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Cao shi took a bite of food and then said, “Is your mother-in-law planning to go to the capital and not come back?”
Lin Xiaoyin pursed her lips, her chopsticks stopping in mid-air. “All the valuables at home are being packed up to move over. The previous trip where my husband went to the capital with elder brother was actually to arrange for a residence for the whole family.”
Though not stated directly, Lin Xiaoyin’s words made it quite clear.
It was obvious that Wen shi planned to settle down in the capital.
Upon hearing this, Cao shi’s expression became a little melancholic. “That’s good too. This way you and your husband can live together more conveniently.”
A good family life for her son-in-law was something Cao shi naturally felt happy about.
She had originally hoped to find a promising man and a kind in-law family for her daughter. She sincerely wished for her daughter to one day gain an official title and enjoy an increasingly better life.
She had even imagined that if her son-in-law became successful in the future, her daughter would follow him to take up a post elsewhere, leaving Qinghe County behind.
She just hadn’t expected that day to come so soon.
“I was hoping to stay by your side and help out when the baby comes. I didn’t expect you’d be leaving already.” As she spoke, tears welled up in Cao shi’s eyes.
Hearing about the coming separation, Lin Xiaoyin also felt heavy-hearted.
Just as the mother and daughter were getting emotional, Lin Xiaoyin’s brother, Lin Qiaofeng, came in carrying two books and a few letters.
Seeing that both his mother and sister had red-rimmed eyes, Lin Qiaofeng pretended not to notice. He didn’t want to make them more upset and risk making them cry even harder.
He sat down at the table and said to his sister, “Just as well you’re here. I don’t need to find someone else to mail these. These two books I borrowed from Brother Yuanshan—please return them for me. These letters are for Brother Fanmao and Brother Yuanshan. Take them along too.”
Yuanshan was the courtesy name of Lu Songnian, and Fanmao was Lu Ke’s.
Since both men had received courtesy names, everyone was gradually switching over to using them.
Seeing the mother and daughter wiping away tears, Lin Qiaofeng naturally understood why, so he stayed in the room joking and chatting, easing the mood and helping them feel less sorrow over the farewell.
Outside, the scorching sun blazed down. Even the birds and insects seemed too lazy to make a sound in the oppressive heat.
Wen Ruyu sat indoors fanning herself. After settling matters with the shop, she had summoned Chuntao’s family and instructed them to watch over the house after the Lu family left.
Since Chuntao had married in Qinghe, her mother had never wanted her to move away. No matter how prosperous the capital might be, it was better to live a stable life where they were.
When Wen Ruyu asked them to stay and look after the house, Chuntao’s mother didn’t object. She and her husband were good with bookkeeping and household management, so everything could be safely entrusted to them.
Once Wen Ruyu left, they would manage the garden, and maybe even open it to the public for visits, earning a bit of money.
The garden’s owner had tacitly approved this. After all, it would be a waste not to share such beauty with the world.
As long as nothing in the house was damaged, it wasn’t a big deal.
After giving out instructions, Wen Ruyu went to lie down on the couch. There was ice in the room, so it wasn’t nearly as hot as it was outside.
For the past two days, Concubine Qian had been hovering around her constantly. Today, she followed Wen Ruyu everywhere, clearly unwilling to leave her side.
Seeing that Wen Ruyu had finally settled down, Concubine Qian said, “There was such a strong wind and rain the other day—I thought the weather would turn cooler. Who would’ve thought it’d heat up again in just a few days? Heaven’s will really is unpredictable.”
Wen Ruyu glanced at her and asked, “Why have you been hanging around me these past two days?”
Caught off guard, Concubine Qian gave an awkward smile. She was afraid of making Wen Ruyu angry, so she didn’t dare speak, just stood there quietly.
Wen Ruyu looked away and said, “The family is leaving in a couple of days. Have you packed your things?”
Concubine Qian nodded quickly. “Yes, everything’s packed.”
Wen Ruyu replied, “I’m sure you missed something. Go back and double-check. We don’t want to discover anything missing at the last minute.”
She knew Concubine Qian was terrified of being left behind in Qinghe, which was why she had been trying to please her lately. But Wen Ruyu had always intended to take her to the capital—Concubine Qian was just too anxious.
Seeing that Wen Ruyu had dismissed her, Concubine Qian didn’t dare stay any longer. She nodded and quietly left.
On her way back to her room, she happened to run into Madam Wang, who had come to see Zhao Shu.
They were acquaintances and nodded at each other in passing.
Concubine Qian watched as Madam Wang walked into Zhao Shu’s room.
Madam Wang had originally come happily to see Bao’er and bid farewell to Zhao Shu.
But as soon as she thought about how Zhao Shu was leaving for the capital and might never return, her eyes welled with tears.
Zhao Shu had a strong bond with her and felt heavy-hearted seeing her cry.
Wiping her tears, Madam Wang held Zhao Shu’s hand and sobbed, “I’m not happy in the Song family. If not for you, the old madam, and a few sisters around me comforting me, I wouldn’t have made it this far. Now that you’re leaving, what am I supposed to do?”
Zhao Shu gripped her hand in return, teary-eyed. “I’ll miss you too.”
Madam Wang cried harder. “I thought once the old master passed and the old madam became ill, things in the Song household would get better. But the old madam only thinks I’m filial because I serve her tea and wait on her.
Must I continue suffering just to earn that one word—’filial’? Is that all my life amounts to? Am I really only good for that? Their praise and affection aren’t real.”
“Shu’er, what are we women really worth in this life?”
Zhao Shu had no answer. Her heart ached for her friend. She simply held her hand and wiped away her tears.
Madam Wang, feeling the warmth of Zhao Shu’s hand, continued, “As long as you’re here, I still have someone to talk to. Once you’re gone, I’ll be so alone.”
Zhao Shu patted her hand, comforting her. “You’ll meet other good friends. Don’t be afraid. You have to believe that life will get better.”
Zhao Shu stayed with Madam Wang, consoling her patiently.
Only when little Bao’er woke up and began fussing did the two finally part ways.
Everything was ready—the Lu family’s belongings were packed, and matters in Qinghe were settled.
Wen Ruyu set the departure date.
Before leaving, she handed over the documents regarding Xu Rui that the girls Qing and Hong had given her to Qin Fu.
Qin Fu had already learned from Wen Ruyu about her mother’s situation in the capital and asked her to deliver some silver and several handwritten letters.
Having spent time together, Wen Ruyu didn’t have the heart to refuse and agreed to help.
The night before leaving, Wen Ruyu packed some flour, oil, sugar, and small silver and gold pieces into her storage space. She even added a small knife.
Her space couldn’t hold much, but if anything went wrong, she needed to ensure her own safety first.
She could always forage for wild vegetables and fruit for nutrients, but sugar and oil were strategic supplies—precious in any era, especially during wartime.
If things went south, even gold and silver might not be enough to buy them.
With preparations complete, the Lu family left Qinghe County in early September and headed for the capital.
The Wang, Xu, and Lin families, along with a few other friendly households, came to see them off.
Not long after the Lu family departed, news arrived in Qinghe: the prime minister in the capital had launched a purge of corrupt officials.
Once the Lu family was gone, the prominent families that had seen them off all returned home.
With dozens of people from the Lu family leaving, Guihua Alley suddenly felt much quieter.
As night fell and the wind rustled the trees, the horses munched on their feed in the stable.
Compared to the now-empty Lu household, the Zheng household in Qinghe was bustling.
Zheng Qiao had recently made a fortune after joining the Tianli Cult and was now considered a veteran member.
The cult claimed to possess miracle medicines that cured all ailments. Selling these fake medicines had earned Zheng Qiao a lot of silver recently.
Today, he was hosting a banquet at home for fellow cult members.
Among them was none other than Song Lin—the same man who had once enraged his father to death and assaulted his mother!
Other than Zheng Qiao, who was semi-literate, and Song Lin, who had passed the county-level scholar exam, the rest were all uneducated drifters.
They had all come together to build the Tianli Cult with their money and shared grievances.
They didn’t have much in their heads but placed great importance on face and brotherhood.
A few cups of wine in, the boasting began.
After a while, one of the men said, “If you ask me, with the court in chaos and the world going to ruin, we might as well raise an army and revolt! Wouldn’t that be grand?”
Song Lin laughed, “Easy for you to say! But where would we find men? There’s just us few—talking about rebellion sounds like a joke.”
Zheng Qiao paused, then downed his wine before saying, “If you want people, we have them. Just within this county, our cult has a few thousand followers.”
Qinghe County only had tens of thousands of people. Taking away women and children, a few thousand men was a sizable force.
At Zheng Qiao’s words, the room fell silent.
Titles, power, even the throne itself—it was enough to stir anyone’s blood.
With alcohol fueling their fantasies, their silence meant only one thing: they were getting carried away.
It wasn’t that they were inherently rebellious. But history had its share of beggars-turned-kings. It was no wonder they dreamed a little wild.
After all—Why shouldn’t a man be king or noble?
Outside, the night breeze carried a chill.
Liu Suqing stood silently at the door, holding a plate of boiled peanuts.
Only when her daughter began crying in the next room did she snap back to reality and bring the peanuts inside.