TSWPF -Chapter 215 Trust

The woman stared at Li Qingling for a moment, only recalling what had happened when she heard Xiao Hua’s excited voice.

She looked at the little one in Li Qingling’s arms, her heart stirred, and she tried to prop herself up to sit.

Seeing this, Li Qingling quickly stopped her, telling her not to sit up carelessly—it wasn’t good for her waist.

“Madam, just listen to Miss Li. She knows better,” Xiao Hua gently pushed the woman back down and tucked the blanket around her. “Miss Li, my lady wants to see the little master.”

Little master? So she had given birth to a son? The woman widened her eyes and looked at Li Qingling eagerly.

Li Qingling smiled and carefully placed the little one beside her.

“The little one just had a bowel movement, so I took him out to clean up a bit.”

The woman greedily watched the little one sleep peacefully. Upon hearing Li Qingling’s explanation, she thanked her with gratitude.

If it hadn’t been for Li Qingling and her companions, she would already be dead. The situation had been extremely dangerous.

Li Qingling replied with a simple, “You’re welcome.”

After looking at the little one long enough, the woman finally raised her head and softly introduced herself, politely asking Li Qingling’s surname.

It was then that Li Qingling learned the woman’s name: Yu Yu. She didn’t pry further, as it wasn’t her place.

“My surname is Li, given name Qingling.”

“I’m older than you, so may I presumptuously call you my younger sister?” Perhaps Li Qingling had saved both her and her son, and she felt very close to her.

Li Qingling didn’t mind at all. “Sure!” She glanced at Yu Yu, whose complexion was still pale. “Sister Yu, we’ll reach the capital in two more hours. You should rest some more.”

The postpartum period was crucial. If it wasn’t taken care of properly, she could develop postpartum complications.

Moreover, Yu Yu’s physical condition during childbirth had been poor. Neglecting her recovery now could have severe consequences later.

Yu Yu could only just manage to converse with Li Qingling; this was her limit. With Li Qingling’s gentle persuasion, she nodded slightly, closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep again.

Seeing that Madam had fallen asleep, Xiao Hua carefully adjusted her blanket, making sure she wouldn’t catch cold.

Noticing Xiao Hua’s tired expression, Li Qingling suggested she get some rest, assuring her she would keep an eye on both Madam and the little master.

Xiao Hua, truly exhausted and near her limit, didn’t make excuses. She thanked Li Qingling and leaned against the carriage to sleep.

Hearing the steady breathing of the three, Li Qingling signaled to Li Qingning and Liu Zhirou to stay quiet, so as not to wake Yu Yu and the others.

Li Qingning and Liu Zhirou, being sensible, nodded and covered their mouths.

Sitting idly for two hours would drive her insane, Li Qingling thought. She took out some colored thread to weave cords.

The two little ones quietly said they wanted to weave too; keeping busy was the only way to pass the time.

Li Qingling agreed, giving them half of the colored thread each.

While the three of them busily weaved a pile of cords, the driver finally announced that they were approaching the city.

Li Qingling packed away the finished cords, slightly lifted the carriage curtain, and looked out. “Uncle, let’s stop at an inn and rest for the night.”

“Yes, Madam,” the driver replied. No instructions were necessary—they had traveled this way all along.

When the carriage stopped at an inn, Li Qingling gently woke Yu Yu and Xiao Hua, smiling at their sleepy expressions. “Sister Yu, we’ve arrived. You can rest more after we get to our room.”

Yu Yu shook her slightly swollen head and smiled in acknowledgment.

Li Qingling led Li Qingning and Liu Zhirou down first. After stepping out, she helped Xiao Hua support Yu Yu as they slowly got off the carriage.

Yu Yu held her son, who had barely survived, and slowly walked into the inn.

Li Qingling had Xiao Hua help Yu Yu sit at a side table while she prepared the rooms.

“Little sister, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry too much,” Yu Yu said with a smile. “Once you’ve set up the room, we’ll go up together.”

Li Qingling didn’t insist further. She paid the innkeeper for several rooms and, once ready, personally helped Yu Yu upstairs.

“Sister Yu, you stay in one room. I’ll be next door. If you need anything, just call me.” Li Qingling guided Yu Yu to a nice room and helped her sit on the bed. “You must be hungry. Anything you’d like to eat? I’ll have the innkeeper bring it up.”

Li Qingling had no experience serving someone in confinement and wasn’t sure what food was suitable, so she asked.

Yu Yu carefully placed her son on the bed and turned to Li Qingling with a faint smile. “Some chicken soup will be fine. Nothing else is needed.” She glanced at Xiao Hua and asked her to give the money to Li Qingling.

Xiao Hua looked troubled. Yu Yu frowned and asked why.

“Madam, we don’t have any silver. It may have been… taken by the driver.”

Yu Yu’s face darkened. This wasn’t an accident—someone didn’t want her to return safely to the capital. She knew who it likely was.

Knowing too much wouldn’t help her. Li Qingling, not wanting to involve herself in Yu Yu’s troubles, quickly said, “No worries. I have silver. Sister Yu, wait a moment—I’ll have the staff bring your meal up.” She glanced at Xiao Hua. “Are you coming downstairs to eat with me, or staying here with Sister Yu?”

Not wanting to leave her lady alone, Xiao Hua chose to stay.

“Thank you, little sister.”

“You’re welcome.”

Once Li Qingling left, Xiao Hua fumed. “Madam, the carriage accident wasn’t accidental. If it were, the driver wouldn’t have run away.” Fortunately, the driver hadn’t attacked them.

Yu Yu gently touched her son’s little face. Seeing him scrunch his nose in discomfort, she smiled and didn’t disturb his sleep.

Turning to Xiao Hua, her expression calm, she said, “I know what happened. Once we return to the capital, I’ll settle accounts with those people.” She realized her gentleness over the years had allowed them to become bolder.

She could overlook some matters, but this time she had to act. If she didn’t, they would continue seeing her as weak.

Xiao Hua felt her heart surge. Madam was finally no longer yielding at every turn.

She quickly relayed to Yu Yu what Li Qingling had said earlier and asked what her plan was.

Yu Yu immediately decided to follow Li Qingling back to the capital. The longer she stayed here, the worse it would be for her.

“Madam, do you think Li Qingling and her family can be trusted?” Xiao Hua asked, cautious as ever.

“Though I haven’t known Li Qingling long, I trust her character,” Yu Yu replied. If they weren’t genuinely good people, they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to save her. She looked at Xiao Hua and cautioned, “Xiao Hua, don’t speak like that in front of Li Qingling. It might chill her.”

She knew Xiao Hua was loyal, but the girl was too naive and easily offended.

Xiao Hua’s face flushed as she admitted the words she had said earlier, promising never to repeat them.

Yu Yu shook her head helplessly. “You… fortunately, Li Qingling doesn’t take it personally, or else…” From this, it was clear Li Qingling and her companions were upright people. Once back in the capital, she would properly thank them.

“Madam, I know my mistake. I won’t do it again.”

“Yes, let it not happen again.”

If they guessed at Li Qingling and her friends again, it would truly be ingratitude.

As they spoke, a knock came at the door. “Sister Yu, it’s me.”

Hearing Li Qingling’s voice, Xiao Hua hurried to open the door and saw her standing there with food.

Xiao Hua reached out. “Miss Li, why did you bring it yourself?”

Li Qingling entered, smiling. “I forgot to ask, Sister Yu: will you rest here or come with us to the capital?” If they went to the capital together, they’d need to rent another carriage—it was too cramped with just two.

Yu Yu’s heart warmed at Li Qingling’s words, her expression softening. “Little sister, Xiao Hua told me earlier. I’ve decided to follow you to the capital. I know this will trouble you along the way.” They weren’t very familiar yet, so she felt embarrassed, but circumstances left her no choice.

“Alright, I’ll go rent another carriage shortly,” Li Qingling said decisively. “Sister Yu, eat first. If you need anything, instruct the staff. I’ll go ahead.”

“Thank you, little sister.”

“You’re welcome…”

Li Qingling closed the door behind her as she left. She hurried downstairs and sat beside Liu Zhimou. “Madam Yu will travel with us to the capital. After dinner, we’ll rent another carriage.”

Liu Zhimou had no objections. He nodded and placed the dishes Li Qingling liked into her bowl, urging her to eat quickly.

Li Qingling, seeing the food piled high, resigned herself and focused on eating.

Focused on their meal, they didn’t notice the innkeeper’s expression change slightly upon seeing Liu Zhimou.