novelraw Chapter 469 - 445: Follow-up of the Zhao Family (2)
Chapter 469 - 445: Follow-up of the Zhao Family (2)
Who would have thought that her mother would arrange such a marriage for her.
In the end, they said it was her fault.
The dim candlelight by the bed illuminated the pale and thin little face of Fifth Miss Zhao. Bitao didn’t know what to say, "After the old lady fell ill, the family’s business has been divided among the branches to manage by themselves. Mrs. Zhao is busy with the businesses of several shops..."
Mentioning the family business brought to mind the quarrels within the family over business, and Fifth Miss Zhao sneered, "What else do they care about other than business, other than money?"
Back then, when her mother mentioned the Qian Family, she said the Qian Family had a good lineage, with many scholars and even a scholar official.
After marrying into the Qian Family, her status would be elevated.
It sounded so nice.
In reality, it was just her mother cooperating on a business deal with the Qian Family.
The money her mother invested was not something she wanted to go unrecoverable, so she married her off.
Unexpectedly, the Qian Family was not kind either and found an excuse to divorce her.
Her health had issues years ago, and she had mentioned it to her mother.
Her mother said, girls at seventeen without menstruation were plenty, that she was making a fuss over nothing.
Not understanding these matters, she believed her mother’s words and didn’t take it seriously.
Who knew it turned out to be a serious illness, making even marital relations impossible.
Bitao consoled her, "Miss, don’t think too much about it, just sleep. You’ll need to treat your illness tomorrow."
"Alright, put out the light." Fifth Miss Zhao sighed softly, turned over, and closed her eyes.
Bitao shook her head, closed the curtains, and blew out the light.
.
After Sister-in-law Chai returned from the Zhao family, she immediately went next door to find Li Yuzhu.
Li Yuzhu and others had finished dinner and were sitting under the lamp discussing matters.
"Why is Sister-in-law Chai back so late? How did things go with the Zhao family?" Li Yuzhu poured a bowl of hot tea, arranged a chair for Sister-in-law Chai, and helped her sit down.
After the County Magistrate intervened, the matter would spread through the town sooner or later.
So it was no secret.
Sister-in-law Chai spoke in front of everyone, "Mrs. Zhao is a formidable person. She called in Lord County Magistrate, demanding the Qian Family pay a thousand taels of silver in compensation, and that Mrs. Yue was flogged ten times."
Li Yuzhu laughed, "The Qian Family got punished, which means Fifth Miss Zhao was wronged, and that indirectly cleared her of blame."
Fifth Miss Zhao, in her distress, jumped into the river, which is a manifestation of post-traumatic stress disorder.
For treatment, besides long-term medication, psychological interventions are also required.
She prescribed some antidepressants for Fifth Miss Zhao and told her that she could heal her body through treatment; however, the psychological impact had been severe, and she could only address the symptoms, not the root causes.
And after the Qian couple was punished, it was like a shot in the arm for Fifth Miss Zhao, resolving her inner demons.
If Fifth Miss Zhao’s mind is strong and her recovery is good, the psychological intervention medication can be reduced.
.
The next morning, after breakfast, Li Yuzhu boarded Sister-in-law Chai’s carriage and headed to the Zhao family again.
This time, the Zhao family’s housekeeper spoke proactively, "Miss Yun, Miss Li, the lady said to see her first when you arrive, she has something to say to you."
This was a rare occurrence.
In past visits to the Zhao family, Mrs. Zhao always treated Sister-in-law Chai and Li Yuzhu with indifference, but today she actively invited them.
Sister-in-law Chai said, "Please convey our message, we’ll go see our elder cousin grandmother then."
The two followed the housekeeper lady to Mrs. Zhao’s residence.
Mrs. Zhao, upon seeing them enter, was all smiles, repeatedly calling for the maids to serve tea and snacks.
Sister-in-law Chai felt slightly overwhelmed by the attention.
Li Yuzhu smiled softly and thanked, sitting down with Sister-in-law Chai.
"Without you two, Wuwu’s issue wouldn’t be resolved. I am a person who remembers kindness. You can’t leave before having lunch today; I’ll be upset if you don’t," Mrs. Zhao said with a smile.
Sister-in-law Chai was surprised, "If our elder cousin grandmother invites us, Yunniang will humbly accept."
How interesting. They had helped the Zhao family before; where was their gratitude then? Li Yuzhu laughed secretly to herself, but since they had taken the initiative to reconcile, she said nothing and followed Sister-in-law Chai in thanking.
They still needed to check on Fifth Miss Zhao, so they only drank a cup of tea and then left Mrs. Zhao’s room.
Mrs. Zhao sent a maid to see them off personally.
However, she didn’t accompany them this time.
They went into the small courtyard where Fifth Miss Zhao lived, but didn’t see her. The gatekeeper Lily said, "Fifth Miss went to visit the old lady, she’ll be back soon. You should rest here for now."
Sister-in-law Chai said to Li Yuzhu, "We might as well go see the old lady too, since we’re waiting anyway."