Harem Daily Life

Chapter 1085 He Jin'an Leaves Beijing

While Madam Su was still somewhat hesitant, Su Xing had already seen the reality. No matter how difficult things were outside, it was better than being completely exploited by the second wife in the Su family.

"Mother, please listen to your daughter. I've been to school and can go out and find work. You also have more than three thousand taels of silver. We won't be worse off than we are now."

Meeting her daughter's expectant gaze, Madam Su finally made up her mind to move out.

"Tomorrow I will ask Butler Zhang to help look after the house. It doesn't matter if it's small, as long as it's enough for my daughter and me to live in. Once the house is settled, we will move in."

Su Xing smiled brightly; this was the first time she had smiled so comfortably since her father's passing.

The Zhou family originally thought the Su family would give them news soon, and after discussing the arrangements, they would invite them over to discuss the marriage. However, seven or eight days passed without any news. During this time, Hua Ruyan caused a ruckus several times, turning the Zhou family's backyard into a chaotic mess. In the end, the Zhou family had no choice but to invite Hua's mother again, hoping that she could persuade Hua Ruyan.

Mother Hua did come, but not to offer guidance; she came to deliver a message to Hua Ruyan—they were going to Qianzhou with Hua Yurong.

Upon hearing that her parents were leaving, Hua Ruyan's expression immediately changed: "Mother, our Hua family has finally gained a foothold in the capital and expanded our cloth business. Can't you just stay in the capital and protect your assets? Besides, I've only just returned to the capital, and you're already going to Qianzhou, which is so far away. How will we ever see each other again?"

Mother Hua said calmly, "I only have two children, you and your sister. When we get old, someone will take care of us and see us off in our old age. Prince Jin dotes on your sister and has specially arranged for us to accompany him to take care of me and your father. There's no reason for us not to go. As for the business in the capital, Steward Zhao is there. He can just send the banknotes and account books to Qianzhou regularly. Prince Jin has already arranged everything, so you don't need to worry about it."

Hua Ruyan retorted angrily, "What about me? Don't Father and Mother care about me?"

Madam Hua sighed, "It's not that we don't want to manage it, it's that we can't. In the end, it's all because you were foolish to insist on becoming his concubine, which has led to this embarrassing situation today." After saying that, Madam Hua still loved her daughter and reminded her, "We gave you a dowry of 150,000 taels of silver, which is enough for you to live on. Just calm down and stay in the inner quarters peacefully. The Zhou family won't make things difficult for a concubine like you."

Hua Ruyan said with dissatisfaction: "They are about to bring in a thirteen-year-old girl to ride on my head, and they still say it's not difficult? Humph, if Mother really cares about me, she should ask Prince Jin to put pressure on the Zhou family and tell them not to treat me so badly."

The conversation kept circling back to this topic, and Hua Mu had lost her patience.

"In short, if you want to see me off the day after tomorrow, arrive at the city gate early. If you don't want to, then forget it."

When this daughter was taken into the Zhou family as a concubine, Madam Hua acted as if she had never given birth to her.

Hua Ruyan remained silent for three whole days, but on the day Hua Yuerong left the capital with her parents, she finally went to the city gate.

She squeezed through the bustling crowd and finally managed to reach the inner circle. When Madam Hua saw her, she had Hua Yue Rong's maid lead her over.

Hua Yurong had nothing to say to her younger sister, so she asked her parents to say goodbye to Hua Ruyan and went to He Jin'an's place.

Tao Yanyan was saying goodbye to He Jinan. Her eyes were a little red, but she was still smiling.

"When you arrive in Qianzhou, remember to prioritize agriculture and develop the economy. Have Yue Rong help you build some workshops to benefit the local people."

He Jin'an smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, Mother. I will read the book of good strategies that you gave me every day."

He Linzhang patted He Jin'an's arm: "Qianzhou is a prosperous place with three mountains, two rivers, and five parts farmland. Don't let me down."

He Jin'an replied solemnly, "Yes, I will follow Father's teachings."

When Tao Yanyan saw Hua Yurong coming over, she took her hand and said, "Did you bring the prescription that Physician Liu gave you? Take good care of yourself and give His Majesty a good grandson in a couple of years."

Hua Yue Rong's ears turned red, and she didn't dare to answer.

Seeing that the children also wanted to say goodbye to He Jin'an, Tao Yanyan had no choice but to pull He Linzhang back to the imperial carriage, leaving the children alone.

He Yinuo said with a regretful expression, "If it weren't for Mother's disapproval, I would have liked to go out with my second brother a long time ago. I've never been to Qianzhou before!"

Hua Yuerong gave her a playful glare: "Mother is waiting for Fifth Sister to take over the throne, we wouldn't dare to kidnap you."

He Yucheng fought back tears and stepped forward to hug He Jin'an: "Second brother, take care on your journey, have a safe trip, and write to me often."

He Jin'an patted He Yucheng on the shoulder. This younger brother, whom he had raised since childhood, had finally grown into a strong and upright young man.

"Go along with Father Emperor on many things. After all, he has been on the throne for decades, and his decisions must have their reasons." Disagreements between father and son can easily lead to discord among those with ulterior motives. The most feared thing for a monarch and his crown prince is to become estranged.

He Yucheng naturally understood his second brother's intentions and nodded solemnly.

He Xiaobao clung to He Jin'an's leg, saying, "Second Brother, don't forget me! If you have time, be sure to come back often!"

"Yes, yes, I also want to hear Second Brother tell a story!" He Xiaoliu said eagerly.

He Jin'an pinched the cheeks of his two younger brothers. He had taken care of these two little ones the most, and he was the one who almost always put them to sleep when they were little.

"Don't worry, your second brother will write back once he gets there and test your studies."

He Xiaobao: “…”

He Xiaoliu: “…”

After a thousand miles of farewells, it is inevitable that we must part ways. He Jin'an, along with his personal guards and some members of the Hua family, set off in a grand procession. As Tao Yanyan watched the procession disappear into the distance, she recalled the scene of seeing the young He Jin'an in the crowd that year.

Such a tiny little boy, with big, bright eyes, wearing tattered clothes, and barefoot, walked out of the crowd, exposing the evil deeds of the swindlers with his unclear speech. The righteous power in him made the little boy shine, and his thin body made Tao Yanyan feel very sorry for him.

In the blink of an eye, that child has grown up, started a family, and has his own life to experience, leaving the protection of his parents to forge his own path.

Time flies like an arrow; her connection with this world has already lasted for twenty years...

He Linzhang gently squeezed her hand: "He will return to the capital for the year-end performance review, and we will see each other again then. There is no need to be sad."

Tao Yanyan snapped out of her daze and nodded slightly.

He Yinuo and the two little ones went out of the palace for some fresh air. Not wanting to go back immediately, they begged Tao Yanyan to allow them to play outside for half a day and return to the palace in the evening.

He Yucheng stood aside, longing in his heart, but did not join in the plea. He was the crown prince, and half a day of playing around was probably not an option.

Tao Yanyan frowned and asked He Linzhang for his opinion. He Linzhang glanced at He Yucheng and said, "The Crown Prince is steady. Let him take them for a stroll around the city. They must return to the palace before the gates are locked."

A smile visibly appeared on He Yucheng's face, but he quickly regained his serious expression: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey your command and take good care of my younger brother and sister."