The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

"...What is this?"

Liu Muqiu bent down to pick it up, but Liu Muyuan bent down first, quickly picked up the handkerchief, and stuffed it back into his sleeve.

"It's nothing, it's just my handkerchief."

Liu Muqiu was slightly taken aback, and unconsciously frowned.

"Your handkerchief? I remember you don't like blue."

And for some reason, she felt that the handkerchief looked strangely familiar, as if... she had seen it somewhere not long ago.

"My sister knows that everything I use at home was given to me by Wang Shi as charity. When Mother was alive, I could pick and choose what I liked, but now... it's already good enough if I have anything to use."

Liu Muyuan spoke with a sorrowful tone and looked dejected.

"Even this is because I have now achieved fame and success. She was afraid that I would not have enough to eat, wear, and use, and that outsiders would think she was mistreating me. So a few days ago, she specially made me new clothes, shoes, and handkerchiefs and other small items."

Liu Muqiu's attention was quickly diverted by her younger brother's words.

She could never forget the kind of life she and her younger brother had lived under their stepmother's care before she got married. Hearing this, she felt even more bitter and stuffed the banknotes into her brother's hand.

"Listen to me, keep it and use it. If you have money, you won't have to rely on her too much if something happens."

"If you don't accept it, how can I feel good about it?"

Liu Muyuan ultimately couldn't refuse and accepted the silver note.

The siblings chatted for a while longer before Liu Muyuan prepared to take his leave.

Liu Muqiu rose to see him off. As they parted, Liu Muyuan gave his sister a deep look:

"Sister, I will definitely make something of myself."

"One day, I will definitely make sure you are no longer wronged."

Liu Muqiu said softly, "I just hope you take care of yourself first."

After seeing her younger brother off, Liu Muqiu returned to the courtyard.

Thinking of her younger brother being all alone and helpless at his mother's home, she could only weep alone.

When Zhou Shili returned home and saw this scene, he immediately expressed his concern.

Upon learning that his wife was crying because of his younger brother, Zhou Shili said gently, "Mu Yuan is fifteen years old now, and he will be getting married in a few years."

"Now that he has the status of a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), I doubt Wang would dare to do anything."

"If you're really worried, why don't you let Mu Yuan move out?"

Liu Muqiu, her eyes brimming with tears, asked, "Move? Move to where?"

Zhou Shili gently held his wife's hand: "Right now, we have enough money in the manor and we're also financially comfortable. Let's buy a separate courtyard nearby for Muyuan to live in."

"It will be more convenient for him to visit you in the future."

Liu Muqiu never expected her husband to go to such lengths to put her mind at ease. Her eyes reddened even more. Touched, she still shook her head.

"However, Father and Wang may not agree."

Although her marriage was arranged by her father, the mistreatment she and her younger brother received from their stepmother over the years was largely due to her father's tacit approval.

Mr. Liu was a proud and old-fashioned man.

He left the affairs of the inner quarters to his second wife and didn't interfere much; and no matter how badly his children were doing, he wouldn't allow outsiders to know.

If Liu Muyuan were to live in his sister and brother-in-law's villa, others would surely assume that he was suffering so much at home that he couldn't stay there any longer.

How could Liu's father tolerate such remarks?

Not to mention the influence of Wang's pillow talk, Liu's father would absolutely not agree.

After a moment's thought, Zhou Shili said, "In that case, why not just have Mu Yuan moved out of the capital?"

"I know a highly respected gentleman who taught a student who ranked second in the imperial examinations, but he lives in Yunzhou."

"I will write a letter recommending Mu Yuan to go, and Lord Liu will most likely agree."

This reason is much more legitimate, and besides, if Liu Muyuan could gain further fame and recognition, it would also bring honor to the Liu family.

For the sake of the family, Liu's father would not refuse.

"This is the most reliable method," Liu Muqiu said with delight. "That's great. I'll definitely tell Muyuan about this next time he comes."

"My husband is very considerate and thoughtful in every way."

Zhou Shili smiled gently: "We are husband and wife, why be so polite? Whenever you mention Mu Yuan, you always look worried, and it makes me uncomfortable."

"Besides, Mu Yuan saved An An, and I haven't had a chance to properly thank him yet."

The two were deeply in love when they heard an old woman outside call out, "Master, Madam."

"Someone from the palace has arrived; it's a message from the Marquis."

The two exchanged a glance.

How did news of the Marquis come from the palace?

The two hurriedly called her in, only to see the old woman leading an old man into the room, whose face looked very unpleasant.

The eunuch handed over a letter with both hands and said, "On his way back, the Marquis encountered bandits and was shot with an arrow. He still has a high fever and is rushing back to the capital. He should arrive in about three days."

Zhou Shili jumped to his feet, incredulous: "Shot by an arrow?!"

"My father fought on the battlefield for over ten years, how could he be wounded by mere bandits!"

"Sir, is the news truly true?"

The old man sighed deeply, "Master Zhou, His Majesty's intention is for you to hurry up and prepare..."

"..."

Liu Muqiu covered her mouth, unable to believe what she was hearing.

Ready? Ready for what?

Isn't this just implying... that the Marquis is in grave danger this time?

Zhou Shili's mind was in complete chaos. He had thought that the worst-case scenario after his father's return would be that his parents would divorce.

Now, my father is suddenly in critical condition?

"Furthermore... this letter was presented to His Majesty by the Imperial Observatory, and His Majesty then ordered me to deliver it to Master Zhou."

"This humble servant will return to the palace to serve you first, sir, please wait."

"My husband..."

With a worried look in her eyes, Liu Muqiu supported her husband. "Should we prepare?"

"Should you go talk to Mother, or should I?"

If the Marquis is truly in critical condition, the burden of the entire family will fall on Zhou Shili's shoulders.

Although Zhou Shili has been carrying the burden alone all these years, his father, who lives far away in the Northwest, remains the family's support.

Zhou Shili finished a whole cup of tea in one gulp, clenched his fists, forced himself to calm down, and then said slowly, "I will send people to search for famous doctors. You should also prepare the tokens. As soon as Father returns, go to the Imperial Hospital to invite the imperial physicians."

"As for the rest..."

Zhou Shili closed his eyes and swallowed a bitter taste in his mouth: "Prepare quietly, don't let Mother know."

Liu Muqiu nodded repeatedly, but then realized something and paused slightly: "We shouldn't tell Mother?"

If, three days later, the entire household were to return with a corpse, and Mother was not prepared at all, wouldn't she be greatly shocked?

Zhou Shili said in a deep voice, "Since we can return to the capital in three days, it must not be far away."

"I will go to pick up my father myself."

He insisted on seeing it with his own eyes before he would believe it.

As for his mother, he needed to confirm it with her personally before telling her, so as not to cause her unnecessary worry.

"If there is any bad news... I will send it back as quickly as possible. Please tell Mother."

Liu Muqiu pursed her lips and slowly nodded: "I understand."

As they spoke, Zhou Shili opened the letter his father-in-law had brought.

His expression changed drastically after reading the letter.

Inside the main courtyard, Lu Mingzhao, who was weeding in the field, suddenly clutched his chest.

"Madam?"

Zhao's mother was the first to notice that something was wrong with Lu Mingzhao. She had just called out when Lu Mingzhao slowly collapsed to the ground.

"Help! Help!"

"Cuiju and Cuizhu! Go and invite the elders over!"