At this moment, the sky had already darkened, the rosy clouds at the edge of the sky were about to retreat.
Yu Tingwan exited the room, outside the clinking of cups and mingling of voices had not stopped, Aunt Wu was continuously praising that the dishes had good appearance and even better taste.
Seeing her come out, everyone wasn’t surprised. Who really expected Wei Shen to consummate the marriage anyway.
Hui-niang was originally preparing to send food in, she smilingly waved toward the girl: “You’ve also been tired for a whole day, quickly come eat.”
Really.
Just now in the room thinking they might consummate, wasn’t even as exciting to her as eating now.
The little girl’s lips curved slightly, shallow dimples suddenly appeared, she walked over and sat down.
Hui-niang pointed to the two people beside and introduced to her.
“This is your jiujiu [舅舅 – maternal uncle], this is your jiumu [舅母 – wife of maternal uncle].”
Yu Tingwan gently called: “Jiujiu, jiumu.”
Zhao Yong wasn’t good with words, quickly nodded his head. The woman beside him, Yu-Shi, on the other hand, intimately held Yu Tingwan’s hand.
“Some days ago your mother-in-law came back, said A’Lang was getting married, and the girl he fancied had good looks, rare to find even in ten li eight villages. I didn’t believe it at first.”
“Just thought she was satisfied with her daughter-in-law, so she exaggerated you to the skies. But seeing you today, turns out you really are a beauty.”
Yu Tingwan was surprised.
This Yu-Shi was really smooth and well-rounded.
In just a few sentences, she first told her how much Hui-niang valued her, and then didn’t forget to express that she herself also approved.
Yu Tingwan knew better than anyone that Yu-Shi didn’t have bad intentions.
Back then when Xiao-niang died, it caused a big stir.
Wei Shouzhong and his wife couldn’t handle the blow and completely fell ill, Zhao Yong had no way to report to the authorities, went everywhere asking for help. It was Yu-Shi who chased to Xiao-niang’s husband’s house to curse and scold, argued until face red and nose flared, and in the end carried back the niece’s corpse on her back to help bury her.
At that time, many people privately said Yu-Shi was really fierce.
But Yu-Shi clearly didn’t have to step in—after all, Xiao-niang was only her niece.
Yu Tingwan had thought at the time that Wang-Shi wasn’t even comparable to one of Yu-Shi’s fingers.
After everyone ate and drank their fill, they left one after another.
Wei Shouzhong sent Wei family’s Uncle Gong back.
After Hui-niang saw Li Lian and the others off, she returned and saw Zhao Yong tidying up the table, Yu-Shi preparing to wash dishes.
Hui-niang: “Ge [哥 – older brother], Saozi [嫂子 – sister-in-law]. It’s dark outside, and snowing too, not easy to walk night roads. Just stay home for the night.”
Zhao Yong looked at Yu-Shi.
At home, it was Yu-Shi who called the shots.
When Yu-Shi married into the Zhao family, Hui-niang hadn’t married yet. Because mother-in-law passed early and father-in-law’s health wasn’t good, she began managing the household as soon as she entered the door.
Younger sister-in-law worked fast and neatly, and was also understanding and considerate.
She treated Hui-niang as her own younger sister and doted on her.
“No need, once we help you tidy up, at home… I still can’t feel at ease, I must go back. Your ge and I can look out for each other, what could possibly happen?”
Hui-niang sighed and didn’t try to persuade anymore, stopping Yu-Shi from doing chores: “Then best go now, just the road alone will take an hour, who knows whether the snow will fall heavier later.”
Yu-Shi waved her hand: “Where does it matter, just this bit of effort.”
Hui-niang couldn’t argue with her, truly at a loss.
Then someone smiled.
Yu Tingwan said: “Jiumu, just listen to Mother.”
“Mother’s just worried about you and Jiujiu.”
“You dote on her, at least let her dote back on you a little.”
Mn, Yu Tingwan could speak human words when seeing people, and speak ghost words when seeing ghosts.
These few sentences made Yu-Shi’s heart feel at ease, and her gaze toward Yu Tingwan grew a bit more satisfied.
After sending them out the door, Hui-niang—as usual—wouldn’t let Yu Tingwan do any chores.
So Yu Tingwan went to the kitchen house to boil water. Couldn’t let Hui-niang suffer with cold water washing dishes.
———
After Yu Tingwan went out, Wei Zhao fell asleep.
His consciousness was fuzzy and blurry, as if there was still someone calling him at his ear.
Very chaotic.
All of a sudden it was the voice of the Heir of Marquis Zhongyong, Xiao Huaiyan.
【“That qianjin [千金 – daughter of a high official or noble family] from the Directorate of Lesser Treasury’s residence is interested in you. You not responding is fine, but on the road she stopped you to speak, even blinked at you and sent flirty glances. And you? First said she had an eye disease, then turned around and suspected she was a spy, had her dragged down for interrogation?”】
【“With this way of yours, who would dare marry you? If future sao-furen [嫂夫人 – sister-in-law, or more broadly, a woman married to one’s older brother or peer] touches you, would you not break her hand?”】
At that time, he was wiping the Po Yun spear, the weapon gleamed with cold light, and in his pitch-black, bottomless eyes there was a stern and chilling coldness.
【“This general has official duties, and yet she lingered like a ghost haunting the soul. How would I know if she didn’t have ulterior motives? If she is innocent, the Wei Family Army will not abuse private punishment and will naturally release her.”】
Xiao Huaiyan didn’t believe it one bit!
After making such a fuss, what kind of girl would still throw herself at Wei Zhao! This move of Wei Zhao’s was ruthless, clearly to cut off all future trouble.
The voice was quickly replaced by another.
【“Fu Meng hasn’t seen you these days, been sulking the whole time, not even eating.”】
Fu Meng was the tiger he raised.
He leaned over his writing desk, not even lifting his head.
【“Last time it tore apart the military manual left by a great scholar from the previous dynasty. It’s still not the day for the punishment period to be lifted.”】
Yes, he had told the tiger to face the wall and reflect.
Wei Zhao: 【“If it’s not eating, then it means it’s not hungry.”】
Very soon, the voice at his ear became choked with sobs.
The other party ran in from outside, gasping for breath.
【General.】
【“From Shangjing came news… they say the Guogong-ye [国公爷 – Duke of the Nation, a high-ranking noble] is probably not going to make it.”】
His expression froze for a moment, as if something had shattered.
Grief and fear spread through his entire body, the pain surged throughout his limbs, hurting so much that he couldn’t catch his breath.
Just then, the creaking sound of the old porter’s room door being pushed open seemed to come from far away. It tore apart all illusions.
“Fujun.” [夫君 – lit. “husband,” a formal, intimate way to address one’s spouse]
Yu Tingwan looked at the man on the bed—his face was pale, covered in sweat, and his body was trembling slightly. She inwardly called it bad.
“Fujun.”
She hurriedly set down the water basin and used the back of her hand to feel Wei Zhao’s forehead.
It wasn’t hot.
Maybe her hand was just too warm.
Yu Tingwan simply leaned down, using her own forehead to touch his. As soon as they touched, Wei Zhao suddenly opened his eyes.
His gaze was empty and hollow, yet seemed to be mixed with a desolate sorrow that could drown everything.
Yu Tingwan was momentarily dazed, forgot to pull back.
She seemed afraid of startling Wei Zhao, so her voice was very soft.
“You didn’t eat dinner. Are you hungry? I’ll go cook some wontons for you? Easy to digest, won’t cause food stagnation.”
She spoke again, softly and gently.
“Was it a nightmare? You’re drenched in sweat. That must feel awful—I’ll wipe your body and help you change clothes, alright?”
Wei Zhao watched her lips open and close, but didn’t hear what she was saying.
Bit by bit, he was pulled back to reality. His eyes shifted slightly, looking toward the person just within arm’s reach.
“Yu Tingwan.”
This was the first time he called her like this.
“Ah?”
Wei Zhao murmured: “You’re leaning in so close… do you want to consummate with me that badly?”
Yu Tingwan absolutely did not right now!
Don’t falsely accuse her!
But Yu Tingwan countered with a question: “Can’t I?”
Wei Zhao said coldly: “No.”
Yu Tingwan regretfully let out an “oh.”
She suddenly thought of something, and the way she looked at Wei Zhao became not quite right.
She had been so proactive before—how could Wei Zhao not have desire?
His rejection was clearly too deliberate.
It must be… back then, when he fell from the mountain, he injured that place too.
She really deserved to die.
Every time she made the first move, it was just causing Wei Zhao harm.
She held Wei Zhao’s hand: “It’s okay, I don’t despise you.”
Wei Zhao then heard her solemnly state:
“During the day we can be husband and wife, and at night… we can also be sisters.”