In just a few days, Xiaodoudou went from a high-and-mighty young master to a ragged little beggar, losing a lot of weight, which was heartbreaking to see.
Seeing Jiang Jiuniang come out, Xiaodoudou was no longer arrogant. She crawled to Jiang Jiuniang's feet, crying and pleading, "Third Aunt, my mother is sick. Please save my mother. I'm willing to apologize for what I did wrong before. Please save my mother, waaaah..."
As he spoke, he even tried to kowtow.
He was worried that Jiang Jiuniang would hold a grudge and dislike him because of what happened before, and would even resent his mother. What if she refused to help?
So he kowtowed and admitted his mistake, saying he would do anything as long as his aunt was willing to save his mother.
Jiang Jiuniang naturally wouldn't hold a grudge against a child like him. Seeing that he was about to kowtow to her, she pulled him up and said, "Your mother is still sick. Now is not the time to talk about these things. Go see your mother first."
She took Xiaodoudou with her and got into the car. In the car, she didn't mention what happened that day, but instead asked him very seriously about Qin's symptoms.
Little Bean didn't know the specifics of the situation. She gripped her pants nervously with both hands and said with difficulty, "I... my mother said she felt dizzy, weak, and unsteady on her feet. I often hear her coughing, but... I don't know anything else..."
His eyes were filled with tears, and guilt was written all over his face.
Jiang Jiuniang understood. She hadn't expected her second sister-in-law to be such a good actress, able to come up with so many tricks even when she was being lazy.
However, faking illness is not appropriate; it's somewhat unlucky. After the matter is over, you should burn some paper money to ward off the bad luck, and not actually get sick.
While she is skilled in medicine, she doesn't have a cure for every illness. I still hope my family members can stay healthy.
Thinking of this, she frowned and asked, "Your mother is so seriously ill, why are you only coming to see me now?"
Why?
Little Bean froze.
He initially wanted to hire a doctor, but he was short of money and had to put it off.
Later, he thought that his mother was probably just tired and would be fine after a couple of days of rest.
As for the situation worsening, he genuinely couldn't afford a doctor, but he still refused to come to the general's mansion to beg for help. He had initially threatened to leave, but after only a few days, he went back to beg for help, feeling that he would lose face.
Because of his pride, he allowed his mother's condition to worsen. Only now, when his mother is terminally ill and tells him that she is dying, does he realize the seriousness of the situation and come to beg Jiang Jiuniang for help.
His heart was filled with guilt and regret, and he was too ashamed to admit the sordid thoughts in his heart. He dared not admit that he had harmed his mother because of that illusory sense of face.
He didn't say anything, only lowered his head and shed tears.
Large teardrops fell onto the wooden floor of the carriage, leaving a damp stain that quickly disappeared.
Jiang Jiuniang couldn't bear to look at him and wanted to say something, but when she thought about the nonsense the child had said and the things he had done before, she felt that she had to teach him a lesson, so she said nothing.
The carriage soon arrived outside the slum, where many people gathered to watch the spectacle. Jiang Jiuniang followed Xiaodoudou into the alley and saw Qin Shi lying in a dilapidated shack, her face ashen.
At first glance, she really looked like she was dying. Jiang Jiuniang's worry deepened, and she rushed over, calling out, "Second sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, how are you?"
As she spoke, she placed her hand on Qin's pulse and felt the strong beat. Only then did Jiang Jiuniang's heart calm down. This acting was too good; even she was fooled, let alone little Dou Dou.
"Third...third sister-in-law..."
Qin opened her eyes weakly, and the moment she saw Jiang Jiuniang, her eyes lit up. She grabbed Jiang Jiuniang and spoke with difficulty.
"Third sister-in-law, it's all my fault as his mother for not disciplining Dou Dou properly, causing him to become such a reckless brat. I originally wanted to take him out and endure hardship to atone for my sins, but I didn't expect my body to be so weak, and it seems I'm not going to make it..."
"Although Dou Dou is mischievous, he is still young. Third sister-in-law, could you please take him back to the manor and raise him to adulthood after I die, for the sake of our sisterhood? If he behaves well, you can keep him in the manor and arrange a job for him to make a living. If he is still so unruly, you may expel him from the manor and let him fend for himself!"
Her words were so heartfelt that they deeply moved Jiang Jiuniang, not to mention Xiao Doudou, who knelt down and kept apologizing, saying that she knew she was wrong and shouldn't have been so ignorant as to make such a mess and cause her mother to get sick.
"Second sister-in-law, why are you saying these things between us? I've come to take you back. Let's talk about it when we get back."
She helped Qin Shi to her feet and walked out with great difficulty, while Xiao Dou Dou followed behind, crying her eyes out.
Upon arriving at the mansion, Jiang Jiuniang arranged for someone to take Xiaodoudou to wash up, but Xiaodoudou refused, insisting on watching his mother, fearing that his mother would be gone if he left.
Jiang Jiuniang said with a helpless expression, "I don't like being disturbed when I'm seeing a doctor. There's nothing you can do here. Go wash up first so you can take good care of your mother later."
Touched by these words, Little Bean followed the person out, turning back every few steps.
Qin opened her eyes quietly, and only after confirming that her son had left did she let out a long sigh and whisper, "Finally gone, I was so suffocated!"
"Third sister-in-law, you have no idea how many times I almost burst out laughing, and I had to pinch my thigh to hold it back!"
Jiang Jiuniang was amused by her words and teased, "You're right, Second Sister-in-law, your acting is just too good! I was startled when I saw you! Your face was so white, it was really frightening!"
"Oh dear!"
Qin sighed softly, "I had almost forgotten! Back then, we didn't have the means, so I put quicklime on my face. It hurt so much! Please take a look, don't ruin my face trying to educate the children! I've used all those expensive skincare products you gave me for so many years, if I really ruin my face, I'll have lost a lot of money!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiuniang didn't dare to delay and had someone bring clean water for Qin Shi to wash her face. After washing it clean, she found that it was a little red and had some fine, dense rashes. Fortunately, it wasn't too serious and would get better after applying ointment for a few days.
"Second sister-in-law, if you need anything, just have someone come back and get it. You really didn't put lime on your face!"
This lime is no joke, especially when someone like Qin leaves it on their face for days without washing it off; it can cause significant damage to the skin.
Qin felt a little guilty: "I'm just afraid of being exposed. That boy is very cautious. Once, I was secretly eating dried meat and he almost found out."
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