Chapter 836: The Old and the Young
The yard of Second Uncle Gu’s house was covered with oilcloth, and tables, chairs, and benches were set up.
The kitchen was bustling with people coming and going.
When Gu Yuheng and the others returned from visiting the graves, the family began the banquet.
Two tables were set up in the yard, and the female members of the Gu Family had another table in the main hall.
Yun Jiao gave Ruru a chicken leg for her to gnaw on.
Ruru, with her eight teeth, was gnawing on the chicken leg, her mouth full of grease.
Gu Yuheng was persuaded to drink repeatedly by his two younger brothers, and soon he was slightly tipsy.
After the meal, Gu Yuheng gave each of his brothers a pouch of silver with one hundred taels inside. Despite their repeated refusals, they couldn’t resist Gu Yuheng and took it.
Once everyone tidied up, they headed to Chunlin County.
The county only had one inn.
Since this trip home was personal, Yun Jiao didn’t plan to stay at the official inn.
Moreover, the official inn in Chunlin County was very simple, with furnishings even inferior to the inn.
They rested for a night in Chunlin County and set out early the next morning for Xiang City.
By the fourth day, nearing noon, several carriages entered the city.
After entering the city, the carriages went their separate ways, with Yun Jiao and a few maids taking a carriage back to the Duke Mansion.
Halfway along, the horse suddenly neighed loudly, the carriage made a sudden stop, and everyone inside lunged forward with the inertia.
Fortunately, Cai Ping was holding a handle with one hand and used her body to shield Ruru, while Yun Jiao held onto You Er tightly to prevent a fall.
After managing to steady themselves, Hui Xiang lifted the curtain and scolded the coachman, "How are you driving?"
The coachman said aggrievedly, "It’s not my fault; this old woman, holding a child, was walking just fine and suddenly fell this way."
Yun Jiao patted her rapidly beating heart and looked out through the curtain Hui Xiang had lifted.
There she saw an elderly woman lying on the ground, holding a one or two-year-old child.
The elderly woman seemed to have fainted, lying on the ground while her hands still protected the child, who was wailing in her arms.
Yun Jiao quickly said, "Cai Ping, go and help that old woman up."
"Check if it’s serious, and if it is, help her into the carriage, and I’ll take a look at her when we return to the mansion."
Cai Ping got off and helped the old lady up, who waited a while before slowly opening her eyes.
By now, the carriage curtain was lifted, and the old lady was not far from the carriage side.
Cai Ping helped the old lady up, and after the old lady caught her breath, she glanced at Cai Ping a few times and then noticed Yun Jiao sitting inside the carriage.
The old lady’s eyes widened and suddenly she became excited, calling out to Yun Jiao, "Doctor Gu!"
Yun Jiao glanced at the old lady but didn’t recognize her.
Over the years, she had treated many patients, and often the patients remembered her but she couldn’t recall them.
However, the old lady was extraordinarily excited and then shouted, "Madam Jiang, the maidservant is from Wu’an Hou Mansion and used to serve by Madam Hou’s side, having seen you several times."
Yun Jiao was shocked and hurriedly said, "Quick, help the old woman into the carriage behind."
She had heard Jiang Youzhi mention a few days ago that Lin Shuo now knows nothing about Wu’an Hou Mansion.
It was just right to inquire.
Upon hearing Yun Jiao’s words, the old lady cried, and Cai Ping took the child from her hands, helping the old lady to the carriage behind.
Yun Jiao stuck her head out, "Old lady, get in the carriage first, and we’ll talk when we return to the mansion."
The old lady made a respectful bow to Yun Jiao and followed Cai Ping onto the carriage behind.
Not long after, the carriage returned to the mansion.
Yun Jiao got off the carriage, settled the two children, and then asked someone to bring the old lady and child over.