Xu Hengyan hurried back to Ninghe County. He had official duties and couldn't stay in the capital for too long.
Half a basket of sweet potatoes that Xie Jiang had given him remained. He decided to take them back to try with the old farmer. The rest couldn't be rushed, and when Xie Jiang's people arrived in the capital in a few days, he would return to Ninghe County again.
During the period when Madam Xu was ill, he had frequently traveled between Ninghe and the capital, and he was already accustomed to the journey.
Although Xu Hengyan was not at the Duke of Wei's mansion, his Shi'an Courtyard was not as quiet as usual when he was away.
This was because Xie Jiang had moved into Shi'an Courtyard.
The main reason was that Xie Jiang had taken a liking to the small kitchen in Shi'an Courtyard.
Everyone in the Duke of Wei's mansion, from top to bottom, found it incredible that Xu Hengyan had allowed someone to live in Shi'an Courtyard, especially when he was not there.
It was the first time in history.
As a result, Shi'an Courtyard became lively. It was a given that Xu Hengyi was constantly with Xie Jiang, but Xia Zeshi also came over every day for meals.
Of course, Xie Jiang couldn't personally cook every day. At most, she would provide the seasonings and casually guide the two cooks. Although the taste wasn't as good as her own cooking, it was still passable.
That evening, they were having roasted lamb chops. Xie Jiang demonstrated once and then handed it over to the two cooks. Grilling was not unfamiliar to them, but they hadn't used so many seasonings before.
For the past two days, Xie Jiang had been merciful and hadn't gone to Yi Yanguan's place.
There was no particular reason; she went when she wanted to and didn't when she didn't.
Madam Xu's health was improving day by day, and the time for acupuncture treatments decreased accordingly. After finishing the treatment for Madam Xu early that day, Xie Jiang and Xu Hengyi set off to revisit the Wu family.
When Xie Jiang and Xu Hengyi arrived, they saw Madam Zhou sitting on the threshold, wiping tears, while Wu Hongyun was nowhere to be seen.
"What's going on? Where is little Hongyun?"
Madam Zhou, not yet forty, had more than half her hair turned white, looking even more haggard than two days ago. Upon seeing Xie Jiang and Xu Hengyi, she burst into tears, "It's Wu Laosan. Wu Laosan is back, and he sold Hongyun."
Xu Hengyi didn't understand at first, "Sold? What do you mean, sold?"
"It's my fault for being useless, my fault as a mother for being useless. He suddenly ran back yesterday evening, grabbed Hongyun, and left, saying he sold Hongyun to a wealthy family as a maid... He said that wealthy families eat well and live comfortably, and that as long as we have our hands and feet, we won't starve even if we're hungry... But how can being a maid be easy? Servants in wealthy families are treated worse than pigs and dogs; they can be beaten to death if someone wishes... My Hongyun, what will happen to my Hongyun..."
Madam Zhou's voice was hoarse from crying, and it made those who heard her feel distressed.
Xu Hengyi was furious but could only punch his own palm. "That beast! Where did he sell Hongyun?"
Madam Zhou shook her head, crying, her voice filled with despair, "I don't know. He just grabbed Hongyun and left, and I couldn't catch up... Wuwu, it's all my fault, my fault..."
"Did he hit you again?" Xie Jiang walked up to Madam Zhou and crouched down to look at her leg. The bone was already deformed, and without even touching it, she knew it was a fracture.
That was why she couldn't catch up when Hongyun was taken away.
Blood seeped into her hair, suggesting she had been severely beaten again when she tried to stop Wu Laosan.
She couldn't catch up not only because her leg was broken but also because she had been hit on the head and knocked unconscious.
Xu Hengyi now only wanted to catch Wu Laosan and beat him to death with sticks.
Xie Jiang instructed Yishan, "Go and get a doctor." Then she walked straight out.
Xu Hengyi followed her, "Aren't you going to treat Madam Zhou?"
Xie Jiang said, "A fractured bone and a mild concussion can be handled by an ordinary doctor. As for anything else, it will be a waste of effort unless Wu Hongyun returns safely."
Xu Hengyi thought it made sense. He instructed Yishan to carry out the task and also told Yishui, "Go and find out where Wu Laosan sold Hongyun."
Yishan and Yishui went off to their respective tasks.
Xu Hengyi and Xie Jiang got on their horses. Xu Hengyi asked, "Where are we going now?"