"This one requires asking your father-in-law to know. However, I’m quite curious, why does your mother-in-law have those medicines when she doesn’t go out?" Tang Weixing said to his wife.
Ye Shuzhen also found it very strange. Her mother, a person who doesn’t leave the house, had those medicines hidden. Someone must have helped her buy them. Who helped her buy them will become clear when we meet elder sister and sister-in-law tomorrow.
Ye Shuzhen couldn’t keep things to herself, it was late but she still wanted to inform Second Sister as soon as possible, to prevent Second Sister from being unable to come tomorrow. So, she sent a house servant to notify Second Sister.
The house servant arrived at the young madam’s relative’s shop, which had already closed for the day. Lights were still on inside, indicating to him that people weren’t asleep yet, so he felt it was worth the trip and knocked:
"Knock, knock, knock, is anyone there?"
Shuzhi and her husband had been running a shop in the town for several years and had grown capable enough to handle it themselves. They had earned some money and came to this county to take over a shop, which also sold miscellaneous goods.
The store they had rented out before was now rented to staff, and was under the care of her father-in-law and Mother-in-law.
Over the years, besides making money, they also had a son and a daughter. Now with a complete family, her father-in-law and Mother-in-law wanted them to have another son, to avoid having only one male heir.
Shuzhi, still young, didn’t decline. She had to take care of the children, help her husband with the shop in the county, and had hired a wet nurse for the children and another staff for the shop.
In a small courtyard behind the shop, there were two or three rooms, a kitchen, and a simple latrine, which accommodated the staff, the wet nurse, and their family.
The house servant knocked, and the staff member went to open the door, only to see a stranger.
"What are you looking to buy, sir? It’s also fortunate that you came to our modest store. You see, other small stores have closed and won’t open their doors," the staff member said.
The house servant took a look at this staff member. He seemed unfamiliar; the young madam’s relatives had only been doing business here for a few months, and he hadn’t come to buy anything from this place, so he didn’t recognize the staff member.
"I’m from your madam’s younger sister’s place to pass a message. Please tell your madam that the young madam will come tomorrow to take her back to her mother’s home; there is an important matter, so please make sure to find the time."
The staff member nodded to show he understood, then sent the house servant away and closed the door.
When the staff member entered the courtyard, he saw the boss and his wife at their door. Perhaps they heard noises outside, or possibly because they couldn’t hear clearly, they were waiting for the staff member to speak.
"Madam, a relative from the Tang Family sent someone to pass on a message, asking the madam and your sister to return to your mother’s home tomorrow. There’s an urgent matter," he said.
Shuzhi nodded to the staff member and exchanged a glance with Zhong Xianggui, both filled with curiosity. They wondered why Ye Shuzhen would send a message so late in the evening, and right now, they couldn’t know the answer.
The couple discussed that they definitely should bring gifts when returning home: presents for their parents, the nieces, and nephews.
Recently, Shuzhi had obtained some hair accessories and toys. Although these were for sale, she didn’t care about making money at that moment. She picked the pretty and fun ones to give as gifts.
For her mother, some nutritious supplements, and for her father, a jug of wine.
Shuzhi prepared the items and then was able to sleep with peace of mind.
Zhong Xianggui got up even earlier the next day. As the man of the house, he couldn’t leave the shop since there was only one staff member available, and today, his wife was going back to her parent’s home, taking the children with her. He got up early to prepare food for his wife and children.
Shuzhi also woke up and got busy. After opening the shop, she helped out and didn’t have time for breakfast, leaving it up to the wet nurse to get the children ready. Then, after Zhong Xianggui came to take over, she hurriedly ate a little breakfast.
The young madam, Ye Shuzhen, accustomed to her active routine, got up a bit early, too. There was the wait for the children to finish eating, and with one delay after another, by the time her carriage arrived at Shuzhi’s miscellaneous shop, it was already 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Having had her fill and helped out in the store, Shuzhi finally saw Ye Shuzhen’s carriage. She recognized the driver, so she called Zhong Xianggui to bring out the gifts and to carry out the children, along with their wet nurse.
With just one carriage, Ye Shuzhen also brought gifts, plus three children and a wet nurse, and with adding Shuzhi and so many people, the carriage was instantly cramped.
Once they were settled, the driver drove the carriage. Following behind them, Tang Weixing was on horseback with another person by his side.
It was more than just worrying about his wife and children; he was also eager to see the new suitor coming to ask for his sister’s hand in marriage.
Coincidentally, their carriage was right behind Zhong Xingwang’s. Zhong Xingwang wasn’t sitting in the carriage but instead riding a horse. They didn’t look back and were unaware that relatives were following them.