As Xu Hanmei was heavily pregnant, Zhu Changning would support her to walk a few steps near the carriage during rest breaks. Lady Zhang was not a cruel mother-in-law; although dissatisfied with Xu Hanmei's behavior these past few days, she still cared about her and tried her best not to let her health suffer.
"My lady, Lady Qin has arrived," Lady Li whispered.
Lady Zhang, who was stretching her limbs, glanced over and gestured for her to come closer.
Lady Qin curtsied and said, "My lady, the carriage is too hard and is hurting the young madam. I was sent to ask if we could delay a little to add an extra layer of bedding to cushion the carriage."
Lady Zhang nodded, "Lady Li, go with her and lend a hand. Be quick about it."
"Yes, ma'am."
Lady Qin expressed her gratitude repeatedly and, after bowing to the fourth young miss who had arrived, quickly left.
"Mother, do you need any help?"
Lady Zhang tapped her forehead, "You'd only make more work with this kind of help."
"Mother, you underestimate me so. I'll go help right away." Though Zhu Changle said she would help, she was very self-aware and didn't go cause trouble. Instead, she ran to her second sister-in-law and looked at her complexion, saying, "Second Sister-in-law, let me transfer some qi to you. It will help you feel better."
"Transfer qi?" Xu Hanmei looked at her husband, not understanding what this meant.
Zhu Changning explained, "It's internal energy cultivated by martial artists. Changle has been practicing for over ten years."
"That won't be necessary," Xu Hanmei flatly refused. She didn't dare accept such a strange thing.
"It's not harmful to the body, Second Sister-in-law..."
"It's not necessary," Xu Hanmei interrupted her. Then, realizing her attitude was too harsh, she forced a smile and said, "If I can't bear it anymore, I'll certainly ask for your help."
This wasn't something to force, so Zhu Changle could only nod and wave goodbye as she left.
Xu Hanmei watched her get into her uncle's carriage, a hint of unease on her face. "Husband, your little sister won't be upset with me, will she?"
"Changle just has a lively personality. She's much more open and easy to get along with compared to many other ladies. She won't get angry over something so small."
Zhu Changning didn't think much of it. He knew his sister better than anyone. But these words didn't sit well with Xu Hanmei. To her ears, it sounded like Zhu Changle was generous and easy to get along with, implying that she herself was petty and difficult.
Lowering her gaze, Xu Hanmei stroked her belly, feeling increasingly wronged. The unruly Zhu Changle made everyone beam with joy, while she struggled along with her huge belly, and not a single person seemed to appreciate her difficulties.
"Young madam, the bedding has been laid out. Please try if it's more comfortable now," Lady Li came forward to assist. Xu Hanmei raised her hand to smooth her hair, then placed it on Lady Li's arm as she carefully stepped onto the wooden stool and into the carriage. The convoy set off again.
That night, Aunt Feng quietly left for a while, known only to Zhu Changle.
By the fourth day, Xu Hanmei's condition had visibly worsened. Her face was noticeably swollen, her appetite had decreased, and halfway through the journey, she began vomiting. Fearing complications, the old madam had the convoy stop at the nearest post station to rest for half a day.
Without a doctor present, Lady Zhang spent extra money to have the station master buy an old hen to make soup. Xu Hanmei couldn't eat much before vomiting it all up, but she wasn't being delicate now. After vomiting, she would continue to eat, and after eating and vomiting, she would eat again. Though it was a grueling process, some nutrients did manage to stay down.
The old madam, thinking of something, asked for brush and ink. After several failed attempts, she handed a piece of paper to her little granddaughter. "Can you find these herbs?"
Zhu Changle took the paper and looked at it, shaking her head. Just as the old lady was about to be disappointed, the little rascal said, "But Aunt Feng will definitely recognize them. When she comes back, we can ask her to look for them."
"Where did she go? When will she be back?"
"I sent her to the nearest county town to buy medicine for pregnancy."
"With the pregnancy medicine, this won't be necessary." The old lady let out a long sigh of relief, pinching her granddaughter's cheek with a smile. Changle's mischievousness was so deeply ingrained in everyone's minds that they had forgotten she had been traveling back and forth alone since she was very young. Her ability to handle situations was far beyond that of sheltered women, especially with Aunt Feng by her side.
Aunt Feng returned quickly. Lady Zhang accepted the medicine with great solemnity and thanked her. Aunt Feng shook her head and retreated behind her young miss.
Lady Zhang didn't stand on ceremony with her own daughter and quickly had Lady Li brew the medicine. An eight-month pregnancy could easily turn into a matter of life and death for both mother and child if something went wrong, so she was truly anxious.
After taking the brewed medicine, the restless child finally calmed down. Xu Hanmei fell into a deep sleep, and when she woke up in the evening, the Zhu family members finally felt some relief.
"My lord, it seems Xu Hanmei may have experienced some pregnancy complications. Should we rest here for another day?"
Zhu Maonian paced back and forth several times. He needed to take up his post as soon as possible, and any delay would give others reasons to criticize him. He wasn't afraid of being impeached, but he worried about further variables. He needed to stabilize the current situation.
However, no matter what, he couldn't gamble with his family's lives. Zhu Maonian nodded, "We'll rest for another day."
Lady Zhang let out a sigh of relief. "This pregnancy medicine is extremely effective. The doctor must be very skilled. Tomorrow, I'd like to ask Changle to try and invite a doctor here. The county town is only about thirty miles away. With some extra silver, they might be willing to make the trip."
"With some extra silver, having Changle drive a carriage to pick them up shouldn't be a problem."
"Yes." Lady Zhang's face showed a hint of a smile. "Our Changle has grown up. She can even help us with our worries now."
Zhu Maonian's expression also softened. Changle had done very well on this journey.
On a dark and windy night, the wind rustled through the tree leaves, seemingly concealing countless shadows.
Zhu Changle, who had been meditating on the bed, suddenly opened her eyes. She stretched, picked up her sword, and walked out of the room.
"Young miss," Aunt Feng descended from the roof, "They've been intercepted."
"How many people came? Do you think they can hold them off?"
"Fifteen people. They've formed a formation. It's evenly matched."
At this moment, the door next to them opened, and Zhu Changwang slowly walked out, holding onto the doorframe. Zuo Qing moved the wheelchair across the threshold and immediately helped him sit down.
At times like these, Zhu Changle never offered to help, because her big brother didn't need it. She walked over with a smile, "Big Brother, did you hear the commotion? It seems quite far away."
"I heard you talking," Zhu Changwang adjusted his coat, allowing Zuo Qing to cover his legs with a blanket. "They've come earlier than I expected. This isn't a good place for a confrontation."
"Maybe our sudden stop today disrupted their plans."
Zhu Changwang stroked his chin, nodding slightly. "It's a fortunate accident. Better than falling into their trap. We'll need to keep disrupting their plans in the coming days."
The commotion grew louder. Zhu Maonian and Zhu Changning came out one after another, the former with a grim expression, the latter looking confused. "What's that sound?"
