Ji Qingwu asked, "What happened to Father?"
'Her mind raced with possibilities.'
'Mrs. Qiao and Mr. Ji had lived apart for years. Could there be a problem with their relationship?'
'Just the other day on the street, she'd overheard people talking about the head of the Xie Family in Wushui Lane. After serving as an official away from the capital for several years, he had recently returned with a mistress and two children in tow, which made his official wife so angry she fell ill.'
Ji Qingwu carefully studied Mrs. Qiao's expression.
She asked cautiously, "Is Father coming back?"
"Come back? To make me sick with anger!"
The mere mention of Mr. Ji gave Mrs. Qiao a throbbing headache.
Ji Qingwu moved behind her and began to massage the pressure points on the back of her neck.
"Mother, please calm down. What good will it do if you worry yourself sick?"
