Chapter 62

From a distance, A Zhao, A Kang, and the others, who were hiding behind a large tree, exchanged puzzled looks. What was going on?!

A Zhao quickly grabbed the horse and chased after them. A Kang and Ah Zheng glanced at each other, then hurriedly ran out and stood awkwardly in front of Su Ci for a moment. A Kang asked, “Madam, what… what should we do? What happened?”

Su Ci was still holding the exquisite revolving lantern, its candlelight reflecting brilliantly off the glass. The sky exploded with the largest firework, a bright blue, causing the whole street to gasp in awe. But the person who had been standing beside her, holding her hand and watching the lanterns, was no longer there. She felt a bit disheartened, looking closely at the beautiful revolving lantern. What a pity, after all the effort put into it, it ended up being a disappointment.

“Alright, let’s go. It’s late, we should head back.” She smiled.

“Oh, oh, okay,” A Kang and the others quickly responded. Then A Kang scratched his head and asked, “Madam, where should we go?”

Well, it seemed likely that the master had gone back to Yangdu in a fit of anger.

A Kang spoke cautiously, but Su Ci didn’t mind discussing it. She thought for a moment, “Let’s go back to Yangdu.”

After all, they would return sooner or later. Going back to Suiping would mean having to greet Yan in the morning, so it was better to avoid that.

She blew out the candle and handed the beautiful revolving lantern to A Zheng to hold for her. Then she mounted the horse and smiled, “Let’s go.”

A Kang and A Zheng exchanged furtive glances, not daring to speak. They quickly mounted their horses, with A Zheng carefully passing the lantern to A Kang before getting on his horse and taking it back. They knew how much effort the master had put into this lantern, so they didn’t dare to speak, let alone drop it.

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If A Kang and A Zheng were cautious and slightly tense, A Zhao’s situation was much worse, like facing a storm head-on.

After struggling through the crowd, A Zhao finally caught up with Yang Yanzong at the city gate. Yang Yanzong grabbed the reins from his hand, mounted the horse, and fiercely whipped it. The big brown horse neighed in pain and shot forward like an arrow.

“Master, master!”

A Zhao stumbled a few steps, but his companions at the gate quickly brought the horses over. They hurriedly mounted and chased after him.

Shortly after the fireworks ended, a cloud appeared on this fine Mid-Autumn Festival night, and it started to drizzle. A Zhao couldn’t help but curse inwardly, “Does it have to be so fitting?”

They chased desperately through the wind and rain, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t catch up with the furious rider ahead.

Yang Yanzong, usually considerate of his horses, treated them as loyal companions on the battlefield. But tonight, his whip was heavy and urgent, almost irrational.

The big brown horse, a renowned breed from the Western Regions and the Hetao area galloped like the wind. However, neither wind nor rain seemed to affect Yang Yanzong. He raced back to Yangdu at top speed, riding straight into the front courtyard. His terrifying expression made the guards shiver and exchange worried glances, quickly looking at A Zhao: “What’s going on?”

A Zhao didn’t dare to speak, stumbling off his horse and rushing after him. Before he even reached the courtyard gate, he heard a loud neigh and the heavy thud of footsteps. The study door was kicked open with a bang, rebounding back. Inside, there was a series of crashes, as if a storm had swept through, smashing everything in sight.

The outer study was silent, everyone tense and silent as cicadas in winter. But even at such a time, someone dared to provoke the tiger. It was the head steward of the Yang family in Suiping, whom A Zhao had reluctantly brought over. He stood cautiously at the door, whispering, “Steward Yang came this afternoon on the old madam’s orders.” He lamented his misfortune but couldn’t ignore Mrs. Yan’s orders. After quickly reporting, he stepped back two paces.

The newly appointed housekeeper was a middle-aged woman with a sleek, shiny bun. She bowed and explained that Mrs. Yan had ordered her to come yesterday. Mrs. Yan had chosen a concubine for her second son and hadn’t forgotten her other two sons, especially the eldest. She picked the most beautiful one for Yang Yanzong, but since he hadn’t returned home and likely wouldn’t for the Mid-Autumn Festival, Mrs. Yan sent the housekeeper to deliver the girl.

The housekeeper had set off early in the morning and arrived in the afternoon, just missing Yang Yanzong and Su Ci. After waiting half the afternoon and evening, she thought it was a lost cause, but then heard Yang Yanzong had returned and hurried over to report.

After the housekeeper finished speaking, there was no response, only silence. She heard Yang Yanzong’s heavy breathing, which gave her an inexplicable sense of a fierce beast. Feeling intimidated, she quickly stepped back like A Zhao. As she moved aside, a slender, pretty girl with a shiny bun stepped forward, bowed, and sweetly said, “Servant Luyao, greets…” Before she could finish saying “young master,” the furious Yang Yanzong turned, took a few steps forward and kicked her in the chest. She screamed and flew seven or eight feet, crashing into the courtyard, clutching her chest, and vomiting blood before fainting.

“Get out!!”

“All of you, get out!!”

Yang Yanzong’s sharp gaze swept over them, and the housekeeper was so scared she nearly wet herself. Yang Yanzong coldly ordered, “Drag them out, twenty lashes!! Immediately!!!”

Immediately, someone grabbed the terrified housekeeper and the unconscious girl, dragging them out without any pity.

A Zhao didn’t need to be punished, but he decided to take the twenty lashes anyway, thinking he could rest and recover while the storm blew over. So, he quickly followed them out.

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Su Ci returned to the Yangdu residence in the middle of the night. It was raining, and she was soaked. Wasn’t it said it wouldn’t rain on the fifteenth of August? It’s not the Dragon Boat Festival!

She fetched water, bathed, washed her hair, dried off, and by the time she was done, it was almost dawn. She rubbed her eyes, feeling sleepy.

Well, it’s time to sleep.

Su Ci thought for a while, then decided to blow out the lamp and go to bed. She pulled up the thin quilt and rolled herself in it. The bed felt extra spacious without someone else, but she didn’t mind.

Su Ci was well-informed and already knew about the commotion in the front yard. She shrugged. Honestly, Mrs. Yan’s actions were not surprising. A woman confined to the inner courtyard all her life only had a few ways to cause trouble. She wasn’t the first. As Yang Yanzong rose in power, many women were sent to him, like gifts in the modern world. This was just one type, more common than Mrs. Yan’s methods. But Yang Yanzong, deeply in love with her, either didn’t see them or gave them away.

See, giving your heart and soul, is it worth it? More importantly, this mode didn’t align with her life and emotional views.

Su Ci shook her head and relaxed. Why take it so seriously? Isn’t it better to live happily? Yang Yanzong is really hard to please!

She complained about Yang Yanzong for a while, feeling sleepy. It didn’t matter; she decided to sleep first. Problems couldn’t be solved without sleep, and things would work out eventually. Feeling very tired, Su Ci yawned, pulled the quilt over her head, turned over twice, and soon fell asleep.

She slept soundly. But Yang Yanzong hadn’t slept for two nights. He had truly fallen in love, deeply. As he thought, love is a deep, bone-penetrating emotion. With his expectations shattered, how could he close his eyes and sleep?

After the extreme anger, he felt a deep sadness. He had genuinely put his heart into this relationship. They had been intimate, relying on each other and trusting each other with their lives. When they were together, he could clearly feel that she was happy, too. But why didn’t she reciprocate?

When sincere feelings are given but not returned, besides anger, he felt a deep sadness for the sweet days and nights they had shared. As he gradually calmed down, he couldn’t help but feel sorrow. He truly loved her. Saying he had racked his brains for her was not an exaggeration. He had never treated anyone like this before.

Really.

Why?

What was her heart made of? Did she even have a heart?

Yang Yanzong had a busy day. He had planned to spend the day with Su Ci, but now it was unnecessary. He busied himself aimlessly all day. As night fell again, in the quiet of the night, he sat in a daze for a long time, finally unable to bear it, and stood up abruptly!

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Su Ci had gone to look for Yang Yanzong once during the day, but he was out. She couldn’t find him.

Su Ci returned, sat for a while, then got up and continued working on her plans in the study. She would likely stay in Yangdu for a long time. Since they had moved, her medical studio and laboratory would also be moved here. The place had already been set up and was being organized. She wrote down the layout plans and also planned to set up a small studio at home.

Writing and drawing, the day passed. In the evening, she asked A Zheng to check if Yang Yanzong had returned. A Zheng came back and said no, but he seemed hesitant, occasionally glancing at her.

Su Ci understood but decided to pretend not to know. If she went to find Yang Yanzong, it would probably just lead to another big argument. She continued writing and drawing at the desk until late at night, feeling it was enough. Then, she put away the drafts and got ready for bed. She closed the window and turned off the lamp. It seemed to rain in the middle of the night; half asleep, she pulled out the spare quilt from the inside of the bed and covered herself, continuing to sleep. She had a high sleep quality. Even if there were occasional worries, it didn’t usually affect her sleep, and this time was no exception. But tonight, for some reason, she felt half-awake, as if dreaming. She dreamt of Yang Yanzong. In the dream, she and Yang Yanzong loved each other passionately, sometimes inseparable, sometimes holding his hand and crying. In the end, she put on wings and flew away, realizing she was an angel who had come to earth for a while and now had to return to heaven.

It was bizarre and illogical, and she knew she was dreaming, which made her laugh. But after laughing, she felt a bit melancholic. Then she gradually woke up and suddenly felt as if someone was sitting by her bedside.

Su Ci suddenly opened her eyes. Oh, it was real—there was someone there. She focused and saw it was Yang Yanzong!

Su Ci: “…”

People can really scare each other to death, big brother!

Luckily, she was brave. Su Ci was startled but quickly sat up and took a closer look, finally letting out a sigh of relief. Gosh, that gave her a fright.

She patted her chest, calming herself down.

Yang Yanzong remained motionless, not saying a word.

Su Ci tucked her hair behind her ear and tentatively whispered, “Husband?”

She reached out to touch Yang Yanzong’s hand and found it cold, as cold as the night rain outside. His sleeve was damp, probably from being in the rain and wearing wet clothes for a long time.

She pulled the quilt over, wrapping his hand to warm it, and gently said, “Why didn’t you change out of your wet clothes?”

In the quiet of the night, her eyes were clear and gentle, like a soft ripple, showing concern.

Just like before.

Yang Yanzong suddenly felt a surge of resentment, hating her for always being so unchanging. It seemed nothing could stir her emotions. She was always so calm, always so happy!

He frowned, suppressing a wave of dull pain in his heart. In the darkness, he couldn’t see his face clearly. His Adam’s apple moved for a moment, and after a long silence, he suddenly asked, “Why?”

His voice was a bit hoarse, but very clear in the quiet night. “Can you tell me why?”

Su Ci was speechless. How was she supposed to answer that? Should she say that this was normal and that most modern people were like this?

People who gave their all and were easily moved to give everything were actually rare. This was a worldview, a value system, and a perspective on life and emotions that had been ingrained in her since childhood. She could understand him, but she understood herself even better.

She didn’t speak for a long time, and Yang Yanzong abruptly stood up and left. He walked quickly out the door and, with a loud bang, stepped into the night rain without looking back.

Su Ci, holding the quilt, watched him walk away through the water. She was silent for a long time but didn’t chase after him.

The differences between her and Yang Yanzong were actually issues of worldview and personality. He was tough and aggressive, with a gene for attack and conquest ingrained in his bones. He would take a step back and give but never intended to give up, gaining something in return. On the contrary, because he had taken a step back, he cared even more about what he thought he deserved and demanded even more.

And she, though lazy, had very firm principles. So, this problem had no solution.

Su Ci rubbed her face, lay back on the bed, and thought, well, this time she was somewhat at fault. She would leave it to him to decide. She wouldn’t deceive him, and whatever he decided, she could accept.

Sigh, it’s enough to make one pull their hair out.

But Su Ci understood Yang Yanzong very well. He was strong-willed and never one to wallow in self-pity. From yesterday to tonight, from anger to sadness and then to sorrow, he finally couldn’t resist and asked her why.

But such behavior would only happen once. The stronger the man, the stronger his pride.

After the anger, sadness, and sorrow, he returned to the study, drenched in rain and tangled in love and hate. Then he sneered, “Fine, fine!”

He was never one to warm up to a cold shoulder. He even lowered himself to ask her, to win her back. Since she was unwilling, then so be it. Was he a man who needed to force a woman?

She could let go so easily; why couldn’t he?

Impossible!

Fine, if she didn’t want to open her heart and love him, then they would just be an ordinary couple.

He hadn’t forgotten her contributions.

Fine, let it be!

Yang Yanzong sneered. He could be like other men, with wives and concubines, sons and daughters, living a normal life. There was nothing wrong with that!

When he wanted to take concubines, he would.

That’s what he thought.