Chapter 523: Chapter 518: Separated by the Netherworld, Reunion Without Hope

The scene shifts.

The surroundings change.

The familiar small courtyard comes into view again.

With a creak, the courtyard door is pushed open,

Xiao Huaian comes in with wine, walking briskly, as if there is some joyous occasion.

"Wei Zhao!"

As soon as he enters the courtyard, he shouts loudly.

"Shen Zhiyi has called off the engagement."

"I always said that Chu Liulang was no good, how could he be a suitable match? Both eyes must be blind, abandoning Shen Zhiyi for that soft and pretentious Zhou Yurou."

Inside, Yu Tingwan hears the commotion and pauses her medicine brewing.

She looks at Wei Zhao in confusion and lowers her voice.

"My husband mentioned to me that County Magistrate Xiao, unable to get the girl he wanted, secretly prevents others from succeeding, hence acting underhandedly behind the scenes."

"Yes."

Even though Chu Liulang and Zhou Yurou had long been secretly exchanging glances.

Wei Zhao, while reading, nods: "The Chu Family managed to smoothly call off the engagement with the Shen Family, the elders of the Chu and Zhou families were happy to see it and quickly arranged an engagement for the younger generation, in which Xiao Huaian played a part."

Yu Tingwan didn’t understand.

"Then why is County Magistrate Xiao pretending he doesn’t know about it?"

Wei Zhao: "He’s used to feigning ignorance."

Of course, the bigger reason probably is...

"He wants to numb himself, thinking even without outside intervention, the Shen Family’s daughter and Chu Liulang wouldn’t have worked out anyway, they weren’t meant to be."

Yu Tingwan: "Then..."

Wei Zhao: "Don’t expose him."

Yu Tingwan understood.

This is truly deep brotherly affection.

"What’s going on?"

Xiao Huaian walks in directly.

"I thought no one was in the room, why don’t you guys respond when I talk?"

"Come over here, have a drink with me."

The brotherly Wei Zhao leans back, his posture relaxed, with a hint of indifference.

"Save it for later."

Xiao Huaian: ?

What do you mean?

Wei Zhao: "It’s just an engagement being called off, why are you getting excited? Who can guarantee there won’t be another Zhang Liulang or Wang Liulang next time?"

"The Shen Family’s daughter will eventually get married anyway. If not this time, maybe next time. You and she aren’t that close, she probably won’t specifically send you an invitation. But the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion surely will."

Wei Zhao considered for him: "You better not go, avoiding further heartbreak upon seeing it. Obviously, the wedding wine is not yours to drink."

So.

"Save the wine in your hand for drowning your sorrows later."

These were truly biting words.

Xiao Huaian’s face turned unsightly.

But he had no choice but to admit Wei Zhao was right.

"Sister-in-law!"

Yu Tingwan confused: "Ah?"

"His tongue is so sharp, can you stand it?"

Xiao Huaian, exasperated: "I don’t even know how you endure living with him."

Yu Tingwan blinked her eyes.

She said honestly.

"But... he’s not like that to me."

Xiao Huaian: ...

Yu Tingwan: "He’s really gentle."

Gentle Wei Zhao smiled slightly.

Xiao Huaian: ???

Yu Tingwan lowered her eyes, gently: "If you really care about the Shen Family’s daughter, why not strive to become the next Xiao Liulang, and save yourself from future regret."

"If others can do it, why can’t you?"

Xiao Huaian fell silent: "I have a bad reputation."

"Reputation is nothing but empty words, whether you are reliable or not is what truly matters. When a woman marries, it’s not to a reputation."

"But I..."

Yu Tingwan interrupted.

"Sometimes, you shouldn’t have too many concerns."

"Too many concerns only create more obstacles, and then... regrets will multiply."

"County Magistrate Xiao."

Yu Tingwan said to him.

"You’ve got it backwards. What you should consider now is if you can bear the consequences. Whether it works out is another story. Once she marries, there’s no turning back."

She said.

"When do people ever have the chance to start over?"

Lan Garden.

Lotus Pond.

The girl’s relaxed expression gradually turned heavy.

She saw herself packing for Wei Zhao with countless reminders.

Her roots are in Ze County.

Even if Wei Zhao mentioned that perhaps her background holds some escape.

But Yu Tingwan didn’t insist on investigating the Yu Family fire incident in Shangjing as in her past life. Nor did she feel the need to see how much the so-called Gu Family cherishes a daughter.

In the Hu Family, she always learned to be obedient.

With Hu Dazhu often away, she lived in torment, surviving by the sharp and critical gaze of Mrs. Wang.

She couldn’t bear it anymore and reported Hu Yaozu’s improper advances towards her.

Hu Yaozu outright denied it.

Mrs. Wang cursed her as a seducer, saying she must have enticed him.

Hu Dazhu said Hu Yaozu is a scholar, reputation is everything, and it shouldn’t interfere with his career, whether true or not, begged her to not cause trouble.

Fearing the Hu Family wouldn’t take her in, Yu Tingwan had no choice but to be obedient.

She didn’t make any more fuss.

She continued cooking and burning wood in the Hu Family, careful and cautious.

But still, she was sold off.

She pleaded with many, tried to escape, tried to resist, but it was all in vain. Her strength was as insignificant as dust, like an ant easily crushed by anyone, and in the end, she was forced into the bridal sedan like a joke.

What does the Gu Family matter to her?

She had long been worn smooth.

She would choose avoidance for everything.

Agreeing to be a real couple with Wei Zhao used up all her courage.

She didn’t even dare to imagine the future, only to live well in the present, and hoped to etch a significant mark in Wei Zhao’s life.

As if... finally living a worthy life in this world.

At the same time, she was despicable.

She seemed no different than a normal person, but mentally and emotionally exhausted, not daring to investigate the Yu Family fire.

She wanted to rely on Wei Zhao. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Shamefully, she wanted to reap benefits without effort.

Did Wei Zhao know?

He knew.

Thus, he settled her properly before returning to the capital.

But as she packed for Wei Zhao, Yu Tingwan felt something missing from her heart.

Confusion mingled with correctness.

And then...

A strong sense of reluctance and fear.

She turned around and tightly embraced Wei Zhao.

She even started acting irrationally.

"I don’t want to investigate anymore."

"Father and mother are already dead, will investigating bring them back?"

Her emotions surged suddenly.

Her voice choked with sobs.

Knowing full well Wei Zhao also harbors hatred that needs avenging.

Yet, she acted irrationally.

"I don’t want you to leave."

Wei Zhao was surprised.

Just yesterday, the girl was understanding, gently telling him.

—"Just focus on your affairs, take care, I’ll be here, waiting for your return."

At that time, Wei Zhao even remarked on her lack of sentiment, saying she wasn’t concerned enough for him.

But seeing her now, crying into a tearful mess, he felt it would have been better if she was heartless. Caring too much brings worry and daily anxiety.

"I’m not leaving for good."

Wei Zhao kissed her forehead, then kissed away the tears in her eyes.

"Thanks to you, I cherish my life more than anyone now."

But he left nonetheless.

He was supposed to set off early the next morning, but Wei Zhao didn’t let Yu Tingwan see him off, fearing she’d cry again, and not wanting her to face the farewell.

That night, after Yu Tingwan fell asleep, he lit calming incense, sat by the bed like an old monk in meditation for a long time, and only got up when her sleep was stable, pausing at the door for a moment, before resolutely striding away.

Who would have thought.

This parting, turned out to be a farewell forever, from this world to the next, an infinity without reunion.