CHAPTER 396: CHAPTER 377 COUNTY MAGISTRATE’S GUARANTEE (1)_2

The four of them exchanged glances and all said, "My lord, there are maids attending to the old lady."

"Hmph, can maids replace family members?" He didn’t expect any promises from the Zhao family elders, nor was he inclined to lecture them. He simply said, "As the County Magistrate, the people’s parental official, it’s my duty to step in when people are in distress. Old Mrs. Zhao is gravely ill in bed, ignored by her family; I, as the parental official, will take care of her."

After saying this, he strode towards the old lady’s bedroom.

The Zhao family members looked at each other, whispering, "Why is the County Magistrate involved in the old lady’s matters?"

"Let him meddle if he wants; leave him to it," someone said and turned to leave.

"I’m busy, I’ll come back later," said another as they left.

"My third concubine seems to be giving birth tonight; I must go watch over her."

"My youngest is being weaned, has been restless lately, won’t sleep without me holding them. I have to go back."

Several of them claimed they had matters to attend to and all left.

The men left, some of the ladies sent maids to check on the old lady, while others followed their husbands away.

All were half-hearted and perfunctory.

Eldest Sister Zhao called to Second Aunt Zhao and Zhao Jingniang, "Second sister, Mother loves you the most, aren’t you going to see the old lady?"

Zhao Jingniang, troubled by her own affairs, didn’t want to meddle in anything, "With the Lord County Magistrate there, what trouble could there be?"

After saying this, she too left.

Seeing that she wouldn’t go, Eldest Sister Zhao didn’t want to go either, so she left too.

The children were unwilling to go, and the grandchildren were even more reluctant.

The County Magistrate walked into the old lady’s bedroom and found it still bleak and deserted.

Sister-in-law Chai saw the County Magistrate approaching and greeted him, then cheerfully called out to Li Yuzhu, "Third Sister Li, can we begin?"

Old Mrs. Zhao was awake at this time. Seeing the people around her, she closed her eyes and simply said, "Treat my illness."

The County Magistrate said, "Miss Li, the Zhao family doesn’t take responsibility, so I will make the decision. You just go ahead and treat Old Mrs. Zhao openly."

Li Yuzhu had been waiting for these words, "Alright."

She knew well enough what the Zhao family thought.

It’s just that they’ve got the inheritance, whether the old lady is around has nothing to do with them. Besides, the old lady is elderly; restoring her health would mean years of tedious care, exhausting numerous juniors. Better, they think, to let the old lady pass on, so descendants can have peace of mind.

She had told Old Master Zhao that without surgery, Old Mrs. Zhao wouldn’t last three months; surgery could give her a few more years. Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhao immediately opposed the surgery.

Second Aunt Zhao shared the same view.

Others might not have said it, but their behavior showed they all thought the same.

With the County Magistrate’s assurance, Li Yuzhu had no more worries.

She arranged for two maids to prepare water and towels and wait bedside for instructions. Others sat outside the screen, so as not to disturb.

Too many people could be disruptive; even a small sigh could be distracting.

She washed her hands, sterilized, activated the sterile operating room space, prepared anesthesia, injected medicine, and laid out the surgical instruments neatly on the bedside table.

Li Yuzhu operated skillfully.

Old Mrs. Zhao’s age, along with some other ailments, meant Li Yuzhu didn’t perform a complete hip replacement but replaced only the damaged part with artificial material.

This was considered a medium-sized surgery; not complicated, but time-consuming as the reaction of the elderly body had to be considered.

An hour later, the surgery was complete.

She set up the drip and arranged for drainage tools, packed up the surgical instruments, washed her hands, and closed the curtains.

The two maids sighed with relief and took away the blood-stained gauze and other items for cleaning.

Sister-in-law Chai saw them come out from behind the screen and hurriedly asked, "How is the old lady, Third Sister Li?"

Li Yuzhu said, "The damaged bone has been removed. The old lady will be able to get up and move by tomorrow morning and can walk in a few days. After resting for some time, she’ll be as usual. However, since she’s been seriously injured, she’ll need some time to recuperate and shouldn’t exert herself too much."

"That’s good," Sister-in-law Chai sighed with relief.

Li Yuzhu looked out into the dark night and asked, "Outside, has it been quiet the whole time?"

Implying whether anyone had come.

Because earlier when she left the bedside, the old lady had already opened her eyes and was staring blankly at the canopy. To speak plainly would hurt the old lady if she understood.

Everyone looked at her and shook their heads.

Li Yuzhu tugged at her lips, "Alright then."

"Is the old lady awake?" the County Magistrate glanced behind the screen.

Li Yuzhu said, "She is."

"I’ll go see the old lady," the County Magistrate said.

"She’s somewhat tired, can talk, but not for too long," Li Yuzhu reminded.

They all moved behind the screen, and the two maids lifted the curtain.

The old lady looked at everyone, forced a smile, "You’ve been here all along." Her voice was weak.

"How do you feel now, old lady?" the County Magistrate smiled and asked.

"It doesn’t hurt anymore, thank you for your concern, my lord." Old Mrs. Zhao smiled bitterly.

The faces around her hadn’t changed in three days; those who should have come didn’t, yet strangers stayed by her side.

She smiled at herself wryly.

"That’s good to hear. You should rest more; I’ll visit you another day." said the County Magistrate.

The hour was late, and Old Mrs. Zhao needed rest, so the County Magistrate kept his words brief, advised her to rest more, and then departed.

Sister-in-law Chai and Eldest Young Master Chai both inquired about the old lady’s health condition.

"It’s okay, you must be tired. Go and rest," Old Mrs. Zhao waved them off, "I’m fine, you don’t need to worry about me. You’ve been with me all day; aren’t you running your shop?"

Sister-in-law Chai said, "Grand Aunt, after Mid-Autumn Festival, business at the shop has slowed; whether it’s open or not doesn’t matter much."

"Nonsense, even without business, you must look after your shop. If you close, people will think you’re not in business anymore, and they’ll go elsewhere, not returning the next time. Go back and look after your shop," Old Mrs. Zhao waved her hand at Sister-in-law Chai.

She shouldn’t talk too much, Sister-in-law Chai said perfunctorily, "Alright, I’ll go back. Grand Aunt, get more rest."

She nodded to Eldest Young Master Chai, and they left the bedroom.

The couple went into the outer room to discuss; Sister-in-law Chai would stay here, and Eldest Young Master Chai would return to the shop.

True to Old Mrs. Zhao’s words, as Eldest Young Master Chai reached the courtyard gate, a boy from his shop, accompanied by a Zhao family servant, hurried towards him.

"Master, there’s trouble at the shop," the boy said anxiously.

Eldest Young Master Chai asked hurriedly, "What’s the matter?"

The boy glanced at the main house of the old lady, hesitant, "Master, you should see for yourself; I can’t explain it."

Eldest Young Master Chai said to Sister-in-law Chai who was seeing him off, "You stay here, I’ll go check."

"Alright," Sister-in-law Chai agreed, with a furrowed brow, feeling worried in her heart.

Watching her husband leave, Sister-in-law Chai sighed and returned to the main house.

.

In Old Mrs. Zhao’s bedroom.

Li Yuzhu sat by the bedside, checking the old lady’s pulse and monitoring her heart rate.

Old Mrs. Zhao looked at her, "Jing Niang..."

Li Yuzhu was slightly taken aback, was the old lady confused again?

This time was it real or not?

"I mistook you for someone else." The old lady talked to herself again, "You’re not Jing Niang; you’re Miss Li."

"Old lady, you are tired; that’s why you mistook me. Rest well and it won’t happen," Li Yuzhu withdrew her hand, smiling slightly, "It’s dark now; have a rest."

"Miss Li, do you have some questions you’d like to ask me?" The old lady gazed at Li Yuzhu’s face in the candlelight, her eyes deep and profound.

Li Yuzhu did not refuse, nodding, "I indeed have many doubts. Why do you always call me Jing Niang?"