"Rou Niang, it's so hard to see you these days!"
When Mo Bei saw Liu Rou Niang and saw that no one was around, he went up to her and began to tell her his grievances.
Liu Fufeng, who used to call him brother, has changed his attitude and is now keeping a close eye on him, preventing him from seeing Rou Niang.
He was truly annoyed. Rou Niang smiled and asked, "Mo Bei, how have you been lately? How is Father?"
Mo Bei nodded.
"Rou Niang," Old Man Mo said as he came out from behind, "I haven't had a chance to congratulate you on finding your family yet!"
Liu Rouniang said with a smile, "I'm happy to have found my maternal grandmother, but my father is also my family."
Old Man Mo said with a smile, "You're so sweet-talking!"
Rou Niang said, "Since we're planning to go to the new city, how about we treat everyone to a meal? I've been looking at Bao Ni's pastry shop carefully and am thinking of selling it. I wonder if Madam Liu would be willing to take it over? Sister Liu's skills are certainly enough to support this pastry shop."
Mo Bei nodded and said, "We should say goodbye properly."
So Rou Niang decided to hold a banquet in Zhao Family Village, since Zhao Youtian had taken care of her all the way south.
Zhao Youtian had assumed that since the three Zhao family girls had taken the surname Liu, they would have no further connection with Zhao Family Village. However, he hadn't expected Liu Rou Niang to still remember her roots. She wanted to host a banquet in Zhao Family Village, and since she was now far more successful than before, she figured she might rise to prominence in the future. Since she had even considered Zhao Family Village, he reasoned that any successful member of the Zhao family would surely make a name for themselves in the capital. Therefore, he readily agreed.
So the banquet lasted all day, with plenty of meat and vegetables, which naturally delighted the people of Zhao Village.
It was at this time that Rou Niang heard the news of Zhao Daya's death. Not long after marrying into the family, she was tortured beyond recognition and escaped back home. Later, her parents sent her back, and in despair, she jumped into a well.
Li Rouniang felt a pang of emotion, but she hadn't expected it to end like this. But it didn't matter anymore. She smiled and took Zhao Youtian's wife's hand, chatting about other things. Although the three children had changed their surnames, they had all received protection from Zhao Family Village, and Old Man Mo and Mo Bei were also from Zhao Da Village, making them feel closer to each other.
“If any of the younger generation from our village goes to the capital, come find me,” Liu Rou Niang said.
Zhao Youtian's wife naturally nodded happily.
"Dahe and Erhe, are you planning to go to the capital with your sister or stay here?"
Dahe and Erhe were originally farmers and didn't want to leave the land, so they declined Rou Niang's offer. They didn't plan to go to the capital with Rou Niang, but their sibling bond remained, as they had taken care of each other on their journey south.
Rou Niang left some money for the two brothers. Erhe's wife was also pregnant at this time. Li Rou Niang was finally at ease. She told them to live well and to look for her if they ever came to the capital.
After leaving Zhao Family Village, Rou Niang hosted another banquet at Bao Ni's pastry shop, inviting Qian Duobao, Zhang Niangzi's family, Liu Niangzi and her son, and Li Si.
Rou Niang wanted Liu Niangzi to take over Bao Ni's pastry shop. She had already spoken to Qian Duobao privately, and Qian Duobao naturally agreed. After all, he and Liu Wenyuan were classmates.
Rou Niang smiled and said, "I have complete faith in Sister Liu's skills. You will definitely make this shop even more successful!"
Madam Liu had her heart set on it, but she needed to save money for her son Wenyuan's education and absolutely couldn't spend it on this. She was tempted but also in a dilemma!
Rou Niang seemed to see Liu Niangzi's concerns and said, "I'm not handing over this pastry shop entirely to you. I'll take a cut of the profits. It's like an employment relationship. If you do a good job, you'll naturally earn more."
Upon hearing this, Madam Liu learned of Rou Niang's care for her and was extremely grateful.
Liu Yurong, formerly known as Zhao Dani, looked at Liu Wenyuan with a thousand words in her mind. She realized that her mindset was different now. Before, she felt somewhat inferior, thinking that Liu Wenyuan would go far in his future studies and that she, a girl from a humble background, was not a good match for him. But now she considered herself fortunate, a young lady from a wealthy family, and naturally had no more worries about being together.
So she secretly pulled Liu Wenyuan aside to a secluded spot and boldly confessed her feelings: "Brother Wenyuan, this is a purse I embroidered myself, with mandarin ducks playing in the water. Is it alright if I give it to you?"
Liu Wenyuan was somewhat taken aback and surprised, his face turning bright red. He hurriedly said, "This...this is unacceptable!" and then fled in panic!
Liu Yurong was somewhat disappointed. She glanced at Liu Wenyuan's back, said nothing more, put the purse away, and sighed. It was a dignified ending, after all.
It's just that everyone has their own unique sorrow.
Qian Duobao said he would go to the capital to find Liu Yuyan, and Yuyan was very happy, making a pinky promise with him. Although Duobao felt sad about parting, he was also happy for Yuyan.
Liu Yujin had recently received a different kind of education. Her maid, Jinzhui, would get up early every day to teach her different things. She had asked her two older sisters privately, and neither of them had done this. She knew then that her great-grandmother treated her differently, but since she benefited from it, she didn't tell anyone. She continued to obediently accept the lessons.
"Rou Niang, I wish you all the best on your journey!" Li Si poured Rou Niang a cup of wine, sincerely raising his glass. This parting might be the last time they ever meet.
His sweetheart will eventually become a happy person, but she will never be with him.
It would be a lie to say I'm not disappointed, but my sincere blessings are genuine.
Rou Niang clinked glasses heavily with Li Si and drank the cup together. Although Mo Bei felt a pang of sadness, he did not stop her.
"When are you leaving? We plan to go with you," Zhang Niangzi said with a smile.
They were also planning to leave, so they figured they might as well go together; the road would be lively anyway.
Rou Niang glanced at Mo Bei with delight upon hearing this. Mo Bei then told Zhang San about the itinerary.
Lady Liu sighed that all these people had left, and the days ahead would probably be empty and desolate.
Liu Wenyuan looked at Yu Yan and said with a smile, "Yu Yan, I will come to see you when I go to the capital in a while. Don't be absent then."
Yu Yan smiled and said, "Okay, my sister and I will definitely welcome you then!"
Liu Wenyuan glanced at Qian Duobao, a surge of confidence rising within him. Once this little girl went to the capital, experienced its prosperity, and understood its unspoken hierarchical system, Qian Duobao would no longer be a precious treasure in her eyes. Even if the two had once shared feelings, it was unlikely they would take things any further, and the Liu family would certainly not approve.
If he worked hard and could make a name for himself in officialdom, he could give it a shot. Thinking this way, he felt a surge of fighting spirit.
Liu Qingfeng patted Qian Duobao on the shoulder and said with a smile, "I remember your family owns a house and a villa in the capital. Why don't we go to the capital together this time?"
Qian Duobao shook his head and said, "My father wrote to me a while ago. He's encountered some problems, and I have to go see him. I'm afraid we can't go together, but I'll definitely go after I've dealt with everything."
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
After exchanging toasts, the inevitable farewell arrived.
A large group of people set off for the capital along the official road.
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