Chapter 165 - 163: Taking You Back to See Your Father (Second Update)

Chapter 165: Chapter 163: Taking You Back to See Your Father (Second Update)

On the second day, Xu Jing unusually slept till late in the morning. Upon waking, she saw a certain Little Point sitting uprightly by her side, staring at her with a pair of clear, bright black eyes, unblinking.

Xu Jing was slightly startled, and couldn’t help but laugh as she raised her hand to pat his little head. Her voice, a bit hoarse from just waking up, said, "Why are you sitting here so dazedly? Why not go out to play since you woke up so early?"

Little Point immediately tilted his body a little, making it easier for Xu Jing to pat his head, then shook his head and pouted, "I want to watch Mom. I’m afraid if I take my eyes off her, I won’t be able to find her again."

Xu Jing raised her eyebrows slightly, looking at him lovingly, "Sorry, Mom has been a bit busy recently and hasn’t had time to accompany you."

Actually, Little Point was also busy. Every afternoon, he had to return to the Xiao family for classes, and after class, he pestered Xianyun to bring him back here.

Although he ran back and forth every day, he never uttered a word of complaint. As long as Xu Jing could spend a bit more time with him, he felt as if he had gained the whole world.

Xiao Huai’an immediately lay softly next to Xu Jing, whispering as if sharing secrets, "Chang Xiao is not afraid. As long as Chang Xiao can see Mom every day, that’s enough. Dad was also very busy before and didn’t have time to accompany Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao just stayed by the door every day, waiting for Dad to come back.

Xianyun said that both Dad and Mom like Chang Xiao, and thinking about this makes Chang Xiao very happy."

Xu Jing was slightly stunned, as her heart suddenly felt immersed in lemon water, both sour and soft.

It was obvious: she was busy, and Xiao Yi must have been busy too. Other children would feel wronged and cry if they didn’t have their parents’ company, but this child was satisfied just sneaking a glance at them.

This was because he had been neglected too much since he was small, which made him so easily satisfied.

She couldn’t help but gently stroke his soft hair again, speaking softly, "Chang Xiao has been staying with Mom these days and hasn’t had much chance to see Dad. Does Chang Xiao miss Dad?"

Little Point’s eyes suddenly dimmed.

Of course, he missed him, but he had always been staying with Dad. Mom would eventually return to Anping County at some point, and he was reluctant to part from her.

But if Mom knew he missed Dad, would she still let him stay here?

Xiao Huai’an was momentarily very conflicted, frowning and not knowing how to answer Mom’s question.

Xu Jing, however, could see what the little one was thinking, and she smiled slightly, gently rubbing his soft little ears, saying, "Mom understands. In a few days, Mom will take you back to see Dad, okay?"

Xiao Huai’an was taken aback, his eyes suddenly brighter than the stars in the sky.

Mom actually said she would take him back to see Dad!

He thought Mom didn’t like Dad and his home, which was why he never dared to mention Dad or going home in front of her.

After all, the last time Mom took him home, she seemed very unhappy.

Seeing the little one’s uncontrollably excited expression, Xu Jing couldn’t help but smile as well. Just as the mother and son were about to chat a bit more, Chuju’s voice came from outside the curtain, "Miss Xu, are you up? Just now, Young Madam Zhao from the Song Mansion sent an invitation, asking if Miss Xu would come to the Zhao family this afternoon if she’s free."

Xu Jing was slightly puzzled; could it be that Zhao Shao Hua had decided whether to help her or not?

She had just asked her yesterday afternoon, thinking it would take a day or two for a response.

Xu Jing sat up, stretching lazily, and then said, "Mm, I’m up. Prepare the washing."

After she finished washing up, and was about to have breakfast with Little Point, Xianyun, who had been absent all night, finally returned. Noticing his indistinct expression, Xu Jing furrowed her brows slightly and asked, "How is Vice Minister Xiao’s injury?"

It couldn’t be really severe, could it...

He got injured saving her; if it were severe, it would be hard to repay such a debt...

Xianyun glanced at her with a face full of grievance, saying, "It shouldn’t be considered severe... no, it’s still quite severe. No, it’s not considered severe..."

Xu Jing: "..."

Unable to hold back, she interrupted the conflicted person, speaking in a deep voice, "Is it severe or not?"

"Oh no!"

Xianyun suddenly stamped his foot and actually surrendered directly, "If Miss Xu is so concerned, why not see for yourself? I... I don’t even know if it’s considered severe!"

Xu Jing: "..."

What kind of nonsense is this?

Xianyun seemed to be afraid that Xu Jing would keep questioning him, quickly saying, "I just returned from outside, and there might be dust on me. Let me change clothes first and then come back to serve the Young Lord and Miss Xu."

Then he hurriedly ran off like fleeing.

Sitting next to Xu Jing and enjoying his bun in satisfaction, Xiao Huai’an couldn’t help but turn to look at Xu Jing and anxiously said, "Mom, is Dad hurt? Dad, Dad is okay, right?"

"He’s fine. Your Dad is very capable, don’t worry, Chang Xiao."

Xu Jing reassuredly patted Xiao Huai’an’s head, smiling.

Judging from Xianyun’s attitude, she inferred that Xiao Yi’s injury probably wasn’t very serious, at least not life-threatening or leaving long-term sequelae.

But it likely wasn’t just minor either, as he probably needed to rest at home for a while.

She had already planned to visit him personally, so there was no rush to press Xianyun for more information.

But Xu Jing had matters to attend to today, so though she was worried, it was impossible to visit the sick today. Moreover, with news of Xiao Yi’s injury spreading, many would certainly visit him in the coming days, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to go there now.

In the afternoon, after Xianyun took Xiao Huai’an back to the Xiao family for classes, Xu Jing got ready and headed to the Zhao family.

Xu Jing didn’t quite understand why Zhao Shao Hua invited her to the Zhao family, but since yesterday she mentioned that both the Song and Zhao families were worried about her, she figured today’s visit was probably to reassure them.

It was Xu Jing’s first time visiting the Zhao family, and upon reaching the entrance, she finally understood why the Zhao family was one of the four major families of Great Chu.

The Zhao family’s main gate was far more grand and imposing than the Song family’s. High above the vermillion red doors hung a black gold-threaded nanmu plaque with the grand characters "Duke Liang Mansion" swirling across it.

Families with titles often preferred to have their titles marked on the plaque above their gates; of course, some families preferred to keep it simple by only marking their surname to indicate their residence.

She alighted from the carriage unhurriedly and had Cheng Xianbai, who accompanied her, hand over the invitation that Zhao Shao Hua sent in the morning. The guard at the gate, upon seeing it, immediately bowed respectfully toward Xu Jing before taking in the invitation.

Soon, Treasure Bead and Jade, who were by Zhao Shao Hua’s side, came out personally, greeting Xu Jing with smiles and escorting her inside, saying, "Doctor Xu has finally arrived. Our Young Madam was worried this afternoon that Doctor Xu might not be able to come! The Young Madam returned to her own family this morning and praised Doctor Xu generously, which intrigued the Madam and ladies of the Zhao family to meet Doctor Xu. That’s why the Young Madam sent an invitation; we hope it didn’t feel too sudden for Doctor Xu."

How could it be sudden? She was hoping for the Young Madam Zhao to spread her reputation more!

Xu Jing smiled slightly, saying, "Not at all."

The two maids led Xu Jing straight to a pavilion in the Zhao family’s back garden, where she found the spacious octagonal pavilion already filled with people. Zhao Shao Hua was sitting beside a well-dressed, elegant lady, and upon seeing Xu Jing, she stood up excitedly, "Doctor Xu, you finally arrived!"

Yet, Xu Jing suddenly noticed that standing beside Zhao Shao Hua was someone familiar—Zhao Jingming, whom she had met frequently in recent days.

He raised his eyebrows, looking at her, evidently unsurprised at her arrival. Xu Jing’s eyes paused momentarily on him before moving aside, and she walked over.