Returning to the capital for the 50th time, here she was just a concubine's daughter of the Fang family

  In the spring of the fifth year of Qingyuan, in the late March when the spring light was bright and beautiful, like a romantic journey, packing up and preparing to return to the capital.

  Looking at the footprints that had been here for two years, thinking that it was estimated that this life would never be able to come back again, a sigh rose in my heart. The parting words with Mr. and Mrs. Zhiyi are not mentioned for the time being. With a lingering attachment, I boarded the light blue flat-top horse-drawn carriage with the mark of General Town's Mansion, and under the escort of several guards, returned to Beijing smoothly.

  The road from Datong to Beijing has no beautiful scenery, only vast expanse of yellow sand and desolate mountains with no human habitation. It wasn't until we left Ganzhou that we saw a bit of lively atmosphere. The weather was warm and sunny, flowers were blooming along the way, willows were green, the sky was clear, birds were flying freely, and the scenery was exceptionally beautiful. The gloominess I felt earlier due to parting had finally lifted.

  Like a gentle soul sitting in a spacious carriage, with thick sheepskin rugs under her, the carriage was bumpy but could be endured. Linglong poured a pot of fragrant Tieguanyin tea, handed it to Ruoqing, who took a light sip and placed it on a delicate lacquer flower saucer. The teacup was made of iron with a narrow mouth, placed on a small table with strong magnetic properties, the carriage bumped but it wouldn't easily spill over.

  Because there were no people on the official road, I simply brewed a pot of fragrant tea, arranged several plates of melons and fruits, opened the window to enjoy the view. The canopy of the horse carriage was made of cotton fabric, from inside looking out, it was a panoramic view without any obstruction, but outsiders found it difficult to see clearly what's inside. Along the way, we chatted and laughed, watching the busy farmers in the fields on both banks, as well as the occasional passing carriages and pedestrians, is this also considered a peaceful world?

  All the way, the girls were laughing and chattering, talking about this and that, and finally they talked about the gifts prepared for everyone in the capital. Linglong said: "Sister, when we return to the capital, it will be time for the hairpinning ceremony, I wonder what gifts the second and third sisters have prepared for you?"

  She smiled and took the iron tea lid, sliding it onto the cup, and said with a smile: "You, you're still thinking about those worldly things at this time. I'm not the same as before, I don't need those gifts."

  This time, Zhiyi really meant it. He knew that gold and silver jewelry took up space and were easy to remember, so he gave twenty silver tickets with a face value of 1,000 taels each and ten gold tickets with a face value of 100 taels. These silvers are enough for Ruyi to eat for a lifetime. But also let Ruyi come to the conclusion: Datong is indeed poor, but the poorer the place, the easier it is to make money. Zhiyi's unique general identity, official business collusion... cough, military and civilian cooperation to make money that is really impressive. Although still can't compare with those rich merchants' lavish spending, for Ruyi, Zhiyi is also a hidden wealthy man.

  Compared to the previous dead-end job with a meager salary but always broke, now she has become a super rich lady, with a thick wallet full of money and a plumper figure.

  Ruxi had already reached the age of hairpinning, and as she was not in Beijing, she also prepared a golden hairpin with a plum blossom pattern inlaid with red agate. The beautiful one was a crimson gold hairpin with a plum blossom-shaped pendant made of twisted silk threads. Old Lady Fang, Mr. and Mrs. Fang Jinglan, He Shi, Lin Shi, and the younger nephews and nieces had all prepared gifts.

  The carriage came all the way to Zhengyang Gate in Beijing, and saw that Zhou Fu's family was already waiting at the gate with a group of maidservants. As they sat in the carriage heading towards Fang's mansion, Yu Xiang asked Zhou Fu's wife about her health and what interesting things had happened in the mansion over the past two years while she was away.

  Zhou's mother smiled and said, "Old lady is still in good health, just missing Si Gu Niang a bit. As for our household, what big deal can there be? Good things are piling up." Then she briefly told Ru Qing about the affairs of the people in the mansion, "The old master has gone to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, and it's said that good news has already been sent back. It's estimated that he'll return to Beijing within half a year. According to what I've heard from above, Master is likely to be promoted again."

  As if clapping her hands in delight, she exclaimed: "It's truly a tremendous joy!" With her own father being promoted to office, as his daughter, she too would rise with the tide. How could she not be delighted?

  Zhou Fu's family smiled and said, "The old master has also been promoted to a high-ranking official and is now a fifth-grade Shangshu scholar. The third master has also passed the imperial examination and will soon set out to take up his post as a local official. The third mistress is packing her luggage."

  "Third Brother also passed the imperial examination? That's really great, it seems that good fortune has finally arrived after all the hardships." Zhi Lian was a person who had been favored in his youth but struggled in his young adulthood. In his early teens, he had shown exceptional talent and had written brilliant essays with ease. However, as he grew older, his abilities gradually declined. He had participated in the autumn examination twice before but failed to pass both times, which had greatly disappointed Fang Jinglan and earned him a severe scolding from Zhang Yiniang. Fortunately, Zhi Lian had persevered through all the pressure and worked hard to improve himself. In the end, he did not disappoint and passed the imperial examination, bringing honor back to the Fang family's scholarly reputation and upholding the traditional path of pursuing a career in government service. Although his ranking was one hundred twenty-seven, which was near the bottom, at least he had passed, as mentioned in He Shi's letter.

  After traveling for half a day, they arrived at the gate of Fang's mansion. At this time, the horse carriage directly entered the back yard of Fang's mansion and drove all the way to the second door. As soon as he got off the horse carriage, he stretched his waist and looked at the long-separated Fang's mansion, feeling an inexplicable sense of oppression rising from his feet.

  Now, she is no longer the young mistress of the General's Mansion who can do whatever she wants and walk sideways, but a daughter born out of wedlock, having to look up to her elders, please her older sister and brother-in-law, and pull along those below her in the Fang Manor.