The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Yu Jingcheng said seriously, "To be honest, Yu Niang and I really miss Yao Yao, and we've saved up some money over the years."

Ze County is too far away, and they don't want to have to travel back and forth between the two places in the future.

Prices in the capital are high, and it might not be enough to settle down there. However, if I sell this house and land in Ze County, it should be about right.

"I have the strength and the ability, so I don't have to worry about not being able to support my family."

What kind of behavior is it to live in the Gu family's house for an extended period?

Gu Fujiu: "Yes, I was worried that you and your sister-in-law would feel uncomfortable, so I told my wife the same thing."

He took out the land deed from his sleeve, handed it over, and said gently, "Don't be so polite with your family. We have several houses under our names in the capital. There's no reason for us to buy another one. Brother Yu, please don't refuse. I've taken a look at it myself. This house is the closest to our residence and in a good location. It will be convenient and comfortable for the children to live in both houses in rotation in the future."

Yu Jingcheng was about to say no.

But he's not someone who can't be flexible.

If Gu Fuju wants to give it to him, he will accept it.

Why are you arguing?

There's no reason for me to be lenient with people's money.

His, isn't it just nowhere to be found?
With the money saved from buying a house, we had more money in hand and bought jewelry for Yao Yao.

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.

Yao Yao was looking at the beaded flowers in front of the newly opened jewelry shop counter.

She looked left and right, then used the bronze mirror to look at her own face.

She sighed.

The shopkeeper had just finished serving the previous customers and came over: "Little guest, have you made your choice?"

Yao Yao was very distressed: "None of them are good enough for me."

The shopkeeper wanted to say that it was nonsense, but when he looked at what Yao Yao was wearing and what she was wearing, it was indeed more exquisite than what was in her shop.

Yao Yao's almond-shaped eyes were dark and bright, with slightly upturned corners, hinting at her future beauty. She rested her chin on her hand and said, "Don't look anymore, it wasn't bought from your shop."

Shopkeeper: ? ? ?
Why don't you buy it there!
Yao Yao: "Isn't that obvious enough?"

She said earnestly, "I'm urging you to be more ambitious."

How come I'm just like her?

Yao Yao: "What will happen if you go bankrupt?"

Shopkeeper?
Why are you cursing people?!

Shopkeeper: "But...but if you don't buy anything, what impact will it have on you?"

Yao Yao: "Yes."

Shopkeeper: ?

Yao Yao said seriously, "I just love to worry about things that aren't my business."

Just then, a commotion arose outside, and the sounds of crying and shouting could be faintly heard.

Just as the shopkeeper was about to chase after her to see what was happening, he heard a whoosh as the little figure darted away.

"I'm not!"

"Sir, I am not Wei Qintian, but my cousin. My name is Wei Shen, and I am not yet of conscription age."

At the entrance of the yamen, a thin, helpless boy knelt before the constable who was being formally enthroned.

He ignored the pain and kept kowtowing until his head bled.

"My lord, please spare me."

Soon, his ear was tightly twisted by the mean-spirited Old Lady Wei.

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

"How dare you lie to even the officials just to avoid going to war?"

Old Mrs. Wei wished she could shut this little beast's mouth!

She only had eyes for the main house.

If Wei Shen doesn't take the place of the eldest son's grandson in the conscription, and if something happens to Qin Tian, ​​how will she live!
Although Wei Shen is also his grandson, even fingers can be different lengths.

Besides, Wei Shen has never been one to sweet-talk, and every now and then he would argue with her because of his parents and sister who had been mistreated.

Yao Yao was small, and with great effort, she pushed through the crowd, watching the boy push away Old Lady Wei like a wolf cub.

"I'm not talking nonsense!"

He clung to the constable's clothes as if grasping at a straw.

“If you don’t believe me, sir, just go and ask around. I live in Xilin Village, and the village head can definitely testify for me.”

"Shut up!"

The eldest son and his wife from the Wei family came together, their faces grim.

Wei Shoucai grabbed Wei Shen's arm and, being a manual laborer, lifted Wei Shen up.

"You little brat, what are you pretending to be pitiful for?"

"Who else are you but Qintian? You are the son of me and your mother, how could you be wrong? I know you are cunning, but how could you say such nonsense?"

Zhuang Mei pretended to wipe the corner of her eye with her sleeve.

“I know you resent your father and me for being incompetent. But child, you must also understand the family’s situation. We are poor and simply cannot afford to pay the conscription fee.”

"Take good care of yourself from now on. Your parents will worry about you every day."

What a loving mother's demeanor!

"This child is ignorant and has made the adults laugh at him. I bought some wine on the way here, and you all can share it. As his mother, I would like to ask you to take good care of Qintian."

Along with the drinks, a flat purse was also sent.

There were more than a dozen copper coins inside.

The constable glanced at Wei Shen without showing much emotion, and accepted the purse.

He didn't ask any further questions, quickly registered the names on the roster, then looked down at Wei Shen and beckoned to the constables behind him.

"Alright, the identity is correct, quickly take the person inside." Some of the onlookers criticized Wei Shen.

"How insensible!"

"Your parents raised you to adulthood, and they don't expect you to support them in their old age, but you can't be so willful."

"He even pushed his grandma; he's obviously a wild child."

Wei Shen's eyes were red: "No, I really didn't."

But no one believed him.

He was at a loss and filled with fear.

Some in the crowd doubted the authenticity of the claims.

There are many intricacies involved in conscription these days. As long as the numbers match, the officials who have received benefits are willing to turn a blind eye.

A dozen or so copper coins are not many.

But what if there are hundreds or thousands of Wei Shen?

This is a government office; no one dares to say anything.

The armed constables stepped forward and forced Wei Shen into a simple carriage parked not far away.

It was full of people recruiting soldiers.

People had to be sent back and forth to the concentration camp every day.

He said to the driver, "It's full, let's go."

The driver responded and pulled on the reins.

Yao Yao, with her sharp eyes, spotted the constable accepting a bribe and saw the ugly faces of the Wei family members who had succeeded. She was about to run over.

But after running only a few steps forward, she was quickly picked up from behind.

Yao Yao was lifted into the air, her legs kicking twice in mid-air.

She turned around in surprise and met Gu Fuju's smiling eyes.

Gu Fuju fiddled with the jade pendant at her waist: "Do you still remember me?"

Yao Yao glanced at the jade pendant, then at Gu Fuju.

Yu Niang often mentioned it to her.

"We, Yao Yao, are lucky. We have what others don't, and we get double what others have. That's why Yao Yao has two fathers and mothers who love her."

The men behind Gu Fuju arrested all the constables, and also intercepted dozens of carriages in front of them.

Gu Fuju: "To dare to falsify the conscription roster is to deceive the emperor, a capital offense!"

He ordered, "Go investigate."

The constables were used to being arrogant.

Besides, the county magistrate was behind them.

The county magistrate took the lion's share.

"Who are you? You have no right to make decisions for Ze County!"

That is it.

"Alang!"

Hui Niang came running with a haggard look on her face. Her shoes were worn out, and she was swaying unsteadily. It was hard to imagine how difficult her journey to Ze County had been.

Upon seeing her, the expressions of the Wei family members all changed.

The constables were subdued by Gu Fuju's men, and Wei Shen jumped off the carriage and ran towards Hui Niang.

"Auntie!"

Hui Niang's face was pale, and she hugged her son tightly, finally feeling relieved.

"Mother is here. Don't be afraid, Mother is here."

Her eyes were brimming with tears. Halfway through her sobbing, she suddenly turned around and, with a voice full of resentment, spoke to herself, a voice that was usually weak.

"My mother-in-law sent Shouzhong away to work for someone else, and then sent my son, Alang, to his death in place of the eldest grandson of the main branch?"

Upon seeing this, Gu Fuju said, "This matter will be reported to the imperial court."

He glanced at Uncle Yan behind him.

Uncle Yan walked towards Hui Niang: "Come with me to give your statement. If what you say is true, you can take the child back."

Gu Fuju was about to speak sternly, but fearing he might frighten Yao Yao, he changed his tone to cold: "Tell the magistrate of Ze County to come out and see me."

As he spoke, Gu Fuju handed Yaoyao to Jiashan.

"Madam, please hug her."

Jiashan was extremely nervous. She was as stiff as a puppet. Her arms were loosely wrapped around herself, and she didn't dare to touch the soft lump with her fingertips.

In particular, her clear, bright eyes stared straight at her.

I dared not use force, but I was also afraid of dropping her.

Gu Fuju did not let go, because although the girl was still a small and soft little bundle, she was already nine years old.

He was afraid that Jiashan wouldn't be able to hold on.

Yao Yao was completely baffled.

She felt a little uncomfortable and shifted her small body.

In the end, it seemed like a helpless situation.

She grabbed one of Jiashan's fingers and pulled it onto herself.

Jiashan was startled, lowered her breath, and let the small hand guide her, slowly tightening her arms until she was fully embraced.

Yao Yao's voice was both soft and crisp.

"Are you ready?"

(End of this chapter)