Chapter 35: That Man Has Returned

Before dawn, Father Jiang rose from bed to check on Jiang Cheng’an. Seeing that his son’s leg was healing well, he braved the dim night and went to the chicken coop to collect eggs.

As he prepared to go out and sell them, Father Jiang deliberately picked two large eggs to leave behind for Bai Yan, then set off with his basket.

No sooner had Father Jiang left than Madam Zhao began bustling about.

She cooked breakfast, boiled medicine, and prepared goat milk powder for Bai Yan.

She was busy as a spinning wheel.

In the eastern room, Jiang Cheng’an sat on the kang. When he saw Madam Zhao bring in the medicine, the pale-faced youth suddenly grabbed her wrist. “Mother, I don’t want to study anymore.”

When he was younger, he liked reading, but as he grew, especially after meeting Shen Dongliang, the bullying increased. Over time, he lost interest in his studies.

“That won’t do. You may refuse to take the county examination like your brother, but you must still study,” Madam Zhao said firmly, denying him outright. She had always been quick-tempered, and seeing Jiang Cheng’an’s frail demeanor, her words came out even harsher, paying no heed to her son’s illness.

“Cheng’an, if you say you won’t study, then tell me: what will you do instead? With your frail body, can you do hard labor?” she retorted.

Jiang Cheng’an was left speechless, his head bowed, visibly dejected even without seeing his face.

“It’s getting late. Think it over. I need to go mix goat milk powder for the girl,” Madam Zhao said, her steps suddenly much lighter as she left.

Cradling the freshly prepared goat milk powder, Madam Zhao pushed open the door to the west wing. The quilt on the bed was still bunched up in a large mound.

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you a dog? Sleeping like this?”

With that, she reached to lift Bai Yan’s quilt.

But as she did, she froze in place.

Madam Zhao stood immobile for several seconds, then rushed out, calling frantically, “Bai Yan! Girl! Where are you?!”

She searched the house, the yard, even the pigsty, but Bai Yan was nowhere to be found.

Father Jiang happened to return with his empty basket and, seeing Madam Zhao searching in a panic, hurried to ask, “Third Wife, what’s happened?”

“It’s bad! Bai Yan is gone. Looks like she ran off early—she even disguised the bed with a pillow,” Madam Zhao panted, unable to imagine the consequences of Bai Yan getting lost.

In this biting cold, where could she have gone? Could she be looking for Jiang Chengyan?

“I’ll check to see if she left any note,” Father Jiang strode toward the west wing.

“Come over here, she really left a piece of paper,” Madam Zhao followed and rummaged around, finally finding a sheet near the pillow.

But there were no words—just a jumble of strange drawings.

A person with ears, mountains, water, several round things that looked like… mushrooms?

“The silly girl can’t write, what is this nonsense?” Madam Zhao couldn’t make sense of it.

Father Jiang studied it from every angle, but found no clue.

“Come with me,” Madam Zhao tugged his wrist and led him to the eastern room.

Inside, Jiang Cheng’an had clearly heard the commotion, but was unable to get off the kang easily, so he could only fret anxiously.

“Cheng’an, this time I’ll have to lock you in here alone. Your sister-in-law has vanished, your father and I must go out and look for her.” At such times, someone ought to stay behind to care for Jiang Cheng’an, but Madam Zhao wasn’t leaving anyone.

Jiang Cheng’an nodded dumbly.

With that, Madam Zhao hurriedly pulled Father Jiang outside.

Just as they reached the gate of the courtyard, heavy footsteps approached from afar, growing nearer and nearer…