The carriage swayed as Shunzi drove the horse along the path.
The burial site had been selected long ago, located on the outskirts by a river and mountains, with a bamboo grove. Yu Tingwan had visited it a few tis before, and the weeds there were cleared by her just a few days ago.
The task of building the grave was also carried out personally by the young lady.
Passing through the bustling streets, the voices from outside seeped into the carriage.
"Is it true? Did those people leave not long after they arrived?"
"I was outside the post station at the ti and saw that eunuch’s face turn dark with anger. Asking the Wei Family Army for people, but how could they produce them out of thin air? Who can they bla for coming too late?"
"Is it possible that the crown prince is really not going to make it?"
"Well, then let him die. The Holy Emperor has plenty of sons. Just pick soone else to be the Crown Prince. The Fifth Prince wasn’t that bad last ti."
"Good? Back in those famine years, it was his uncle who led the embezzlent of the disaster relief funds, and when things couldn’t be covered up, he committed suicide out of guilt."
"Who told you that?"
"My elder brother does business down in Jiangnan, and it’s the talk of the town there. Our backward place just doesn’t get the news."
Yu Tingwan showed no reaction.
After all, whoever becos Emperor has nothing to do with her.
Wei Zhao likewise showed no reaction.
So what if the Fifth Prince’s uncle Qing Tan died?
In his eyes.
Emperor Ying is going to die.
Crown Prince Ying Yi is going to die.
Fifth Prince Ying Yin is no better; he will die sooner or later too.
The carriage departed the county town and arrived after half an hour.
A gust of wind rustled through the bamboo forest.
The coffin had been ordered long ago and was already buried in a freshly dug pit.
Yu Tingwan approached, squatted, and touched the upright tombstone.
"I’ve co again."
Her voice was soft and gentle: "This ti..."
She glanced back at Wei Zhao.
"I’ve also brought a friend."
Wei Zhao was taking plates of pastries from the food box and looked up upon hearing this.
"I didn’t hear clearly."
Though his gaze was calm, Yu Tingwan inexplicably felt cold.
The young lady honestly corrected herself: "I brought your son-in-law."
Only then did Wei Zhao look away.
Yu Tingwan’s fingertip fell on Hu Yuniang’s na.
Apart from her family, she was not fond of talking, yet now she spoke incessantly.
"Old Master Sun is well, still healthy despite his age. Granny Li and Aunt Li, who opened the clothing shop, are also fine. I even supported their business before."
She smiled.
"Yaoyao is well too."
"So you needn’t worry about any of us."
"I’ve beco quite reasonable these days. I won’t argue with people easily, nor will I roll up my sleeves to fight."
"Now... Now I’m eighteen."
In a blink, nine years had passed. The days that seed hard then now feel fleeting upon reflection.
Yu Tingwan took out two pieces of pine wood from her bosom, engraved with the birth details of Yu Jingcheng and Hu Yuniang. The handwriting was elegant, carved by her own hand.
She carefully wrapped them in a handkerchief and placed them inside the coffin.
With no remains, this was how they replaced them in burial.
"It’s a nice spot, isn’t it? I spent quite a while choosing it."
"Knowing mother loves tranquility, now the entire mountain and forest belong to our family. No strangers will co by."
"I also only prepared one coffin, to share in life and death. You should be satisfied with that."
The coffin lid was closed tightly together.
Yu Tingwan grabbed a handful of earth to cover it, then scattered a handful of copper coins.
This was a burial custom in Ze County.
Then they lit candles, burned paper money, and finally, thoroughly covered the earth, burying both the pit and coffin.
It was Wei Zhao who lit the candles.
Yu Tingwan, lowering her head, burned gold ingots: "I should have erected a grave for you long ago, but it was delayed until now."
Wei Zhao was about to say they surely wouldn’t bla you.
Yu Tingwan: "Thankfully, you wouldn’t hold it against . You couldn’t bear to be mad at ."
Listen to this matter-of-fact tone.
Clearly, in the Yu Family, she was truly doted upon.
Yu Tingwan glanced at Wei Zhao.
Yu Tingwan: "I always choose the best of everything."
Unfortunately, when it ca to marriage, there was no choice.
But, heaven still brought the best to her.
"Don’t mind that he doesn’t look robust like father, but the person is indeed tall."
The young lady fiddled with a ruby at her waist.
Yu Tingwan: "He’s quite formidable."
Yu Tingwan: "I just haven’t witnessed it."
Wei Zhao: ...
Should I kill a few people for you to see?
"His status is also intimidating, a General of the Wei Family Army."
Yu Tingwan: "I rather doubt how he obtained such a position."
Wei Zhao: ...
"He has no flaws, just a bit presumptuous."
"He even attempted to usurp my father’s position, wanting to call him dad."
Wei Zhao: ???
Alright, alright.
She’s already started complaining.
Yu Tingwan whispered: "Mother always taught patience and tolerance, I’ve kept that in mind and didn’t argue with him."
Wei Zhao: ...
Considering Yu Tingwan’s fists, she truly didn’t see this girl tolerating much.
Wei Zhao had never been hit since birth.
Only Yu Tingwan seed to be getting addicted.
Yet, hearing her speak, there was an adorably mischievous tone unique to young won, which was refreshing.
The young lady pushed Wei Zhao gently.
"Isn’t it so?"
Wei Zhao: "Hmm."
He then added nonchalantly: "Thanks to you, mother-in-law."
There was a lot of paper money, causing the young lady’s face to glow red from the flas.
She took so incense, lit it from the fla, shared a portion with Wei Zhao, closed her eyes, and raised the incense above her head. Praying with sincerity.
She wasn’t sure if she and Wei Zhao would last long.
But... she hoped so.
Father, mother, Yaoyao, everything is fine, except that she’s beco timid. Missing the reckless bravado of childhood.
Also...
Still delaying a response to Wei Zhao.
Getting out of bed and not taking responsibility.
After offering incense, Yu Tingwan turned her head: "I’ve already granted you the title, are you happy?"
As for whom these words were spoken, there was no doubt.
Wei Zhao reached out, picking a fallen leaf from the young lady’s hair.
"You’d better make sure it’s real."
Yu Tingwan shrank her neck.
Seeing her like this, Wei Zhao was both amused and exasperated.
However, he slowly spoke.
"Any sweet-talk can be said with an open mouth; whether soone is worth entrusting your life to, that depends on their actions."
Wei Zhao: "But since I’m here, I must make a promise to the in-laws."
He took the wine jug, opened the stopper.
With a solemn face and serious tone.
"Sworn by the sun and moon, witnessed by heaven and earth, and vouched by the two elders. Wei Zhao, with nothing of value, and a disorderly household, is indeed not an ideal match. Yet, greed knows no bounds, and once sothing is decided upon, I’ll never let go."
He declared.
"Wei Zhao will protect her thoroughly, and never fail her in this lifeti. Should I break this promise, may my soul be extinguished, never to reincarnate."
Candle flas flickered, and the burnt gold ingot turned to ash, swirling upward with the wind. Circling around the two.
It seed like a response from souls departed.
Wei Zhao tilted his hand.
Pouring the liquor from left to right.
Yu Tingwan picked apart his words one by one, pondering their hidden anings.
Danger?
What exactly did he want to do?
But upon hearing the latter part, Yu Tingwan’s eyelid twitched.
After Wei Zhao finished speaking, he glanced at Yu Tingwan.
"Did you hear that?"
His promises to the Yu family parents were also ant for her.
"Yes, I did."
If it were soone else, they would’ve been moved to tears long ago.
Yu Tingwan took a deep breath.
"You..."
"You’re a bit hard on yourself."
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