After listening to Feng Pengju's account, Madam Li fell silent.
"Perhaps the Emperor summoned you back in such a hurry precisely for this reason, using your offer of the Prime Minister's position as bait, with the true intention of having Xiao Yue marry the Crown Prince."
Feng Pengju shook his head slightly at this. "I don't believe that. I think the Crown Prince spoke from the heart at the time. Later, Bai Han came to probe me, and I refused."
Madam Li looked at Feng Pengju with admiration. "Husband, you did the right thing. Since Xiao Yue is already betrothed to Fang Jun, we cannot break our word."
"Indeed, for this reason, the old Prime Minister was also implicated and was forced by the Emperor to return to his hometown to live in retirement," Feng Pengju sighed again.
Hearing this, Madam Li was silent for a long while, then she sighed softly. "If that's the case, shouldn't we also leave?"
Feng Pengju greatly appreciated Madam Li's words and nodded slightly. "Yes, I also want to leave. Tomorrow I will inform the Emperor that I miss my daughter deeply and wish to spend more time with her."
No sooner said than done. The next morning, the couple changed into new clothes and went to the imperial palace to request an audience with the Emperor. Xiao An, upon hearing the report, acted magnanimously and received them in the imperial study.
Upon entering the imperial study, Feng Pengju and Madam Li stepped forward a few paces and knelt together, kowtowing.
While kowtowing, Feng Pengju said loudly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your keen judgment and for clearing the charges against this humble subject."
Xiao An appeared very pleased and waved his hand with a smile. "My dear minister, there is no need for such formality."
"Please rise."
Feng Pengju and his wife, Madam Li, stood up and stood with their hands behind their backs.
Xiao An smiled and looked at Feng Pengju. "My dear minister, you have just returned from the frontier. You should rest at home for a few days first. I cannot have you working as soon as you return."
Although it sounded like concern, Feng Pengju knew the unspoken meaning: how long would he have to wait to hold an official position? It was hard to say.
With this thought, Feng Pengju bowed again. "I beg Your Majesty's grace, to permit me to leave the capital for a few days. Having just returned from the frontier, I wish to visit my hometown and see my elderly parents."
Xiao An naturally understood that this was a pretext. He could say he was returning to his hometown, but once he left the capital, he could go wherever he pleased. The Emperor would certainly not send people to investigate whether he had truly returned to his hometown.
However, this was precisely Feng Pengju's cleverness. If he had directly said he wanted to find Feng Xiao Yue, he might have incurred the Emperor's displeasure.
Although he knew it was a pretext, Feng Pengju's reason was perfectly valid. In an era where filial piety could lead to official positions, visiting one's parents was such a righteous, sympathetic, and admirable reason.
With this in mind, Xiao An nodded decisively. "Very good. Then you may return to your hometown to visit them. We will discuss matters further upon your return."
Xiao An did not give Feng Pengju a specific timeframe, nor did he clearly state what position he would arrange for him upon his return. In plain terms, it was "you go back first, and we'll see about what you do when you get back, depending on my mood."
The Emperor's words were ambiguous, but Feng Pengju's mood improved considerably. The Emperor not setting a deadline meant he could stay away for as long as he wished. As long as he properly reported to the Bureau of Officials, he could be located if needed in the future.
After returning home, Feng Pengju immediately began making arrangements to travel to Qing Niu County. Meanwhile, in Hetou Village, a somber atmosphere of farewell filled the air.
Early in the morning, the Crown Prince's personal guards had already departed. Now, as noon approached, another farewell was taking place: Shen Zi Yan and Xiao Hua.
Chen Xiao Bei stopped at the main gate after seeing them off.
Cui Hong Yu, holding Shen Zi Yan's hand, walked along the path, past the large locust tree, and straight to the village entrance.
Wiping away tears, Cui Hong Yu bowed ninety degrees to Shen Zi Yan. "Sister Zi Yan, I am so grateful for your help this time. Without you holding the fort here, I fear..."
Shen Zi Yan wiped away her tears. "Sister Hong Yu, I understand how you feel. I studied with Huang Ying for ten years, and you and I have been together for many years. You are as dear to me as the palm and back of my hand. If you are in trouble, I will naturally help."
After speaking, Shen Zi Yan glanced into the distance and then raised her hand to wipe away the tears from her eyes.
"Sister Hong Yu, from now on, this place will be entrusted to you. Rest assured, I have already spoken to Chen Xiao Bei in advance. If he ever bullies you, I will not let him get away with it."
Cui Hong Yu nodded tearfully. "Alright, I've noted it down. I've noted it all. Please be careful on your journey."
With that, the two embraced tightly again and parted tearfully.
Cui Hong Yu watched Shen Zi Yan leave until she disappeared from sight. Only then did she reluctantly withdraw her gaze and look at Du Juan beside her.
"Miss Du Juan, you will have to endure many hardships staying here."
Du Juan shook her head. "I must mourn for my lady, for a lifetime."
Cui Hong Yu said no more, but instead took Du Juan's hand and returned. She knew that no amount of persuasion would be useful for Du Juan at this moment; time was the best medicine, capable of healing all sorrow.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiao Bei had already left his home and was sitting by the small river, lost in thought as he gazed at the water.
He couldn't muster the courage to see Shen Zi Yan off, so he came to the riverbank instead.
Chen Qiao'er clearly understood her brother's sadness and nestled quietly in his arms, without a word.
Suddenly, a large fish leaped out of the water not far away, rising about a foot above the surface before splashing back in.
"Look, a big fish!" Chen Qiao'er exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the river, but then seemed to realize something and quickly stopped herself.
Seeing the restrained Chen Qiao'er, Chen Xiao Bei's nose began to ache.
He believed that Chen Qiao'er had affection for Huang Ying, but children were more innocent. Seeing something new, they could not suppress their excitement and curiosity.
But what was wrong with children? It was merely an expression of their nature.
With this thought, Chen Xiao Bei raised his hand and gently pinched Chen Qiao'er's cheek. "Do you want to eat fish?"
Chen Qiao'er looked at him and then nodded timidly.
"Alright, let's go get the fishing net." Chen Xiao Bei stood up, took Chen Qiao'er's hand, and walked back to the old house.
After finding the long-unused net, they returned to the river. Just then, Cui Hong Yu, pulling Du Juan, also came back. Seeing them preparing to fish, Cui Hong Yu's expression seemed to lighten. She also wished that Chen Xiao Bei could quickly overcome his grief.
That evening, the four of them gathered for a delicious fish soup.
Chen Xiao Bei's appetite had clearly improved somewhat. Besides the fish soup, he also had a small cup of wine.
Seeing Chen Xiao Bei's expression soften slightly, Cui Hong Yu tentatively said, "Husband, we cannot remain sad forever. The work that needs to be done must be done. We must pull ourselves together."