CHAPTER 1142: CHAPTER 1140: RETURN TO WOZI VILLAGE

Madam Zhou was unaware of Purple Jade’s inner thoughts. She glanced at the numerous valuable items in the room that had been packed up and were ready to be moved, feeling somewhat wistful.

She originally thought she would live in this place until her death. Who could have imagined that she would be leaving before even a year had passed?

From the foot of the mountain of Wozi Village, to Huayang, and then to Changan; from hunger and want to living in luxury, everything felt like a dream, leaving one unsure if it was a dream or reality.

If it were just a dream...

Madam Zhou caressed her belly, as if trying to feel the life inside through her clothes. If this was but a dream, she did not wish to wake from it, hoping instead to die within this dream.

Since Wufu was already waiting in Changan City, and Wu Lihong had gone to Jiangnan and would soon return to Changan, Madam Zhou found no reason to linger. Following Purple Jade’s suggestion, she set the date for their departure.

As they were going to leave, not knowing when they would return to Huayang, Madam Zhou invited the neighboring families, the Ping Family and the Ma Family, to a farewell dinner.

Wu Lihong’s comings and goings at the Wu Residence had long since caught the two families’ attention. After some inquiries, they learned he was Wufu’s biological father, and a Ministry of Rites official. Who wouldn’t want to foster connections?

Thus, they grew even warmer with Madam Zhou, even though all parties knew that even if Madam Zhou acknowledged her heritage, she was merely a consort.

But for these two families, one being small merchants and the other a widow with children, forming connections was natural, as one never knows how fortunes may change.

After inviting the two lady neighbors for a farewell feast, Madam Zhou thought of the Old Zhou family.

Although Old Lady Zhou was not fond of her, Madam Zhou had not returned to Wozi Village since coming to Huayang. With their move to Changan being permanent, she might not have another chance to see her old mother; both emotionally and logically, she must go back and inform her.

Thinking thus, Madam Zhou prepared some gifts and nutritional supplements, filling an entire cart, and returned to Wozi Village with Qiu Xiang and Purple Jade.

Some people shone brightly, while others were rusty all over. Compared to the affluence of Huayang, Wozi Village remained as peaceful and tranquil as ever.

The carriage’s entrance into the village attracted the curiosity of many, with people peering over, wondering who had arrived in a carriage—and not just one carriage.

Madam Zhou, unable to contain her emotions, lifted the curtain and gazed out, seeing the familiar flat-roofed houses and alleys, along with a few familiar faces.

She recognized these villagers, though they hardly recognized her. After all, she had spent a year in fine silks and in luxury as a noble lady, her appearance and demeanor having changed significantly.

Old Lady Zhou was sitting at the door, holding her grandson and chatting with the neighbors. From afar, she saw two carriages gradually approaching, with a line of curious children and gossiping women trailing behind, causing her to stand up speechless.

Aunt Gui, seeing this, was also curious. She craned her neck and asked, "Oh dear, who is this?" So grandly.

Old Lady Zhou did not respond, but she vaguely guessed who it might be; besides Madam Zhou, who else could it be?

Sure enough, the carriage stopped not far from their house. Two young girls, dressed brightly like young ladies, first stepped down. A green-clad girl then carefully helped a woman down.

With cloud-like hair, vermilion hairpin adorned head, clad in fine silks and satins and exuding nobility, who else could it be but Madam Zhou?