This snow fell all the way from Wuzhou to Beijing. The roads were very difficult to travel after the snow, and even with a lot of preparation, the journey was still arduous and messy.

Xu Zhi arrived in the capital on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month. The roads near the capital had already been swept, especially the roads near the post station, which were very clean. The closer Xu Zhi got to the capital, the more uneasy she felt. All the way, she kept thinking about what Shen had said when she visited the Feng family before she left.

Even though her health had improved considerably, she remained in bed. When she saw Xu Zhi arrive, she smiled and waved to her. Xu Zhi sat on a stool by the bedside, and Madam Shen said, "I was just about to send someone to deliver some steamed rice cakes to you. Our cook makes very delicious steamed rice cakes."

Xu Zhi thanked her, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Aunt Feng, I plan to set off for the capital tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen paused slightly and said, "Going back to the capital? Sure, when you go back, go and see Wan'er for me. I'll write a letter to Wan'er for you to deliver. My daughter and I have had many conflicts since then. Ever since Wan'er returned to the capital, I've been thinking about why. I've figured it out. Wan'er is different from other girls. The path she has to take in life is different from before. And me? I'm still using my old ideas to plan for her. How can we not have conflicts if this continues?"

Upon hearing Shen's words, Xu Zhi immediately understood their meaning. Indeed, Shen Mingwan had experienced so many things that ordinary girls had never experienced, and her thinking must have undergone a major transformation. Many of her former common-sense ideas had now vanished. It was no longer appropriate to continue to consider her current situation with her old mindset.

Xu Zhi grasped Shen's hand and said, "Aunt Feng, I'm so happy for you and Sister Mingwan that you've come to your senses. Nothing is more important than the fact that there's no rift between you and your daughter."

Madam Shen gently shook her head and said, "In the end, it is we, as parents, who have wronged Wan'er. I have already made it clear in the letter. Please take this to Wan'er and tell her that I have wronged her and that I will not force her to find a husband in the future."

Xu Zhi was genuinely happy for the mother and daughter. Then, thinking of Zheng Boyuan's matter, she said, "Aunt Feng, my brother Boyuan came back yesterday and said that there was a problem with their provisions. After discussing some matters with Lord Feng, he went straight back to the barracks."

Madam Shen held Xu Zhi's hand and said, "These kinds of things happen every year. Don't worry, go back to the capital. My husband has already helped Zai Zai coordinate."

Xu Zhi actually wanted to ask if Madam Shen would return to the capital with her. She hesitated for a long time, opening her mouth several times but not saying anything. Finally, Madam Shen saw through her and said, "Ah Jiu, your aunt knows what you mean. You can go back to the capital happily tomorrow. I'm going to stay here with my husband. We've been married for over twenty years and have been through a lot together. To be honest, I can't live without my husband, and he's used to me always being by his side."

When Xu Zhi left the Feng family, she felt very depressed. She didn't smile at all along the way. After passing the post station near the capital, the road was cleared of snow and was very easy to travel. The carriage quickly arrived at the city gate of the capital.

After verifying her identity documents at the city gate, Xu Zhi had a carriage driven to the Yongning Marquis's residence. She wanted to have a good talk with her grandfather and father.

The Marquis was at home, but Xu Rao had not yet returned. Xu Zhi asked Hong Gu to take the things she had brought back and move them to Chen Zhaoci's courtyard first, while she went to the Marquis's study.

Chen Zhaoci had already received news of Xu Zhi's return, but because the roads were difficult to travel after the snow, he only knew that Xu Zhi was still on the road and had not received a definite return date. It was only when he saw Hong Gu coming over with people to put away the luggage that he realized that Xu Zhi had returned.

Xu Zhi entered the Marquis's study and recounted the events in Wuzhou. The Marquis pondered for a long time before saying, "Xiao Jiu, your analysis is actually quite accurate. The imperial court sent the military rations to Wuzhou a long time ago, but they were intercepted on the way. When our men went to chase after them, the commotion set the rations on fire. I estimate that Wuzhou received the news not long after you left."

Xu Zhi was surprised by this turn of events. She sighed and said, "Fortunately, before I left, I had the Ma family's trading company help me transfer some grain to send over as an emergency. However, this is not a long-term solution. There are so many people in the barracks, and they will use up a lot of grain every day."

The Marquis nodded and said, "The imperial court is already procuring provisions to continue sending them over there, but it's uncertain whether they can be delivered before the end of the year."

Xu Zhi thought of what Xu Rao had done before leaving the capital and wanted to ask him about it, but she was afraid that her grandfather would think she didn't know what was important. Since it was still early, she left the Marquis's study and went to Chen Zhaoci's courtyard.

Chen Zhaoci was naturally happy that her daughter was back. While Xu Zhi was washing up in her corner room, Chen Zhaoci stood to the side with a towel and asked her, "Didn't you say you were going to spend the New Year in Wuzhou? Why did you suddenly come back?"

Xu Zhi took the towel and wiped her face, saying, "I just missed you, so I thought it would be better to come back and spend the New Year with you."

Chen Zhaoci smiled and said, "I heard everything from your father. Did Boyuan think it wasn't safe over there and send you back?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi slowed down her movements considerably. She put down the towel, took Chen Zhaoci's arm, and came out of the corner room, saying, "Mother, I've been thinking about this all the way here. I feel that it's really wrong for me to come back like this. I should have stayed in Wuzhou with Brother Boyuan."

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