Chapter 1516: Chapter 1516: Reinforcements
Rongchuan stared at Shen Xing for quite some time before pinching himself. It wasn’t a dream. As he hurried forward, he stumbled, and Shen Xing helped him up. Rongchuan’s emotions were a turbulent mix. "M-Ming Teng, where is he?"
Shen Xing shivered all over, his face covered in marks from frostbite. "The Princely Heir is safe. We detected trouble long ago. When the locals began acting suspiciously, we followed the pre-arranged plan to break through. The heavy snow blocked the roads, so I had to take a detour to get here."
That’s why it had taken so many days. He feared that news of the Princely Heir being in danger would reach the capital. Along the way, he pushed forward relentlessly, even when his horse died. Last night, he heard the sound of avalanches, and he dared not rest, traveling tirelessly with his team.
Rongchuan’s heart finally felt some relief. "You’ve been through a lot, a great deal."
Shen Xing was utterly exhausted. Their detour had been brutal. They didn’t dare rest at night, fearing wolf attacks, and the local villagers proved to be daunting as well.
Seeing how worn out they all were, Rongchuan, now revitalized with energy upon hearing that Ming Teng was safe, turned to the guards. "Arrange for them to rest."
Shen Xing did not leave. "The Princely Heir is waiting for news. We don’t need to rest."
Rongchuan insisted, "In your current state, you’d only hold us back. Rest first. I will personally bring back your Princely Heir."
Shen Xing protested, "The journey is perilous, my lord. You should send people instead."
Rongchuan raised his hand firmly. "My decision is made. Go and rest."
In the capital, Zhulan received the news that Yu Lu had experienced complications with her pregnancy. She personally went to the Wang Residence. Tao Shi explained, "I kept it from Yu Lu, but someone couldn’t stand to see our branch doing well."
Zhulan asked, "What did the doctor say?"
"Drinking the fetus-preserving medicine a few times will resolve the issue. Right now, Yu Lu needs to calm down. Since waking, she’s been crying nonstop, and no amount of persuasion has helped in the slightest."
As they spoke, they reached the small courtyard where Yu Lu was staying. Before even stepping through the door, they could hear the maids trying to comfort her.
Zhulan entered the room. Yu Lu was crying silently. "Your second sister-in-law refrained from crying, fearing to bring bad luck to your second brother. Yet, you’re crying harder and harder. Stop crying now."
Yu Lu tried to hold back her tears. "Grandmother, why are you here?"
"You’ve had pregnancy complications. How could I not come?"
The Wang family valued offspring above all else. Yu Lu’s pregnancy was seen as nothing short of treasure. The head steward who came to report the matter to the Hou Residence was sweating profusely. The Wang family worried that Yu Lu’s distress might harm the child.
Yu Lu started tearing up again. "Father and mother aren’t in the capital. Everyone kept it from me, and I was the last to know."
"Alright, I know you share a deep bond with your second brother. As long as he hasn’t been found, you have to hold onto hope."
Zhulan sat down and took a handkerchief to wipe her granddaughter’s tears. "If something happens to you, your second brother would never be at peace once he returns. He cares most about you and your child. For his sake, you must protect yourself and the baby."
Yu Lu gradually stopped crying and leaned on her grandmother’s shoulder. "Grandmother, I’m an unfilial granddaughter for making you worry."
Zhulan gently smoothed Yu Lu’s disheveled hair. The strongest bonds in the Zhous’ main family lay between Mingyun, Ming Teng, and Yu Lu. The three of them had witnessed the Zhou family’s development. When there was no Ming Hui, Yu Lu had been pampered by her two brothers. When Yu Lu married, Ming Teng worried she’d face even the slightest grievance. He sent her everything of the best quality. That’s why Yu Lu’s reaction to Ming Teng’s incident was so overwhelming.
Tao Shi, seeing her granddaughter-in-law finally stop crying, felt some weight lift from her shoulders. If the young mistress had suffered, the matriarch would blame her for poor household management, and she wouldn’t be able to face her grandson.
Yu Lu was exhausted. After her pregnancy complications, Zhulan watched Yu Lu drink the fetus-preserving medicine, then reached out as she had done in Yu Lu’s childhood, gently patting her. "Sleep now, grandmother’s here."
Yu Lu’s eyes reddened. Her brother was in trouble, and the whole family felt unsettled. Yet her grandmother continued to support everyone. "Grandmother, I’ll be fine. You must also take care of your health."
Zhulan wanted to laugh but couldn’t. Fearing her smile would turn awkward, her face remained mostly expressionless. "Once you sleep soundly, grandmother will rest too. Close your eyes."
Yu Lu obediently closed her eyes, comforted by her grandmother’s presence and finally feeling at peace.
Zhulan kept patting her, ensuring Yu Lu’s sleep was steady before Ran Wan helped her out.
Tao Shi had been waiting outside for some time. "This is my poor household management. The second and third branches hold resentment and jealousy from their separation. This time, they seized the opportunity to spread rumors about the Princely Heir’s accident."
Zhulan replied, "This is the Wang family’s matter. I won’t intervene. I’m exhausted; I’ll head home first."
She wouldn’t force the Wang family to deal with anyone. The Wang family would give them a proper resolution.
Tao Shi sighed. "We hold offspring in the highest regard. My grandmother and grandfather are furious. The second and third branches have been kneeling in the main courtyard all morning."
Zhulan said nothing, exiting the Wang Residence. Returning to her carriage, Ran Wan noticed her fatigue. "Grandmother, let me massage you."
Zhulan nodded. "Alright. Tomorrow, I won’t come by. Run around a few more times in the next few days."
"Grandmother, it’s my responsibility. It’s not a burden."
Zhulan was pleased with her eldest grandson’s wife. Ran Wan had handled everything well these past days.
The Zhou family endured agonizing days of waiting for news. Thankfully, Rongchuan hadn’t forgotten to send urgent letters to the capital while fetching Ming Teng. Finally, the Zhou family’s excruciating wait ended.
Zhou Shuren received the message and hurried home by carriage. Getting off, he staggered and nearly fell, startling Steward Ding and Jing Yan into a cold sweat.
Zhou Shuren laughed heartily, running inside. Zhulan, hearing the commotion, immediately reacted. "Is there news of Ming Teng?"
Zhou Shuren crossed the threshold. "Ming Teng is safe. That rascal remembered my advice—what a rascal! Rongchuan has already gone to fetch him."
Zhulan smiled, then directed Qing Xue to notify everyone. She wanted fireworks set off to let everyone know her grandson was safe!
After giving instructions, Zhulan suddenly felt dizzy. Zhou Shuren’s smile faded. "Call the doctor!"
When Zhulan awoke again, an hour had passed. Zhou Shuren explained, "You overexerted yourself emotionally and fainted."
"I’m deteriorating. I didn’t faint when Ming Teng was in trouble, but now that he’s safe, I fainted."
"We’re both old now. Neither of us has been getting proper rest."
"You’ve hardly rested either."
Each night, they avoided disturbing the other but barely slept. The worry for Ming Teng robbed them of their rest. These past few days had aged them considerably.
Zhou Shuren held his wife’s hand. "Our youngest son is coming home. We need to take care of ourselves so he won’t be upset."
Zhulan’s spirit lifted. "I want hot pot, roast meat, and roasted chicken."
She’d been surviving on porridge for days. Now that Ming Teng was safe, she craved everything.
Zhou Shuren’s lips curled into a smile. "I’ve already had the kitchen prepare hot pot."
"Perfect synchronization, just like always."
"Today, I need plenty of wine."
"I’ll drink with you. Our eldest daughter-in-law’s fruit wine is good—I’ll have a few extra glasses today."
Outside, Chang Yi and his wife waited alongside others. Hearing the conversation inside, Chang Yi waved to the younger ones. "You can all go now."
Madame Zhao smiled. "I can finally relax too."
She and her husband worried not only for Ming Teng but also for the wellbeing of Zhulan and Zhou Shuren. Heaven forbid anything happened to them; the couple wouldn’t know how to carry on.