CHAPTER 361: CHAPTER 349 MU YUANXIU’S GOOD SUGGESTION (1)

"Sister-in-law Chai, you should discuss it with Brother Chai first. After all, this is someone else’s matter, and it’s not good for us to interfere too much," Li Yuzhu said.

Sister-in-law Chai sighed, smiling and shaking her head, "Miss Yuzhu, you are indeed thoughtful."

Li Yuzhu smiled faintly without saying anything.

It wasn’t that she was thoughtful, but rather that in her previous life in the hospital, she had witnessed too much of the world’s indifference.

Elderly parents became seriously ill, and their descendants, fearing expenses and inconvenience, refused to let a doctor treat their family’s elders, leaving them to fend for themselves.

If it were another illness, it could at least have been a dignified departure.

But this illness, if left unchecked, would destroy the old man’s lifelong reputation.

Fortunately, they were muddled at that time. If they could see it from the heavens, wouldn’t they be devastated?

Back at Chai’s Candle Shop, Sister-in-law Chai immediately went to find her husband, Eldest Young Master Chai, to discuss the matter.

Eldest Young Master Chai said, "I remember Grandma Zhao favored the youngest daughter the most. This time, for Grandma’s birthday banquet, she didn’t return. Could that have caused her to fall ill from anxiety? How about we write a letter to Madam Jing to inquire about her thoughts?"

Sister-in-law Chai’s eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "Yes, yes, yes, that’s a good idea. However, we cannot say it outright; we need to hint at it in our words."

Eldest Young Master Chai laughed, "Of course."

Thus, the couple discussed how to write the letter.

After Eldest Young Master Chai drafted it, Sister-in-law Chai brought it to Li Yuzhu and E Ying for their input.

They all deliberated over the wording together.

Li Yuzhu said, "I think we can write this matter directly." She looked at Sister-in-law Chai and E Ying, "Say that Old Mrs. Zhao kept mistaking me for Madam Jing and asked if I was weaned. If she has any intuition, she will surely notice something."

For a mother’s seventieth birthday, it is truly improper for the daughter not to return for the occasion.

Sister-in-law Chai said, "That’s a good idea. I will immediately ask your brother to add it."

She relayed the result of their discussion to her husband, Eldest Young Master Chai.

Eldest Young Master Chai agreed.

He rewrote the letter and sealed it in a small bamboo tube specially made for letters.

The letter was urgent, so he didn’t ask a familiar acquaintance to deliver it. Instead, he sent the shop’s young assistant on a fast horse to deliver it.

During this period, there was no formal postal service, and the county’s relay stations only delivered government documents or military dispatches. Ordinary citizens could not enjoy the benefits of the relay stations.

For letter delivery, the townsfolk would usually ask acquaintances for a favor.

A small payment would ensure the acquaintance delivered it to the destination.

But relying on acquaintances had many downsides.

Firstly, the delivery time was uncertain, and secondly, it wasn’t guaranteed that the letter would be delivered at all.

Eldest Young Master Chai, eager to send the letter, didn’t look for the usual shopkeepers heading to the Capital to deliver it. Instead, he entrusted the shop’s assistant.

The assistant enjoyed a hearty meal, packed some clean clothes and provisions, wore a sun hat, and secured a raincoat on the horse for backup. He placed the letter tube, about an inch long, in the waist pocket, took the small amount of money given by Eldest Young Master Chai, and set off that very day towards the Capital in the Northwest.

Li Yuzhu watched as the assistant rode away on horseback, sighing inwardly. When her family was dispatched here, it had taken them over a month. This assistant, traveling alone, would be faster, but it would still take at least half a month to get there. Back and forth, it would be another month or so.

She hoped Old Mrs. Zhao’s condition wouldn’t worsen too quickly.

...

Tomorrow marks Guoguo’s first birthday.

Chai Eying and Li Yuzhu plan to return to the village this afternoon.

When they went to bid farewell to the County Magistrate’s Wife, she smiled and said, "Don’t rush off so soon. Sit here for a while and leave later."

Li Yuzhu asked, "Madam, is there something you want to instruct us?"

Chai Eying also looked at her.

The County Magistrate’s Wife smiled and said, "No, it’s that Mr. Li has arrived."

Chai Eying was taken aback, Mr. Li?

Li Yuzhu was the first to react, smiling, "Is my elder brother here? How did he find us here?"

The County Magistrate’s Wife smiled and said, "It’s Mu Yuanxiu who brought him. He said he’s come to take his wife and child home. I also heard from Mu Yuanxiu that tomorrow is Guoguo’s first birthday, and the family plans to hold a banquet, so he came to pick you up."

"Such a long way, and it’s not like we don’t know the way," Chai Eying’s face turned red.

She spoke softly, but the County Magistrate’s Wife still heard her.

The County Magistrate’s Wife smiled and said, "You may know the way, but he doesn’t stop worrying. How could he not care for such a young wife?"

Chai Eying’s face turned even redder.

Li Yuzhu asked, "Madam, where is my elder brother now?"

"Talking with the government official, currently in the study," the County Magistrate’s Wife smiled.