Chapter 231
She said coldly, "Don't forget what you promised."
"Mom, what are you worried about? I'm not going to run away. We're family. Why do you always have so many prejudices against me now?"
Tao Tao was in low spirits, her face showing a hint of helplessness. It was as if she truly didn't know why.
Seeing Tao Tao's sorrowful and sad appearance, Xia Zhaohua's feigned coldness suddenly softened. He blinked, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and concealed his unease.
She is not the cold-hearted type of person; on the contrary, she is gentle and easily moved to tears. She only becomes rebellious when she is truly driven to the brink.
Otherwise, how could she have fallen for Tao Yuan's seduction and deception?
Furthermore, she originally thought that the two of them had already broken off relations after their last big fight, but she didn't expect that Tao Tao still treated her as a mother.
Was she really wrong?
Xia Chaohua couldn't help but have this real illusion.
Just as she was lost in thought, someone suddenly touched her wound. She immediately stood up like a startled bird, raising her hands defensively in front of her.
Tao Tao paused, looked up and blinked, gazing at her with confusion.
"Mother, I wanted to change your dressing."
The girl in front of him stood up, took the tray placed beside him, which contained prepared medicine and gauze, returned to his side, and put everything on the table.
Xia Chaohua remained wary. When she touched the wound on his neck, he was about to raise his hand, but after thinking for a moment, he decided not to stop her.
Tao Tao carefully removed the blood-stained gauze. When she saw the wound, her eyes showed a look of heartache. She sighed and apologized, "Mother, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have hit you so hard."
Fortunately, the wound didn't look as terrible as it did before, otherwise she would have felt terribly guilty.
Seeing her genuine remorse, Xia Chaohua was touched and said softly, "Mother isn't in that much pain, don't worry."
Tao Tao smiled sweetly, then lowered her head and focused intently on changing her dressing.
“Mother, Xia Kingdom is a thousand miles away from here. Our business definitely can’t be moved there in a short time. I’m thinking of leaving Xixin and the Yu Shan brothers here to take care of the business.”
“If you want to stay in Xia after we return, that’s fine too, since the memories of this Celestial Empire aren’t that good for you anyway.”
"Although Liang'er is not good at studying, it doesn't matter. Just let him live a happy and carefree life. When he reaches the right age, we'll arrange for him to get married and have two children so he can be happy by your side. You can also enjoy your old age in peace."
"So, do you think this is a good idea?"
As Xia Chaohua listened to her plans, he couldn't help but dream of a bright future, longing to return to the carefree days when his father, mother, and brother doted on him.
Those were the times she cherished most in her life.
A smile finally appeared on her face, and she nodded, saying, "Okay."
The medicine had been changed and the conversation was over. Xia Chaohua didn't linger. Tao Tao stood by the door, watching her departing figure with a calm expression.
Suizhou.
At the entrance of the prefectural government office.
A middle-aged man dressed in a dark blue official robe was surrounded by people in the center. He looked solemn and took a deep breath from time to time, revealing a hint of unease.
"My lord, it's so late, will Lord Duan still come here?"
Li Changlin frowned and said calmly, "No matter what, we have to wait."
They waited until late into the night, but no one came. Finally, the man sent to scout returned, knelt on one knee, and bowed, saying, "Sir, Chief Envoy Duan has gone to Sui County."
"What?" Li Changlin was startled, and the officials behind him exchanged bewildered glances.
"Why would Lord Duan go to Sui County out of the blue?"
"Yes, yes, what's going on?"
"Wait, have you all forgotten the news that Su Xiuyuan, the magistrate of Sui County, passed away unexpectedly not long ago?"
As soon as he said that, everyone's eyes turned to him.
Some people didn't understand, saying, "Isn't he just a minor county magistrate? Besides, Su Xiuyuan died unexpectedly from a sudden illness. What's there to care about?"
Only Li Changlin frowned, his face somewhat solemn, because he knew that Su Xiuyuan's death was by no means an accident.
There's no reason for it to be such a coincidence that just when the higher-ups were planning to transfer him to the position of Salt Commissioner, he suddenly fell seriously ill and died at that moment.
There must be something fishy about this.
He sighed and said, "Prefect, make preparations, we are heading to Sui County immediately."
"Yes, I will do it right away." Upon receiving the order, the magistrate immediately organized his men and set off for Sui County.
Since the prefect had gone, there was no reason for these officials, big and small, not to go. So the group set off in a grand procession towards the small county of Sui.
When they arrived, it was already broad daylight. A group of people stood in front of the magistrate's office, covered in dust from their journey. The gatekeeper was startled when he opened the door.
He exclaimed in surprise, "This... esteemed gentlemen, what brings you here?"
"We've come to welcome and celebrate with Lord Duan, the Grand Councilor." The prefect wiped the sweat from his brow and straightened his official hat, which had become slightly askew from the journey.
The doorman's lips twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but think to himself that they looked more like the ones who needed a welcoming feast.
He still smiled warmly and kindly, "Sirs, why don't we wait in the hall for a moment? You are still resting."
Li Changlin looked slightly disheveled. He took the handkerchief handed to him by someone next to him, wiped the dust off his face, and nodded, "Then I'll trouble you."
"You're too kind, sir."
The group sat in the hall, all of them slightly out of breath. Thinking of the people they were about to meet, they quickly straightened their robes.
Try to leave a good impression on Ambassador Duan.
Two more hours passed, and everyone was starving, pale-faced, and had drunk four cups of tea, but still no one came.
At the time, since the person they were waiting for was Duan Gan, even though everyone was getting impatient, they didn't dare to say a word, let alone urge him on.
Finally, amidst the expectant gazes of everyone, a tall figure dressed in a black casual robe appeared at the door.
Everyone quickly stood up to greet them.
"This humble official greets Lord Duan."
The man strolled in casually, his eyes half-closed, exuding a lazy air. When he saw so many people in the hall, only a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes.
He said calmly, "I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting."
Li Changlin stepped forward and said, “I am Li Changlin, the prefect of Suizhou. Lord Duan, you have had a long journey. We have come here to welcome you and celebrate your journey.”
"Why did Lord Duan come to this remote and shabby Sui County instead of the city?"
"Yes, the conditions are tough. Sir, you should come back to the city with us."
They all had obsequious and fawning expressions, but Li Changlin seemed a little nervous and fearful, standing not far away and not joining them.
He tilted his head and glanced at the people, finally landing on Li Changlin's face, and smiled, "Let's have a meal first, I'm hungry."
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