[Marriage first, love later] She is happy after marrying a widower

Song Yanzhi turned her head away so that he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes. She bit her lips, almost to the point of bleeding, and tried hard not to let them fall.

"Han Heming, we've been in love for a long time, and now that we've reached this point, our fate has come to an end. In that case, why don't we just part ways amicably and leave each other with some final dignity."

Song Yanzhi spoke slowly, without any expression on her beautiful and resolute face, as if the man kneeling in front of her had nothing to do with her anymore.

Han Heming's body trembled violently when he heard this. He raised his head and looked at Song Yanzhi's familiar yet unfamiliar face, his eyes full of pain and pleading: "Yanzhi, don't do this to me! We used to love each other so much, is it really over like this?"

However, Song Yanzhi did not soften her heart at all because of his words. She just looked at him coldly.

He whispered, "Everything is in the past. There's no point in saying more. From now on, you go your way, I go mine, and we'll both be happy."

After saying that, she didn't even look at Han Heming who was kneeling on the ground. She turned around resolutely, took big strides, and walked towards the distance.

Her clothes fluttered, bringing a slight breeze, but it could not blow away the thick sadness in the house.

Han Heming slumped in the chair, holding his head in his hands, his heart-wrenching cries echoing in the empty room, each cry filled with despair and sorrow.

In front of the county government office, the dawn had just torn open a corner of the night sky, and the cool air was still filled with the lingering dampness of the night.

Rows of carriages were lined up neatly, like silent guards, parked there quietly.

The horses pulling the cart pawed the ground with their hooves and snorted from time to time, and the white mist they exhaled instantly dissipated in the wind. The reins were tied firmly to the shaft of the cart, swaying gently in the breeze.

The boxes and cages on the car were stacked layer upon layer. The vermilion lacquered wooden boxes and wicker bags were fully loaded with Song Yanzhi's accumulation over the years, and also sealed with every bit of the past.

"Ma'am, are we leaving now?"

Shulan's voice broke the silence. She carefully picked up Song Yanzhi's two little daughters. The two pink balls were sleepy, but when they saw their mother, they instantly became energetic, waving their little hands, giggling and shouting for a hug.

Shulan carefully put the children into the carriage and did not forget to help them tidy up their slightly messy jackets.

Song Yanzhi leaned forward, gently yet powerfully wrapping her arms around her two daughters, holding them tightly against her chest.

The familiar milky aroma and soft touch made her heart, which had been cold and hard for several days, feel as if it were gently caressed by the warm spring sun, warming it up a little.

But as soon as he raised his eyes and looked at the mansion in front of him, the warmth was quickly swallowed up by sadness.

"Yanzhi, have you made up your mind? Do you want to go to the border with your sister?"

Cui Jingshu walked over gracefully, wearing a plain brocade cloak and looking solemn.

Looking at Song Yanzhi's thin face and resolute eyes, his heart and eyes were filled with pity.

In this era of strict feudal ethics, it was natural for men to have three wives and four concubines, and no one criticized them for indulging in pleasure, as if they were born to be successful in the field of love.

But women, when faced with such betrayal, often can only swallow the bitterness alone and live in silence with their damaged dignity.

Cui Jingshu really admired Song Yanzhi. It was the first time he saw a woman fighting so fearlessly for her bottom line.

Song Yanzhi kissed each of her daughters on the forehead, which felt soft and warm like cotton. She took a deep breath, as if mustering up all her courage, before looking up at Cui Jingshu firmly.

"Sister, I've thought it through clearly. Staying here will only open the scars again and again. It would be better to go far away, find a place where no one knows me, start a new life, and maybe even feel a little more at ease."

Cui Jingshu nodded slowly, reached out and gently patted Song Yanzhi's shoulder: "Okay, since you have made up your mind, let's set off now." After that, he turned and walked towards his carriage.

Song Yanzhi held the child and stepped into the carriage. Shulan followed closely behind her, helped her sit firmly, and then sat down beside her.

Song Yanzhi subconsciously lifted the curtain, and took a last look back at this mansion that carried countless memories. The eaves and corners cast shadows in the dim light of morning, and the corridors seemed to still echo with the laughter and joy of the past, but now they have all turned into sharp blades, piercing her heart directly, and a thousand feelings and emotions surged into her heart.

"Let's go."

She uttered these two words softly, her voice so light that it seemed as if it would be swept away by the morning breeze, revealing endless loneliness and determination.

The driver raised his whip and swung it in the air, making a crisp sound. He tightened the reins and the carriage started slowly. The old wooden wheels rolled over the ground, making a creaking sound, like an unwilling sigh.

But at this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps and crying came from far away: "Mother, wait..."

Song Yanzhi's heart trembled, and she suddenly lifted the curtain higher, only to see Han Heming running towards her with three children.

Han Heming's hair was disheveled, his steps were staggering, and his former high spirits were gone;

The three children ran so hard that their faces turned red, tears welled up in their eyes, and they shouted at the top of their lungs as they ran.

The coachman heard the sound and stopped the carriage unconsciously.

Song Yanzhi's hands unconsciously clenched the curtain, her knuckles turned white from the force, and a trace of struggle and hesitation flashed across her face.

"Mother, please don't abandon Sanwa!"

Sanwa ran out of breath, his short legs moving very fast. When he reached the carriage, he used his hands and feet to climb up in a panic and eager manner.

As soon as he got into the carriage, he threw himself into Song Yanzhi's arms like a little koala, his little body shaking like a sieve and crying bitterly.

This child has never left Song Yanzhi for a single day since he was born. In his innocent world, Song Yanzhi is the sky, the earth, and his only mother.

At this moment, his eyes were blurred with tears, and he looked up at Song Yanzhi with his tear-stained face. His eyes were full of helpless pleading, as well as the grievance and accusation of being abandoned.

Soon after, the eldest and second child also caught up. The two half-grown children climbed onto the carriage using their hands and feet. Their eyes were red and tears were welling up in their eyes. They spoke in a sobbing voice.

"Mother, if you want to leave, please take us with you. We are the children you raised, your sons. Please don't abandon us, mother. We will follow you wherever you go!"

Song Yanzhi looked at the three children, her eyes instantly filled with tears, her lips trembled violently, her throat seemed to be blocked by a ball of cotton, and she had thousands of words to say but couldn't utter a single word.

Cui Jingshu heard the noise and walked over to Song Yanzhi's carriage. He sighed softly, his face showing pity, and gently advised: "Yanzhi, look at the children, they really can't live without you. How about... let's think about it again?"