The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

As dusk settled and darkness descended, the candlelight flickered dimly in the ancestral hall of the Duke of Shunguo's mansion, casting a cold, somber glow on the lacquer of the memorial tablets.

Ning Suchan unfolded the copied scriptures page by page and threw them into the copper basin.

Flames leaped high, licking at the pages.

"I forgot to mention, the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhongyong got married some time ago."

"They only had one son, and they held a grand celebration. Half of the officials in the capital went to congratulate them. That night, Marquis Zhongyong got drunk and mentioned you again."

“After your accident, he devised countless solutions to the game of Go that he left behind over the years, but every move he made felt like he was personally severing the last glimmer of hope.”

The fingertips hovered in mid-air, hesitant to fall.

"They say chess is like life, and he originally thought there was no way out of this endgame."

“On the day of his return, a white piece rolled half an inch in front of him, revealing a flaw. Black then placed another piece, and the whole board came alive in an instant, but in the next moment it was plunged into an even deeper trap.”

She spoke calmly and slowly, as if she were recounting everyday events.

"Lord Zhongyong regrets that he can no longer drink with you."

"I also feel regret."

"When we returned to our home to get married, our parents were not there."

"Although my daughter-in-law doesn't mention it or feel wronged, I still feel like I've wronged her."

Ning Suchan, wearing an ill-fitting men's thumb ring, lightly touched the cold inscription on the memorial tablet with her fingertips. Sandalwood ash fell on her plain dress, much like the paper money that fell in the funeral hall that year.

She whispered.

"When you left, you said that the Great Jin Dynasty would have a wise ruler. Now that you've returned, you're here to do that."

"Husband..."

"Protect him at all costs."

"Don't let him... follow in your footsteps."

As the last of the scriptures burned out, the ancestral hall fell into a sudden silence.

A sudden gust of wind caused the candlelight to flicker.

Ning Suchan raised her eyes.

A wisp of smoke rose and lingered, as if a silent response from an old friend.
After leaving the ancestral hall, Ning Suchan went straight back to the main courtyard.

"Gui Zhi hasn't returned yet?"

"Reporting to Madam, the General returned an hour ago. The Young Madam went to the kitchen specifically to urge them to prepare the meal."

Ning Suchan nodded slightly.

"but……"

Ning Suqian paused slightly: "What?"

"There were several nourishing dishes. After the dishes were cleared away, I took a look and there wasn't much of the warm and nourishing soup left."

Guiyi has never liked drinking soup or broth.

Ning Suchan frowned.

Could it be that he was injured?

Every time he returned victorious from the border, he would never mention any injuries or scars on his face, neck, or hands.

She hadn't returned home for several days, and it was too dark last night for her to see anything.

Ning Suchan was still worried: "I'll go check."

inside the house.

Bright lights.

Yu Tingwan was covered in sweat, exhausted and annoyed, and kept groaning.

"I……"

"Shhh."

Yu Tingwan was about to protest.

"Mother has arrived."

Yu Tingwan: ? ? ?

Her eyes betrayed her guilty conscience.

But she didn't hear any noise outside for a long time and thought Wei Zhao was lying to her.

Yu Tingwan couldn't stop trembling. Tears welled in her eyes, and her fair, smooth arms were too weak to push anyone away.

Then they heard Ning Suchan knocking on the door.

“Return to it.”

The door was clearly locked; it was impossible to push it open and enter.

For the first time, Yu Tingwan, who was usually thick-skinned, felt embarrassed, her whole body burning with unease, and she dared not move.

This feeling is indescribable.

She held her breath, not even panting.

But Wei Zhao didn't hesitate at all and picked the person up by the waist.

Her pupils constricted uncontrollably, and she covered her mouth tightly.

They were afraid that outsiders would find out what they were doing.

This feeling is just like being caught cheating – it's shameful and embarrassing.

Having practiced martial arts, Wei Zhao walked silently as he got out of bed, leading her to the washroom at a leisurely pace.

"go out!"

But then the instigator leaned close to her ear and whispered something in a voice only she could hear.

It was terrible.

"Shhh."

"Keep quiet, is this something to be proud of?"

Yu Tingwan: ? ? ?

"You bastard." After waiting for a while, Ning Suchan heard no movement from inside.

"Mistress, perhaps the general has already gone to sleep."

will not.

She knew her son.

They are very vigilant at the slightest sign of trouble. It's impossible for them not to respond.

Yu Tingwan doesn't seem like she'd go to sleep this early.

At this hour, she should be comfortably reclining in the golden rocking chair in the courtyard, enjoying bird's nest soup. Ask her if she wants a bowl.

Ning Suchan chuckled: "I suppose she thought her wife had been cooped up at home for days, so she took her out."

Yu Tingwan didn't know how she managed to get through that night.

But she dared not yell at anyone.

He didn't have the strength to deliver two heavy punches to Wei Zhao.

After he wiped her body clean and she sank into the soft couch, she turned her back to Wei Zhao, not wanting to look at him at all.

Wei Zhao, oblivious to his own mortality, turned her around.

Despite the soreness and swelling, Yu Tingwan slowly and laboriously continued to turn over to face the wall.

Wei Zhao's shoulder was gently hooked again, and he continued to pull.

Yu Tingwan flipped through the pages, and he continued flipping them.

No one spoke for several rounds.

She couldn't turn the pages anymore.

The firelight flickered gently, making the curtains half-transparent, creating a layer of crimson mist that enveloped the two people gazing at each other on the couch, and cast hazy ripples on the brocade quilt.

Yu Tingwan's black hair was half-loose, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye was particularly clear in the candlelight. The quilt was piled up at her waist, revealing a section of her snow-white neck.

She always felt that something was being overlooked.

But I can't remember.

He leaned against the pillow, one hand supporting his chin, his fingertips still tugging at a strand of the woman's loose hair.

"continue?"

The tone was questioning.

Yu Tingwan uttered two words: "Provocation?"

Wei Zhao: "I thought you liked it."

Like it my ass!
I clearly don't want to see you!
She told him, "You're finished."

Wei Zhao: "I heard you."

I have to say, it's been a long time since I've been hammered, I kind of miss it.

Yu Tingwan: ? ? ?

Wei Zhao was considerate of her lack of strength at the moment.

He pulled the person into his arms: "Go to sleep first."

Get enough rest and energy.

Wei Zhao: "I'll be waiting for you tomorrow."

Yu Tingwan felt a lump in her throat, unable to breathe. Her face was expressionless, but she couldn't hide the rouge stain that had previously seeped into her skin.

"Don't owe me anything."

It has absolutely no deterrent effect.

Wei Zhao laughed: "Is your mouth dry?"

After all, quite a bit of water had been lost.

It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it, because once he did, I really felt thirsty.

Yu Tingwan: "Mm."

Wei Zhao: "Where should the deer blood wine be placed?"

Yu Tingwan: ? ? ?

He slowly straightened up, a small flame reflected in his eyes, flickering like a lurking beast.

"I'll pour you a glass."

Yu Tingwan felt a tingling sensation all over her body, especially in that area, when she heard the words "deer blood wine".

“No… no.”

Wei Zhao: "What's there to be nervous about?"

"I'm not drinking it."

Early the next morning.

The strange cawing of blue crows came from outside the courtyard.

Fu Meng found it too noisy, so when the crow flew low, he swooped down and caught it in his mouth.

"what."

The crow sneered, "You little devil."

Fu Meng: ?
For a fleeting moment, I wanted to just swallow it whole.

But I also felt disgusted.

Ning Suchan has always preferred quiet, but she has long been accustomed to blending into the hustle and bustle outside.

She shook her head helplessly.

He used chopsticks to put a spring roll on Wei Zhao's plate.

A fixed gaze suddenly appeared upon him.

Yu Tingwan, who had just been eating, suddenly looked up. (End of Chapter)