Everyone was overjoyed when they heard Shen Qingwan announce that she would be giving each person a pound of grain for an entire day.

A pound of grain was enough to feed them for several meals.

Even the onlookers applauded Shen Qingwan’s generosity.

Many had witnessed the refugees bowing to her in gratitude, and they all felt she deserved it. Her kindness had saved thousands of refugees and impoverished citizens.

Even Zhao Zhuo couldn’t help but feel envious when he heard about it.

Despite being in office for many years, he had never received such widespread respect, let alone a mass New Year’s greeting from the people.

When he heard about it from others, he couldn’t help but feel bitter. However, he also knew that Shen Qingwan’s actions were truly worthy of praise.

The refugees had every reason to bow in gratitude—he himself could never achieve such righteousness.

After the eighth day of the New Year, the festive atmosphere gradually faded, and Shen Qingwan began preparing for her journey to the capital.

She informed Ye Minglan of her plans.

Ye Minglan had been waiting for this moment for a long time and was eager to take her daughter home, so she was naturally delighted.

Before leaving, Shen Qingwan ensured there was enough grain in her estate outside the city and in the shops. Even if she was gone for two or three months, the grain supply would be sufficient.

The village also had enough provisions to last through the winter, so she had no concerns on that front.

The only unfinished business was the restaurant she was setting up.

She had written out detailed renovation and operation plans and temporarily entrusted Jin Qianqian with its management.

However, the restaurant’s opening would have to wait until she returned—without her innovative dishes, Jin Qianqian wouldn’t be able to support the restaurant on her own.

She planned to settle the matters involving Lu Wenzhao and the children first before returning to open the restaurant.

She couldn’t rest easy until she confirmed the well-being of the two children. Moreover, there was the issue of the divorce agreement.

Although Lu Wenzhao hadn’t held a wedding banquet when he married the original owner, she had still been added to the family registry, so the divorce document was necessary.

Besides, she wanted a clean break with Lu Wenzhao.

She was not the original owner of this body, and even if he were a good man, she wouldn’t continue this marriage—let alone the fact that he was clearly heartless.

After rising to power, he had returned only to mistreat his own family.

Bringing his parents and children to live with him should have been a good thing, but he had chosen to use such harsh methods.

After making all the necessary arrangements at home, Shen Qingwan set off for the capital with Ye Minglan, Rong Yunshuang, and Rong Yunfei.

Meng Hangzhou stayed behind to continue training the children, so he didn’t accompany them.

After the New Year, two heavy snowfalls made the northern lands even colder.

Ye Minglan, unaccustomed to the bitter cold after living in the capital for so long, was especially afraid of the chill.

Even with thick bedding in the carriage, she still felt cold.

Fortunately, Shen Qingwan had brought a fur blanket for her, which helped somewhat.

Rong Yunfei and Rong Yunshuang took turns driving the carriage. Due to the snowy roads, their pace was slow.

The journey from Suzhou City to the capital covered more than a thousand kilometers—farther than to Youzhou or Luocheng.

Even riding at full speed, it would take eight or nine days.

With a horse-drawn carriage and difficult road conditions, it would take at least twenty days.

Along the way, they occasionally saw small snow mounds by the roadside.

At first, Rong Yunfei didn’t think much of them, but as he saw more and more, he realized they were actually frozen refugees. He wondered why these poor souls had been traveling in such harsh weather, only to die frozen by the roadside.

Shen Qingwan lifted the curtain of the carriage, and a gust of icy wind carrying snowflakes blew inside.

It was snowing again.

Worried that Rong Yunfei and the others would suffer from exposure while driving the carriage, she decided to stop at the next town for a rest and wait for the snowfall to subside before continuing their journey.

With frequent stops due to the harsh weather, it took them seven or eight days to leave the snow-covered northern lands and reach Yongzhou City, where the winter sun shone warmly.

After days of bumpy carriage travel, Shen Qingwan decided to abandon the carriage and switch to a water route to the capital.

Yongzhou City had passenger ships that traveled directly to the capital.

The journey by ship would take only four or five days—much faster and far more comfortable than a carriage.

Upon reaching Yongzhou City, she asked Rong Yunfei to sell the carriage.

She kept only a few light packages for Yunshuang and Yunfei to carry, while the rest was stored in her spatial storage.

Ye Minglan, unaware of Shen Qingwan’s spatial ability, thought it was a pity to sell the fur blanket, assuming it had been sold along with the carriage.

Since it was still early in the year, the passenger ship was not very crowded, allowing them to depart the same day.

As soon as they boarded, Shen Qingwan and Ye Minglan’s striking beauty and elegance immediately drew attention from other passengers.

After the incident with Zhao Jing’er, Shen Qingwan had stopped wearing men’s clothing. Instead, she now dressed like a skilled martial artist, exuding a sharp and commanding presence despite not carrying a sword.

However, her beauty was too outstanding.

Standing beside Ye Minglan, the two resembled a pair of exquisite flowers, making it hard for people not to steal glances at them.

Even Rong Yunfei and Rong Yunshuang, following behind them with dignified and protective postures, stood out—clearly indicating they were not ordinary people.

Noticing the many curious gazes in the ship’s cabin, Shen Qingwan asked Rong Yunfei to check with the captain if there were any private rooms available.

Since they would be on board for several days, staying in a public area would be inconvenient.

Rong Yunfei soon returned with the news that all the rooms had been reserved by a single gentleman.

Just as Shen Qingwan was about to speak to the ship’s captain about negotiating for a room, the door to one of the private cabins opened.

A man in a sky-blue brocade robe stepped out.

He had a refined and noble appearance, his features elegant and distinguished.

For a moment, Shen Qingwan felt that he looked familiar, but she couldn’t recall where she had seen him before.

The man glanced in her direction. Initially, it was just a casual look, but upon recognizing her, his expression shifted.

“Miss, we meet again,” he said, stepping forward. “Last time, I didn’t get the chance to thank you for saving my life.”

Shen Qingwan suddenly remembered—this was the merchant she had saved by chance that day.

“Master Qin?”

If she recalled correctly, his name was… Qin Xiuzhu?

Qin Xiuzhu looked genuinely pleased that she remembered him.

“I didn’t expect you to still remember me,” he said warmly. “There are too many people in the cabin. Would you do me the honor of joining me in my room for a chat?”

Shen Qingwan glanced at the onlookers and, seeing how much attention they were drawing, nodded without hesitation.

“In that case, we’ll be intruding on your hospitality.”