Lady Du took a few soap beans and while scrubbing her husband’s body, she smiled gently, "It’s all over, Wei’er has opened a restaurant and everything at home has improved."
His wife had just told him about the family’s recent struggles. Even though her version greatly differed from the old lady’s, he chose without hesitation to believe his wife.
"Who would have thought that our timid Wei’er, would quietly accomplish such a great feat!"
Mu Zhongqing felt somewhat emotional. Just a moment ago, seeing his daughter casually giving away handfuls of silver to beggars, he hardly recognized her. This was not only due to the drastic change in her appearance, but mostly because of the inherent composure that she exuded - calm, serene, and soothingly reassuring.
"Ah, she wasn’t originally . Ever since she fainted from hunger, her personality changed!"
Speaking of their daughter, Lady Du felt both proud and heartbroken. Their daughter’s transformation was born out of the harsh realities of life. Girls her age in other families were under their parents’ protection, living in the deep chamber of their boudoir, never setting foot outside. But their daughter had to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family, competing and fighting in the outside world, just like a man. Despite the improved condition at home now, every time she saw her daughter venturing out, she felt a heavy pang in her heart.
Mu Zhongqing kept silent, his fist soaking in the water clenched tight.
The thought of his daughter fainting from hunger and nearly starving to death, despite it being a thing of the past, was still deeply painful. She was his child!
What was more heartbreaking to him was the apathy of his parents and brothers, who turned a blind eye and allowed his daughter to starve...
From a young age, he had immersed himself in the Book of Sages, always believing in the principles of the benevolent father, filial son, friendly siblings. He thought that as long as they consistently showed filial piety to their parents, respected their brothers, and loved their nephews, one day their parents and older brother would be moved by their sincerity, set aside their prejudices, accept them, and they all would live happily ever after.
But the bitter truth began to shake the belief he had held for many years...
His mother, heedless of his worn and weary state and the severity of his illness, hysterically forced him to save someone, nearly causing him to die in a foreign land; his father and elder brother, to achieve their unspeakable goals, directed Butcher Zhang to humiliate his wife and daughters at the market, which nearly ruined them. Were such parents and brothers truly worth his filial piety, respect, and attempts at reconciliation?
After bath, Lady Du took a clean and soft cotton cloth to wipe the water droplets off her husband. As her fingertips touched his clearly defined ribs, she couldn’t help feeling a painful twinge in her nose. "Husband, you’ve lost weight, look, your ribs are showing..."
Not wanting to distress his beloved wife, Mu Zhongqing chuckled lightly, "I’ve been unwell for a few days, so losing some weight is natural."
Lady Du was alarmed, "No wonder! I noticed that your color was off and you lacked energy. Wait here, I’ll go fetch the doctor." As she spoke, she moved to leave.
Mu Zhongqing checked her, "I fell sick yesterday, and it was severe. I thought a night’s sleep might make me feel better and indeed today, I am much better! A few more days of rest, and I will be fine!"
Yesterday, he indeed felt gravely ill. Just before falling over, he sadly thought that he wouldn’t get to see his wife and children again. Yet, after a night’s sleep, he recovered without taking any medicine and felt much better, although he still felt a little weak. But he was already much improved!
While the couple was talking, Zhang Bo returned with a large parcel, saying that it was the new clothes picked by the two misses for the Old Master.