Gu Fuju: !!?

Perhaps he sensed his gaze.

The curvature at the corner of Wei Zhao’s lips did not change in the slightest, making it difficult for people to look directly. It seemed that one more glance would be cut by the hidden ferocity beneath the calm.

He said quietly, "The quality is so poor."

Gu Fuju: ???

Wei Zhao: "Is there anything else you need?"

"If not, may I see you out?"

Is he being dismissed?

Wei Zhao thought of something: "You haven’t eaten yet, have you?"

Gu Fuju was about to say something.

Wei Zhao: "I’ll have someone bring some food over."

Gu Fuju: "Alright, let’s eat together."

"Not hungry."

Gu Fuju saw him pick up the Cloud-breaking Spear in the study, weighing its weight, and head out.

"Where to?"

Wei Zhao: "Feeling a bit restless."

Unfortunately, at this critical moment, it’s not good to kill someone.

He could only settle for the next best thing.

The tone was indifferent, laced with a repressed ferocity.

"I’ll train the soldiers under me."

The news that the General was going to train the soldiers caused a stir among everyone.

All the Wei Family Army at the Duke Shun Mansion rushed over, eager and ready to take a beating. They usually never even get a chance to spar with Chi Yu Rong Di!

Gu Fuju ate a meal, watching from the window as the Wei Family Army, each as delighted as if it were a festival, eagerly grabbing their weapons and charging.

They were quick, but someone was quicker.

Like a fleeting shadow.

It’s unclear how he made his move, leaving the onlookers bewildered, only able to hear the clanging of weapons clashing.

Then one by one, they were sent flying by Wei Zhao. They landed heavily on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Those from the Wei Family Army got up.

"Good!"

After saying this, they wiped the blood from the corners of their mouths. Very excited.

"General! Here I come again!"

Gu Fuju: ...

"..."

Thankfully, Wei Zhao doesn’t hit women.

Otherwise, he thought Yaoyao would be in danger.

After all, Yaoyao is a young lady, looking so delicate and fragile.

With just one punch from Wei Zhao, who knows what might happen.

What he didn’t know was that Wei Zhao was the one getting beaten.

————

When Yu Tingwan woke up, it was near dusk.

After a good cry and another sleep, the suppressed emotions had dissipated quite a bit.

Aside from slightly swollen eyes, she felt much lighter. Yu Tingwan rubbed her eyes and got out of bed.

Just as there was movement, Tan Jiang brought in a food box, pushing the door open to serve her.

She lit a tinderbox and lit the candles in the room.

"Madam, are you hungry? The General estimated you would wake up soon and had the kitchen prepare crab roe wontons."

Yu Tingwan: "Where is he?"

Her voice was slightly hoarse.

Before Tan Jiang could respond, Wei Zhao stepped in from outside.

He took the bowl of wontons, the temperature just right.

He sat by the bedside, ready to feed her.

Yu Tingwan opened her mouth and took a bite.

"How does it taste?"

Yu Tingwan was very hungry.

The wontons were delicious.

But too bland.

She frowned slightly, chewing and swallowing without speaking.

Wei Zhao said softly, "Have a few bites to fill your stomach first. Later, I’ll take you out for flatbread with sour and spicy soup."

This kind of food is common in Ze County. Sprinkle with Sichuan pepper; one bite warms you all over.

But in Shangjing, food is prized for its appearance, and high-class chefs wouldn’t make it. Even if they did, it wouldn’t be authentic.

"I’ve heard there’s an old lady from out of town selling this at the bridge west of the city. The taste is quite authentic. I thought of having someone bring it, but it loses flavor when cooled. Now that you’ve rested enough, why not try it and see how it compares to Hui Niang’s?"

Yu Tingwan was a bit more spirited.

Wei Zhao lowered his eyes, feeding her a few more bites of wontons before speaking: "He’s taken too many lives with those hands, your father’s, yours, and..."

In that moment of pause, there was a barely noticeable tremor in his voice.

"I won’t let him off easily; matters outside are mine to handle."

He will never let such tragedy repeat.

Yu Tingwan: "What should I do?"

He looked her in the eye: "Give me time."

"Once everything is settled, when his blood has paid homage to the spirits."

His hand rested on her lower abdomen.

Imagine how desperate and pained Yu Tingwan must have felt then.

Wei Zhao: "Then..."

Yu Tingwan heard him lower his head towards her, in a very devout posture.

"We’ll wait for her together."

The dim candlelight flickered, and Yu Tingwan brought her face closer, leaning it against his.

"Okay."

The carriage had been prepared early.

Very low-key, the exterior ordinary, without the Duke Shun Mansion emblem.

But inside the carriage, everything was available.

The trip was some distance, but neither was in a hurry.

Yu Tingwan and Wei Zhao sat facing each other.

She wasn’t very good at playing chess.

But it was evident that Wei Zhao was going easy on her.

Yu Tingwan picked up a white piece, placing it down with a click on Wei Zhao’s black piece.

She looked up, testingly asking.

"Can I take your piece?"

No jumping allowed.

Same level pieces can’t take each other.

But Wei Zhao said: "You’re indeed quick to catch on."

Who doesn’t like being praised? Even Yu Tingwan was not immune.

Wei Zhao: "No wonder your father always said, since you were a child, you were sharp. Not without reason."

This was something Yu Tingwan often mentioned.

Yu Tingwan nodded modestly, yet firmly.

"Mm."

Wei Zhao: "Play a few more rounds at this rate, and I might lose to you."

Yu Tingwan furrowed her brows.

Wei Zhao, wanting to please her, felt an internal tension: "What’s wrong?"

Yu Tingwan, quite sincere, placed another piece down with a click, mysteriously capturing one of his pieces. Her head tilted in puzzlement as she asked: "Can’t I win this round?"

She was confident.

"I’m pretty sure of it."

Wei Zhao: ...

This woman dares to dream.

As the carriage slowly came to a stop, Yu Tingwan lifted the curtain, catching the enticing aroma of sour and spicy soup.

She took a glance.

The stall was neatly arranged, business quite good, and all seats were taken.

Yu Tingwan was worried about Wei Zhao being recognized.

"I’ll go down to buy, and we’ll eat in the carriage."

But Wei Zhao sent Rong Di instead.

When the freshly baked flatbread was handed over, Yu Tingwan took a bite.

She also sipped some soup. The vendor was generous with the ingredients; the flavor was delightful, appetizing, and refreshing, and she squinted her eyes in satisfaction.

Wei Zhao: "Are you happy?"

Yu Tingwan was easily satisfied: "Mm."

Wei Zhao: "Do you want to be even happier?"

Yu Tingwan nodded without hesitation.

She assumed Wei Zhao was going to buy her more food this time.

Until a moment later, she found herself sitting on the roof of the Second Prince Mansion.

Underneath her was Wei Zhao’s clothes, so she wasn’t worried about getting dirty.

Voices came from below.

It was Ying Zhi’s voice.

"Why is Third Prince Liang here so late? Is there something important?"

Liang Rui looked at Ying Zhi, finding that Ying Zhi under the lamp, with his hair down, seemed even more handsome.

"Couldn’t sleep, wanted to come see you."

A flirtatious and teasing remark.

"After all, I’m only acquainted with you; I can’t exactly go looking for the Fifth Prince, can I?"

Ying Zhi, unaware of his liking for men, thought it wasn’t a problem since he had an agreement with Liang Rui.

In the next moment, his hand was taken by Liang Rui.

Liang Rui: "I just learned to read palms, let me see yours."

"Why is your hand as delicate as a girl’s?"

Yu Tingwan: !!!

She didn’t know what expression Ying Zhi had.

But she was greatly shocked.

Wei Zhao held a bowl for her: "Why did you stop eating?"

Yu Tingwan whispered: "You brought me here to..."

Wei Zhao, in a low voice: "As an appetite booster."