

Jiang Jiuniang was listening attentively, but after a while she began to sympathize with the Empress.

Being an emperor's woman is truly pitiful. She can't leave the palace unless she has something to do, and she can't see her relatives and friends. She can only stay in the palace with the man she's tired of seeing, day after day, year after year.

However, the empress is considered lucky. At least the emperor is not unfaithful and has only had the empress as his wife for so many years. From this perspective, it is not too bad for her to stay with him.

But in Jiang Jiuniang's eyes, this was no different from being a caged bird.

However, everyone's choices are different, and Jiang Jiuniang will not comment.

"Your Majesty, I have come today to see the Emperor. Could you please have him come over in a little while?"

After chatting with the Empress all day, until the sun had set, Jiang Jiuniang finally got down to business.

The Empress guessed that she had come to the palace for business, but she did not expect her to speak so late. She immediately realized that she had talked too much and made it impossible for Jiang Jiuniang to speak. She said somewhat embarrassedly, "Of course, I will send someone to tell her right away. You can stay here for dinner and we can talk while we eat."

Jiang Jiuniang nodded; she was indeed a little hungry.