Mdm Zhai returned and reported to both Empress Quan and Shao Shang. She reassured them that everything had been well arranged. As per discussed, Shao Shang assumed the role of a married woman whose husband had laid down his life protecting the city. Shao Shang relocated, wanting to start all over again, to move on from the heartache. Empress Quan left a handmaiden and a male attendant, both in their mid-forties, for Shao Shang. While she brought the rest of the people back to the palace. Once again, they bid goodbye and Empress Quan board the horse carriage and head back to the palace. The handmaiden, Lu Sao, helped Shao Shang redo her hairstyle. Lu Sao tied a style commonly used by married women of Shao Shang's generation.
Shortly after, the male attendant, Uncle Lu went out to check. After ensuring, the coast was clear, he sent the signal to Lu Sao. Lu Sao helped Shao Shang board the horse carriage and made their way leisurely to Ping An Town. With pit stops along the way, the whole journey would take about five days from the hot spring villa to Ping An Town. After being on the road for over a day, they stopped by a nearby town to rest and get necessities for their new place. They walked passed a blacksmith and saw an exquisite axe. It caught Shao Shang's eyes and she bought it. She gave it to Uncle Lu, sharing that the axe's design was not only unique but good for chopping firewood. Uncle Lu accepted it with a smile. Next, they stopped by a cloth shop, Lu Sao picked out clothes and clothing suitable for all seasons. Shao Shang reminded Lu Sao to pick something suitable for Uncle Lu and herself. Lu Sao smiled and assured her that she had picked for everyone including the baby. Shao Shang also picked out carpentry and pottery tools. She dropped by the bookshop to get some reading books, paper, ink, and brushes.
After shopping, they went back to the inn to rest. Now that Shao Shang was going to be a mother, she was really different. Shao Shang read before going to slumber land. Lu Sao teased Shao Shang before heading to bed. The following day, after breakfast, the three of them continued their journey making their way to Ping An Town. Along the way, they met quite a number of refugees. Uncle Lu stopped and asked trying to find out more. One of the refugees explained that they were saved by Great General Huo, however, the village was no longer in living conditions thus the whole village decided to relocate to the outskirts of the town. The refugees shared that the road ahead was safe, all thanks to the great General Huo. The refugees kept singing the praises of General Huo. Shao Shang's heart wrenched as she heard the stories told by the refugees. She closed her eyes and rested as Uncle Lu continued the journey.
After about three hours into the journey, they stopped once again to let the horses rest. From somewhere behind the bushes, Shao Shang heard a crying child. Lu Sao followed closely beside Shao Shang to check things out. There, they saw a child around three years of age, sitting beside a dying lady. They approached with caution to check things out and realised that the lady was in grave condition. The lady held onto Shao Shang's hand and beg her to take her son. The dying lady said, 'Please take my son, my husband died trying to buy time until help arrive or for the villagers to leave. I didn't want to leave without him. Thus, he tried to hide the both of us instead. However, I was stabbed and I know I won't make it. Please take my son, so that I can leave it in peace and when I see my husband I can tell him that our son is in good hands.' The dying lady reminded Shao Shang of undying love, she looked at the child and stroke her tummy. Shao Shang gave her promise right before the lady passed on.
Lu Sao asked, 'What do you intend to do with his child? Shall we give him up for adoption? Should I make an arrangement for him when we reach the next town?' Shao Shang looked deeply into the eyes of the child. His eyes were so clear and bright, a child so brave and his biological parents so loyal. Shao Shang stroke his head gently and said to Lu Sao, 'Since I have given his mother my words, I'll be responsible for him. Moreover, what's more, convincing than to turn up in Ping An Town with a brother to my unborn child.' Shao Shang carried and clean the child up. She looked him in the eyes and asked if he wants to follow her. He nodded his little head. Gently, Shao Shang embraced him and said, 'From this moment onwards, You are my son, Huo Yi and I am your mother. I will love you, protect you, educate you and raise you. You will no longer be alone anymore.'