Shen Xiaoyan took a sip from the porcelain cup, "Auntie, is this the tea you made? It's good for warming the body."
"It was from you in the spring. Your Uncle Wang and Da Gang don't drink it, so I've been drinking it slowly by myself until now," Pan Shi said, casting a reproachful glance at Wu Shan.
Seeing Pan Shi's gaze, Wu Shan chuckled without explanation.
After a few more pleasantries, Shen Xiaoyan turned serious, "The three of us are here to bid farewell."
Pan Shi and Wu Shan didn't react, unsure what Shen Xiaoyan meant. They just stared at her, bewildered.
"We're leaving tomorrow. Thank you, Uncle and Auntie, for your care over the years," Shen Xiaoyan added.
"Wait, tell Auntie clearly, where are you going? Why are you leaving so suddenly?" Pan Shi, finally comprehending, quickly asked.
"We are going to the Imperial Capital," Shen Xiaoyan replied.
"To the Imperial Capital? What for?" Pan Shi asked curiously.
"It's hard to explain in a moment. I came today just to let you know, so you wouldn't come looking for me and find I wasn't home." Thinking of that scenario, Shen Xiaoyan couldn't help but smile.
Pan Shi didn't say anything more. Regardless, Shen Xiaoyan had her own plans, and they had their own lives. She couldn't interfere too much. Shen Xiaoyan coming to tell her before leaving made her feel very comforted. After all these years, she hadn't doted on her in vain.
"Since you've made up your minds, Auntie won't say much more. But what about the household after you leave?" Pan Shi asked.
"Everyone in the household is going with us. I'll lock the doors, and no one will be able to enter. So Auntie doesn't need to worry."
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan say this, knowing everything was arranged, Pan Shi said no more, only reminding Shen Xiaoyan to be careful on the journey and to pay attention to safety in the Imperial Capital.
After a few more words with Pan Shi, Shen Xiaoyan left the east wing and went to the west wing.
Wu Da Gang was reading and didn't notice someone enter. As Shen Xiaoming walked in, he became alert and said, "Xiaoming, why are you here so late? Are you alone?"
"I came with my sister and brother-in-law," Shen Xiaoming replied.
Then, Shen Xiaoming told Wu Da Gang about their plan to go to the Imperial Capital together. Wu Da Gang was very sad to hear this. They had grown up together, and he had always treated Shen Xiaoming like a younger brother. Now that Shen Xiaoming was leaving for such a distant place, he didn't know if they would meet again, and his heart ached. However, he was still young, and his sadness quickly faded. When Shen Xiaoming mentioned that they could meet if Wu Da Gang could go to the capital to take the imperial examinations, Wu Da Gang smiled.
"Don't worry, Xiaoming. In at most two years, I will definitely take the exam in the Imperial Capital."
The words of mutual comfort and encouragement between the two young men became each other's motivation. Especially for Wu Da Gang, this was the first step towards his future official career and a powerful incentive for him to work harder.
By the time the three of them left Pan Shi's home, half an hour had passed. Although it was later and colder, Shen Xiaoyan and the other two felt a warmth in their hearts.
Next, the three of them went to Liang Shi's home. They repeated what they had said before and, despite Liang Shi and Bai Zhong's earnest invitations, stayed for dinner. Before leaving, Shen Xiaoyan, just as she had with Pan Shi, gave Liang Shi a carved wooden box and said, "We don't know when we'll return after leaving. We won't be able to see each other, so I'm leaving this with you as a memento. If you need it, you can use it in an emergency."
Liang Shi took the wooden box, but before she could react, Shen Xiaoyan and the other two had already bid farewell and left. Watching the three of them walk away, Liang Shi sighed deeply before turning back home.
That evening, Shen Xiaoyan sat on the edge of the kang with Zheng Wei. Shen Xiaoyan looked at the three little ones sleeping soundly, then at the empty surroundings, feeling an ineffable emotion. This home was built by her and Zheng Wei with their own hands, and the furnishings were added bit by bit. Now, they were about to leave. She couldn't help but feel a sense of reluctance. As Shen Xiaoyan looked around, Zheng Wei was constantly watching her. Seeing her face grow increasingly sad, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace.
"When we get to the Imperial Capital and all the matters are settled, we'll come back together."
Listening to Zheng Wei's gentle words in her ear, Shen Xiaoyan smiled lightly, "As long as you are by my side, it doesn't matter where we go."
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Shen Xiaoyan's eyes opened. The three children seemed to know that something was happening today, as they also woke up unusually early. They lay quietly, stretching their arms and legs. Shen Xiaoyan kissed each of the three children on the face, then sat up to dress them. Although they would be traveling by carriage, the carriage would be colder than the house, so the children needed to be dressed warmly. They had never worn so many clothes before, and the children felt unaccustomed to it. Each of them stretched out their arms, raised their legs, pouted their lips, and were about to cry.
Seeing this, Shen Xiaoyan quickly went to soothe them gently, "What's wrong? Do you feel like you're wearing too much? We're going out today, and if you don't dress warmly, you'll get sick."
The children looked at Shen Xiaoyan's moving lips and heard her gentle voice in their ears. Although they didn't fully understand what she was saying, they still managed a smile. Seeing the three little ones smile, Shen Xiaoyan was relieved. If they had started to fuss, it would have been even more troublesome on the road.
The weather today was the best it had been recently, with no cold wind and no overcast skies. The sun, which hadn't been seen for days, finally deigned to show its face, casting its warmth upon the earth.
Just after breakfast, Steward Jiang arrived with his men. As soon as Steward Jiang entered, he immediately bowed.
"Greetings to His Highness the Fifth Prince."
"Greetings to His Highness the Fifth Prince Consort."
"Greetings to the Grand Tutor."
"Greetings to the Grand Tutor's wife."
He did not pay his respects to Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei, and they didn't mind.
"Your servant heard that today is the best weather since the start of winter. It seems that Heaven is also happy that His Highness the Fifth Prince is returning to the Imperial Capital, and has bestowed such good weather to clear the way for him."
Everyone laughed after hearing Steward Jiang's words. Although they knew it was just flattery, everyone liked to hear pleasant words.
"Your servant, you jest. This snow was bound to stop anyway, and we just happened to catch this good weather. It's good, though, as I can leave with peace of mind," Sima Han said with a smile.
Steward Jiang nodded and praised him again. This time, Sima Han didn't reply, only maintaining a slight smile on his face.
Soon, Huo Fen rushed in, "Everything is ready, we can depart."
Although she had known they were leaving, hearing these words, Shen Xiaoyan felt a sense of bewilderment. Was she really leaving like this? Everyone slowly stood up and walked out together. After Shen Xiaoyan and the others exited the main house, Huo Fen picked up a large brass padlock and locked the door. This was the last lock, besides the main gate. Walking from the main house door to the main gate, which normally took three minutes, this time took a full quarter of an hour.
Steward Jiang followed behind everyone, a faint smile on his face the entire time, showing no impatience as if he were not in a hurry to travel. Standing by the main gate, Shen Xiaoyan and the others took one last look at the courtyard and sighed, finally stepping out. Watching the main gate slowly close, locked with a bronze padlock.