Just then, a hurried sound of footsteps came from behind the crowd.
The head of the Li family walked quickly towards them.
He looked at Aunt Zhao, who was still washing clothes, with a smile on his face, and quickly walked over, fawning!
"Aunt Zhao, with your esteemed status, why are you still here at my Li family washing clothes? If this gets out, my Li family won't be able to survive in Zhuo Commandery."
Zhao Widow was stunned by these words, and seeing the Li family head bowing and scraping, she seemed a bit at a loss.
Even the few women washing clothes nearby looked at the situation with confusion.
The Li family head saw that Zhao Widow seemed not to understand, and quickly said anxiously from the side!
"Aunt Zhao..."
Just then, a large number of footsteps came from outside the courtyard. Liu Jin and Zhao Teng, surrounded by their personal guards, slowly walked in.
The Li family head saw the situation, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and quickly bowed and scraped, respectfully saying!
"Marquis... Marquis, General!"
"This humble one only just learned that Aunt Zhao was working at my Li family!"
"If I had known Aunt Zhao was coming, even if you gave me ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare let her wash clothes for my Li family."
The few women washing clothes seemed to understand something when they saw this scene.
Could it be that this Zhao Widow really has some powerful background? Otherwise, why would even Master Li be so respectful?
Moreover, there were so many soldiers standing with spears beside her; clearly, an official had arrived.
Zhao Widow's body trembled slightly as she saw Zhao Teng standing in front of her.
She wiped the water from her hands, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes as she excitedly called out!
"Ergou, is that you?"
Zhao Teng looked at his mother, tears also welling up in his eyes. He rushed over, embraced his mother, and cried out loudly!
"Mother!"
"It's me!"
Zhao Widow's face was filled with excitement as she looked at Zhao Ergou, who was now a head taller than her, in her arms, and said excitedly!
"Ergou, it's good that you're back."
Suddenly, she looked at Liu Jin in front, a joyful expression on her face, and quickly called out,
"Jin'er is back too!"
Liu Jin grinned, showing a simple and honest expression, and called out with a chuckle!
"Aunt Zhao!"
Zhao Widow smiled and nodded. Seeing the two of them safe and sound, her worried heart completely settled.
After all, Liu Jin and Zhao Ergou had been out working for more than half a year. Although they had exchanged letters, she was still very worried about their situation outside.
Now that she saw them return, everything could be put at ease.
Especially her son and Liu Jin, dressed in brocade robes and wearing jade pendants at their waists, already looked like high-ranking nobles.
Zhao Teng scratched his head, looking at his mother's hands, which were red from the cold, feeling both heartache and confusion!
"Mother!"
"Didn't I send you a lot of money, enough for you to live comfortably? Why are you still here at the Li family washing clothes?"
Zhao Widow heard this and said softly!
"The money you sent, Mother couldn't bear to spend it. I saved it all for you, so I can help you build a house and get a wife in the future."
"Besides, Mother is still young. If I just stay at home and retire, it feels a bit uncomfortable. It's good to come out and do some work to earn some money."
Zhao Teng heard this and looked bitter. With his current status, how could he still lack a house or a woman?
However, he was still very touched, even tearing up a little. His mother had worked hard for him all her life, and even with money, she still thought of him.
It was just that this Li family was too ignorant of current affairs, daring to make his mother do chores.
Zhao Teng looked at the people of the Li family behind him and coldly shouted!
"You Li family are truly arrogant! Don't you know that she is my mother?"
When the people of the Li family heard this, they felt as if they had been struck by lightning, their bodies trembled, and with a thud, they knelt on the ground!
The head of the Li family, in the lead, quickly kowtowed and begged for mercy, saying with a trembling voice!
"General, please calm your anger!"
"Aunt Zhao only came to my Li family two days ago. At first, I really didn't know. Later, I heard rumors that Aunt Zhao was working at my Li family, so I rushed here to apologize."
"My Li family wishes to follow the General's lead; how could we dare to be so arrogant?"
Zhao Widow saw this scene, and even a fool would now know that her son had made something of himself. Looking at this, he should be a General.
Otherwise, how could this wealthy merchant Li family be so afraid of her son, even kneeling to beg for mercy?
She reached out and tugged at Zhao Teng's clothes, saying softly!
"Ergou, don't be angry."
"Master Li is very kind. He often helps neighbors and even lets us come to wash clothes to earn wages and support our families."
Zhao Teng heard this, and the anger in his heart slowly subsided.
This matter truly couldn't be blamed on the Li family; at the very least, they provided work for these poor families, giving them a chance to earn money.
He said in a calm tone!
"Since your Li family was unaware, then let this matter go."
The Li family head heard this and let out a heavy sigh of relief, but he was still somewhat terrified.
He hadn't expected this Zhao Widow to actually come to their Li family. If they hadn't found out in time, they might have truly offended this Zhao Teng.
The few women washing clothes nearby looked at this scene, their eyes filled with shock.
Earlier, they all thought Zhao Widow was exaggerating a bit, and her living conditions were probably similar to theirs; otherwise, she wouldn't come to the Li family to wash clothes for a living.
But seeing the Li family head bowing and scraping, full of fear,
everyone realized that Zhao Widow hadn't been boasting; in fact, she could be said to be very modest.
Zhao Teng looked at his mother's cracked hands from the cold, his eyes full of heartache. He tightly held her hands, wanting to warm her cold palms.
He also continuously admonished his mother not to work so hard in the future and to stay at home and enjoy herself.
Aunt Zhao's face showed a loving expression. After worrying for more than half a year, she finally saw her son return safely to her side, and her heart was filled with excitement.
Tears even slowly dripped from the corners of her eyes.
As the sun set, the sunlight shone down, making their figures appear exceptionally brilliant.
Liu Jin, standing beside them, felt a lot of emotion as he watched this scene.
Women are inherently weak, but as mothers, they are strong.
Even if there was no shortage of money at home, she still worked hard, all to earn a little more money for her son.
Before transmigrating, his own parents also worked from dawn till dusk, hustling for a few coins, enduring scolding outside, but always greeting him with a smile when they returned home, all to keep him from worrying.
This should be the universal thought of parents: no matter how bitter or tired, they persevere, all so that their children can live happy lives.
Alas!
Liu Jin's eyes were a little moist. He slightly raised his head, and a gentle breeze drifted by, quickly restoring him to normal.
After the matter was resolved, Liu Jin and Zhao Teng took Zhao Widow and left the Li family.