Xiao Bao was busy all day until the evening. After dinner, he went to soothe Xiao Yu, the little girl who refused to eat. Xiao Bao followed her around with a bowl to feed her. Xiao Yu never behaved like this in front of others, always acting like a little adult, even in front of Elder Jin and the lady. Only in front of Xiao Bao would she act like a child, being willful and coquettish.
It wasn't until Xiao Yu was lulled to sleep that Xiao Bao finally caught his breath.
Today, after returning to the Jin mansion, he was busy with this and that and didn't have any spare time. He hadn't seen Huai En all day. They had been inseparable the previous few days, and now he found it hard to adjust to not being together. Even though it was late at night, Xiao Bao still wanted to find Huai En, even if it was just to sleep in his arms.
Unfortunately, when he reached Huai En's separate courtyard, he was greatly disappointed. Huai En's room was empty. At such a late hour, who would go out? Dragging over Zuo Ying to ask yielded nothing but an indifferent attitude. Zuo Ying's eyes were filled with disdain towards him.
Xiao Bao was infuriated. Both teenagers around seventeen or eighteen years old, how could Huai En's subordinates be so different from the welcoming and prosperous ones? Looking at you as if they were evaluating your ancestors and ignoring you as if you did not exist in this world.
Indeed, the type of master determines the type of servant. Xiao Bao decided to give a small report and whisper in Huai En's ear in the future to deal with this disdainful servant.
Unable to find Huai En, Xiao Bao didn't want to return to an empty room. He really wanted to talk to Huai En, to tell him what he had done today. He also wanted to know what Huai En was up to, going out in the middle of the night.
Xiao Bao pushed open the door to Huai En's room and lay down on his bed, still dressed.
His father's health was declining day by day, and what once seemed distant now required consideration—what would become of the Jin family
after his parents' centennial departure? He had no desire to marry anyone in his lifetime, wishing only to grow old with Huai en. However, even with his parents' indulgence, they wouldn't allow him such capriciousness.
Holding Huai en's quilt, he could faintly smell his scent. Xiao Bao buried his head in the quilt, his mind in turmoil. Lost in thought, he eventually fell asleep.
Waking up the next day, Xiao Bao felt an extraordinary warmth beside him. Opening his eyes, Huai en's delicate face was close at hand. Dark circles were visibly under his eyes, clearly from exhaustion, his nostrils flared slightly with his long, deep breaths, sleeping soundly.
Xiao Bao felt a warm flow spreading throughout his limbs in an instant, realizing that this was a scene indispensable in his life. Waking up to see Huai en's peaceful sleeping face was the life he wanted. For this, he would surely find a perfect solution.
Huai en's arm was still around Xiao Bao's waist. Just as Xiao Bao propped himself up, Huai en sensitively opened his eyes.
His eyes couldn't immediately adjust to the light, squinting slightly at Xiao Bao.
Xiao Bao covered his eyes softly, saying, "I'm stepping out for a bit, you sleep a little longer."
Huai en nodded lightly, whispering, "Come back soon."
Xiao Bao kissed him on the corner of his mouth, got out of bed, covered Huai'en with the quilt, and left quietly.
"Is everything ready?"
"Master, everything is ready."
Xiao Bao looked at the sky, it was the afternoon, and the sun was not so dazzling, "Hmm, now is the right time, let's go."
"Master!! Master!!"
Xiao Bao turned his head, his servant was hurriedly running towards him.
Xiao Bao frowned, "Xiao Tie? What's the rush, speak slowly."
"Master," Xiao Tie gasped for air, "We just received a message by pigeon. They arrived at Yuxia yesterday, but Doctor Zhang is not in Yuxia."
"What??" Xiao Bao snatched the note from his hand, glanced at it, and furiously threw it to the ground, "What is he doing in Dian South!! A plague?? What plague??"
"Master, the court has blocked the news. We found out that a plague suddenly broke out in the eastern part of Dian South, spreading very
quickly. Now a large number of refugees are about to pour into Qianzhong.
The court has already sealed the city. It is said that Doctor Zhang went there to treat the plague."
"Dian South... the plague..." Xiao Bao's face changed instantly, "Su Yin is still in Dali. He said he would definitely return within a month at the latest, and now it's almost a full month, but there is no news from him, and now there is a plague..."
Xiao Bao said to Zhao Caijin Bao, "Where is Su Yin's attendant, the one called Xiao Zhao? Quickly call him over."
Zhao Cai hurriedly replied, "I'm on it."
Xiao Bao waved his hand, "Never mind, where does he live, you lead me there."
A group of people marched grandly towards the separate courtyard of Su Yin's attendant. Before they reached the yard, they already saw a person hurrying out.
Zhao Cai, with sharp eyes, spotted the person and called out, "Xiao Zhao."
The person paused, turned back, and after a moment of surprise, hurried over.
Xiao Bao urgently asked, "Xiao Zhao, is there any news from your young master? Wasn't it said that he would return in a month?"
Xiao Zhao also hurriedly replied, "Master Jin, I was just about to find you. A sudden epidemic outbreak occurred in Dian South, the Prince Li Qin is overwhelmed with affairs, frazzled. My master can't leave at all right now, I just received a secret letter for Master Jin from my master today."
Saying this, he took out a small scroll from his bosom.
Xiao Bao was surprised, "Just this bit?"
Xiao Zhao gave a bitter smile, "Master Jin, the eastern part of Dian South has already been sealed off to stop the refugees from scattering, only pigeons can fly out, it's currently impossible to send messages by people."
Xiao Bao hurriedly unfolded it, and there were only a few words, "Xiao Bao, I cannot leave for now, as soon as the epidemic stabilizes, I will return immediately, do not be misled by him, be extremely cautious."
Xiao Bao was mixed with emotions at that moment. On one hand, he was worried about Su Yin being in the epidemic area, concerned for his life; on the other hand, he was saddened that no one around him had the slightest goodwill towards Huai En*.
Gathering his thoughts, Xiao Bao asked, "What is the plague like? Could Su Yin be in danger?"
"It's still not very clear. The plague spreads very quickly, but as long as it's treated in time, it won't be fatal. My master should be fine, but the court's funding is still on the way, and many people have already died because they couldn't afford treatment..."
Xiao Bao nodded, "You reply to Su Yin, tell him I am all well. I will be raising funds in the Jiangnan area in the next few days and send them to Dian South as soon as possible."
Xiao Zhao hurriedly replied, "Master Jin, the court has already issued an order not to spread the word about this. For the fundraising, Master Jin needs to find another name."
Xiao Bao said, "Don't worry, I have my ways."
Xiao Bao was planning to discuss this matter with his father immediately, but Zhao Cai timely reminded him that he still had to go to Boss Liu's to get the dietary recipe for his father.
Xiao Bao thought for a moment, he was already twenty years old, in the past he only knew about indulging in pleasure, no wonder his parents were not at ease with him. If he wanted to be with Huai En, he must be able to support such a big family on his own, without being forced to marry Xiao Yu or other women. Perhaps now was an opportunity. If he could raise a sum of money for Su Yin, it would definitely change how his parents viewed him. He then planned to express his willingness to settle down, earnestly learn, and take over the family business, no longer indulging in frivolous pursuits. His parents might no longer pressure him, giving him and Huai En a chance to turn things around.
Thinking this way, Xiao Bao felt more convinced of the feasibility of his plan. Thus, without any further delay, he set off for the eastern part of the city.
Upon arriving at Boss Liu's home, he was informed that Boss Liu had urgent matters at his pawnshop and had rushed out. Boss Liu's son came out to greet him.
The two had some acquaintance in the past, and after a bit of small talk, young Master Liu invited him inside.
As soon as Xiao Bao entered the front hall, he was somewhat taken aback; the room was filled with people, seven or eight of them sitting
around. Looking closely, they were all his former drinking buddies, looking at him with smiles.