The burning down of the Jiutangshan Villa and the rescue of the woman hidden in the dungeon were no doubt earth - shattering events for the Wang family.
However, due to Wang Chongling suffering a stroke from extreme anger, he was unable to speak clearly and simply couldn't explain what had happened.
He tried to ask his servant for paper and a brush, planning to write down his instructions. But his fingers just wouldn't curl, let alone hold a brush to write.
After the old Lady Wang learned the reason, that someone from the Chenzhou commercial firm had brought the news, she flew into a rage and wanted to arrest the messenger. However, the young servant who had rushed from Chenzhou to deliver the news had seen Wang Chongling spitting blood in anger because of his message. Afraid of being blamed, he had already fled during the chaos!
Wang Shijiang, who had just left, rushed back after hearing the news. Seeing Wang Chongling in such a half - dead state, his face grew even darker.
The Wang family couldn't be without a head to manage affairs for a single day. With the strong support of the old Lady Wang, Wang Shijiang temporarily took over the power of managing the Wang family.
All that was happening in Shengjing City was unknown to Cang Xuan and Su Yuanyuan, who were far away in the Zitan Mountains of Xingzhou.
It was late at night. Cang Xuan was about to go to bed when suddenly there came a few knocks on the door.
Thinking of the little girl who had passed out drunk beside the tomb, the corner of his lips curled up. He got up and walked to open the door, but he paused when he saw the figure outside.
Shu Moyun was holding a jar of wine in her hand. She looked at him with a smile and said, "What, are you really disappointed to see it's me?"
Quickly regaining his composure, Cang Xuan coughed lightly and respectfully called out "Mother", then invited her in.
After entering the room, Shu Moyun looked around. She sighed, "This is the place where you've lived for more than twenty years. It's a pity that I couldn't be with you all the time to witness every moment of your life here."
Looking at the furnishings in the room, Shu Moyun could imagine how Cang Xuan had lived here, and her heart softened.
Walking to the table, Shu Moyun saw a mechanical part that Cang Xuan had placed on it. She bent down to pick it up, took a look, and laughed, "Your master said that you've read all the books I left behind and learned the things in them. I didn't quite believe it at first, but now seeing this, I know what he said is true."
She even joked, "The old hermit has taught a little hermit. This is beyond my expectation."
Cang Xuan didn't say a word. He just stood there, letting Shu Moyun look around.
This was the second time the mother - son duo were alone together since their conversation on the big boat at Lingyang Ferry.
These days, in order to hurry on their journey, Shu Moyun, Su Yuanyuan, and Wang Yue had been staying in the carriage. There had been no more opportunities for the mother and son to talk alone.
Regarding everything Shu Moyun had mentioned that night, Cang Xuan had a lot of questions in his heart. But when he was really alone with her, he didn't know where to start.
Shu Moyun turned around and saw Cang Xuan standing there with a somewhat gloomy expression. She knew that he still hadn't fully let go of his concerns.
She asked, "Are you still thinking about what I said to you on Lingyang Ferry?"
"If you still have any doubts, let's be honest with each other here today, mother and son."
"Mother, are you really not the least bit resentful towards that man?" Cang Xuan said, "It's been twenty - one years. He's been on the throne for twenty - one years. He's no longer the puppet at the mercy of the noble families. But he's never once sent anyone to look for your whereabouts. As a result, you had to stay in that dark dungeon for five years."
"And he, sitting firmly on the dragon throne in Shengjing, has taken many concubines into his harem. He has countless children. He has long betrayed the vows you made when you got married."
Mentioning this, there was a momentary look of desolation on Shu Moyun's face. Cang Xuan could tell that she was also hurt by this.
"Mother, can you really accept sharing a husband with many other women?"
Yes, could she really be completely at ease and have no complaints?
Over the years, although she had been trying to convince herself, how could her heart not be in pain?
However, she still held a glimmer of hope, hoping that her Cilang would remember their vows.
Shu Moyun lowered her head and gave a bitter smile. She poured a bowl of wine for Cang Xuan and said, "If you've read the letters and books I left behind, you'll know where I'm from. Monogamy is the rule in our world. But in the Great Chu, it's normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines."
"Back then when I got married to Cilang, he was already under great pressure to refuse to take concubines. Especially after he became the crown prince, the pressure on him was even greater. The former emperor pressured him, and the court officials impeached him. With just him and your grandfather, how long could they hold on to protect me, the crown princess?"
"Even if I hadn't left back then, the vows we made when we got married probably wouldn't have lasted long. This is the responsibility that an emperor has to bear. If he could stay true to me, I would naturally be happy. If not, I can't force him according to the standards of our world."
Shu Moyun said, "This time when we return to Shengjing, we'll surely take back what used to belong to us. If you're going to sit on that throne in the future, you'll also face the persuasion of the court officials and the pressure to have imperial heirs."
"I understand this. But I, Xiao Yunjian, am different." Cang Xuan said firmly, "He, Xiao Ce, couldn't protect his woman, but I can. The things he, Xiao Ce, couldn't do, I can. Even if I have to be against the whole world, I won't let my mother and the woman I love suffer the slightest bit of grievance. Since I've made a promise, I'll never betray it."
Shu Moyun couldn't help but laugh. She reached out to straighten his collar, her eyes full of pride, "Mother knows you can. Mother also looks forward to you changing this world. I'm starting to look forward to the days after we return to the capital. It must be very interesting. Come, let's drink this bowl of wine to celebrate our family reunion and our return to Shengjing."
Shu Moyun picked up the wine jar, gently clinked it against the wine bowl on the table, and then raised her head to drink the wine from the jar.
Cang Xuan also picked up the wine bowl and drank the clear wine in one gulp.
...
When Shu Moyun knocked on Cang Xuan's door, Su Yuanyuan came to Wang Yue's room next door.
"Yuanyuan sister, we'll be going to Shengjing City soon. But for some reason, I'm a bit nervous. Can you tell me what Shengjing City is like? How is it different from Chenzhou City?" Wang Yue held the teacup in her hand and asked carefully.
"Shengjing is the most prosperous city in the Great Chu. Just the city gate is extremely grand. Inside the city, it's divided into four areas according to the four directions. The roads are well - connected, with carriages and horses coming and going constantly, and pedestrians never ceasing. It gathers the finest goods in the world. Tea, cloth, jewelry..."
Su Yuanyuan described the prosperity of Shengjing City in detail for Wang Yue.
"The most famous restaurant in Shengjing is called 'Zhenxuan Lou'. The building itself is four stories high. Sitting on the top floor of Zhenxuan Lou, you can overlook the bustling streets and buildings in Shengjing. But what people miss the most is their dishes. They don't repeat for a whole month!"
"When Sister Wang Yue gets to Shengjing, Yuanyuan will definitely take you to every corner of the city."
Wang Yue looked longing and nodded vigorously.
She then asked, "Is Li Cuihua really in Shengjing City?"
"If it turns out that the person isn't Li Cuihua in the end, will Sister Wang Yue be angry with me?" Su Yuanyuan asked with a smile.