Master Lin knew that she was leaving, so he came back earlier than usual. Zeng Zhui was also there. When he learned that Xu Jiang was leaving Beijing, he volunteered to take on the responsibility of looking after the bookstore.

"Without you, her bookshop will stop doing business?" Master Lin said, his hands behind his back, shooing him away. "The imperial examination is coming up, and you're so busy joining in the fun instead of studying!"

Zeng Zhui had no choice but to leave in disappointment.

After they left, Master Lin gave Xu Jiang some instructions, concluding with, "No matter what the outcome of this journey, don't forget your father's dying words, and don't forget that there are people waiting for you here."

Xu Jiang's eyes were hot. "I understand, son." Then she added, "You too, please be careful in the capital."

Recently, some negative comments have surfaced in the capital, seemingly rekindling the previous debate. The academy has also seen frequent disturbances. Fortunately, Lou Yunchun's men are now on guard, while the Dali Temple has deployed additional personnel to patrol the Taixianfang area, preventing those who are trying to take advantage of the situation from taking advantage.

"Yes." Master Lin said gently, "Go and say goodbye to Hong Chu, and burn some incense for your aunt, asking her to bless you with safety."

"Okay." Xu Jiang went to the backyard to find Lin Hongchu. Lin Hongchu hugged her and cried for a while, then brought out two packages for her to take with her, saying that they were dry food she made herself.

Xu Jiang's expression froze, but she still accepted it, unable to bear to let the little girl down.

Before leaving, Lin Hongchu hugged her and said with a sob, "Sister, you must come back."

Xu Jiang felt sad too, and patted her on the back, "I will, the bookstore is here, she can't run away, and besides, you are here too."

Lin Hongchu wiped her tears and saw her out.

Xu Jiang went to bid farewell to Master Lin again, and on the way she watched Zeng Zhui being scolded. When dusk was approaching, she reluctantly got on the carriage and returned to her house.

After returning to Lou's house, a table full of food and wine was waiting for her. Mrs. Lou had not yet completed her Ramadan, so she broke her fast for her and asked the kitchen to prepare a table full of her favorite dishes. Lou Jing ate the most at the table.

He followed Madam Lou in fasting, and his intestines were almost tied up due to the waterlogging.

Mrs. Lou was a quiet person, but from the moment she sat down to the table, she kept giving instructions one after another, which made Lou Jing laugh, as if the instructions were directed to him. This made Mrs. Lou quite helpless, and Xu Jiang was also at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Seeing his wife's embarrassment, Lou Jing quickly comforted her, "Don't worry, Madam, with the housekeeper and Liu Mei accompanying you, nothing will happen."

Liu Mei and Yin Yin were helping Xu Jiang pack her luggage. They smiled and said, "Madam, you're like this. Madam Xu and I don't dare to leave."

After all, he had followed Madam Lou since childhood, and he persuaded Madam Lou with just one sentence.

Xu Jiang continued to console him, "I'll be back soon. I won't be delayed for too long on the road."

Mrs. Lou was silent for a moment, then took her hand and said, "I'm not afraid of delay, but I hope for peace."

"Yes." Xu Jiang leaned over and hugged her, blinking away her tears and smiling at her. "Don't worry, Zhaoyue and I will return safely."

The whole family worked on cleaning up until late at night before Lou Jing finally persuaded Mrs. Lou to go to bed.

He had already told Xu Jiang everything he should have said when she returned from the Dali Temple and told him she was going to Chongzhou. Furthermore, Xu Jiang had been traveling for years and possessed more knowledge and experience than those imprisoned in the capital, so there was no need to say more.

"We have to get up early and travel tomorrow, so you should go to bed early too."

"Yes." Xu Jiang greeted him and Madam Lou and saw them out.

She and Yin Yin were the only ones left in the room. Yin Yin followed her closely, fetching water for her to bathe, wash her hair, and help her clean her clothes.

Xu Jiang had to comfort her with a heart full of reluctance.

After Xu Jiang washed up, the two of them lit lanterns and went to Lou Yunchun's study.

When Yinyin saw her choosing a pen and cutting paper, she went to the lotus pond outside to pick some night dew and grind ink for her.

Xu Jiang dipped the brush in ink to write down her feelings, leaving behind a trace of lotus fragrance and filling the paper with farewell emotions.