The air was stagnant.
Everyone’s gaze fell on Yu Tingwan.
The young lady looked good, bare-faced, yet as if she wore makeup.
She wore many layers of cotton clothes, so her figure couldn’t be seen. But her skin was white like porcelain, eyes like they carried affectionate autumn ripples, inner corners drawn in, outer corners raised. Below one tear mole, her bright and beautiful facial features carried a layer of unknowing charm.
And yet her voice was soft and gentle, pure and clean.
Since Granny Chen entered the courtyard, she had been paying attention.
This wasn’t something the vulgar rouge powder in her hands could compare to. If trained a little, who knew how many men’s souls she could hook.
She originally thought she was a daughter of the Wei family—turns out she wasn’t.
Yu Tingwan was waiting for Hui Niang’s reply.
She was originally acting on impulse, but now the more she thought about it, the more she felt this matter could work.
In this world, there were too few men who could be relied on. Yu Tingwan knew better than anyone else—wasn’t it because of her outstanding appearance that Butcher Wu was so easy to talk to back then?
For a woman, the most taboo thing is to serve others with beauty.
Sometimes, relying on a man was not as good as relying on in-laws.
There were too few men like Butcher Wu whose parents had passed away early. As long as there were elders at home, her background would be a chronic illness.
Even if now Li Lian vouched for her and those people didn’t mind, but once they lived together long, disputes would be unavoidable.
Yu Tingwan actually didn’t fear hardship—what she feared was after bearing hardships, still having to suffer under a harsh mother-in-law, be made difficult by sister-in-laws, and have to endure her pillow-side person coldly watching.
She didn’t want to spend every day arguing about these things. If the married life was not as good as before marriage, what would she be seeking?
All Yu Tingwan wanted was stability. Wei Shen didn’t have it, but she saw it in Hui Niang.
After these days of getting along, Hui Niang had seen Yu Tingwan’s steadiness with her own eyes. She would never joke about something like this.
Hui Niang was shocked.
Not just her—even Wei Shouzhong was especially surprised.
But had to say, after hearing so many girls’ words, only what Yu Tingwan said struck the couple’s hearts.
Yu Tingwan’s expression was serious—she truly felt this matter was feasible.
Before Hui Niang could react, someone already became displeased.
Granny Chen heavily put down the teacup: “What’s the meaning of this? Why is this girl so shameless?”
She turned her face toward Hui Niang: “Sister, you’re not letting me come all this way for nothing, right?”
Wasn’t this cutting her off halfway?
Yu Tingwan frowned and glanced at her, tugging her lips in amusement: “This is a matter of mutual consent, what are you getting so worked up for?”
“This is just a meeting. If Auntie thinks it’s suitable, then you’ll agree to let the girl enter the door. If you think it’s not, can you force it? Putting on what kind of prestige?”
She casually glanced over at Granny Chen: “A ya po who does human trafficking business—buying and selling girls with silver paid, selling contracts signed and stamped at the yamen—but it’s still a harmful business.”
The little girl was especially indifferent: “I’m not one of the girls in your hands, for you to butcher at will, looking at your face for cues.”
“I want to enter the Wei family’s gate — that’s indeed hindering you. So what? That Wei Shen can’t be in demand? If you’re feeling unwell, just endure it. Who knows where an outsider like you gets this arrogance — do you think this is your home?”
She gave a suggestion: “If you really can’t stand it, then take your people and go back.”
That way, she’d have no competition!
This little girl really had two faces. She made Granny Chen so angry she was choking, yet turned around and spoke to Hui Niang in a soft and gentle voice.
“Auntie, now that I’ve moved out, I can be the one to make the decision about marriage.”
Granny Chen was furious, her whole face dark.
But she truly had no way to forcefully buy or sell.
————
Hu family.
The baby’s crying had not stopped — the sound was already hoarse from crying.
Young Xu-Shi was physically weak, unable to get out of bed, and no matter how she coaxed, it didn’t work. Her eyes were full of exhaustion — after giving birth, she seemed to have aged several years overnight.
“Mother.”
She had no other choice, so she called out toward the outside.
“Mother, are you there?”
Bang — the room door was kicked open.
Bone-piercing cold wind blew in, and Young Xu-Shi quickly wrapped the child tightly in the quilt.
Wang-Shi [王氏, Wang shi — referring to the mother-in-law surnamed Wang] had a dark expression:
“What are you shouting for!”
She glanced at the child in Young Xu-Shi’s arms. Her hope of hugging a grandson shattered — how could she be happy?
“When Dalang was just born, he didn’t cry or fuss — he was so easy to raise. But look at her, crying so loud I can’t even sleep at night. How is this anything like Dalang’s seed!”
These words could be said to stab the heart.
Young Xu-Shi’s tears burst out.
“Mother, how can you say that about me? Could the child be born by me and someone else?”
She truly hated Wang-Shi to the bone!
But her natal family was weak, so she could only choose to bow her head. Young Xu-Shi turned her face away and hurriedly wiped her tears.
“The child is terribly hungry — I really have no solution.”
A hungry belly — how could a baby not cry?
Wang-Shi was impatient: “Only you have so many problems. Even your belly isn’t dependable!”
“Did I starve you or deprive you? And you can’t even feed a child?”
She cursed as she muttered, preparing to go out and look for goat’s milk.
“Mother.”
Young Xu-Shi timidly called out to stop her.
“I haven’t slept for many days already. I really can’t manage alone. Can you…”
Wang-Shi glared at her: “You still want me to take care of it?”
It wasn’t her grandson—why would she bother!
Young Xu-Shi — what could she do? She could only grit her teeth.
“Mother, then let Wan Niang come back.”
She carefully looked at Wang-Shi’s expression, afraid of making her angry: “Back then she was hard-boned, insisted on going against us. Now that she lives outside, she must have suffered all sorts of hardships and regrets it.”
“Didn’t Mother keep saying these past days how tired you are? If she comes back, someone will do the chores at home, and things on my side will also get easier.”
Wang-Shi frowned.
That little wretch had a bad temper, but her work was indeed efficient.
Seeing her expression slightly loosen, Young Xu-Shi quickly added:
“If Father comes back and doesn’t see Wan Niang, he’ll probably get angry. Then don’t even think about spending this new year in peace.”
“Since it’s like this, it’s better to give her a step down first.”
“So that when she sees Father backing her, she won’t climb up along the pole and sit on the face.”
“If she turns around and pretends to be pitiful, then Mother will have to go personally apologize and beg her to come back.”
When Wang-Shi heard this, she thought it made a lot of sense.
Back then, when Yu Tingwan left, she hadn’t even given her a single grain of rice. She must have cried and begged for forgiveness by now.
Wang-Shi set off, walked a long distance, and finally was almost at the old house.
From afar, she saw Granny Chen leading five girls out of the neighboring Wei family’s house.
Wang-Shi didn’t recognize them.
But she did recognize Yu Tingwan, who was walking a few steps behind those people, slowly trailing out.
As if sensing something, Yu Tingwan lifted her eyes and looked this way.
Wang-Shi raised her head high: “Wan—”
She had just said one syllable, when Yu Tingwan’s expression turned cold.
She walked disdainfully toward the direction of the old house.
Wang-Shi hurried to catch up.
“Enough, I’ve already come to fetch you, that already counts as giving you face. What are you still throwing a tantrum for?”
Yu Tingwan stepped over the threshold.
Wang-Shi closely followed — but before she could enter the courtyard…
Only to hear a loud bang.
Yu Tingwan heavily shut the door.
If Wang-Shi hadn’t dodged fast enough, it probably would’ve slammed right into her face.
She was both frightened and furious.
“You—”
She had just said one word.
When a cold voice came from inside:
“Scram.”
Next door, Hui Niang heard the noise and hurriedly rushed out.
She saw Wang-Shi at the old house entrance, furiously pounding on the door.
She was afraid Yu Tingwan was being bullied.
“Wan Niang, are you alright?”
A response quickly came from inside.
“I’m fine.”
“Just ran into some filth.”