Chapter 22 Jin He Leaves Home

Chapter 22 Jin He's Departure

The day Jin He left home was, once again, overcast.

Early that morning, just as dawn was breaking, the carriage was already hitched, and the luggage loaded and secured. The coachman, puffing on his long-stemmed pipe, leaned against the carriage, awaiting departure.

Even with her decisive and capable nature, Madam Li found her youngest daughter's farewell almost unbearable.

Jin He had always been one to share good news but conceal her troubles, and her disposition was overly kind and accommodating. With her in-laws' household relying entirely on her delicate shoulders, how could a mother not be consumed with worry?

Though it was said she would return after the New Year, once spring arrived, the last time she had planned to come back, her mother-in-law fell ill, preventing her journey and leaving Madam Li despondent for many days. This time, had it not been for her youngest son's wedding, she might not have been able to stay home for so long.

Her mother had packed everything she possibly could for her daughter. Her siblings, along with her sister-in-law and younger brother's husband, had also presented her with generous gifts. Squire Li and his wife had visited just the day before. Yet, how could any of this truly compensate for the constant companionship and daily care of family?

Jin He fought back tears. If she left crying, her mother's last memory of her would be a tear-stained face. She had to leave with a smile, to put her mother's heart at ease.

Despite her reddened eyes, a smile remained on her face.

She held the hands of her elder sister-in-law, Li Qinglan, and her younger brother's husband, Jian Ru, saying, "When I return next time, let's embroider new patterns together."

Li Qinglan bit her lip, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, and nodded vigorously.

Jian Ru's heart ached. "We'll be waiting for your return." Though their time together had been brief, he genuinely adored this gentle, caring sister.

Jin He released their hands and turned to her eldest and second-eldest sisters. Li Jinhui turned her face away, gritting her teeth. "You, you…" She left the rest unsaid. She was frustrated that her third sister had neglected her own family to care for her in-laws, yet she also understood Jin He's desire to honor the bond with her deceased husband. Thus, she could say nothing.

Li Jinrong's face was no longer cold. These days, she had been her usual self—either at the clinic or reading in her room, rarely joining the family. But this did not mean she held her sister in low regard.

She pinched her third sister's cheek and said, "I'll air out the bedding in your room on sunny days, so it's fresh for you when you come back."

Jin He murmured "Mm-hmm" and embraced her two sisters. The three of them held each other tightly for a long moment before finally separating.

Then, Jin He approached Jin Tong. Jin Tong reached out, smoothing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Jin He clasped his hand and said, "Take care of yourself, and treat Xiao Ru well."

Jin Tong nodded. "Third Sister, you take care too."

Jin He then hugged Qiao Zhi and Xian Yu, kissing them on the cheeks. "Listen to Father, and don't make him worry so much every day."

The two younger children pouted, on the verge of tears, as they nodded.

Zhao Pin sighed softly. "By the time you return, they'll have grown even more."

Finally, Jin He went to Madam Li. She threw herself into her mother's arms. All that needed to be said had already been spoken these past days, but how could a mother ever truly be at ease? The old lady held her child tightly, repeating her advice: "Be careful on the road. If you encounter any difficulties there, be sure to write to me. I'll send your brothers and sisters to help you."

Jin He gave another "Mm," burying her face in her mother's neck.

Madam Li's heart was filled with boundless reluctance, but she could only grit her teeth and pat her daughter's back. "Go now. If you leave too late, you'll miss finding lodging for the night."

A mother's heart is a tangle of conflicting emotions: she wishes her daughter would stay longer, to cherish more time together, yet she also worries that delaying would force her to sleep outdoors, unsafe and exposed.

Jin He straightened up, smiled at her mother, and said softly, "Mother, take care of yourself."

"Alright," Madam Li replied.

Jin He took one last look at all her family, smiled again, and said, "I'm leaving."

With that, she turned and walked briskly toward the carriage, facing the cold morning air.

Li Jinfeng, waiting by the carriage, took her hand to assist her. As Jin He stepped into the carriage, she seemed to hesitate, as if wanting to look back one last time, but ultimately did not.

Jian Ru noticed that as she lifted the carriage curtain to enter, a tear seemed to fall onto the carriage step. Soon, the curtain closed, and nothing more could be seen.

Jin Feng also came to bid farewell to Madam Li, clasping his wife's hand and saying, "I leave the household to you." He was escorting his sister back to her in-laws and would stop by the county seat to purchase some medicinal herbs.

With that, he too boarded the carriage. The coachman took his seat at the front, cracked his whip in the air with a sharp "snap," and shouted, "Hyah!" The carriage wheels rumbled as it pulled out of the courtyard.

Madam Li couldn't help but follow a few steps, but Jin Hui and Jin Rong held her arms. Once the carriage had left the courtyard and disappeared from view, she finally burst into tears, crying out, "My Jin He!"

…

After Jin He's departure, the old lady remained in bed the entire day.

Jin Hui and the others wanted to keep her company, but she shooed them away. "The clinic still needs to open. Everyone, go about your business."

Jin Hui and the others dared not disobey her and had to leave.

When Jin Tong arrived, Madam Li couldn't bring herself to send him away—he was her cherished child, and she couldn't bear to.

Earlier, she had complained of a headache, so Granny Jin had tied a headband for her and applied some soothing balm.

Now, seeing her youngest son, she felt a little better. Madam Li allowed Granny Jin to help her sit up, leaning against the headboard.

Granny Jin said worriedly, "Second Young Master, Madam hasn't eaten a bite all morning or noon."

Hearing this, Li Jintong lifted the food box he was carrying and coaxed his mother, "Mother, I brought some sour jujube cakes. Would you like to try one?"

Madam Li wearily shook her head. "I can't eat."

Li Jintong said, "Xiao Ru bought the jujubes and made these himself. Please, just try a piece."

This caught Madam Li's interest, and she leaned forward to look into the food box. "They look quite well-made."

Li Jintong smiled. "Xiao Ru is skillful. Everything he makes turns out well."

Madam Li shot him a look and tsked. "Alright, alright, we know your husband is wonderful." She picked up a piece of sour jujube cake and offered another to Granny Jin.

The two examined the cakes. Granny Jin smiled and said, "Setting aside the taste—just look at how neatly they're cut, each piece exactly the same size, perfect for two bites. You can tell he put thought into it."

The old lady took a tentative bite and chewed. The cake was sweet with a hint of sourness, tender and moist without sticking to the teeth. After swallowing, the aftertaste carried the fragrance of jujube and a subtle tartness. After finishing that bite, she ate the remaining half. Li Jintong poured her a cup of warm tea, which she drank, and then he handed her a towel to wipe her hands before she leaned back against the pillows.

"Quite tasty," she remarked.

Granny Jin added, "I'd say they're even better than those from Shengxiangzhai."

Li Jintong said, "Xiao Ru thought the sour jujube cakes from Shengxiangzhai were too expensive. After buying them twice, he figured out how to make them himself. He said from now on, he'll make them at home for me. Before I came out, he asked me to bring some for you to try. He said Elder Sister-in-law looked unwell this morning, and since Elder Brother isn't home, he was worried and went to check on her with some cakes. He'll be here soon."

Hearing this, Madam Li's mood improved slightly, and she managed a small smile. "The child might be a bit naive, but he's genuine and thoughtful."

However, looking at her precious youngest son, she couldn't help adding somewhat enviously, "You certainly listen to him."

Li Jintong simply smiled. Granny Jin chuckled beside them. "It's a family tradition! Back in the day, the master also listened to everything you said, Madam!"

Madam Li laughed. "That's because he had a good temper and always humored me." Remembering the past, she shook her head and looked at her youngest son. "Well, a tradition is a tradition. In your case, you listen to your little husband."

Li Jintong smiled without replying.

Madam Li then thought of her eldest son. "Look at your elder brother—always acting important, acting like he's in charge of everything. But really, he's easily influenced too. If your elder sister-in-law whispers to him in bed, he'll listen."

Li Jintong smiled and was about to speak when frantic, running footsteps sounded in the distance outside. His expression turned serious, and he stood up to open the door. "That's Xiao Ru."

Jian Ru had a bad leg that wasn't noticeable when walking, but became distinct in his running rhythm—something others might not recognize, but Second Young Master, having heard it often, could naturally tell.

The door creaked open as Li Jintong hurried out, faintly asking, "Xiao Ru, what's wrong?"

Jian Ru responded with a long sentence, though it was hard to make out clearly.

Madam Li, leaning against the headboard, frowned and peered toward the door, while Granny Jin also showed a worried expression.

"Did something happen to Jin He on the way?" the old lady called out.

There was no reply from outside. Madam Li tried to sit up but couldn't quite manage it, and Granny Jin quickly supported her.

Just then, Li Jintong finally returned. He stepped inside, his face tense, and said, "Mother, my sister-in-law has had a miscarriage."