Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 409 Separation_1

Chapter 409: Chapter 409 Separation_1

"Talking about it wasn’t difficult, but for the following few days, Shen Wenchen was out early and returned late, his face showing more and more signs of exhaustion each time."

"Knowing that he was busy with the matter of Qing Fenghan’s pacification and settlement, Nanzhi didn’t ask any more questions. She simply prepared meals every day and waited for his return."

"In the blink of an eye, the day arrived for Shen Miaomiao and others to leave Yan City for Kyoto."

"The Lin Family and the old partners from the Three Flavor Restaurant saw them off together."

"Seeing Aunt Guihua’s increasingly gaunt appearance, Mother Lin felt a pang in her heart."

"When everyone fled the famine together, even though life was tough, the eldest sister always had a smile on her face."

"Now that their lives had improved, she had lost that smiling demeanor."

"’Eldest sister, be careful on your way. Once you arrive in Kyoto, remember to write to me. Take this with you; it’ll give you something to remember us by when you’re in Kyoto,’ Mother Lin said, her eyes rimmed red as she held Aunt Guihua’s hand."

"Being away from their hometown, it was rare to have an acquaintance."

"The small package handed over by Mother Lin had a little purse on top of it."

"Embroidered on the purse were the characters for ’peace’."

"’Thank you, sister,’" Aunt Guihua said, her wan face showing a touch of emotion as she looked at Mother Lin’s reddening eyes and couldn’t help her nose from turning sour."

"They were both over forty years old, halfway into the grave, and it was unclear whether they would have another opportunity to meet after leaving Yan City."

"’Brother Shen, take care,’ Father Lin said to Shen Zhong, clapping him on the shoulder."

"Although Brother Shen was somewhat reserved and didn’t always join the conversation over tea, suddenly having to say goodbye was truly hard to bear."

"After all, they shared a bond forged by life-and-death experiences."

"People who had gone through hard times together couldn’t enjoy the good times together now."

"’Thank you, Big Brother Lin.’"

"Ever since the incident involving Shen Zhong, Shen San had turned into a mute, scarce uttering ten sentences in a day."

"Most of the time, he just sat in the courtyard, staring blankly towards the empty house."

"That was the house they had set aside for Shen Zhong when they first arrived in Yan City."

"Even without any news of Shen Zhong now, they all knew the truth deep down."

"They feared that their son was long gone."

"Nanzhi held Shen Miaomiao’s hand, unable to stop her tears from falling."

"Part of it was happiness for her."

"After three years, Shen Miaomiao and Zhiyu were finally about to achieve their happily ever after."

"Another part was sadness."

"She was sad that she was about to be separated from the best friend she had in this world."

"Once parted, there was no knowing when they would see each other again."

"’Sister Nanzhi, it’s okay,’ Shen Miaomiao said, dabbing at Nanzhi’s tear-streaked cheeks with a handkerchief, her tone tinged with reluctance and helplessness."

"She didn’t want to leave Yan City."

"To leave the place where they had finally settled down."

"But after what had happened, taking her parents far from this place of sorrow was the best choice."

"’Be careful in Kyoto. There are many nobles there, and remember not to offend anyone lightly,’"

Nanzhi advised, although her words sounded somewhat harsh, they were practical in reality."

"Although Zhiyu now held an official position, in the Capital City, where a square inch of land could crush three officials, one had to be cautious."

"Besides, with both the male and female leads in Kyoto, there was fear that Miaomiao might inadvertently get caught up in events again."

"After all, in the original text, Shen Miaomiao might not have been a major character but she did have a significant role."

"’Okay, I understand.’"

Shen Miaomiao nodded earnestly, taking Nanzhi’s words to heart.

"Since ancient times, marriage has been about matching social status, yet my family background does not match that of Number Twelve’s. Once I truly arrive in Capital City, I will only be laughed at by other ladies and mistresses."

"Miaomiao, if there’s anything, you must remember to tell me," Nanzhi said, looking at Shen Miaomiao with especially serious eyes.

"Also, be careful of Su Tao."

In the book, Su Tao, with the help of a system, greedily accumulated a vast number of points, but those points were all drawn from the favorability others felt toward her, absorbing their fortune.

While those whose fortune was absorbed wouldn’t suffer too severe consequences, they would still feel weak for a time.

In the long run, it would completely take over someone’s fortune for oneself.

Shen Miaomiao was startled, not understanding why Nanzhi would warn her to be careful of Su Tao, but when she looked into her extremely sincere eyes, she obediently nodded in agreement.

"Alright."

Sister Nanzhi would never deceive me, just trust her.

"When you get to Capital City, don’t stay in the inner quarters for too long. If you have any ambitions, be bold and pursue them, but also be careful not to become too conspicuous."

Without much experience of her own, Nanzhi could only share with Shen Miaomiao the knowledge she had, bit by bit.

"Number Twelve, once you’re in Capital City, remember to be kinder to Shen Miaomiao. You mustn’t chill her heart," Shen Wenchen said to Number Twelve, patting his shoulder with a weighty voice.

"I understand, Brother Shen. I will definitely treat Miaomiao well," said Number Twelve, thumping his chest in assurance.

Miaomiao was the first girl he had ever fallen for, and she would also be the last.

"You lad, if you say something and fail to follow through, I, as her brother, will not let you off the hook," Shen Wenchen said with a grin, giving Number Twelve a firm slap on the shoulder, making him stagger, almost falling over.

In the last life, Shen Miaomiao had helped raised Zhiyu for him, and in this life, she had supported him and his mother; by all accounts, she was his benefactor.

After bidding farewell, even the clerks from San Wei Residence came to greet them, and only then did Number Twelve and his entourage set off.

Number Eleven was supposed to return to the capital with him, but now he stayed behind because of Qing Fenghan’s business.

Watching their caravan disappear into the distance, Aze, who was hiding in the crowd, turned around and left with a cold face.

The caravan consisted of three carriages and six guards: Shen Family’s parents in one carriage, Shen Miaomiao in another, and Number Twelve rode his horse alongside Shen Miaomiao’s carriage.

"Miaomiao, Aze was there just now," said Number Twelve, who, as a martial artist, had noticed that person earlier.

But due to the status of a romantic rival, he had not stepped forward.

Having felt awkward about it the entire journey, he ultimately chose to tell her.

Shen Miaomiao, who had been sitting in the carriage resting with her eyes closed, opened her eyes when she heard Number Twelve’s somewhat sullen voice.

"I know, I saw him," said Shen Miaomiao, looking up gently at Number Twelve, her eyes curved in a tender smile that stalled the youth on the horse.

"Is, is that so..." Number Twelve stammered, suddenly wishing he could slap himself twice.

Why did he have to blurt out that question!

"Yes, I know he was hiding in the crowd," Shen Miaomiao nodded, pausing for a moment before continuing.

"I understand his feelings, but I don’t have any other thoughts about him. Since I can’t reciprocate, I shouldn’t give him any hope.

It’s good of him to come and see me off; at least he will let go of me in the future.

And besides, the one I care about is you, so naturally, I wouldn’t want you to misunderstand anything."

The young girl spoke in a light tone, her eyes only reflecting the sight of the boy whose lips were slightly upturned.

"I feel the same way," he replied.

The sound of hooves clipping the ground and wheels rolling over the dirt left a trail of fading prints.