The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

As dusk settles, pedestrians throng the streets, and the flickering lights illuminate the city like daytime. The calls of vendors in the distance rise and fall, though barely audible.

A light boat glides across the shimmering river, the lights on both banks reflected in the water. The moon's shadow is serene, and countless stars seem to have fallen into its light.

Lanterns swayed at the bow of the boat, the boatman poled the boat, and the water murmured.

The boat rocked slightly. Shen Zhiyi leaned out, her fingertips touching the water's surface, gesturing for Yu Tingwan to look at the other side.

For some reason, Yu Tingwan's eyelids kept twitching. With a flick of her wrist, she accidentally spilled tea while pouring it.

She frowned, wiped away the water stains with a handkerchief, and looked in the direction Shen Zhiyi was pointing.

Across from us was a magnificent flower boat.

Adorned with elaborate brocade and floral patterns, it was incredibly luxurious. The eaves of the boat's roof were upturned, and glass lanterns hung from them, with bells tinkling gently in the breeze.

Shen Zhiyi explained to her, "Every time, the brothels in the night market would send their top courtesan with untouched young women to come over. They would either sway their hips or play the zither and compose music. They would show off their skills."

"Whoever takes a liking to her can take her away as long as they pay enough. Look, those boats that are approaching are all heading for the courtesan."

"Don't be fooled by how proper some men seem on the surface; when it comes to this kind of thing, they're all incredibly promiscuous."

The flower girls on the boat moved gracefully, their skirts swaying in beautiful arcs.

Yu Tingwan rested her chin on her hand.

"So lovely."

Yu Tingwan said, "I like the one wearing the bright red dress. She's the most beautiful."

She was alluring to the bone, and her twisting was the best.

Her voice was as melodious and pleasant as that of a nightingale.

Even she, a woman, felt a strong urge to try it.

Shen Zhiyi could not refute these words.

"That's the most beautiful courtesan in a brothel."

How could it not stand out?

"When she was brought to the capital by the manager of the brothel years ago, it caused quite a stir. If she hadn't been so young, and if the madams in the brothel hadn't been cultivating her as a cash cow, she would have been arranged to serve customers long ago."

She chooses the best in everything she eats, wears, lives, and travels, and the skills she learns are not vulgar seduction of men, but proper arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

elegant.

Shen Zhiyi paused: "Two years ago, Wei Zhao returned to the capital and helped the Ministry of Justice investigate a case involving a brothel. When he arrived, the girl was auctioning off her virginity. A group of young men were vying for her, but she didn't like any of them. Instead, she took a liking to Wei Zhao."

"Many people, seeing this, dared not disobey and started to jeer, discussing whether General Wei could repay the beauty's favor."

Yu Tingwan never expected that she would become the subject of gossip.

Anyone else would have been anxious by now.

Ke Yu Tingwan hesitated for a moment: "Nothing happened, right?"

After all, Wei Zhao is quite a scoundrel.

"Fortunately."

"However, all the courtesans, men who frequented brothels, and even the servants who served tea and water were arrested and interrogated on suspicion. The brothel was also closed for a month or so for reorganization."

Yu Tingwan: ...

She straightened her back.

"no way."

She innocently shrugged: "My husband is chaste."

Shen Zhiyi said so much, but it all boils down to one thing.

"At the time, many people privately said that Wei Zhao was too modest and did not like women."

Yu Tingwan straightened her back even more.

This shows her skill!

She was so outstanding that Wei Zhao fell for her!
Then Shen Zhiyi coughed lightly.

"I have a question for you."

She lowered her voice and glanced at Yu Tingwan: "You're still a virgin, aren't you?"

Yu Tingwan: ?

“Your positions are public knowledge, and many people are watching. There’s also a lot of gossip about you in private.”

“I can understand that Wei Zhao is not in good health. After all, he doesn’t want the people around him to be bright and delicate. He can’t do anything about it, and I’m afraid he must be feeling bad.”

Shen Zhiyi considered Yu Tingwan a confidante and didn't mind saying things that were a bit embarrassing.

“But I’m worried that he’s already impotent, a half-baked man. If he marries you and treats you well, he’ll openly use his poor health as an excuse. Wouldn’t that be a waste of your time?”

She noticed Yu Tingwan frowning, fearing she might not understand.

After all, when a woman gets married, her mother will always teach her about bedroom matters. Shen Zhiyi overheard her elder sister's wedding.

But Yu Tingwan didn't.

They probably think that just because two people are lying on the same bed, they are a real couple.

Shen Zhiyi: "You guys have... at night..."

She tidied her words.

Yu Tingwan was very direct: "Consuming sex?" Shen Zhiyi: ? ? ?

That's a very crude way of putting it.

She almost couldn't believe that the words came from the mouth of the fair-skinned Yu Tingwan.

Yu Tingwan: "Swallow your worries that aren't your concern. If you want to learn something, I can teach you."

Shen Zhiyi: ? ? ?

That’s not necessary.

"Last year at the night market, a group of young men almost got into a fight over the courtesan. It caused quite a stir."

Yu Tingwan regretted not seeing that scene.

Who won the prize?

Let her hear it and see if she recognizes it.

Shen Zhiyi: "An acquaintance."

Yu Tingwan had a bad feeling.

Shen Zhiyi said lightly, "Xiao Huaiyan."

"You don't need to teach him; he's a seasoned player in the dating game."

Yu Tingwan felt that Xiao Huaiyan's explanation was unclear.

"this and that……"

Shen Zhiyi: "It's nothing, at least it proves he's a healthy man."

“You haven’t seen how humble my father is in front of me these days.”

“The concubines in the mansion dare not cause trouble and upset my mother, and even the illegitimate sons and sisters have learned to be humble and subservient in front of me.”

“I got what I wanted, and I am extremely grateful to Xiao Huaiyan.”

When people gain something, they always lose something else.

Shen Zhiyi: "I've come to terms with it now. Aunt Xiao is easy to get along with. As long as I give birth to a son after marrying into the Marquis of Zhongyong's family, my life won't be bad."

"Xiao Huaiyan is a bit of a womanizer, but as long as I'm respectable, I can turn a blind eye to whatever he does outside."

The small boats and flower boats passed each other by, moving slowly forward.

Yu Tingwan: "Don't be so negative."

"It cost three hundred taels."

Yu Tingwan: "That's alright."

"gold."

Yu Tingwan took a deep breath.

She insisted, "But I think there might be a misunderstanding."

Shen Zhiyi said, "I don't know if the money I borrowed from Wei Zhao has been repaid yet."

Yu Tingwan changed her tune: "This is too outrageous."

The boat rocked gently and finally stopped at the ferry dock.

Before they could disembark, the ship rocked and someone entered the cabin.

The boat is not big.

Xiao Huaiyan bent down to enter.

Behind him was Wei Zhao, who walked slowly with a pale face.

Shen Zhi was surprised that Wei Zhao could walk, but seeing that his complexion was not good, she couldn't help but frown.

"Xiao Huaiyan, why aren't you helping him up?"

If she were to fall and die, Yu Tingwan would be a widow.

Xiao Huaiyan felt comfortable seeing her and was obedient. He turned to reach out his hand, but Wei Zhao brushed it away and stood still in front of Yu Tingwan.

"gone."

Seeing that Wei Zhao was alright, Yu Tingwan breathed a sigh of relief. She completely forgot about Wei Zhao's earlier offer to accompany her to the night market and asked, puzzled, "Where to?"

Wei Zhao narrowed his eyes, his dark gaze unfocused, and listlessly stared at Yu Tingwan. He was just about to ask her if she was going to stand him up.

"I made plans with Yu Tingwan to go to West Street to see the lantern festival later."

It was Shen Zhiyi's voice.

Xiao Huaiyan was displeased.

He glanced around and sat down directly next to Shen Zhiyi. The cabin became crowded. Unaware that he was being irresistible, he picked up the fan on the table, turned it around, and looked at her from the side.

"fiancée."

The other inmates stopped calling out.

He smiled and said, "I'll accompany you to the lantern festival."

(End of this chapter)