Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"Grandma can't bear to leave Xiaojiu. Would you like to stay at home and accompany grandma?" Old Lady Shen said, touching Shen Chuning's hair.

Before, when Shen Jingwan was at home, she was very good at coaxing people and always gave in to her, so she somewhat neglected Shen Chuning.

Now Shen Jingwan is useless. She must hold Shen Chuning firmly in her hands and not let her escape from her control.

Shen Chuning pouted, "But Aning wants to go out and play with Daddy, Mommy, and Brother."

Old Madam Shen persisted in her persuasion, saying, "Ah Ning, Grandma knows you want to go out and play, but this isn't the right time. Your father is going to take up his post, not to have fun. You'll just be causing more trouble if you go along. Besides, you're still young. It won't be too late to go out when you're older."

Shen Chuning originally thought that she could get permission by acting coquettishly, but she didn't expect her grandmother still didn't agree.

But she didn't give up and continued to pester Old Lady Shen, saying, "Grandma, Aning really wants to go! Aning can take care of herself and won't cause any trouble for my parents and brother. Besides, Aning also wants to see the outside world and broaden her horizons."

Although Shen Chuning acted coquettishly, she no longer had the same admiration for Old Madam Shen as before.

In fact, according to the current situation of the Shen Mansion, if Shen Chuning wants to leave, she doesn’t need to obtain the consent of Old Madam Shen. She just needs Shen Huaizhong to nod.

But if I don’t tell my grandmother, she will bring up filial piety again.

It’s no big deal to say that she doesn’t respect her elders, but she is afraid that her mother will be labeled as someone who doesn’t bring up her children well.

Mrs. Shen Er also chimed in, "We've all left, leaving Xiaojiu alone at home. My daughter-in-law is really worried!"

Old Madam Shen's face darkened. "Is this family a den of dragons and tigers? When Xiaojiu was in the third house, his parents ignored him. It was because I, an old woman, took care of him all the time that he grew up well. How come you don't feel comfortable leaving Xiaojiu at home when he's in your second house?"

Madam Shen Er also became tough. "How can it be the same? Before, Third Brother and his wife didn't care much about Xiaojiu, but at least they were around. If anything really happened, there was someone to help out and someone to discuss things with. Now it's different. We have to go to Shandong, the journey is long. If something happens, we are too far away to help Xiaojiu. How can we help her?"

Mrs. Shen finally told the truth, "I can't say for sure, but Xiaojiu is already grown up, and it's time for him to find a husband. What good family can you find by taking him to Shandong?"

What she was most worried about was that the second brother and his wife would secretly find someone else for Shen Chuning, which would be a waste of a good life.

She had to keep Shen Chuning in the capital, and as soon as the fight for the throne became clear, she would immediately go to the palace to ask for an imperial decree to grant the marriage.

Mrs. Shen was so angry that she laughed, "Xiaojiu is still young, my daughter-in-law wants to stay with her for a few more years."

Shen Chuning also advised, "Grandma, Aning doesn't want to get married yet. Besides, Mom said that we are going to Shandong to help Dad settle down. We will be back soon."

Madam Shen asked doubtfully, "Are you really going to come back soon?"

Shen Chuning nodded firmly.

Only then did Mrs. Shen reluctantly give in.

……

"Miss, are you really not going to take me with you?" Birui asked with a sad face while helping Shen Chuning check the luggage.

Shen Chuning gently held Birui's hand. "You have to stay and help me keep an eye on everything in the capital. I have Cuiwei and Qixia by my side, and I can't do without you here in the capital. After we leave, my aunt will be the housekeeper. I've already told my aunt in advance that you can come and go as you please."

When Birui heard this, tears rolled down her cheeks like beads from a broken string. She choked and said, "But I can't bear to leave you..."

Shen Chuning gently comforted her, "I don't want to leave you either, but the journey to Shandong is long, and it would be inconvenient to bring too many people with me. Besides, if you stay in Beijing, you can help me take care of things at home, so that I can feel at ease."

Birui wiped her tears and nodded while sobbing: "Okay, Miss, you must take good care of yourself and come back soon."

Shen Chuning smiled and nodded: "You should take good care of yourself too. If there is anything, please write to me in time."

Birui nodded vigorously, her eyes full of reluctance.

She said firmly, "Don't worry, young lady. I will definitely help you protect the house. It will be the same as when you left."

Shen Chuning sighed softly, looked at Birui with gentle eyes, and said softly, "It's because I don't trust others, otherwise I would have to take you to Shandong. You should also find two trustworthy people to learn from you. It would be so tiring to do everything by yourself."

Hearing this, Birui smiled shyly. "I always have to personally oversee the things that the young lady has ordered. But now I have entrusted some unimportant tasks to others."

Shen Chuning nodded slightly, expressing her satisfaction, and then instructed: "It's okay as long as you have a clear mind about everything, but you have to keep an eye on Hengfu Bank and the family temple personally."

Birui nodded obediently and said, "Don't worry, young lady. I know what's going on."

At this moment, as Birui finished speaking, Zhenzhu, the maidservant of Madam Shen Er, hurried over to inform Shen Chuning that they were about to set off.

Shen Chuning stood up, adjusted the hem of her skirt, and said to Birui, "I'll go over first. You stay here and look after the house."

Birui nodded, a determined light flashing in her eyes, "Don't worry, Miss, I'll take care of everything at home."

After saying that, Shen Chuning followed Zhenzhu and left.

……

The carriage belonging to Shen Chuning stopped at the gate of the Shen Mansion.

In fact, the horse was also prepared for Shen Chuning. It was a snow-white colt that Zhou Lin gave her after she was injured in Fengming Mountain that year.

Shen Chuning named it Yunxiao.

Although Yunxiao is a northern horse breed, his character is surprisingly docile.

The weather at this time is sunny, neither too hot nor too cold, with a slight breeze, which is perfect for horseback riding.

But there were too many people in the city, so Shen Chuning decided to take a carriage first and ride a horse after leaving the city gate.

As soon as Shen Chuning got on the carriage, she saw several quilts piled up like a small mountain at the rear of the carriage.

Shen Chuning stepped out of the carriage to take a look. Her favorite little wind chime was hanging under the eaves.

She said to herself, "This is my carriage, why is there so much clutter?"

Just as she was about to call Cuiwei to clean up, she saw a pair of eyes peeking out from under the quilt.

Shen Chuning was shocked. Before she could react, she was suddenly pulled into the carriage by a pair of big hands, and at the same time, a hand covered her mouth tightly.

Shen Chuning was so scared that she almost screamed. Her heart beat rapidly and various possible situations flashed through her mind.

Who dared to attack her in broad daylight? Was there someone trying to kidnap her or harm her?

Shen Chuning tried to struggle, but the hands covered her mouth tightly, preventing her from making any sound.