Chapter 347 Farewell
The decision to return to Qingzhou was too sudden, so Sheng An made a special trip to the Marquis of Yongyi's residence to tell Tan Qingrou about it.
Tan Qingrou was surprised and wondered if something big had happened that she didn't know about, which was why her friend would take the elderly and children back to their hometown so close to the end of the year.
Sheng An couldn't reveal the real reason, so he had to use the excuse of persuading the two elders of the Sheng family.
Tan Qingrou, unsure whether she believed her or not, held her hand tightly, reluctant to let go: "When does Sister An'an plan to come back?"
Sheng An couldn't be sure, so he said vaguely, "My grandparents are old, so they might stay for a few months this time."
Tan Qingrou felt increasingly reluctant to part, but a smile remained on her face:
"I really miss the scenery and food of Qingzhou. If it weren't for my health issues, I would like to go back with Sister An'an to have a look."
She was almost seven months pregnant. At this time, let alone traveling a long distance to Qingzhou, even the hot spring estate outside the Marquis's residence was not safe for her to go.
"We're still young, we'll have plenty of opportunities to go back in the future."
Sheng An gently touched Tan Qingrou's bulging belly and felt the little one inside move. She couldn't help but think of the time when Zhuozhuo was still in her belly.
Just thinking about how things might get chaotic in the capital in the near future made Sheng An worry about Tan Qingrou and her daughter.
Tan Qingrou noticed something was wrong with her expression and asked with concern, "What are you thinking about, Sister An'an?"
Sheng An snapped out of her daze and asked, "Have you found a midwife? After the baby is born, do you plan to breastfeed yourself or hire a wet nurse?"
Tan Qingrou replied, "It's all settled. My mother-in-law personally selected two wet nurses."
Sheng An nodded and gently reminded him:
"You are pregnant, so it's best to stay in the manor to rest and not go anywhere. If anything happens, the Marquis and his wife will take care of it. Your most important thing is to take good care of yourself and the baby."
Marquis Yongyi is a trusted confidant of His Majesty. Whenever there is any disturbance in the capital, he will be the first to know and make sure the people in his mansion are settled.
As long as Qingrou takes good care of her health, she should be fine.
Tan Qingrou didn't think much of it and said with a smile, "I know, Sister An'an, you don't need to worry about me. I just hope you and Zhuozhuo will come back soon."
This time, my return date to Qingzhou is uncertain, and I have quite a lot of luggage to take with me.
During his day off, Xu Jinnian chose a reputable security escort agency and hired a group of skilled men to escort Sheng An and his party.
The escort agency's men alone weren't enough; six of the eight guards from the household also went back to Qingzhou with them.
Aunt Niu and Hong Liu were also with them.
The journey was too long to carry live animals, so the steamed buns and glutinous rice balls had to be left behind.
The night before their departure, Sheng An was extremely reluctant to part with Xu Jinnian and held him tightly around the waist without saying a word.
Xu Jinnian was equally reluctant to part with her, and kept kissing her forehead: "I won't keep you waiting too long. Our family will be reunited soon. You can stay in Qingzhou without worrying about me..."
Sheng An's mood sank further. She rubbed against the man's chest, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and her voice, muffled and nasal, rang out:
"You must keep your word and not put yourself in danger... If time allows, you should at least write me a letter every two weeks to let me know that you are doing well in the capital."
Xu Jin gently stroked his wife's back, his voice becoming even more tender: "Yes, I will write you a letter of peace on the fifteenth and the last day of every month."
Having given all the necessary instructions, Sheng An had no mind to say anything more. She simply leaned closer to the man, her fingers intertwined tightly with his.
Neither the couple slept well that night; only the little one on the inside of the bed slept soundly.
The next morning, the mansion was brightly lit, and the guards carried luggage onto the carriages one by one.
Before long, the镖局 (escort agency) members arrived, each one strong and powerful.
They stood imposingly at the gate, large knives slung at their waists, so intimidating that several passersby dared not look at them for long.
Xu Jinnian took half a day off, helped Sheng An and her daughter into the carriage, and then got in himself.
The others sat in the two carriages behind.
Zhuozhuo had ridden in carriages many times, but this was the first time she had done so early. She nestled in Xu Jinnian's arms, feeling drowsy.
Xu Jinnian looked down at her rosy cheeks as she slept, then gently pressed his cheek against hers and used one hand to lightly stroke the top of her head.
The little one was sleeping so soundly that his sleep was completely undisturbed.
The carriage was quiet; the couple looked at each other silently, saying nothing.
After the carriage left the city gate and stopped in a wide area, Xu Jinnian reluctantly handed Zhuozhuo to Sheng An.
Perhaps the carriage suddenly stopped rocking, and the little one groggily opened her eyes. Seeing her father sitting opposite her, she instinctively reached out for a hug: "Daddy~"
A loving smile appeared on Xu Jinnian's face as he reached out and gently patted her head.
"Listen to your mother on the way, and don't be naughty and make her angry, or next time your father sees you, he'll spank your hands with a stick."
Zhuozhuo didn't understand any of this. Seeing that her father was reluctant to hug her, she pouted and turned her head to bury her face in her mother's arms.
Sheng An was filled with the sadness of impending separation. He gently patted his daughter's little bottom and said, "Zhuozhuo hasn't seen Daddy for a very long time. Don't be fussy with Daddy now, okay?"
Zhuozhuo still couldn't understand, but she caught the key word "father," and hummed as she raised her face to look at the man who was smiling at her. Her little expression immediately turned aggrieved.
Xu Jinnian chuckled and leaned down to kiss her forehead: "Next time we meet, Zhuozhuo might forget about her father."
Sheng An interjected, "I will read her the letters you sent and tell her the stories you told. I won't let her forget you."
A deep sense of reluctance and sadness welled up in the man's heart as he watched the mother and daughter linger in the car for a long time before leaving.
Sheng An's eyes welled up with tears, but she didn't want to cry in front of him. She pretended to be impatient and urged him, "You should go back quickly. If you delay any longer, you won't be able to reach the inn tonight."
Xu Jinnian stretched out his long arm and embraced the mother and daughter, his eyes glistening with tears.
As the carriage gradually drove away, the mother and daughter watched through a corner of the lifted curtain as the man rode off alone.
Zhuozhuo pointed her little finger in the direction her father had left, her face full of confusion: "Mommy, Daddy's gone!"
Sheng An watched the man's figure disappear completely before lowering the carriage curtain and rubbing her daughter's head: "Your father has gone to do something important. Zhuozhuo won't be able to see him for a long time."
Zhuozhuo didn't understand, Zhuozhuo was confused, and her little expression was a little anxious: "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy~"
Sheng An reached for a small bundle beside her, took out a glass dog from it, and stuffed it into her hand: "Go play with it."
Wow, a puppy!
Zhuozhuo hadn't seen her beloved toys for several days. Upon seeing them again, she immediately forgot all about her father, beaming with joy as she hugged the shiny glass dogs and nibbled on their heads.
Sheng An shook his head helplessly, letting her slowly nibble away.
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