The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 297 You... know who I am, right?
The palace was enormous and exuded luxury.

With white marble pillars, gold-thread carvings on the walls, and silk curtains hanging in the spacious hall.

The road from Yangxin Hall is not short. If a young lady from a secluded family were to walk this route, she would probably break half of her leg. Only Yu Tingwan, who has worked since childhood, could walk it without blushing or skipping a beat.

The female guests, who had been chatting and laughing not long ago, fell into a moment of deathly silence.

It's not that I find Gu Fuju's actions particularly interesting.

Gu Fuju had taught at the Imperial Academy in his early years, and had taught Wei Zhao. Though he didn't say it aloud, it was clear to everyone that he was satisfied with Wei Zhao.

It's only natural for outstanding students to be excited after escaping death.

His gaze remained fixed on the young mistress who had suddenly appeared from the Duke of Shun's mansion. He must have known the scholar was married and wanted to see his new bride.

The crowd began to murmur softly.

"Look how much the Grand Tutor likes General Wei. He actually got up to go and greet him personally. How many people can receive such treatment?"

"What a pity. I thought the Wei and Gu families were going to be related by marriage, but a girl from a small place beat me to it. General Wei was foolish to risk his life for the sake of saving a life."

"What are you confused about? General Wei is a man of his own mind. Is he the kind of person who can be blackmailed by favors? He has the ability to support his family and doesn't need his wife's family's help. He is capable on his own, so of course he wants to marry the girl he loves."

Shen Zhiyi also heard the noble lady beside her speak.

"The fabric of her clothes is actually Yun brocade."

Its colors are vibrant, as beautiful as rosy clouds.

The clothes wouldn't suit an ordinary person, but she was beautiful and had a great figure, which made her even more charming.

The production process of Nanjing brocade is intricate, earning it the reputation of being worth its weight in gold. The raw materials used are all made from mulberry silk, gold thread, silver thread, and peacock feather thread.

Often, even if you have the money, you can't buy them; only a few are produced in Jiangnan each year.

Shen Zhiyi rolled her eyes.

What's the big deal? The handkerchief Yu Tingwan used to wipe her mouth on the street was made of silk.

The man then asked, "What is that on her head?"

"It's just a gold hairpin, nothing special."

"wrong!"

The noblewoman retorted, "I was referring to the pearl flowers. Look closely, they're made of conch pearls! Conch pearls!"

A collective gasp filled the air.

Shen Zhiyi: ...

Absolutely.

I just bought it from Jinluxuan not long ago, and now I'm wearing it on my head?
At the same time, Xiao Huaiyan raised an eyebrow.

He leaned back, finding a comfortable position.

“Incredible.”

"I thought Wei Zhao wasn't interested in women. There have been quite a few girls who have secretly fallen for him over the years, but he hasn't even glanced at them. I thought he might like men, which would put me in danger."

Xiao Huaiyan scoffed: "So you wanted to pick the most beautiful one."

"That's true, he always wants the best of everything."

After speaking, he glanced at He Xuran, whose expression had been quite off since Wei Zhao appeared.

He was happy when He Xuran was unhappy.

Xiao Huaiyan grinned mischievously, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Are you under a lot of pressure?"

He Xuran stared intently at that spot.

I was so angry I almost laughed.

Xiao Huaiyan: "Do you look at Wei Zhao, or his wife?"

"Looking at Wei Zhao is one thing, but looking at his wife is presumptuous."

Who dares to be as presumptuous as Wei Zhao!

He Xuran was overwhelmed with emotion.

Looking back, it didn't seem like anything was wrong, but now that I think about it, a lot of things don't feel right!

For example, he was able to gain the support of all the officials and successfully go to Ze County. Once there, the investigation inexplicably led to the Yu family. Then, the investigation turned to Yu Tingwan.

Someone was guiding him forward!

Wei Zhao?

Wei Shen?

When he visited the Wei family in Ze County, the person lying on the sickbed, his whole body wrapped in gauze and his face covered, must have been Wei Zhao.

It's definitely something that can't be shown to anyone! No wonder he couldn't find any clues about Yu Tingwan's whereabouts after she left Ze County.

If He Xuran could guess it, how could Gu Fujiu not see through the trickery?

He seemed oblivious to the surrounding noise; all he could see was the pretty girl.

Gu Fuju feared this was an illusion, his eyes welling with gentle tears. He wanted to reach out and touch it, but he was afraid it would shatter if he did. The person before him would vanish.

His hand hovered in mid-air, hesitating.

But he saw Yu Tingwan take a few steps back. The girl's eyes held only unfamiliarity towards him.

Yu Tingwan was indeed a stranger.

She remained completely unmoved, her heart at peace.

The Gu and Wei families had a relationship, so Yu Tingwan gave Gu Fuju a slight bow and addressed him gently, mimicking Wei Zhao's way of addressing him.

"teacher?"

The uncertain sound brought Gu Fuju back to his senses. He abruptly closed his eyes. Only then did he realize that it was real.

"you……"

He was a serious person to begin with, and he seemed even more serious at that moment.

But the girl was looking at him, as if she were sizing him up.

Gu Fuju was afraid of frightening her.

He tried to be gentle: "May I call you Yaoyao?"

Yu Tingwan had just frowned when Wei Zhao asked, "Who called you that?"

She answered instinctively, "My parents."

Yu Tingwan met Grand Tutor Gu's gaze: "I don't think it's appropriate."

Wei Zhao: "That's right."

Gu Fuju didn't want to pay any attention to Wei Zhao.

Even this outstanding student was an eyesore to him.

"you……"

His voice was hoarse: "You should know who I am, right?"

Although it was a question, he clearly saw the answer. Yet, he didn't want to give up. Yu Tingwan's words, "Teacher," had already made her stance clear: she didn't want to acknowledge him.

Yu Tingwan hesitated: "...Hmm."

Even Gu Fuju, a man of great learning and eloquent speech, was at a loss for words.

Wei Zhao said respectfully, "If the teacher has no other instructions, my wife and I will take our seats."

He then said to Yu Tingwan, "The palace pastries taste quite good; they should suit your taste."

Yu Tingwan saw it too.

Palace maids dressed in identical clothes and attire were serving snacks on tables.

She glanced at Ning Suchan again; there were two seats next to her, clearly for her and Wei Zhao.

She and Gu Fujiu didn't seem to have anything to exchange pleasantries, and it would be strange for them to just stand there. So she prepared to go over.

Gu Fuju suddenly looked at Wei Zhao, whom he wanted to ignore but was also annoying, his chest heaving as he asked, one word at a time, as if squeezing it out from between his teeth.

"Tell me, who is she to you?"

Wei Zhao: "Is the teacher surprised?"

Gu Fuju looked at him coldly: "I just showed you the portrait yesterday!"

Wei Zhao smiled but remained silent.

Although he didn't say anything, it was practically written all over his face.

—The student brought the person to the palace banquet, and also let you, teacher, see him. How can this not be considered fulfilling the request?
Gu Fuju's eyes were filled with gloom.

He's not stupid.

Even if she didn't want to admit it, despite the blood ties, Wei Zhao was Yu Tingwan's closest person.

He couldn't even bring himself to ask: Wei Zhao clearly knew Yu Tingwan's identity all along, so why didn't he tell him!
Clearly, Wei Zhao did it on purpose.

The fact that the palace banquet was held today is inextricably linked to him.

In front of everyone, Wei Zhao was clearly forcing him to make a choice between Yu Tingwan and Gu Wu.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; there's absolutely no chance of them privately and casually acknowledging her as their daughter.

If he were to reveal that Yu Tingwan is the legitimate daughter of the Gu family, then Gu Wu, who has been carefully raised by the Gu family, would inevitably be unable to find a place to live.

As expected of someone from the Wei family, truly impressive skills.