The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

The moon is bright and the stars are few; the night is thick and dark.

Ying Zhi ended up with nothing but a bloody mess.

They were even extorted for several banknotes before the matter was resolved.

Yu Tingwan made a gesture of refusal, but then used the money to treat everyone at Zuizhai Restaurant to a table full of dishes.

Since it's not her money, she doesn't feel bad about spending it.

He Xuran went along too, but barely touched his food.

"Judging from your complexion, you've been doing very well these past few days."

He turned his head to speak to Yu Tingwan.

Yu Tingwan ladled soup, her demeanor poised and graceful: "Lord He looks a bit thinner."

it is true.

Her chin looks very sharp, and there are dark circles under her eyes.

Xiao Huaiyan, who had all ears, said, "How could he not lose weight? He has several cases on his hands. Even if the Zhou family case is closed, he won't be able to catch his breath."

Many cases involve offending people.

The Ministry of Justice dared not accept them, and the Jingzhao Prefecture had reservations, so they all ended up in He Xuran's hands.

"Is there any news about the Cao family? Did Uncle Cao really seduce his own brother's wife?"

Yu Tingwan: ? ? ?

He Xuran's face darkened: "This is not something you can inquire about..."

Besides, there's a girl sitting here.

"The specifics are still under investigation."

Xiao Huaiyan: "Then you'd better put your heart into it. Madam Cao is the second daughter of the tutor of the Imperial Academy. Years ago, she would bring meals to the tutor and also bring some for us students. She was wronged and didn't even care about her reputation, so she came to you for help."

"The entire Cao family was united in trying to cover up their shameful affair. If it weren't for the teacher going to check on his daughter and finding her locked up..."

Even without Xiao Huaiyan's instruction, He Xuran would uphold justice and ensure that the wicked receive their just punishment.

But he clearly didn't want to talk to Xiao Huaiyan.

He Xuran was only a few years older than Yu Tingwan, and the two had crossed paths in Ze County, so he made a point of exchanging pleasantries.

"I have a few tricky things on my hands, otherwise I should have come to see you sooner."

Yu Tingwan frowned slightly.

He Xuran: "Yang Weiwen also wants me to send you a wedding invitation."

Wedding invitation?

Yu Tingwan asked in surprise, "His marriage is settled?"

She still remembers that Yang Weiwen's fiancée ran off with someone else.

"Yes. An old censor has taken a liking to him."

Yu Tingwan: ? ? ?

She knew Yang Weiwen was handsome. Otherwise, the Ninth Princess wouldn't have chosen him as her consort.

She was stunned: "What?"

Why was Yang Weiwen's life so tragic! He just wanted to be a good official.

But the princess wouldn't let her go, and neither would the old man.

He Xuran: "I've chosen him as my son-in-law."

Yu Tingwan: ...

Can't you just say it all at once?

Seeing that she was listening, He Xuran continued, "The old censor was an honest official. He did have a son, but he committed a crime and had someone's life in his hands. He was upright and incorruptible and personally executed him according to the law. His wife was so angry that she hanged herself at home. He lost his wife and son and his hair turned white overnight. He only had this daughter by his side, whom he cherished like a precious jewel."

Censors who are inflexible and stubborn are generally disliked by other officials.

"He has offended a lot of people over the years, so he wanted to find a good son-in-law with decent character and appearance. That's why he took a liking to Yang Weiwen."

"Yang Weiwen has also met that girl and taken a liking to her. The wedding date is set for next year. I didn't know I would run into you, and I didn't bring the wedding invitation with me. I'll bring it to you next time."

Yu Tingwan: "This is a good thing."

But soon, she realized something was wrong.

Why didn't Yang Weiwen give it to her himself, but instead asked He Xuran to pass it on?

There are two answers.

First, He Xuran volunteered to run errands.

Secondly, given her current status and that of Wei Zhao, Yang Weiwen has many concerns. He's afraid they won't go, and coming to see them off personally would seem like he's using their connections in Ze County to curry favor.

Yu Tingwan leans towards the second one.

After all, Yang Weiwen never mentioned to outsiders that he knew Yu Tingwan and Wei Zhao and that he had gained advantages in officialdom. "Of course I have to go. If it weren't for his help, the journey from Xilin Village to Ze County would have been extremely difficult."

"After settling down in Zexian, he was short of money, but he would often come to visit with gifts."

"I will always remember this kindness."

"His parents have both passed away and he is all alone. He works in the Censorate, and I'm afraid that apart from some of the higher-ups in the Censorate, no one will come to congratulate him."

As for congratulations, those adults would likely go to the old censor's house.

Yang Weiwen's new house must be incredibly deserted.

"My husband and I always have to go and share in the joy."

Yu Tingwan: "I would like to trouble Lord He to pass on a message for me."

"If he wants to send a wedding invitation, let him come himself. He's not short of legs. Is he not allowed to enter the gates of the Duke of Shun's mansion?"

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.

By the time they had eaten and drunk their fill and returned home, it was already quite late.

Yu Tingwan returned to Lan Garden, but did not see Wei Zhao. After asking around, she found out that he was still at the ancestral hall and had not returned.

She was startled.

Wei Zhao went to the ancestral hall most likely because...

Has something bad happened?
Or……

Yu Tingwan didn't dare to think too much and quickly asked Tan Jiang to lead the way.

The ancestral hall was solemn and imposing. It was quite a distance from there. At first, Yu Tingwan could still encounter a few servants paying their respects, but as she walked further along the passageway, it became more and more deserted. The night breeze quietly seeped into her clothes, carrying a slight chill.

No outsiders usually come here, unlike other places that are brightly lit. There is only a dim light on both sides at intervals.

The branches and leaves of the tall trees rustled in the wind.

If it weren't for Tan Jiang leading the way, Yu Tingwan would probably have been terrified if she were alone.

"Madam, it's just ahead."

Yu Tingwan quickened her pace, but bumped into Granny Ru, and her unease reached its peak.

The next moment, the old woman greeted her, "Why has the Crown Princess come? Are you worried that the Crown Prince hasn't had dinner?"

Yu Tingwan asked casually, "Where is my mother-in-law?"

As the old woman said, "The mistress went back a long time ago. She always goes to bed early, and she's probably lying down by now."

She lifted the food box in her hand.

"The young master didn't eat lunch or dinner, so this old servant secretly brought him some food."

"Since I've already run into the Crown Princess, this old servant won't go in."

When Yu Tingwan saw her smiling, her heart suddenly felt at ease.

Inside the ancestral hall, incense smoke curled upwards, filling the air with the scent of wood mixed with incense ash. The ancestral tablets were neatly arranged, their gold-lacquered characters gleaming with a soft, ethereal luster.

Footsteps approached from afar.

Yu Tingwan walked in with a clattering sound.

The girl had her hands behind her back, and the dim light in the ancestral hall seemed to coat her with a soft glow.

Wei Zhao heard footsteps approaching from afar.

Yu Tingwan: "I heard that my husband was punished by being forced to kneel."

Yu Tingwan asked slowly, "A punishment of one night?"

"It's fortunate that your mother-in-law didn't know how you got that injury, otherwise it wouldn't have lasted more than one night."

Yu Tingwan came to his side: "I feel sorry for you for hurting yourself so badly because of a misunderstanding."

At this point, she became quite annoyed.

Although she could understand it from Wei Zhao's perspective, she could also understand it.

But Wei Zhao didn't dare to ask at that time.

When people are on the verge of a breakdown, they often lack rationality and only want to escape.

"It's not a loss."

Wei Zhao knelt perfectly, and said calmly, "I've left myself a backup plan."

"Before going to the battlefield, I left a letter for Chi Yu, asking him to deliver it to the border after the coffin entered the capital."

In other words, it wasn't him lying in the coffin, and the plan was shelved.

Wei Zhao added: "Give it to the enemy state."

(End of this chapter)