The heavy rain arrived as scheduled.
The sky was dark and oppressive, thunder was deafening to the ears, as if wanting to destroy all things of heaven and earth.
The wild wind followed arrogantly and recklessly, the old house was cold like an ice cellar.
Dead branches were ignited, Yu Tingwan added a few more firewoods, as the firelight flickered, the heat drove away the chill on her body.
In the pot were boiling radishes brought over from the Wei family, cut into pieces, inside also sprinkled were wild mountain scallions picked from the mountain.
The taste couldn’t be considered good, but with hot soup entering the belly, the girl’s pale complexion also improved quite a bit.
Lower abdomen had a sinking pain, it was almost time for monthly matters.
Yu Tingwan’s monthly matters had always been inaccurate, but every time it came it could take away half her life.
She went to lie down on the couch, and again used the quilt to cover herself, eyes open listening to the cold wind howling outside.
In the previous life, it was in these few days that Little Xu-shi entered the basin. [“Entered the basin” (临盆) refers to being in labor.]
It wasn’t yet time, but on a rainy day, the road was slippery, she didn’t stand firmly and fell. The fetus position was already unstable, then with being frightened, there were signs of difficult labor.
Below her body was all blood.
Wang-shi heard the sound and chased out, was frightened silly, harshly ordered Yu Tingwan to go find the village midwife.
Outside the snow was thick, one step down and the calf could sink in. The kerosene lamp Yu Tingwan carried was also soon blown out.
At that time, how could she have known that Wang-shi had already negotiated the price with the Dong family, just waiting to choose an auspicious date and time to send her away.
She was grateful for the kindness of the Hu family, stumbled all the way forward ignoring the bone-piercing cold, moving forward in the dark.
By the time she invited the midwife back to the Hu family, she was drenched all over, lower belly hurt so much she couldn’t stand straight.
But by the ear, along with Little Xu-shi’s cries and wails of pain, was also Wang-shi’s scolding.
“Stop crying! Crying for what? Just walking a bit and you can fall, aren’t you capable, if my good grandson has even a slight mishap, see how I deal with you.”
Little Xu-shi was in so much pain she could hardly breathe, forehead full of sweat, hands gripping the bedding tightly, veins bulging.
“But Mother, I’m in pain.”
“Which woman doesn’t give birth? Only you know how to holler!”
Wang-shi saw her face was deathly pale, furrowed her brows and directly said to the midwife: “If something happens, must protect the small one.”
Thinking of the silver promised by the Dong family, Wang-shi smiled from the eyebrows, not at all caring about Little Xu-shi who was still giving birth, proudly said:
“Later I’ll find another wife for Dalang anew.” [“Dalang” is a generic way of referring to the eldest son in a traditional household.]
What kind of words are these?
Still the mother of a scholar.
The midwife found her obstructive, directly drove Wang-shi out.
“Creating what mess, still giving birth or not? If you’re fine, then go to the kitchen and boil water.”
Wang-shi also found the room inauspicious, unwillingly walked out. Her gaze swept past Yu Tingwan, who was biting her lip and leaning against the wall unsteadily.
“Didn’t you hear? Standing here doing what? Still not going to boil water.”
Yu Tingwan spoke very lightly, almost drowned out by Little Xu-shi’s groans of pain inside the room:
“Maternal Aunt, my body is unwell, maybe…”
But Wang-shi looked down at her from above.
“Hurts this much? Why haven’t you died from the pain? Don’t be pretending, just wanting to slack off. I told you to go, so you go! Am I not able to command you?”
Yu Tingwan didn’t want to recall.
But these scenes didn’t care about her will, inch by inch they burrowed into memory.
She turned over, a trace of a cold smile spilled from the corner of her mouth.
She just wanted to see, now that she wasn’t there, what kind of chaos the Hu family would fall into.
After all… Little Xu-shi gave birth to a daughter.
Yu Tingwan suddenly thought of something more important. In just over ten days it would be New Year’s Eve, and she actually hadn’t gotten herself married off yet.
Her New Year’s Eve dinner better not be just plain vegetables and radish again.
Yu Tingwan could no longer lie down, she was especially melancholy.
The rain hadn’t let up at all, as if it could smash a hole through the rooftop.
In the next room, Wei Zhao also hadn’t slept, his eyelids drooping.
He didn’t care that the news of his death had reached Shangjing, throwing the court and the entire political scene into chaos.
The Wei family army was the most elite force Da Jin could present, built up through real skill on the battlefield.
Which barbarian enemy didn’t fear them a little?
But once Wei Zhao got into trouble, who could take over the Wei family army? Those soldiers only obeyed him.
Wei Zhao also didn’t care if foreign nations took advantage of the chaos to invade.
Da Jin doesn’t bear his surname—what does it have to do with him?
This empire—why should he protect it for the Da Jin emperor?
A cold and ferocious glint flashed in his eyes, and a trace of mockery floated on his lips.
At this moment, Hui Niang came in carrying the medicine.
“There’s a lot of beans at home, and the rain outside looks frightening. Thinking of the muddy mountain roads, your father and I might as well not go out tomorrow. We’ll stay home and make tofu for you.”
Saying this, she added: “We’ll bring some over for Wan Niang too, and also have to take some more vegetables.”
“There’s no shortage of this stuff in the countryside, but when she moved out, that maternal aunt of hers didn’t give her a thing. The stuff she took today definitely didn’t cost just four wen. Can’t let a young unmarried girl suffer a loss.”
While speaking, she placed the medicine at the bedside.
At that moment, Wei Shouzhong’s voice came from outside.
“Hui Niang, the kitchen house has taken in water.”
The kitchen house was full of stacked firewood—how could Hui Niang still bother with talking to Wei Zhao? She immediately turned and went out.
But as she stepped out the door, she didn’t forget to call out: “The medicine’s on the bedside. Once it cools down, don’t forget to drink it.”
Wei Zhao’s expression was indifferent as he looked toward the medicine bowl at the bedside.
The medicine smell was pungent and bitter just from smelling it.
Wei Zhao picked it up, slowly walked to the window, and opened it.
The demon wind blew in, bean-sized raindrops smashed against his body.
The last time it rained this heavily, he was still in Shangjing.
That was two years ago.
At that time, the entire Duke Shun Guo Manor was solemn and silent, even the servants didn’t dare breathe loudly, all acting cautiously.
Wei Zhao waited by the bedside of the Duke Shun Guo Madam who had caught cold from the wind, his attitude respectful.
“Guizhi, Mother dreamed of your father again.”
Guizhi, his courtesy name. [“字” (zi) is a courtesy name, traditionally given to Chinese men at adulthood.]
The Madam of Duke Shun Guo softly said: “He’s been gone for three years now. What he couldn’t let go of the most before he died was you.”
“You, really—insisting on going to the borderlands to fight and kill, isn’t staying in Shangjing good enough? You’re the only branch of the Guogong Manor. If something happens to you, how will Mother explain to your father?”
“Mother will enter the palace and beg His Majesty, beg him to summon you back to the capital…”
These words were still vivid in Wei Zhao’s memory. Yet at some unknown point, the face of the Madam of Duke Shun Guo had become blurry and unfamiliar.
Wei Zhao looked lifeless.
But Hui Niang’s voice entered his ears, dragging him back to reality from the memories.
“Master of the house, quick, bring the firewood into our room. If it all gets soaked, that’ll be a big problem.”
“How come the roof is leaking? Once the rain stops we’ll have to re-lift the tiles and fix it.”
Wei Shouzhong put on a rain cape, holding the firewood in his arms, saving however much he could.
Just as he rushed out of the kitchen house, he saw Wei Zhao standing there dazed, holding the medicine. A bad premonition rose up for no reason.
Wei Zhao also saw him.
His gaze lightly drifted over, then casually moved back.
Wei Zhao remembered why he had opened the window—he twisted his wrist and poured the medicine out.
Wei Shouzhong: ???
I’m watching you!!
“You…”
He wanted to scold, but couldn’t bear to.
After all, his son’s mental state wasn’t normal now.
That stupid nephew of Granny Fan, same age as A’Lang, yet still can’t take care of himself, even soils his pants. That’s what really gives people a headache.
Wei Zhao felt no guilt at all, even less did he think there was anything wrong. After pouring the medicine, he was about to leave.
Oh—and he blatantly, righteously even, remembered to close the window.
Wei Shouzhong: …
Felt very relieved. At least he didn’t let himself catch cold.