inspire-indiana Chapter 241 I've Found Your Child
Chapter 241 I've Found Your Child
Chapter 241 We've Found Your Child
Three days later.
King Jing has returned.
They headed straight for Princess Yuqing's residence.
He handed a wooden box to the princess, saying, "Sister, the child wasn't found, but we found a coffin in the woods. It looks like an infant's coffin, and I found this inside..."
King Jing opened the wooden box.
Inside was a slightly faded little rag doll and a baby's hat.
It's clear that both items were made by the same person, though the stitching is rather questionable.
He wasn't sure if it was his sister's child.
Because of the bone age, it doesn't look like a newborn baby.
It's been at least two or three months.
Moreover, he had heard of this burial method, tree burial, which is prevalent in some border areas. Even if the person who buried her was not the child's parent, it was clear that they loved the child.
The items inside the small coffin were all made with great care; although the workmanship was less than ideal, they were all made of extremely precious and soft fabrics.
"Sister, did you make this yourself?"
Princess Yuqing stared intently at the objects in the box, then shook her head, "No..."
She wasn't good at needlework, but with the guidance of the palace maids, she shouldn't have been this bad.
Moreover, she was sewing swaddling clothes for the child, not hats and dolls.
"Take these to Granny Yan and see if she recognizes them?"
……
"Your Highness, I recognize...this servant recognizes..."
Granny Yan exclaimed with delight, "I've seen these stitches before, in Jiangzhou... on Madam Jiang's youngest daughter..."
King Jing's eyes lit up.
Miao Miao...
It was Miaomiao, he remembered.
Yes, he was a man and rarely cared about these needlework items, but Granny Yan was different. As someone who did needlework herself, she could recognize it at a glance.
He handed the box to the old servant, "Shi Shu, take this and ask all the maids and servants who have seen Miao Miao if they recognize the stitches."
"Also, please ask the abbot of Baima Temple to perform a ritual for the small coffin we brought back and put it back in its original place."
Then he turned to the bewildered Princess Yuqing and said, "Sister, I've found your child..."
……
A clear morning in early spring.
A thin mist shrouded the city of Jiangzhou.
Birds sing and flowers bloom outside the window.
Jiang Miaomiao got up very early.
Today, my two older brothers are on holiday, so the whole family went out for a spring outing.
This is a family tradition: in spring, we ride horses to admire the flowers and fly kites.
Enjoy a boat trip on the lake in summer, admire the lotus flowers and pick lotus seeds.
In autumn, one can climb to a high place to enjoy the view, admire chrysanthemums, and appreciate the moon.
Enjoying the snow in winter, gathering around the stove to brew tea...
Jiang Miaomiao wore a pretty little dress, picked up her kite, and prepared to go to the car to wait for her mother.
I wish I could take pictures.
One downside of ancient times was the lack of communication devices; you couldn't take photos or make phone calls.
Travel was slow, and so were letters.
Just like the salary money that my godfather transported back, there's still no news about it.
I wonder if it has reached the capital? I wonder if it has been presented to the emperor? I wonder if the case has been investigated? I also wonder if the emperor will pardon my maternal grandfather?
These days, my mother and brothers have been suffering a lot while waiting.
Not only them, but even Xiao Miaomiao herself was a little anxious and upset, and blisters appeared on the corners of her mouth.
However, her mother brewed her some perilla leaves, which are good for clearing heat, detoxifying, and aiding digestion—perfect for her.
Jiang Miaomiao carried her little cloth bag and water bottle and prepared to go out.
As soon as I stepped outside, I saw the young man and woman talking outside the door.
Qiao-jie was about to load her small basket into the car when Yan-shu stopped her. "Qiao-mei, please let me go with you. I...I don't want to go home..."
“That won’t do. Your parents will be unhappy if you don’t go home during your day off,” Jiang Qiao’er shook her head.
Her mother had told her that since the two of them were not yet married, they should avoid suspicion and not spend all their time together.
She couldn't let outsiders say she didn't know manners.
Miao Miao had also told her to maintain a proper distance, that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and not to be together all the time.
She felt that her mother and sister were both right.
But Sun Yanshu was puzzled as to why his fiancée had been avoiding him ever since their engagement.
However, he really couldn't go home for the next two days. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Qiaomei, my second brother and sister-in-law have returned to Jiangzhou, and they brought Miss Xu with them..."
"Then you should go back even more," Jiang Qiao'er said, puzzled.
She looked at Yanshu, thinking, "Shouldn't I be happy and keep my brother company when he comes back?"
Why does he look so distressed?
Sun Yanshu: ...
I really want to knock Qiao'er on the head.
He felt he had made himself clear enough, so why couldn't she understand?
“Qiaomei, it’s just… it’s just that my second sister-in-law wants me to accompany her and Miss Xu on a boat trip on the lake…” Sun Yanshu looked at her intently, hoping she would react.
As a result, his clever sister smiled and said, "Where do you want to go boating on the lake? You can go to East Lake, the flowers there are in full bloom."
Sun Yanshu rubbed his forehead.
He couldn't very well say that his brother and sister-in-law had tried to match him up with Miss Xu on several occasions.
He thought to himself, "Qiao Mei seems very clever in other things, so why is she so clueless about this?"
Jiang Miaomiao peeked from behind the door, feeling anxious for her sister Qiao.
Wooden Sister.
"Brother Yanshu..." A soft and melodious voice came from behind the carriage.
Sun Yanshu looked over with some surprise, "Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, Third Miss, what brings you here?"
The two Xu sisters walked towards him with smiles on their faces, while their second brother waited by the carriage.
"It seems that my third brother doesn't respect his elder brother and sister-in-law at all. He's even skipping his holiday to come home for a woman." Madam Xu said with some displeasure, blatantly sizing up Jiang Qiao'er as she walked.
Sun Yanshu smiled awkwardly, "Second sister-in-law, what are you saying? It was the teacher who had something to discuss with me that kept me from going. It has nothing to do with Qiao'er."
Mrs. Xu raised an eyebrow, "Oh, she's already making an example of someone before she's even married into the family!"
Miss Xu quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Brother Yanshu, my sister is just joking. We just came to see you. It's alright if you're really busy..."
As she spoke, she had a maid hand over a food box, saying, "These are peach blossom pastries I made myself, Brother Yanshu, please try them."
“No need…no need…” Sun Yanshu waved his hands repeatedly.
Miss Xu took out peach blossom pastries from the food box and handed them to him, saying, "Brother Yanshu, please try some. Perhaps you think your sister's cooking is not good enough?"
The two sisters completely ignored Jiang Qiao'er's presence and pushed her aside.
Jiang Qiao'er looked stunned.
Are these the Second Sister-in-law and Third Sister Xu that Brother Yanshu just mentioned?
How can you be so rude?
She's supposed to be the daughter of a wealthy family, but she doesn't look that great.
Jiang Miaomiao: ……
Good heavens! Is this Sister Qiao's rival in love?
She's quite good-looking, even a few points prettier than Sister Qiao.
Another beautiful green tea plant.
What should we do? I'm afraid Sister Qiao is no match for her.
Jiang Miaomiao toddled over with her short legs, squeezed next to Sun Yanshu, tugged at his sleeve, and tilted her head up, saying, "Brother-in-law, I want to eat peach blossom pastry."
Sun Yanshu was taken aback at first, then he laughed.
Smiling so hard that one’s teeth cannot be seen.
He took the peach blossom pastry from Xu San's hand and put it in the little girl's hand, "Here, Miaomiao, eat more if you like it. I'll get you more after you finish."
Jiang Miaomiao handed it to Sister Qiao, then said to Sun Yanshu, "Brother-in-law, I want more..."
Sun Yanshu looked at Miss Xu.
Jiang Miaomiao also looked at Xu San Guniang.
……