Zheng Shi nodded and reminded her with concern, “Hedong is quite different from our Honghua Commandery. I’ve heard that all sorts of people are there and it’s very chaotic. As a young lady going to such a place, you must be careful and not be careless. Don’t wander far alone, lest you encounter bandits.”

Jirong said gratefully, “This servant will definitely remember Young Madam’s reminder and be careful in everything.”

Zheng Shi smiled and turned to Li Jiancheng, “Husband, since this trip will be long, why don’t we give Miss Jirong a day off tomorrow to let her return home and bid farewell to her parents?”

Li Jiancheng hesitated briefly before agreeing. Since he already believed that Jirong wasn’t an assassin, there was naturally no need to continue confining her to Qingchun Garden.

“Thank you, Young Master and Young Madam.” After bowing in gratitude, Jirong’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she lowered her head and said, “This servant has one more matter to request of Young Master.”

Li Jiancheng asked casually, “What is it?”

“Chunxiu and this servant grew up together since childhood, inseparable and extremely close. That this servant could formulate the Muscle-Mending Powder also has her contribution. Now that this servant will be away for half a year, leaving her alone in the woodshed doing those harsh tasks makes me uneasy, so I wish to request another favor from Young Master.”

Li Jiancheng stared at her and said, “You want Chunxiu to return to the music hall?”

“Yes.” Jirong lowered her eyelids and said, “Chunxiu did indeed make a mistake before due to speaking too frankly, but she has already learned her lesson and I believe won’t make the same mistake again. Please give Chunxiu a chance, Young Master.” She actually didn’t want to plead for Chunxiu, but Chunxiu knew many of her secrets. If she didn’t appease her properly, given Chunxiu’s temperament, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t cause trouble, so everything had to be arranged properly before leaving the mansion.

While Li Jiancheng was still hesitating, Zheng Shi already spoke up, “Husband, it’s rare that Miss Jirong and her friend have such deep sisterly affection. Let’s fulfill her wish.”

Seeing her say this, Li Jiancheng nodded, “Very well. I’ll have Wang Fu speak with Second Madam. If Second Madam agrees, let her return to the music hall.”

Zheng Shi smiled, “Don’t trouble Wang Fu with an extra trip. This wife was planning to visit Yuxiu Pavilion later anyway to give Second Madam the sugar frost and winter peaches I brought from Xingyang. This would be a perfect time to discuss this matter with Second Madam.”

Li Jiancheng had no objection to this. After Zheng Shi learned about Chunxiu’s situation, she had her maid take the items to Yuqing Pavilion. She didn’t return until after noon. Before Jirong could ask, she was already saying with a smile, “Don’t worry. Second Madam has already agreed. When I left just now, Second Madam was having Zhaixing inform Steward Lin. She should be able to return to the music hall tomorrow.”

Her words settled Jirong’s heart, and she curtsied, “Thank you, Young Madam.”

Zheng Shi personally helped her up and said kindly, “Please don’t be so formal. If anyone should be grateful, it should be me thanking you for curing my husband’s foot ailment.”

“Young Madam, please don’t say that. This is all what this servant should do. Besides, even without this servant, famous physicians would eventually cure Young Master’s foot ailment.”

Zheng Shi sighed and shook her head, “You don’t understand. Ever since my husband developed his foot ailment, we’ve consulted countless famous physicians and doctors, even imperial physicians from the palace, but none could cure it. From the moment I married my husband, I knew this matter was not only my husband’s heartache but also the heartache of the entire Li family. Now that there’s finally hope for a cure, how could I not be happy?” She took Jirong’s hand and said earnestly, “On this trip to Hedong, the journey is long and arduous. You must take good care of my husband for me, especially his leg injury. Don’t let it leave any lingering problems.”

“Young Madam, rest assured. Both you and Young Master have shown kindness to this servant. This servant will do everything possible to take good care of Young Master. I believe that when we return from Hedong, Young Master’s foot ailment will be completely healed.”

Zheng Shi nodded with satisfaction, “With your words, I can rest easy.”

Thus, everything was settled. Early the next morning, Jirong left the mansion to return home and bid farewell to her parents. Although Jirong’s parents were reluctant to part with her, they also knew this was an opportunity for Jirong. If she could catch Li Jiancheng’s eye and become his concubine, the entire Ji family would benefit.

Before leaving home, Jirong told them the prescription for the Muscle-Mending Powder and gave them all the silver she had saved over the past few months, so they could buy medicinal materials to prepare and sell the Muscle-Mending Powder. Although this medicine couldn’t restore the Ji family to its former status, it could at least make their lives more comfortable.

After settling everything, Jirong returned to the Governor’s mansion. Seeing that it was still early, she went back to her room in the music hall to pack. As soon as she entered, she saw Chunxiu dancing in the room, her beautiful hair flying, her cloud-colored Yuehua dress spinning like a flower—she looked extremely happy. When she saw Jirong enter, she immediately ran over, grabbed Jirong’s hand, and said joyfully, “Sister, I can return to the music hall! I can finally come back and don’t have to continue doing those hard jobs in the woodshed!”

Jirong brushed away the long hair that had fallen across her lips and said gently, “I know. Young Madam personally went to speak with Second Madam about this matter.”

“Young Madam?” Chunxiu looked at Jirong sideways in confusion. After a while, she understood what she meant and said in delight, “Did Sister plead with Young Madam for me?”

“Who else would it be?” Hearing this answer, Chunxiu was deeply moved and hugged Jirong, choking up as she said, “Sister, you’re so good to me.”

A cold glint flashed in Jirong’s eyes, but by the time Chunxiu looked up, she had returned to her gentle and kind appearance. She patted Chunxiu’s hand and said, “Since I promised you, I would certainly do it. From now on, stay peacefully in the music hall, but don’t cause any more trouble.”

Chunxiu naturally agreed wholeheartedly. After her excitement subsided a bit, she remembered something and asked in confusion, “Wasn’t Sister confined to Qingchun Garden? How can you come out now? Does Young Master no longer suspect you?”

Jirong smiled, “If Young Master still had suspicions about me, how could he plead for you? Can’t you figure out such a simple thing?”

Chunxiu giggled and put her arm around Jirong’s, “Then I can be with Sister again in the future.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” Under Chunxiu’s surprised gaze, Jirong told her about accompanying Li Jiancheng to Hedong, then said, “This trip will take at least half a year. During this time, I won’t be able to take care of you, so you must be careful yourself. Don’t be as careless as before and fall into others’ traps without even knowing it.”

While agreeing, Chunxiu said enviously, “Sister is so fortunate to be able to stay by Young Master’s side. Perhaps when you return in half a year, I should be calling you Aunt instead.”

Jirong smiled slightly and said, “What, not happy about it?”

“Not at all, it’s just…” Chunxiu didn’t continue, only looked dejected as she twisted her fingers. How could Jirong not understand her thoughts? She smiled and said, “Come now, over all these years, whenever Sister has had good fortune, when have I ever left you out?”

After Chunxiu’s displeasure turned to joy, Jirong said, “By the way, how has Wu Meixue been lately?”