When Lady Ji woke up, all she could see was her second son and his wife arguing fiercely, practically tearing the house down.
She was baffled.
Was she still dreaming? Was the scene where she had just been talking to Xiaosuisui by the Lotus Pond the reality?
As Lady Ji wondered about this, she turned over in bed, just as an angry reproach from Huo XingâEr reached her ears.
"Ji Youran, if you are a man, stand still!"
"Why should I stand still if you want to kill me? You shrew!"
"Who are you calling a shrew? Ji Youran, Iâll kill you! Stand still... donât run away!"
Lady Ji turned over once again, smacking her lips. She was a little thirsty.
Odd, how could she feel thirst in a dream? Time to get up and get a drink of water!
Lady Ji got up from the bed and went to the table. She lifted the teapot to pour some water, only to find it empty.
"Huh! What a strange dream, it doesnât even let me have a drink of water!"
Two sharp gazes landed on Lady Ji simultaneously.
"Mother..." Huo XingâErâs lips twitched, her cheeks flushed red, and embarrassment washed over her.
"Mother..." Ji Youran blinked.
Mother had witnessed his argument with Huo XingâEr. Dear God, would Mother chase him down the streets with a kitchen knife?
"Hmm! Iâm so thirsty, Iâm going to get some water! You two carry on!"
Even in a dream, she had to fetch her own water! When would she awaken from such a dream?
"Mother! Iâll get it! Just stay seated!" Huo XingâEr reacted quickly, rushed to Lady Ji, snatched the teapot from her hands, and urged her to sit and rest.
Ji Youran ran over in surprise, grabbing Lady Jiâs wrist. "Mother! Let me check your pulse. How did you pass out like that? I tried everything to wake you, but I couldnât!" he said while taking her pulse.
Hearing this, Lady Jiâs eyes widened. "Wait," she asked, "youâre saying I fainted? And you couldnât wake me up?"
It suddenly seemed she wasnât dreaming anymore.
"Yes, thatâs right! Suisui went missing, and you fainted from anxiety. I came to check on you. Physically, thereâs nothing wrong; you just seemed to be asleep."
Xiaosuisui is missing?
Lady Ji pinched her own armâhard!
"OUCH!" Lady Ji cried out in pain.
Ji Youran stared dumbfounded.
Has Mother become delirious from extreme agitation? Who pinches their own arm like that?
"Mother! Are you alright?"
Lady Ji quickly shook her head. "I... Iâm not dreaming!"
Ignoring him, Lady Ji murmured to herself.
"What dream? Mother! What are you talking about?" Ji Youran asked timidly.
Lady Ji waved her hand dismissively and got up to walk outside.
"Mother! Where are you going?" Ji Youran quickly followed her, asking.
"Iâm going to pick up Suisui!"
At this, Ji Youran furrowed his brows, almost unconsciously reaching to clean out his ears.
Has Mother really become muddled from being overly worried?
"What did you just say?" Huo XingâEr returned with tea just as Lady Ji was about to leave. Hearing Ji Youran suggest her mother-in-lawâs mind had gone bad, she shot him an angry glare and scolded him.
Ji Youran, seeing Huo XingâErâs glare, returned it irritably before following Lady Ji.
Huo XingâEr, still holding the teapot, followed Lady Ji without a second thought out of the Bright Moon Pavilion branch.
"Mother! Where are you going? Didnât we agree to wait here for our people to find Suisui?"