Chapter 5 Anticipation and Departure

An Shaoyu and Shu Yuwan returned to the Begonia Courtyard.

The two remained silent, and after a while, Shu Yuwan said, “Shaoyu, if you have matters to attend to, feel free to go.”

An Shaoyu immediately got up and said, “Rest well.”

As An Shaoyu walked away, Mother Zhao frowned and said, “Madam, why did you have to drive the Third Young Master away? This is not the time to act on impulse.”

Shu Yuwan pleaded, “Mother Zhao, I feel irritated just looking at this person. I finally returned to my own courtyard. Let me have some peace of mind for a while. I’ll stay longer when I feel more at ease, alright?”

Mother Zhao wanted to advise further, but considering the grievances her mistress had endured these days, she let it go. The mistress had been raised by her, always by her side, just like her own child. Having suffered such great grievances, how could she not feel heartbroken?

Seeing Mother Zhao stop nagging, Shu Yuwan smiled and thought about when An Shaoyu would post the notice and when the book of departure would be sent over.

After the departure, she didn’t want to stay at the Shu Residence. Her sister had been married off long ago, and both her brothers were married. When An Shaoyu posted the notice, for a while, no one would criticize her. But if she stayed at the Shu Residence with Shaoyu for a long time, idle gossip might gradually arise.

She would buy a small courtyard near the Shu Residence and move in with Shaoyu. Her dowry would be enough to ensure Shaoyu’s lifelong comfort and security. When Shaoyu was ready to marry, as long as she could keep the Shu Residence, there would naturally be room for choice in Shaoyu’s marriage.

On the other hand, An Shaoyu gained his freedom and went to find Zhao Qing Qing the next day.

The two met in a private room at a teahouse. Zhao Qing Qing was dressed in men’s clothing, looking quite heroic. However, at this moment, she threw herself into An Shaoyu’s arms and cried.

“I heard that you went on a hunger strike at home to marry me for the departure.” “Brother Yu, I will not let your deep affection go to waste.”

An Shaoyu touched Zhao Qing Qing’s head, his face filled with remorse, “Qing Qing, I heard that my mother made things difficult for you at the Zhao residence, causing you distress.”

Zhao Qing Qing tugged at An Shaoyu’s sleeve, full of a girl’s attachment, and said, “Brother Yu, as long as I can be with you, none of these matters.”

An Shaoyu said, “Don’t worry, I have a plan. Yuwan agreed that as long as I clearly state in the book of departure that it’s because of me, and then post the notice all over the capital, she will be willing to depart. She will also have the Shu family come to request the departure, so my parents will have no choice but to agree.”

Zhao Qing Qing’s eyes lit up. If Shu Yuwan cooperated, this strategy of acting first and reporting later was indeed a good idea.

Initially, her reputation might suffer a bit, but as a merchant’s daughter in this era, there was no proper way to marry the legitimate son of the Anding Marquis Mansion. Reputation was something that would constantly change over time.

She knew well how to make choices.

Looking at An Shaoyu with a slightly red eyes, Zhao Qing Qing said, “Brother Yu, I feel sorry that you have to endure this for me, but I really like you and don’t want to share you with anyone else.”

“But why did Shu Yuwan help us?” Zhao Qing Qing hugged An Shaoyu’s waist and asked.

An Shaoyu fell silent for a moment, “She’s probably disappointed in me. She used to have a rather proud temperament.”

Zhao Qing Qing nodded silently.

She spoke, “We owe her an apology for making the reason for the departure public, which is a kind of compensation for her. In the future, I will also take good care of her child.”

An Shaoyu shook his head, “Her child will not stay at the Anding Marquis Mansion. She has another request to take the child away.”

Zhao Qing Qing looked up, her eyes full of surprise.

In this era, was it possible to divorce and take the child away? Could it be that Shu Yuwan had also traveled through time?

Seeing Zhao Qing Qing’s surprised expression, An Shaoyu chuckled and flicked her nose, “She said that after the departure, it would be difficult to remarry, so she wanted the child to stay by her side as a companion. Besides, you and I will definitely have children in the future, and she might be afraid that the child would suffer.”

Zhao Qing Qing’s doubts were somewhat dispelled, planning to find an opportunity to probe further in the future. However, taking the child away was also a good idea. She didn’t want to see children born to An Shaoyu and someone else being a bother.

“Brother Yu, when do you plan to write the book of departure and post the notice? I’m afraid of uncertainties, so it’s better to do it sooner,” Zhao Qing Qing said, leaning on An Shaoyu gently.

An Shaoyu comforted her gently, “I will start preparing when we return today.”

“Well, what if the Master’s residence still doesn’t allow you to marry me after the departure?” Zhao Qing Qing shook An Shaoyu’s arm, acting coquettishly.

“Then I will move out of the Master’s residence and leave with you. The world is vast, and there will always be a place for us,” An Shaoyu replied.

Hearing this, Zhao Qing Qing smiled contentedly, stood up, and planted a kiss on An Shaoyu’s face, saying, “I knew I didn’t misjudge you. But coming from the Anding Marquis Mansion, it would be best if we could gain their approval. If I cause you to lose the Master’s protection, I wouldn’t feel good either. So, after the departure, if the Master’s residence disagrees with our relationship, Brother Yu, you can try mentioning my relationship with the Fifth Prince.” “You said you couldn’t speak?”

Zhao Qing Qing smiled, “Brother Yu couldn’t speak before the departure with Shu Yuwan.”

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead.”

The two indulged in each other for a while before parting ways.

The servant sent by the Master followed An Shaoyu only to see the Third Young Master having some tea at the teahouse, nothing out of the ordinary.

In the evening,

An Shaoyu arrived at the Begonia Courtyard and handed a piece of paper to Shu Yuwan, saying, “As you wished.”

Before Qing Dai could even serve tea, he left.

Shu Yuwan, upon seeing the paper and its contents, felt a wave of relief wash over her.

Finally, the first step had been taken.

With the divorce letter stamped by An Shaoyu, the initiative was now in her hands.

Qing He noticed that Shu Yuwan was in high spirits all night after meeting An Shaoyu. She couldn’t help but feel foolish that her mistress was so happy just because the Third Young Master had visited.

Mother Zhao and Qing Dai sighed, unsure of what to do.

They could only hope that the Third Young Master was sincerely repentant and would live harmoniously with their mistress in the future, restoring their previous loving relationship.