Chapter 1386 – Nansheng, The Autumn of Turmoil (Part Twelve)
Seeing Xie Ze hesitate slightly, Han Run quickly said, “Uncle Xie, please tell me what happened to my mother!”
Even though Qiqi and Han Yu had already divorced, she was still Han Run’s birth mother, and he couldn’t help but be concerned.
“Don’t rush, Young Master. Things are not as you think,” Xie Ze soothed the panicking Han Run. “Not long ago, on the orders of our Lord, we conducted a raid on the Tao Clan. Your mother just so happened to be residing deeply within the Tao Residence… So, she’s been caught in the mix.”
Upon hearing this, Han Run’s face turned pale, his lips seeming colorless from the shock, on the verge of fainting.
“Uncle Xie…” Han Run called softly, his wet eyes written with a hint of pleading.
Xie Ze replied, “Don’t worry. Although, we do need to look at the bigger picture. As Madam is indeed Mr. Han’s lawful wife, we cannot treat her like a common criminal. We’ve had people keeping watch this entire time, and while it isn’t as detailed as usual, she hasn’t suffered too much.”
Hearing this, Han Run let out a sudden sigh of relief and respectfully bowed to Xie Ze in thanks.
If it hadn’t been for Xie Ze’s care, Han Run could only imagine the hardships his mother might have to endure.
The Tao Clan was Han Run’s maternal grandfather’s family, and Xie Ze worried this child might misunderstand the situation and hold a grudge, prompting him to say a few more words.
“If it weren’t for those greedy folks from the Tao Clan, monopolizing the salt trade and plotting rebellion, our Lord wouldn’t have taken such harsh measures…”
Han Run nodded sadly, “This is all due to my grandfather and others’ own doing. I understand.”
“Now that you mention it, I feel more at ease too.”
A sensible and understanding child is especially likable, and Xie Ze’s impression of Han Run improved significantly.
He said, “Regarding your mother… given your father’s standing, she’ll most likely be fine. As for the Tao Clan, they’re another story.”
Han Run asked, “With Uncle Xie’s words, my heart feels much more at ease. Where is my mother now?”
Even if he couldn’t rescue her, he still wanted her to have a bit of comfort.
Xie Ze answered, “She’s currently in prison. If you go to see her, remember to prepare some clean clothes, bedding, and money for food. Even though she’s in a clean, private room, the dampness and cold of the prison can bring illness to women over time.”
The fact that Xie Ze had considered even these details showed just how attentive and caring he was, causing Han Run’s eyes to slightly brim with tears.
Without delay, Han Run commanded the Steward to prepare a list of essentials as soon as Xie Ze left.
Since Jiang Pengji valued hygiene, even a dungeon needed to be kept somewhat clean, so the condition there was better than Han Run had imagined. Accompanied by the Steward, Han Run reported his father’s esteemed name and was led into the women’s prison by a female guard.
“Time is short. You only have half an hour, so please speak swiftly if you have something to say.”
The female guards in the prison were all retired female soldiers from the army, and while they could no longer fight like before, handling a few women and children posed no issue. When relatives came to visit prisoners, there were time limits, and two guards had to be present to prevent any chaos.
Han Run said, “Thank you, I’ll be careful, young one.”
After waiting a short while, Qiqi was brought over.
“Mother!” Han Run exclaimed, rushing forward to bow.
Qiqi paused, feeling a bit reluctant in her heart.
She wanted to cover her face, not allowing her son to see her current miserable state.
Having a mother who’d been raided, imprisoned—the position of her sons, Run’er and Chi’er, in the Han Residence must be so awkward.
“Mother? What happened? Are you unwell? I’ll go call for the Young Doctor to take a look…”
Qiqi held him back, feeling a bit embarrassed, “I’m fine.”
Mother and son seeing each other should come with endless words, yet the moment felt so awkward.
Qiqi looked at her son, who seemed to have lost weight, feeling a pang of regret.
She shouldn’t have acted on impulse, letting her pride make her abandon her two young sons.
“In a rush, I took two sets of your old bedding and clothes from the residence, and I just asked the guard to send them to you.” Han Run brought out a food box from the side. “These are the meals you love, though since we have a new cook, I’m not sure if the dishes suit your taste. If you like them, I’ll send someone to deliver them daily.”
The more Qiqi looked, the sadder she felt, wishing she could find a hole in the ground and hide forever.
Han Run added, “The bottom of the food box has some loose silver, which you can use to treat the guards. If there’s anything you want to eat, they can go buy it for you. Don’t refuse too quickly, after all, your mother… they should be accounted for, being elderly…”
The Tao Clan was asking for trouble; he couldn’t do much to avoid dragging his father into this too.
He gave the silver to his mother, and whether she wanted to look after the Tao Clan or not had nothing to do with him.
Upon hearing this, Qiqi couldn’t help sighing, her eyes glistening with tears.
“Run’er has really grown up. Unfortunately, as your mother, I can’t help you; instead, I’ve burdened you and your brother.”
She could only be thankful that Han Yu was reliable. He had promised not to marry a concubine, ensuring the two direct sons would not suffer too badly in the Han Residence. If he were to marry another, the first two sons would become the most awkward figures there.
Han Run said, “Mother, what are you saying? As long as you are well, that’s enough for me.”
Half an hour passed quickly, and Han Run had to reluctantly leave.
Watching her son’s departing figure, Qiqi nearly broke into tears.
“What are you doing back here?”
Although Qiqi was in a private cell, she wasn’t too far from the other Tao women, and they could all hear each other’s movements.
She had just been brought back by the guards when her sister-in-law’s cutting voice reached her ears.
Qiqi’s lips moved; she didn’t want to argue with the other.
“This face just oozes misfortune!” Her sister-in-law poked relentlessly. “You’ve divorced Han Wenbin; he’s probably looking for a new bride by now. Why on earth would he think of saving you? Best give up on that idea to avoid daydreaming in broad daylight.”
“You should be envious that I have such a dutiful son,” Qiqi’s heart ignited with anger as she retorted, “When this matter comes to light, I may be in a tough spot, but at least I have two sons to shelter me in my old age. What about you? You’ll probably end up on the streets—”
Over in the corner, the Tao matriarch, who was resting, opened her weary eyes like a cat that had its tail stepped on and viciously scolded her daughter.
To curse that the eldest daughter-in-law would die alone was to imply she, too, would be doomed to end up homeless and alone?
If the two weren’t in the same prison, Qiqi was sure she would have received a slap right now.
Aside from the occasional cold jibes, the atmosphere inside the jail was relatively calm, while outside, storm clouds were gathering.
