Chapter 36: You’re About to Start a Family, So It’s Time to Be More Reliable

The Wei family courtyard wasn’t large but served its purpose well. Hui Niang, being capable and skilled at managing a household, kept the yard immaculately clean. She had cleared a path through the snow to make walking easier. In the eastern corner, a fenced area housed five chickens, while on the western side, near the old house, stood a persimmon tree. Though its branches were now bare, plump, juicy fruits still hung from them, nearly ready for harvest.

Wei Zhao remained silent for a long time. He had overheard Yu Tingwan’s conversation with Li Lian and knew she was eager to marry. Yet it puzzled him that she would knowingly jump into what was clearly a dead end.

His face remained pallid as always. Beside him, a pot of medicine simmered, its bitter fragrance permeating the air. Hui Niang’s voice drifted from the kitchen as she spoke to Yu Tingwan.

“Doctor Qian came with his medicine box early this morning. After checking Ah Lang’s pulse, he said the condition has been less erratic these past few days, so he adjusted the usual prescription.”

Seeing the porridge had cooled, she rekindled the fire. Her eyes brightened with a smile. “Ah Lang was very cooperative.”

A proper medical examination required observation, questioning, and pulse-taking—none of which Wei Zhao had previously tolerated. He used to treat Old Man Qian like thin air, but this morning, he answered every question:

Old Man Qian: “How have you been feeling lately?”

How? Every day I want to die.

Wei Zhao, faintly: “Good.”

Old Man Qian, suspicious: “You’re lying. Your pulse tells me otherwise.”

Wei Zhao, unfazed by being caught, replied with a weak smirk, “If your medical skills are lacking, why ask me?”

And again…

Old Man Qian: “Any physical discomfort?”

His organs felt like they were being shredded by knives, and he had coughed up blood several times at night. But Wei Zhao merely pressed an acupoint to mask his symptoms and replied, “None at all.”

Every question received an answer, though none were honest.

Unaware of this deception, Hui Niang cheerfully steamed coarse buns while chatting with Yu Tingwan in the courtyard. “I just hope that one day he’ll fully recover so you two can live harmoniously together.”

Yu Tingwan looked down at Wei Zhao, who sat in a daze. Without any trace of shyness, she gently nudged his shoe with her foot.

“Did you hear that?”

Wei Zhao frowned and withdrew his foot. Yu Tingwan didn’t take offense, casually picking up the prescription on the table. Unable to decipher it, she set it back down. But Wei Zhao understood it perfectly.

Years of military service and frequent injuries had taught him more than just basic medicine—he was actually well-versed in medical principles and could even write prescriptions himself. But he chose not to.

Wei Zhao knew his body was deteriorating rapidly. He not only allowed it but welcomed it. Yet fate had unexpectedly led him to the Wei family, and even more surprisingly, to Yu Tingwan’s insistence on marriage.

It baffled him.

“What about me appeals to you?” he asked softly.

If it were the old him—noble status, brilliant achievements, and the Emperor’s favorite—there would have been no shortage of women seeking his hand. But now, what remained besides his face?

To his surprise, Yu Tingwan’s silence lasted longer than his.

She knew he wouldn’t really want to hear the truth. But being honest by nature, and since he had rarely asked her anything, she felt it wouldn’t be right to hide anything. After all, they were to be husband and wife.

“To be honest,” Yu Tingwan said, “I’m not interested in you.” Her voice softened as she added, “But I like your mother.”

Wei Zhao: … This was truly absurd.

Yu Tingwan leaned closer. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Even if there’s another reason, I’m going to be your wife. I’ll care about you.”

He didn’t want to continue this pointless conversation. Instead, he raised the bowl of medicine to his lips and drank slowly. The bitter liquid passed over his tongue, though he seemed immune to its taste.

Yu Tingwan’s surprise was evident. “You’re drinking your medicine now?” She sounded pleased. “That’s how it should be. This medicine wasn’t cheap. Taking it will help you recover. You’re about to start a family, so you need to be more responsible, not reckless like before.”

She hoped he would maintain this behavior, but Wei Zhao, looking drowsy, replied listlessly, “The new prescription contains several ingredients unsuitable for my condition. The dosages are excessive. Taking it will only worsen my injuries.”

Indeed, he had guided Old Man Qian’s prescription himself, and was satisfied with the outcome.

Yu Tingwan: ??

She was skeptical but knew Old Man Qian’s medical skills weren’t the best. After all, when Hu Dazhu had caught a cold, he’d taken medicine for half a month without improvement and finally had to see a doctor in the county.

“If it worsens, then what?” she hesitated.

Wei Zhao stood, unwilling to continue the conversation. He wanted to discourage Yu Tingwan from bothering him further. As he moved, his chest wound throbbed with inflammation, itching and aching. A low cough brought the taste of blood to his throat, the vibrations making him wince in pain.

He stopped before Yu Tingwan, deathly pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Drop by drop, it stained the snow crimson.

Yet he curved his lips in a faint smile. “Like this.”

Yu Tingwan’s pupils constricted in panic. “How can this be? Is the medicine really wrong? How do you know?” She rushed to support him. “Are you in pain? Don’t frighten me like this. I’ll go find Doctor Qian right away! You mustn’t—”

Wei Zhao stepped aside, maintaining his distance. His gaze was cold, his tone emotionless. “You’re making a fuss over nothing.”

Yu Tingwan: ???

He was infuriating! Did he even realize how frustrating he was?

If the medicine were beneficial, Wei Zhao wouldn’t drink it. Unfortunately, Old Man Qian wouldn’t prescribe him any poison. His will completely broken, Wei Zhao tugged at his lips, his eyes devoid of life. “You see? I could die at any moment. Why waste your future on me?”

Yu Tingwan frowned, then suddenly understood. “That doesn’t matter.” She spoke patiently, her voice gentle. “Don’t worry. As long as you’re alive, I’ll care for you.”

She could handle brewing tea and managing the household. Even with a sickly man who cost money to care for, having him in the house still gave them something to look forward to. She didn’t want anything to happen to him.

“If the day comes when you truly can’t make it…” Under Wei Zhao’s dark, brooding gaze, Yu Tingwan slowly continued, “You can rest assured, I will definitely take good care of your parents in your stead.”

In the future, she wouldn’t remarry either, which would be doing right by Wei Shen.

Wei Zhao: …

He laughed in bitter disbelief.

Yu Tingwan pressed on, “Isn’t it good for us to share our lives together?”

Wei Zhao, listlessly: “No, it’s not.”

Yu Tingwan: ???

She pressed her lips together, feeling somewhat frustrated. But she couldn’t bring herself to argue with someone so ill. Instead, she muttered softly, “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”