Chapter 122: Parting Ways

Chapter 122

Parting Ways

Compared to the time when Nie Shuang had fled to Huangjing City, the journey to the capital this time was much more comfortable. With the Hou accompanying them, they could stop at official post stations along the way. Whenever they stayed at an inn, the Hou would rent an entire floor and give the best room to Nie Shuang and the grandchildren. However, Nie Shuang found it unnecessary and often opted for a slightly less luxurious room.

The triplets had never traveled long distances before. Initially, they were a bit exhausted from sitting in the carriage all day, but once they adjusted, their lively spirits returned. Still, a carriage was hardly a suitable place for children. With no room to play, they were often restless. Occasionally, the Hou and Xu Shi would take Xiao Hua Hua to their carriage to play. Not only would she get to enjoy delicious treats, but their affectionate granddaughter would always return with valuable gifts. Her two brothers, on the other hand, didn’t seem to know how to win over their grandparents in the same way.

Sometimes, Xu Shi would join Nie Shuang in her carriage and help care for the children. Over time, she had grown closer to Nie Shuang and had come to genuinely care for her daughter-in-law. The more time they spent together, the more Xu Shi admired Nie Shuang’s wisdom and grace. However, when she thought about her husband’s agreement with their old friend, Master Chen, Xu Shi felt troubled. One day, she broached the subject with Nie Shuang.

"Has Qilin told you about Yuelan?"

"Yes,"

Nie Shuang nodded. The matter of Second Brother and Chen Yuelan had been weighing on Qilin’s mind. She wasn’t sure what steps he had taken to address it during his brief stop in the capital before heading off to war. Xu Shi sighed and continued.

"The Hou is a man of his word. Once he made that agreement with Master Chen, he was never going to change his mind. Thankfully, my second child agreed. Otherwise, the Hou would have been embarrassed."

Nie Shuang remained silent, as she had never approved of this arranged marriage in the first place. Xu Shi held her hand and spoke kindly.

"Nie Shuang, I know you and Yuelan haven’t gotten along well, but one day, she will marry into the family as the second daughter-in-law. It would be good if you could find a way to get along with her. I understand she can be a bit spoiled, having grown up in a prominent family, but I assure you, I won’t let anyone mistreat you."

Hearing Xu Shi’s words, Nie Shuang smiled softly. She didn’t need anyone’s protection. Her return to the capital wasn’t for the Hou’s family’s sake—it was purely for her business. But she refrained from speaking further, not wanting to offend her.

"Thank you, Elder Furen."

Xu Shi subtly frowned at the formal address. Since their reunion, Nie Shuang hadn’t referred to her or the Hou as intimately as she once had. Previously, Nie Shuang had called her Mother and referred to the Hou as Father-in-law. Now, however, her choice of words felt distant. With the maids seated nearby, Xu Shi resolved to bring the matter up more directly once they reached the manor.

The journey went smoothly. Both the Hou and Xu Shi treated her well, and the children grew closer to their grandparents. Whenever Nie Shuang disciplined or refused to indulge them, they knew exactly who to turn to for help. Nie Shuang could only shake her head in exasperation as the two elders spoiled their grandchildren endlessly, especially little Xiao Hua Hua. With just a tilt of her head and a sweet smile, whatever she pointed to, the Hou would immediately grant her. Nie Shuang had to take her daughter aside to teach her manners, but she wasn’t sure if the girl understood.

"Xiao Hua Hua, you can’t just ask Grandpa for things all the time. You need to be considerate and remember that it’s wrong to take things that aren’t yours."

Xiao Hua Hua smiled brightly, her eyes squinting, as she raised her chubby hands to her cheeks and mimicked her mother’s words, "Wong...wong..."

"Do you understand what I said or not?"

"No...no."

"..."

Xiao San and Xiao Tong burst into giggles, and the little girl laughed along with them, repeating after her mother even more.

"No...wong...no...wrong."

Nie Shuang couldn’t help but laugh as well. Oh well, perhaps it would be easier to teach her when she’s a bit older. As for the Hou, he was unlikely to change his indulgent ways.

Since it was early spring, the weather was neither too hot nor too cold, and the children remained healthy throughout the trip. When the procession finally reached the city gates, Nie Shuang asked the coachman to stop the carriage and stepped down to speak with the Hou and Xu Shi at their carriage.

"Is something wrong?"

The Hou asked his daughter-in-law. Nie Shuang smiled and replied,

"We will be parting ways here. Tomorrow, I will bring the children to visit the Hou and Elder Furen at the manor."

Both elders looked shocked and hastily asked,

"Where will you be staying if not with us? Why not return to the Hou Manor? That’s your home."

Nie Shuang chuckled as she said,

"The Hou, you’re joking. I wrote a letter of divorce to the General, accepted compensation, and left the Hou Manor. Since that day, I’ve never considered myself a part of the Song family. You even came to Huangjing to personally drive me away. How could I return there now?"

The Hou and Xu Shi were left speechless, their faces dark with embarrassment. Everything Nie Shuang said was true. She spoke with them calmly beside the carriage, and though they wanted to argue, doing so in public would only cause more shame. The Hou lowered his voice.

"Just return to the manor, and we can discuss everything at home."

"I’m sorry, but Nie Shuang doesn’t consider your manor my home. I’ll bring the children to pay their respects tomorrow."

Without waiting for a response, Nie Shuang turned and climbed back into her own carriage. The procession of the Nie family, which had been traveling alongside the Hou’s, then separated and went its own way. The Hou and Xu Shi sat in stunned silence for a while until the carriage driver cautiously asked,

"The Hou, shall we return to the manor now?"

"Go back!"

The Hou barked in frustration, his mood foul. Inside, his mind was in turmoil, unable to accept that his beloved grandchildren had been taken from him. He had imagined proudly parading them around the capital, showing everyone that the Song family had not one but three bright and adorable heirs. But now, he couldn’t even bring them back to the manor.Xu Shi remained silent, fully aware of what her daughter-in-law was thinking. Nie Shuang was a capable woman who relied on herself and had no desire to live under the same roof with someone she disliked, such as Chen Yuelan. With a sigh, she wondered why everyone around her seemed so stubborn. The Hou, Qilin, and even her daughter-in-law were all heading in different directions. If things continued like this, she feared that even her grandchildren might not carry the Song family name. Thinking of this, Xu Shi raised her hand to massage her temples. She would need to have a serious talk with the Hou when they returned to the manor.