Holding Xiaotao in her arms, Xu Yutang was filled with worry and gratitude towards Shen Haiyan. Fortunately, Shen Haiyan was with her this time. Otherwise, by herself, she definitely wouldn't have found Xiaotao. Or rather, without Shen Haiyan's reminder and help, Xu Yutang would never have thought that Xiaotao wasn't dead.
Back then, Xiaotao had fought desperately. Xu Yusong had kicked her several times, right in the chest. Those kicks had hurt her badly. Then Xu Yusong had choked her until she fainted. Mistaking her for dead, Xu Yusong had thrown Xiaotao to Xu's mother.
But Xu's mother didn't want to save Xiaotao. She was reluctant to spend money on Xiaotao's treatment. She ordered someone to throw Xiaotao into the attic and told the maids to watch her closely. As soon as Xiaotao died, they were to bury her.
Fortunately, Xu Yutang knew she couldn't rely on the Xu family. She had hidden her jewelry and only told Xiaotao about it. By selling those jewelry, Xiaotao had managed to survive for a few days until Xu Yutang came back.
It was also fortunate that Xu Yutang had returned early. When they arrived at the Xu mansion, the government was sealing it up. Several hefty maids, in order to get the money, were torturing Xiaotao, asking where she had hidden the ornaments. They had beaten Xiaotao all over.
Thinking of that scene, Xu Yutang's movements became even gentler, afraid of hurting Xiaotao.
When they were on the road until the third hour of the day, they happened to come across a post station. Shen Haiyan stopped the carriage, bought some food and brought it into the carriage for Xu Yutang to fill her stomach.
Shen Haiyan let out a soft sigh. Even in the dimly - lit carriage, he could see Xu Yutang's red - rimmed eyes. She must have been crying in the carriage again.
This was also the reason why he hadn't hired a coachman but drove the carriage himself. Xu Yutang's tears seemed like a never - ending stream.
She didn't make a sound. She just shed tears silently. She looked so pitiful.
Shen Haiyan had once curiously asked why Xu Yutang cried without making a sound. Only then did he know that even her crying appearance was regulated by the maids.
Xu Yutang and Chen Miaochun were two completely different types of miserable people. One was born into a wealthy family, with the best food, clothing and daily necessities, but had no freedom. Every move, every frown and smile was under the discipline of the maids. The other didn't have enough to eat or wear, and was tortured by others. Even the elder brother who had taken her home had guided her to be estranged from her relatives. The only thing they had in common was that neither of the two girls had freedom.
Thinking of this, Shen Haiyan's tone softened a bit. He reached out and took the food from Xu Yutang's hand. "Yutang, you haven't left the carriage for several days. I'll watch over Xiaotao. You go out and eat something."
Xu Yutang didn't want to leave Xiaotao and was about to refuse when she heard Shen Haiyan lower his voice. "The imperial examination will be next spring. My elder brother can't travel for long. He'll probably be back in a couple of days. He hates those who are bad at studying the most. If it weren't for the fact that Chen Miaochun had nowhere to live in the marquis's mansion, even if mother had asked, he wouldn't have agreed. What if he comes back and sees you? Will he make you move to the prime minister's mansion? After all, you're the prime minister's granddaughter now..."
These words scared Xu Yutang so much that her eyes widened. Although the prime minister's mansion was good, it wasn't as comfortable as the princess's mansion. She didn't want to move out of the princess's mansion.
Seeing that his words had successfully scared Xu Yutang, a hint of pride flashed in Shen Haiyan's eyes. "If you go and have your meal now, when my elder brother comes back, I'll put in a good word for you. Maybe you can continue living in the princess's mansion."
"Okay, I'll go and eat now." Xu Yutang gently moved Xiaotao onto the soft pillow and then quickly got out of the carriage, afraid that if she was a bit slower, Shen Haiyan wouldn't speak well for her.
The post station was not big. There were a few tables and chairs. At one of the tables, some people were having their meals.
Xu Yutang's steps were a bit wobbly. She staggered up to the waiter and ordered a bowl of white rice and some vegetables.
Xiaotao's life was still uncertain. Xu Yutang had no mood to eat anything else. If it weren't for Shen Haiyan watching over her to eat, she wouldn't even want to eat the white rice and vegetables.
"Look at this agate jade pendant. How do you like it?"
A coquettish voice came from the table on the left. Xu Yutang was concentrating on the rice in her bowl. She wanted to eat quickly and go back to accompany Xiaotao earlier.
Then came a man's teasing voice. "It's beautiful. It suits you, my little fairy, the most. When we get to the capital, I'll buy you ten more. You can play with them however you like."
The girl's voice was full of pride, but she pretended to decline. "Oh, this agate jade pendant is too precious. Ruoshui can't accept it."
Xu Yutang thought the vegetables were a bit too salty. They weren't as delicious as the ones Xiaotao cooked. When Xiaotao got better, she could make pastries with Xiaotao for Baozhu.
"Hubby, sister, I've checked all the things. We can set off after the meal." A woman's bright and generous voice suddenly appeared, scaring the two people into quickly separating.
The man coughed lightly, hugged the woman in his arms and sighed. "My wife is so good. I'm really lucky to have married you."
The coquettish voice from before quickly agreed. "Yes, yes. Brother - in - law should cherish sister well."
Xu Yutang's hand holding the bowl paused, and her mind involuntarily drifted to the side.
Then she shook her head. She should mind her own business. It was more important to get back to the capital to save Xiaotao.
Xu Yutang silently quickened her eating speed and then got back into the carriage.
Before leaving the post station, she took a quick peek. Although she couldn't see clearly, she could see a woman with a hair bun nestled in the man's arms. Next to them sat a charming girl holding an agate pendant in her hand.
Xu Yutang thought to herself that the girl's name should be Ruoshui.
Not long after Xu Yutang left, the woman said happily, "Hubby, after we enter the capital, I'll go and pay a visit to Princess Jingning first. I'll have to trouble you to take Ruoshui to the mansion and settle her down."
The woman's name was Jian Ruobing. Her biological mother was the daughter of a military general and had been a childhood playmate of Princess Jingning. It was a pity that when Princess Jingning returned to the capital, Jian Ruobing's mother had already married and left the capital. The two had just missed each other.
Rarely having the opportunity to fulfill her mother's last wish, Jian Ruobing could hardly hide her excitement.
But in the eyes of her husband, Du Yunqian, this excitement was extremely ridiculous. Ever since Jian Ruobing had heard the news of entering the capital, she had been so excited. But he had asked Jian's father and Jian Ruoshui. The Jian family was just a wealthy merchant family and had no connection with Princess Jingning. Most likely, Jian Ruobing had made up this story just to make him think highly of her.
Seeing Du Yunqian's gloomy face, Jian Ruobing thought he was unhappy and quickly explained, "Hubby, Princess Jingning hasn't met me yet. It's already impolite of me to visit her suddenly. After I've spent some time with Princess Jingning, I'll take you to the princess's mansion, okay?"
Du Yunqian pretended to be appeased and nodded coldly. In fact, he sneered in his heart. He didn't want to go at all. It was okay for Jian Ruobing to make a fool of herself, but he was an official personally appointed by the emperor. He couldn't follow Jian Ruobing's nonsense and be kicked out in public.
He looked at Jian Ruoshui. Their eyes met, and they exchanged a smile.
Jian Ruobing saw this scene but didn't think there was anything wrong. She was just happy in her heart. Du Yunqian loved her, so he was kind to her younger sister.