After hearing Hong Xiaoduo's words, a silence fell around them.
Quan Jinghuai, who already knew the truth, looked at his seven junior disciples with some worry, as well as Feiyan, who followed him in martial arts but was not treated as a disciple.
Kaiyang is going with her and doesn't know the inside story, so he shouldn't have any special reaction. Feiyan should be fine too; his main concern is the other six.
Even if he reluctantly agrees now because he doesn't dare to disobey her decision, will he still be able to practice martial arts with peace of mind after they separate?
To put it another way, can I take good care of them and wait for Xiaoduo to come back?
On this point, Quan Jinghuai really had no confidence whatsoever.
He knew all too well Xiaoduo's place in the hearts of these disciples. Even though he was their master, and even though they had always held him in awe, his authority as their master might not necessarily be effective when it came to matters concerning her.
Fei Yan bit her lip and stared at Hong Xiaoduo. Although she didn't ask or say anything, her expression at that moment was enough to show that she was also uneasy.
Although she is not a child, Xiaoduo is more than just a benefactor to her. When she suddenly learned that Xiaoduo would be separated from everyone for a while, she also felt insecure.
In contrast, among the six younger ones, Tian Shu had a tense expression, his gaze shifting back and forth between Xiao Duo, Kai Yang, and his master. The only thing this sensitive and intelligent child was certain of was that Hong Xiao Duo didn't abandon them.
Other than that, there was a vague suspicion, but also a feeling of contradiction and confusion.
The remaining five little ones had expressions of shock, disbelief, panic, confusion, and anxiety on their faces.
However, regardless of their different reactions, the only thing they had in common was that none of them dared to say no.
Because they all knew that Hong Xiaoduo must have had her reasons and logic for making such a decision.
Apart from Tian Shu, no one thought there was anything wrong with her only bringing Kai Yang to the capital, because he was able to appease the Hua family, and only he could do that.
Another reason for not taking them to Beijing is the issue of travel permits. If something goes wrong, it could implicate Uncle Dong.
In the past few months, Hong Xiaoduo has also had them study the law, so they are aware of how serious the consequences of being found out about fake travel permits are.
Although Uncle Dong was not related to them by blood and was not their biological uncle, for them who had no relatives at all, as long as he treated them well, what did it matter whether he was a relative or not?
Although they are young, they know that one should be grateful and repay kindness, and should not be ungrateful.
So, one by one, they all reluctantly nodded in the end.
"Then you must come back to find us soon." The youngest, Yaoguang, spoke first, her eyes brimming with tears and her voice trembling with sobs.
At this moment, Hong Xiaoduo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, bent down and picked up Yaoguang, gently saying, "That's natural. I wouldn't want to do this if it weren't for a last resort."
"You all stay with Master and Sister Feiyan, be good and listen to them. I'll bring you some delicious treats when you come back. Also, I'll assign some homework later, and I'll check it when you get back. Anyone who slacks off won't get any treats."
Yao Guang hugged Hong Xiaoduo's neck: "I don't want any delicious food, I just want you to come back soon." As soon as she finished speaking, the little girl couldn't hold back her tears any longer and they flowed down her cheeks.
Yao Guang's crying broke Hong Xiaoduo's heart, and she almost changed her mind and blurted out that she would take Yao Guang with her.
"Tian Shu, go get some paper and pens. I'm giving you homework. Tian Ji, go get Kai Yang my and his change of clothes and luggage." Hong Xiaoduo made the arrangements with a heavy heart.
Hua Shi had already boarded her carriage, her brows furrowed and her mind elsewhere. Wu Fu was feeding the horses. Ruan Niang knew her mistress was troubled and didn't know how to comfort her, so she simply sat down beside her and quietly kept her company.
The servants and masters of the Wei family did not notice the changes on Hong Xiaoduo's side.
"Now that we've all eaten, let's get going and not delay any longer," Dongzhi urged anxiously.
They were really eager for the lady to return to the capital as soon as possible so she could see the young master.
"Winter Solstice, if you want your wife to return to the capital smoothly as soon as possible, I suggest you don't rush. Don't worry about when to set off, the speed on the road, where to rest, or how long to rest," Yan Qian said.
The journey from here to the capital is still quite long, and he felt it necessary to remind him.
Otherwise, he couldn't guarantee what might happen.
After all, judging from Madam's reaction when she heard the news brought by Dongzhi and the others, and her current state, Madam doesn't seem to be in a hurry to return to the capital.
"Besides, since the young master is already in the manor, and the head of the family is here, nothing will happen because the madam is late. If we rush on our way, the madam's health won't be able to handle it." Yan Qian quickly added, seeing the expressions of the two newcomers.
After listening to Yan Qian's words, Dong Zhi thought about it with a serious expression, and felt that what he said made sense, so she nodded.
Yan Qian always accompanied Madam when she left the capital, which must mean he knew about her situation.
His true identity and purpose for this trip were to deliver a message, bring his wife back to the mansion, and escort her along the way.
At this moment, the three of them saw Hong Xiaoduo walking towards her mistress's carriage. Yan Qian, not knowing what was going on, quickly went over.
When Madam Hua, inside the carriage, heard Hong Xiaoduo say that only she and Kaiyang would be traveling with them to the capital, her eyes immediately reddened. "Thank you," Madam Hua said, her voice choked with emotion.
"Why aren't they together anymore?" Yan Qian asked, puzzled.
"We also have other plans at the last minute, so please wait a little longer before we set off." Hong Xiaoduo didn't offer any further explanation, and then turned and left.
Feiyan and the children were also busy packing Kaiyang's luggage at their own horse-drawn carriage and donkey cart.
"Hey, big brother, just bring two sets of clothes and socks, and my paper and pen. You don't need to bring anything else. It's not like I'm not coming back," Kaiyang said, trying to stop him.
Although he was reluctant to be separated from his older and younger siblings for a while, he was the most emotionally stable of the seven children.
On the contrary, he felt a little smug, because he was the only one who didn't have to be separated from Hong Xiaoduo. However, he didn't dare to show it too obviously, as his older brother, older sister, and younger sister were all feeling sad, and he couldn't be smug.
"Take his little gadgets with him, so he can play with them when he's bored on the road," Hong Xiaoduo said casually.
Besides the gifts and clothes, the seven children now each have their own little trinkets, some bought by her, some by Quan Jinghuai, and some by Tian Shu and the others.
Kaiyang's trip to the Wei family is to acknowledge his ancestors and return to his clan; he will not return to wander around with them again.
We don't need to bring anything else, but let him take these little trinkets we bought along the way, so he can keep them as souvenirs later.
The other children hadn't noticed anything amiss when they heard this, but Tian Shu, who was standing to the side, immediately looked at Hong Xiaoduo...
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