After careful deliberation, the duke decided that the travelling party rest for a bit and settle down. He could see most especially that Yu Xiaoguang was in no mental frame to complete the journey.
Fortunately, there was a servant settlement not too far from their path. With some added expenses, the duke was able to procure a house for their recreation.
There, he watched Yu Xiaoguang sit by his handmaid's side, dutifully attending to her as though the roles were swapped. Nestled beside him, was Bingwen and the baby on his lap, which still hadn't made a noise.
"Take a rest." Lixin said, walking into the room with a cup of tea. "You've been in and out of both rooms, tending to both your mother and your handmaid. Here." He presented a cup of hot tea to him.
"Thank you." Yu Xiaoguang mouthed, too weak to speak without taking the tea from the tray.
The duke frowned at his kindness being refused, Bingwen noticed the scowl on his face and shrank into Yu Xiaoguang's side, frightened.
