Zhao Jinniang made a decision immediately.
Looking back now, this decision seems quite risky. However, much later, when Zhao Jinniang was reflecting on her life, she realized that the biggest turning point in her life was the decision she made in this small town.
Zhao Jinniang decided to seek refuge with the Yongning Marquis's mansion. A family that could raise a woman like Xu Zhi and a family with a compassionate and benevolent doctor like Chen Zhaoci couldn't be too bad. At the very least, it should be much, much better than the Chu family.
However, how to seek refuge with him was a matter that needed careful consideration. Although Zhao Jinniang was merely one of Chu Huaigui's concubines, Chu Huaigui had been deeply distressed when Wan Weiyong had managed to bring him to Miaozhou on the orders of the Third Prince. It was said that scholars studied diligently for ten years, and after graduating, they would serve the emperor. To be able to use one's knowledge to serve the emperor and share his burdens would be an immense honor.
However, the Chu family secretly pledged allegiance to the Third Prince. With a scholar like Chu Huaigui who had passed the imperial examination, the Chu family naturally wanted to make the best use of his talents. When Chu Huaigui received the transfer order from the Ministry of Personnel, the head of the Chu family made it very clear to him that he was going to Miaozhou to amass wealth for the Third Prince. Only if the Third Prince successfully ascended the throne could Chu Huaigui and the Chu family achieve the merit of supporting the emperor.
Chu Huaigui was quite depressed. Zhao Jinniang, being a shrewd and perceptive person, knew that Chu Huaigui was feeling down, so she kept him company by drinking and chatting. Zhao Jinniang wasn't someone who didn't know anything; she was someone who had seriously read many books. Whenever Chu Huaigui thought about his ambitions, he would tell Zhao Jinniang a lot about the affairs of the officialdom in the Great Liang Dynasty. Having heard so much, Zhao Jinniang naturally knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch. If you just sent it over like that, you might get beaten up and thrown out.
Zhao Jinniang thought that her most important task now was to recover her health and make it to the capital smoothly. As for seeking refuge with the Yongning Marquis's family, she would have to think about it carefully. Just then, Yu Tao'er brought over the medicine that had been decocted. Zhao Jinniang put her mind at ease, drank the medicine, and lay down to rest quietly.
After Chen Zhaoci boarded the ship, Bai Wei thought about the woman who had been lying unconscious on the ship earlier and said, "Madam, that woman doesn't seem to come from an ordinary family. Will treating her like this cause us trouble?"
Chen Zhaoci said nonchalantly, "We are doctors. No matter what the circumstances, treating the sick and saving lives is our first priority. Regardless of her status, just look at how sick she is. If we really stood by and did nothing, would you feel at ease?"
Bai Wei smiled somewhat embarrassedly. She really felt bad. She clearly had the ability, but she kept thinking about other things instead of rescuing people. No matter how she thought about it, it was inappropriate.
As Granny Lu aged, even though the boat sailed smoothly, she couldn't sleep well at night and didn't eat very well, making her look much more haggard.
Chen Zhaoci carried a food box into Granny Lu's cabin. Granny Lu was lying in bed, and when she saw Chen Zhaoci come in, she quickly tried to get up.
Chen Zhaoci smiled and stopped her, saying, "Granny, you can just lie down. I just got off the boat and went to town. I found a shop there that makes really delicious pastries, so I bought a few to bring back. You can try them when you get up later."
Thinking of Xu Zhi, Granny Lu sighed and said, "When it comes to delicious pastries, who can make them better than our young lady? It's just a pity that she can't make them anymore. Now, no matter whose pastries I eat, they don't taste good." There was a hint of resentment in her words. Granny Lu had too many complaints, and she was only complaining in front of Chen Zhaoci. Otherwise, how could someone as well-regarded as her say such a thing?
Chen Zhaoci smiled and said, "Look at you, you saw how hard Xiao Jiu worked those years. I think it's good that Xiao Jiu handed over her things. Why worry so much? She's a young girl, she should enjoy life first before pursuing her career. She's only a few years old, yet she acts like an old manager all the time. It makes me feel bad as her mother."
"That's true, it's just that our young lady has to go through this hardship," said Granny Lu, nodding.
Bai Wei came over and said to Chen Zhaoci, "Madam, just now the people on the other ship came over and asked us what to do with the grain on their ship."
The boat was loaded with grain, all of which had been collected at the estates on the outskirts of Beijing by people arranged by the Old Madam. After being collected, it was taken directly to Tongzhou, where it was transported to Miaozhou by boats from the Caobang (a type of grain transport company). The grain on the boat was all of very high quality.
Chen Zhaoci frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "How about we send someone over to discuss this with Boyuan first? Bai Wei, arrange for someone to travel by land along the post road and go to Miaozhou at top speed to tell our son-in-law."
After Bai Wei left, Granny Lu pulled Chen Zhaoci to sit on the edge of her bed and whispered, "Does our Marquis and Third Master have any plans for their son-in-law?"
Chen Zhaoci shook his head and said, "I didn't hear that. I heard Third Master say that the current administration of Miaozhou is being handled by Boyuan and one of his colleagues, right?"
Granny Lu sighed softly, "With such a major incident in Miaozhou, the imperial court will be very cautious in appointing officials there. I heard that the positions of prefect and assistant prefect are currently vacant. According to regulations, our son-in-law cannot serve as prefect or assistant prefect. Moreover, because the Third Master and the First Master are currently favored by the Emperor, the officials in the court will not allow Boyuan to continue to be highly regarded. Most importantly, with such a major incident in Miaozhou, ordinary people will not be sent here. What if our son-in-law is at odds with the previous prefect or assistant prefect?"
Chen Zhaoci has never cared about her children's careers. She knows she doesn't have the ability to help them with their plans and never interferes with their ideas. So, after the incident in Miaozhou, Chen Zhaoci didn't care whether Zheng Boyuan would be promoted in the future. She was only concerned about whether the young couple was safe and comfortable after the disaster. She rushed over simply because she was really worried about them. She couldn't eat or sleep if she didn't come and see her children in person.
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