Having come to terms with the situation, Wang Qingchen had no intention of intervening. In his view, the affair between Wang Youliang and Madam Huang would inevitably be discovered sooner or later. Now that the Wang family themselves had found out, it was the best possible outcome that Madam Huang decided to leave Qingshan Town before things escalated further.

Wang Qingchen then turned back toward his own home. When questioned by his family about his absence, he offered a few cursory remarks to brush them off, then retreated to his study to continue his reading.

True to her promise, Madam Huang had everything packed within a few days. She hired a carriage, loading all the belongings she intended to take. As she departed, Madam Huang cast one lingering, nostalgic glance back at the place she had called home for several years. Finally, taking her son's hand, she boarded the carriage without looking back.

Madam Huang had planned that she and her son would first travel to the county seat, find lodging there, and she could earn some money doing embroidery or similar work. Even if she didn't earn much initially, it was fine; she still possessed a sum of savings that would last her and her son for quite some time.

Thinking of the money in her possession inevitably brought Wang Youliang to mind. To be honest, since she had been with Wang Youliang, he had treated her exceptionally well. After he opened his shop, he even gave her half of the profits. Although she contributed by preparing food and managing household matters, she knew her efforts were far from equivalent to the income she received. The thought of Wang Youliang's kindness made her feel intensely guilty about leaving without a word. But how could she possibly remain with him? Regardless, Wang Youliang still had his wife, and indeed, the entire Wang family. They could not disregard those people, and the longer she and Wang Youliang stayed together, the greater the harm inflicted upon them.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Cheng looked at Madam Huang’s distracted expression and voiced his concern, “Mother, you don’t need to worry. Cheng’er is grown now; I can protect you. Even if they come, we won't be afraid.”

Hearing this, Madam Huang looked at her son with tender satisfaction, yet a fresh wave of guilt washed over her. Her son was so filial, yet she was deceiving him. Madam Huang had explained their move to Zhao Cheng by saying that two acquaintances from their former village had warned her that the paternal uncle who unjustly seized their property had learned they were in Qingshan Town and, discovering they had some savings, planned to steal their assets again. Thus, they were forced to move once more.

Although Zhao Cheng could no longer recall his uncle’s exact appearance, the memory of the man who viciously stole their property still haunted him. Perhaps the fear ingrained in him from childhood had settled deep in his bones, for even though the image of his uncle was gone, the feeling of dread remained vividly familiar.

Therefore, Zhao Cheng wholeheartedly supported his mother’s decision to move. “Mother, when we get to the county seat, I can also earn money by copying books. And when I pass the Imperial Examinations in the future, you won’t have to work so hard.”

Madam Huang was deeply moved. She stroked her son’s head and pulled him into an embrace. “My good son, all I want is for you to live well.” As she spoke, Madam Huang’s own tears began to fall.

Nestled in Madam Huang’s embrace, Zhao Cheng felt his mother crying. He looked up and gently wiped her tears away. “Mother, don't be sad. Your son will certainly make something of himself in the future, and I will be filial to you.”

“Mmm!” Madam Huang nodded, smiling, and drew her son close again. Then, through the gap where the carriage curtain lifted in the wind, she gazed at the passing scenery, praying that everything would go smoothly once they reached the county seat.

Back at the Wang family's ancestral home, the Old Master and Old Mistress had, as a precaution, kept their son locked up for a few more days. By the time Wang Youliang was released, Madam Huang and her son had already been gone for several days.

When Wang Youliang was let out, he assumed his parents had finally relented, and he was overjoyed, believing the hardship of the past few days had not been in vain.

Wang Youliang asked his father, who was unlocking the door, “Father, have you agreed to let her into the family?”

The Old Master looked deeply at Wang Youliang. “I told you, I will never allow that widow to set foot in the Wang family home.”

The Old Master’s words were like a bucket of icy water on Wang Youliang. “Father…”

“Silence! Do you want to be locked up for a few more days?” the Old Master roared.

Wang Youliang certainly did not want to be imprisoned again. He hadn't seen Madam Huang in many days and worried she might be anxious. This time, he resolved not to be confined again; he had to go see Madam Huang to ease her worries.

Seeing Wang Youliang lower his head and say no more, the Old Master felt a flicker of satisfaction. “Go wash up first, then come eat.”

The Old Master left first, and while Wang Youliang didn't particularly care about the meal, the thought of not having bathed for days—the odor he must carry—made him realize he couldn't possibly face Madam Huang looking like this. So, he followed his father’s instruction and went to bathe.

Tian Shi looked at the disheveled Wang Youliang upon his release, unsure whether to remain angry or feel pity for him. However, the realization that the widow was gone, meaning no one would bother Wang Youliang anymore, immediately brightened her mood. She began preparing things for Wang Youliang’s bath.

Wang Youliang watched Tian Shi bustling about and felt that his wife was actually quite decent. It seemed she had calmed down. Perhaps she no longer opposed his marrying Madam Huang. Thinking this, Wang Youliang regretted how poorly he had treated his wife over the years. Eager to mend their relationship, Wang Youliang softened his voice. “Don’t worry, I’ve seen all your hard work over these years. Even if she enters the household later, she will never surpass you.”

Tian Shi had felt a moment of emotion listening to the first part of his sentence, but the latter part instantly ignited her fury. “Wang Youliang, you were locked up for days, and you’re still thinking about that widow? Let me tell you, even if you keep thinking about her, you won’t see her again!”

“What are you talking about? What do you mean I won’t see her? Explain yourself!” Wang Youliang’s expression changed sharply as he demanded.

“Hmph! You still care about her and want to marry her, don't you? I’m telling you, that widow has already moved away from Qingshan Town. And here you are, unable to forget her, while she clearly hasn't spared you a second thought!” Tian Shi sneered.

“You’re lying! How could she leave Qingshan Town? No, she wouldn’t. If she were leaving, she would never fail to tell me,” Wang Youliang roared.

“I’m lying? Don't believe me? Go see for yourself if what I’m saying is true—whether she’s truly left Qingshan Town!” Tian Shi retorted, unwilling to back down.

Although Wang Youliang had occasionally considered the possibility that Madam Huang and her son might leave Qingshan Town someday, it was never supposed to be now. This was too sudden. A sudden thought seemed to strike him, and his eyes widened. “It was you! Tell me, was it you? Did you force her to leave? No wonder! No wonder Father and Mother only locked me up and didn't beat me again—it’s because you two went to her and pressured her into leaving! No, I can’t let that happen, I have to stop her…”

Saying this, Wang Youliang abandoned the idea of bathing. Without waiting for Tian Shi’s reaction, he spun around and bolted toward the town. He left behind a heartbroken Tian Shi, who watched his retreating figure and murmured, “Wang Youliang, how could you unjustly accuse me like this without discerning right from wrong? What is so good about that widow? I am the wife you properly married!”

The Old Master and Old Mistress, hearing the commotion, came out only to see Wang Youliang’s retreating back and the weeping Tian Shi. The old couple could only shake their heads helplessly at the scene. Their son would be heartbroken initially, but they trusted that time would soothe his feelings; for now, they could only ask their daughter-in-law to bear the grievance.

Meanwhile, Wang Youliang only knew he had to run, to run with all his might to intercept Madam Huang before she left. Wang Youliang poured all his energy into running without stopping. Passersby saw only a filthy man sprinting like a madman; some even assumed he was having a seizure and quickly made way.

By the time Wang Youliang reached Madam Huang’s doorway, he was gasping for breath. But Wang Youliang paid no mind to his own state; he desperately pounded on the courtyard gate.

After knocking for a long time without any response, Wang Youliang’s heart began to sink. Had he arrived too late? Had Madam Huang already left? The thought struck him, and like a deflated ball, he slumped down by the entrance to Madam Huang’s house.

Just then, the old woman living across the street from Madam Huang opened her door. Although the old woman’s eyesight was poor, her hearing was sharp. She had distinctly heard the repeated knocking from across the way for some time. The old woman ignored whether anyone was outside and simply called out ahead, “Stop knocking! They’ve already moved out.”

Wang Youliang, who had collapsed onto the ground, shot back to his feet upon hearing the old woman’s voice, rushing over quickly. “They’ve moved out? When did this happen? How could they leave? Do you know where they went?”

The old woman had only called out to stop the knocking; she hadn’t actually seen anyone. Suddenly hearing a voice and being bombarded with so many questions at once, she froze, momentarily unable to respond.

But Wang Youliang’s state of mind, which could only be described as burning with anxiety, could not tolerate the old woman’s dawdling. He roared, “Tell me quickly!”

This shout jolted the old woman back to reality. “Ay, you man! Why do you speak like that? You’ve nearly deafened my ears!”

Only then did Wang Youliang force himself to speak gently. “Please tell me where the family moved to?”

“How would I know that? People don’t specially come to tell me when they move,” the old woman replied, pausing before continuing, “They moved out four days ago. The landlord even said their lease hadn't expired, who expected them to be in such a hurry to leave.”