Maybe it was because he had been angered by Yu Tingwan too many times, Wei Zhao actually didn’t feel the girl’s words were shocking.
But more or less, he was offended.
He withdrew his hand with an expressionless face, truly couldn’t understand—what exactly was Yu Tingwan after?
Just after a kind-hearted mother-in-law?
But in this world, women are weak in power, born beautiful, with an unremarkable family background that couldn’t protect her—that was the greatest taboo.
Husband passed away, no offspring at the knees to lean on, Wei Shouzhong and his wife were also old. If anything happened, a widow wouldn’t be able to move a single step.
Yu Tingwan didn’t seem like someone whose mind was muddled.
Li Lian clearly was helping her look. Even if the man introduced had shortcomings, he was at least something to rely on, but she insistently wanted to enter the Wei family’s gate.
Over these years, there were many who wanted to form ties or relations with Wei Zhao.
Not to mention those in officialdom trying to get close.
There were plenty of those flattering and trying to call him brother, and even more coming under the pretense of distant relatives—so distant they couldn’t be any more distant—asking to stay at his place.
But… the one wanting to become his “sister”—Yu Tingwan was the first.
However, Wei Zhao had long been overwhelmed with his own matters, and wouldn’t bother asking if there were other hidden motives in it.
He didn’t mind, had no temper, and even tacitly allowed it, so long as Yu Tingwan didn’t do anything too outrageous again.
Yu Tingwan threw the cotton cloth into the basin, let it soak full of water, then wrung it dry, and wiped Wei Zhao’s face.
Wei Zhao didn’t move, let her handle as she pleased.
Yu Tingwan had been silent and reserved in the Hu family, mostly because she had nothing to say to people like Wang-shi.
But this moment was different.
She spoke in a low voice: “I reckon something has happened to uncle’s household.”
The “uncle” she referred to was Zhao Yong.
Yu Tingwan told Wei Zhao: “Back then when you had an accident, logically speaking, they should’ve come over to visit, but they’ve never shown up.”
“At that time the household hadn’t been separated yet, husband was spending big at Doctor Qian’s place, mother was afraid the family savings wouldn’t be enough, specially went back to her maiden home to borrow money.”
But the Zhao family was just an ordinary family, their days not much better than the Wei family.
That time Hui-niang went over, she came back empty-handed. Who knew what had happened, when she returned the corners of her eyes were red, like she had cried.
“But only a few days later, aunt had someone from their village run errands, sent mother three hundred wen, said it wasn’t much, just for emergency use.”
That money, likely, was also borrowed with outside help.
She then wiped Wei Zhao’s neck. The girl’s movements were gentle, the cotton cloth brushing past his Adam’s apple, carrying a ticklish feeling.
“Uncle’s home isn’t in Linxi Village. Not to mention the cold, just look how thick the snow is on the ground outside? They should’ve stayed for the night, but still left before dawn.”
“Just now I even saw mother stuff that three hundred wen back, even the red envelope aunt gave this time wasn’t accepted.”
As she said this, Yu Tingwan felt something was off, her lips tightened, and her movements also paused.
Wei Zhao’s ear suddenly quieted.
He met Yu Tingwan’s resentful gaze.
There was a kind of premonition—if he didn’t respond again, Yu Tingwan was going to hammer him.
Wei Zhao had a bit of a headache.
In the past, when Hui-niang nagged by his ear, he could ignore and not listen, and it wouldn’t matter.
But Yu Tingwan was different. She didn’t act a one-man show—clearly she wanted his response.
After a whole day like this, he had really spoken more than enough.
Wei Zhao feebly said: “Is that so?”
Even if those three words were not sincere, Yu Tingwan was satisfied. She continued her analysis.
“This time the Zhao family came, only Uncle and Aunt came.”
She didn’t see the son of the two—Zhao Yu.
Wei Shen got married, Zhao Yu as the younger male cousin should’ve come together.
“If it were a normal situation, someone would’ve asked. But today, none of the elders even mentioned it. It didn’t seem like a surprise, more like they were afraid to bring up something sorrowful on such a joyful day.”
Yu Tingwan said: “I fear something happened to Cousin.”
She remembered that at the Hu family dining table once, Hu Yaozu had mentioned Zhao Yu.
[“That Zhao Yu from Qigou Village studied under the same teacher as me. The guy’s hardworking and has willpower, but he started late and is dull. Even the teacher advised him to stop—it’s a waste of money.”]
[“But his mother is stubborn. She chased all the way to the academy saying only studying could lead to a future. She said hoeing the land, generation after generation of farmers, no power, no money—when trouble comes, you can only be slaughtered.”]
[“She even said… even said only if Zhao Yu made something of himself through study, could he bring justice to his cousin who died miserably.”]
When Wang-shi heard this, she couldn’t hide the contempt in her eyes.
[“Not everyone’s like Erlang, born with talent for studying.”]
She had no sympathy at all.
[“Isn’t she talking about that Xiao-niang? She’s already dead, buried too—why still not let it go?”]
At that time, Yu Tingwan had let it go in one ear and out the other. How could she have known she’d end up with ties to the Zhao family.
“I’m afraid it’s tricky, but since Mother didn’t bring it up, I didn’t ask.”
Even if she asked, it would be useless—she feared she wouldn’t be able to help anyway.
The one who could truly help—Wei Zhao—his pale lips moved: “Oh.”
He didn’t even know them. What did it have to do with him?
She started pulling at his upper clothes.
Wei Zhao’s hand suddenly clenched the quilt: “What are you doing?”
Yu Tingwan very sincerely: “Wiping your body.”
Wei Zhao looked like he had no will to live.
This wasn’t the first time Yu Tingwan had seen his upper body. But last time, when applying medicine, the girl had been completely focused—right now, though, she quickly gave him a once-over.
His chest was solid and broad, waist and abdomen lean. Seemed… full of a sense of strength.
Must be an illusion.
Yu Tingwan let out a gasp from her mouth.
“What…”
Wei Zhao followed her line of sight—it was those crisscrossing scars, new and old injuries piled on top of one another.
Seeing her complexion pale, Wei Zhao slowly released his tightly clenched hand.
His gaze empty, he lifted a hand, fingertip falling onto his waist and abdomen.
“This one—was from a match I had at thirteen years old.”
Back then, he hadn’t yet formed the Wei Family Army.
“He had long been my defeated opponent, so I didn’t take that fight seriously. Thought myself highly skilled, and that’s why I paid the price.”
“The injury that year wasn’t considered serious. With careful treatment, it wouldn’t have left a scar. But I deliberately wanted to keep it, to use it as a warning.”
You were this ruthless at thirteen?
Even country boys are pulling knives when they fight?
Yu Tingwan casually asked, “What happened to that person later?”
Wei Zhao: “Three days later, I didn’t care about my wounds and gave him a good beating.”
“He was convinced, and so became my deputy general.”
Yu Tingwan: …
All right, all right, time to start bragging.
Wei Zhao pointed at another scar.
“Two years ago, I was struck by a poisoned arrow here.”
Yu Tingwan didn’t even know which of his words were true and which were false!
But the fact that Wei Zhao was willing to talk—was already a good thing.
His tone didn’t waver: “Ordinary people can’t get close to me. The Wei Family Army is even more tightly guarded. To say it’s like a fortress wouldn’t be an exaggeration—yet someone close to me turned traitor.”
A person right under his eyelid behaving abnormally—how could Wei Zhao not notice?
Only, this person couldn’t be touched. Privately, he was connected with Eunuch Hong beside the Emperor.
Did it even need to be said who wanted to eliminate him?
He, Wei Zhao, had rendered countless military merits—long since become someone the Emperor feared.
But after all those years of building authority, before the traitor dared to act, there had still been fear.
“He had trembling hands. That arrow should’ve missed.”
Yu Tingwan looked at the scar, then looked at Wei Zhao.
“Then what happened?”
Wei Zhao listlessly said: “How could I reject someone’s painstaking efforts?”
“I took a few steps—so he could hit me.”