The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 220 Protect... my husband's pride

As the person approached, Yu Tingwan remained calm, her eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

Unsurprisingly, there was no intention to say hello.

Liu Yan felt inexplicably uneasy.

Anyone with eyes could see that Imperial Censor He was there for Yu Tingwan.

No way! Has Yu Ting offended someone sooner or later?
That's something she's capable of doing.

She can be really infuriating sometimes.

But... Imperial Censor He didn't seem angry on the surface. His eyes held too many emotions, and Liu Yan dared not look at him for too long.

She knows!

It must be Yu Tingwan's face!

It was already a rare and beautiful color; not to mention men, even she herself felt a strong urge to look at it.

No matter how high the censor's status may be, he is still a man.

Liu Yan dared not think too deeply and quickly greeted them. Seeing that Yu Tingwan beside her did not react, she tugged at her sleeve.

Yu Tingwan lowered her eyes perfunctorily and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency."

The girl had just bent down when someone spoke up to stop her.

He Xuran's voice was a little hoarse: "No need for formalities."

Yu Tingwan didn't stand on ceremony and quickly stood up straight.

Yang Weiwen caught up from behind.

"Madam Wei."

He smiled at Yu Tingwan: "Lord He doesn't have so many rules, there's no need to be so formal."

Yang Weiwen claimed to have some acquaintance with Yu Tingwan, so they inevitably exchanged a few pleasantries.

"Are you here to go to the market?"

Yu Tingwan wasn't surprised to see that he was dressed as shabbily as ever: "I went to join the fun at the other end of East Street and take care of some business. I never expected that the stalls would be set up here."

Yang Weiwen glanced at the empty basket behind her and was about to ask something when someone beat him to it.

He Xuran: "You didn't buy anything?"

Yu Tingwan: "I haven't found one I like yet."

Without having communicated with the Gu family, He Xuran couldn't just abruptly say, "I'm your uncle, your blood relative."

He was also afraid of scaring Yu Tingwan.

He Xuran thought there was no rush.

He steadied himself and said gently, "A girl your age should like jewelry and cosmetics. It was impolite of me to come empty-handed last time. If you see anything you like today, just put it on my tab."

"Weiwen and I happen to be going to the market to experience the local customs and culture of Zexian County. Would it be convenient for you to come along, young lady?"

Yu Tingwan looked up and met his eyes.

She smiled, appearing easy to get along with. However, her underlying resistance was deeply hidden.

Yu Tingwan didn't want to.

He Xuran's closeness made her extremely uncomfortable.

She is never one to compromise herself.

"I have money."

Yu Tingwan said softly, "It's inconvenient."

The refusal was swift and decisive.

Liu Yan: ? ? ?
She widened her eyes and gave Yu Tingwan a meaningful look.

You could at least be a little more tactful!

Yu Tingwan received it.

She said slowly, "What do you think?"

Yang Weiwen: ...

He Xuran has always been reluctant to associate with young women.

I really hate the hassle.

But things are different now.

He Xuran was even somewhat satisfied that Yu Tingwan had rejected him.

"It's good that you're vigilant when you're out in the world."

He said gently, “There are many cunning people out there, and even more powerful and scheming ones. If someone tries to get close to you, you should just ignore them.”

He Xuran added, "But I'm different."

Yang Weiwen: ...

What's the difference?

You're no good either.

But he had to step in to smooth things over.

"Yes, sir, you are no ordinary person, you are certainly not the kind of person with ulterior motives."

The last few words were clearly emphasized. It's unclear who they were reminding.

"Although I have been in Ze County for some time, I haven't had a chance to explore. So I would like to ask you two to show me the way. Please don't stand on ceremony with me. If you see anything you like along the way, I will pay for it as a reward."

That's a very well-reasoned explanation.

It's one thing to fool passersby.

But aren't all of them shrewd and calculating? Liu Yan: ...

If He Xuran had no feelings for Yu Tingwan, she would write her name backwards.

Yu Tingwan: "Lord Yang is joking."

"Sixty percent of the people on the street are there to browse the market; just follow the flow of people."

He Xuran: "I would like to inquire about your husband's condition on behalf of Wei Zhao."

Yu Tingwan: ...

The Wei Zhao you're talking about probably doesn't require much of your understanding.

Since she had already said that, she couldn't very well refuse.

So, reluctantly, Yu Tingwan and her group moved forward.

but……

There is also an advantage.

It's not as crowded anymore.

Wherever he went, the locals would make way for him.

He Xuran walked slower than usual, matching Yu Tingwan's pace, and asked in a low voice, "Doctor Ge left Ze County a while ago. He was supposed to be treating Wei Shen, so he shouldn't have just left like that. But Wei Shen's health..."

He paused briefly.

The phrase "medicine is useless" was never uttered.

It wasn't appropriate to ask if the Wei family was preparing for their funeral in a few days.

"I can find some skilled doctors to come and take a look at him."

Yu Tingwan held the candied hawthorn that Liu Yan had just bought in her hand, and took a bite out of her mouth. She spoke somewhat unclearly: "My husband's health has improved, so there is no need for you to worry."

She wasn't wearing any makeup, but her lips were still rosy. She ate a seed and spat it onto her handkerchief.

This behavior is hardly elegant; at least, noble ladies from the capital wouldn't do it this way. Women from prestigious families rarely eat snacks from outside, and even if they do, they'll eat them with the seeds removed.

However, He Xuran thought that everything his niece did was beautiful.

Not pretentious.

She seems to have a big appetite.

When I see something I want to eat, I slow down.

He remembered that the Gu family's chef was hired from Jiangnan and had apprenticed under a chef from the imperial kitchen, so his cooking skills were excellent.

The He family...

The He family doesn't care much for food, but the cook's skills in making pastries are unparalleled.

As he was thinking this, He Xuran frowned slightly.

I don't know what happened.

He turned his head to look at Yu Tingwan.

The girl seemed unaware of his gaze, or perhaps... she didn't care about his gaze.

An absurd thought flashed through my mind.

He was actually worried that Yu Tingwan wouldn't want to go back.

Yang Weiwen couldn't hide his joy.

"Really?"

"This is a good thing!"

Yang Weiwen: "After we go shopping, why don't I come with you to your house for a visit?"

Although Wei Shen wasn't particularly keen on talking to him.

But he just really enjoys being with him.

Yu Tingwan: ?
He Xuran thought for a moment.

He's still quite busy.

However, it can be postponed.

"Me too."

Yu Tingwan: "I misspoke."

The girl paused slightly, her expression calm: "He's not actually better yet. He's not in immediate danger, but there are still some things he can't show to others."

Yang Weiwen: "See... can't be seen by people?"

Is it even worse than last time when my face was completely covered in welts?

Yu Tingwan: "Please, both of you, protect me..."

“My husband’s pride.”

“I appreciate your kind gesture, and I will inform my husband later. Once he recovers, I will personally visit him to express my gratitude.”

She didn't care whether it would scare people.

He Xuran asked, "You care about him a lot?"

"nature."

He Xuran revealed, "If something happens to him, you can still remarry."

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

A woman from the Gu family is worthy of even the best young men.

but……

In the capital, the one that He Xuran considered the best was already dead.