The Black Horn Village is situated atop a mountain, long uninhabited, but had been prepared beforehand. No one could tell it once had cobwebs everywhere and thick layers of dust in its bleak appearance.
Inside, steaming hot dishes were still laid out.
Yu Tingwan wandered around after entering the house.
After all, staying here for a few days ans getting familiar with the place.
The house was fully furnished, even more so than ho.
Even luxurious.
The floor was covered with rugs, walking barefoot wouldn’t feel cold.
The walls adorned with calligraphy and paintings.
Upon sight, the surroundings were filled with furniture made from huanghuali wood. The treasure cabinet was full of exquisite small ornants.
Yu Tingwan leaned in for a closer look.
They were all new!
It had none of the aura of a bandit’s lair.
"When were these prepared?"
Elder Ge: "Just a few days ago."
Yu Tingwan exclaid: "That’s impressive, buying all these in just a few days and decorating the house like this, quite thoughtful."
"Not purchased."
Elder Ge: "Have you heard of the Dong Family that was completely executed?"
How did it link back to the Dong Family?
Yu Tingwan realized.
Oh, right.
The Dong Family had all been emptied by Wei Zhao.
Elder Ge: "That old thing spent a fortune to replace all the ornants in the house for the sake of a marriage."
He was about to say that they had never been used, thus not ominous, when he saw Yu Tingwan’s eyes light up as she took the goldfish from the cabinet.
A goldfish made of gold.
Heavy.
Yu Tingwan caressed it lovingly.
She was truly materialistic, not much moved by gemstones or Luminous Pearls, just fond of glittering gold.
Yu Tingwan turned her head: "Husband, can I have it?"
It would be sweet dreams cuddling with it at night.
Wei Zhao glanced casually.
"Okay."
Yu Tingwan got a bit greedy again.
Her eyes lingered on a five-inch large, cheerful little gold pig beside it.
"I feel..."
She spoke solemnly: "I have destiny with it in the unseen world too."
"Can I take it along when your health gets better?"
Even if Yu Tingwan were to toss these into the water just for the sound, Wei Zhao wouldn’t stop her.
Wei Zhao: "As you please."
Regardless of whether he could live on.
"If you want anything, make a list, Rong Di and Shunzi can find it for you. I have so private assets in the Capital, feel free to choose when we return."
This statent...
Yu Tingwan was at a loss to respond.
If she agreed, wouldn’t that an agreeing to go back to the Capital with him?
Elder Ge: !!!
He wasn’t greedy for the goldfish here.
After all, he had seen the world.
But Wei Zhao’s private assets!!!
Elder Ge was imdiately invigorated.
"General!"
"I have at least toiled even if not ritorious!"
"In your private stash, there’s a life-sized White Jade Guanyin I’ve long desired."
He had not noticed Yu Tingwan’s response, only Elder Ge’s voice by his ear.
Wei Zhao: "It’s dark; indeed, you can dream now."
Elder Ge: ...
The village was quite large.
Next door was the pharmacy. Used for decoction, dicinal baths, and acupuncture. Elder Ge and Shunzi lived across.
Yu Tingwan noted the arrangents in the house, having a number in mind, then proceeded to sit by the dining table.
As Shunzi just helped Wei Zhao sit down, a few bird calls ca from outside.
Shunzi stepped out.
Wei Zhao seed indifferent to the commotion outside, serving Yu Tingwan a spoonful of shrimp.
"Try it, how’s the taste?"
Yu Tingwan bit into it.
The shrimp had apparently been fried, skillfully controlled in timing, crispy yet fresh and chewy.
"Delicious."
Wei Zhao watched her leisurely: "Does it seem familiar?"
Familiar with what?
Yu Tingwan frowned.
Wei Zhao: "That dish you bring out from the kitchen, claiming you painstakingly cooked it, does it taste the sa?"
Yu Tingwan: ...
A good trap, set just for her!
She refused to admit.
"I don’t think so."
Yet Wei Zhao had no intent of letting her off.
"I rember once you ca out saying you cut your hand while chopping vegetables. Although it looked like a scrape from a bump."
Wei Zhao added warmly: "I believed it, cooking’s hard after all."
Listening secretly, Elder Ge: ??
My,
Shaless!
Wei Zhao: "Another ti, your hand was red and swollen, said it was due to oil splashes."
"Though it seed more like you scratched yourself after touching a yam next door and getting itchy from the sli."
Wei Zhao: "But I believed you."
Yu Tingwan: ...
What was wrong with what she did!
Yu Tingwan still rembers utilizing everything back then, acting absurdly to develop their relationship.
——"Husband, look at my hands."
——"There’s nothing to being injured for you! I’m willing, utterly devoted."
She even asked Wei Zhao if he was moved.
Wei Zhao didn’t say anything but did apply dicine for her.
Yet now he plainly intended to rake up the past!
Yu Tingwan pursed her lips: "I don’t rember."
She looked at Wei Zhao gently: "You too, don’t rember, right?"
Wei Zhao understood.
It was ti to let her off the hook.
Otherwise, she’d be frustrated and angry.
But Elder Ge, watching the show: "I rember!"
"I just wondered why the General ca to for a bottle of ointnt."
He had spent half a month to get such a small bottle.
The injuries were severe, flesh blurred, but applying it brought great relief.
Yet Wei Zhao used it on Yu Tingwan to relieve itching!
Not a drop left!
Elder Ge: "You two..."
He was about to accuse them of being impertinent.
Wei Zhao shot a look over.
Elder Ge shrank back.
Yu Tingwan patted Wei Zhao: "Politeness."
Wei Zhao lazily: "Sorry if I scared you."
Elder Ge: ...
Even scarier.
Fine, fine!
Deserve to be a couple!
It was then Shunzi ca in.
"General. Those sent to Ze County to deliver the imperial edict were all knocked out, bound tightly and sent to the Fifth Prince’s estate for days. The palace remains unaware."
That estate, long losing money and earning little, had been abandoned by Ying Yin. Nothing inside, no servants guarding, completely neglected.
So, the woodshed held the palace eunuchs and maids, cries unnoticed in heaven and earth.
Ignored.
Ying Yin was unaware too.
Uncertain how Emperor Ying would handle it when he found out.
Even if Ying Yin claid injustice, how many would believe?
"We’re just waiting for your command, ready to deliver the ssage to the Holy Emperor unnoticed."
Wei Zhao appeared weary: "No rush."
Yu Tingwan didn’t want to listen.
But Wei Zhao really didn’t mind anyone eavesdropping!
After that night when he touched her heart, the paper-thin wall between them was pierced, and Yu Tingwan sohow couldn’t keep feigning ignorance.
Shunzi: "The Eastern Palace waits eagerly for rescue. Lately, the Crown Prince privately raged greatly and even injured the Crown Princess Consort."
Wei Zhao seed indifferent: "He still has three years, plenty to live."
Yu Tingwan, eating silently, paused slightly.
Did that an he also placed people in the Eastern Palace?
Close attendants of the Crown Prince?
Otherwise, how could he know such private affairs.
Wei Zhao raised his eyes then, eting the curious girl’s gaze.
"Why..."
Wei Zhao drawled: "Are you staring at ?"
Thinking deeply, Yu Tingwan: "Looking at you..."
Yu Tingwan hesitated.
Wanting to ensure his last acupuncture session was enjoyable.
She hesitated but spoke thoughtfully.
"Handso?"
Yet as Wei Zhao was complinted, his expression visibly darkened.
User Comments
0 comments from readers