The spring was still chilly. The cold wind howled.
Zhao Shuning got up early in the morning. Before she even finished changing her clothes, she heard someone shouting outside.
"Student Luo, your mother is already outside the academy. She's here to pick you up."
It was just dawn. A warm feeling welled up in Zhao Shuning's heart.
Ye Qingluan, Luo Feiyan's mother, had come against the cold wind on the very first day of the three - month break. She must have been the earliest one.
Zhao Shuning quickly changed her clothes and rushed out of the room. Before she reached the academy gate, she heard waves of envious voices in front.
"Student Luo's mother is so young!"
"She's incredibly beautiful."
"No wonder Student Luo is so good - looking. Her mother is one of the most beautiful women in Ruoqiang."
Zhao Shuning walked closer. People on the way all cast envious glances at her.
"Student Luo, the Luo family has sent such a grand entourage to pick you up."
"Yes, you're really in the spotlight."
Zhao Shuning nodded awkwardly, responding to the greetings from her classmates. As she passed by Yilan Garden, people there came out to congratulate her.
Zhao Shuning didn't see Xia Qingyan at first. She craned her neck and saw him drinking alone inside, looking dejected. While everyone's face was brimming with the joy of going home, Xia Qingyan was full of sorrow with nowhere to vent. His mother had passed away, and his father was too busy to come and pick him up. So during this holiday, he would probably be all alone in the academy.
Xia Qingyan looked up and saw Zhao Shuning outside the garden. Their eyes met. Xia Qingyan quickly averted his gaze.
Zhao Shuning felt pity looking at his blood - shot eyes.
"Prince Xia, won't you go out for a walk?"
Xia Qingyan, going against his usual self, picked up the wine jug on the table and ignored Zhao Shuning. He was about to go back to his room.
"Prince Xia, wait a minute."
Xia Qingyan stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around. His voice was low and hoarse.
"Miss Luo, you'd better go quickly. Your mother has come to pick you up. She's really early. Your family is the first one here on the opening day. It's great."
Zhao Shuning asked, "Have you been crying?"
"No."
Xia Qingyan quickly raised his hand to wipe away the tears from the corner of his eyes. In the Hailing Kingdom, men attached great importance to their mothers, and their affection for their mothers was much deeper than that for their fathers. Looking at the happy faces of the people in the academy, Xia Qingyan just missed home and his deceased mother even more.
"Alas - even if it's to repay a debt of gratitude. Prince Xia, come back to the Luo family with me, okay?"
"What?"
Xia Qingyan seemed to be taken aback by Zhao Shuning's invitation. Suddenly, the wine jug in his hand dropped to the ground.
"It's to repay you for the Zhuyeqing wine you invited me to drink that night." Otherwise, in such a big academy, with no one to talk to him, this well - behaved boy might become autistic.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Xia Qingyan turned around and rushed over to hug Zhao Shuning excitedly.
"Let go, or I'll take it back."
Hearing this, Xia Qingyan immediately let go.
Zhao Shuning said, "Follow me."
"Okay."
Actually, Xia Qingyan had wanted to discuss this with her a long time ago. The Luo family was in Ruoqiang, which was quite close to the academy. Going to Ruoqiang was the best choice. In case there was something in the academy, he could return as soon as possible. But although he thought about it, he didn't dare to speak up.
He used to be fearless. But when it came to Luo Feiyan, whenever she spoke or frowned, Xia Qingyan would be startled, wondering if he had done something wrong. That day, after talking to Luo Feiyan about the three - month period, he originally wanted to ask if he could stay at her place for a while and he would pay the corresponding reward. But before he could say anything, Luo Feiyan climbed over the wall and ran away. Later, she seemed very busy, and he never had the chance to find her. So he didn't dare to mention this matter again.
"Miss Luo, thank you."
"You're welcome."
Zhao Shuning just thought that this holiday was originally half a month, but for some unknown reason, the higher - ups changed it to a month. She didn't know what big event they were dealing with. If all the freshmen were gone for a month and only Xia Qingyan was left in the academy, the situation would be extremely miserable.
Zhao Shuning led Xia Qingyan out of Yilan Garden. On the way, they met Wu Xuan. Wu Xuan stepped forward and asked, "Brother Qingyan, has anyone from the Hailing Kingdom come?"
Xia Qingyan's expression turned sad again. Zhao Shuning now understood that Xia Qingyan must be missing his mother. It seemed that no matter how old a person was, they would be as helpless as a child when talking about their mother.
"I - "
"Princess Wu Xuan, your Brother Qingyan is going back with me."
Zhao Shuning said this just to divert their attention.
"Luo Feiyan, you - "
After Zhao Shuning finished speaking, she walked forward without looking back. Xia Qingyan had a smile on his face.
"I'm leaving first."
Ignoring the furious Wu Xuan standing there, he quickly followed up. Wu Xuan came to Yilan Garden early in the morning but left in a huff.
Zhao Shuning soon reached the academy gate. From afar, she saw eight magnificent horses pulling a luxurious and spacious carriage. The carriage was so big that it could accommodate more than ten people. There were more than twenty servants from the Luo family this time.
"Miss Luo is here!"
Among the crowd, someone with sharp eyes spotted Zhao Shuning and shouted. Everyone quickly made way for her.
Zhao Shuning looked along the path. At the end of the path stood a beautiful woman.
The woman was extremely beautiful. She was wearing a front - buttoned daily dress with a wide indigo collar embroidered with cloud and wild goose patterns on top, and a peach - colored brocade skirt with golden - threaded butterflies and flowers below. Her smooth hair was coiled up in a bun, which made her look dignified and generous. Since it was winter, she was also wearing a cloak. The cloak was bright red, and the brim of the hat was trimmed with white fur. The bright red color made her face look even fairer.
She was Ye Qingluan, one of the most beautiful women in Ruoqiang. Maybe she had been waiting outside the academy since early morning. When Zhao Shuning saw her this time, she could even see the frost on the stray hairs in front of Ye Qingluan's forehead.
"Yan'er."
Ye Qingluan waved to Zhao Shuning as soon as she saw her. Her hands were a bit purple from the cold wind. Zhao Shuning suddenly felt deeply touched. Ye Qingluan must have doted on Luo Feiyan to the extreme. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so considerate. She must have stood there for at least an hour in the cold wind.
Zhao Shuning walked towards Ye Qingluan. Ye Qingluan quickly told the maids beside her.
"Go to the carriage and get the cloak I made for the young lady. Also, the warm stove is still hot. Bring it for the young lady to warm her hands."
As soon as Zhao Shuning reached Ye Qingluan, she felt warm all over. Ye Qingluan tied the deep - red cloak around Zhao Shuning.
"Yan'er, you must be frozen. Let's get in the carriage quickly."
"Thank you."
"Silly child, there's no need to be so polite with your mother."
Zhao Shuning smiled. Her smile was like the warm sun in winter, making people feel cozy.
"Thank you, mother."