â`
In those days, ignoring Su Yingxueâs overtures and throwing her out of the carriage was to prevent him from learning about her arrangements, thereby exposing flaws and to spare her the worry.
The subsequent coldness was even more to give her the opportunity to reunite with Old General Su.
His master, he took care of everything for Su Yingxue thoughtfully.
Every single detail!
It was even more meticulous, more difficult than fighting a war!
Chu Yihanâs expression was indifferent, his gaze distant, âNo need.â
If Su Yingxue could come to terms with it, so be it, if notâ¦
He would continue to treat her the same way in the future.
Because they were already husband and wife, for the rest of his life, he would devote himself to her, using all his ability to love her properly.
As for herâ¦
If she could not give him a sense of security, then so be it.
It was no big deal to him.
â-
Su Yingxue hurried back to Jiang Du City, feeling genuinely nostalgic when she first returned, as it was her hometown, which she had missed tremendously after being away for so long.
Saint Ruan thought she sought out Wu Jinyan for some urgent matter and would head straight for the Thousand-Jiao Pavilion.
Yet she rode directly back to the Marquisâs Manor.
Saint Ruan glared at her, âHey, didnât you say you were going to see your sister-in-law? Why are you heading back to your own home? Wu Jinyan hasnât married into your family yet!â
âVisiting my sister-in-law doesnât stop me from popping into my own home first!â
Su Yingxue led her horse, Chu Xin, back to the Marquisâs Manor, familiarizing it with the place.
She noticed that Chu Xin was a very intelligent horse; aside from its inability to speak, it was very accommodating of her intentions.
She let Chu Xin find its way to the stables by scent alone, and indeed it found its own way there, clever and obedient.
Saint Ruan rolled his eyes with exasperation, âWhatâs to be so proud of with just a horse! Are you going to the Thousand-Jiao Pavilion or not!â
âWhatâs your rush? Anyone who doesnât know better would think youâre the one whoâs desperate to see my sister-in-law with designs on her!â
Su Yingxue wrapped her arms around herself and walked into her courtyard.
If Saint Ruan wasnât so old, she really would have to be wary of him.
Watch out for him being a lsp!
âWhat nonsense! Why would I have designs on your sister-in-law! Itâs her spices Iâm after! Your sister-in-law is a master of fragrance; Iâve been roaming around and soaked in the battlefieldâs stench, the smell of blood is almost suffocating! I canât stand it anymore; I need to get some spices from her to get rid of this odor!â
Saint Ruan walked on, disgustingly wriggling his nose.
Oh my!
This is just too much!
He really couldnât stand it!
He needed to find Wu Jinyan as soon as possible for some spices and perfume!
âOld man, youâre of such an age, whatâs there to be so vain about!â
Surprised by his reason, Su Yingxue mercilessly mocked Saint Ruan.
Upon entering, she encountered Zhilan.
Zhilan was overjoyed, âMiss, youâre back!â
âYes! Your clever and unrivaled miss, adored by all, has returned!â
Su Yingxue pinched Zhilanâs cheek, âAh, so smooth and tender, Zhilan, I havenât seen you in so long, and your skin has improved so much!â
âWuu wuu⦠Miss, Zhilan missed you so much!â
Zhilan threw herself into Su Yingxueâs arms, tears welling up in her eyes.
On the day of the big wedding, when Su Yingxue suddenly disappeared, everyone said she must have met with disaster. Even Zi Wei was so heartbroken she nearly wanted to join Su Yingxue in death.
Fortunately, Shu Yan returned in time to stop her, persuading her not to be so pessimistic, proclaiming that as a person blessed by heaven, their miss would surely be fine.
Only then did she calm down.
â`
Now, at last, Su Yingxue had returned!
During the months Su Yingxue was away, the wait had been excruciating for Zhilan.
âAlright, now that your Miss has returned, why the long face? Hurry and get ready, accompany me to the Thousand-Jiao Pavilion, and donât let anyone know.â
Su Yingxue quietly pulled Zhilan to the back door.
Saint Ruan followed Su Yingxue, while distastefully noticing the odor clinging to his own body.
On the way, Su Yingxue asked Zhilan about the happenings in Jiang Du City over the past few months.
Besides what Chu Yihan had mentionedâexecuting Ye Zhenzhen, demoting Marquis Changxin, and confining Su Xinlanâthe rest seemed fairly uneventful.
âMiss, the only change during the months you were gone is with Miss Wu. She didnât tell you, but she left for a while, and after returning, she justâ¦â
Zhilan had difficulty continuing.
âAfter coming back, what happened?â Su Yingxue felt an ominous premonition; surely, something had happened to Wu Jinyan.
âRumors are rampant in Jiang Du City. Miss Wu has secluded herself in the rear garden of the Thousand-Jiao Pavilion, seeing no one. Miss Han and Miss Miaoyan are barely able to keep the business running, allowing it to continue operating.â
Zhilan found it even more challenging and dared not reveal everything to Su Yingxue.
Seeing her like this, Su Yingxue knew that she had to meet Wu Jinyan herself to understand the full truth of the matter.
âCousin!!â
Su Han had just received the news of Su Yingxueâs safe return, and she hurried over at once, greeting her eagerly, âYingxue, itâs so good that you are unharmed!â
On the day of Su Yingxueâs grand wedding, Su Han had been terrified!
If Su Yingxue really had met with disaster, even executing Ye Zhenzhen and Su Xinlan by lingering death wouldnât have been enough to appease her fury!
âSister, I have returned safely, but there is something urgent I need to attend to; let me see Sister Jinyan quickly.â
Su Yingxueâs eyes, clear and pure like glaze.
âJinyan, sheâ¦â
Su Hanâs face clearly displayed her discomfort.
She led Su Yingxue to the backyard, unlocking the heavily secured doors, and then took her to the darkest room without sunlight. Whispering in her ear, she said, âWhen you see Jinyan, try not to get agitated, and donât⦠hurt her.â
Su Yingxue nodded, âMhm.â
Heavy-hearted, she pushed open the door without entering and already Wu Jinyanâs voice came from inside, âGet out! Itâs not time for food delivery, Iâm not seeing anyone!â
That sharp, rejecting tone did not at all resemble Wu Jinyanâs usual voice.
Had Su Yingxue not known her so well, she would never have guessed that in just a few short months, Wu Jinyan could have changed to such an extent.
Her voice was somewhat low, âSister-in-law⦠itâs me.â
âYing⦠Yingxue?â
Wu Jinyan sat up in bed, and as their eyes met, they reflected an unspeakable excitement and relief.
âThank goodness, youâre safe, and youâve come backâ¦â
Wu Jinyan covered her mouth, tears falling unstoppable.
Su Yingxue stepped forward to embrace her, âSister-in-law, Iâm sorry to have worried you. Iâm fine, and I have returned safely to see you!â
Her laughter was tender, like a clear spring flowing into oneâs heart.
Wu Jinyanâs heart, which was like dead ash, seemed to lighten somewhat because of her.
Su Yingxue, being a doctor, was quick to detect the changes in Wu Jinyanâs body. The moment she let go of Wu Jinyan, Su Yingxue teased, laughing, âSister-in-law, you must have been eating more these days; even your body has filled out! Look at this belly, itâs grown so big!â
She even playfully patted Wu Jinyanâs belly as she laughed.
Wu Jinyanâs face turned to one of pained restraint as she gently covered it.
Su Yingxue was taken aback, âSister-in-law, whatâs wrong?â
She hadnât used any force just now; surely she didnât hurt Wu Jinyan!
âI⦠Iâm fine.â
After letting her go, Su Yingxue finally took a good look at Wu Jinyanâs face, which was exceedingly pale, completely void of any color, and she appeared alarmingly thin.
Yet strangely, her abdomen was slightly bulging, creating a stark contrast to her slender figure.