Chapter 8: A Mother and Her Children Reunited, Crying Tears of Joy

The servants of the Chu family were in a frenzy, and the maid hurriedly called for a physician.

Qingli snapped back to her senses, rushing forward to assist Madam Chu.

“Step aside, let me take a look. I can help,” she said.

Qingli pinched the acupoint on Madam Chu’s upper lip, bringing her out of her faint. She then handed Madam Chu a pill, saying, “This is a tonic I made. If you trust me, you should take it. It will help you regain your strength to handle this situation.”

Madam Chu looked into Qingli’s clear eyes, sensing sincerity and feeling instinctively that she could trust her.

She nodded and took the pill.

The maid quickly interjected, “Madam, why don’t we wait for the physician to arrive first? He should be here soon.”

Madam Chu shook her head and swallowed the pill.

Regaining her composure, she stood up and walked toward Zhao, the midwife.

At this moment, Zhao was also in great distress, fearing that she might have endangered the two children. She was terrified that after years of scheming, she would lose everything before even enjoying the fruits of her labor.

Her heart was filled with panic, and she was in great turmoil.

Qingli addressed Madam Chu, “If you have questions, hurry and ask! In half an hour, the truth spell will wear off. I can redraw it, but it’s quite troublesome.”

Hearing this, Madam Chu nodded and called for the guards to restrain Zhao and force her to kneel for questioning.

The truth quickly unfolded as the interrogation revealed the entire sequence of events. Madam Chu appeared to age ten years in an instant, her face losing its luster, her eyes devoid of life.

Qingli glanced at the two little ghosts, who seemed to display no strong emotions, merely watching Madam Chu with curiosity and some pity.

The two little ghosts only wished to see their family. Qingli thought for a moment and said to Madam Chu, “If you want to see the two children, I can let you.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Chu became instantly excited, rushing to Qingli’s side and grasping her hand. “Miss, is that true? Where are they? Where are my children?”

Madam Chu was in tears, looking around with eyes full of hope, a sight that was hard to bear for anyone watching.

Qingli gently said, “Madam Chu, ask everyone to step out!”

Madam Chu nodded repeatedly and instructed everyone to leave the hall.

In the end, only Zhao remained.

Qingli took out a yellow talisman and recited a few incantations. The characters on the talisman transformed into a stream of golden smoke that flowed into Madam Chu’s eyes.

When she opened her eyes again, Madam Chu saw two pale-faced children floating behind Qingli, suspended in mid-air.

Her eyes instantly turned red, her lips trembling as she struggled to find the words.

Qingli turned to glance at the two little ghosts, then gestured towards them while reciting another incantation. The dark mist surrounding them dissipated, their dark circles vanished, and they appeared as normal children, albeit still a bit pale.

As Madam Chu recognized her children, she could no longer hold back her tears. They flowed down her cheeks as she trembled and moved toward them.

Qingli stepped aside to give the mother and her children space to reunite.

“Children~ my children…”

“Wahhh~!”

“My children…”

The two little ghosts landed on the ground as Madam Chu cried and approached them, wanting to reach out and touch them, but hesitating.

She couldn’t bring herself to call them by their names, for those names had been used for the sons of her enemies for over a decade. Guilt and regret washed over Madam Chu like a tidal wave, and she cried until her voice was choked, unable to calm her emotions.

Big Bai was the first to speak, somewhat awkwardly calling out, “Mother.”

Hearing this, Madam Chu’s eyes reddened even more, and she could no longer contain her emotions. She fell to the ground, sobbing loudly.

Little Bai and Big Bai looked on helplessly, unsure of how to comfort her.

Zhao, the midwife, watched this scene unfold, yet felt no guilt or remorse. Instead, she coldly observed, consumed by thoughts of how her own sons would fare in this situation, filled with worry and anxiety.

Seeing the two little ghosts standing there, helplessly watching Madam Chu cry, Qingli smiled encouragingly. “Your mother is deeply saddened and feels guilty for not being able to protect and care for you both. Go on, comfort her; otherwise, she might cry her eyes out.”

The two little ghosts squatted down. Little Bai spoke softly, “Mother, don’t cry. My brother and I are doing fine. Please don’t be sad.”

Little Bai quickly adapted to calling Big Bai “brother” now that he knew the truth.

Hearing the soft voice, Madam Chu lifted her head. Her eyes were red and swollen, her hair slightly disheveled; she looked quite distressed.

She gazed at her two children, marveling at how beautifully they resembled her and their father, unlike those other children who bore no resemblance to her family at all. How could she not have suspected anything?

Madam Chu looked at her children with eyes full of love and pain, along with deep guilt.

Little Bai reached out to smooth back Madam Chu’s hair, a sweet smile lighting up his cherubic face. “Mother, you’re so pretty! I always wondered what you looked like, and you’re even more beautiful than I imagined!”

“But if you keep crying, you won’t be pretty anymore. So please, don’t cry, alright?”

Such comforting words came from a child, and Madam Chu felt her heart nearly shatter from the emotion.

She struggled to rein in her tears, forcing a smile as she gently touched Little Bai’s face. To her surprise, she could actually feel it.

Qingli didn’t miss the fleeting look of joy that flashed in Madam Chu’s eyes!

She smiled in return, a sense of pride swelling within her. Yes, she was too kind-hearted; she couldn’t help but facilitate this reunion for the mother and her children.

It was truly pitiful for Madam Chu that she had never held her two children after they were born. Now that she had the chance to touch them, she would regret it for the rest of her life if she couldn’t.

As Madam Chu touched Little Bai’s face, she felt the coldness of his skin, chilling her heart and causing her tears to flow once more.

Little Bai smiled up at Madam Chu, rubbing his face against her palm, his lively grin radiating warmth.

“Mother, my brother has always taken care of me. We’re both very happy! No other ghosts bully us, and we haven’t suffered at all. So please don’t worry, and don’t be sad.”

Madam Chu nodded, eagerly extending her hand to grasp Big Bai’s. When she found she could indeed hold him, a true smile finally blossomed in her eyes.

“Tell me all about how you’ve been over the years.”

Madam Chu sat on the ground, pulling both children into her embrace, lovingly stroking their heads as she quietly listened to their stories.

Qingli felt a bit concerned. She hadn’t expected Madam Chu to hold the two little ghosts so closely. Prolonged contact with ghosts could affect her health.

Yet, looking at the warm scene before her, she found it hard to interrupt.

Well, at worst, she could expel the ghostly energy from Madam Chu later; it wouldn’t have too much of an impact.

However, she had already lost several talismans today, all given away for free.