Watching the child finally leave, Chen Jinghan breathed a sigh of relief. “Inviting the spirit is easy, but sending it off is hard”—he had finally passed this little trial.
Su Qing’er nudged him gently. “Husband, never bring that child here again. If the Song family finds out, it could stir up trouble.”
“I know. As always, my wife thinks ahead. But still… you’ve suffered enough.” Chen Jinghan felt guilty toward Qing’er. He had originally planned to go to the Song family to demand justice, yet here came another twist. From Ruchen’s behavior, it seemed the mess was really due to Ru’ning herself, and the rest of the Song family didn’t even know.
Qing’er didn’t concern herself with her own feelings. She had heard Yun Xi’s words that day and understood the meaning behind them. Guided by her principles—thinking for her husband and the state—she didn’t dwell on it.
Back in their room, Qing’er mentioned that her maternal family had sent word, saying her mother’s health had been a bit off recently, and hoped Qing’er could return home to visit.
The moment Chen Jinghan heard this, he immediately ordered preparations for a carriage, making sure to bring the house’s finest medicinal herbs and tonics.
“My mother said she’s mostly recovered and just misses me. We don’t need to rush,” Qing’er said, aware of her husband’s busy schedule, hoping to first inform him before visiting her mother. She hadn’t expected him to take immediate action.
But Chen Jinghan insisted that an elder’s health was serious business; any request from the mother would naturally be approved.
He brought Qing’er straight to her mother, explaining everything. Mrs. Chen nodded in agreement, letting them stay at the Su residence until Qing’er’s mother fully recovered.
Qing’er was grateful. She knelt to kowtow, and Mrs. Su hurriedly helped her up. After the previous incident at the ancestral hall, Mrs. Su had seen that Qing’er could consider the bigger picture and hadn’t mentioned the punishment incident; her opinion of Qing’er had begun to improve.
Moreover, with her son so fond of Qing’er, she wanted their future interactions to be harmonious. It was better to mend fences early for a peaceful household.
“Jinghan, bring along that ginseng your uncle sent earlier. I hear it’s wild-grown and the best for strengthening the body.”
“Thank you, Mother. Then we shall go.”
The couple left the hall and rode in the carriage straight to the Su residence.
Mrs. Su hadn’t expected her daughter and son-in-law to arrive so quickly after sending the letter. She was overjoyed, and learning they intended to stay a few days delighted her even more. Her ailments seemed completely forgotten as she held her daughter’s hand, chattering endlessly.
“Qing’er, you rest with your mother-in-law. I’ll go out for a bit,” Chen Jinghan said, knowing the mother-daughter reunion would involve much conversation, and he would be in the way.
With just the two women in the room, Qing’er carefully asked about her mother’s condition. She learned that her mother had been overexerting herself, which had caused the illness, and hurriedly took out the ginseng and medicinal herbs brought from the Chen household.
Seeing the gifts and the thought behind them, Mrs. Su smiled warmly—a rare expression these days.
Since her daughter married, she had constantly worried about her life at the Chen household, fearful that her son-in-law might not treat her well. The last time she visited and saw Jinghan’s concern, she had been somewhat reassured.
Now, seeing the couple return together with precious gifts, she felt truly at ease.
Holding her daughter’s hand, she earnestly said that Qing’er should strike while the iron was hot and have a son soon to solidify her position.
“Mother…” Qing’er blushed, turning her face away.
Mrs. Su continued, explaining that in this world, a married woman relies entirely on her husband. Having a child—especially a son—becomes a new support. By giving birth early, she could secure her footing in her husband’s family.
“Mother, I understand. But such matters can’t be rushed. We’ll let nature take its course.” Qing’er’s cheeks turned pink. Discussing this with her mother was still somewhat embarrassing.
Mrs. Su whispered advice for a long time. Qing’er blushed more and more until she finally covered her ears, shaking her head. “Mother, please stop. If you keep talking, I’ll leave.”
Mrs. Su smiled at her daughter’s shyness, noting that some things never change.
They stayed several days at the Su residence. Qing’er attended to her mother daily, serving tea and medicines.
Whenever he had time, Chen Jinghan accompanied Su Zhe. The two men, despite the generational gap, became close friends quickly.
Once Mrs. Su’s health fully recovered, they returned to the Chen household.
That day, as Chen Jinghan accompanied Qing’er, a messenger arrived: the Song family had come.
Chen Jinghan was ready to meet them, but Qing’er stopped him, warning him not to escalate the situation and risk bigger trouble.
“Don’t worry, wife. I know my limits.”
He strode out to the main hall and had the visitors shown in.
Soon, Song Ruchen burst in, followed by a square-faced, muscular man with thick eyebrows and a sharply chiseled face.
Chen Jinghan’s eyes moved, asking, “Are you… Song Rugang, the Song Captain?”
“It is I.” The man was the eldest grandson of the Song family, Song Rugang.
His grandfather, Song Lian, was elderly; both his father and uncle had died in battle. The family now rested entirely on him. He had declined imperial rewards and worked his way up from the bottom, finally attaining the rank of Captain after several years.
Unlike Chen Jinghan, who grew up fighting alongside his father, Song Rugang was raised in the capital. They had never met before.
Chen Jinghan invited the brothers to sit, offering tea.
Song Rugang sat but did not drink, instead clasping his fists toward Chen Jinghan. “General Chen, I just learned from Ruchen that my sister Ru’ning caused your wife to fall into the water. This was due to my lack of guidance, and I’ve come to apologize.”
For this reason! Chen Jinghan had thought they were charging in to settle scores over his bringing Ruchen to his house—but it was an apology instead.
“Captain Song, your sister was indeed a bit arrogant. Thankfully my wife was unharmed, otherwise I would certainly have sought retribution.” Jinghan still could not forgive Ru’ning; recalling Qing’er’s state that day, he shivered at the thought of losing her.
Song Rugang glanced at Ruchen. The boy frowned but did not move.
Song Rugang barked, “Ruchen! Bring it out!”
Reluctantly, Ruchen produced what was behind him: a thorned cane.
“A child left untrained is the father’s fault. My sister’s arrogance and rudeness are entirely my responsibility. Today, I come bearing this cane to apologize.” He knelt to make his apology.
Ruchen watched silently. His elder brother had raised them with immense care, sacrificing much to guide both his siblings. Now, even at nearly thirty and unmarried, he humbled himself to make amends for his sister.
Chen Jinghan, quick as ever, intercepted the bow. “Brother Song, a man’s knees hold gold. Your knees are not meant to kneel before me.”