CHAPTER 544: CHAPTER 279: THE SECOND MADAM RETURNS TO THE MANSION

Mrs. Lin, seeing the distress, sighed and comforted her, "Second Madam, do not be too heartbroken. Our Second Master Shi is blessed with good fortune; he will certainly pull through this difficult time!"

Zhou Jingyi managed a strained smile and nodded, "Mrs. Lin is right, nothing will happen to him!"

Returning to her long-absent in-laws’ house, Zhou Jingyi hurriedly went to pay respects to her parents-in-law first.

When Second Madam Shi saw her dressed in plain clothes and with slightly swollen eyes, she felt a trace of satisfaction, but as her son had made up his mind not to keep this woman, she naturally couldn’t be bothered to show any warmth. Seeing her salute, Second Madam Shi lazily lifted her hand, "It’s good that you’re back, arise!"

Zhou Jingyi stood up and quickly asked, "Father, Mother, I heard from Mrs. Lin that my husband is currently staying in Biluo Pavilion. I would like to go see him now. I’ll move into Suxin Pavilion next door tomorrow, so I can take better care of him!"

"No need!" Where could Second Madam Shi allow her to bother her son any further? She immediately refused. "There are capable servants there to take care of him, better you don’t go. Just visiting him a couple of times should be enough to show your concern!"

"Mother!" Zhou Jingyi insisted, "Please let me go. I, I want to take care of my husband personally..."

Second Madam Shi furrowed her brows, sizing her up from head to toe, thinking why put on such pretense here? My son and you have no affection as husband and wife to speak of; why bother with this charade?

"How can that be possible!" Second Madam Shi continued to refuse, "What if something happens to you as well? Our Shi family would be even more to blame. That’s it. Now that you are back, just stay put in Xiu Garden!" At this moment, Second Madam Shi was only hoping for the elders of the Zhou family to come quickly, so she could propose the divorce.

The Zhou family, of course, found it not their place to speak up at this time, but the Shi family being magnanimous—if they were to bring it up, not only would this not invite criticism, but they might even earn praise. Moreover, Mrs. Zhou might even clap her hands in approval!

"Mother! I beg you! Let me go! Otherwise, I will be uneasy! I’ll be careful, nothing will happen! Mother!" Zhou Jingyi pleaded desperately.

How could Second Madam Shi agree? She was already becoming somewhat impatient, but Second Master Shi couldn’t bear to watch, and sighed, "Let the daughter-in-law go. It’s rare for her to be so heartfelt. Perhaps the sight of her by his side will cheer up my son and aid in his recovery!"

Second Master Shi was not aware of the situation and was deeply troubled. Seeing his daughter-in-law so eager, he felt very touched.

"Thank you, Father!" Zhou Jingyi exclaimed joyfully.

"No way!"

"What’s the matter with you?" Second Master Shi snapped angrily, his face darkening. "In the past, you always complained about your daughter-in-law not being good enough, not virtuous, now that she’s willing to care for our son with such earnestness, yet you are blocking her way. What exactly are you trying to do!"

Second Madam Shi was already somewhat fearful of her husband to begin with. Hearing his words, she felt a twinge in her heart and became somewhat guilty. In the past, if her daughter-in-law was willing to care for her sick son, she would certainly be more than happy—in fact, even if she was reluctant, she might have forced her to go! Now, if she continued to oppose obstinately, causing her husband to become suspicious, that could lead to disaster!

Second Madam Shi then said, "Do you think I don’t want her to care for our son? It would set my mind at ease! But, what if her parents come to know? They might blame us for anything that happens. What if something were to happen to her, how would we explain it to her family! Let’s do this: when her parents come tomorrow, if they agree, then I have no objections either!"

Second Master Shi found his wife’s words reasonable and said to Zhou Jingyi, "Your mother-in-law is right, this is best! You should just take a quick look, and let’s wait for the rest!"

Zhou Jingyi, relieved, rushed to say, "Father, Mother, rest assured, my father and mother sent me back specifically to take care of my husband, they have no objections. If you don’t believe me, ask them when they come tomorrow!"

"How thoughtful of her parents!" sighed Second Master Shi, moved, and he nodded, "Since it’s like that, I can’t stop your good intentions. Go, but remember to be careful and take care of yourself first! Daughter-in-law, let me say this to you today, if Fengming pulls through and dares to mistreat you again, I’ll break his legs!"

"Father!" Zhou Jingyi’s gaze held a complexity.

Second Madam Shi, on the other hand, displeased, glared at her husband and wore a sullen face.

After taking her leave from them, Zhou Jingyi hurried back to Xiu Garden to pack hurriedly, and then, accompanied by Su Qing, she made her way to Biluo Pavilion.

Walking through the winding paths decked with willows and flowers, the closer she got, the more anxious she felt, her steps becoming increasingly erratic. It had been two years since she had last seen him; what would he look like now? Consumed by his illness? Could the pain torture him terribly?