Qiao'er drank the miscarriage prevention medicine.
Not long after, a warm current flowed through the umbilical cord in her belly, surging into Lu Yun's body, making him incredibly comfortable.
"So good!"
Lu Yun couldn't help but sigh.
"If only I could keep drinking it," he thought.
However, even the original miscarriage prevention medicine's value could arouse Steward Li's covetousness, let alone this advanced version; its value was probably considerable, and only the wealthy Lu family could afford to provide a daily dose to a pregnant woman.
"Soon, I'll soon advance to Yellow Rank Medium Grade Bloodline, just over three more months!" Lu Yun looked forward to it.
At this moment, a wave of melancholy surged into his heart, interrupting his anticipation.
"Is it Mother?" Lu Yun wondered.
Outside, Qiao'er, supporting her swollen abdomen, leaned against the doorframe, her eyes hollow and filled with sadness.
"Madam!" Ling'er rushed over to support Qiao'er when she saw her.
"The weather is getting colder and colder. You are heavily pregnant now and shouldn't be exposed to this draft," she said anxiously.
With that, she was about to help Qiao'er back into the room.
"It's fine, Ling'er, I just want to stand for a bit." Qiao'er waved her hand, not moving.
"Madam, do you have something on your mind?" Ling'er was very clever and noticed Qiao'er's unusual mood.
"Mm~" Qiao'er sighed softly.
"The New Year is coming soon, and I've been in the Lu Manor for over three years, but I haven't been home yet."
Hearing this, Ling'er understood that she was missing her parents at home.
"Madam, you are a madam of the Lu family. According to the Lu family rules, as long as you get the Main Madam's permission, you can return home. It's just that you are pregnant now, so I'm afraid..." Ling'er didn't finish, but Qiao'er understood her meaning.
She couldn't leave the Lu family now.
"I know," Qiao'er looked at the distant horizon, her eyes filled with longing.
That was the direction of her home.
......
As the New Year approached, the Lu family mansion was already adorned with red lanterns, and a festive atmosphere permeated everywhere.
The small courtyard where Qiao'er resided was no exception.
Under Ling'er's direction, Xiao Ping and Xiao An swept here and there, hung lanterns and streamers, and then lit red candles and long incense.
All their faces were excited.
Meanwhile, Qiao'er, sitting inside the room, had an increasingly strong longing in her eyes.
Suddenly, she stood up, walked back into the room, and packed many pieces of jewelry and silver, almost all of her collection.
These things, besides the monthly stipend from the Lu family, were occasional rewards from the Main Madam.
She wrapped the items in cloth and then called Ling'er.
Ling'er quickly ran in, stunned when she saw the bundle in Qiao'er's hand.
"Madam, are you trying to escape?" Ling'er asked in a daze.
"I can't get out." Qiao'er shook her head.
How could she possibly leave the Lu family?
"I want you to help me send these things back to my home and visit my parents," Qiao'er said.
"Ah? Me?" Ling'er was startled, then her face showed difficulty.
"Madam, I..."
"I won't make it difficult for you." Qiao'er said, then took off a hairpin from her head and handed it to Ling'er.
This hairpin was well-made and worth about three taels of silver outside.
For a servant like Ling'er, it was a considerable sum of money.
"Madam, I will obey your orders, but I cannot take this..." Ling'er dared not take the hairpin and reached out to refuse.
"Take it, I can't let you run this errand for nothing." Qiao'er pushed the hairpin into Ling'er's hand.
"As for Steward Li, if he asks, just say I told you to leave the mansion."
"Yes..." Ling'er took the bundle and the hairpin.
"Leave now, the New Year is in two days," Qiao'er instructed.
......
Time flew by.
"Madam, I'm back~" Ling'er ran back into the mansion's room cheerfully.
Qiao'er quickly stepped forward to inquire.
"Did you deliver the things?"
Looking at Qiao'er's expectant eyes, Ling'er smiled and nodded.
"Rest assured, Madam, I delivered everything to your home."
With that, she took out the hairpin from her bosom and handed it to Qiao'er.
"Madam, this hairpin is too valuable; you should keep it."
Before Qiao'er could speak, Ling'er said,
"Madam, to meet such a kind master as you is already Ling'er's good fortune; I cannot take these things."
Seeing Ling'er's firm demeanor, Qiao'er had no choice but to take back the hairpin.
"Ling'er, how is my family?" Qiao'er asked.
"Madam, everything is normal at your home. The two elders knew my purpose and were very happy. They made me tell them more about you and wouldn't let me leave," Ling'er said.
"Father and Mother have always worried about me, but unfortunately, I can't leave the Lu family." Qiao'er shook her head slightly.
Thinking of her parents at home, waves of longing surged in her heart.
"Oh, right, how are their bodies?"
"Madam, your parents are well, it's just that..." Ling'er hesitated.
"What is it? Speak quickly!" Qiao'er asked anxiously.
"It's nothing, Madam, don't worry, be careful not to upset the fetal Qi," Ling'er said.
"Your parents' health isn't a big problem; it's just that they look like they have something bothering them, their brows are always furrowed, and when I asked the two elders, they wouldn't say."
"Alas~" Qiao'er sighed.
"I'm afraid my elder brother has caused trouble again." She shook her head.
She was still very clear about her elder brother's character.
"Did you see my elder brother when you went back this time?" Qiao'er asked.
"I saw him, Madam. Your elder brother is nothing like you." With that, Ling'er's face turned red, and her eyes showed anger.
Her words weren't sharp, but Qiao'er immediately knew that her shameless elder brother had probably done something disgraceful again.
"Ling'er, I apologize on behalf of my elder brother, he..."
Before Qiao'er could finish, Ling'er interrupted.
"Madam, you misunderstood, he didn't do anything to me, I'm just angry at the things he said about you."
"What did he say?" Qiao'er was startled.
"He said you were ungrateful, enjoying a good life in the Lu family but not knowing how to invite them into the mansion to enjoy some blessings," Ling'er said.
"Alas, I can't decide such things." Qiao'er shook her head.
However, she had somewhat anticipated her elder brother's reaction; these were the kinds of things he would say.
"Oh, right, Ling'er, he didn't see the things I asked you to take back, did he?!" Qiao'er suddenly asked nervously.
"Rest assured, Madam, I saw the two elders put everything away in the inner room," Ling'er replied.
"That's good." Qiao'er breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ling'er, you've worked hard. Don't be busy these two days; get some good rest."
"It's nothing, Madam, I'm very happy to be able to help you," Ling'er said with a smile.
......
On New Year's Eve, Qiao'er stayed alone in her room.
Outside, the lights were bright, and firecrackers exploded continuously.
"Child, it's good that I have you." Qiao'er touched her swollen abdomen, her eyes hazy.
Inside her belly, Lu Yun felt the loneliness and longing Qiao'er transmitted, attributing it to the loneliness of the Spring Festival.
"Mother, don't worry, everything will be better once I'm born." He thought to himself.