Song Jiyun had not yet had a chance to say anything when suddenly a laugh broke out from outside the door.
Both of them turned around in unison.
There stood Madam Qian, her face radiant with a smile as she looked at them.
The two were taken aback.
Yuan Yunzhong slowly straightened up.
Song Jiyun hurried over and supported Madam Qian's arm, saying, "Mother, what brings you here?"
She then looked past Madam Qian, saw only two young maidservants following her, and glanced critically at Madam Qian's slightly swollen belly, discontentedly saying, "Why isn't Nanny Zheng accompanying you? Where are Jiyu and Jixue?"
At these words, Madam Qian's smile faded and her eyes reddened as she choked up, saying, "I heard from Steward Wu that you had gone missing, and I was scared out of my wits. I left Nanny Zheng at the Gratitude Temple with Jiyu and Jixue and rushed over here overnight."