TSWPF -Chapter 219 Nobility

Before Li Qingling and the others could enter the room, Xiao Hua ran out from inside. “Miss Li, you’re back? My lady heard about what happened on the street and was worried about you all. She asked me to come check if you’re alright.” Even Xiao Hua herself, after hearing about the incident, had been worried about Li Qingling and the others.

Fortunately, they had returned safely, and judging by their appearance, nothing serious had happened.

Indeed, good things come to those who do good.

Li Qingling smiled at Xiao Hua and said, “Thank you for your concern, madam. We’re fine.” It was truly a blessing that they had made it back unharmed after tonight’s incident.

Xiao Hua nodded twice. “I’m glad you’re safe. I’ll go report back to my lady. You should get some rest!” With that, she hurried back into the room.

The moment Yu Yu saw Xiao Hua, she hurriedly asked if Li Qingling and the others were alright.

“Madam, don’t worry. Miss Li and the others returned safely, no one was hurt.”

Hearing this, Yu Yu finally exhaled a sigh of relief. A smile appeared on her face as she said it was fortunate that nothing had happened.

Xiao Hua approached Yu Yu and straightened her blanket, urging her to get some rest since they still had to travel tomorrow.

Yu Yu was still in confinement after childbirth and traveling now would be stressful for her body, which was already weak. If she didn’t rest properly, her health could collapse.

In truth, Yu Yu had been tired for a while, but her concern for Li Qingling and the others had kept her from sleeping. Now, knowing they had returned safely and were unharmed, she relaxed and soon fell asleep after closing her eyes.

Seeing Madam fall asleep so quickly, Xiao Hua smiled, stood up, blew out the candle, and lay down on the couch to sleep as well.

The next morning, after breakfast, Li Qingling and her party set off on schedule.

Based on their current pace, they would reach the capital in a day.

Yu Yu, lying in the carriage, looked at Li Qingling gently holding the little one and smiled warmly. “Sister, once you reach the capital, why don’t you come stay at my house? I’d like to host you properly.” She truly liked Li Qingling and felt she suited her taste.

Li Qingling smiled and shook her head. “We already have a place to stay, so we won’t trouble you.”

Although she had saved Yu Yu and the little one, overall they were still strangers, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to suddenly move in at someone’s house.

Moreover, her grandfather was in the capital; how could he allow them to stay at someone else’s home?

If they did, he would scold them to death.

“How could that be considered troubling? Sister truly likes you all and wants you to stay at her house so she can take good care of you.”

“Miss Yu, really, there’s no need. My grandfather has a place for us in the capital. Once your confinement ends, we can come visit you then. At that time, please don’t mind us.”

Hearing Li Qingling’s words, Yu Yu realized she couldn’t persuade her and smiled helplessly. “Sister would love for you to visit every day. How could I ever find you bothersome?”

She could see that these children had no hidden motives—they were genuinely sincere. That warmed her heart.

Being born into a noble family like hers, she had many siblings, but except for true siblings, no one else could be trusted. If they didn’t constantly scheme behind your back, you’d have to thank the heavens.

Sometimes she wished she had been born ordinary, so life wouldn’t be so exhausting, constantly guarding against everyone and everything.

Seeing Li Qingling and her companions’ love and care for one another touched her even more.

“Sister, how can your family let a few children travel all the way to the capital?” She had heard Zeng Tietou’s wife call Li Qingling “madam,” realizing they weren’t Li Qingling’s parents.

Li Qingling withdrew the finger she had been using to pinch the little one’s nose and glanced at Yu Yu. “Our parents are no longer alive, so…”

Hearing this, Yu Yu felt slightly embarrassed and apologized. She hadn’t known that Li Qingling’s parents had passed, and her earlier question had unintentionally touched a sore spot.

Li Qingling shook her head. “It’s alright.”

Their parents had passed away years ago, and they had long come to terms with it.

Besides, Yu Yu hadn’t asked out of malice, so how could they blame her?

“Then are you going to your grandfather?”

Li Qingling felt there was no need to hide anything. Yu Yu would find out anyway, so she honestly said, “Actually, it’s because my husband is going to the capital for the spring examination, so we followed along.”

Yu Yu’s eyes brightened, and she looked a little surprised. “Your husband is taking the spring exam at such a young age? That’s impressive.” She was genuinely amazed that Li Zhimou had become a scholar so young, even surpassing her younger brother.

Hearing praise for her husband, Li Qingling’s smile deepened, though she remained modest, saying a few humble words.

Although in her heart she thought Li Zhimou was indeed remarkable, in front of others she preferred to remain modest, so as not to seem arrogant.

Before Li Zhimou passed the imperial exam, she had to stay low-key.

“Did your family send someone to pick you up?” Li Qingling, not wanting to dwell on the topic, smiled and changed the subject.

Yu Yu’s eyes dimmed slightly. She bit her lip and hesitantly spoke, “Sister, I’m not afraid to tell you… my situation is a bit complicated, so I can’t let too many people know. Could you bring me directly to my doorstep?” She glanced at Li Qingling, gauging her reaction. “If that’s too inconvenient, then you can just leave me at the inn in the capital. I’ll arrange a carriage back myself.”

She knew this was a difficult request. If Li Qingling refused, she wouldn’t blame her. But given her current circumstances, she had no choice but to ask boldly.

Li Qingling met her gaze and saw the unease in her eyes. She smiled gently. “I just wanted to ask if anyone was picking you up. If not, we’ll take you straight to your home.” Having rescued Yu Yu under such circumstances, and knowing she came from a large family, she could anticipate that any misstep could bring trouble.

But leaving a pregnant woman at an inn felt wrong, so she decided to do the right thing and bring her home herself.

She trusted Yu Yu’s abilities and knew she could handle the situation without being too troubled.

Yu Yu’s eyes glistened with tears. She hadn’t expected Li Qingling to agree so readily to her request and bring her home.

At this moment, Li Qingling felt like a true younger sister to her. If anything happened, she would wholeheartedly help her.

Li Qingling hadn’t anticipated that this simple act of kindness would bring such a heartfelt reward.

“This must be fate between you and me, Sister. I also really like the little one.”

Seeing the soft, tiny child reminded her of Li Qingning as a little one, so small and now grown under her care. Her heart felt warm and tender.

“Yes, I also think it’s fate between you and me, Sister,” Yu Yu smiled. “The little one is lucky to have another aunt to care for him.”

She genuinely wanted to treat Li Qingling as family.

Li Qingling smiled but didn’t respond to Yu Yu’s words. She bent down and lightly kissed the little one’s cheek.

Yu Yu came from a prominent family, and her husband’s family was not simple either. Li Qingling didn’t feel it appropriate to “climb up” socially and become the child’s aunt. In her heart, if fate allowed, they would meet again; if not, it was just a chance encounter.

Yu Yu looked at Li Qingling again, feeling even more pleased with her. She quietly yawned and, after speaking a few words to Li Qingling, closed her eyes to rest.

After traveling for two more days, Li Qingling and her party finally arrived at the capital. Seeing the towering, majestic city gates, Li Qingling’s face lit up with a smile.

After traveling so far, they had finally arrived and would no longer endure the jostling of the carriage.

This journey to the capital had made Li Qingling deeply aware that even leaving the city for a single trip was no easy task.

Tired…

Mentally exhausted… physically exhausted…

“Sister, how does your family get to your home? We’ll take you there first, then go find my grandfather.”

Yu Yu drew back the curtain and glanced at the city gate. Her gaze hardened. Now that she had returned safely, she would not let those who wanted to harm her escape.

She turned to Li Qingling, her expression softening. “Once we pass the city gate, I’ll tell the driver the way.”

“Alright…”

Li Qingling nodded decisively. It was their first time in the capital, so they truly didn’t know the way.

“Where will you be staying?”

Li Qingling told Yu Yu the address her grandfather had given them.

Yu Yu smiled happily. “I didn’t expect such a coincidence. Your home isn’t far from mine—just three streets apart. By carriage, it’s only a few minutes. Sister can visit you often. Don’t find me annoying!” Clearly, Li Qingling’s grandfather was no ordinary person to live in such a place.

“Oh? Really? I’m visiting the capital for the first time and don’t know the place.”

“Truly, Sister, do visit often. I’m quite bored at home.”

Li Qingling smiled and responded politely, though whether she would actually go was uncertain.

They queued into the city, and following Yu Yu’s directions, the driver traveled another hour before arriving at the location Yu Yu mentioned.

Li Qingling lifted the carriage curtain, and the large characters “Hou Residence” came into view.

She hadn’t expected that such a casual rescue would turn out to save someone so prominent.