Chapter 83

The most humiliating thing in this world is when you see her as your only spiritual refuge, loving her with infinite tenderness and unable to extricate yourself, quietly hoping that she will soon open her heart and fall in love with you. Suddenly, you discover that her heart had already been opened long ago, and she had been passionately in love with someone else. The so-called ignorance was just an excuse, and you were nothing but a fool being played without knowing it.

Yang Yanzong was in utter disbelief. A surge of immense anger shot to his head and his once passionate and tender feelings were suddenly filled with ice, causing his chest to ache uncontrollably. He felt ashamed and furious at his own foolishness, for being so easily manipulated, and for the deep emotional attachment he had developed the previous night.

How could she do this?!

What did she take him for?!

He wanted to grab her shoulders and loudly demand an explanation. Hadn’t he been good enough to her? Did she need him to give her his heart and soul?

Overwhelmed with indignation, his eyes grew hot with tears, and he forcefully closed them!

Yang Yanzong knew she was following him, but he never looked back. The mid-autumn wind was already cold, making it hard to keep his eyes open. He took a deep breath and whipped his horse hard, causing the brown horse to gallop like an arrow.

Riding at breakneck speed, Yang Yanzong returned to the mansion in even less time than it took to leave. His face was frighteningly cold as he rode straight through the gate, dismounted in the front yard, and strode quickly to the outer study.

A Zhao and the other guards knew him well. Normally, seeing him in such a forbidding mood, they would tread lightly. But today, for some reason, the mansion was in chaos. As soon as Yang Yanzong stepped through the gate, A Zhao, who had been pacing like an ant on a hot pan, hurried to meet him.

“Master! …Young Madam, you’re finally back!” A Zhao was nearly in tears; something terrible had happened at the mansion.

Yang Yanzong frowned, but before he could speak, A Zhao, with a tearful face, said, “It’s terrible! Master, Young Madam, the old lady stabbed the old master. He’s gravely injured, and Zhang Xin and Mou An are performing emergency surgery on him!!”

This news was like a bolt from the blue, leaving everyone stunned. Yang Yanzong was in shock for three seconds before shaking off A Zhao’s hand and rushing inside.

Oh my, how could this happen?!

Su Ci hurriedly dismounted, nearly stumbling, and upon entering, received the explosive news. She exchanged a glance with A Zhao and quickly followed Yang Yanzong inside.

Yang Zhongying had been stabbed nearly an hour ago, and the emergency surgery was nearing its end. Fortunately, Zhang Xin and Mou An often came to the mansion to borrow Su Ci’s manuscripts, and there was a small duty room in the outer courtyard. They were present today; otherwise, with Su Ci not at home, Yang Zhongying might not have survived.

The strong smell of blood was noticeable even outside the room. Yang Yanzong held his head, “What happened? Tell me, what happened?!”

Da Ming quickly stepped forward and explained the situation in detail.

It all started a month ago when Yang Yanzong, feeling sorry for his ailing mother, had murmured in her sleep that if the old master felt better, he should come to see her.

Hearing this, Yang Yanzong couldn’t help but take a deep breath and close his eyes in pain.

It shouldn’t have been a big deal. Yang Yanzong’s words were naturally conveyed, and after a spring and summer of recuperation, Yang Zhongying’s health improved significantly compared to the previous winter. He could now walk in the garden and, to save face for his eldest son, went to Shou’antang to see Mrs. Yan.

At first, things were fine. Mrs. Yan, who hadn’t seen her husband for a long time, was moved to tears upon seeing him, feeling a surge of grievance and crying bitterly.

Yang Zhongying was also shocked. Mrs. Yan’s forehead injury was quite severe, and even after more than half a month, the scab hadn’t fallen off, leaving a deep pit.

Mrs. Yan’s tears were a sign of weakness, and seeing her injured, Yang Zhongying softened his tone and sat down to comfort her.

This was a rare moment of tenderness between the couple in recent years. Seeing the atmosphere improve, Feng and the other servants quietly left the room.

But who could have predicted that this brief moment of peace would lead to a major incident?

Mrs. Yan and Yang Zhongying were reminiscing about the past. They had once shared good times and fallen in love, which was why Mrs. Yan, a former refugee, had been able to marry into a local gentry family.

As they recalled the past, the atmosphere was initially good, with a hint of reconciliation. However, their problems were deep-rooted and couldn’t be resolved with a few words. Their issues weren’t misunderstandings but long-standing grievances. Their current estrangement was no accident.

The conversation started well, but as Yang Zhongying criticized Mrs. Yan’s behavior and muddled thinking, insisting she needed to change, they began to argue.

The argument escalated, and Yang Zhongying, in a fit of anger, called Mrs. Yan stubborn and a wretch, threatening to divorce her. During the quarrel, he slapped her, and she, filled with resentment, grabbed his coat as he turned to leave. Weak from illness, Yang Zhongying fell to the ground.

Old and new grudges flared up, and in a moment of madness, Mrs. Yan pulled out the dagger Yang Yanzong had given her for self-defense. Yang Yanzong, dealing with dangerous business, had given each family member a short dagger for protection.

Mrs. Yan pounced on Yang Zhongying, stabbing him several times in his old wound. He managed to push her off and crawled towards the door, but she, in a frenzy, tried to pursue him. Fortunately, the commotion alerted the servants, who rushed in and stopped her. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened?

Da Ming finished speaking, and the room fell into a deathly silence. Yang Yanzong’s head throbbed with pain. Just then, the door creaked open—the surgery was over!

Everyone rushed forward. Zhang Xin and Mou An, their foreheads sweaty and their white robes stained with blood, quickly greeted them. Zhang Xin said, “Master, Young Madam, the treatment was timely. The injuries have been dealt with, and the old master’s breathing is stabilizing.”

Though weak, it was steady. He was alive.

The surgery had been complicated, with significant blood loss and numerous complex wounds. Mrs. Yan had indeed struck with deadly intent, targeting old injuries. Fortunately, she hadn’t hit the heart or lungs. Perhaps the repeated flare-ups of Yang Zhongying’s old injuries over the past year had left a deep impression on Mrs. Yan, causing her to aim there instinctively.

It was also fortunate that that area didn’t contain vital organs. Otherwise, Zhang Xin and Mou An wouldn’t have been able to handle it. Their skills weren’t advanced enough to repair major organs, and the current conditions couldn’t support such a major surgery.

Despite their efforts, Zhang Xin and Mou An were exhausted. Yang Zhongying had multiple intestinal injuries, making this the most complex and severe abdominal surgery they had ever performed. Although the surgery was successful, they were still uncertain about the outcome. They quickly explained the situation to Su Ci, hoping she would oversee the follow-up care.

Su Ci nodded and hurried to the next room to change clothes before returning. Zhang Xin and Mou An followed, explaining as they walked.

Yang Yanzong washed his hands and face, put on a clean robe, and entered the room. His father’s face was as pale as paper, and the strong smell of blood was overwhelming.

At that moment, he felt dizzy. But no matter what, this matter had to be resolved, and there had to be a conclusion.

Crying and sniffling, Feng pleaded, “Young Master, please go see the old lady!”

“The old lady was momentarily blinded by anger. She was wrong, but she doesn’t want to die. Young Master, please save her!”

Indeed, before Yang Zhongying was taken for surgery, he was filled with hatred for Mrs. Yan, calling her a venomous woman and demanding she be punished according to the law and family rules.

In ancient times, the three cardinal guides and five constant virtues dictated that the ruler guides the subject, the father guides the son, and the husband guides the wife. The former had absolute power over the latter, who had to obey unconditionally.

A father could kill his son without facing the death penalty.

A father could accuse his son of great unfilial conduct without any evidence, and it would be accepted as fact.

The same applied to the ruler and the subject.

As for the husband and wife, while it wasn’t to the extent of killing without consequence, it still reflected the power dynamics.

Mrs. Yan’s severe injury to her husband was a serious crime under both national law and family rules, punishable by death or severe penalties like exile or imprisonment.

To avoid damaging Yang Yanzong’s reputation, the matter could be handled privately within the family.

Given Yang Zhongying’s hatred for Mrs. Yan, she was doomed. Even if he didn’t want to involve Yang Yanzong in mourning, he had countless ways to make her life unbearable.

After her initial rage, Mrs. Yan was terrified and begged to see Yang Yanzong, remembering his kindness.

“Son, son, I don’t want to die! I was wrong. Please, beg your father for mercy!”

As soon as Yang Yanzong entered, Mrs. Yan rushed to him. She was confined in Shou’antang, her hands cut and bloodstained, her clothes unchanged, and her face showing fear and age. She cried and knelt before him.

Yang Yanzong knelt too, his head throbbing. But this was his mother, who had carried him for ten months, nursed him, and lovingly raised him. Their bond had once been very strong. He couldn’t let his father kill his mother.

What kind of sin was this?!

Mrs. Yan cried for a long time, her voice hoarse and exhausted. Yang Yanzong finally said in a low voice, “Mother, I will speak to Father.”

Mrs. Yan was overjoyed. “Son, son! I’m so lucky to have you!”

Yang Yanzong, physically and emotionally drained, slowly stood up and called for a servant to help Mrs. Yan change her clothes. He then left the room.

It was already dark, the twilight enveloping the land. He hadn’t eaten all day but didn’t feel hungry. Standing by the flowerbed in Shou’antang, he felt like a statue. After a long time, he finally had to walk to Hongruitang.

Yang Zhongying had woken up, in severe pain, without painkillers. After enduring for half an afternoon, Su Ci had given him several acupuncture treatments, which she had developed after her own injuries. It wasn’t perfect, but it helped.

After the pain eased slightly, Yang Zhongying immediately thought of Mrs. Yan. Before Yang Yanzong arrived, he had been cursing Mrs. Yan, filled with hatred.

“I want her dead! I must have her blood debt repaid! She doesn’t deserve to be your mother!”

Yang Zhongying’s hatred was intense. He told Yang Yanzong, “I want her dead!”

Yang Yanzong forced a bitter smile. Yan was his mother, the one who gave birth to him. He gritted his teeth, stood up, knelt before his father’s bed, and said, “Father, Mother was indeed wrong. She made a grave mistake. Let’s confine her to the estate, never allowing her to leave or return to the mansion. Is that acceptable?”

Yang Zhongying was furious, feeling betrayed by his son. He looked at Yang Yanzong’s helpless eyes, and a surge of anger filled his heart.

“You, you…” He knew his son was resolute.

Yang Zhongying thought of many things. His face flushed with anger and then turned pale with pain. After a long time, father and son stared at each other. He finally said, “Leave. Don’t come to see me again.”

The disappointment was evident in his words.

Yang Yanzong had nothing to say.

Both men, without further words, Yang Zhongying closed his eyes, refusing to look at him.

Yang Yanzong clenched his fists, his Adam’s apple moving up and down, his eyes hot with unshed tears. He bowed deeply three times. “I am unfilial and have disappointed you, Father.”

He choked out, “Thank you, Father.”

Yang Zhongying, utterly disappointed, remained silent and motionless, refusing to look at Yang Yanzong.

Yang Yanzong knelt for a long time until someone came to check on his father. He slowly stood up and walked out silently.

He wandered like a lost soul for a long time before finally returning to the outer study, slowly pushing the door open and walking in.

“Husband!” Su Ci had kept the kitchen warming soup and porridge. Seeing Yang Yanzong come out of Hongruitang, the cook quickly prepared noodles. She hurriedly brought the food box and caught up with him.

Yang Yanzong slowly turned around. Su Ci lit a small lamp on the table and took out a bowl of fine noodles and clear porridge from the food box, both easy to digest and light. There was also a bowl of steaming dark brown medicinal soup. She set the silver chopsticks and turned back, her eyes full of concern.

Yang Yanzong knew she had followed him back and been busy with Yang Zhongying, but they hadn’t spoken.

From discovering Ji Chengtang to now, more than half a day had passed, and this was the first time they were alone.

Facing her concerned gaze, Yang Yanzong’s Adam’s apple moved. The thin light on his face revealed an indescribable vulnerability and exhaustion. He seemed to be at his limit, but his back was still straight. He asked hoarsely, “Why did you lie to me?”

“I didn’t lie to you, really!” Su Ci stepped forward, trying to hold his hand, but he pulled away. He stepped back, bumping into the flower stand by the window, half falling against the windowsill. Yang Yanzong supported himself against the wall with one hand, covering his eyes with the other. The light was too bright; he felt overwhelmed.

Too much had happened today. He hadn’t had time to enjoy the satisfaction of his external affairs’ success before being hit hard.

Outside, he was invincible, but only his family could hurt him.

Yang Yanzong couldn’t help but close his eyes tightly, remembering his father’s disappointed eyes and expression.

“Leave. I need to be alone.” After a while, he lowered his hand and said hoarsely. He was too tired, too exhausted, and he didn’t want to discuss anything else today.

But Su Ci refused. “No, I won’t leave! If I leave, who knows what you’ll think!”

“You get angry and won’t come back. I don’t want that.” Su Ci had figured out Yang Yanzong’s pattern of getting angry and sulking. She wasn’t going to let him have his way this time. Today, they needed to clear things up. He turned away, refusing to look at her, but she stepped forward and hugged his back tightly. “Eat the medicine and noodles, then listen to me. I’ll leave after that. Otherwise, I won’t go!”

She held him tightly. Yang Yanzong struggled twice, but she wouldn’t let go. The fire of anger, fueled by exhaustion, flared up in his chest. Furious, he said, “What else do you have to say? Huh?! What else is there to say?!”

He forcefully broke free, shaking off Su Ci’s arms, and turned to glare at her. His eyes were filled with indignation, anger, and hidden sadness. All these emotions intertwined into a massive wave of resentment. He used all his strength to suppress it, preventing himself from doing something rash. He clenched his fists and finally slammed them on the table, glaring at her. “Speak, I’m listening!”

Let’s see what you have to say!

With a loud crash, his movements knocked over the food box, spilling the noodles, porridge, and medicinal soup all over the floor. Some splashed onto Su Ci’s hand, burning her slightly. She held her hand but didn’t avoid his gaze.

“Ji Chengtang, you should know about him.”

Yang Yanzong was taken aback. “I know, I know what?!”

He was angry, letting out a cold laugh. But before he could say another word, Su Ci interrupted, “Do you remember when I agreed to renew our engagement?”

In the southwest, after coming out of the silver mine tunnel, under the lush cliffs, she had agreed to marry him. He had kissed her for the first time then, noticing her technique wasn’t entirely inexperienced. He had squinted and asked, “Who have you kissed before?”

Su Ci wasn’t afraid of him. She had replied, “Who hasn’t had a crush in their youth?”

She had admitted to having a past relationship, but with her assurance and reciprocation, they had moved past it.

Today, Su Ci was immensely grateful she had given Yang Yanzong a heads-up back then.

“Don’t say you forgot!”

Yang Yanzong was stunned, suddenly remembering.

But this… His anger momentarily subsided, only to surge again. If she thought she could brush this off, she was dreaming!

He gritted his teeth and said, “You’re being vague. You’re making excuses!” It wasn’t just about Ji Chengtang’s existence before their marriage, was it?!

He was about to explode with anger!

Fine! He could temporarily set aside Ji Chengtang’s existence, but was this just a casual relationship? They had exchanged tokens of love and never forgotten each other, while she had never given him a token of love!

Thinking about this, Yang Yanzong felt utterly humiliated. He felt like a complete joke!

Even now, she told him she had never loved or understood love. The most shameful part was that he had believed her, wholeheartedly believed her, not only repeatedly compromising but also willing to wait for her to open her heart one day!

“You lied to me!” He said hoarsely, “Do you think I’m a fool, easy to deceive, that you can say some vague things today, and I’ll just accept them?!”

By the end, he wasn’t just angry; he was also heartbroken. The emotions accumulated tonight were too overwhelming, and his eyes grew hot with unshed tears. He couldn’t help but cover his eyes with his hand.

Yes, he was truly heartbroken. He had treated her with such genuine affection!

Su Ci’s eyes grew warm with tears as she held back her emotions and said, “Whether you believe it or not, I have to tell you!”

“I never truly loved or even liked Ji Chengtang! In my heart, from beginning to end, I’ve only ever had feelings for one man, and that’s you.”

Perhaps it wasn’t enough in his eyes, but it was true that Yang Yanzong was the only one who had ever moved her, both in her past and present lives. He was the only one who had ever stirred feelings of affection in her.

This strong and domineering man, who at this moment, was treating her with a sincere heart.

“I’m sorry, I was wrong. Maybe I have my faults.”

“But I never lied to you about anything I said!”

After speaking, Su Ci found herself tearful. She wiped her eyes forcefully. She had finished speaking, but Zhang Xin was still waiting for her to help monitor Yang Zhongying’s condition after the anesthesia. She turned and ran out.

With a loud bang, the door opened, and she ran faster and faster, her footsteps quickly fading away.

Yang Yanzong gradually listened in a daze. As she spoke faster, he found himself, despite his anger, feeling a bit relieved by her words, especially when she said he was the only one who had ever moved her heart.

Seeing her wipe her eyes, his heart softened. He cursed himself for being weak, but his gaze followed her retreating figure. She ran into the darkness, and after standing for a moment, he quickly followed her.