Chapter 12: An Urgent Desire to Leave

Yu Tingwan suddenly snapped back to reality, no longer feeling sleepy.

She dared not recall those memories again.

A suffocating sensation washed over her.

Her heart thundered like a drum, and the helpless sorrow from her past life enveloped her like an airless prison, overwhelming her with unstoppable force.

The young girl clutched at her collar, struggling to breathe.

She was desperate to leave the Hu family—she couldn’t bear to stay even a moment longer.

Meanwhile, in Ze County…

Various stalls lined both sides of the street.

Among the flowing crowds, soldiers could be seen patrolling here and there.

“Your sister-in-law insists on buying some face cream, not even considering whether her face is worth spending money on!”

No matter how she uses it, she’ll still be ugly.

While Hu Dalang complained, Hu Yaozu’s attention was drawn to a finely crafted wooden hairpin at one of the stalls.

He pulled out some copper coins and paid for it.

Hu Dalang squinted: “For your cousin?”

Dressed in scholarly robes, Hu Yaozu appeared refined and cultured, forming a stark contrast with Hu Dalang, who only knew the rough work of tilling fields.

He pressed the wooden hairpin to his chest, his ears burning red. Neither confirming nor denying, he simply kept walking ahead.

The two returned to their town from Ze County and headed toward the inn.

On the way, an elderly man excitedly called out to Hu Yaozu.

After a short conversation, Hu Dalang strode into the inn, his face beaming with joy. “Father! On our way back, we ran into Master Zhu. Seeing that Yaozu is still in town, he invited him to spend New Year at his home.”

It was clear how much Master Zhu valued Yaozu – how could his elder brother not be excited?

Hu Yaozu was delighted but troubled: “If I go, I won’t be able to spend New Year with Father and elder brother.”

“I have your elder brother with me, why would I need you to worry?”

Hu Dazhu was excited too but more composed than Hu Dalang: “This is a rare opportunity, one that many would beg for. Master Zhu has always looked after you. We can’t visit empty-handed – let’s see what we can bring. The family’s hopes rest on your success.”

Hu Yaozu hurriedly agreed.

Hu Dalang shared more news he heard with Hu Dazhu: “Near the New Year, many people come to town for holiday shopping. With the road blocked, quite a few people like us can’t return home. There are merchant caravans buying medicinal herbs and escort services delivering goods – all the inns are full. We’re lucky we booked early.”

“There are more soldiers patrolling nearby. They say in a few days, General Wei’s coffin from the frontier will pass through Ze County. It’s not far from here. White lanterns have been hung in several places along the streets, and the capital has sent many officials to receive it.”

“The battle was won, yet he still died…”

He was about to say more but noticed that Hu Dazhu hadn’t heard a word, his brows were tightly knit instead.

He fell silent and quietly asked Hu Yaozu beside him.

“Father was just happy; what happened?”

Hu Yaozu whispered: “He must be worried about Sister Wan.”

Hu Dalang shot him a sideways glance: “Aren’t you worried too?”

The former’s face suddenly flushed red.

Hu Dazhu hadn’t caught their conversation clearly and sighed anxiously: “I’m worried your mother will mistreat her.”

Hu Dalang stiffened, rubbing his nose sheepishly as guilt flickered across his face. “Anyone would think cousin was Father’s own daughter.”

“Your aunt passed away early, what’s wrong with me caring more for her?”

“And also! Your wife is too calculating. Once she has children, you need to keep her in check!”

Yu Tingwan knew nothing of this father-son conversation.

She was leaning by the window watching a scene unfold.

Madam Wang was chasing the Xu family’s boy around the courtyard with a rattan cane.

“Sneaking into my room and rummaging through everything. Learning to be a thief at such a young age!”

“Was that something you should eat?!”

The Xu boy was pinned down and beaten, his mouth still containing cake crumbs. Though in pain, he remained exceptionally defiant.

“I’ll eat it if I want to!”

“If I see it, it’s mine!”

Last time, he stole rice from the neighbors and was praised by his parents and grandparents for being “capable.”

Before Madam Wang could explode, the Xu family’s daughter-in-law rushed forward.

“Auntie, it’s just because the child is ignorant and greedy. He’s still young; surely you won’t hold it against him?”

Madam Wang’s face darkened: “If you can’t raise him properly, don’t have children! You have no right to speak here!”

“These egg cakes were brought back by Erlang from town; I’ve been saving them!”

“Today he steals food, tomorrow he’ll steal money.”

“How dare I let you stay in my house?”

Madam Xu laughed awkwardly as she protected her grandson: “Well, what’s eaten is eaten, he can’t spit it out. Please calm down, mother-in-law.”

She pressed her grandson to apologize to Madam Wang: “Quick, say you’ll never do it again!”

Yu Tingwan watched as the Xu boy rolled his eyes, showing no sign of remorse.

She calmly closed the window, no longer paying attention to the commotion outside.

The Hu household would have plenty of excitement.

*

Night fell..

The Wu’s daughter-in-law next door tossed and turned, pushing her sleeping husband: “I feel uneasy.”

Soon, hushed conversation between husband and wife filled the room.

Wu’s daughter-in-law said: “Before dark, there was a commotion next door. The Xu boy snuck into Aunt Wang’s room and ate her egg cakes.”

She swallowed as she spoke.

Those must have been delicious.

“Such a big deal, yet that Xu boy showed no remorse, running off to play right after.”

“What Wan’er said earlier, I’ve been thinking about it – something seems strange.”

“Why would she suddenly mention how close the two families are…”

Shortly after, Wu’s daughter-in-law held a candle and knocked on Aunt Wu’s door.

She was somewhat afraid of her mother-in-law: “Mother, can you send me back to my parents’ house tomorrow?”

Do you want me to carry you on my back? What daughter-in-law orders her mother-in-law around like this!

Aunt Wu’s face darkened, about to scold her, when her son’s voice came from the opposite room.

“Mother, I should go with her, but I can’t get out of bed now, and with the snow outside, I’m really worried.”

The night churned darkly.

Next door at the Hu house, Yu Tingwan couldn’t sleep. She sat by the fire, occasionally poking it with a stick.

In the dancing firelight, her expression was bland yet sorrowful.

She didn’t know if in her previous life she had been caught by the Dong family’s servants.

Just then, rustling footsteps came from outside, and Yu Tingwan, ever vigilant, looked over sharply.

Someone was sneaking towards her door before stopping right in front of it.

It was Xu Fen.

Under the moonlight, Xu Fen was sneakily trying to break in, having forgotten Xiao Xu’s warning from earlier.

With Yu Tingwan right across in the other room, how could he remain unmoved?

This was the perfect opportunity.

He just needed to cover Yu Tingwan’s mouth to prevent her from calling for help, and he could do as he pleased!

Those girls who had suffered at his hands hated him deeply—so what? For the sake of their reputation, they wouldn’t dare breathe a word outside.

The greed in Xu Fen’s eyes was unmistakable.

Thinking of Yu Tingwan’s face, his whole body grew hot.

Click.

The inside bolt was picked open.

Xu Fen’s eyes gleamed as he pushed the door open.

At that moment, the burning firewood from inside flew straight at his face.

He instinctively raised his hands to block it.

Sparks scattered everywhere.

His hair and cotton clothes caught fire.

The burning sensation pierced his heart, and his screams shattered the quiet night.