Chapter 44: A Joyous Day, No Need for Anger

As her words faded, the air around them seemed to thin.

Yu Tingwan didn’t want to dwell on the matter. The less said, the better—no need to invite trouble and end up with complications.

If the Zhou family could so easily disregard basic morality, what else were they capable of? If they discovered their scheme had been exposed and bore a grudge, they might take advantage of Wei Shouzhong’s absence to cause trouble at the Wei household. With just her and Hui Niang—two women alone—how could they possibly defend themselves? There was no point in risking everything for fifty coins. Better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Still, she spoke in a measured tone, offering a subtle hint. “This matter won’t stay hidden for long. I estimate in a few days…”

She paused, then simply said, “No need to rush, Auntie.”

Indeed, Matchmaker Liu would soon be caught in the act by Li Lian.

Hearing her confident tone, Aunt Wu was seventy percent convinced.

She had watched Zhou Qin grow up and knew all too well how much the girl had suffered under her stepmother, Matchmaker Liu. Yet her short-lived father and harsh grandfather had dismissed her simply for being a girl, turning a blind eye to her stepmother’s mistreatment.

Matchmaker Liu had once tried to marry her stepdaughter off to a distant place, using her silver tongue to paint a debauched man as an exceptional match.

If Zhou Qin’s maternal grandmother hadn’t rushed over upon hearing the news—bringing along several uncles wielding hoes in outrage—the child would have been ruined.

Though that incident had been a disgrace, shaming the entire family…

Aunt Wu slapped her thigh. “Fine then, I’ll have her go home and wait!”

She and Zhou Qin were both eager to see Matchmaker Liu’s downfall!

Now more at ease, Aunt Wu’s bitterness subsided.

She turned her smiling gaze to Yu Tingwan.

Perhaps it was just her imagination, but the young woman’s complexion seemed less pale than before, showing more healthy color. Even her chin wasn’t as sharp.

“I actually came to see you about something else,” Aunt Wu said. “My second son caught a rabbit—a plump one. We’re planning to stew it tonight. You must come over for dinner.”

If not for Yu Tingwan, Xiufen’s unborn child might not have survived. Aunt Wu cherished her and was happy to extend generosity.

Just then, voices drifted over from next door.

“Husband, where did the evergreen go? I put it in the room yesterday, but now it’s missing.”

“Are all the couplets posted inside and out? We still have some ‘Prosperity for Livestock’ ones left. Don’t forget to paste them by the chicken coop.”

“Great Uncle’s legs aren’t good. Husband, you’ll need to personally fetch him later. He’s treated us well these years; we can’t neglect propriety.”

It was all Hui Niang’s voice.

Aunt Wu perked up with curiosity. In the countryside where entertainment was scarce, any household event could become gossip fodder for days.

She gestured toward the neighboring house, asking Yu Tingwan.

“How strange. Is the Wei family preparing for a celebration? Their Ah lang was injured so badly—when he returned, he collapsed bleeding on the ground. Everyone said he wouldn’t survive.”

She didn’t trust Old Man Qian’s medical skills.

After all, when Xiufen had stomach pains, Old Man Qian hadn’t even detected her pregnancy.

Aunt Wu couldn’t help but pry: “Wan’er, you live close to the Wei family. Do you know who he’s marrying?”

Yu Tingwan: …

Well, you certainly asked the right person.

She knew all too well!

But before she could reply, Aunt Wu beat her to it.

Slapping her thigh again she said, “Look at my muddle-headedness! You don’t associate with the Wei family—probably just exchange greetings when passing by. How would you know anything?”

Yu Tingwan was known for keeping to herself, not one for socializing.

Aunt Wu remembered Yu Tingwan was about to head out. Knowing she often went into the mountains, her expression grew serious.

“My second son learned hunting from the old hunter, and often goes to the mountains for meat, but he doesn’t dare go deep in—just circles the outskirts. This morning when he returned, he said he saw predator tracks in the snow.”

Just thinking about it was frightening.

“You absolutely must not go into the mountains these days.”

Yu Tingwan replied calmly: “I won’t.”

That’s good.

Aunt Wu reminded her again, “Remember to come for dinner. My rabbit stew is delicious.”

Yu Tingwan replied mildly: “I… probably can’t make it.”

“Why, do you have something else?”

Yu Tingwan said lightly, “I have to take some time to get married next door.”

Aunt Wu: ???

*

Yu Tingwan entered the Wei household with light steps.

When she arrived, Hui Niang was in the courtyard wiping down an evergreen plant, with red paper, dyed eggs, and peanuts beside her.

“Why are you up so early?”

Seeing her, Hui Niang’s smile deepened.

She carefully placed the dyed eggs and peanuts onto a red paper sheet, then wrapped them together with the evergreen plant. To keep everything from scattering, she secured it with loops of red string, tying a firm knot.

This was for the bride to carry while crossing the fire basin later.

Hui Niang picked up a peanut, lightly cracked it open, and bit down on the evergreen leaves. Soon, the plant was decorated with alternating red and green peanuts—a festive sight.

Soon, the evergreen was decorated with red and green peanuts—a festive sight.

Seeing Yu Tingwan peering from the side, Hui Niang said, “I steamed some sweet potatoes. Go to the kitchen and eat something to fill your stomach.”

Yu Tingwan responded with a soft sound.

In the kitchen, besides sweet potatoes, there was… Wei Zhao listlessly peeling sweet potato skins with vacant eyes.

He had been awakened early by Wei Shouzhong and Hui Niang’s talking.

He had wanted to keep lying down, but Wei Shouzhong insisted he try out the crutch made overnight.

He peeled halfheartedly, took a bite.

It tasted like chewing wax.

Seeing Yu Tingwan enter, he couldn’t even be bothered to raise his head.

Yu Tingwan picked up the crutch by his feet and examined it with interest, even testing its grip.

“Unc—”

She stopped herself.

This form of address needed to change.

Without the slightest hesitation or awkwardness, she continued naturally, “Our father’s craftsmanship is really good.”

Wei Zhao didn’t know how Yu Tingwan managed to adapt so smoothly.

He responded languidly, “You like it?”

Yu Tingwan nodded: “Mm-hmm.”

With the crutch, Wei Zhao would need to walk around more. Lying around all day would make even a healthy person sick.

Wei Zhao: “Then it’s yours.”

He didn’t even have to throw it away himself.

Technically, this was Wei Zhao’s wedding gift.

Who gives a crutch?

Could she even use it!

Even though Yu Tingwan could guess his petty intentions, she held back from showing her displeasure.

On this joyous day, she couldn’t get angry.

The young woman was silent for a long while.

So long that Wei Zhao found the kitchen oddly quiet.

Wei Zhao asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

Yu Tingwan finally found her voice, speaking without emotion, “I was wondering if I should cripple my own leg. Otherwise, this thing will just gather dust.”

Anyone with tact would’ve laughed and apologized by now, realizing how absurd the gift was.

But not Wei Zhao.

His eyes moved slightly.

“Want help?”

Yu Tingwan couldn’t hold back anymore and raised her hand to punch him.

She had quite a bit of strength.

It hurt quite a bit, yet even at this point, she knew to avoid his injuries and vulnerable spots.

In all his years, this was the first time Wei Zhao had been hit.