The pen and the medicine were both purchased from the system’s store.

The pen was special, with an effect that lasted only five hours. Once the time was up, the writing would disappear.

As for the medicine, after use, any residue or traces would evaporate completely.

If they were going to do this, they couldn’t leave behind any evidence or traces.

“As for the reason, I don’t want to talk about it for now.”

“But I didn’t retaliate against him for no reason. He deserved all of this.”

As she spoke, Gu Jianing thought about what Wen Zhuqing had done to her and her family in her past life. A surge of intense emotion welled up in her eyes.

Her hands clenched tightly.

She had laid everything bare, but she wasn’t sure how Sheng Zexi would react.

“If you think I’m scheming and vicious, and you want a divorce, then I…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Sheng Zexi pulled her into his arms and gently flicked her forehead.

It hurt a little, but it also made Gu Jianing stop talking abruptly.

“I won’t allow you to say such things.”

“Since we’re married, we’ll never separate. We’ll always be happy and walk through life together.”

“Ningning, although I don’t know what grievances exist between you and Wen Zhuqing, I believe what you say. How could I blame you? I feel sorry for you.”

Sheng Zexi’s hand gently brushed over Gu Jianing’s face, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Just now, he had seen the unguarded hatred in Ningning’s eyes. It wasn’t fake.

Wen Zhuqing must have done something terrible to Ningning to make her scheme against him like this.

He felt heartbroken and angry at himself for letting this little girl be bullied when he wasn’t around to protect her.

He even felt that the beating he had given Wen Zhuqing earlier was too light.

“Ningning, no matter what you’re like, I’ll always love you.”

“Besides, I’m not exactly a saint either. You’ve always thought I have a sharp tongue, and…” Sheng Zexi leaned in and told her about how he had beaten Wen Zhuqing on the day of their matchmaking.

Gu Jianing’s eyes widened, and then she couldn’t help but laugh.

It seemed that her jumping into the river for Wen Zhuqing had made Sheng Zexi jealous.

But that scoundrel Wen Zhuqing deserved to be beaten a few more times.

After clearing the air, the relationship between the two seemed to grow closer.

“Alright, little girl, don’t overthink things. Remember, I’m your husband. From now on, if anything happens, just tell me. And remember, no matter what, I’ll always stand by your side and protect you.”

Sheng Zexi, like the Gu family, had a defining trait: he was fiercely protective of his own.

“And what you need to do is be yourself and be happy.”

Be happy and be herself?

Sheng Zexi’s words made Gu Jianing’s eyes well up with tears. In her past life, hadn’t she lost her truest, most authentic self because of Wen Zhuqing?

She had devoted everything to Wen Zhuqing and lost herself in the process.

“A girl who’s always frowning isn’t good. It’s like a pickled cucumber—wrinkled, sour, and shriveled. That’s not pretty.”

“Sheng Zexi, how dare you call me a pickled cucumber!”

Gu Jianing, forgetting her earlier emotions, pretended to hit Sheng Zexi. This man always had a way of ruining the moment.

Sheng Zexi laughed heartily and dodged her. Seeing Gu Jianing so lively, he felt relieved.

This was how it should be. Gu Jianing shouldn’t carry so much burden. She should be happy and carefree, like a girl her age ought to be.

In fact, Sheng Zexi had noticed something different about Gu Jianing when he saw her this time.

For some reason, the little girl occasionally had a look of weariness and sorrow in her eyes, as if she carried a heavy burden of tragic events and emotions.

Sheng Zexi hadn’t pointed it out, but he had noticed.

And it made him even more heartbroken.

Today, he also had a vague feeling that it might have something to do with Wen Zhuqing.

However, after the matchmaking day, he had already sent someone to investigate the matter between Wen Zhuqing and Ningning.

It was clear to him that the little girl had been chasing after that man, while the cunning and hypocritical man had been stringing her along.

He had even coaxed her into jumping into the river for a job.

But after she was rescued, her mindset had changed.

The change was significant.

It even made Sheng Zexi think of some supernatural explanations.

But on the day he climbed through the window with gifts and saw her for the first time, he was certain that no matter how much she had changed, she was still herself.

And that was enough.

As for what Wen Zhuqing had done to make Ningning so resentful, he would wait for her to tell him when she was ready.

He wasn’t in a hurry.

He and Ningning were already married. They had a lifetime together, and he could wait.

Wait for Ningning to tell him, wait for Ningning to fully trust him, wait for Ningning to fall in love with him.

…

Three days later, Wen Zhuqing and Bao Shanyan’s wedding banquet was held as scheduled.

Wen Zhuqing was marrying into the Bao family. In theory, this kind of marriage was similar to a daughter being married off, and the Bao family should have provided a dowry.

But Bao Yingzi said that Wen Zhuqing had taken advantage of Bao Shanyan. She was already being lenient by allowing him to marry Shanyan, so how could she possibly give a dowry?

Especially since Wen Zhuqing had no parents or other relatives to speak of.

However, Bao Yingzi also said that once Wen Zhuqing entered the Bao family, he would never lack food or drink.

It was worth mentioning that although the Bao family only consisted of Bao Yingzi and Bao Shanyan, the two women were strong and skilled hunters, so they lived quite comfortably. Their home was even one of the rare brick-and-tile houses in the village.

For the banquet, many people were invited. Each table had several dishes, at least half of which were meat dishes.

Even those in the village who weren’t particularly close to the Bao family came for the food.

After all, in this era, many families struggled to make ends meet, and meat was something they could only afford a few times a year.

This was a rare opportunity.

Gu Jianing also came out with her family to see the spectacle.

When she saw Wen Zhuqing being carried back to the Bao family on a bicycle by Bao Shanyan, Gu Jianing was stunned.

From the look on Wen Zhuqing’s face, it was clear he was utterly humiliated.

But it seemed Wen Zhuqing had no choice but to accept it.

Indeed, sitting on the back of the bicycle, Wen Zhuqing felt extremely embarrassed and frustrated.

When Bao Shanyan rode the bicycle to the educated youth point to fetch him and insisted on carrying him back, Wen Zhuqing naturally refused.

But his refusal was useless.

Bao Shanyan was incredibly strong, much stronger than Wen Zhuqing. Even though he resisted, she forcibly placed him on the back of the bicycle.

If he continued to resist, she immediately threatened, “Zhuqing, if you’re so unwilling, does that mean you don’t want to marry into the Bao family? Or would you rather go to jail?”

At these words, Wen Zhuqing could only clench his fists and stop resisting.

Gu Jianing watched the scene in amazement. Seeing Wen Zhuqing’s humiliated expression, she felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Afterward, she followed her family to the Bao family’s banquet.

She watched as Wen Zhuqing and Bao Shanyan swore their vows in front of the leader’s portrait. Then, like a bride, Wen Zhuqing was sent back to the room.

Meanwhile, Bao Shanyan, like a groom, stayed behind to eat, drink, and chat with the guests.