The Exiled Life of the Noble Girl-Chapter 166: Parting

Wang Chunhua knew Li Mingwei would leave next year, and she could hardly bear to be apart from her. Whenever she had free time, she would bring along Xiao Yan to keep Li Mingwei company for a chat.

Li Mingwei smiled, "Sister, why don't you just come with me if you can't bear to part with me?"

"That won't do."

They had no special skills, so how would they make a living in the Capital City? Even if her family was well-off, she couldn't always rely on others to support her. Besides, she still had her parents - the elderly couple wasn't that young anymore. She couldn't go to such a faraway place.

"I'm not asking you to stay in the Capital City. You can come visit for some fun when you're free."

She didn't want to linger in the Capital City for too long. How could she put Wang Chunhua in such a difficult position? But it wouldn't be bad to go there occasionally to see the bustling scene.

Alas~

If she could, she would prefer to stay in Qingshi Town for her whole life.

Seeing her somewhat saddened, Wang Chunhua quickly consoled her, "Go ahead, and I'll visit you when Xiao Yan is a bit older."

Xiao Yan didn't have much memory at the moment. It would be a pity to visit a great place only to forget everything after returning.

"Then it's settled!"

"Yes!"

The snow in Qingshi Town was still heavy, and the eaves in the distance were all covered. Wang Chunhua couldn't see clearly, only knowing that after the snow melted, those who were leaving would have to depart.

Before they left, she specially stewed some mutton soup for Li Mingwei, who politely drank two big bowls, just like the first winter when she arrived.

In the blink of an eye, Li Mingwei had been in Qingshi Town for over three years. It was indeed time for her to return. Some things had to be faced eventually, especially since he was still waiting for her.

After pondering, Li Mingwei handed the keys to the Liu Family's house to Mr. Jin, "If you're free, please help us check on the place from time to time."

Mr. Jin smiled and shook his head, "I'm at this age, yet you're still giving me tasks."

She insisted on putting the keys in his hand, "Oh, you're still full of vigor, Mr. Jin."

He might not be able to return to his hometown, so he should have a place to spend his retirement. Giving him the keys would provide him with another option.

Hu Jin, standing by, patted his chest, "Sister-in-law, rest assured, I'll take good care of Mr. Jin."

The previous failure didn't defeat Hu Jin. He was still at the school, studying while earning money, waiting for the next County Exam.

Li Mingwei lent him all the books Liu Yizhu had left at home, laughing, "We'll wait for Big Brother Hu to return them."

Hu Jin scratched his head shyly and nodded heavily.

Lord Tang knew it would be inconvenient for them to travel with two children, so he specially sent servants from the mansion to fetch them by carriage. Their belongings weren't many, and they were soon packed.

Old Lady Wang was a bit unhappy by the side. She had packed everything neatly, but Li Mingwei said they wouldn't need it and threw it all away.

Li Mingwei had no choice. Old Lady Wang even wanted to bring bowls, chopsticks, and jars. With the jolting on the road, it was uncertain whether they could arrive at the county town intact.

"Madam Liu, everything is packed."

"Good."

The servant helped Old Lady Wang onto the carriage and Li Mingwei passed the children to her. Turning around, she hugged Wang Chunhua, "Sister, if you want to visit me, just go to the county town and tell Lord Tang. He'll make arrangements for you."

Wang Chunhua pushed her away, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, and urged, "Alright, hurry up now, or you'll be late."

"Yes."

Li Mingwei choked back her sobs, hugged Aunt Cui beside her, and boarded the carriage with reddened eyes.

The servant lowered the carriage curtain. Hearing the faint sobbing inside, he smiled and nodded at everyone before quickly driving the carriage away.

Wang Chunhua watched the carriage disappear from sight, finally unable to hold back as she collapsed into Dong Shan's embrace, crying inconsolably, "How will Sister get to drink the mutton soup I stewed for her in the future?"

Dong Shan's eyes reddened as he gently stroked her back, speechless.

Li Mingwei didn't depart immediately. She stayed at the Tang Mansion, bringing Old Lady Wang back to the Embroidery Workshop she had said she wouldn't enter again.

Now that she was returning to the Capital City, she might have to take them to her family's home soon. It would be better to prepare some new clothes in advance, in case there wasn't enough time later.

Besides Old Lady Wang, she couldn't neglect her two children either. She carefully selected good quality items for them. As for herself, besides clothes, Li Mingwei indulgently bought some jewelry and makeup for her return home.

She didn't have much money left, but she had to maintain a proper appearance.

Watching Li Mingwei take out handfuls of silver from her pockets, Old Lady Wang looked at her differently, "Where did you get so much money?"

"It's my own."

Old Lady Wang stammered, "You... you can earn so much money?"

"My family gave it to me before."

"Oh, oh..." Old Lady Wang had heard from others that Li Mingwei's parents used to be in business but went bankrupt. They gave Li Mingwei a dowry and ran away after marrying her off to a businessman.

Perhaps they had left her some money, as she was their own daughter after all.

Still, Old Lady Wang felt pained. She went forward and hugged the silver on the counter, embarrassed, "Let's not make those clothes for me. It's too expensive. Just make them for you all."

"Mother, your son is now an official ranked sixth grade. If you don't dress well, wouldn't that be a disgrace to him?"

Old Lady Wang looked down at her old clothes and tested, "Then when we get to the Capital City, I just won't go out. If no one sees me, it won't be a disgrace, right?" 𝒻𝓇ℯ𝘦𝘸𝑒𝑏𝓃𝑜𝓿𝘦𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓶

Li Mingwei...

"Mother!"

"You can't stay indoors forever, can you?"

Before Old Lady Wang could say more, Li Mingwei was too lazy to argue with her and directly pried her hands off to pay the shopkeeper.

During the few days of waiting for the clothes to be made, Li Mingwei took the two children to a pharmacy to have a doctor examine their health and prescribe some emergency medicines. She then slowly prepared for their departure.

Dong Shan saw them off at the city gate, bowing, "I'll have to trouble you to help take care of Jue."

Li Mingwei quickly supported him, "Classmate, there's no need to be so courteous."

"It's only proper." What he had done for her was merely repaying the debt of her sending Tang Jue to school. When she returned, her status would be vastly different. He should show her more respect if he needed to trouble her.

Old Lady Wang watched wide-eyed by the side, not understanding what Lord Tang was doing or what he meant by "classmate."

Before they left, Dong Shan had already sent word to the Capital City. Tang Housekeeper calculated the days and arranged for people to wait for them at the city gate. However, considering the children, Li Mingwei often had to stop and rest whenever they had walked for a while, so they arrived much later than he had expected.

They were all servants from the Tang Family who knew each other. Seeing their fellow servants from afar, the servant rushed over and jumped onto the carriage, whispering, "Madam Liu, shall we return now? The family has been eagerly awaiting you all for so long."

Old Lady Wang lifted the carriage curtain, peeking out. She would soon see her son and grew happier by the day on their journey. However, Li Mingwei became more dejected with each passing day. Seeing the city gate ahead, she almost fainted from suffocation.

She was unwilling to look any further, retreating back into the carriage. But Old Lady Wang was overjoyed, "So this is the Capital City? This city gate is much bigger than the one in our county town!"

The driver laughed in reply, "Yes, much bigger."

"How much did it cost to build this?"

The driver didn't know and could only shake his head. Li Mingwei pulled Old Lady Wang back inside and lowered the carriage curtain, "Let's hurry. They must be having their dinner by now."

The distance to her residence wasn't far from here.