After I transmigrated, the cold king clung to me every day.

Chapter 234 Reluctant Farewell, Returning to the Ninth Prince's Mansion

The next morning, as soon as the sky began to lighten, Su Wan'er got up, hurriedly packed her things, and left the mansion early.

She strode quickly toward the carriage that was already waiting in front of the mansion, lifted her skirt, and gracefully boarded the carriage.

The carriage started slowly, its wheels rolling with a dull thud as it sped along the winding road.

The scenery outside the window rushed past like a revolving lantern, but Su Wan'er had no heart to appreciate it. Her gaze was fixed on the front, her eyes filled with anxiety and frustration.

As the carriage traveled further and further away, the bustling town was gradually left behind, replaced by a desolate and uninhabited landscape. Weeds grew rampant on both sides of the road, and a few withered trees stood alone in the barren fields, adding to the sense of desolation.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally came to a slow stop in a secluded place. A short walk later, the thatched hut came into view.

Su Wan'er gently lifted the carriage curtain, gracefully stepped out of the carriage, and looked at the scene in front of her. She couldn't help but purse her lips in helplessness, but still forced herself to continue walking forward.

Su Wan'er stood in front of the slightly dilapidated door, gently tidied the hair behind her ear, and then raised her voice, clear and with an undeniable air, called out into the doorway, "Is anyone home?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than the door creaked open, and Sun Lan appeared hastily from behind it. She was dressed in coarse linen clothes, her hair was a little disheveled, and her face was flushed from working.

Upon seeing Su Wan'er, a flash of panic crossed her eyes, and she nearly stumbled and fell. She hurriedly knelt down, her words slurred in her haste: "Greetings...Greetings...Your...Your Highness."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from inside the house, and Li Yue rushed out upon hearing the sound.

Her sleeves were rolled up high, revealing her slender yet strong forearms, and her hands were still covered with some unwashed dirt, clearly indicating that she was busy working.

She had been focused, but the moment she saw Su Wan'er, her movements suddenly froze, her eyes widened, and she stood there stunned as if frozen in place.

After a long while, she came to her senses. A hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned down slightly. Reluctantly, she bent her knees and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Su Wan'er raised her head, her chin slightly lifted, looking down at the two kneeling on the ground. The corners of her mouth curled up, forming a smug and arrogant arc, and she uttered two words lightly: "Get up!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Lan and her daughter Li Yue slowly rose to their feet. Sun Lan smiled broadly, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes conveying a fawning tone. She bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Your Highness's presence is truly an honor to our humble abode. Please come in and have a seat and rest." As she spoke, she gestured for them to enter.

Su Wan'er frowned slightly, her eyes filled with impatience. She waved her hand casually and said, "No need. I've come to take Huan'er back to the palace! Where is she? Why isn't she here?" Her words were firm and unquestionable.

Sun Lan's smile froze instantly, a hint of panic flashed across her face, her eyes darted around, and she stammered, "Uh... she, um, Your Highness, Huan'er just gave birth yesterday and is still weak, so I let her sleep a little longer."

At this moment, Li Yue, who had been standing to the side, clenched her fists tightly, her fair knuckles turning white from the force. She couldn't hold back any longer, took a step forward, her face stubborn, and although she tried to remain restrained, her tone still couldn't hide her disdain and determination: "Your Highness, Huan'er is not feeling well, can't she just rest properly?" After saying that, she stared straight at Su Wan'er, her eyes showing no sign of backing down.

Upon hearing this, Su Wan'er slowly turned her head, her gaze like a knife shooting towards Li Yue. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, revealing a half-smile, and she softly uttered a single word: "Oh?" The sound was drawn out, with the last syllable rising, carrying a strong sense of oppression.

Upon seeing this, Sun Lan's face turned deathly pale. Her eyes widened in terror, and she hurriedly reached out to grab Li Yue, her voice trembling and pleading, "Yue'er~" as if she was afraid that Li Yue would say something else that would offend Su Wan'er and bring disaster upon herself.

Su Wan'er's gaze was sharp as she stared intently at Li Yue, her eyes seeming to see right through her.

After a long stalemate, Su Wan'er suddenly burst into laughter, as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world. She tilted her head back, her nostrils slightly upturned, and spoke casually, her tone full of arrogance and contempt: "Huan'er has been with me since she was little. Who in this world understands her better than me? She's just a maid. As a maid, she should fulfill her duties. Unless she's dead and buried, she should obediently return to serve her master. This is her fate, and her duty; no one else has the right to question it." Every word was like a cold knife, cutting into the hearts of Li Yue and Sun Lan.

Upon hearing this, Li Yue felt a surge of anger rush to her head, her eyes instantly turning red, her eyebrows furrowing tightly, her eyes filled with anger and resentment. She took a step forward, her finger trembling as she pointed at Su Wan'er, and had just uttered the word "you!" when Sun Lan swiftly pulled her back.

Sun Lan's face was filled with terror as she gripped Li Yue's arm tightly, as if that would suppress her anger. She called out urgently, "Yue'er!"

Li Yue was both anxious and angry. She turned to look at Sun Lan, her eyes brimming with tears, and cried out in a sob, "Mother!"

Just as tensions were about to rise, the door to the room slowly swayed, and Huan'er walked out with weak steps. She was thin, her face was as pale as paper, and her steps were unsteady, as if each step had used up all her strength.

She lowered her head, her hair disheveled and falling on either side of her face, her expression solemn and filled with deep inferiority. Approaching the crowd, she slowly knelt, her voice weak yet respectful: "This servant greets Your Highness." Her voice betrayed endless weariness and helplessness.

Seeing this, Li Yue and Sun Lan were extremely anxious. They both reached out to help Huan'er up, but Huan'er gently shook her head, refusing their help with a weak but firm strength.

Seeing this, Su Wan'er merely glanced coldly at Huan'er, let out a sneer from her nose, waved her hand casually, and said impatiently, "Get up."

Su Wan'er raised her chin slightly, her eyes filled with a haughty air, and looked at Huan'er. Although she tried to be gentle, she couldn't hide her imperious nature: "Huan'er, I've come here specifically to take you back to the Prince's Mansion. Pack your things and come back with me."

As she spoke, she gently covered the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, as if waiting for her son's grateful response.

Huan'er trembled slightly and slowly raised her head. Her eyes were devoid of light, as empty as a dead pool, and her face was expressionless, like a soulless puppet.

Her voice was mechanical and cold, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth: "Yes! This servant has already prepared and will return to the palace with the Princess immediately."

When she answered, her back was ramrod straight, her movements stiff, as if she were being controlled by invisible ropes. Every gesture she made was full of resignation, as if her life had already been predetermined and resistance was futile.

Huan'er silently walked to the side, picked up the already packed, worn but neatly arranged luggage, and mechanically followed behind Su Wan'er.

Her steps were slow and hesitant, each step as if she were dragging a heavy burden.

As she approached the carriage, she paused instinctively, slowly turning her head, her gaze lingering on Sun Lan and Li Yue like silk threads.

Her eyes instantly reddened, filled with reluctance and helplessness. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and her lips trembled slightly, as if she had a thousand words to say but swallowed them back down.

Her nostrils flared slightly as she tried to suppress the emotions that were about to burst forth. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

In the end, Huan'er hardened her heart, turned around, and stepped into the carriage. As the wheels turned and the carriage slowly drove away, her gaze remained fixed on Sun Lan and Li Yue's figures through the carriage window, until the figures grew smaller and smaller until they disappeared at the end of the winding road.

Once the carriage was completely out of sight, Sun Lan's tense emotions instantly collapsed. Her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground, bursting into tears. Her cries were heart-wrenching, filled with deep reluctance and pain.

Li Yue's eyes were also red, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She quickly squatted down, put Sun Lan in her arms, and gently patted Sun Lan's back while whispering comforting words.

However, in her reddened eyes, besides tears, there was also a flicker of disdain and anger towards Su Wan'er. Her gaze was like a burning flame, wishing she could burn all the injustice and humiliation to ashes.