Chapter 255 Renovation
On the day before the New Year, when Su Changxu and He Beier came out of the Ministry of Revenue, Que'er was already waiting at the door.
Light snowflakes were falling from the sky today. Yun Jinglan held an umbrella in one hand and held Que'er's hand with the other. After seeing the two of them come out, she sighed helplessly, "Let's go over there."
Que'er followed her aunt in a daze, only feeling a sense of reality when her mother's cold hand grasped her little hand.
My parents used to argue a lot. Later, my mother said she was tired and stopped arguing with my father, but she often talked about divorce. But when the day actually came, I felt lost and confused.
Su Changxu hadn't been able to sleep for the past few days; every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was his wife's face. He tried to numb himself with alcohol, but the pain only intensified in the quiet of the night.
He knew he had let down someone who truly loved him, and that there would never be such a person again.
Su Changxu felt a surge of joy upon seeing Que'er and wanted to pat her head as usual, but the unpleasant smell of alcohol made him pull his hand back as soon as he raised it.
"Are you going back to Jiangnan? Tomorrow is the New Year. I'll send you back after the New Year."
He Beier shook her head, declining Su Changxu's offer. Although they were divorced, things had gone smoothly and hadn't reached the point of a complete falling out. It wasn't easy for her to still be able to speak politely to Su Changxu.
“Since we’re already divorced, we won’t stay at the Marquis’s residence. It wouldn’t sound good if word got out.” He Bei’er had already contacted He Xunyuan, who was serving as an official in the capital, to come and pick her up. The carriage was waiting at the corner.
"I'm going to stay at my cousin's house for a while." He Beier waved to Que'er, "Que'er, we should go now and say goodbye to your father."
This parting is only the best I hope we'll never see each other again. That would be better for both of them.
As He Beier passed by Yun Jinglan, she smiled at her and said, "Take care."
Yun Jinglan placed the umbrella she was holding into her hand: "The road ahead is difficult, please be careful."
He Beier glanced gratefully at Yun Jinglan, naturally understanding the deeper meaning behind her words.
The world is quite harsh on women, and the road ahead is fraught with danger, but she still has the courage to take the plunge.
He Beier didn't look back; she was going to walk her own path. Dwelling on the past would only trap her in memories.
Sparrow was being pulled forward by her mother when she suddenly turned around and glanced at her father, who was still standing in the wind and snow. She waved to him and then disappeared into the street.
Yun Jinglan said in a low voice, "Let's go, it's windy outside."
Su Changxu declined Yun Jinglan's offer: "No, sister-in-law, you should go back first. I'll take a walk by the river and enjoy the breeze."
"Are you sure you just want to get some fresh air and won't jump into the river?"
I've heard stories of women who, after being divorced by their husbands, have committed suicide by drowning. This second son... does look like he might be thinking of doing something drastic!
Dying out in the middle of the Lunar New Year is not only unlucky, but also difficult to explain!
"Second brother, try to think positively. Although you don't have a wife anymore, you still have a whole courtyard full of concubines. Don't do anything rash."
Su Changxu was already sad, and now he was even more heartbroken.
"Sister-in-law, I won't do anything rash, I just... never mind, I'll go get some wine."
Yun Jinglan patted her chest. "That's good. Drink less."
Su Changxu hurriedly left, his steps unsteady.
Yun Jinglan had come with Qiuqiu today, and when she returned, Qiuqiu was already drowsy. She pinched her precious daughter's cheek and felt much more at ease looking at her.
Chiu Chiu was woken up by her mother's rough handling. She rubbed her eyes and snuggled into her mother's arms with a "plop." "Ugh, sleepy."
Why should you get a divorce as early as possible?
Yun Jinglan didn't know what divorce was, but she figured it was the same as separation. Qiuqiu insisted on coming, but once she arrived, she fell fast asleep in the carriage.
"We won't be able to see Sparrow anymore, how come you're not sad at all?"
Chiu Chiu glanced at her mother strangely, scratched her head, and didn't understand why her mother said that.
[Sister Que'er won't leave the capital, so I'll just go see her when I miss her!]
Why aren't Que'er and the others leaving the capital?
Yun Jinglan was only shocked for a moment before she understood the reason.
Divorce is never a good thing. When a woman returns to her parents' home, she will inevitably be criticized. Even if the He family doesn't care and protects their daughter, they can't stop the slander from rumors.
If she stayed in the capital, far from the emperor's reach, unless the He family came to the capital to arrest her, she could easily survive with her house and shops. By taking advantage of the Marquis's family's guilt, no one in the entire capital would dare to make things difficult for her.
My cousin He Xunyuan is deeply favored by His Majesty and can be considered a powerful patron.
Yun Jinglan could only say that this Marquis's mansion had trapped this intelligent woman.
She sighed and picked up Qiuqiu, kissing her forehead. "Let's go, we should go home."
The rooftops of the capital city were covered with a thin layer of snow, and Qiuqiu huddled in her warm blankets, unwilling to move.
It took Zhu Niang and A Lian working together to get Qiu Qiu dressed. Dong Xiao, holding a basin of water, pouted and said, "Even dressing the young lady is so slow. I don't know why the young lady likes them."
"Today is New Year's Eve, and Madam has prepared some lucky charms for the two young ladies. Someone will deliver them to them later."
Zhu Niang and A Lian were not from the Central Plains. Yun Jinglan had asked them if they wanted to return to the Southwest for the festival, but they refused. They were not servants in the household either, and they would be resting after today.
Dong Xiao was secretly delighted; she was determined to take back what belonged to her!
Chirp shivered, "Cold~"
Then the little dumpling was wrapped up again.
Qiuqiu was frightened by Emperor Jingming some time ago, and she absolutely refuses to go to the New Year's Eve banquet today.
Chiu Chiu, with her feet sticking out, waved her hand and said, "No, I'm not going."
"Terrifying." Her chubby little face was all bouncy and plump, and every inch of her body seemed to scream "no."
Yun Jinglan looked Su Junyao up and down with a suspicious gaze. "Chiu Chiu used to love going to the palace, but that changed after the last time the father and daughter came back. There's definitely something wrong!"
"You two had better not hide anything from me, or else..."
The threatening look made the father and daughter shrink back and shake their heads frantically. It was terrifying!
Chirp covered her mouth, then thought for a moment and changed it to covering her eyes. Out of sight, out of mind.
I don't like going to the palace anymore.
Chiu Chiu strongly refused, so the two had no choice but to leave. Taking a moment, Su Junyao turned and winked at Chiu Chiu.
Chuchu made an "OK" gesture with her fingers, [Understood, no need to say more.]
Su Junyao: “…”
Can't this little darling control his inner thoughts a little?!
Yun Jinglan: "!!!"
She just knew it!
When the tiger is away, the crocodile reigns supreme.
As soon as her parents left, Qiuqiu immediately perked up, completely changing from her previous sleepy state. She was full of energy and only knew how to run errands for her two older brothers.
Su Xiucheng's face was blank, as if he had lost his soul. "Chirp, I'm tired."
Chuchu pouted, her eyes brimming with tears, and looked at her grandfather: "Grandpa!"
The old Marquis Su's face hardened, "It's not customary to beat children during the New Year, so please let Qiuqiu have her."
This child's good days are numbered!
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