Chapter 174 Goodbye, Madam Zhuang (Part 1)
At the hour of Si, Zhuang Wan and Princess Wu Jing said goodbye at the door.
Princess Wu Jing was a little reluctant to leave: "Although the house given by the emperor is good, it is too big. I always feel lonely. It would be great if you could accompany me."
"But I know you can't come," she said, holding Zhuang Wan's hand. "We agreed that you'll come see me when you have time."
"Okay," Zhuang Wan agreed, glancing back at Chen Yi and Pei Xingju. By then, the two had finished talking, and Chen Yi had climbed onto his horse.
Wu Jing waved to Zhuang Wan: "It's cold, you go in, I'm leaving."
She lifted her skirt and walked down the steps. When she got into the carriage, she accidentally hit her finger while holding the door and cried out in pain.
Shen Yi was close by and glanced at the sound: "What's wrong?"
Seeing the gauze wrapped around her left middle finger, he immediately understood. He curled his lips and said, "Why do you have to learn to cook? Last time it was your thumb, this time it's your middle finger. I think even if I cut off all ten of your fingers, it wouldn't be enough."
Wu Jing glared at him: "Are you saying I'm stupid?"
Chen Yi didn't shy away from it, with an expression that said, "That's right, that's what I meant."
Wu Jing was upset. She glared at him and then got into the carriage.
After a moment, she lifted the curtain again: "Chen Yi?"
"What's the matter?" Shen Yi turned his head while sitting on his horse.
"I heard that Changfenglou is putting on a new play for the New Year. It's really good. Do you want to go and see it?"
Shen Yi waved his hand: "I don't like watching plays, go by yourself."
"But......."
Before she could finish, Chen Yi said, "I can't take you back, go back to the mansion by yourself."
Wu Jing asked, "Where are you going?"
"Go to the case."
"Hasn't the imperial court sealed it? Why are you handling a case during Chinese New Year?"
Chen Yi raised his eyebrows: "Can I be like you? The Ministry of Justice has a lot of things to do. Even if the emperor seals it, I will not be idle."
"No more talking," he said, tightening the reins. "I'm leaving now."
As he said this, he kicked the horse's belly and quickly disappeared.
Wu Jing looked at his departing back and dejectedly closed the car curtain.
.
On this side, Zhuang Wan was about to return to Muxiang Courtyard after seeing Princess Wu Jing off when Pei Xingju stopped at a fork in the road.
Zhuang Wan also stopped and asked: "Why don't you leave?"
"I'll take you somewhere today," he said.
"Where are you going?"
"You'll know when you go there." Pei Xingju said with a smile.
Zhuang Wan had a vague suspicion in her heart and smiled, "Okay."
It’s the New Year, it’s time to go and have a look.
.
The sky was covered in a hazy snowstorm, and the mountains and plains were covered in an endless expanse of white. A horse-drawn carriage drove slowly along the snow-covered path, the thick snow creaking beneath the wheels.
Zhuang Wan dozed off against the wall of the car, but didn't fall asleep. The wind and snow were quiet in her ears, but she felt a little uneasy in her heart.
The first person she met upon arriving in this strange world was Madam Zhuang, and the first love and warmth she received also came from Madam Zhuang. However, she was not Madam Zhuang's daughter, so it was difficult for her to truly share a deep mother-daughter relationship with her.
Mrs. Zhuang seemed to have sensed something, which made her feel even more guilty. She couldn't be frank or pretend in front of Mrs. Zhuang. The more she lied, the more she owed him.
Perhaps sensing her emotions, someone immediately grasped her hand.
"What's wrong?" Pei Xingju asked.
Zhuang Wan opened her eyes and smiled: "Nothing, I'm actually a little nervous."
Pei Xingju squeezed her hand and said, "I originally wanted to bring your mother to the capital, but she politely declined."
Zhuang Wan nodded.
She certainly understood why Madam Zhuang declined. With the Zhuang family now broken up and her family dead, the capital was a place she didn't want to face. Besides, where else could she go in the capital? Living in the Pei Mansion was embarrassing; it would be better for her to stay in the Zhuangzi.
"Don't worry, she is doing well now and has recovered. You will know when you see her later." Pei Xingju comforted her.
"Pei Xingju," Zhuang Wan sat down and hugged him, suddenly kissing him on the cheek.
Pei Xingju was stunned for a moment, then heard her say, "Thank you!"
He couldn't help but smile.
.
Mrs. Zhuang was arranged to live in a farm outside the city. It was secluded but not desolate. Although the roads were covered with snow, one could clearly see the neatly divided fields and hills, which showed that the farming there was on a large scale.
The carriage skirted the hills and entered an orchard, then followed the mountain road over a small bridge and a stream. The gurgling river was clear and tranquil, creating a unique scene.
Soon, a low-rise tiled house came into view.
Mrs. Zhuang stood under the snow-white green tiles, looking at them with a smile.
She was dressed in a simple blue jacket with a cross collar, a dark cotton and linen skirt, and a light grey cloth tied around her waist. Her hair was done in a simple bun, with a few strands of white at her temples amidst her dark hair.
This appearance was completely different from the impression Zhuang Wan had of Mrs. Zhuang, and it reminded her of her mother in her previous life who had prepared meals and waited for her to come home.
Zhuang Wan was stunned for a long time, then heard her shout, "Wan'er is here?"
Coming to her senses, she stepped forward, her lips moving as she softly called out, "Mother."
"Oh!" Mrs. Zhuang laughed, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepened a little.
She turned to ask Pei Xingju, "Master Pei, did you have a smooth journey? There were several heavy snowfalls during the New Year holiday, and the roads were slippery and difficult to walk on. I thought you would arrive in the evening, but you didn't expect it to be so soon."
"Aunt." Pei Xingju stepped forward and bowed in the proper manner of a junior.
Mrs. Zhuang was stunned for a moment, but did not avoid it.
"We set out at noon," Pei Xingju said, "The capital is not far from here, and the carriage can travel quickly."
Madam Zhuang nodded. "That's good! That's good! Come in and sit down. It's cold. I've got a charcoal brazier waiting for you."
She took Zhuang Wan's hand and led her into the house.
After entering the house, a warm breeze hit her, and Zhuang Wan's anxiety dissipated a little.
"Mother, let me do it." After sitting down, she saw Mrs. Zhuang picking up the pot to pour tea, and she immediately stood up to take it.
Madam Zhuang smiled, "Wan'er hasn't changed at all."
Zhuang Wan: "Thanks to Lord Pei's care these days, my daughter has been doing well."
"How's Mother?" she asked. "Is Mother getting used to living in Zhuangzi?"
"It's a habit," Madam Zhuang said. "Everything is thanks to Lord Pei. I'm living well here. I wanted to visit you before the New Year, but I got sick again and gave up."
"When did it happen?"
"In October." Pei Xingju took the initiative to say.
Zhuang Wan felt guilty, and in October she had already fled to Hezhou.
She lowered her head and silently poured a cup of tea for Madam Zhuang. However, she felt her hand was cold and asked in surprise, "Mother, have you been waiting outside for a long time?"
She felt a faint bitterness in her heart.
Mrs. Zhuang must have stood outside for a long time waiting for her to come.
"I didn't wait long. I was afraid you wouldn't know the way, so I went out to check." Mrs. Zhuang said, "Luckily you arrived in time. By the way, are you ready for lunch?"
"It has been used," Pei Xingju replied. After a moment's thought, he stood up and said, "Aunt, I've brought you some New Year gifts. I'll put them in the carriage. Aunt, please talk to Zhuang Wan first. I'll go out and take a look."
"Okay, thank you, Master Pei!"
When Mrs. Zhuang met her daughter, the mother and daughter naturally had a lot to talk about. She did not refuse at the moment and hurriedly thanked Pei Xingju for seeing him out.
After Pei Xingju left, the house became quiet.
Zhuang Wan was sitting by the charcoal brazier warming herself by the fire. She didn't hear any sound for a long time. When she turned around, she found Mrs. Zhuang standing by the door, looking at her and crying.
Suddenly, her nose felt sore, and all the anxiety and guilt she had felt on the road turned into warm tears.
"Mother," she called.
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