Chapter 161: All is Well!

While others immerse themselves in books, neglecting sleep and food,

Her young husband, however, forsakes books at the mere scent of noodles.

Initially, Jiang Mixia had wondered if she might have to grab her young husband by the ear and forbid him from studying too hard, emphasizing the need to eat well and maintain good health before pursuing his future endeavors.

She had even imagined scenarios where Song Jingyun would refuse to eat and insist on studying, preparing in advance how to counter his arguments…

But now, it seemed she had overthought things.

Her young husband would always be her young husband, his love for food an unchanging trait!

Unaware of the intense mental deliberation Jiang Mixia had gone through in such a short time, Song Jingyun simply entered the kitchen, handed her utensils, and urged her to eat quickly.

Everything was… just fine!

The carriage moved slowly towards the county town.

Rubbing her temples, Lady Luo felt her body, already a bit weaker than most, showing signs of fatigue. Having ventured out before dawn and spoken so much earlier, she was indeed feeling a bit weary.

“Madam, please rest a while,” the maid Sangju arranged a soft cushion for Lady Luo and brought a cup of ginseng tea.

Lady Luo took a sip, furrowing her brow slightly.

Years of nourishment made the ginseng tea taste unpleasant in her mouth, making it hard to swallow.

“Madam, would you like something to eat?” Sangju assumed Lady Luo was feeling hungry and promptly brought out various pastries prepared on the carriage.

Lady Luo picked up a piece of mung bean cake, nibbling on it slowly, occasionally washing it down with the ginseng tea.

After finishing the mung bean cake, Lady Luo’s complexion eased a bit, appearing somewhat less fatigued.

“I do feel a bit weary today. When we arrive at the inn later, prepare a medicinal bath,” Lady Luo instructed.

“Yes,” Sangju acknowledged, then hesitated slightly before speaking, “Forgive my intrusion, but Lady has indeed spoken at length today.”

There had been quite a lot of talk indeed.

Sangju, Lady Luo’s personal maid who had grown up with her, shared a bond deeper than that of sisters. Often, Sangju spoke her mind without much reservation.

Lady Luo chuckled, “Do you think I shouldn’t have discussed so many trivial matters about our family today?”

“Idle talk can be dangerous, especially since even though the Jiang family is kind-hearted, they are ultimately of humble origins and may not fully grasp certain customs,” Sangju explained. “I worry that if they go around gossiping recklessly, it could be detrimental to you, Madam.”

“If others were present, I would not mention any family matters. However, today, for some reason, it felt like being back at home, and I couldn’t stop the flood of words,” Lady Luo remarked.

“It’s fine to speak your mind. These matters are well-known in the capital anyway. Let those who wag their tongues do so. If Mrs. Jiang’s family truly lacks etiquette, we know how to handle matters regarding Mr. Song in the future, and we understand the extent of our debt from saving Zuo’er,” Lady Luo said.

Seeing that Lady Luo had her own plans in mind, Sangju nodded and refrained from further discussion on the matter.

As the carriage traveled, the recent rain had left the road uneven, causing a bumpy ride. Inside the carriage, the flowerpot occasionally made faint noises as it brushed against the side walls due to the jolting motion.

“This flower…” Sangju observed for a while. “It’s quite unique. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“Yes, it does seem quite special. Watching Mr. Song handle the transplanting so delicately, it must indeed be something extraordinary,” Lady Luo remarked. “Handle it with care. I see many more flower buds; it should bloom for quite some time.”

Although the flower buds were small, the blossoms that had already opened were scattered like stars, with a light purple hue that Lady Luo admired, complemented by lush green leaves, giving the plant an elegant and fresh appearance.

Lady Luo quite liked it.

Moreover, as it was a flower sent by their benefactors, it deserved proper care and attention.

“Yes, I will be sure to look after it diligently,” Sangju promised.

As Sangju spoke, Cao Jinzhuo in Lady Luo’s arms yawned, rubbing his eyes with chubby hands.

“Zuo’er is awake,” Lady Luo’s face lit up with affection. “Are you thirsty? Hungry? Would you like some milk cake?”

Cao Jinzhuo’s favorite treat was milk cake, especially when made by Lady Luo herself. Whenever he heard the words “milk cake,” his eyes would light up, and he would eagerly nod.

However, this time, Cao Jinzhuo behaved differently. Instead of his usual reaction, his eyes were fixed on the flowerpot in the carriage, staring intently without even blinking.

Lady Luo and Sangju exchanged concerned looks, worried about his unusual behavior.

“What’s wrong, young master? Could it be that you don’t like the flower? If that’s the case, I can move it to the other carriage,” Sangju suggested, reaching out to relocate the flower.

Cao Jinzhuo suddenly snapped out of his trance, extending his chubby hand to stop Sangju. After moving his mouth hesitantly for a while, he finally uttered a word, “Flower…”

Both Lady Luo and Sangju widened their eyes, the silence in the carriage becoming palpable.

Sangju, stunned for a while, eventually regained her composure. “Young master, did the young master just speak?”

“Yes, he spoke, he spoke!” Lady Luo was overjoyed, her eyes glistening with tears. She held Cao Jinzhuo close and asked, “Zuo’er, I’m your mother, I’m your mother. Can you say ‘mother’?”

Would he say it? Lady Luo looked at Cao Jinzhuo with immense anticipation.

Cao Jinzhuo gazed back at Lady Luo. Blinking repeatedly in her expectant gaze, he hesitated before finally uttering, “Mother…”

“Ah,” Lady Luo responded, nodding vigorously.

Tears flowed uncontrollably. Overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn’t speak, only holding Cao Jinzhuo tightly.

Tears streamed down her face, dampening Cao Jinzhuo’s shoulder and clothing in the process.

She was truly overwhelmed.

After realizing that Cao Jinzhuo was hesitant to speak, Lady Luo had imagined and prepared for the worst many times. She had even considered how she would shower him with more love if her fears were confirmed, ensuring he could grow up carefree and have a lifetime of support.

But now, Cao Jinzhuo had spoken.

Her Zuo’er was a normal child! This exceeded her expectations and filled her with immense joy.

Cao Jinzhuo, witnessing his mother choked with emotion, reached out with his chubby hand, attempting to wipe away her tears, saying, “Mother, don’t cry.”

“Oh, Mother isn’t crying, Mother is happy, happy,” Lady Luo hurriedly wiped her tears with a handkerchief, not wanting her young child to worry. “Are you hungry? Would you like to eat some milk cake that you love?”

“Yes,” Cao Jinzhuo replied.

Not just a nod, but a response.

Moreover, the voice was clearer than before, and the response was noticeably quicker.

Zuo’er had truly improved!

Watching Cao Jinzhuo enjoy the milk cake sweetly, Lady Luo felt immense relief and began planning to write a letter back to the capital promptly, ensuring her husband learned of this wonderful news as soon as possible.