The group rested at the inn for one night, and the next morning they set off in their carriage.

The Wei family was quite well-known in the area. After asking a few passersby for directions, they found the entrance. Worried that wealthy families might have many rules, Meng Zhao didn't get out of the carriage. Instead, he had Yin Chun take the visiting card and knock on the door first. However, after only a few moments, Yin Chun returned to the carriage with a long face.

"Shopkeeper, the gatekeeper of the Wei residence said that Miss Wei is unwell and cannot receive guests."

"Not feeling well? Could it be that you're sick?" That's possible, after all, the Wei family's affair has caused quite a stir in the city. But since she's not feeling well, I should go and see her. So, she took the visiting card, got out of the car, walked to the door, and knocked on the door knocker again.

The doorman opened the door and, seeing it was Yin Chun again, immediately became impatient: "I've already said I'm not seeing anyone, I'm not seeing anyone, hurry back."

Meng Zhao suppressed his displeasure and said calmly, "I want to see Miss Wei. Whether I can see her or not, you'll have to go and report back to her before you'll know."

The doorman, looking impatient, reluctantly accepted the visiting card and, before closing the door, tossed out, "Wait."

Yin Chun immediately became angry, "How could the gatekeeper of Wei Niangzi's house be so rude, such a kind person?"

Huang Cui frowned as well. "That's right, their noses are practically pointing to the sky. If it weren't for Madam Wei here, who would bother to come to their door?"

Meng Zhao was about to speak to comfort them when the door was opened again. The gatekeeper handed back the visiting card, his tone indifferent: "The young lady said she wouldn't see you."

Meng Zhao almost choked on her breath. She raised her voice, her tone accusatory: "The Wei family mansion is so big, and the women usually live in the back. From the time you took the visiting card in to the time you handed it out, it was only a few words. And you're telling me that it was your young lady who said she wouldn't see it? Is this all the etiquette the Wei family has?"

The doorman, annoyed that he had been exposed, said, "Why are you making so many fuss? I'm not seeing you, that's all." With that, he tried to close the door.

Upon seeing this, Huang Cui immediately reached out and blocked the door, shouting angrily, "How can you be so unreasonable? My young lady is a good friend of Miss Wei, and you dare to make decisions on your own without even informing her? Who gave you the guts!"

Just as the two sides were at an impasse, a young woman's voice came from behind, "What's going on? Why are you pushing and shoving each other like this?"

Upon hearing the voice, the gatekeeper's expression immediately changed. He hurriedly opened the door and said obsequiously, "Third Miss, you're back! Please come in."

The third young lady glanced at Meng Zhao and her companions, her tone tinged with curiosity: "Who are you, and what brings you to my house?"

Meng Zhao stepped forward and explained gently, "I am Meng Zhao from Qingshi County. I am a good friend of Miss Wei. I was passing through Quyang today and thought I would like to pay a visit, but I was stopped by the gatekeeper. I hope that Miss Wei can pass on my message." After saying that, she handed over the visiting card in her hand.

Upon hearing the name "Meng Zhao," the third young lady's eyes widened immediately. "You're Meng Zhao?"

Meng Zhao nodded, somewhat puzzled: "Exactly."

The third young lady immediately grabbed Meng Zhao's arm, her voice urgent: "Quick, come in with me!"

Seeing this, the gatekeeper quickly stopped her: "Third Miss, the master has instructed that the eldest young lady is unwell and cannot receive guests."

The third young lady kicked him directly and shouted angrily: "You itchy-skinned brat, you even dare to stop me? Be careful, or I'll sell you off to do hard labor tomorrow! You'll never get a decent meal in your life."

The gatekeeper stumbled from the kick and dared not stop them any longer. The Third Miss dragged Meng Zhao into the mansion, muttering to herself:

"You've finally arrived! Please help me talk to my sister. Ever since she came back, she's been sullen all the time, and no matter what Mom and I do, it won't work! She's been talking about you a lot, but when I ask where you are, she won't say. I never expected to run into you at the doorstep today."

The third young lady led Meng Zhao through winding corridors to the backyard, stopping at the door of a house and knocking. "Eldest sister, I've brought someone over. Come out and see who it is!"

"Jingru, I told you, I don't want to see anyone." A weak reply came from inside the room.

Upon hearing Wei Jinglan's voice, Meng Zhao quickly said, "Jinglan, it's me. I've come all the way from Qingshi County to see you."

A rustling sound came from the room, followed by hurried footsteps. The door opened, and Wei Jinglan stood in the doorway, her face pale and her eyes dark, clearly indicating that she hadn't had a proper rest in a long time.

"Zhaozhao... what brings you here?"

Meng Zhao stepped forward and took her arm. "I received your letter. I heard that the government has wiped out the bandits, but you didn't mention going back to Qingshi County. I was really worried, so I came to see you."

Wei Jinglan lowered her head, her voice tinged with apology: "Zhaozhao, I'm so sorry. I sent you a letter thinking that you wouldn't worry about me, but I never expected that you would have to travel so far. It must have been very tiring for you along the way."

Meng Zhao shook her head, her tone light, "Not at all. The spring scenery along the way was beautiful, and we treated it as a picnic. We had a great time."

Shen Yun also stepped forward, her tone filled with excitement: "Yes, Madam Wei! We even went to the capital! Wow, it was the first time I'd ever seen such a prosperous place, and I learned a lot!"

Seeing Shen Yun, Wei Jinglan was also very happy. "Xiao Yun, thank you for coming to see me."

Shen Yun nodded, her tone tinged with complaint: "Wei Niangzi, you have no idea how much we've missed you since you left the village! After you left, the village hired a new teacher, and he's really fierce. Last time, Xiao Shizi didn't do the homework he assigned, and he got a slap on the hand and cried all the way home."

Wei Jinglan immediately became restless. "Ah, how can you hit a child?"

Shen Yun waved her hand, "It's not entirely the new teacher's fault. It's also because Xiao Shizi didn't study properly and talked to the other children in the classroom, so the teacher hit him."

But Madam Wei, we all miss you so much. After you left, Aunt Li always talks about you. She said that she had finished embroidering the patterns you drew for her and sold them at the shop. She made several dozen more coins than her old patterns. She always says that when you come back, she will thank you properly.

And then there's Xiaoqin. She got engaged before the New Year and is probably preparing her dowry now. She said she likes Teacher Wei the most and wants him to escort her to her wedding. She heard you're not going to school anymore, and she cried secretly for a long time.

As Wei Jinglan listened to Shen Yun's words, her eyes slowly reddened. The days she spent teaching in Shenjia Village, although she had to leave early and return late and had to outwit and outmaneuver many disobedient students, were indeed the most carefree and fulfilling time of her life.

After so long, hearing about these familiar people and things again made her memories come alive again.