Ever since Yuan Yutong came back, the family had really become much more lively. Every day, mother and son planned to lure Xiao Yao to Yiyuan, and even though they had never succeeded, they still enjoyed it.
As the days went by, Xiao Jun was able to roll over and sit up, and even crawl back and forth on the bed for a while. Xiao Yao would sit for a while and then slowly lie down, fiddling with her hands and feet, watching her fifth brother busying around. Xiao Qi was too fat and often rolled over and couldn't get back on. Whenever this happened, Xiao Yao would think of a turtle... cough... hehe, how could she have such thoughts? It shouldn't be right, it really shouldn't be right. By the time Xiao Qi could sit steadily, Xiao Jun could not only crawl around nimbly, but could even stand against the wall. Xiao Yao didn't like to crawl, but would occasionally say a word or two, "de de" or "da da" to please her parents. At this time, the older one was nine months old and the younger one was seven months old.
The three children were about the same age, so naturally they spent all day together. Xiao Jun was very conscious of being a big brother, and he knew how to give way to his younger siblings during playtime. Xiao Qi had the best temper, playing whenever he could, and not making a fuss when he couldn't. Xiao Yao, needless to say, was a bit of a hypocrite and couldn't stand the idea of grabbing things. So, whether the three of them shared a toy or played with their own, they never fought. After understanding the personalities of the young master and young lady, the wet nurse and maidservants were secretly delighted. The task of caring for the young masters was so easy: they just had to keep a close eye on the bed to prevent anyone from falling, and chat and entertain the little ones.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, not only are the masters busy, but the servants are also busy preparing for the New Year. In the warm room, Xiao Jun and Xiao Yao sit on a small kang, fiddling with a brightly colored wooden figurine. Xiao Qi sleeps soundly nearby. The maids gather in whispers, discussing new designs for purses and dresses. Yuan Yutong wants to make Xiao Yao a new dress with a fur trim, and the wet nurses offer their advice.
Xiao Qi woke up from a long nap and drowsily saw Xiao Yao holding something brightly colored. Thinking it was something delicious, she sat up and tried to reach for it. Perhaps because she wasn't awake or wasn't sitting properly, she fell toward Xiao Yao. The nearly 20-pound fat boy landed on her, and Xiao Yao saw stars and felt a tightness in her chest, unable to utter a single sound. Xiao Jun, probably trying to stand up and pull Xiao Qi away, tripped over the string of the wooden figure and fell on top of his sister. At the moment she passed out, Xiao Yao wondered if she would be the first baby to be crushed to death...
"Ah ah" Xiao Jun's loud shouting finally attracted the attention of others. By the time someone reacted and picked up the two young masters, Xiao Yao's face had turned blue and her lips were purple.
Yuan Yutong was trembling all over. She ordered someone to call a doctor while sending someone to tell her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Seeing Xiao Yao lying motionless, she kept comforting herself, saying, "It's okay, it will be okay." Tong Mingyu arrived first. Faced with her lifeless daughter, her body went limp, as if the life had been drained from her. She couldn't think, couldn't scream, couldn't do anything except breathe, couldn't remember anything.
My daughter, who was so lively and vivid a moment ago, was now lying there silently. The heartache, fear, and panic... all grew instead of subsiding as time passed.
The first to arrive was the clinic closest to the Xiao family. A doctor in his forties, dressed in a white robe, felt Tong Mingyu's pulse, then rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. Tong Mingyu fainted completely. Qin and the children on their New Year's holiday arrived one after another. Seeing their sister like this, Xiao Yi and Xiao Yang burst into tears that wouldn't dry no matter how hard they wiped them.
Doctor Zhao of Ji'antang, the largest medical clinic in Kyoto, was carried into the room by Xiao Bing, the head of the guards. As soon as he landed, he rushed to the bed without a word. After a thorough examination, he ordered a maid to bring half a bowl of water. He took a pill from the medicine box, crushed it, and lifted Xiao Yao's head, holding her jaw, and fed the medicine bit by bit. Then he took out several silver needles of varying lengths, drove everyone out, and began to use acupuncture to save the patient.
The wait was long and unbearable. There were people standing or sitting everywhere, but no sound was made.
Xiao Jingkang stumbled into the room and opened his mouth several times, but didn't dare to ask. The child was obviously fine this morning, the little girl who could laugh and make noises, how could this happen, how could this happen...
About an hour later, Doctor Zhao came out with sweat on his forehead. Everyone stood up at once, wanting to know the result but afraid to know it, and looked at the doctor devoutly.
"His life is no longer in danger, but his internal organs have been damaged. He needs careful care. Remember not to be overly sad or happy."
"When will your body recover?" Xiao Jingkang asked.
Doctor Zhao shook his head and sighed: "Maybe three to five years, maybe longer, maybe..." a lifetime.
"If we can find the miracle doctor Lin You, there is still hope for recovery." If it were someone else's family, Doctor Zhao would never say this. He knew something about the Xiao family. The child's injury was probably an accident and had nothing to do with the messy methods in the harem. It was a pity for such a young child. I hope he can escape danger and recover soon.
After sending the doctor away, Xiao Jingkang and his wife, who had just woken up, went to see their daughter. The sleeping child's face was as white as paper, and her lips were completely bloodless. As a parent, her heart was broken. After a long time, Tong Mingyu saw that her daughter's breathing was even and she was no longer in danger. She left Aunt Zhang to watch over her and tiptoed to the outer room.
Maids and old women were kneeling on the floor in the hall. The young lady almost lost her life. What fate awaited them was beating, selling, or expulsion... They could only wait and hear the outcome.
Yuan Yutong, who is usually cheerful, blamed herself at this moment, "It's all my fault that I didn't take good care of the children, sister-in-law, I'm sorry, it's all my fault..." She kept chattering on and on.
"Sister-in-law, you don't have to blame yourself. It is the duty of the wet nurse and the maid to look after the young master and the young lady. What does it have to do with you? It is right for you to stay away from the child when you are pregnant. How can I blame you!" Who can ask a pregnant woman to watch over the child and hold the child all the time? What is the use of servants then?
Because Xiao Jun and Xiao Qi couldn't speak, the reason remained a mystery after repeated investigations. In the end, Xiao Jun and Xiao Qi's wet nurse and maid were each beaten with 20 sticks and sent to the farm, while everyone around Xiao Yao was sold off.
The Xiao family has always been kind to their servants. This is the first time they have received such severe punishment. It also makes the servants understand that only by doing their duties well and fulfilling their responsibilities can they preserve their current lives, otherwise their today will be their tomorrow.
The remaining matters were left to the housekeeper, while Tong Mingyu devoted all her time to caring for her daughter, doing everything herself. No one dared to tell General Xiao about this; no one could afford the consequences. His long-awaited granddaughter was dying before she even turned one. It was conceivable that if he learned of this, he would be furious, possibly murderous. At this point, they could only conceal the matter, temporarily, until the two boys were older and more resilient. By then, the son and daughter-in-law would be at their mercy, having failed to take good care of the children.
That night, Xiao Jun developed a high fever again, likely frightened. Tong Mingyu watched over their daughter, while Xiao Jingkang watched over their son. After a tense night, Xiao Jun's fever finally subsided at dawn, but he began to cry. Xiao Jingkang, already angry, slapped his son's butt a few times. "You little brat, you still have the nerve to cry?" Qin, who had just entered the room, saw this scene. Furious, she quickly took her grandson in her arms, coaxing him while scolding him. "I know you're worried about Ping An, but you can't take it out on my grandson. He's only a little kid, what does he know?" Qin's eyes glistened with heartache.
"Mom, I...ah!" Xiao Jingkang felt physically and mentally exhausted.
"Okay, go and see Ping An. I'll take care of her here." Qin also felt sorry for her granddaughter, but she disagreed with the family treating her granddaughter as more important than their grandson. Sooner or later, she would belong to someone else's family. It was enough to be just okay. If you want to bring honor to the family, you have to rely on your son to be successful. Unfortunately, she didn't dare to say this out loud. Thinking of her husband's angry face, she swallowed quietly. Forget it, let them love their granddaughter. I will love my grandson as much as I can. Just don't let your husband know that his granddaughter is in trouble. God bless you! God bless you!
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