Chapter 334: Desperate to Return
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
They only wanted to go home as soon as possible.
There were no more delays on the way. They arrived at Anping County eleven days later. Liu Zijin and Wang Huilan returned home. As it was already late, they stayed in Anping County tonight.
When they came back, County Magistrate Wang was the happiest. His son-in-law had passed the intermediate examination and Wang Huilan was pregnant. It was a double blessing.
Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng were all on the list. They were on good terms with Liu Zijin and would be friends in the future, so County Magistrate Wang welcomed Su Xiaolu and the others warmly.
Liu Zijin’s mother was also present. She was extremely gentle. She held Wang Huilan’s hand and instructed her to take note of many things. She even picked up a drumstick for Su Xiaolu.!!
After dinner, Su Xiaolu took the initiative to take Madam Liu’s pulse.
Liu Zijin was a little nervous. “Xiaolu, is my mother alright?”
Madam Liu smiled and said, “What could be wrong with me? I ate and slept well.”
It was just that she had been a little worried during this period of time, but this was not an illness. She would be fine when Liu Zijin and Wang Huilan returned. Now that her son had passed the exam and his wife was pregnant, she was no longer sick.
Wang Huilan also looked at Su Xiaolu worriedly.
Su Xiaolu smiled and said, “It’s nothing. She’s just a little weak. Just rest well.”
Madam Liu’s body was very deficient. She wasn’t seriously ill. It was a disease that had accumulated over time. This couldn’t be recuperated well. Madam Liu’s lifespan would be shorter than ordinary people, but there was no need to say this. Only by relaxing one’s mentality and living a positive life would one’s health improve.
Madam Liu smiled and said, “I knew it. Don’t worry now.”
Liu Zijin smiled gently and did not say anything. Her days were getting better and better now. He really hoped that Madam Liu’s health would be good and she could enjoy his happiness.
Wang Huilan said to Su Xiaolu, “Xiaolu, please give my mother-in-law a nourishing prescription.”
Su Xiaolu nodded. This was a small matter.
Madam Liu held Wang Huilan’s hand and patted it. Her gaze was gentle. This daughter-in-law of hers.
“Lanlan, don’t worry about me. I’m fine. You must rest well after the long journey. It’s been hard on you.”
Madam Liu looked at Wang Huilan gently.
Madam Liu’s concern warmed Wang Huilan’s heart. She shook her head and said, “Granny, I’m fine too. Don’t worry.”
Liu Zijin’s gentle gaze landed on Wang Huilan, and her eyes were filled with smiles.
Su Xiaolu packed her things and went down to rest.
They stayed in the prince’s mansion for the night and set off the next day after having breakfast.
Liu Zijin and County Magistrate Wang came out to send him off.
Liu Zijin patted Su Chong and Su Hua’s shoulders and said, “Ah Chong, Ah Hua, if you’re engaged, you must send a letter to me. Brother Heng too. I must go to your wedding banquet.”
Su Chong and Su Hua were not young anymore. It was time to get married.
When they returned this time, they would be in boundless glory. Perhaps someone would settle the marriage.
Su Chong was a little embarrassed. He nodded nonchalantly.
Su Hua smiled and nodded.
Zhou Heng was distracted for a moment. He nodded gently.
After bidding farewell to Liu Zijin, the few of them drove the carriage back to Goathorn Town.
—-
Goathorn Town.
Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao anxiously counted the days. When the good news came but the children had yet to return and they heard that there was a plague in Furongzhou, the couple could not sleep or eat in peace.
Su Xiaoling also copied the Buddhist scriptures for blessings over and over again, silently praying that Su Chong, Su Hua, Zhou Heng, and Su Xiaolu would return safely.
Lin Pingsheng would also ask Lin Yaoyao to come over every day to see if Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng had returned.
It was already the 23rd of October today. Su Xiaoling woke up early to prepare the food. Then, she put away the copied Buddhist scriptures in the basket and left after informing Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao.
She wanted to take it to the temple and burn it.
As soon as she went out, she saw Madam Wang and Old Master Su bringing Su Dalang and Su Erlang over.
Su Xiaoling frowned and said, “Don’t come. My family doesn’t welcome you.”
Ever since the good news seven days ago came with the possible bad news, Madam Wang had brought Su Dalang and Su Erlang here every day. Today, even Old Master Su was here.
They had come to get Su Sanlang to return to the family clan. They also wanted to adopt Su Shun as Su Sanlang’s son. Even though the real news had not been sent back, they were still certain that Su Chong, Su Hua, and the others were all dead.
Looking at these people, Su Xiaoling could not help but hate them.
Su Xiaoling wanted to stop her, but she was pushed to the side by Madam Wang. Madam Wang spat in disgust. “Wretched girl, get lost. You have no right to speak in this house.”
Madam Wang was not so polite. She pushed Su Xiaoling away and entered.
Su Dalang and Su Erlang also glared at Su Xiaoling.
Old Master Su’s expression darkened as he looked at Su Xiaoling.
After entering the courtyard, Madam Wang shouted, “Third Brother, Third Brother, have you considered it? Come out and tell Father and Mother. I’m doing this for your own good.”
After knowing that Su Chong, Su Hua, and Su Xiaolu might have died in Furongzhou, Madam Wang’s plans surfaced again. She did not care if Su Chong, Su Hua, and the others were really dead. She had to strike while the iron was hot and let Su Sanlang go home now to adopt Su Shun.
Even if Su Chong and Su Hua didn’t die, so be it. Their two eldest grandsons were both intermediate High Scholars and would be High Scholars in the future. They could also enjoy the glory.
That was why she came every day. She thought that Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao were weak now and might not be able to take it for a while, so she agreed.
“Third Brother, hurry up and come out with Sister-in-law. Father and Mother are doing this for your own good. We’re family after all. We’re biological brothers. We’ll be connected forever.”
Su Dalang echoed.
Su Erlang also said, “Third Brother, discuss with Sister-in-law. Between Qing and Shun, choose whichever you like. If you like both, Eldest Brother and I agree to let you adopt them.”
At this moment, the Su family had the same opinion.
When Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao heard the commotion in the courtyard, they were so angry that they trembled.
Madam Zhao’s eyes turned red. “They, they don’t want Chong and Hua to be alive. Sanlang, I’ll tell you clearly, even if…”
Madam Zhao choked and paused. Her heart ached. She took a deep breath and said, “Even if they don’t come back, it’s impossible for me to acknowledge Su Qing and Su Shun. If you do, our relationship as husband and wife will end here.”
When the good news came, she was overjoyed. However, after the good news, it was also bad news.
Because there were too many people, the messenger didn’t know if the candidates were still alive.
However, if they were alive, they would definitely be home in ten days to half a month. If they did not return in the end, they would be gone. It had been seven days, and the children had not returned. The Su family came every day, but they did not come to comfort them. Instead, they came to stab their hearts.
Madam Zhao was afraid that Su Sanlang would not be able to take it, so she told him everything. If Su Sanlang agreed to this, she would divorce him!