How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

Jia Qingwu hesitated to voice her thoughts. Although her daughter was involved, she wanted to first see what the storybook and picture book looked like. She had to make sure she wouldn't lose money before deciding whether to ship them to Huizhou.

After staying at the Jia family for five days, Xia Chu went back, and Zhang Zhou also packed up his things and prepared to go to Beijing.

She hadn't felt anything when she was trying to persuade him, but when the time came to part, the reluctance to leave suddenly surged. These past few days, whenever Dong Xiaohuan was home, she helped Zhang Zhou pack his things, repeating her instructions over and over again. Zhang Zhou knew how she felt and didn't think she was nagging, always responding earnestly.

"Don't you want to bring your pillow? What if you're not used to it over there?"

"No, I don't recognize the bed."

"The weather is going to get cold soon, so bring some warm clothes, okay?"

"I brought two pieces, which is enough."

"Or we should buy a carriage. What if the driver we hire is unreliable? I always hear that some drivers are colluding with bandits to steal money and kill people."

"We won't have a place to stay when we get there, so we won't need the carriage anymore."

"Oh, bah, bah, bah, the bad ones don't work but the good ones do."

"It's okay, mom."

"Would you like to bring some pickles that your grandmother made? What if you get homesick and can't eat well on the way?"

"I brought a can."

"Shall I ask Xiaochu to make you some dried meat for the journey?"

"Xiaochu has already packed a box for me."

Dong Xiaohuan kept pacing around the room. Zhang Zhou sighed. Dong Xiaohuan checked these things every day. He took her hand and sat down. "Mom, everything is packed. Nothing is left out."

Dong Xiaohuan forced a smile and said, "Mom is just a little worried."

"I know." Zhang Zhou said softly, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll write to you every time I get to a place to let you know I'm safe."

"Yeah." Dong Xiaohuan lowered her head, holding back her tears, then looked up and said with a smile, "Xiaotian should be back today, right? You'll be leaving tomorrow."

"It's almost time for a rest." Zhang Zhou nodded. "Mom, you have to take good care of yourself and don't overwork yourself. If there's anything, ask Guan Xu to do it. He's not a child anymore. Qiu Yu is good at his studies and the teacher has praised him. He's young and more active, so don't be too restrained. It's getting cold and Dad's knees will be uncomfortable again. Have Guan Xu go to the pharmacy and prepare some plasters in advance..."

Dong Xiaohuan listened to her son's chatter and knew that he was also reluctant to leave.

"Mom, second brother, I prepared something." Xia Chu walked in with a dagger in his hand, "Second brother, take this with you for self-defense."

"Where did this come from?" Dong Xiaohuan hadn't thought of this. How could an ordinary family have such sharp weapons?

"I bought it at the blacksmith's." Xia Chu pulled out the dagger, the sharpened blade gleaming coldly. "I hope I don't need it, but it's better to be prepared."

"Keep it." Dong Xiaohuan also felt that it would be best if it was not used, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

"it is good."

Xia Tian rushed back that night. Zhang Zhou saw his elder brother and looked a little apologetic. "Brother, I'm sorry."

"I can take care of the house, you can go ahead." Xia Tian knew what he meant and patted his brother's shoulder to comfort him. When Zhang Zhou had originally considered joining the military, he had earnestly persuaded him to go, promising to take good care of his parents and siblings at home. But now he was leaving, feeling like he had broken his promise.

The next morning, the entire Wang family, along with Jia Qingwu, were outside the city to see Zhang Zhou off. Jia Qingwu had wanted to hire her own coachman, but Zhang Zhou refused. The journey was long, and the round trip would take a long time. It would be more convenient to rent a carriage for the entire trip.

Wang Qiuyu's face was wrinkled, and he held his second brother's arm unwilling to let go.

"Qiu Yu, be good and listen to your parents, okay?" Zhang Zhou touched his brother's face. He had watched him grow up, and he wondered how much older he would be when they met again. "I'll write you a letter. If I find anything interesting, I'll send it back to you."

Wang Qiuyu didn't say anything, tears silently rolled down his cheeks. Zhang Zhou felt distressed and pinched his shoulders, almost wanting to stay.

"Qiuyu, come here, let sister hug you." Xia Chu pulled Wang Qiuyu over and wiped his tears while saying, "Didn't we agree this morning that you are not allowed to cry when you come here?"

After finally comforting Wang Qiuyu, Zhang Zhou's gaze swept across the faces of every family member, as if he wanted to engrave each face deeply in his heart.

"Chao Ming!" A voice suddenly called out from the distance. Several carriages were approaching from the direction of Lin'an. A head popped out of the leading carriage, "Wait for me."

"Chang'an?" Zhang Zhou was stunned for a moment. The person who came was his good friend Xu Shiqing, whose name was Chang'an.

Xia Chu looked back and recognized him.

"Chao Ming, we will go with you." Another head popped out of the carriage. Who else could it be but Zhang Xin?

"Aren't you going after the New Year?" Zhang Zhou was surprised and astonished.

"Good brother, let's go together." Xu Shiqing jumped off the carriage, "We, the Three Musketeers of Lin'an, will venture into the capital together."

Zhang Xin glanced at Xu Shiqing with disdain and bowed to the elders of the Wang family. "Zhang Xin greets the elders."

Dong Xiaohuan nodded and asked with a smile, "I heard Xiaozhou mention you guys. You've been his friends for many years. Are you going together this time?"

"Yes, I have a companion. Hello, aunt." Xu Shiqing also greeted.

"Now you can rest assured." Wang Yong patted his wife's shoulder.

"I feel relieved, relieved." Dong Xiaohuan glanced at the carriage behind the two men. Xiao Si had more than a dozen servants and four or five carriages. At least they would not be alone if they encountered any problems on the road.

"Let's take a carriage together, three of us," Xu Shiqing invited.

"Okay." Zhang Zhou was not polite and immediately asked the driver to go back. The deposit was considered as an apology.

Not only Dong Xiaohuan, but everyone else felt relieved as well. Zhang Zhou had company on this journey, and those two were obviously the sons of wealthy families, with many servants and even guards with swords, which instantly made people feel at ease.

Zhang Zhou hadn't expected his friend to bring forward his schedule. He was probably thinking it was for his sake. He was so touched he didn't know how to express it. He bowed deeply to the two of them, and everything was said without words.

After Zhang Zhou's departure, the Wang family was in a state of depression for several days. Dong Xiaohuan reacted most strongly, constantly muttering about not knowing where he had gone. It had rained that day, and she was distracted, worried that her son would get sick from the rain.

Xia Chu didn't know how to persuade her, so she asked Jia Qingwu for help, asking her to take Dong Xiaohuan out for a walk. Jia Qingwu naturally agreed and invited Dong Xiaohuan to see her shop.

Wang Qiuyu was equally unhappy. Taking advantage of his day off, Xia Chu took him to the Bai family horse ranch to see the pony. The pony had grown considerably, and could even carry Wang Qiuyu for a run. This made him temporarily forget about his second brother's departure, and he had a crazy day at the ranch.