Once she made up her mind to go abroad, everything else became easier to handle.

Her real estate, jewelry collection, and investments were left in the care of Wei Lai in the country. The departure was hurried, primarily to seek medical treatment for Huanhuan. Moreover, the scandal involving the Yu family’s long-standing schemes had caused a domino effect, tarnishing the family’s former glory and resulting in an immeasurable impact on Huanhuan. She had to take Huanhuan abroad to avoid all this for a while.

The most pressing issue right now, however, was her marriage to Yu Fusheng. She had already submitted her divorce application, but since Yu Fusheng was wanted and had vanished, no one could find him. His signature was missing from the divorce papers, which unsettled her about leaving.

But Yu Fusheng is like a rat scurrying across the street; his end is predictable, so whether they divorce or not is already unimportant.

"Miss, the second lady has been found."

Wei Lai entered and said.

Wei Zhuhua asked, "How is she now?"

Although on the day of the child’s full-month banquet, Mei Qingdai acted foolishly and did her wrong, and later faced overwhelming criticism and blame due to the child’s paternity being exposed, it’s said that good deeds bring good consequences and bad deeds bring bad ones; Mei Qingdai’s outcome was her own doing.

Still, considering that Mei Qingdai had just given birth, which is when a woman is most vulnerable physically and mentally, encountering such troubles can easily lead someone down a dark path.

They had clashed and reconciled over the years as sisters-in-law... Regardless, she and Mei Qingdai were both victims of the Yu family’s devouring mansion.

Having faced many challenges, perhaps she had already come to terms with things, or maybe it was empathy for fellow sufferers; before leaving, she would help Mei Qingdai if she could.

"After the child’s full-month banquet revealed the child’s paternity, the second lady was greatly shocked. She took the child back to the Mei family, and the Mei family offered her live there as long as she wanted. But there was too much gossip from the neighbors, and overwhelmed, she contemplated jumping into the river with the child. Fortunately, a kind passerby saved her, averting a disaster."

Wei Zhuhua furrowed her brows deeply upon hearing this.

She had to deal with so many people and matters after that day that she had no time to pay attention to Mei Qingdai, not knowing she had gone astray.

Wei Lai continued, "Although the second lady was rescued, she seemed mentally disturbed, repeatedly attempting to harm the child, declaring the child a cursed being to be strangled. Had it not been for her siblings-in-law restraining her, the child probably wouldn’t have survived."

Wei Zhuhua’s brows furrowed tighter as she listened.

The Yu family was crooked from the root, and the two grandsons raised by Mei Lvge were not good for anything—especially Yu Fuce, spoiled by Mei Lvge, while Yu Fusheng would at least put on a human façade towards others. Yet Yu Fuce was purely a beast in human skin, and it was a miracle Mei Qingdai could endure him for ten years; she was blameless in the marriage and shouldn’t have met such a fate.

"However, one day the second lady received a phone call. According to Mei Qingdai’s sister-in-law, after taking the call, she suddenly appeared normal and was much kinder to the child. Concerned about potential issues, Mei Qingdai’s sister-in-law checked her phone and discovered that she bought a ticket to Siland, departing tomorrow night."

Wei Zhuhua was taken aback, "She’s taking the child abroad? To Siland?"

"Yes, and the Mei family doesn’t know whether to stop her or not."

Wei Lai added, "The call to the second lady was an international call."

Wei Zhuhua pondered for a moment and said, "If I’m not mistaken, that call was from the child’s biological father."

Wei Lai nodded, confirming Wei Zhuhua’s speculation.

In fact, after understanding the story fully, Mei Qingdai’s siblings-in-law reached the same conclusion.

If that man truly cared for the mother and child, that’s fine, and no one should interfere with their reunion as a family. But if he’s unreliable, Mei Qingdai would merely be escaping from one peril to another.

Wei Zhuhua considered and said, "Relay a message to Mei Qingdai’s siblings-in-law for me. Don’t stop her, let her go. The current societal environment here is unsuitable for her and the child. It’s better to start afresh in another country—it’s beneficial for both her and the child."

"What if...?"

Understanding his concern, Wei Zhuhua said, "I have some connections in Siland. If her life there doesn’t go well, considering we’ve been sisters-in-law for ten years, I can arrange a livelihood for her and the child in Siland."

Wei Lai remarked, "Madam, your kindness is unparalleled."

Wei Zhuhua sighed, "I hope it brings good karma for Huanhuan, may the Bodhisattva bless Huanhuan to recover soon."

"Madam has a sincerely compassionate maternal heart, surely the Bodhisattva will hear."

"I certainly hope so."

Wei Zhuhua gazed out the window, "It’s snowing..."

Snowflakes cascaded from the sky, dyeing the world white, silent and serene.

"Before I leave, there’s someone I wish to see. Uncle Wei, could you arrange it?"

All those grudges should end here.

Shen You’an entered the teahouse, shaking off the snow as the warm air embraced her, making her shrug her shoulders against the snow and wind.

A waitress in a modern traditional dress led Shen You’an into a private room.

The woman sat quietly by the window, glancing at the snowy scene outside. On the tea table, a fire warmed the air, casting her beautiful and dignified side profile in the tea-scented mist.

In that moment, a line of ancient poetry came to Shen You’an’s mind.

Green ants in newly brewed wine, a small red-clay stove.

Outside the snow grazed heavily, yet indoors echoed a warmth akin to spring’s poetry. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Miss Wei, I’m late."

Shen You’an removed her coat, hanging it casually on a coat rack in the corner.

The woman smiled and nodded, "The wind and snow are fierce, being late is okay, I’ve been waiting patiently."

Shen You’an knelt on a cushion across from her.

Wei Zhuhua began brewing tea, her every move exuded ultimate grace.

Finally, a fragrant cup was presented in front of Shen You’an.

Shen You’an took a sip, "The tea is delightful, but the one brewing it is even more skilled."

"My maternal family runs a tea business, thus the craft of tea brewing has been passed down. As the tea classic states: for its water, use mountain streams foremost, river water second, well water worst. Yet in this world, there exists something superior to even mountain springs, does Miss Shen know?"

Shen You’an glanced at the falling snow outside the window, "Of course, it’s the water falling from the sky."

Wei Zhuhua laughed, "Miss Shen, indeed you are knowledgeable."

Shen You’an had no interest in indulging in idle tea-time chatter. She had many pressing matters to address and finding time to see her was in itself challenging.

Perhaps sensing the impatience hidden beneath Shen You’an’s calm exterior, Wei Zhuhua cut to the chase.

"Huanhuan has harmed you many times. As her mother, I bear the fault for not having raised her well. Even though an apology cannot erase the damage Huanhuan has done to you, I still must say, Miss Shen, I’m sorry. Whatever compensation you want, I’ll do my utmost to fulfill."

Wei Zhuhua’s gaze was profoundly sincere.

Shen You’an looked at her carefully, then shook her head.

"I do not accept."