Chapter 40: My Wish to Treat You Well is Sincere

Yu Tingwan felt a pang of regret when she didn’t receive a response from Wei Zhao.

A crack in the window let in a cold breeze.

She set down the scissors and carefully gathered the paper cutouts of the “double happiness” character, afraid they would be scattered by the wind. She even placed the stone Wei Zhao had thrown at her earlier on top to keep them in place.

Just as she was about to go out and ask Hui Niang if there was anything she could help with, she heard a faint rustling behind her. She instantly sensed something was off and turned her head—only to see that Wei Zhao, who had been feigning unconsciousness moments ago, had now half-sat up.

His face was pale, his arm weak, yet he was stretching toward the scissors she had left on the wooden table by the bed.

Their eyes met. Under her piercing gaze, Wei Zhao showed no sign of guilt at being caught.

His arms were long, but the distance was still too great. He slowly inched closer to the edge of the bed. Just as he was about to reach the scissors, Yu Tingwan moved the entire table away.

Yes, she didn’t take the scissors—she took the whole table.

Wei Zhao wasn’t persistent and slowly withdrew his hand. He simply withdrew his hand, moving as sluggishly as before.

Yu Tingwan returned to his bedside, her expression unreadable, her tone calm.

“I know you’ve been away from home for too long, and the people in the village have long forgotten you. You likely don’t remember the Li family at the village entrance either.”

“But Aunt Hui once told me that in your younger years, you were closest to their son.”

“That Li family boy fell ill last year with some strange sickness. He clutched his head in agony every day. The county doctor couldn’t diagnose him, and he couldn’t keep any food down. Within half a year, he was gone.”

“Before his burial, the villagers went to see him and were terrified. Some even stumbled backward in fear. They said he was no longer human—just skin over bones, every one of his ribs visible.”

“He fought desperately to live for six months, enduring unimaginable suffering, but he never got the chance to survive. And yet you… you refuse to live.”

Her voice remained steady. “I know your injuries are severe, and I can’t share your pain. I won’t lightly reprimand you for your choices. But Wei Shen, if something happens to you—”

She paused, pressing her lips together.

“—what am I supposed to do?”

Wei Zhao gazed out the window.

The world outside was a vast expanse of white, blanketed in heavy, desolate haze.

The recklessness, the arrogance, the pride he once carried had long been stripped away. His heart was empty—how could he still feel the joys, sorrows, or warmth of the world?

He had never considered marriage. To him, Yu Tingwan’s words stirred no reaction.

Wei Zhao let out a soft laugh, his voice devoid of emotion. “You’re afraid something will happen to me?”

“But you don’t even know who I really am.”

“You don’t know my character or my past. You left the Hu family, which means you’re not indecisive. We’ve only known each other for a few days, and I hardly think I possess any qualities worthy of your admiration. You chose to marry into the Wei family after weighing the benefits and drawbacks—I’m simply your best option.”

“What you should fear isn’t me meeting an untimely end. What you should fear is that I die before you’ve officially married in.”

Yu Tingwan blinked.

She hadn’t expected Wei Zhao to say so much.

He had been too stingy with his words before. Now that he was finally speaking, she found herself surprised. Not just surprised—shocked.

“Clear thoughts, sharp words… doesn’t seem like you hit your head too hard.”

Wei Zhao: …

Out of everything, she chose to focus on that?

Yu Tingwan muttered under her breath, “I never thought…”

She hesitated.

He said she wasn’t indecisive—that was praise for her decisiveness.

He said she knew how to weigh pros and cons—that was praise for her intelligence!

“I never thought that in your eyes, I was so outstanding.”

Wei Zhao: ???

He almost laughed in disbelief.

Even someone as unshakable as him was about to lose his temper! It was said that husband and wife should share the same bed in life and the same tomb in death. At this rate, he wanted to drag Yu Tingwan with him to the grave!

His expression darkened.

If his trusted subordinates saw this, they would undoubtedly drop to their knees, frantically reflecting on who had angered their general.

Forget the subordinates—even the young noblemen of the capital who admired him would be outraged, eager to punish the culprit.

But the culprit herself, upon witnessing Wei Zhao’s changing expression, was completely unfazed. The young lady stepped forward and pushed him back down. Her movements were gentle—at least she didn’t pull at his wounds.

“I don’t know what you’ve been through, and if you don’t want to talk, I won’t ask. But thinking too much is never a good thing.”

Wei Zhao made no effort to resist.

He watched as she smoothed the wrinkles in his sleeve, then adjusted his bedding.

Even though she had been applying ointment and avoiding cold water these past days, the frostbite on her hands had barely healed. To Wei Zhao, her reddened fingers were glaringly obvious.

He had always carried himself with discipline, never indulging in brothels or casual flirtations. His interactions with women were limited.

But the noble ladies and consorts he had encountered—whether in his own household or the palace—had delicate, well-maintained hands. Even the elderly servants in the Duke’s residence had better hands than Yu Tingwan…

Not that it had anything to do with him.

Wei Zhao lost interest in the thought.

Just then, he felt a coolness at his neck—something had been taken.

His protective talisman.

Wei Zhao’s expression instantly turned cold as he looked at her.

Yu Tingwan clenched the talisman in her palm, bit by bit.

“The scissors incident must be addressed. Since you won’t listen to reason, you clearly haven’t learned your lesson.”

Fortunately, he had something he cared about.

“When you’ve truly repented and stopped harming yourself, I’ll return it to you. For now…”

Her tone was serious. “I’m confiscating it.”

Wei Zhao narrowed his eyes.

How dare she.

But the young lady didn’t even glance at him as she walked out. Just before leaving, she stopped at the doorway.

Her voice was calm.

“I admit, marrying into the Wei family is a calculated move—I seek stability. And yes, I fear for your life.”

“A few days ago, whether Wei Shen lived or died had nothing to do with me.”

“But now that we are to be married, our fates are tied. Even in death, we cannot be separated.”

“You say I don’t know your nature. But do you know my preferences?”

Her voice softened.

“I’ve already prepared to spend my life with you, no matter how hard it gets. From now on, you and I will be the closest people in each other’s lives. I will bear your children. Where in this is there room for calculation? My wish to treat you well is sincere. How could I ever want to see you hurt?”

With that, she disappeared beyond the door.

Inside the room, Wei Zhao was left in a strange daze.

He had assumed she was avoiding his words, but no—she had been pretending not to understand while comprehending everything.

She said they would be the closest people in the world.

Indeed, husband and wife were meant to consummate their marriage.

She said she would bear his children.

Wei Zhao’s expression turned complicated.

What made Yu Tingwan think he would even touch her?

He had no energy for anything—what gave her the confidence to think he was capable?

Even he wasn’t sure he could.

She said she wanted to treat him well.

But in his experience, the people who claimed to have his best interests at heart were always the ones who hurt him the most.

He even forgot to take back his talisman.

He stared blankly for a long time.

At some point, his brow furrowed. He realized the young lady had been calling him “Wei Shen” this whole time.

Not Wei Zhao.

Wei Zhao: …