Ye Shiqi had woken up before dawn when the little maids roused her and her sister, helping them wash up, dress, and eat breakfast.
Ye Shiqi... it must have been not even 5:00 yet?
The two horse-drawn carriages of the family were waiting, with the drivers and the people who used to follow on bicycles now in tow. Considering the long distance, it wasn’t convenient to ride bicycles, and as guards, the farmers had also learned to ride horses, a skill acquired from the estate’s own horses.
The journey was long, and there were many of them; gifts and luggage were packed together, taking up two carriages.
In one carriage sat the five sisters while in the other were Hongji, his wife, and son. This time they didn’t bring the little maids, leaving them at home to care for the two sick family members.
The family chefs and laborers continued their work as usual at home, while all expenses and management were entrusted to the eldest brother by Mrs. Li.
Ye Shiqi didn’t have much out in the open; her most important possessions were kept in a space, particularly the money they needed for this trip.
Aside from the jewelry worn by family members, all important items had been secured by Ye Shiqi.
Their long journey posed potential risks through the areas they’d pass, so in addition to bringing guards, they had arranged for the food transport with a carriage service from the county.
The Tang Family shop’s drivers had gone to the estate the previous evening and loaded the wagons at night in order to set off before dawn.
With such an early departure, they could cover a day’s journey and arrive early at their destination to find lodging.
Hongji’s father was the most lucid that morning, watching the laborers help his son’s family move things, his gaze reflecting a tinge of worry.
His concern was not about the danger his son’s family might encounter traveling to the Capital City, but rather the few days’ separation he would find difficult.
Only he knew what his real worries were. Would his son encounter that cousin of his in the Capital City?
From the conversation he had last night over dinner, his son and family would be away, and it was up to him to look after the house.
Hongji’s father had spent several days lost in drunken misery, heartbroken and frustrated, wanting to vent but unable to beat the sick, nor to behave rashly in front of his eldest son’s family.
He kept all his suffering to himself; he wasn’t foolish. In a day where he had no sons and could not stand alone, the family still relied on his eldest son and his family.
By keeping this secret, they would forever be his own flesh and blood, his sons, grandsons, and granddaughters, who would look after him in his old age.
Last night, Aunt Lai spoke to him. He was sober and, unlike before, didn’t heed Aunt Lai’s advice to prevent his son’s family from going to the Capital City.
Or to take the two sick persons with him to the Capital City. He lacked the face to do so and knew his son wouldn’t either, simply playing the role of a farmer and rich man here.
Hongji’s father even thought that if his eldest son and family could establish a business in the Capital City or elsewhere and earn more money,
he could entrust the several estates to him. Then, without revealing that secret, he would have a son with assets to secure his old age.
With a son, he would still have to rely on his eldest son’s family as he aged, not trusting Aunt Lai.
Aunt Lai, hearing the commotion, watched quietly from the window. After several days of recuperation, she could gradually leave the bed, but her complexion remained pale from the heavy loss.
Watching her family get into the carriage, with her husband standing at the gate, she felt a pang of reluctance. She could have gone to see the prosperity of the Capital City too!
She had insisted on this the night before, but he was unwilling to take the two sick people with them to the Capital City, saying that even if they had a house in the Capital City in the future,
they couldn’t all move there; this place was their root and here lay their wealth.
Aunt Lai, upon learning they were headed to Capital City and might be buying estates or shops, grew restless with excitement. If she could become the young madam in Capital City, why would she settle for the countryside?
Watching how disheveled and drunken Hongji’s father had been these days, she once again regretted marrying an old man. Had she married his son, wouldn’t she be going to the capital today as well?
The only ones left at home were the nanny with Ye Daidi. No one from our small house came over to see them off.
Mrs. Lai seemed unaware of her son’s family leaving. Although her health had improved somewhat and she had forgotten some memories, she didn’t curse people incessantly as she had in the past.
She appeared sprightly, staying in her room all the time, paying no attention to whether or not Hongji’s father entered her chamber.
She also didn’t inquire about Aunt Lai, almost as if she had deliberately erased that person from her memory.
When her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and granddaughters visited, she recognized them. Although she wasn’t very close to them, she didn’t resort to cursing or sarcasm as before.
Hongji’s father watched the two horse-drawn carriages and the mounted men leave the courtyard, standing by the gate, watching the torches they lit.
He quietly returned to the small house only after their shadows could no longer be seen.
Aunt Lai... Why has this old man started ignoring me?
The household staff started bustling again, cooking breakfast, washing clothes, sweeping, and doing chores—all while avoiding Aunt Lai.
Ye Shiqi sat in the carriage, looking out the window as dawn began to lighten the sky. They had lit torches for convenience on their journey.
When they reached the edge of the estate, they found a large convoy already waiting for them.
There were carriages for grain transport and guards for the expedition. Aside from the grain carriages, everyone else was on horseback, believing it to be much faster than riding in carriages.
Zhong Xingwang and his retinue were among them—his carriage and guards included—while his classmates, of course, lingered a bit longer on the estate.
This journey to Capital City, for safety, took a route through the county to the capital rather than continuing straight along the main road in the other direction.
Perhaps this way they could reach Capital City faster.
The slight risk was passing through some uninhabited mountains where they might encounter bandits.
With grain and family members in tow, they didn’t dare take the risk, preferring to spend an extra hour on the road.
Ye Shiqi fell asleep in the carriage, exhausted from waking up too early and now catching up on sleep.
Ye Luoqi looked out of the carriage window and inadvertently spotted Ye Jiaxing riding with the guards, escorting the grain and their group.
She didn’t think much of it—Ye Jiaxing always worked in their estate or factory. It was normal for him to be among the escorts, and she saw his father as well.
Ye Luoqi saw her Young Uncle and a few others transporting grain and also saw Zhong Xingwang, who was escorting them.
Her heart entirely engaged with Zhong Xingwang, the man she was betrothed to, she paid no mind to the others.
Ye Jiaxing’s gaze intensively followed the two carriages leaving from the village entrance, then joined others in trailing behind.
His eyes secretly darted to the two carriages, catching a glimpse of Ye Luoqi, the woman he’d longed for in his days and nights.
After two days of sorrow, seeing her now still with affection in her eyes, he remained motionless.
He knew that any odd behavior would cost him this opportunity to travel, possibly losing his chance to ever see Ye Luoqi again.