As the sun set, the wind grew stronger, carrying yellow sand and fallen leaves, whistling and slapping against Wei Shuwan's face and hair.
Having spent four whole days in prison, eating and sleeping in a dark and damp place, not only Wei Shuwan, but all the members of the Wei family were no longer recognizable as human beings.
He was disheveled and filthy, even worse off than a beggar sleeping on the street corner. At least a beggar can bask in the sun during the day to ward off the musty smell.
When the Wei family had their accident, none of the servants were implicated, so the Sheng family temporarily took them in. Today, the Wei family was released in a hurry, and the servants and maids were unaware of it, so no one came to pick them up.
Just as they were worrying about how to get back home in their ragged clothes and penniless state, two carriages appeared out of nowhere and stopped in front of the Wei family.
Upon seeing that the driver was Gu Zhuang, Wei Shuwan knew that Li Qingchen had sent him to pick her and her family. However, the rest of the Wei family did not recognize Gu Zhuang, so they were both delighted and completely confused.
"May I ask who this gentleman is...?"
As soon as Wei Zheng spoke, Wei Shuwan's heart skipped a beat! She already knew of her father's aversion to Li Qingchen, so how could she let him know this was a carriage from the Xiao Qiaochuan Prince's residence? He would certainly refuse to ride in it. This would only offend the Xiao Qiaochuan Prince.
Although Wei Shuwan felt that her relationship with Li Qingchen was more like a transaction, after all, he had just saved the entire Wei family with the gold medal, so how could she not feel disheartened?
So before Gu Zhuang could answer, Wei Shuwan quickly interjected, "This is Sheng Yun's friend!"
As soon as he said that, Gu Zhuang and Wei Chengxiu both frowned.
Gu Zhuang: Miss Wei, are you so forgetful? How could you not remember that you belong to the young prince...?
Wei Chengxiu: When did Ayun acquire such a friend? And judging from her voice earlier, she seemed quite young...
Wei Zheng was also somewhat surprised, "What? Duke Sheng found out about our release so quickly?"
Just as Gu Zhuang was about to explain his identity, Wei Shuwan cut him off with a sincere expression: "Mr. Gu, thank you for today!"
Upon hearing "Mr. Gu," Gu Zhuang raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that it seemed Miss Wei recognized him, but simply didn't want to acknowledge her relationship with the young prince in front of her family. Since that was the case, Gu Zhuang didn't explain further, only smiling and saying, "Miss Wei, please don't be so polite. We're all friends. It's cold outside, everyone please get in the carriage first!"
Unaware that the two carriages were sent by the Prince of Xiaoqiaochuan's residence, Wei Zheng readily accepted them. One person from each of the two branches of the Wei family boarded one carriage. The four members of the second branch boarded the one driven by Gu Zhuang himself, while Wei Wenshi and the three members of the first branch rode in the second carriage, making it four people in each carriage.
Inside the vehicle, a charcoal stove burned with the finest silver-boned charcoal, providing warmth without any pungent smoke. Each person was also provided with a small hand warmer to keep their hands warm throughout the journey. There were also fleece blankets for added warmth.
On the way back to the manor, Wei Zheng remained silent, while Sun Lurong kept turning the small bronze stove in her hand, worried about what would happen when she entered the house later:
"When we were taken away that night, the yamen runners put up a seal on the gate. I wonder if we can just tear it off now that we've been released?"
Neither Wei Zheng nor Wei Shuwan had any experience with this kind of thing. They wondered if they should wait for the government to come and tear it down since it was posted there. Where would they stay tonight?
While the four members of the second wife's family were still worrying about this issue, the carriage stopped, and Wei Shuwan lifted the curtain and glanced outside.
The sun had already set, leaving only a sliver of afterglow on the horizon, and the Wei family's gate stood beneath that afterglow. The vermilion gate was spotless except for a pair of black tin rings; there were no seals visible. Two large red lanterns in front of the gate were lit, and the candlelight, filtered through crimson gauze, cast a festive yet gentle glow on the ground.
Just as Wei Shuwan was slightly taken aback by the scene outside the window, she heard the sound of the door turning. The two vermilion doors were slowly pulled open from the inside, and then figures poured out!
Leading the procession were Zi Qiao and Miao Xiang, followed by several nannies from Songheju and Fukangyuan. Each of them carried a light overcoat that their mistress usually wore and quickly walked to the carriage.
"girl!"
Ziqiao and Miaoxiang called out in unison, their eyes filled with tears, yet smiles lingered on their lips.
Having been away from home for several days in such an unsavory manner, Wei Zheng and Sun Lurong both seemed to feel a bit "apprehensive about returning home." Wei Shuwan was the first to lean out of the carriage. As soon as her feet touched the steps, Zi Qiao wrapped her in a warm, light blanket and quickly pulled the hood over her head.
"It's cold outside, don't catch a cold."
Wei Shuwan tightened her collar and turned back to the car, saying, "Father, Mother, Ah Xiu, come down quickly."
Wei Chengxiu followed closely behind her sister as she got off the carriage. Soon after, Wei Zheng and Sun Lurong also got off. The servants and maids in each courtyard promptly draped cloaks and overcoats over them, afraid that they would catch a cold.
Just as Wei Shuwan was about to ask Zi Qiao how she knew they were coming back tonight, several more people emerged from the doorway.
First, two gatekeepers carried out a charcoal brazier with flames leaping inside. They placed it at Wei Shuwan's feet, and one of them raised his honest, smiling eyes and said, "Third Sister, since you've come back from that place, you should step over it to get rid of the bad luck."
Wei Shuwan lowered her head and smiled faintly. They were indeed well-prepared, even bringing this. Yes, there was an old custom in the Great Ye Dynasty: anyone who had been imprisoned had to step over a brazier to drive away the impurities and demons and start anew.
Since that's the case, Wei Shuwan didn't hesitate and smoothly stepped over with her right foot raised high.
The two gatekeepers were muttering something, which she couldn't quite make out, but she knew it was auspicious words.
She thought she could enter after stepping over the brazier, but as soon as Wei Shuwan set foot, a maid from Fuquxuan brought over a full basin of water in a copper basin, while another maid took a leaf and lightly dipped it in the water, sprinkling it on Wei Shuwan.
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