Chapter 28: Look, He’s Dead Now

Yu Tingwan’s monthly period arrived at noon.

The pain in her lower abdomen grew increasingly intense.

She lay curled up on the old wooden table, her black hair concealing her delicate features.

After an uncertain amount of time passed, she lifted her gaze slightly, revealing a face drained of color and drenched in sweat. Her hand reached for a piece of brown sugar no larger than her palm.

Yu Tingwan knew that during severe menstrual pain, one should drink brown sugar and egg soup.

That day, she didn’t venture outside.

The rain had continued for two days straight, drawing complaints from the villagers of Xilin.

With the mountain paths muddy and treacherous, Yu Tingwan wouldn’t risk rushing up the mountain.

When the weather finally cleared, she stepped outside, found an old broom in the corner, and began sweeping snow from the courtyard.

Living close to her neighbors, she could hear Wei Shouzhong’s voice next door.

“Where did these dates come from?”

Hui Niang, focused on her needlework, didn’t look up. “I met Widow Shi while washing clothes at the river this morning. She gave them to me.”

Widow Shi’s son worked as an accountant in the county town, making their family among the wealthiest in Xilin Village.

Having lost her husband early, she had struggled to raise her son alone. Though well-off now, years of poverty had made her extremely frugal. Even relatives who came asking for help would be turned away empty-handed.

Hui Niang continued with a smile in her eyes. “She wants me to help make some meat sauce. Her son loved it when he had it at the village chief’s feast and keeps mentioning it, but she can’t recreate the taste.”

“She offered eight copper coins, so I agreed.”

This would be income for the family.

There were only five dates, but they were large and round, looking delicious. They must have been bought by Widow Shi’s son from the county town.

Hui Niang continued mending clothes. “Husband, wash the dates and take them to Ah Lang.”

But Wei Shouzhong didn’t follow her instructions. After washing them, he tucked two into her lap before giving the rest to Wei Zhao, who was dozing in a chair.

Looking at Wei Zhao’s handsome face, his eyes softened. “Eat up. You’ve always loved dates since childhood, always climbing the mountain for them.”

But those wild mountain dates had been small and dry, not to mention sour. Nothing like Widow Shi’s sweet and crisp ones.

Wei Zhao didn’t even open his eyes, his expression blank. “I don’t like them.”

Wei Shouzhong: “What do you like to eat now?”

Wei Zhao seemed lifeless, having no appetite for anything.

Wei Shouzhong: “Then what did Ah Lang eat in the military camp?”

Wei Zhao glanced at him.

Though he hadn’t expected a response, Wei Zhao spoke, his voice emotionless as if discussing someone else: “In the capital, they would send tribute goods during festivals.”

Wei Shouzhong: …

The boasting had begun again.

Wei Shouzhong played along: “I had no idea our Ah Lang was so highly regarded. Tribute goods are meant for nobility.”

Something about those words seemed to strike a nerve; Wei Zhao’s expression darkened. “Just small favors to make me risk my life for them.”

Hearing the deep resentment and malice in his voice, Wei Shouzhong sighed: “I’ve often asked around these years. The Wei Army has an excellent reputation. They say the General treats his men well, ensuring they’re well-fed and often pays for meat from his own pocket.”

The border regions were harsh places, with bitter winds and difficult lives.

Other military camps’ soldiers didn’t have such treatment. Their duty is to protect the people at all costs.

But the Wei Army was different.

The young General Wei had once said:

“In my army, we don’t trade flesh and blood for peace. The lives of civilians are precious, and so are yours! Your parents and siblings are waiting for your return – you must go to battle alive and return alive.”

Wei Zhao spoke flatly, “The cooks often made special meals for me.”

“When there wasn’t fighting, the Wei Army would go hunting in the deep mountains every three months. The best hunter would receive rewards, and we’d have bonfires at night.”

As he spoke, Hui Niang stopped her work.

The couple listened intently, as if glimpsing their son’s life at the border through his words.

Wei Shouzhong: “What did Ah Lang hunt?”

Wei Zhao glanced at him: “Tigers.”

Wei Shouzhong, surprised: “Really?”

His Ah Lang was that capable!

Wei Zhao: “I kept it alive.”

Wei Shouzhong: ??

Wei Zhao: “We fed it enemy spies as treats.”

Wei Shouzhong: …

Alright, now he didn’t believe it.

Wei Shouzhong continued without exposing the lie: “What happened to the tiger?”

Wei Zhao lowered his eyes.

Wei Shouzhong understood – he’d run out of things to boast about. He smiled: “When we learned the Wei Army had chosen you, your mother and I were truly relieved.”

He looked at the tall and strong Wei Zhao.

“General Wei was a good person.”

Wei Zhao laughed, but it was a mocking laugh.

“Was he?”

Wei Zhao: “Good people don’t live long.”

He said coldly, “Look, he’s dead now.”

“Who still remembers him?”

The words sounded strange, but Wei Shouzhong didn’t think much of it, assuming his son was just grieving for his general.

“Who said that?”

Wei Shouzhong: “Even the officials in the capital were devastated. The Emperor cancelled morning court.”

Wei Zhao remained silent.

He didn’t bother saying how hypocritical the capital’s people were, wearing masks of false kindness.

Next door, Yu Tingwan couldn’t help but overhear everything clearly, even though she tried not to eavesdrop.

As she struggled to sweep the snow, trying to clear her mind, Hui Niang’s voice reached her ears.

“Husband, how did we lose some bowls?”

Yu Tingwan froze: …

They were at her place.

Wei Shouzhong, who was fixing the kitchen roof, replied, “Count again, you must have misplaced them somewhere.”

Hui Niang frowned: “How could I miscount? We know exactly how many bowls and chopsticks we have, and three are missing.”

She had searched everywhere inside and out but couldn’t find them. It was strange. Surely they hadn’t been robbed.

Yu Tingwan didn’t know if the Wei household had been robbed or not. But she saw several bowls with the Wei family mark in the corner of her courtyard wall.

Snow was still falling, coating the bowls with a thin layer, and brown sauce stains remained visible on them.

Yu Tingwan: ??

How did they end up in her courtyard? As she pondered this, there was movement above. Yu Tingwan looked up to see something being thrown over from next door.

It landed beside her.

It was a date with a bite taken out of it, teeth marks still visible.

Yu Tingwan looked at the bowls and then at the date, finding it both irritating and amusing.

Meanwhile, next door, Wei Zhao frowned as he swallowed his mouthful of date.

The date was sweet, but to him, it was tasteless.

He still had two left, which he didn’t want to hold or eat.

Wei Zhao casually threw the two unwanted dates over to the neighboring yard.

One hit the snowy ground, the other hit Yu Tingwan’s head.

The young woman held her head in pain.

Was he treating her yard like a garbage dump? She wanted to run next door and demand why Wei Zhao was treating her this way!

But after seeing what had hit her, Yu Tingwan thought she could endure it a bit longer.

She picked up the date and took a vindictive bite!