After Being Abducted by the General

chapter 2

Three days later, at the Yuan family's farmstead.

The steward checked the fields but found no trace of Wang Er and his group.

He called the person in charge of resettling the newly arrived refugees. "Where are Wang Er and the others?"

"They finished the work in the fields and took a temporary leave," the worker replied. "These people haven't been out of Ruyang County since they arrived. There's a shortage of bowls, utensils, and bedding in the house, so I gave them some wages to go buy what they needed."

The steward casually asked without noticing anything amiss, so he nodded in response.

The sun was hazy.

Yuan Li hurriedly made his way back to the county magistrate's residence. 

As if people already knew he was coming back, there were many onlookers gathered outside the magistrate's residence, occasionally whispering and pointing at Yuan Li. "This is the young master of our county magistrate."

"That's the young lad, so handsome and filial. The county magistrate and his wife are truly blessed."

Yuan Li could face these praises without changing his expression.

Steward Lin rushed over with a few servants, his eyes reddening when he saw the weary face of Yuan Li. He knelt down at the entrance and cried out, "Young master, you've finally returned safely!"

Yuan Li hurriedly helped him up. "I've found the herb that my mother urgently needs. How is her health now? Take me to see her!"

Steward Lin was overjoyed and couldn't help but cry tears of joy. "That's wonderful, absolutely wonderful! Madam can be saved..."

The master and servant hurried back to the residence. Once the gates of the magistrate's residence closed, only the amazed and praising voices of the people outside remained.

Inside the residence, as he wiped the sweat off his face, Yuan Li breathed a sigh of relief, feeling slightly embarrassed by the commotion outside.

Upon entering, Steward Lin wiped away his teary face and skillfully dried his eyes. "Young master, Master is waiting for you in the study."

Yuan Li was puzzled. "Hmm?"

Steward Lin whispered, "Yesterday, Master received a letter from Luoyang. After reading it, he locked himself in the study. He specifically instructed that you should go to the study as soon as you return. There must be important matters to discuss."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Li didn't linger and quickly made his way to the study.

He lightly knocked on the door, and his father, Yuan Song, who seemed somewhat exhausted, responded with a weak voice, "Li Er? Come in."

Yuan Li pushed open the door and saw his father sitting wearily at the desk, with sunken eye sockets and dark circles beneath his eyes.

"I heard you didn't sleep last night?" Yuan Li joked. "What kind of earth-shattering event could keep you tossing and turning like this?"

Yuan Song let out a sigh. "Take a seat first. I had tea and pastries brought for you. It won't hurt to fill your stomach before we talk."