While Lu Baichuan and Qin Jian were still asleep, Jiang Jiuniang went down the mountain and bought a carriage in a nearby town.
Two days later, she put the two seriously injured people in a carriage and took them directly back to the general's mansion.
At this time, the atmosphere in the general's mansion was not good, because everyone knew that Jiang Jiuniang had gone out alone to look for Lu Baichuan and Qin Jian, and they did not know how she was doing. Even Youya's marriage was delayed.
They had already asked the Yang family for their opinion, and the Yang family was very willing, so they discussed inviting a matchmaker to their home. However, considering that Jiang Jiuniang was not at home, in order not to reveal any flaws, Qin Shi discussed with Sun Shi and asked the Qin family to come a few days later.
Fortunately, the Yang family was understanding and had no objections.
Someone from the palace secretly came once, also inquiring about the two of them. The person said that the emperor had secretly sent many people to look for them, but all of them had disappeared without a trace. He must be very worried.
The Lu family became increasingly anxious. The emperor had sent people, but there was still no news. Moreover, Jiang Jiuniang had gone alone without anyone to look after her, which made them even more worried.
Even Xiangxiang, who is usually well-behaved and obedient, started to feel troubled, as she couldn't be coaxed no matter what she did.
Mrs. Sun dotes on her granddaughter and never entrusts her care to anyone else. She takes care of the baby herself every day. When the baby cries, she sheds tears as well, but she never stops breastfeeding. After two nights of this, she looks much older.
Madam Yu and Madam Qin were very anxious and wanted to help take care of the child, but Madam Sun was unwilling, only telling them to keep their mouths shut and not to talk nonsense.
"Mother, you should go and rest for a while. This can't go on!"
With red eyes, Madam Yu looked at Madam Sun with heartache.
Her maternal family was gone. Over the years since she married into the Lu family, Sun Shi had been incredibly kind to her and her sisters-in-law, treating them like her own mother. Now, seeing Sun Shi like this, she was truly worried.
Qin was the same; the two women stood together and both reached out to Sun as if to help hold the child, but Sun refused to give her hand to either of them.
"Alright, Xiangxiang is being good now, it's fine if I hold her. She's just being fussy because she's worried about her parents, otherwise she's such a well-behaved child."
As Madam Sun spoke, Xiangxiang, who was sleeping in her arms, suddenly murmured, "Daddy..."
Those present instantly had tears in their eyes. Qin couldn't help but whisper, "What kind of mess is this! There are so many people in the capital, it doesn't matter who the Emperor sends, but of all people, my third brother was sent out as soon as he returned..."
It's impossible not to have some complaints. Lu Baichuan hasn't been officially reinstated yet, and in many people's eyes, he's just an idle person with nothing to do at home. But who would have thought that he would be assigned to such a dangerous mission as soon as he got back?
Sun didn't reply, but just sniffed, silently cursing the dog emperor in her heart.
In the two years since the third son's family went away to play, the emperor has been cultivating talents, and there are many more capable people in the court. Many people say that the general's mansion is no longer as glorious as it used to be, and the emperor no longer favors it.
When she heard these words, she didn't care. She even thought that as long as her family was safe and sound, it would be good if the emperor forgot about them. Who knew that she would be assigned such a dangerous mission as soon as she returned.
Could it be that the emperor was unwilling to assign his new favorite minister to such a dangerous task, so he just assigned his son to it instead?
But that doesn't make sense. Not only Lu Baichuan went this time, but also Qin Jian. Qin Jian is the Empress's brother-in-law. No matter what, the Emperor wouldn't disrespect the Empress.
After thinking for a moment, she still said, "His Majesty has his reasons for making this arrangement. There's no need to say this anymore. If it gets out, it will only bring trouble to the family."
Qin realized that her angry words had gone too far, so she quickly nodded and said nothing more.
Just then, a maidservant rushed in to report: "Madam, First Madam, Second Madam, good news! Our Third Madam is back! And she brought back Third Master and Second Master Qin!"
Sun was sitting, but upon hearing this, she immediately stood up, shoved Xiangxiang into Yu's arms, and then hurriedly ran out with her maid.
Qin also ran after her. Yu looked at the child in her arms, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She quietly put the child on the bed, covered her with a quilt, and found a maid to guard her before running after the person.
At this time, Lu Baichuan and Qin Jian had already been carried off the carriage by the servants. Lu Baichuan was carried back to the master bedroom, while Qin Jian was carried to the guest room to recuperate, ensuring that they would not be disturbed.
Jiang Jiuniang had just sat down to eat something when she saw Sun Shi rush in like the wind, still panting heavily. She hurriedly said, "Third brother... wife, are you... alright? Third brother and Qin Jian... how are they? Where are they hurt..."
She stammered for a while before finally finishing her sentence. Jiang Jiuniang knew she was anxious, so she didn't rush her. She waited until she finished before saying, "She was a little injured and hasn't woken up yet, but her life is out of danger. Mother, you can go and see her first."
But Madam Sun didn't leave. She just stared intently at her and asked, "And you? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Jiang Jiuniang shook her head, but when she looked up at Sun Shi, she noticed how much more aged she looked. Her heart skipped a beat, and she said in disbelief, "You haven't slept for two days, have you? How did you get like this?"
Qin arrived a little later than Sun, and upon hearing this, she immediately said, "That's right! After you left, Xiangxiang missed you and cried constantly. Mother felt sorry for her and didn't want us to take care of her, so she did everything herself. She's lost a lot of weight in just two days. Now, thank goodness, Third Sister-in-law, you're finally back. Is Third Brother alright?"
Jiang Jiuniang looked at Madam Sun, her heart filled with indescribable emotion.
This stubborn but kind-hearted old lady treated her like her own daughter.
So much so that when she asked the old lady to help take care of the child, she did it all herself and wouldn't let anyone else help.
"Second son's wife, that's enough! I promised to take care of the child, so stop adding fuel to the fire!"
Qin was both amused and exasperated. Had she exaggerated the truth?
"mother……"
She wanted to explain, but then thought better of it. Her third sister-in-law had gone to great lengths to save the person, and saying too much would only make her feel guilty. But she clearly didn't mean it that way...
Forget it, if you can't speak well, then speak less, so as not to upset everyone.
Having spent so much time together, Jiang Jiuniang naturally knew Qin Shi's temperament and didn't mind. She said, "It was my second sister-in-law who told me all this, otherwise I wouldn't have known that you, Mother, were so stubborn. It doesn't matter who takes care of the child, why make things so difficult for yourself?"
Feeling somewhat embarrassed by what she said, Madam Sun immediately pulled her hand back from Jiang Jiuniang's and said, "Forget it, I'm too lazy to talk to you. I'm going to check on the third brother and Qin Jian. Oh, and remember to send a message to Yuanyuan, telling her not to worry."
Jiang Jiuniang agreed; she had already arranged this matter.
After Sun left, Qin stayed and was pulled aside by Jiang Jiuniang who asked her many questions.
Qin honestly recounted what had happened in the past few days.
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