After finishing packing, Meilin than waited for Ming to come back as the boy went to find something important he wanted to bring along.
As he was waiting for his son, a sudden idea pop into his mind in which he couldn't help but form a sly grin on his mouth as he dwelled on his thoughts, laughing quite evilly.
Skipping towards the writing desk in a cheerful mood he quickly looked around first before grabbing some paper, ink and a brush that he wanted to use.
Instead of pens and pencils in this world, people use some sort of ink stick or ink paste that's paired up with a brush to pick up the ink with to write lettering and such.
Though surprised with the writing materials nevertheless it was still similar to his past world tools, like paint brushes.
Once he grabbed what he needed, Meilin then walked towards the dining table and sat down with a plop, placing the paper, ink and brush onto the table, aligned next to each other.
Since the damn prince doesn't want to see him then he would just leave a bill of divorce, heh even though it was too good for him to even inform that arrogant bastard, still Meilin wanted to keep it safe as he doesn't want trouble to come and bite him back in the ass.
Plus if one day the prince was to ever use it against him that he 'apparently runaway' he could always just bring up the excuse of the bill of divorce he had written down and also how the prince didn't want to see him in the first place.
Even though he doesn't know if this world have such a thing like a divorce but right at the moment he couldn't really give a damn as he was too happy to finally leave this cage like place.
Smiling with a wide grin plastered on his face, Meilin cheerfully placed the paper in front of him before grinding the ink.
When the ink was ground enough he then grab the brush and with his unoccupied hand gripped and pulled onto his sleeve pushing it back before he finally started to write on the piece of paper.
Swishing the brush elegantly on the piece of parchment as he concentrated deeply into it, once he was finally done, Meilin set his brush aside and then wiped the nonexistent sweat on his forehead before lifting the paper up with both hands.
He couldn't help but hum in bliss at his beautiful masterpiece, truly he envies himself well why shouldn't he?
After all, they do say love yourself first before you love anyone else, so you could say Meilin god damn sure felt rather narcissistic right at the moment.
He gotta admit his writing was very neat and elegant that he couldn't help but be put into a daze.
While Meilin was in his very own world, he was only then snapped out of it when he suddenly felt a slight tug on his robe from down below.
Looking downwards towards the culprit, that's where he spotted Ming giving him a toothy grin while holding onto some ragged doll.
Placing the paper down, Meilin hurriedly went to pick up his son and placed him onto his lap.
"What's this Ming," Meilin question as he scrutinised the ragged old doll with slightly raised brows.
"It's my toy Mama, don't you remember?"
"Remember what?"
"This was the first doll mama gave me," Ming said joyfully as he hugged it tightly with happiness.
Hearing this Meilin immediately scurried through his memory so he could see when did the original gave such a thing.
Only then did he saw images of when the original bought this toy for Ming, the reason behind it was because since the prince took him and Ming out for the first time to the market he wanted to seem like a doting parent while also gain a favourable impression so quickly be went to buy Ming this doll obviously in front of the princes view.
Seeing in the memory at how Ming first receive the toy, Meilin could tell that Ming took it to heart and treasured it deeply.
But seeing the ragged toy gripped tightly within Ming hold and knowing that it wasn't for pure intentions, he for sure didn't want Ming to bring it with him.
Sighing deeply as he knows what he will say next will probably bring his son to tears but Meilin strongly felt that he should do it anyways.
"Ming'er," He called out while looking at his son softly.
"Yes, Mama?" Ming innocently answered as he looked at his mama with his head slightly tilted.
"I know you won't like what I'm going to say next but...don't bring the doll with you"
"B-But why m-mama," Ming stuttered slowly as his eyes soon glazed with the tear, holding onto the doll tightly.
Sighing to himself as he expected the boy's action, Meilin rubbed the tears away with his thumb before he spoke up again in a gentle warm tone.
"I know you love the toy very much Ming'er but if we both want to start a new then you'll have to leave it behind."
"I-If I leave it behind than me and mama can start to move on?" Ming questioned as he looked deeply at his precious toy than back to his mother.
"En," Meilin hummed in reply as he watched his son action while patting his head in comfort.
"O-okay...then Mama...Ming'er will l-leave it behind t-then," Ming shakily replied as his hand slightly trembled.
Looking at the toy for the last time, Ming gave it a big kiss not before giving it one last hug as he reluctantly let it go, placing it onto the table beside the note.
It wasn't easy for him to let it go, the doll that has been by his side when he was down, bored, sad and alone. It was the very first toy his mama ever bought him, truly did he treasured it deeply and cared for it like it was an actual living being.
Even though he doesn't want to leave it behind but to start a new with his mama and to move on...then he might as well.
Seeing the sadness through his son's eyes, Meilin knew his bun was feeling quite sad and hurt to leave the ragged toy behind, though he felt guilt bubbling up within him he also at the same time believed that it was also the right thing to do since that will be the start to fully move forward.
Maybe by doing this they could finally leave the past behind and look forward to the future ahead.
Kissing his son forehead to cheer him up, Meilin waited for a bit before picking Ming up from his lap as began to stand, before he left the table Meilin summoned a jade token from his ring and placed it on the table next to the doll.
This token was the very token that is known to many people within this building, it was the token that state his identity, a consort.
Since he wouldn't be needing this from now on due to breaking ties with the prince and this kingdom he might as well happily return it back to the owner, maybe not face to face but nevertheless, this was good enough.
"Servants, prepare a carriage this consort wants to go out to the markets," Meilin called out as he walked straight out of the door closing it behind him, hurriedly the servants went to prepare him a carriage.
Watching the servants scurrying along preparing his ride, Meilin then wrapped a veil around his head with one hand while also pacing forwards towards the gates.
It wasn't unusual for the servants to see this, as the consort will always wear a veil when he goes out to the capital, plus when he first came to the palace the first thing they all noticed was the veil covering his face so very much they were already quite used to his routine.
"Mama...aren't we leaving," Ming whispered in his mother's ear, confused at his mother actions.
Wasn't they supposed to run away?
Why was his mother ordering the servants to prepare a carriage wouldn't it be too suspicious?!
Ming couldn't help but be filled with confusion as he stared at his mother with knitted brows.
"Silly boy, of course, we will leave but if we were to just run out of the blue we would get caught straight away," Meilin whispered replied as he chuckled softly to his sons' questions.
"Oh but Mama I still don't get how we could still go," Ming tilted his head while tapping his chin in an innocent manner.
"Haha well if Mama asked the servants to go out no one will find it suspicious and since they think me and Ming'er are exploring the capital they wouldn't think anything else."
"Oh, and what would we do next??"
"Well, Mama thought while they are distracted and minding the carriage we will quickly find the perfect time to run away!!" Meilin whispered as he quickly got on the carriage that was pulled by the palace spiritual beasts.
"Ohh I see, I see hehe Ming'er understands now," Ming cheered loudly while clapping his hand with excitement.
"Shhh baby not too loud. Hehe my, my, my, oh how my Ming'er is so smart to understand Mamas plan," Meilin chuckled once more before pinching his son squishy cheeks, which was his most favourite thing to do.
"Mama!! That hurts, " puffing his red cheeks as he glared at his chuckling Mama with teary eyes, Ming rubbed his cheeks continuously since they were in a tiny bit of pain.
Meilin couldn't help but chuckle once more, you can't blame him for teasing his son a lot, who told his bun to have the chubbiest cutest cheeks ever!!!
Suddenly a knock interrupted their precious moment which was only then soon accompanied by a male servant's voice, "Excuse this lowly one Consort Zhao, but shall we set forth?"
The servant questioned as he waited patiently for a reply while standing outside beside the carriage window.
"Go on, " Meilin gave a short reply as he closed the curtains to stop any prying eyes that his carriage will get along the way.
"Set forth, " a guard shouted out loud after being informed by the servant.
Soon the carriage then settled off with the spiritual beast pulling and trodding along, heading to the usual destination in mind.
To the servants and a few guards who came along, their only thought about this trip was the usual daily adventure to the markets but to the 2 individuals inside the carriage, it was something much more...
It was finally a new beginning with one another, the day they will finally make new memories.