"Get up!" Liu Cai'er was not foolish. She knew that this girl had suffered more than she could imagine at the Meng family before.
Before Ah Jiu could kneel, she grabbed her and pulled her up.
"You've had a hard life too. I'll go to the government office myself tomorrow to get a permit. The backyard of my clinic is empty, and there's a place to stay."
"Thank you, sister-in-law."
Ah Jiu grinned happily, her eyes sparkling like they were filled with stars.
This rare smile even made Liu Cai'er's lips twitch.
"When my sister-in-law first saw you, you were locked in the woodshed. It happened to be your wedding day with my elder brother. I gave you a candy, and you didn't smile like this then."
"Back then..." Ah Jiu lowered her eyes and pursed her lips tightly. "Back then, the sweetest thing Jiu'er ate was that candy. Jiu'er probably didn't know how to smile then."
"Alas... Forget it. You should smile more often from now on. Don't be like your elder brother, with a perpetually stern face. If Grandma scolds you, you don't even dare to fart."
Liu Cai'er sighed. She only realized she had a pitiable sister after marrying into the family.
"How did you get here? Shall I arrange a carriage to take you out of the city to pick up your family?"
When mentioning Grandma, Liu Cai'er's face darkened.
Such a difficult and mean old woman, she wished she could cripple her with a single blow, leaving her bedridden. Then, who would she rely on for care?
"No need, no need, sister-in-law. I... I drove myself here. The carriage... the carriage is waiting at the city gate."
Ah Jiu stammered her excuse poorly. She had come here by reputation, and it was already an unexpected surprise to get her sister-in-law's help. How could she trouble her sister-in-law further?
Moreover, Jiu'er felt guilty. Her elder brother was truly despicable. He had driven away such a good sister-in-law based on Grandma's words.
However, Grandma was much better now, and she hoped her sister-in-law would have a chance to meet her one day.
"No need?"
Ah Jiu waved her hands and retreated. "Really no need, sister-in-law. I have a carriage."
She had backed all the way to the middle of the bluestone street outside the clinic. She smiled and walked backward, waving her hands.
"Goodbye, sister-in-law."
After saying goodbye, Ah Jiu turned and ran. With a whoosh, a black shadow flashed past her eyes, almost brushing her nose.
"Ah Jiu, be careful..."
Ah Jiu took two steps back, staring blankly at the galloping soldier.
She was scared to death.
Turning back, she smiled at her worried sister-in-law.
"Sister-in-law, I'm fine. I'll be careful."
"Mmm," Liu Cai'er responded. She watched the small figure, in clothes that were clearly ill-fitting, skip and bound towards the south gate.
Her smile slowly faded from her face.
Meng Nanxing, why did you betray me so deeply? I wish you were dead.
But when I heard you were infected with the plague, I couldn't be happy. Why?
Liu Cai'er covered her face, tears streaming down. She had lost the support of two men at once, and her body felt incredibly weak.
"Nanxing, you must not die. Our children can already talk. You haven't heard him call you 'Daddy' yet. When I find you, I will do everything I can to cure your illness."
Ah Jiu walked back to the city gate on foot.
She found that there were more soldiers than when she arrived, forcing people to the side of the road.
"Huangfu Clan investigating a case. All unrelated persons, step aside."
Then, a troop of cavalry rode in. Ah Jiu was pushed to the side of the road and watched dazedly for a long time before that group disappeared in the direction of the city gate.
The street quickly returned to its usual liveliness. Ah Jiu, holding up her long skirt, asked for directions to the government office.
Standing outside the imposing yamen gate, adorned with numerous rivets, Ah Jiu looked up at the plaque hanging above: "Huangfu Clan."
The two stone lions at the entrance were majestic and imposing, making one feel a sense of pressure standing at the gate.
Ah Jiu took a deep breath and stepped inside.
"Young lady, what grievance do you have?"
Ah Jiu was stopped. She said nervously, "I've come to see my parents. They were arrested and brought to the yamen the day before yesterday. I... I want to see them."
"Are they troublesome refugees? Or the criminals who killed and plundered in Riverbank Village last night?"
The two guards immediately became extremely vigilant.
In this era, the word "refugee" was as sensitive as words for murder, arson, and looting.