The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

royal palace.

Jiaofang Hall.

After finishing her official duties, the Empress went to the side hall to see the baby boy.

She kept her by her side, never under her watchful eye, for fear of neglecting her in the slightest, which shows how much she valued her.

The wet nurse knelt on the ground and answered carefully.

"The little prince is the most well-behaved child I have ever taken care of. He never cries or fusses. He sleeps as soon as he is full. I think he will not cause Your Majesty any worry in the future."

The Empress liked to hear these words.

She smiled faintly: "The Crown Prince was also well-behaved when he was young, so his bloodline naturally resembles his."

As she spoke, she was about to hold the child in her arms.

The old woman returned from outside, looking disheveled, her face filled with fear and exhaustion. She hurriedly entered the hall and knelt on the ground, her voice trembling.

"I have something to report."

But this was the Empress's most capable nanny, who was always steady and reliable.

The Empress frowned, raised her hand and waved, and all the servants in the hall curtsied and withdrew.

Seeing everyone leave, the old woman did not get up, but instead moved her knees and crawled to the Empress.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

Before half an incense stick had burned, a loud bang came from inside the hall. A porcelain piece as tall as a person was smashed, along with the Empress's angry voice.

The baby had woken up at some unknown time. His eyes were vacant, and he showed no fear or crying, yet a lot of drool was dripping from the corners of his mouth.

I didn't feel anything was wrong when I looked back, but now everything feels off.

The old woman collapsed to the ground, feeling utterly hopeless.

At this moment, Gu Fuju led a group of officials into the palace to meet the emperor.

The emperor, clad in a dragon robe, exuded majesty, his hands resting on the table, leaning forward. His eyes betrayed neither joy nor anger.

But before the officials could impeach him, before the first witness Ning Yunling could speak up, and before those people could beg for mercy in fear, they did not.

Gu Fuju stepped forward, lifted his robe, and knelt down.

Emperor Yingqian narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable: "What is Fu Ju doing?"

He gave a wink to Eunuch Tu behind him.

Eunuch Tu quickly stepped forward to help him up: "Grand Tutor, please stand up and speak."

Gu Fuju remained unmoved.

"I entered the Hanlin Academy at the age of eighteen, and later, with the help of the late emperor, I was promoted to the Censorate, where I judged the loyal and the treacherous, and eliminated the sycophants. I was young and impetuous, and acted rashly. I was demoted to the position of magistrate of Dingdu County."

"Now that I have the opportunity to serve the emperor, I am not proud of myself, but I have accomplished countless merits."

"I have devoted myself to this cause and dare to swear to Heaven that I have done nothing wrong. But since all the officials are here today, I cannot avoid being unreasonable. I beg Your Majesty to set aside the matter between the Zhou and Chu families for now."

He said, word by word, "The Gu family has been wronged!"

Duke Zhou's eyelids twitched.

finally come.

Gu Fuju presented the petition from under his sleeve with both hands.

“My daughter Tingwan’s disappearance was caused by human intervention, and Jiashan’s premature birth in Ze County was also caused by human intervention.”

"Your Majesty, I accuse Duke Zhou Qing of disrespecting the law! When I impeached his brother for six murders under the Emperor's nose, I acted in accordance with the law, and my impartiality and strictness were without fault. I further accuse Zhou Qing of disrespecting His Majesty. His brother was punished with twenty strokes of the cane by His Majesty himself. This was not severe, and it was His Majesty's leniency and mercy. However, his brother died after falling into the water, and Zhou Qing has harbored resentment towards me ever since. Finally, I accuse Zhou Qing of damaging the reputation of the royal family. By taking advantage of the Empress's influence, he allowed his son Zhou Xuan to commit numerous evil deeds in his early years, including the abduction of countless women from the common people. All these crimes are listed here, and he has acted with utter lawlessness."

"It was a stroke of luck that Tingwan was saved by her adoptive father, Yu Jingcheng."

“She was physically weak, and her adoptive parents were ordinary people.”

Gu Fuju slowly raised his eyes to meet the Emperor's gaze.

“But some beasts set fires and killed people, yet they still wouldn’t let her go.”

Yeah, beast.

They're almost ready to call roll.

Emperor Yingqian seemed not to understand.

"She escaped the fire safely, not because she was lucky, but because the Yu couple protected her with their lives."

"Such a despicable person is disgusting to even look at, and I am mortal enemies with the Zhou family! Even if I were to lose my official hat, I beg Your Majesty to do me justice."

"Otherwise, I will not rise."

After reading the petition, Emperor Yingqian slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again to look at Duke Zhou, his eyes were filled with a deep and imposing aura.

"Zhou Qing!"

He grabbed the inkstone from the desk and smashed it into the Duke of Zhou's hand.

"Still not kneeling down!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The rain kept falling.

Zuizhailou.

Yu Tingwan wiped her mouth; she had finished her meal.

Shen Zhiyi looked at her.

Such soft and delicate beauty, yet her words are too harsh and cutting.

"Although it involves the Duke of Shun's mansion... it is likely that the Marquis of Ning will act on its behalf."

Yu Tingwan nodded, her tone perfunctory.

"Yes, my husband's health is really not good. He rarely leaves the house. Even though he is worried about Yunling and afraid that he will suffer, he is willing but unable to do so."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a loud bang was heard from next door as the door was kicked open.

Then came the woman's furious roar, each word dripping with blood. "You beast! You said you'd be away on business for six months. People told me they saw you, and at first I didn't believe it. Turns out you've been keeping someone else out there."

"My mother-in-law is seriously ill, and I'm feeding her spoonful by spoonful of rice porridge, while you, her own son, only know how to go after women?"

“The family’s money is almost gone. I’m gritting my teeth and deciding to let your son Zhu stop studying for now, so that we can get my mother-in-law treated. And you! You have money, but you just don’t bring it home!”

Soon it was the man's pleas for mercy.

"I was wrong, I was wrong. Let's talk about it at home, don't make a scene outside."

Shen Zhiyi: "Tsk."

She was about to go over and join the fun when she saw Yu Tingwan leisurely sipping her tea.

"you……"

Yu Tingwan: "I don't care."

She seemed to know what Shen Zhiyi was going to ask: "This kind of thing happens all the time."

She was frighteningly calm.

"At most, there will be a commotion, but life goes on."

"Men can only restrain themselves for a while, but lust is a double-edged sword, and they are not afraid of pain. They will soon reveal their true colors again."

Then let's make up again.

Everyone would advise men to take care of their families and women to endure it for the sake of their children.

Such is the state of the world; few women have the confidence to divorce. This leads to a vicious cycle.

Shen Zhiyi: "That..."

"I was just asking."

"If one day, Wei Zhao..."

You asked the wrong question.

Shen Zhiyi: ...

I haven't finished asking my question yet!
Yu Tingwan said.

"You should ask what will happen to Wei Zhao if I run away one day."

Although she wasn't a promiscuous person, she intended to spend her life with Wei Zhao.

From the moment she decided to become his wife, Yu Tingwan was prepared to trust him.

Other men may be unfaithful to their marriages.

But Wei Zhao was absolutely loyal to her.

Shen Zhiyi: ? ? ?

What the hell.

Yu Tingwan: "You've asked the wrong person."

Yu Tingwan smiled and casually replied, "That's something my husband needs to consider."

Shen Zhiyi: ?
Yu Tingwan: "However..."

She asked gently, "Do you dare to ask?"

Shen Zhiyi: ...

I can't argue with that.

Yu Tingwan said calmly and confidently, "Besides, I was someone he finally got his hands on. He's not blind or stupid, why would he be interested in someone else?"

It just so happened at that moment.

"Knock knock."

It was a knocking sound from outside.

"Who?"

It was Wei Zhao's voice.

"Take you home."

Shen Zhiyi: ...

Good heavens. Someone who's too proud to go to the palace can certainly go and fetch his wife.

She saw Yu Tingwan's lips curve into a smile.

Yu Tingwan: "Did you see that?"

Shen Zhiyi: "?"

Yu Tingwan got up and slowly feigned a sorrowful expression.

"Clingy".

She was unusually affected: "I can't be away for too long."

Shen Zhiyi: ...

Yu Tingwan hurried over to open the door.

Then they saw a man sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed by Rong Di.

Wei Zhao, dressed in casual clothes, said slowly, "I heard everything."

Yu Tingwan tilted her head and asked in a gentle tone, "Do you have any objections?"

"Don't dare."

After all, he got a great deal.

Wei Zhao, however, was listless and said quietly, "I'm afraid of the hammer."

(End of this chapter)