Chapter 198

"Miss!" Qingzhu rushed into the courtyard in a panic, clutching a telegram in her hand. "An urgent telegram from Second Young Master Yun!"

I was sitting on the porch, embroidering, when the needle nearly pricked my finger at her sudden exclamation. Looking up, I saw Qingzhu's face had gone pale, beads of sweat glistening at her temples.

"What happened?" I set aside the embroidery frame, an uneasy feeling rising in my chest.

Qingzhu hurried over in three quick strides and handed me the telegram. "Second Young Master says... Eldest Young Master was ambushed in the military camp. His injuries are severe..."

The paper trembled slightly in my grasp. The handwriting was messier than usual, each word sharp as a blade: Brother ambushed—gravely wounded. Come to the military hospital at once.

I shot to my feet, the embroidery frame clattering to the ground, threads scattering everywhere.

"Prepare the carriage!" My voice was tight. "We leave for the train station immediately!"

Qingzhu hesitated. "But Miss, it's already late—"

"That doesn't matter now!" I strode toward the house. "Pack some clothes and medical supplies. Quickly!"

Just as I stepped inside, the sound of urgent hoofbeats echoed from outside the courtyard. My heart lurched. Turning back, I saw a chestnut horse galloping toward us—and atop it...

"Second Brother Yun?!"

"Emily, heading to town?" Elizabeth Stone rubbed her hands together, her breath forming little clouds in the cold air.

Emily Johnson tightened her scarf and exhaled. "Yes, just picking up some New Year's supplies."

The ox cart was packed with villagers. This year, the production team had distributed earnings, and everyone was eager to stock up for the holidays. The Stone family, however, was still recovering from building their new house, having exchanged work points for grain, leaving them short on cash.

Elizabeth hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Sister-in-law... if you happen to find fabric without coupons..."

Emily smiled. "That depends on luck. The ready-made clothes I bought for David and Tommy were pricey, but at least they didn’t require coupons."

Elizabeth’s shoulders slumped. With two daughters still in school, she couldn’t justify the expense.

When they reached town, Emily steadied Robert as he struggled with his crutch, his injured leg barely able to bear weight.

"No need, no need," he waved her off.

The crowd quickly dispersed, rushing to queue at the Supply & Market. Emily turned toward the post office—she’d spotted a set of stamps a few days ago, reasonably priced and perfect for her collection.

"Emily!" The clerk called out. "There’s a telegram for you."

A telegram? Her heart skipped a beat. Unfolding the thin paper, she read the single line:

"Mom is coming to your sister-in-law’s to bring you home for marriage."

Her hands trembled slightly. Was this... her birth family?

The original novel had barely mentioned them, only noting that the protagonist had fled back to them. Now, with the plot altered, they were seeking her out instead?

"How much for this stamp set?" She forced calm into her voice.

"Twelve-eighty." The clerk studied her. "Collecting?"

Emily paid and carefully tucked the stamps away. Stepping outside, the wind bit into her cheeks.

Where was her birth family from? How many days by train? How close were they already? Questions exploded in her mind.

I can’t go back. She gritted her teeth. I need a plan...

"I love Michael. No one will tear us apart," she whispered, as if steeling herself.

Firecrackers crackled in the distance, the festive atmosphere thickening. But the unexpected telegram sat like a block of ice, heavy and cold in her chest.