Jiang Wan's words were extremely sharp, like steel knives scraping across Madam Zhao's heart, making her face turn pale and then flushed.
Chen Yuezhi felt that Jiang Wan's words were a bit too harsh.
However, Jiang Wan believed some things needed to be said plainly. Otherwise, endless entanglement would only waste time and energy.
Madam Zhao still refused to budge. Then, Guard Ma stepped forward and yanked her up from the ground, "Go back to your room!"
"Husband!"
Madam Zhao refused to enter the house, because doing so would mean that Xiao Bao had to be returned to the Jiang family.
Guard Ma sighed, "Go back to your room. Xiao Bao is not someone we can keep."
Following the Jiang family, Xiao Bao's future held infinite possibilities. Following them, Xiao Bao would only ever be a servant.
The Jiang family had made their stance clear. How could he still shamelessly use his genuine affection for Xiao Bao as an excuse?
Madam Zhao, feeling wronged, cried and rushed back into the room.
Guard Ma, with a somber face, said, "She's just a woman, with limited understanding. Please don't hold it against her."
Jiang Wan saw through the calculations of Guard Ma and his wife with perfect clarity. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
This matter was most likely a plan concocted by the couple. They wouldn't have their own children, so they wanted to keep Xiao Bao with them. However, under pressure from Lord Shen, they had to hand Xiao Bao over.
By having Madam Zhao come forward to beg the Jiang family, if they succeeded, they could keep Xiao Bao. If they failed, they could later claim it was the wife's lack of propriety and her reluctance to part with Xiao Bao that caused such a scene, and no one would be harsh on them.
Despite seeing through it, Jiang Wan didn't develop any negative feelings towards Guard Ma and his wife because of it.
Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi shared the same sentiment.
So, Jiang Pan said, "Of course not. This matter has been a great blow to Madam Ma. Guard Ma, don't blame her. She truly couldn't bear to part with Xiao Bao, which is why she acted this way."
Guard Ma nodded, his eyes showing a hint of pleading, "Regarding the matter of becoming foster parents, does it still stand?"
"We genuinely like Xiao Bao... If Miss Jiang objects, we won't insist."
Chen Yuezhi said, "Of course it stands. It is Xiao Bao's fortune to have another pair of parents who dote on him and care for him."
Guard Ma, overjoyed, thanked them repeatedly.
Jiang Pan said apologetically, "It's just that Xiao Bao is still unwilling to acknowledge his mother. So, for now, I'm afraid we can't arrange for them to meet. Therefore, I will act on his behalf to accept this foster relationship. If you have time in the future, you are always welcome to visit him in Yao County. When he's older, we can also let him come to visit you."
Saying this, Jiang Pan pushed the bank note into Guard Ma's hand.
Guard Ma refused to accept it, saying that accepting the money would make him feel less confident.
Jiang Pan insisted on giving it, and he said in a low voice, "Do you really want to be servants for your entire lives? Since we are now relatives, I won't stand on ceremony with you."
"With the chaos outside like this, who knows how long Huainan Prefecture can hold out. Keep this money. If Huainan Prefecture falls, this money will be your capital to survive. If Huainan Prefecture remains safe, and if you wish to start your own household in the future, you will have capital."
"If you wish to go to Yao County in the future, we welcome you. I am working at the Yao County yamen. If you go, just come to the county yamen to find me."
With Jiang Pan having said all this, Guard Ma accepted the money. He bowed gratefully to Jiang Pan, "Uncle Jiang, thank you."
In fact, Jiang Pan was not much older than him, but due to Xiao Bao's connection, Guard Ma's seniority naturally decreased.
After the Jiang family resolved this matter, they went to see Madam Shen.
When Madam Shen heard that they were there to resign, she immediately tried to persuade them to stay.
"Sister Chen, with such chaos outside, traveling is truly dangerous for you. Why not stay in Huainan Prefecture? Although no one can leave now, at least it is safe within the city."
Chen Yuezhi smiled and thanked her for her kindness, "If it were peaceful outside, we wouldn't mind staying longer. It is precisely because of the severe chaos outside that we are in a hurry to return."
"My daughter-in-law gave birth just last month, and my second daughter-in-law just got married a few days ago. The family lacks a pillar of support. They are young and not capable. If anything were to happen, I fear they wouldn't even be able to protect themselves."
"Your young master's illness also urgently requires medicine. Once I return, I will gather the medicine and find a way to send it to you. Prolonging this illness will damage his foundation."
Upon hearing about her son's illness, Madam Shen could no longer speak of anything else, "Sister Chen, I will remember this kindness."
"I will have my husband arrange things for you now. The journey back to Jiangning Prefecture will undoubtedly be fraught with difficulties. The preparations cannot be insufficient."
She had to ensure the Jiang family arrived safely in Yao County, only then could her son be saved.
Chen Yuezhi did not stand on ceremony. Given the current situation, returning to Yao County was bound to be extremely difficult. Water routes were impassable, so they could only travel by land.
The land routes were filled with refugees. It was easy to imagine how arduous it would be.
The Jiang family was in a hurry to travel, so the next day, they had already packed their belongings and were ready to depart.
Before they left, Guard Ma and Madam Zhao came to the guest courtyard.
As soon as Jiang Xiao saw the couple, she became very nervous and quickly tried to bring Xiao Bao into the house.
But Xiao Bao's eyes were sharp, and he had already spotted the couple. Xiao Bao immediately ran towards them, "Dad, Mom, are you here to take me home?"
Seeing this, Jiang Xiao couldn't help but clench her fists and instinctively stepped forward, wanting to snatch Xiao Bao back.
Chen Yuezhi quickly held her back, "We are leaving soon. They have raised Xiao Bao for so long; we must let them say goodbye."
Jiang Xiao's face looked unhappy, "Mom, I'm afraid Xiao Bao won't forget them..."
Chen Yuezhi patted her hand, "If Xiao Bao doesn't forget them, then it only means you haven't been a good mother. Da Niu, no matter how unhappy you are, you must remember that they are Xiao Bao's benefactors."
Jiang Xiao bit her lip and finally nodded in agreement.
Madam Zhao, seeing Xiao Bao rush towards her, couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart. She quickly crouched down and opened her arms to catch Xiao Bao.
As soon as Xiao Bao was in her arms, he acted spoiled and insisted on going home.
Madam Zhao, suppressing her sadness, kissed his little face, then stood up and led him to Jiang Xiao.
"Xiao Bao, listen to me. This is your real mother, and I am your foster mother. Your real mother had something to attend to before and entrusted you to my care. Now that her matters are finished, she has come to take you home. From now on, you will follow your real mother home and live a good life, understand?"
Xiao Bao was still young and didn't understand the words of real mother and foster mother, but he understood one thing: Madam Zhao didn't want him anymore!
After realizing this, Xiao Bao hugged Madam Zhao's leg tightly and refused to let go. He burst into tears, "Mom, please don't abandon me."