Madam Meng felt that living close to her maiden family, where she could meet them often and receive their support, made her happier than her husband did.
The news that County Magistrate Meng was returning to the Capital had become common knowledge throughout the county in less than an hour.
Meng Ruixiang, who had always studied at the Xinghe Academy in the county, was used to a life of leaving early and returning late, immersed in his studies for ten years.
As he grew older, the bright and clever Meng Ruixiang felt that the Xinghe Academy no longer offered a big enough stage for his talent. He needed a broader world and a more capable teacher.
The news of his father’s return to the Capital came as a pleasant surprise, yet it was somewhat expected.
He had longed to go to a better academy in the Capital even if his father did not return.
While County Magistrate Meng’s parents were happy, they were also a bit reluctant to leave their hometown, as it meant living in a distant land with different food and water habits.
After all, they had lived here for several years, and their hometown was close by, allowing them to attend to some important responsibilities. It would be difficult in the Capital!
But their son’s future mattered more, and the couple did not consider not following him.
When Meng Zhaojun heard the news, she thought about living in a more bustling place and facing more of "my" challenges in the future.
Though she was happy, there was also a hint of reluctance. It would be more difficult to see Tang Shunyan in the Capital; she couldn’t visit him every couple of days.
Her upbringing plan had to be put on hold. Amid the mix of joy and concern, she had no choice but to accept this reality.
As a young girl, she had to follow her parents. If her father moved to the Capital, she couldn’t stay here or depend on the kindness of others.
Ultimately, Meng Zhaojun chose the life of a higher-quality Miss.
Before that, she needed to see Tang Shunyan and get some promises from this young boy.
Meng Zhaojun thought so domineeringly, yet she wondered if Tang Shunyan, such a young boy, could understand her mature thoughts?
At this moment, she was only a little over six years old and had not thought about adapting to a different life when she grew up.
Or about whether making new friends would diminish her domineering feelings towards Tang Shunyan.
Now, Meng Zhaojun only thought that Tang Shunyan was her childhood friend and must be hers as they grew up.
Thinking of seeing Tang Shunyan before they parted, she remembered that tomorrow was a holiday at the Xinghe Academy.
"Liang Chen, write an invitation for me and send it to the Tang Mansion."
The obedient Liang Chen thought the young Lady probably wanted to share the good news with the Tang family’s young Master.
As a maid beside the young Lady, Liang Chen was also happy to go to the Capital, where the excitement and prosperity beckoned to all.
As a humble maid, she only wished to catch a glimpse of it, for a bustling place held more opportunities.
The students of Xinghe Academy were quite happy about the school holiday the next day, asking their Attendant Students to carry their books home for them.
Those without Attendant Students had no choice but to bear the burden themselves, carrying a large wooden box filled with books—books they could not discard, as the teacher had assigned plenty of homework.
The children, amidst their joy, found it rather distressing that each teacher had assigned so much work.
Some students didn’t care about the pile of homework; feeling that holidays were for fun, they made plans to play with friends instead.
Tang Shunyan had not made any plans with friends. He intended to visit Bushen Village first thing during the holiday, although there wasn’t much to do in the rural winter.
He thought of picking tangerines. The tangerines on the Ye family’s estate had not yet been fully harvested. He didn’t eat the fresh fruit much in winter; the main reason he went was to see his wet nurse, Ru Mei.
Tang Xiyue hurried to catch up with Tang Shunyan, walking side by side, while the other two companions quickly followed behind them.
"Cousin, where are you going to relax and play during the holiday?"
Tang Shunyan had no intention of telling his cousin the truth, as it would inconvenience him if his cousin and a crowd followed him.
"Stay at home, where can you go in this cold?"
Tang Xiyue looked at his cousin’s face, gauging his expression with disbelief.
"Cousin, I don’t believe you’ll stay at home! Are you going to be as bored as before, spending every day with Meng Zhaojun?"
The companions following behind also laughed.
"Cousin, can we not mention Meng Zhaojun? Bringing her up..."
"How about it, cousin, Lady Meng thinks so highly of you, none of us brothers have such privilege!"
As Tang Xiyue pointed this out, he squinted at his friends with a mischievous look, like a rascal pretending to be mature beyond his years. They were six or seven-year-old boys, hovering between understanding and ignorance.