Chapter 131
Zhuang Yan sighed, her delicate brows furrowed, and said reluctantly, "But I don't want to go back yet..." Her eyes lit up, and she sat up straight in her chair. "Otherwise, I'll write back to Father and say that I'm not going back this year, okay?"
Wen Shu was both amused and exasperated.
"You're staying because of that young master Zhu?"
A suspicious blush appeared on Zhuang Yan's face. She twisted her handkerchief and retorted softly, "What do you mean?"
"Still saying you don't?" Wen Shu laughed angrily. "Do you really think I can't see it?"
She sighed and asked again, "Do you know who that Mr. Zhu is?"
"He addressed Commander Pei as his uncle, so he must also be from Jijing."
Anyang is far from Jijing. Zhuang Yan had never been to Jijing and had never witnessed the ruthless methods used by those powerful families. Just like when she fell in love with Pei Lingjun, she had no reservations and went to Jijing with sincerity and courage, only to find out what kind of wolves and tigers lived in those powerful families.
“His father is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and his mother is Pei Lingjun’s older sister.” Wen Shu pursed her lips, secretly not wanting Zhuang Yan to have any connection with them.
The winds and rains in Beijing are too frequent and hurt too much.
"Since you like him so much, why don't you ask what Master Zhu thinks? If they are truly in love, they should each go home and tell their parents; if not..."
Hanxiang brought over two cups of hot tea, giving one to Zhuang Yan and placing the other beside Wen Shu.
She paused, took the hot tea, and sipped it, the aroma filling her mouth. "It's good to get back to Anyang as soon as possible, so I won't have to think about this anymore."
Zhuang Yan nodded in agreement, peered out at the snow tracks, and said, "Time flies so fast. More than half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. I'm going back to Anyang this time, but I don't know when I'll be able to come back next time. Ah Shu, what will I do if I want to see you again?"
There aren't many officials in Anyang, and even fewer daughters of officials. The two women had been close friends in Anyang for many years, and now Wen Shu was absolutely determined not to return to Anyang.
Seeing that her two mistresses were in low spirits, Hanxiang quickly said, "Madam Zhuang and my young lady are of the same mind. They should exchange letters more often in the future. Once the storm has passed at the Wen residence, it will only be a matter of time before they meet!"
Zhuang Yan nodded with a smile, full of expectation, "That's right, even if A-Shu can't go back to Anyang, I will definitely come to Shanzhou to see you in the future!"
As darkness falls early, around 5 PM, lanterns light up the streets outside, casting a festive red glow on people's faces.
Back in the courtyard, Zhou Yun had already prepared dinner.
Speaking of Zhuang Yan's impending departure, Zhou Yun felt a pang of sadness. The girl had been living here for some time now, and if she left, Shu'er would inevitably be lonely for a while.
"If we leave early, before the snow gets too heavy, the journey will be easier, and we can get back to Anyang to reunite with our families before the New Year." Wen Shu picked up a piece of cured meat with her chopsticks and mixed it into her rice. "Otherwise, Uncle Wen will be worried."
Zhuang Yan nodded thoughtfully.
At night, the wind and snow intensified, with snowflakes pattering against the windowpane. Wen Shu fiddled with the charcoal brazier while reading at her desk.
More than a month has passed since Pei Lingjun moved out that day, and there has been no news of him at all.
Wen Shu paused for a moment, not knowing why she suddenly thought of him. She shook her head, flipped a page, and thought it was best if he didn't appear in her life.
It was cold in the middle of the night, and the wind rattled the windowpanes, so Wen Shu got up, put on her coat, and took a hot water bottle to close the window.
On a cold, snowy night, Wen Shu opened the window and was suddenly greeted by a blast of wind and snow. She quickly reached out to close the window, but when she looked up, she was surprised to see a figure standing in the courtyard.
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