Dinner was at a small restaurant, and the Hua family was invited. Before going, Hong Xiaoduo specifically told Tian Shu to find an opportunity to pay the bill at the counter when entering the restaurant.

As it turned out, Tian Shu returned quickly and whispered to her that the people at the restaurant said that someone had paid the bill as soon as the dishes were ordered, and even gave her extra, saying that they would add more dishes in case she didn't have enough.

According to the other party's description, the person who paid the money was the guard next to Hua Shi.

Tian Shu asked what to do: should they give the money to that person now, or invite him back for the next meal?

Hong Xiaoduo said there was no need to take it so seriously. Of course she knew that the reason why the Hua family acted this way was partly out of flattery and partly out of gratitude!

After finishing their meal and leaving the restaurant, Hua Shi, who accompanied Kaiyang back to the inn, refused to return to her residence and insisted on staying at the inn with him.

This time, after discussing it with the guards, the maid agreed, and the room right next to Hong Xiaoduo's became available.

"We're setting off tomorrow, so the children need to go to bed early, otherwise they won't have any energy," Hong Xiaoduo said, seeing Hua standing motionless outside the door, constantly peering into Kaiyang's room.

"You're really going to take me with you tomorrow, right?" Hua asked Hong Xiaoduo with eager eyes.

Despite being distrusted, Hong Xiaoduo wasn't annoyed at all and nodded seriously.

Seeing that Xiaoduo nodded, Hua Shi obediently went into the room, but he moved very slowly, dawdling and fussing.

Upon hearing the door close behind her, Madam Hua whirled around, causing Ruan Niang, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, to immediately feel her heart leap into her throat again. Now, Ruan Niang was all alone beside her mistress; what if she really lashed out?

What if the lady makes a scene with Miss Hong, loses patience, and changes her mind, refusing to bring the lady along?

When the lady's illness flares up, who but her closest family member would be willing to endure it?

Even close relatives can develop feelings of disgust, let alone strangers? No, this young lady said that she had a brief encounter with the head of the household last year.

But, wouldn't that kind of encounter also be considered a chance meeting?

"Madam, they didn't get much rest last night," the maidservant said cautiously and tactfully.

"I know, I didn't say I was going to bother them. It's just that, Ruanniang, could you please work a little harder tonight and not fall asleep? You, keep a close eye on them for me. If they sneak away in the middle of the night, you have to wake me up immediately," Hua Shi earnestly instructed.

"Oh? Is that so?" Ruan Niang was surprised, yet not entirely surprised.

“Alright, I’ll help you get some rest, and then I’ll sit by the door and keep an eye on them for you. Don’t worry, Madam, Guard Yu will come over after he’s finished packing and explaining things at the mansion.” The maid readily agreed, only asking her to stay up all night to keep an eye on them.

At this moment, Ruanniang didn't try to comfort her mistress with grand principles like "that young lady wouldn't lie," because her mistress was a patient and reasoning with her wouldn't be effective.

The safest approach is to go along with her; that will appease her.

Upon hearing this, Hua nodded at first, then immediately shook her head and said, "I don't care. If you two deliberately don't want me to leave with that child, I will cut my wrists, I will hang myself, and I will die in front of you. Let's see how you explain this to the manor."

"Madam, how can you not even trust the two of us?" The threatened woman was truly frightened.

"The two of you? Hmph, you put me to sleep by pressing my pressure points and then gave me a sleeping potion." Hua's tone was like that of a child holding a grudge.

Feeling guilty and in the wrong, the young woman was speechless for a moment: "Well, well, it was also out of necessity."

…………

After a quick wash, Hong Xiaoduo lay down, already feeling reluctant to part with Xiao Kaiyang, thinking that it wouldn't be long before they were separated.

But Kaiyang also has a family and children, so I should be happy for him.

Even if I make the decision not to return to the modern world and stay with these seven children, no matter how well I take care of them, I can't replace their parents and family.

Because of the Fahrenheit, I didn't fall asleep until almost dawn the night before. Although I slept for a few hours, I didn't feel refreshed. Logically, I should be very tired tonight, but I just can't fall asleep.

Hong Xiaoduo tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and even considered going into her spatial dimension to find sleeping pills.

She only told Quan Jinghuai that Kaiyang was the son of the Hua family, and thinking of his reaction at the time, Hong Xiaoduo wanted to laugh.

Clearly, he didn't quite believe it! Brother Quan probably thought to himself, "Her secret technique is too mystical!"

Even he doesn't quite believe it, so how could the Wei family believe it?

Although Kaiyang is indeed a child of the Wei family, if he cannot prove it, they will still treat Kaiyang well, but that will be completely different from them being certain that Kaiyang is indeed a child of the Wei family.

Hong Xiaoduo was confident in Minister Wei's character, and Kaiyang's biological mother was also a good person, so she felt at ease handing Kaiyang back to the Wei family.

She wanted to personally deliver the child to the Wei family; she couldn't just hand the child over to the Hua family here and consider the matter closed.

The journey to the capital will give Kaiyang plenty of time to spend with his mother and build a bond with her. This will help him adapt to the new environment and family life in the Wei household sooner.

Hong Xiaoduo didn't know if her thinking was right or wrong, after all, this was the first time she had encountered something like this, and she had no experience.

The next morning, Hong Xiaoduo got up, washed up, and went outside. She saw Hua Shi already standing outside waiting, holding Kaiyang's hand and smiling.

"Good morning, Miss Hong." Ruanniang stepped forward to greet Hong Xiaoduo, and then said that she had already made a reservation for breakfast at Xiangyun Restaurant.

“Actually, we can just eat some meat pies, wontons, or steamed buns on the street. There’s no need to go to that Xiangyun Restaurant, is there? I’ve heard that Minister Wei is an honest and upright official. His salary…” Hong Xiaoduo said to Ruanniang as they walked out.

Ruanniang was taken aback at first, then smiled, leaned slightly towards Hong Xiaoduo, and said in a low voice, "Young lady, don't try to save money for us. The head of the family and the master are truly honest and good officials, but the old lady and our lady's family are both wealthy."

This is a straightforward and easy-to-understand statement. It means that although the Wei family father and son are honest officials who only receive a small salary, they have married good wives and are not short of money.

"Aren't you afraid that if you talk to me like this, we might get greedy and try to do something wicked to your wife?" Hong Xiaoduo asked with a smile.

“Reporting to you, young lady, although I am a servant, my eyes are sharp. You are not the kind of greedy people,” the maid said with certainty.

Hong Xiaoduo raised an eyebrow and said, "Okay, I'll order the most expensive food later."

"The restaurants here can't be that expensive, young lady. Just order whatever you want to eat." Ruanniang also enjoyed chatting with Hong Xiaoduo.

This young lady is not only beautiful, but also has a good personality, and most importantly, she is kind-hearted.

After having breakfast, the group set off.

"Brother Quan, just say what's on your mind." While resting by the roadside at midday, preparing to eat something, Hong Xiaoduo noticed Quan Jinghuai hesitate several times before asking...