The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

A village in the suburbs.

Yu Tingwan spent two more days learning about the heavens on the mountain and finally stopped swimming in circles, but it was quite strenuous.

Despite his best efforts, he only managed to move forward a tiny bit.

She might really not be suited for swimming.

After realizing this fact, Yu Tingwan became listless, like a crabapple that had only bloomed halfway but had already withered.

As dusk fell, the setting sun, like blood, dyed the sky red. In the distance, the mountains rose and fell. She followed Wei Zhao down the mountain, dejected and like a wronged wife.

Really.

She is like this.

Wei Zhao, who usually wouldn't even blink if the sky were to fall, and who was decisive yet calm in his actions... was quite flustered.

Wei Zhao walked slowly, making it easier for her to keep up.

His tone was also slow and hesitant.

"Actually, you've made progress too."

Wei Zhao: "It floats extremely well in the water."

Yu Tingwan lowered her head.

Wei Zhao: "Even if Tan Jiang isn't here, and you've fallen into the water, at least you can float on the surface and wait for rescue with peace of mind."

Yu Tingwan: ?
Listen to what kind of talk this is.

Wei Zhao: "And..."

He turned and glanced at the girl.

“You always carry a purse with you, filled with all sorts of peanuts, melon seeds, and walnut kernels. The purse is lined with a layer of waterproof cowhide, so if you’re bored and have nothing to do, you can take them out and eat them.”

Wei Zhao commented, "They seem quite relaxed."

He's really infuriating!
Just like Xilin Village, they always do stupid things!
Does Yu think she has no talent in water after listening to the evening show?
She, who never engages in internal conflicts, felt that it wasn't her problem!
"I think."

She finally spoke.

"It's because you don't know how to teach."

Yu Tingwan tried to convince herself: "After all, you've never been a teacher before, so it must be quite strenuous for you. You're a military general; if I were to learn things like horsemanship and archery, my husband would surely be able to do it with ease, and any advice he gives would be invaluable. But about going into the water..."

Yu Tingwan: "You've really gone through a lot of trouble."

Wei Zhao:......

He had kept quiet the whole way, apparently trying to reason with them and shirk responsibility.

Wei Zhao was speechless: "You..."

Yu Tingwan: "Yes, I don't blame you."

Wei Zhao: "...Whatever makes you happy."

Perhaps it was because he didn't refute it and admitted it too quickly.

Yu Tingwan felt much better, but she was still a little unwilling.

Maintaining this state, she returned to the mountain villa.

Fish soup was simmering in the pot, taking about half an hour to cook over low heat. The aroma of the fish soup filled the air.

She's been eating it every day for the past few days, but Yu Tingwan seems to never get tired of it.

Grandma Ma sat in the courtyard, peeling fresh bamboo shoots that the servants of the estate had dug up from the mountains.

He looked up when he heard the noise.

"Miss Shen is back?"

Upon seeing this, he realized something was amiss, and his smile faded slightly.

"What's going on here?"

She stood up, wiped her hand on the hem of her skirt, and then used her cane to cross over.

She looked at Wei Zhao, then at Yu Tingwan, whose eyebrows were drooping.

"Did the general anger you?"

She gave Wei Zhao a reproachful look.

"You silly child, you finally managed to get her through all that trouble, how could you make her unhappy?"

Wei Zhao:......

He is completely innocent.

Grandma Ma then pulled up the listless Yu Tingwan.

Without asking anything, he simply said...

"It must be the general's fault, please don't hold it against him, young lady."

"He's good at wielding swords and weapons, unlike the eldest young master who's a civil official who speaks and acts with finesse. He's never been around a young lady before, so don't laugh at him. The Wei family mansion is clean and tidy, without those annoying concubines and mistresses. He's always dealing with his rough soldiers. If he does anything inappropriate, just let me know."

"If you don't point it out, he won't realize his mistake, and how can he correct it?"

As she spoke, she looked at Wei Zhao again.

"You should learn more from your older brother."

But then she paused, as if she had thought of something.

"never mind."

“The eldest young mistress is good in every way, except that she is too particular about rules and doesn’t live like a real person. I’ve never seen her get angry with your elder brother. Your elder brother probably envies you. As long as it doesn’t hurt feelings, even if you quarrel, it’s good for your relationship.”

Wei Zhao's eyes darkened slightly. His father was considerate.

But my mother was too old-fashioned.

The father was gentle and refined, but fearing that the mother would dislike him, he spoke softly and gently in front of her.

Even though they've done the most intimate things and had a child, their relationship still doesn't resemble that of a normal married couple.

On the contrary, Yu Tingwan, who is unconventional, is good at talking back and coaxing people, and never does things in a way that is conventional.

When Ning Suchan first returned to the manor, she didn't even drink tea with Yu Tingwan's wife. She showed no intention of accepting or acknowledging her whatsoever.

What now……

"Guizhi, your wife's skipping work again?"

"No need to look for her, let her go. I'll take a break too. Tell her not to come tomorrow either, seeing her gives me a headache."

"By the way, you should also tell her to stop taking things from my room so rudely. If she's going to take things, at least pick something expensive. Can I really refuse?"

It really is...

She accomplished what her father couldn't.

If... if my father were still alive, I would be overjoyed.

Grandma Ma smiled and straightened the hairpin in Yu Tingwan's hair.

"I heard from the general that you're going back tomorrow?"

Yu Tingwan was still a little reluctant: "Yes."

She gently hooked Grandma Ma's hand with her fingertips and said softly, "Next time I crave fish soup, I'll shamelessly come to you, Grandma."

"it is good!"

"This old woman wishes you would come to see me more often."

Yu Tingwan squatted down to help process the bamboo shoots; she was quite adept at this task.
Grandma Ma intentionally cooked a few more dishes that evening, and soon went to the kitchen to get busy again.

Yu Tingwan planned to run over and help.

She often went to help Hui Niang light the fire.

She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly stopped.

She misses Hui Niang.

Just then, Rong Di came in from outside, carrying a large package in his hands, his voice full of energy.

"Madam, more supplies have been sent from Ze County."

It's still very heavy.

Yu Tingwan turned around and ran towards Rong Di without hesitation.

Rong Di was all smiles when, in the next instant, the package in his hand was snatched away halfway.

Wei Zhao glanced at him sideways: "You may leave now."

An eyesore.

Rong Di: "Yes!"

Wei Zhao gently swung his arm, waiting for Yu Tingwan to run up to him.

Unlike her melancholy when she descended the mountain, Yu Tingwan smiled brightly.

"What delicious food did my parents send me again!"

Wei Zhao: "Go inside and take a look."

"Uh-huh."

Yu Tingwan had no choice but to agree.

She thought, "There must be the pickled radishes I've been longing for!"
Back in her cabin, she couldn't wait to unpack the package.

Wei Zhao leaned against the side, looking weary.

Aside from the odds and ends of food, there was a bundle tightly wrapped in black cloth at the very bottom.

Yu Tingwan didn't bother to eat and continued dismantling the machine.

Inside were two neatly folded new dresses.

It was Hui Niang who made it.

It certainly can't compare to what Yu Tingwan is wearing now.

The material is soft and the stitching is delicate, clearly showing that a lot of work was put into it.

This is the best she could offer in this small county town.

My heart is in it.

This is exactly what I'm wearing for this time of year.

He was afraid that she would be mistreated by Wei Zhao while she was away alone.

Knowing that Wei Zhao was not of ordinary background, Hui Niang worried that the patterns on the clothes she made might not be pretty enough, and that her stepmother might be laughed at by outsiders. So Hui Niang went to the Li family's tailor shop to ask for the most fashionable patterns.

Yu Tingwan held it tightly in her arms, turned her head, and said triumphantly to Wei Zhao.

“I have only what I have, but my husband doesn’t have any.”

Wei Zhao: "Yes."

He whispered, "She loves you the most."

(End of this chapter)