The magistrate's wife has been very worried these past two days, unable to eat or drink.

The county magistrate hadn't returned all night, and she was extremely worried. She didn't know if her trip up the mountain had gone smoothly, and she had no idea what was happening to her son.

Last night she slept in the bed her son used to sleep in, covered with the blanket he used to use.

She thinks about her son all the time.

He Tiantian carried lunch into the courtyard and saw the county magistrate's wife sitting on a bench in the courtyard, lost in thought.

She placed the food on the table in front of her and gently reminded her, "Madam, why don't you eat something? The magistrate should have news from him today."

Day by day, He Tiantian now feels a great sense of responsibility.

I haven't been able to do business at the shop for the past two days, and I haven't been able to focus on running it.

Everyone was quite worried about Liu Chuyu's safety, but upon closer inspection, the child didn't seem so bad after all.

Elaine Chao and Lantern Chao hid in the kitchen. Although they didn't say anything, it was obvious that they had something on their minds.

Zhao Denglong prepared some delicious food and was simmering it in a pot: steamed rice cakes, meat buns, and savory bean curd. These were all foods that Liu Chuyu had previously enjoyed.

These things are all warm, and Liu Chuyu can eat them as soon as she comes back.

Zhao Denglong silently prayed in his heart, hoping that Liu Chuyu would return safely.

Zhao Xiaolan was also quite down, even though Liu Chuyu often helped her with chores.

She initially disliked this spoiled brat, but now she hopes Liu Chuyu will return safely.

Chen and Zhao Yanniang were upstairs playing with little Mingzhu. Both were honest, ordinary people. They couldn't stand people of status; they always felt uncomfortable around them.

The magistrate's wife had two maids standing on either side of her, both of whom looked at their mistress with concern.

The magistrate's wife held the silk embroidered handkerchief and sighed softly.

"Sigh, I can't eat. Let's wait for Chu Yu to come back."

I wonder if Chu Yu has eaten. He's never been hungry since he was a child.

Upon hearing this, He Tiantian advised, "Madam, if you don't think about your own health, what good will it do even if Chu Yu returns? How can he feel good if he sees his mother unwell?"

"This..." The magistrate's wife hesitated.

A maidservant chimed in, "Yes, Madam, Aunt He is right. The young master used to get nervous whenever he saw you sneeze."

Another maidservant said, "Young Master is a lucky man, he will be alright. Madam should take good care of herself and wait for Young Master to return."

Just then, there was a knocking sound at the back door of the courtyard.

He Tiantian glanced at it and then went to open the door.

An old man was standing outside carrying a load of firewood. He Tiantian thought he had come to sell firewood.

He explained, "Uncle, I don't buy firewood here." With that, he was about to close the door.

"Hey..." The old man quickly stopped him, anxiously asking, "Did you lose a child? I brought him to you."

As he spoke, the old man turned to the side, revealing Liu Chuyu's dirty, dark face, so dark that her features were unrecognizable.

However, He Tiantian recognized her at a glance and exclaimed in surprise, "Liu Chuyu!"

Upon hearing this, the county magistrate's wife quickly got up and, with the help of her maid, squeezed through.

"Is that Chu Yu? Chu Yu is back?"

The magistrate's wife saw her son standing outside barefoot, his clothes torn to shreds.

Her previously long, black hair was now a messy tangled mess. Her once fair face was now only visible through her eyes.

The magistrate's wife was heartbroken, and tears immediately streamed down her face.

"My child, you have suffered so much." He said, and then hugged Liu Chuyu in his arms.

Liu Chuyu didn't feel wronged at first, but after his mother's emotional outburst, a wave of sadness welled up inside him.

He sniffed, holding back his tears.

He's a grown man; what kind of person would he be, crying and sobbing in front of so many people?

He Tiantian invited the old man who sold firewood into the yard, and asked Zhao Denglong to pour a bowl of water for him.

"Sir, thank you so much. We've been looking for our child for days..."

The old man gratefully accepted the water, saying, "You're welcome, you're welcome. I just happened to run into you."

He Tiantian then asked about the price of the firewood, which wasn't expensive, only two coins. So she took out her money and bought the firewood so that the old man could go home sooner.

"Uncle, if you're selling firewood, you can bring me a load every day from now on."

He Tiantian saw the person to the door and gave them some instructions.

Anyway, her family uses a lot of firewood these days, so she wants to stock up on as much as possible.

Zhao Xiaolan started boiling water in the kitchen so that Liu Chuyu could take a hot bath later.

The two maids beside the magistrate's wife were quick and efficient. They fetched water and a handkerchief and gave Liu Chuyu a simple wash.

The water in the basin, which was originally clear, turned black after being washed.

Zhao Denglong was busy fetching food from the stove. Liu Chuyu, who had been hungry for two days, felt dizzy and disoriented.

Seeing that Liu Chuyu was injured, He Tiantian said she would go upstairs to get medicine.

The medicines for treating sprains and bruises at home were all bought by He Tiantian from the mall. Then she put them into small bottles so as not to arouse suspicion.

When Chen and Zhao Yanniang heard that Liu Chuyu had returned, they carried Xiao Mingzhu downstairs.

He stood right next to Liu Chuyu, watching him eat.

Seeing Liu Chuyu's pitiful appearance, Zhao Yanniang shook her head with heartache, "Oh dear, what a tragedy, God has made the child suffer like this."

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