Chapter 53: Can’t You Just Hold Back?

Yu Tingwan had encountered such people before. She had once been cornered by lowlifes who harassed her with vulgar words and wandering hands.

They were counting on the fact that young women valued their reputation so much that even if wronged, they would swallow their grievances and stay silent.

But was Yu Tingwan afraid?

Back then, she had relied heavily on Hu Dazhu, running straight to him to report what happened.

Hu Dazhu, along with Hu Dalang, had grabbed their hoes and stormed the scoundrel’s home, smashing everything in sight.

After that lesson, no one dared approach Yu Tingwan again.

It was clear that reasoning with such scum was pointless—only fists would work.

Silly Gu had given them an inch, and that’s why they’d become so brazen!

“The village head was furious and had his son give the bastard a brutal beating. Once he was beaten, the coward backed down. Now he claims he’s willing to take a loss and marry Silly Gu. Since she could get pregnant, she could bear children, and he desperately needs a son to continue his lineage. But—he won’t pay any bride price.”

Yu Tingwan: …??

Wasn’t this just trying to get something for nothing?

Take a loss? He couldn’t even find a wife if he tried!

She frowned. “If she marries him, she’ll only suffer. Her mother will never agree.”

Hui Niang nodded. “Exactly. The village head called him shameless right then and there.”

Yu Tingwan sighed. “But staying in this deadlock isn’t a solution either.”

The previous incident where Silly Gu was taken advantage of had no clear evidence, making justice impossible. Even if her mother wanted to fight, there was no clear target. But this time, the proof was undeniable.

That beast had tricked Silly Gu into the mountains, and because of him, she had miscarried.

They could report this to the officials.

But what good would it do for mother and daughter if this matter became public?

Other villages would look down on Xilin Village, making marriage prospects for the younger generation even harder. The village was already rife with rumors—some even calling Silly Gu a woman of loose morals.

They might sympathize now, but what about when their own interests were at stake?

This world was cruel. How would the mother and daughter survive in the village?

Not to mention, the village head wouldn’t want things to escalate to that point.

Hui Niang said, “The village head told him to keep his mouth shut and hand over half a tael of silver.”

Not a lot, but not too little either.

Yu Tingwan pursed her lips.

As infuriating as it was, this was indeed the best solution.

“He agreed?”

Hui Niang smiled. “The village head knows how to handle people like him. It’s not up to him whether he’s willing—he has no choice.”

As they spoke, Old Man Qian arrived.

He carried a medicine chest, his cotton robe stained with dirt. His buttons were fastened wrong, but he couldn’t be bothered to fix them—just as slovenly as always.

The moment he stepped into the courtyard, his gaze landed on Wei Zhao, who sat by the door.

Wei Zhao leaned against the doorframe, a cane tossed to the side, head lowered as he stared at the persimmon in his hands, his expression unreadable.

Old Man Qian strode over. “Is this for me?”

Though it wasn’t ripe yet, it showed Wei Shen’s thoughtfulness. His efforts these past days hadn’t been wasted.

Old Man Qian was pleased.

“Alright, I’ll accept it.”

Wei Zhao, however, smacked his reaching hand away.

Old Man Qian: ??

He bristled with anger. “You’re the stingiest person I’ve ever seen! Your family has plenty of persimmons—what’s wrong with giving me one? What, is it made of gold?”

He bent down for a closer look.

“You don’t look well at all.”

Pulling a nearby table closer, he set down his medicine chest and took out a wrist pillow. “Give me your hand.”

Wei Zhao glanced at him, then raised his right hand, palm up.

Old Man Qian felt his pulse—and was shocked.

Last time, it had been improving. But now it was so weak, barely perceptible, as if it could stop at any moment.

But his prescription had been flawless!

Old Man Qian furrowed his brows. “You young fool…”

“Don’t tell me you exhausted yourself last night?”

He couldn’t think of any other reason!

“I understand—young men on their wedding night, their blood runs hot. But couldn’t you show some restraint?”

“Don’t you know your own condition?”

“If you lose control, a reopened wound is the least of your worries. You’ll die in bed with your eyes rolled back, and that’s a shame you’ll take to your grave.”

Wei Zhao lifted his gaze, cold and sharp.

For a brief moment, Old Man Qian felt his scalp tighten and a chill crawl down his spine.

But in the next instant, Wei Zhao looked away, and the suffocating pressure vanished as if it had never existed.

At that moment, Yu Tingwan walked out of the kitchen, carrying a steaming bowl of porridge.

Seeing Old Man Qian standing by Wei Zhao, she asked warmly, “Doctor Qian, have you had breakfast yet?”

Old Man Qian’s expression turned strange.

Yu Tingwan set the porridge down. Although she doubted Old Man Qian’s medical skills, she still needed him to examine Wei Zhao before they could go to the county town.

“My husband’s wound has been inflamed for days. The swelling is severe, and he’s been coughing up more blood.”

“His body is ice-cold—even sitting by the fire doesn’t warm him up.”

She had discovered this last night.

When Wei Zhao fell asleep, she couldn’t help but reach out—only to find him as cold as ice.

And the blanket was so thick!

“He has no appetite. If he eats too much, he gets indigestion.”

“And once the lights are out, his vision becomes worse—unlike during the day.”

In the middle of the night, Yu Tingwan had been woken by the sound of a chair being knocked over.

Through the faint moonlight spilling through the window, she had seen Wei Zhao stumbling his way out of the room.

She quickly got out of bed.

“Husband, if you need something, just tell me.”

“Are you hungry because you didn’t eat dinner?”

Wei Zhao had replied calmly, “Going to deal with Fumeng.”

He had wanted to deal with that creature for a long time.

His hearing had always been sharper than others: “I heard it making noise.”

Thinking about it now, Yu Tingwan felt a headache coming on. She turned to Old Man Qian, worried. “He’s been hearing things.”

“He overthinks too—keeps imagining that he was once a great warrior in the Wei Army.”

General, even!

Yu Tingwan sighed. “He even thinks he’s that General Wei Zhao.”

That general was long dead, his corpse rotting in the ground. What an ominous thought.

Wei Zhao let out a breathless laugh.

If he had the strength, he would’ve crushed the persimmon in his hand.

Old Man Qian was stunned. “His condition is that severe?”

He couldn’t treat that!

He looked at Wei Zhao. “You…”

He hesitated, then pulled Yu Tingwan aside to a corner.

“You could’ve married anyone—why him?”

“What were you thinking?”

“Are you waiting for him to die?”

“Or is it because he’s handsome?”

Yu Tingwan frowned. “Handsome?”

Not at all. He wasn’t even burly.

Old Man Qian choked, then continued, “Give him a knife, and he might slit his own throat. Aren’t you afraid he’ll take you down with him?”

Saying this, he tossed a small ceramic bottle into Yu Tingwan’s hands.

This young lady had convinced him to go into the medicinal herb business together—he couldn’t let her die now.

“Keep it safe. I made it overnight. If he ever loses control and turns on you…”

“Didn’t you ask me for poison back on the mountain—for your aunt?”

“She doesn’t need it anymore.”

His voice rose and fell meaningfully.

“But your husband just might.”

Wei Zhao: …Thanks.