Chapter 1124: Way of the World
Editor: Henyee Translations
But it started to rain heavily around three in the afternoon. The escorts, as well as Lixia and Liqiu, were all very glad that they had stayed for the night. Otherwise, they would have been caught in the rain without any shelter.
Qiao Xuan smiled – she had sensed the change in weather!
With her foresight, they returned to the province smoothly on October 18th.
It was four in the afternoon when they arrived in the town. Qiao Xuan decided to visit the Yuezheng Family directly.
First Madame was both surprised and happy to see her. She greeted them warmly and invited them inside.
Qiao Xuan also felt a sense of closeness, as if she were back at home.
First Madame looked concerned when she noticed Qiao Xuan coming home alone. She asked nervously, thinking that something might have happened between her and Shao Yunduan.
Hearing that she was just worried about her family and properties, First Madame let out a sigh of relief and started to chant prayers for their well-being.
Qiao Xuan sighed emotionally – she and Shao Yunduan were in a good relationship, and they had been through so many dangers together. Yet, Aunt Yuezheng was still concerned about what would happen between them. It showed how cautious and protective women had to be in this era – they had little control over their fate.
It all depended on whether the man would change his mind.
Qiao Xuan had to go home first, so they gathered their belongings and left the following morning. They were planning to stay a couple more days before returning to the capital.
First Madame was quick to act. The very next day after Qiao Xuan’s departure, the Yuezheng Family’s servants arrived with two wagons filled with all kinds of food, clothes, and entertainment.
Seeing the wagons, Qiao Xuan suddenly realized what was going on.
Yes, she was returning from the capital, and from her perspective, it was more convenient to travel light, so she didn’t bring many belongings. But in the eyes of the villagers, it might seem like she and Shao Yunduan had nothing in the capital.
To the villagers, the quant.i.ty of belongings she brought back was a direct reflection of how well they were doing in the city.
If they didn’t bring much, people might start speculating that they were struggling to survive.
Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan themselves didn’t care about these rumors, but her Aunt Yuezheng understood the importance of appearances in the village. If such rumors spread, it could be detrimental to their family’s reputation and even attract unwanted attention from greedy individuals.
Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but feel grateful to her aunt for her quick thinking. She realized how naïve she had been about such matters.
“Thank you, Aunt!” Qiao Xuan bowed to First Madame. “Without your help, I might have faced serious trouble!”
First Madame smiled and pulled her up. “No need to be so formal with me. You are still young, and it’s perfectly normal not to think about these things yet. The fact that you made up your mind so quickly shows maturity beyond your age!”
Qiao Xuan smiled shyly, feeling humbled by the experience.
Dealing with such matters was indeed a c.u.mbersome task, regardless of one’s age. She admired her aunt’s foresight and understanding of the world.