Chapter 41

Rong Shu hastily replied, "My husband is doing a righteous act for the people. As his wife, I take pride in him; how could I possibly blame him?"

Seeing that Rong Shu was genuinely unbothered, Xu Fu didn't bother persuading her further. She instructed Nurse An to prepare gifts and escort Rong Shu out of the Liu Mo Hall.

With Xu's approval, Rong Shu felt much relieved.

Intent on giving Madam Shen a surprise, she didn't send word to the Cheng'an Marquis Estate today and instead directly headed for Qilin East Street after finishing her breakfast.

The carriage passed through Changan Avenue and arrived at the marquis estate within an hour. Upon hearing the servant girl's report that the young lady had returned, Madam Shen nearly spilled the herbal soup in her hands.

Nurse Zhou stepped forward to steady her hand and said, "Madam, let's not have this medicine today. Once you take it, you'll suffer from pain for a few days. Seeing you like this, Young Lady would be heartbroken."

Nurse Zhou's suggestion wasn't solely out of concern for Rong Shu's feelings; she mainly wanted to delay things, hoping that Madam Shen might change her mind if they dragged it out longer.

How could Madam Shen not know what was going on in Nurse Zhou's mind?

She released her grip, allowing Nurse Zhou to take the medicine away. Rubbing her temples, she said, "Zhaozhao's return is rather ill-timed. Forget it, pour this medicine out first. Nurse, fetch another prescription, but wait until Zhaozhao leaves before I consume it."

"The physician said your body is weak, and these potent medicines should be avoided if possible. Madam, please listen to this old servant's advice—"

"Nanny, there's no need to persuade," Madam Shen interrupted Nanny Zhou. "Zhaozhao will return to her duties in the palace in at most a day or two. Today, you shall take my signet to leave the manor and purchase the medicine."

Madam Zhou found herself without any viable alternative and thus reluctantly agreed, all the while secretly hoping that Rong Shu might remain in the Marquisate for an extended duration, ideally until the Lady of the house should see reason and have a change of heart.

Unaware of the conversation in the Qingheng Courtyard, Rong Shu alighted from her carriage and hastened toward it, lifting the hem of her dress as she walked. However, she unexpectedly crossed paths with Madam Shen and her entourage halfway there.

"Mother!"

Rong Shu quickened her pace, the warmth in her eyes brighter than the sun above her head.

"Take it easy," Madam Shen chided gently. "Mother is right here. Where could I possibly go?"

Rong Shu linked arms with Madam Shen and said with a bright smile, "I just couldn't help but miss Mother, that's all." As she spoke, her eyes roamed around Madam Shen's face playfully.

Madam Shen laughed and scolded, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"On my last visit, Mother didn't look well at all. Today, you seem much better."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen sighed inwardly.

Fortunately, she hadn't drunk the medicine just now. Otherwise, Zhaozhao would be witnessing her writhing in pain on the bed at this moment.

At the thought of this, a bitter sensation surged in her heart.

If possible, how could Rong Shu not wish to give birth to a younger brother or sister for Zhaozhao? In case something happened to her one day, they would still have each other as blood relatives for support.

But Shen knew all too well that Lord Cheng'an was not worth it, neither was the Rong family.

She understood these people too well; she truly did not want her unborn child to become another Zhaozhao.

When Rong Shu left Wutong Lane, Gu Changjin had already arrived at the Ministry of Punishments.

It was still dark outside, but the inner offices of the ministry were brightly illuminated.

A clerk named Huang, upon seeing him return, was startled with his bloodshot eyes wide open.

"Why has Magistrate Gu returned to the office? Are you feeling alright? Deputy Minister Lu was still saying that your injuries were severe, and you wouldn't be back for half a month."

Gu Changjin coughed softly and replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Huang. I'm much better now. Thinking about the backlog of cases that need verification, I couldn't sit still, so I returned to the office."

Huang, the magistrate, was well acquainted with Gu Changjin's character. He respectfully bowed in admiration, about to heap praise upon him, when someone entered through the main gate, unexpectedly stealing his thunder.

"Tan Siyuan, dressed in a vivid red official robe, strode towards Gu Changjin, sternly remarking, "Did you forget that Scholar Sun's beloved grandchild said your injury needs two more months of rest to heal? And yet here you are, silently rushing back to work. Do you truly believe your body is made of steel?"

On that day, Tan Siyuan had escorted him to court and, seeing that although Gu Changjin looked unwell, he spoke calmly and carried himself with composure, assumed his injuries, though severe, were not life-threatening.

Little did he know that Gu Changjin later fainted from coughing up blood.

The Grand Censor severely reprimanded him, and Tan Siyuan worried as well. Fortunately, the Emperor, in his mercy, secretly sent Scholar Sun's cherished golden grandson to the Gu household for recovery.

Gu Changjin bowed to Tan Siyuan, saying, "My injury is no longer a concern, Your Excellency. Thank you for your concern."

Tan Siyuan grunted loudly, flicking his sleeves. "Very well, I understand your dedication to the Xu Li'er case. Someone wishes to see you, so come with me."

The individuals who might wish to meet Gu Changjin could be the officials handling the case or Xu Li'er and her mother. When Tan Siyuan led him into the dark, damp, and chilly dungeons of the Ministry of Justice, Gu Changjin realized it was the latter.

The prison cells in the Ministry of Justice rarely saw sunlight, but Tan Siyuan had arranged the best quarters for Xu Li'er and her mother. Their cell featured a small window, and the floor had been swept clean and kept dry. The originally damp bedding had been replaced with fresh linens.

The jailer opened the cell door with great respect, and Tan Siyuan led Gu Changjin inside. Addressing the frail woman within, he said, "Madam Jin, this is Lord Gu, the one you've been longing to meet. You don't need to bow; just sit and speak with him."

The woman was lying on her side amidst the bedding. Upon hearing Tan Siyuan's words, her dark eyes flickered slightly, and she slowly managed to rise, trembling as she knelt before Gu Changjin, speaking deliberately, "This common woman kowtows, deeply grateful to you, Honorable Benefactor. Thank you, Honorable Benefactor, for seeking justice for my daughter and me. Your great kindness and virtue, I, in my next life, will repay as a laboring ox or horse..."

These few words had drained much of Madam Jin's remaining strength.

She was an uneducated widow who had spent her whole life hoping to find a diligent and honest man for her daughter to marry. The single act of rebellion in her life was to file a complaint against Yang Rong at the Obeying Heaven Mansion. After that, she found herself imprisoned, facing severe trials, and now, her days were numbered.