A master of metaphysics is farming.

On New Year's Eve, apart from Fourth Aunt's family, the two families, including the three members of the private school, chatted happily in the courtyard. The red lanterns in the courtyard flickered, and the red paper-cuts reflected the joy.

The house was bustling, and the outside was equally quiet.

Xiang He divided the remaining food into five bowls, took the incense and candles and went to the open space outside under the big tree. Immediately, five ghostly figures appeared around her.

"This is for you to eat. Eat slowly and don't let anyone see."

Xiang He lit the incense and candles, calling out their names as she did so. Uncle Wu sniffed and sighed, "Thinking back to those ten years, we only had food during festivals. Now that you've seen us, we get a good meal the next day. We're living the good life!"

Seeing his enjoyment, Xiang He chuckled, "From now on, your mother will order it for you. Just eat it."

"Don't worry, once you get to the capital, I'll keep an eye on everyone and make sure no one gets bullied."

I'm rooting for you!

Fifth Uncle was enjoying himself. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter seemed a little reserved. He waved to He Chao and the others, saying, "Don't be so shy. You've been waiting for so many days and you're still not used to it? Just treat us like family."

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter—they looked at each other, then bowed deeply in gratitude before finally consuming the substance.

Xiang He felt quite helpless. This deeply ingrained rule needed to be properly taught and corrected, otherwise, his stern face all day long would look unlucky.

"What are you doing?"

He Suian's voice came from behind. Xiang He squatted down and turned around. When she realized that the four ghosts beside her were not moving, she remembered that she had not met the four ghosts before.

Xiang He chuckled, "Want me to show you something interesting?"

Seeing that sly look, He Sui'an immediately felt uneasy. "What are you looking at?"

Xiang He stood up and glanced at the gate. Seeing that no one would come out for a while, she snapped her fingers and said, "Reveal yourself."

Four figures gradually appeared, and Xing Ji and Zhu Nan immediately clenched their fists in defense.

He Sui'an looked at the four ghostly figures with a wry smile, "You... you've taken them in?"

"Hehe, sort of." Xiang He put his hands on his hips, pointed his thumb at the four ghosts, "They are Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. They will be traveling with me from now on. They won't appear easily on ordinary days, and they won't be hostile to you."

"..."

Even the eloquent He Sui'an was at a loss for words at this moment.

The four ghosts and the four men looked at each other, none of them speaking, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Suddenly, a soft call of "Miss" rang out, and Xiang He immediately raised her hand, causing them to vanish without a trace.

Xiang Huiying stood at the gate and called out to them, "What are you doing outside? Come in and warm up!"

"Coming!"

-

-

Happy days always pass quickly, and before we knew it, it was time to go to the capital.

At the city gate, many people came to see them off. Xiang Yun held Xiang He's hand tightly, asking, "Sister, when will you come back?"

Seeing her eyes welling up with tears, Xiang He gently pinched her cheek. "Come back when it's time, be good."

"Um……"

Xiangyang didn't say anything, but the slight redness on his nose spoke volumes about his reluctance to part.

Xiang He reached out and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry, I reckon he'll be back soon."

"understood……"

Wang Rongxing and the others were also reluctant to part with him, and Jiang Xinyue even offered him a food box, saying, "You can eat on the way. There's a stove in the carriage to heat it up, right?"

"Yes, thank you."

"With you gone, the city will be so quiet..."

Seeing Wang Rongxing's mournful expression, Xiang He couldn't help but twitch her lips. "You talk as if things weren't lively before. How have you managed all these years?"

"Just chatting for a bit..."

Knowing they were reluctant to part, Xiang He's face softened deeply, "If you don't find this place fun, we can go to the capital together! We can expand our business there and make tons of money!"

Zeng Yunqing chuckled softly, "I also think it's a good idea. Anyway, you two are both in business, and you can make a fortune if you expand it."

The two businessmen's eyes lit up immediately, and they exchanged a glance before hiding their smiles.

Jiang Xinyue pulled her hands up to her collar. "I'll find a way to get to the capital. You'll have to come to the city gate to welcome me then!"

"I'll definitely be there."

After exchanging pleasantries, the group returned Xiang He to Madam Su.

She draped the cloak over Xiang He's shoulders, saying, "It's bitterly cold on the road, remember to dress warmly every day, don't catch a cold. Eat when you're hungry, sleep well when you're tired, don't overexert yourself..."

Xiang He watched as her mother tied the knots around her neck, counting aloud as she spoke, her throat tightening with emotion. She placed her hands together in her mother's, saying, "Mother, don't worry, I'll write to you every now and then. I'll take good care of myself and won't let anyone hurt me."

Madam Su chuckled, pinching her cheeks with both hands and scolding playfully, "You know that's not what I meant, but it's better for you to be well. Your father and I are here at home, so go ahead and do your thing without any worries. When you're done... remember to come back and see us one last time..."

Her eyes held a mixture of tenderness and sorrow. A cold tear fell onto her face, casting a shadow over her head. Turning her head, she saw He Sui'an holding her large umbrella.

"It's raining, time to go."

Xiang He carried the large bundle given to her by Madam Su, which was full of clothes that Madam Su had made, worried that Xiang He would get cold on the way.

However, after a few months, feelings still developed.

Xiang He followed He Sui'an as he turned and stepped onto the footrest. The carriage that was going to the capital this time was very large, with two horses traveling together. Xing Ji drove the horse, while Zhu Nan sat beside him, holding the reins of a single horse in his hand.

The two got in, and Xiang He lifted the curtain and waved to them, "Go home quickly, it's not good to get wet in the rain. I'll write to you."

Everyone watched with reluctance as the carriage gradually drove away.

When there was no one left in sight, Xiang He lowered the carriage curtain and hugged herself tightly, gripping the edge of the cloak with both hands.

"It's so warm..."

At this moment, He Sui'an was fiddling with a small charcoal stove, which could both warm the car and brew tea.

"It will take about half a month to get to the capital, but we should arrive a few days earlier."

Xiang He reached out to warm her hands by the stove, lowered her eyes to hide her reluctance, and when she looked up again, her mind was clear. "Do you have a place to stay in the capital? Is your maternal grandfather in the capital?"

“My maternal grandfather lives in the suburbs of Beijing, so we have a small courtyard to stay in when we come to Beijing.”

"Oh."

Xiang He put down the cloth bag on her body. It was a new embroidery that Su Shi had made for her. Inside were about a hundred coins, a hundred-tael silver note, and of course, talismans and red ropes. Xiang He also took her fourth uncle's ink line.

She took out the copper coin and slid the red string between her fingers.

Watching her fiddling with her things, He Sui'an brewed tea, its aroma wafting gently from time to time.

The carriage was very quiet, with only the slightest sounds of movement.

As He Sui'an sipped his tea, Xiang He's appearance caught his eye when he looked up. She was different from when they first met; the scar on her right cheek was very faint. She had never cared about her appearance; if she was injured, so be it.

My gaze drifted to her hands. Through the gathered sleeves, I could vaguely see her wrists. There was a clear scar on her left wrist, a mark I remembered from when she cut her wrist on the wedding sedan chair.

This scar serves as a constant reminder that she is an outsider.

Looking again at the copper coins twirling in her hand, she spoke softly, "What are you doing?"

Xiang He didn't even look up. "Make a small copper coin sword. Maybe it will come in handy later."

After saying that, she took a moment to look up and glance at the folding fan beside him. "How about I get you a safety amulet? Hang it on the end of the fan; it's good for you."

He Sui An paused slightly, then took the folding fan in his hand. "The peace buckle can also be used as a tassel."