Chapter 47: Unfastening the Belt

Xilin Village wasn’t particularly large, and most villagers stayed indoors. When those living nearby heard the firecrackers, they rushed out to investigate. Seeing it was the Wei family, everyone was surprised, but it wasn’t proper to intrude on someone else’s wedding celebration. If they went, the hosts would be obliged to include them in the feast, but with everyone’s finances being tight and food carefully portioned, who would want to impose?

Though the Hu family lived far away, Madam Wang could still faintly hear the commotion. With a constantly crying child at home, she hadn’t been eating or sleeping well, and her haggard appearance showed it.

She glared disapprovingly at Xiao Xu who was boiling water in the kitchen. “Who wastes firewood like you? Using hot water just to wash diapers?”

Xiao Xu’s eyes flashed with hatred. “I’m still in my confinement month – how can I touch cold water? If you won’t help wash the diapers, and that little wench isn’t back, what am I supposed to do?”

Madam Wang sneered, “So you’re blaming me now?”

“If there’s anyone to blame, it’s your own useless womb!”

Madam Wang stormed out without another glance at her. Just as she left the kitchen, she heard cat-like, intermittent crying from the eldest son’s room, sounding as if the child might stop breathing at any moment. It was pitiful, but to Madam Wang, it was merely an annoyance.

She spat and walked out of the courtyard, glancing toward the village’s end. Whose family was celebrating? She decided to investigate.

“Well, well, if it isn’t our future scholar’s mother?” Granny Fan, who had never gotten along with her, approached with a sideways glance and sarcastic tone.

Madam Wang’s face darkened at the sight of her. “Running into you first thing – how unlucky.”

Surprisingly, Granny Fan didn’t argue back. Instead, she gave a meaningful smile. “Why are you still standing here? Didn’t the Wei family invite you to their feast?”

The Wei family? That direction led to the second branch of the Wei family.

Madam Wang retorted, “Are you out of your mind? What does the Wei family’s wedding have to do with me? Why would I go join their celebration?”

She added disdainfully, “Even if they invited me, I’d find their poverty too embarrassing to attend.”

Granny Fan chuckled. “But they’re marrying Miss Wan. How come you, as her aunt, know nothing about it?”

She dramatically tapped herself, feigning regret. “Oh my, my mistake! Miss Wan doesn’t even acknowledge you as family anymore. She left from the old house. Why would they invite you? To spoil the mood?”

She gloated, “I wonder if Hu Dazhu will beat you to death when he returns.”

Madam Wang froze. She stared wide-eyed in disbelief, searching Granny Fan’s face for any sign of deception but found none.

Madam Wang’s breathing quickened. “I never agreed to this! Who gave permission for her marriage?”

“I always thought she was clever, but Wei Shen already has one foot in King Yama’s court! I don’t know how he managed to deceive her! She’s foolish enough to jump into this pit.”

Right – what about the betrothal gifts?

After raising Yu Tingwan for so many years, they couldn’t just let it all go to waste!

Madam Wang stormed angrily toward the Wei family. But after a few steps, she stopped.

Wouldn’t it be better if Yu Tingwan made a bad marriage?

Why should she go make trouble? She hoped they would quickly complete the ceremony. Once Yu Tingwan became a widow, let’s see how arrogant she could still be!

Granny Fan, always eager to stir up drama, was disappointed when Madam Wang turned back and cursed at her instead.

“You meddlesome creature, what’s it to you!”

*

Meanwhile, Yu Tingwan sat on the bridal bed. Her red veil remained untouched – Li Lian had said Wei Zhao must be the one to remove it. But Wei Zhao was still outside getting lectured! That’s what he got for not taking the wedding seriously.

Voices carried in from outside.

“Young man, you really went too far today! Even needed the bride to help during the bows? What’s wrong, are you unhappy about marrying her? It’s fortunate that Miss Wan has such a good temperament and doesn’t hold it against you!”

Yu Tingwan nodded in agreement. Exactly!

“Dragging your feet during the procession, standing like a wooden block during the ceremony – what young man isn’t eager to enter the bridal chamber on his wedding day!”

Yu Tingwan put on a serious face. That’s right!

“The bride is here to spend her life with you. When you go in, you must apologize to her, understand?”

Wei Zhao seemed deaf to everything except that last line, finally reacting with a frown.

“That’s not auspicious.”

Wei Zhao spoke listlessly, “Her lifetime with me will be quite short anyway.”

Yu Tingwan: ???

The elders were momentarily speechless.

A man in coarse cotton clothing with sun-darkened skin standing next to Wei Shouzhong stepped forward excitedly.

“Ah Lang, do you remember me? I’m your uncle.”

Wei Zhao looked at him.

“I don’t know you.”

Zhao Yong’s eyes reddened.

Wei Zhao: “Really, I don’t know you.”

Zhao Yong was heartbroken.

Wei Shouzhong quickly tried to comfort him: “Ah Lang’s mind isn’t clear now… he can’t remember anyone. Brother, please don’t take it to heart.”

Zhao Yong, not good with words, flushed red, his gaze never leaving Wei Zhao. “Something happened at home recently, and your aunt and I couldn’t make it in time… but Ah Lang, your uncle has always thought of you.”

“Your maternal grandfather loved you the most. It’s a pity he passed too early and couldn’t see you get married. When you’re better, take Miss Wan to pay respects at his grave.”

Wei Zhao spoke slowly, his face carrying a hint of lifelessness, “Actually, I did have an uncle.”

Zhao Yong: !!!

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

Wei Zhao stated matter-of-factly, “He’s already dead.”

The surroundings fell into dead silence, everyone too stunned to speak.

After what seemed like forever, Hui Niang stepped in to smooth things over.

“Tsk tsk tsk, you’re being confused again. It’s only because your uncle loves you so much that he doesn’t hold it against you.”

Aunt Wu also helped ease the situation. “In the blink of an eye, you’re a married man now. The whole village is happy for you. Go on in, don’t keep your bride waiting.”

These words were exactly what Yu Tingwan had heard in her vision when she first met Wei Zhao.

Then came Li Lian’s voice.

“I’ve been so muddle-headed, why didn’t I think to match you two? Been busy for nothing, but good thing you two found each other.”

“It’s dark already? Go in, go in.”

“With your poor health, go rest early. No need to drink with guests. Your mother is eager for grandchildren too.”

With a creak, the door opened, and Wei Zhao was pushed inside.

Bang!

The people outside thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

Yu Tingwan quickly sat up straight.

The room now held another person’s breathing, and footsteps approached where she sat.

He stopped in front of her.

Yu Tingwan waited for a while, but instead of lifting her veil, she heard rustling sounds.

Finding this strange, she lifted a corner of the veil herself to look at Wei Zhao.

The young lady’s eyes widened in shock.

Wei Zhao was lowering his head, unfastening his belt. It had been hastily tied into a tight knot by Wei Shouzhong.

Yu Tingwan swallowed hard.

She wasn’t surprised, really wasn’t surprised.

It was exactly like the scene in her vision! As soon as he entered, he wanted to press her down!

Wei Zhao was truly exhausted – ever since his injury, he could never get enough sleep.

He yawned, wanting to ask Yu Tingwan to move over so he could climb onto the bed to sleep.

But before he could speak, Yu Tingwan made her move.

The young lady lay down on the bed, looking like a martyr preparing for sacrifice.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself.

“Come on then!”