Chapter 6: I Will Be Your Support

“Mother, your eyes aren’t good, walk slowly so you don’t fall…” Wen Yunwei jogged to catch up with her mother.

She was holding a bamboo basket, inside which were eggs that the family had gathered for a long time, preparing to sell for money. The family didn’t have anything else of value, so this was what they could take to help her sister recover her health.

Mother Wen leaned on a cane, feeling her way forward through the dim light, walking unsteadily.

The Wen family had settled in Hejia Village many years ago. Because her father was a potter and needed to fire kilns, their house was located near the foot of the mountain.

Wen’s father had built a simple horizontal kiln in a suitable spot at the foot of the mountain to make basic pottery for sale, supporting his son’s education and feeding the family.

Because they lived far from the village, they were the last to receive the news. It was only through Aunt Hua from the village, who had a good relationship with them, that her son specially came to inform them.

“Yunwei, hurry and check, how could your sister be so careless? My poor daughter, she should never have married into the He family! Now, she’s a widow, almost losing her life.” Mother Wen wiped her tears as she continued walking.

When she was young, she had done too much embroidery, which ruined her eyes. After her husband died, she cried so much that she didn’t treat her eyes in time. Now, she could only see dim shapes and shadows, essentially blind.

Wen Yunwei was both angry and anxious, supporting her mother as they headed to the He family.

Meanwhile, Wen Yunqing, holding Wen Yunhe, walked out. Along the way, the villagers kept staring at her. She could only continue pretending to be a corpse to gain sympathy, waiting for a better time.

When they reached a place with no people, Wen Yunhe gently patted her younger brother’s shoulder and said, “Yunqing, there’s no one here now, let me down, I’ll Walk on my own. Actually, I’m fine, really.”

He had been carrying her for over half an hour, and his arms must have been sore by now.

Wen Yunqing was slightly stunned upon hearing this.

He had been thinking a lot along the way. His eldest sister was young and widowed—what would she do in the future? The He family was ruthless and would never let them stay there.

How could he convince her to leave the He family? As long as she was willing, he could think of a way.

But did his eldest sister pretend to be ill? But the scars on her neck were no joke; could this really be the case? Wen Yunqing looked at her in confusion.

Wen Yunhe wanted to jump off him to explain clearly, but Wen Yunqing held her down.

“Since the stage is set, we should perform the whole show. We can’t quit halfway. Don’t worry, I still have some strength left. I can still carry you.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Yunhe stopped struggling and leaned against him in submission.

“You may or may not believe it, but last night, I seemed to have really died once. I went to the underworld and met King Yama. He told me that my life should not end like this, so he sent me back.

By the way, he gave me a book and said that if I encounter difficulties in the future, this book might help.

I came back to life in such a confused state. At first, I thought it was just a dream. But when I closed my eyes, I could really see a book in my mind.

This book says that outside the family home, women can have vast worlds, where they can show their talents and shine brightly.

Women can stand tall and create their own wonderful lives.

Though I only know a few characters, I find the words in the book very reasonable.

Your brother-in-law is gone, and I ended my life for him once, which can be considered fulfilling my obligations as his wife. Since Heaven did not take me, I should live for myself from now on.”

Wen Yunhe explained this as a precaution, as her character was very different from the original body’s. After living with the family for a long time, they would definitely notice something was off, especially this intelligent younger brother.

As for the book, it was to lay a foundation for some bizarre thoughts and actions in the future. If anything, strange happened later, she could always say it was from the book.

Luckily, the original body was literate. Both daughters of the Wen family were taught to read by their father, and later, she learned more from Wen Yunqing. While she couldn’t compose essays, reading and writing were no problem.

Wen’s father was quite knowledgeable but died early, which was a huge pity. If he hadn’t died, their family wouldn’t have been in such a miserable state.

Wen Yunqing didn’t think much about it. It was great that his eldest sister could think like this.

Though the story was a bit strange, he preferred to believe it was true.

The eldest sister’s nature was more like their mother’s—gentle, kind, but also indecisive and prone to suffer in silence.

Their mother had met a good man and led a relatively smooth life. It was just that their father passed away early, and these two years had been particularly tough. Once he made a name for himself, life would surely improve. 

But the eldest sister’s luck was a bit worse; she ended up with the He family, those heartless and cruel people, who only saw her as easy to manipulate and took advantage of her, causing her harm.

Her future was undoubtedly going to be tough, but if she could free herself from the shackles and constraints, she could live freely and confidently, and that would be enough.

“Big sister, if you think like this, I can rest easy.”

When father passed away, he repeatedly told me to take good care of you all. If you really go, how can I face him?

Now that brother-in-law is gone, you don’t have to stay in the He family and suffer. As long as you agree, I’ll figure out a way to make them let you return home. There will always be a place for you in our family. In the next few years, I’ll finish my mourning period and take the imperial exams.

If He Mingjie can pass the exams, so can I. In the future, I’ll be your support. Just wait for me, I’ve grown up now, and everything will get better.”

Wen Yunqing made a serious promise.

“My little brother is so outstanding. He Ming’er isn’t even worthy of a single hair from you. Big sister, I believe you will soar to success. I’ll follow your lead, and we’ll live a good life together in the future.”

Wen Yunhe felt deeply moved upon hearing this. She reached out and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

This time, she would not let him die like the book described, on the escape route.

Regarding the He family, Wen Yunqing’s thoughts aligned with hers, which was perfect.

They certainly couldn’t stay with the He family. The original body’s biggest obsession in life was to not be divorced, not wanting her sisters to suffer because of her.

So, everything must be planned carefully.

Soon, He Mingzhang’s pension would come through, and Mrs. Wang would immediately start looking for a wife for the second son. The family would be celebrating.

Let them enjoy their victory for a few more days.

Wen Yunqing saw that his eldest sister was listening to him, and he finally smiled, feeling much better, the mood lifting, and his hands felt lighter.

The two ran into Mother Wen and Wen Yunwei, who were looking for them.

Mother Wen couldn’t see them but heard Wen Yunwei calling out, “Big brother, sister, you’re back…”

“My big girl… your body and hair are from your parents. Even at my old age, I’m still barely hanging on. How can you treat yourself so poorly? You’re cutting my heart! If I had known this, I would never have agreed to you marrying into the He family, no matter what, even if I had to threaten with my life. Now look at what they’ve done to you.”

Mother Wen fumbled her way forward, grasping Wen Yunhe’s hand. The warmth of her touch reassured her a little, but then tears fell again, and it was heartbreaking to witness.

Wen Yunhe was momentarily confused, not knowing how to respond. She searched through the memories of the original body.

In the Great Shun Dynasty, there was a rule that after the parents passed away, a daughter had to observe mourning for three years and could not marry or take the imperial exams.

However, there was also the concept of a “hundred-day marriage,” which allowed a marriage to occur within 100 days after a parent’s death, to bring peace to the departed. This didn’t violate the rules.

Wen’s father had been ill for a long time. At the time, Wen Yunhe was already 16. If she waited three more years, she would be 19, and an old maid by then.

He had been worried about his daughter missing the best age for marriage due to his illness, so before he passed, he decided for her to marry within 100 days of his death.

He hadn’t arranged for her to marry He Mingzhang, though the two had grown up together and had feelings for each other. However, Wen’s father never thought highly of He Mingzhang.

But after Wen’s father passed, because Wen Yunhe liked him and kept pleading with her mother, and He Mingzhang visited multiple times asking for her hand, Mrs. He, considering that they knew each other well, lived close by, and could care for her anytime, and seeing that the two were compatible, she didn’t want to separate them. She canceled the previous engagement Wen’s father had arranged and approved of their marriage.

Looking at it now, Wen’s father had been wise.

Wen Yunhe was able to handle things well when speaking to Wen Yunqing. But when facing her mother, she felt somewhat awkward, unsure how to respond, as if she had stolen something from someone and didn’t dare to accept the love.

In the end, she could only say dryly, “Mother, I’m sorry to have worried you.”

“Mother, let’s go home first and talk,” Wen Yunqing intervened.

Wen Yunhe secretly breathed a sigh of relief.