Chapter 35: I Am Willing to Fill This pit for You

Deep in the night, the moonlight was cold and clear, spilling from the sky.

Tonight, Wei Shouzhong was keeping watch in Wei Zhao’s room.

After a long day of work, every bone in Hui Niang’s body ached with exhaustion, yet sleep eluded her.

The day’s events had been simply too unexpected.

She had no idea how much time had passed when she finally turned over, got up, and put on a cotton jacket before stepping outside.

She wasn’t the only one still awake—Wei Shouzhong was too.

Hui Niang gently pushed open the door and motioned for Wei Shouzhong to step out.

The two stood at the doorway, speaking in hushed voices.

Hui Niang asked, “What do you think?”

Wei Shouzhong replied, “I knew you wouldn’t be able to sit still.”

“It’s like I said before—girls from a matchmaker’s hands don’t need to consider their family’s wishes. You know what kind of person Miss Wan’s aunt is.”

“Forget about Madam Wang—even just Miss Wan’s uncle. If he comes knocking one day, accusing us of tricking his niece into marriage… his son is a scholar with a good reputation in the village. One word from him, and who knows how much trouble it’ll stir up?”

Hui Niang’s gaze dimmed.

She murmured, “But I just like Miss Wan better. From the first moment I saw her, I knew she was the one.”

“The other girls are fine, but when standing next to Miss Wan, they simply don’t compare.”

As a mother, when there’s a better choice, how could she bear to let her son settle for less?

“I know… this is unfair to Miss Wan.”

“In all honesty, with her looks and character, a family like ours isn’t worthy of her.”

“If Ah Lang hadn’t fallen ill, I would have shamelessly asked for her hand in marriage. But with the household in such chaos now, how could I dare to hope?”

“I shouldn’t hold her back.”

But Miss Wan had said she wanted to marry into their family.

She said she had specifically chosen Hui Niang as her mother-in-law.

She even said she wasn’t afraid of becoming a widow. Even if Ah Lang never recovered, she would have no regrets.

What great resolve that must take! Hui Niang was both moved and shaken.

The courtyard was pitch black, not a single light in sight.

Wei Shouzhong suddenly asked, “Why do you think Miss Wan suddenly decided to leave the Hu family?”

Hui Niang was certain. “Naturally, because Madam Wang pushed too far.”

“But she’s endured it for over ten years. Now, just as she’s reaching marriageable age, why couldn’t she wait a few more days?”

Wei Shouzhong mused, “I was thinking about that just now.”

“Miss Wan was so sure she could decide her own marriage, which means she doesn’t care whether Hu Dazhu agrees or not.”

Or rather… even if he refused, it wouldn’t matter to her.

She might never want to see him again.

Yet before this, everything had been fine, and she had been especially respectful to this uncle.

Wei Shouzhong looked at his wife and speculated, “Do you think… she found out about what happened back then?”

*

The next morning.

Yu Tingwan had no idea that her proposal had kept the couple awake all night.

She, on the other hand, had slept soundly.

Eagerly, she prepared to visit next door.

Had they made their decision? Just as she opened her door, she saw Madam Chen standing outside the old house, about to knock.

Yu Tingwan frowned. “What do you want?”

Madam Chen’s scowling face from yesterday was now replaced with a pleasant smile.

“I came to talk to you, miss. Why don’t we speak inside?”

Yu Tingwan was unimpressed.

Her displeasure was written plainly on her face, without any attempt to hide it.

“Even if you’ve come to persuade me to give up, I won’t agree.”

“I’ve made my decision, and I stand by it. Unless the Wei family rejects me, I won’t step aside for anyone else.” She blocked the doorway with her body. “I advise you not to waste your time.”

Madam Chen hurriedly said, “That’s not it.”

Yu Tingwan relaxed slightly, her expression softening.

“Then I have even less to say to you.”

Just then, Madam Chen grabbed her arm.

Madam Chen discreetly sized Yu Tingwan up from head to toe. Apart from her frostbitten hands, everything about her was perfectly satisfactory. Her eyes gleamed with opportunity.

After returning yesterday, she had made inquiries about Yu Tingwan, understanding that the girl was desperate to leave her current situation, which was why she was willing to settle for marrying into the Wei family.

Now, Madam Chen was confident, viewing Yu Tingwan as a potential goldmine.

“Miss, with your beauty, why waste away in this desolate mountain village?”

“It’s such a shame, especially since that Wei boy is so sickly—even if he recovers, he likely won’t live long. You mustn’t make such a foolish mistake.”

Yu Tingwan’s face was expressionless. So the sly woman had set her sights on her.

Seeing Yu Tingwan’s silence, Madam Chen took it as encouragement.

“I know you look down on me because I sell girls to brothels, but that’s their fate—their parents handed them over to me.”

“But you’re different. I couldn’t bear to do that to you.”

“I pity you and won’t send you to such unseemly places. If you’re willing to come with me, a life of incredible wealth awaits. After some training and proper grooming, wealthy young masters will be fighting over you.”

She waited expectantly for Yu Tingwan’s agreement.

Such a golden opportunity—Yu Tingwan was lucky to have met her.

Marrying into the Wei family meant pinching every copper coin, worrying about meals, rarely seeing meat throughout the year. But as a favored concubine in a wealthy household, she could eat meat daily and wear gold and silver ornaments.

Anyone with sense would know which to choose.

But suddenly, someone burst out from next door.

It was Hui Niang.

Her face was stern as she swung her broom straight at Madam Chen.

“You conscienceless hag! Trying to trick a good girl into becoming someone’s concubine—what evil intentions!”

How could being a concubine be good? Look at all the concubines in the wealthy Dong family—what became of them? If they fell out of favor, their lives were worthless, and no one would even collect their corpses if they died.

Madam Chen took the hit, sucking in a sharp breath from pain.

Hui Niang grabbed Yu Tingwan’s hand and pulled her away. “Come, sit at aunt’s house. Don’t fall for her tricks. If you went with her to an unfamiliar place, you’d be at others’ mercy. What could you do as a lone girl?”

Madam Chen wasn’t willing to give up and was about to follow, when she saw a young man sitting in the Wei family courtyard. Though his back was turned and she couldn’t see his face, it must be the Wei family’s son.

Remembering she was in Xilin Village, Madam Chen retreated in embarrassment.

After entering the Wei family gate, Yu Tingwan looked at Hui Niang with bright eyes.

“Miss Wan, if my son marries you, it would be his blessing.”

“But I worry you’ll regret it. A lifetime is so long…”

Yu Tingwan spoke very seriously, “I’ve truly thought it through.”

“Alright then, auntie will believe you then.”

She asked, “Have you eaten breakfast?”

Yu Tingwan shook her head.

“I’ll get you a bowl. We can talk about everything else later. I made sweet potato porridge today—it’s soft, fragrant, and sweet.”

As Hui Niang went to the kitchen, Yu Tingwan smiled brightly.

She walked a few steps to Wei Zhao’s side.

Wei Zhao slowly raised his eyes to meet Yu Tingwan’s.

Thinking that they would be husband and wife soon, Yu Tingwan cleared her throat.

“Surprised?”

Wei Zhao: …

Yu Tingwan clasped her hands behind her back, finding even his appearance pleasing now. “I’m willing to fill this pit for you!”