Ji Youyuan and Ji Youbo were as if struck by lightning. They were utterly shocked.
They swallowed and looked at Huo Xing’Er, wanting to say sothing more, but the door in front of them was tightly closed.
Xiaosuisui and Wang Dongxue went downstairs for breakfast. Granny Ji, Ji Youran, and Zhu Xiuxiu were already waiting at the table.
Seeing Xiaosuisui, Granny Ji pulled her into an embrace, her heart aching with affection.
"Oh, my sweet little darling, why must you be so disobedient? Isn’t it nice to stay ho with Grandma? Must you go gallivanting about with your Seventh Uncle? Aren’t you tired?"
Xiaosuisui nestled in Granny Ji’s arms, giggling.
"Not tired! Seventh Uncle’s Feifei was fun!"
Granny Ji piled bowls of all sizes, filled with delicious food, in front of the little girl.
"Co, my precious, what would you like to eat? Look, these are all your favorites. Your Third Aunt specially had the Inn’s kitchen prepare them for you."
Having a granddaughter adored by her daughters-in-law brought Granny Ji great comfort. She felt this child was truly fortunate!
After lunch, Zhu Xiuxiu suggested taking Xiaosuisui out to play, but Granny Ji refused.
"It’s not peaceful outside. Just let Suisui play in the room," Granny Ji said.
Zhu Xiuxiu had no choice but to abandon the idea.
Everyone had traveled through the night, so after breakfast, they all retired to their rooms to rest.
Only the restless Zhu Xiuxiu had the energy to play with Xiaosuisui. Thus, she spent the entire day playing Go with Xiaosuisui in the room.
Huo Xing’Er sat to one side ditating, but the two terrible Go players were giving her a headache.
"Third Aunt is cheating! You didn’t place your piece there just now!" Xiaosuisui exclaid.
"No! You saw wrong. Your Third Aunt definitely placed it here," Zhu Xiuxiu insisted.
"No way, Third Aunt! You clearly put it over there!"
"Oh dear! Third Aunt forgot. I’m getting old, and my mory isn’t what it used to be!"
Third Aunt, though only in her twenties, was shaless. Throughout the day, she was either retracting her moves or just about to.
As for Xiaosuisui, she was either correcting her Third Aunt or joining her in the cheating.
As dusk settled, Ji Youyuan assigned Zhu Xiuxiu a task: to take a personally written letter and find Grand General Xu, the border commander.
After lulling Xiaosuisui to sleep, Huo Xing’Er changed into night attire and left the room.
Wang Dongxue was guarding the door. Seeing Huo Xing’Er open it, she stepped inside.
"Be careful and stay safe. Retreat if there’s danger, and don’t be reckless," Wang Dongxue quietly advised her.
Huo Xing’Er chuckled softly. "Eldest Sister-in-law, you should be saying that to Eldest Brother. Don’t worry, I’ll ensure Eldest Brother’s safety."
Wang Dongxue shot her a displeased look. "Eldest Brother is important, but aren’t you also a daughter-in-law of our Ji Family? Even if you don’t like Second Brother, would you really want Mother and Suisui to worry about you?"
Huo Xing’Er was montarily lost for words. She said nothing and turned to leave.
The night was silent, so quiet that not even a dog barked from the nearby farmhouses.
Huo Xing’Er led the way with a compass, while Ji Youbo pushed Ji Youyuan in his wheelchair behind her. Ji Youzhi brought up the rear, covering their tracks.
"Ahead is the border between Nanjiang and Great Han," Ji Youzhi said. "If we go any further, I’m afraid we’ll alert the defending Soldiers."
"It’s alright," Ji Youyuan said softly. "Be careful. We must find the location of their Altar before the auspicious day."
Huo Xing’Er nodded and continued forward.
「The next morning」
Daylight broke, and Xiaosuisui awoke from a dreamless sleep. Seeing Wang Dongxue lying beside her, she blinked in surprise.
"Eldest Aunt! Why are you sleeping with Suisui? Where is Second Aunt?" Xiaosuisui asked, rubbing her eyes.
Wang Dongxue sat up and, while helping her dress, replied, "Your Second Aunt had sothing to attend to and stepped out. She should be back soon."
"Oh!"
The little girl was still half-asleep. As she groggily dressed and washed up, her little nose twitched.
"Why is there a sll of dicinal ingredients?"
Wang Dongxue also noticed the dicinal scent and grew puzzled. "It seems to be coming from the backyard."
The little girl opened the door herself and followed the aroma.
In the backyard, Ji Youran was holding a stalk of Ginseng and sobbing.
This was the last batch of dicinal ingredients. If this attempt wasn’t successful, Eldest Brother might never be able to stand again in his life.
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