The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 243 has probably been waiting for me for a long time.
A cold wind rustled, dusk deepened, and the shadows of the trees swayed gently.

Wei Zhao and his party walked for about half an incense stick's time before finally stopping at a courtyard.

The surroundings were empty, and the white lanterns hanging there looked very old, emitting a dim, eerie light, creating a desolate atmosphere.

The servant who brought them there gestured for them to enter, as if afraid of disturbing the people inside, and gently pushed open the door.

Wei Zhao whispered to Shunzi to stay outside, then stepped inside, and the door closed again.

Candles were lit inside the room.

It's not lit.

The oppressive heat was like a freshly opened steamer, with waves of heat rolling in and making people feel uncomfortable.

The room was filled with the glow of charcoal fire, the windows were closed, the air was stuffy, and it carried a strong sandalwood scent.

The gurgling sound is from boiling tea.

Without pausing, Wei Zhao walked around the Four Joys Screen and went inside.

Inside sat a man draped in a thick fur coat. He was slender with almond-shaped eyes, but his gaze was gloomy and brooding. He sat at a small square table.

He didn't look up.

Instead, when Wei Zhao approached, he pushed the brewed tea into the empty space opposite him.

"Taste it."

Wei Zhao sat down. He raised his slender fingertips and took a sip.

"how?"

Wei Zhao glanced at the color of the tea: "Stale tea, extremely poor taste."

It's still bitter.

"As long as there's something to drink, don't be too picky."

Wei Zhao downed the drink in one gulp. Even though he had just come in, he was already sweating profusely from the heat. Yet the person in front of him was still holding a hot water bottle.

"Your body..."

Ying Fuyan poured himself another cup, and as he did so, the hem of his clothes slipped down slightly, revealing a pattern on his arm. He slowly sipped his drink and said, "My health was ruined during those years of forced labor after my exile."

"I get rheumatism on rainy days and I'm also particularly sensitive to the cold."

"Can't die."

That pattern...

It looks like the character for "prisoner".

Wei Zhao narrowed his eyes; he knew perfectly well.

It was a copper branding, a cruel torture used to humiliate prisoners.

A branding iron with engraved characters is heated until red-hot and pressed onto the skin. A sharp, hissing sound is heard, causing severe burns and leaving deep scars that are difficult to remove unless the entire area is surgically removed.

Ying Fuyan followed his gaze to her wrist, not feeling there was anything to hide, and said calmly, "It should be branded on my face, but my good uncle loves reputation the most."

If this gets out, wouldn't it be seen as harming the last surviving son of the Prince of Yan?

Wei Zhao glanced around.

Not only is the place remote, but the furnishings are also very simple.

The room was empty except for a small square table, a bed, and a screen.

Wei Zhao: "May the Crown Prince extend his hand?"

Although Ying Fuyan didn't know what he was doing, she still extended her hand.

Wei Zhao lowered his eyes and took the pulse.

I don’t know how much time passed.

"When the late emperor passed away, Emperor Yingqian ascended to the throne, but fearing that he could not hold the position, he fabricated a crime and exiled the entire Prince Yan's household thousands of miles away."

In the flickering candlelight, Wei Zhao's eyes flashed between light and shadow as he slowly spoke.

"During the exile, the Princess Consort of Yan gave birth to a daughter, but died from severe bleeding. The weather was freezing cold and the conditions were harsh; the child did not survive for more than half a month."

Ying Fuyan's expression turned cold.

Wei Zhao: "The Prince of Yan is indeed feared by Emperor Ying Qian."

Before the late emperor fell seriously ill and passed away, officials in the court were discussing that the throne would be passed to the Prince of Yan.

"After losing his beloved wife, the Prince of Yan's health deteriorated. In this remote and desolate land, the soldiers were subjected to harsh and strict discipline by orders from above."

Later, the King of Yan also died.

"The vast Prince Yan's mansion is now empty except for the heir apparent."

Ying Fuyan listened calmly as he finished speaking: "You went to all this trouble to find me, didn't you? You didn't come here just to say something like that." Wei Zhao twitched the corner of his mouth.

It was indeed a great undertaking. The person sent to the place of exile to find, posing as Ying Fuyan and forced into hard labor, was a fake.

In such a short time, Wei's army could not mobilize a large force, so they could only search for people in secret. All they had was a portrait of Ying Fuyan when he was still in the capital, which was like finding a needle in a haystack.

If not...

Wei Zhao's dark eyes were deep and unfathomable.

If Ying Fuyan hadn't intentionally let him find it, he wouldn't have been able to arrive so quickly.

Moreover, as soon as Wei Zhao came out of the cave, he sensed many unfamiliar presences around him, which were the presence of secret guards.

Wei Zhao said directly, "I want to help you sit on the throne."

Ying Fuyan frowned: "I don't want to."

Wei Zhao: "No, you think so."

Ying Fuyan pondered for a moment: "I am willing to lend you a hand. With your abilities, you can also secure your position in the country."

He wanted to make the royal family's lives worse than death, and he didn't want to be emperor.

Wei Zhao leaned back: "Am I that free?"

General Wei Zhao no longer wanted to be a general; he only wanted Emperor Yingqian dead.

How many people are living in peace and contentment right now? Once you're in that position, you have to work hard and take on responsibilities.

Ying Fuyan: ...

The talks have stalled.

Wei Zhao: "You hate Emperor Yingqian, and so do I."

"Didn't the Crown Prince cultivate his power precisely so that he could tear that person to pieces?"

Despite the disagreements, it is indeed appealing.

Both wanted to blow up the palace, and with their combined strength, Ying Fuyan had long hoped that the other would use blood to appease the dead.

Wei Zhao was not in a hurry when he saw that he was silent.

"Come to think of it, this is the first time I've met the Crown Prince. I didn't greet him beforehand, but there were maids waiting at the entrance. I suppose the Crown Prince knew I was coming."

"Having escaped the desolate land of exile and cultivated a considerable force, I do not believe you would say you do not wish for revenge."

"Your Highness... you must have been waiting for me for a long time."

"wrong."

Ying Fuyan thought for a moment and said, "I am five years older than you and I attended your full moon banquet with my mother."

This isn't the first time I've seen this.

Not long after the late emperor's death, Wei Zhao was born. His mother even said that this was Wei's younger brother, and that she would have him take care of him and play with him in the future.

When Wei Zhao was still in the womb of the Duchess of Shun, the two families frequently visited each other.

Once, the Duchess of Shunguo and her mother were enjoying tea in the pavilion.

Princess Yan was a talkative person. She mentioned that General Jingyuan had been on the border for more than half a year and had not returned yet. He was all alone. Now that he had established himself, it was time for him to settle down and start a family. She then brought up the topic of Lady Ning Suchan, the wife of the Duke of Shun.

"I heard that the Duke hired three midwives to stay at his home early on? He's been paying extra attention to you."

Having heard the jokes countless times, Ning Suchan simply smiled faintly.

She looked up, but her gaze seemed to drift away from anything.

"I've been restless these past few days. I just hope the child is alright, and that the Duke is alright too."

[“What about you?”]

"If they are well, then I am well."

Princess Yan shook her head upon hearing this.

"Look at what you're saying, are you scared because you're about to give birth? Well, it's true, childbirth is like stepping into the gates of hell, especially for a first pregnancy. When I was pregnant with Ayan, I had terrible morning sickness, and on the day of delivery, I was in labor for a whole day, scaring everyone around me. Luckily, it was all over. Your pregnancy has been so good this time; since you were born, you haven't had any discomfort or made a fuss. It's clear the baby cares about its mother. It didn't want you to suffer too much during childbirth."

Su Channing placed one hand on her lower abdomen.

Perhaps sensing her mother's touch, the baby in her womb gently patted her belly in response.

Her eyes and brows suddenly softened.

Ying Fuyan was summoned by his mother at this moment.

Princess Yan touched the belly of the Duchess of Shun.

"Ayan, tell me, is your Aunt Ning carrying a girl or a boy?"

(End of this chapter)