Mo Chuhan finally felt a bit of strength after devouring a large steamed bun and a packet of sauced beef.
He quickened his pace, hoping to reunite with his family as soon as possible.
When they reached the vicinity of the camp, Mo Jiuye deliberately didn't hide from the night watchmen.
In the future, Eighth Brother would be traveling with them to the northwest, so there was no need for concealment.
As for those who wanted them dead behind their backs, they would still make their move even if Eighth Brother wasn't present.
The sound of the three people walking was not quiet. Even though the night watchmen were a bit drowsy, they could still hear the noise.
The sky was too dark, and the watchmen couldn't see the faces of the approaching individuals, only three silhouettes.
"Who's there?" one of the watchmen asked loudly.
"It's us, sir," He Zhiran replied.
He Zhiran's position was somewhat close to where Mo's family's tent was located.
When the Mo family women heard her voice, they thought something had happened and came out of the tent one by one to check.
"He Zhiran, what happened?" Old Lady Mo asked anxiously.
At this moment, the watchmen also came over to investigate, asking, "He Zhiran, why are you all not resting in the middle of the night? What are you doing out here?"
He Zhiran didn't immediately answer the watchmen because she saw Old Lady Mo stumbling towards Mo Chuhan's direction.
Old Lady Mo rubbed her eyes vigorously and carefully examined Mo Chuhan.
"Chuhan?"
Mo Chuhan knelt down in front of Old Lady Mo and said, "Mother, it's your unfilial son, Chuhan."
At that moment, Eighth Sister-in-law also recognized Mo Chuhan's voice and came to him, bypassing several other sisters-in-law.
"Husband, is it really you? You're really not dead?"
Mo Chuhan, seeing his once plump wife who had now become thin, nodded with difficulty, "Xianglan, it's me, I'm not dead."
Eighth Sister-in-law burst into tears and threw herself into Mo Chuhan's arms, ignoring the gazes around them.
At the same time, her little fists continued to pound on his chest.
"Mo Chuhan, you jerk... Why didn't you come home if you weren't dead... Sob, sob, sob...
You know what? I was mocked by my two sisters-in-law from my natal family for three whole years. They said I brought bad luck to my husband as soon as we got married...
It's all your fault... Sob, sob, sob..."
Seeing this scene, the other sisters-in-law also shed tears, but they had the discernment not to approach.
Mo Hanyue also came to Old Lady Mo's side and looked at the person in front of her who had become unrecognizably thin.
"Mother, is this really Eighth Brother? How did he become like this?"
At the moment when Mo Chuhan knelt down, Old Lady Mo intended to step forward and help him up to inquire further.
However, before she could make a move, Eighth Sister-in-law threw herself at him.
As someone who had gone through the pain of separation from her spouse, she naturally understood and restrained herself from approaching.
Upon hearing her sister-in-law's words, Eighth Sister-in-law realized that she had been a bit too impulsive just now.
She quickly got up from Mo Chuhan's embrace and turned to look at Old Lady Mo.
"Mother, I'm sorry, it was an abrupt action on my part."
Old Lady Mo patted her shoulder and said, "It's alright. Nowadays, we are no longer a wealthy family where rules need to be followed at every turn. We can let go of those formalities."
As they spoke, Old Lady Mo had already approached Mo Chuhan and reached out to help him up.
As Old Lady Mo's hand touched Mo Chuhan's arm, the tears she had just suppressed once again flowed uncontrollably.
"Chuhan, what have you experienced in these three years? Why have you become so thin?"
Mo Chuhan followed his mother's guidance and stood up.
"Mother, I..."
Just as Mo Chuhan was about to explain something, Mo Jiuye stepped forward.
"Mother, Eighth Brother is injured and still very weak. It would be better to ask these questions later, slowly."
Old Lady Mo understood Mo Jiuye's meaning. It was simply that it was not appropriate to discuss these matters with so many people around.
She had been too concerned about Mo Chuhan earlier, which made her overlook this point.
At this moment, Peng Wang also arrived with a group of officials to assess the situation, and members of the Fang and Xie families were also nearby, watching.
From their earlier conversation, they had already learned about Mo Chuhan's identity.
Although they were puzzled by Mo Chuhan's resurrection, they genuinely felt happy for the Mo family.
Peng Wang was the most tactful and waved his hand towards the onlookers.
"The Mo family is catching up on old times. It's none of your business. Everyone, disperse!"
The crowd obediently dispersed.
Mo Jiuye glanced at the sky and realized it would still be some time before dawn.
"Eighth Brother, you should rest in my tent for now. We can talk later."
At that, Fifth Sister-in-Law walked over.
"Ninth Brother, Eighth Sister and I share a tent. I'll take my things and squeeze in with Mother and Hanyue. Let Eighth Brother go to Eighth Sister's tent."
Before Mo Jiuye could respond, Old Lady Mo agreed first, "Yes, that's appropriate. Considering Chuhan's weak state, it's convenient for Zhao Shi to take care of him."
As they spoke, Fifth Sister-in-Law had already brought out her luggage from the tent, making space for Eighth Brother and Eighth Sister.
Eighth Sister-in-Law reached out and supported Mo Chuhan's arm.
"Husband, I'll support you."
Mo Chuhan gently patted the hand wrapped around his arm.
"Alright."
Eighth Sister-in-Law carefully supported Mo Chuhan as they entered the tent, but the curtain was not drawn.
She knew that Mother must have a lot to say to her husband.
Sure enough, Old Lady Mo followed them inside.
Mo Jiuye was worried that Eighth Brother might mistakenly reveal the explanations they had prepared, so he quickly stepped forward and held onto Old Lady Mo.
"Mother, Eighth Brother is very weak. Let him rest for now. If you want to know something, let your son tell you tomorrow."
Old Lady Mo looked at Mo Chuhan, who was sitting inside the tent with a slightly tilted body, and said to Eighth Sister-in-Law, "Zhao Shi, you should rest early. We can talk about it tomorrow."
After speaking, she left with Mo Jiuye.
Undoubtedly, she would carefully inquire about Mo Chuhan's situation.
The other sisters-in-law tacitly led Mo Hanyue back to their respective tents. They all understood that if there was something about Mo Chuhan they needed to know, Mother would inform them tomorrow. There was no urgency at this moment.
Mo Jiuye proceeded to recount Mo Chuhan's ordeal to his mother, as he had discussed with He Zhiran in advance.
"Mother, Eighth Brother is one of those black-clad individuals who rise early. When I fought against him, I sensed something was amiss. So, I knocked him unconscious and secretly hid him in a nearby cave, leaving Liang Hao and the others to keep watch there.
After nightfall, I utilized my lightness skills to return to that cave with Ranran to treat Eighth Brother..."
Old Lady Mo had already heard about Liang Hao and the others seeking refuge, and she didn't harbor any doubts about it.
Mo Jiuye used the excuse of saving Mo Chuhan to deflect attention from the matter, but he didn't conceal anything else.
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Mo once again burst into tears.
"Who on earth is behind such persecution against our Mo family's children?"
Seeing Old Lady Mo in distress, He Zhiran stepped forward to console her.
"Mother, the situation has already passed. It's fortunate that Eighth Brother is able to come back alive.
You don't need to worry about his health; with me here, I guarantee his complete recovery."
Old Lady Mo nodded and then patted He Zhiran's hand.
"He Shi, ever since you married into the Mo family, I've observed everything you've done. If it weren't for you, our entire family would have perished long ago.
And now, you have also lifted the puppetry curse from Eighth Brother. This act of kindness will remain in my heart."
