Chapter 12: An Urgent Desire to Leave

Chapter 12: An Urgent Desire to Leave

Yu Tingwan snapped back to reality from the images in her mind, her sleepiness utterly gone.

She didn't dare think about it anymore.

A sense of suffocation surged over her.

Her heart hammered like a drum; the helplessness and grief from her past life felt like an airtight cage, drowning her with an irresistible force.

The young girl clutched the collar of her clothes at her chest, struggling to breathe.

She desperately wanted to leave the Hu family; she didn't want to wait even a single moment longer.

Meanwhile, in Ze County.

Various kinds of stalls were lined up on both sides of the streets.

Amidst the surging crowds, many soldiers could be seen patrolling.

"Your sister-in-law insists on some kind of facial cream. Doesn't she realize there's no need to waste money on that face of hers?"

No matter how she used it, she looked ugly.

Hu Dalang's complaints rang in his ears, but Hu Yaozu's attention was fixed on a finely crafted wooden hairpin on a stall.

He pulled out copper coins to pay.

Hu Dalang narrowed his eyes. "For your cousin?"

Dressed in scholar's robes, Hu Yaozu looked refined and gentle, a sharp contrast to the rough, earth-digging Hu Dalang.

He pressed the wooden hairpin against his chest, his ears burning. He neither admitted nor denied it, simply lowering his head to walk forward.

The two returned from Ze County to the town, heading toward the inn.

On the way, an elderly man called out to Hu Yaozu in pleasant surprise.

Half an incense stick later, Hu Dalang walked inside with a glowing face, shouting loudly, "Father, we ran into Master Chu on the way back! Seeing that Yaozu is still in town, he expressed interest in inviting him to our home for the New Year."

It was clear how much Master Chu valued Yaozu; as the eldest brother, how could he not be excited!

Hu Yaozu was also happy, but equally conflicted. "But if I go, I won't be able to spend the New Year with you and Big Brother."

"I have your brother by my side. Do you need to worry about me?"

Hu Dazhu was also excited, but he was more composed than Hu Dalang. "This is a good thing; many people would pray for such an opportunity. Master Chu has always looked after you. You can't show up empty-handed when visiting; see what you can bring later. The family is counting on you to make a name for yourself."

Hu Yaozu hurriedly agreed.

Hu Dalang then shared some news he had gathered with Hu Dazhu: "With the New Year approaching, many people are coming to town to prepare supplies. Since the road is blocked, there are many people like us who can't get back. There are also merchant caravans collecting medicinal herbs every year and escorts transporting goods; the inns are all full. It's a good thing we booked early."

"There are more soldiers patrolling nearby. I heard that in a few days, General Wei's coffin from the border will pass through Ze County. It's not far from here. Several streets have hung white lanterns, and many officials have been sent from the capital to receive it."

"The war was won, so why did people die?"

He wanted to say more, but he saw that Hu Dazhu hadn't listened to a word; instead, his brow was tightly furrowed.

He fell silent and whispered to Hu Yaozu beside him.

"Father was happy just a moment ago, what happened?"

Hu Yaozu whispered, "He's likely thinking of Sister Wan."

Hu Dalang glanced sideways. "And you don't miss her?"

The former's face instantly flushed red.

Hu Dazhu didn't hear their conversation and sighed with worry. "I am worried that your mother treats her poorly."

Hu Dalang choked up, thinking of something, and rubbed his nose guiltily. "Anyone who didn't know would think our cousin is Father's own daughter."

"Your aunt passed away early. Is there anything wrong with me doting on her more?"

"And another thing! That wife of yours is quite calculating. Once she gives birth, you'd better manage her!"

Yu Tingwan was unaware of the conversation between father and son.

She was leaning against the window, watching the drama unfold.

She saw Lady Wang picking up a rattan cane and chasing the Xu boy around the courtyard.

"He snuck into my room and rummaged through everything! Such a young age and he already knows how to be a thief!"

"Was that something you were supposed to eat!"

The Xu boy was being pinned to the ground and beaten, with pastry crumbs still lingering in his mouth. He grimaced in pain, yet remained exceptionally arrogant.

"I wanted to eat it! I wanted to eat it!"

"If I see it, it's mine!"

Last time he stole rice from the neighbors, his parents and grandparents even praised him for being capable.

Before Lady Wang could explode, the Xu wife rushed forward.

"Auntie, it's just that this child lacks manners and was greedy for food, but he is still small. You can't hold a grudge against a child."

Lady Wang's face darkened. "If you don't know how to raise him, don't have him! This isn't your place to speak!"

"These sponge cakes were brought back from town by Erlang; I've been saving them!"

"Today it's stealing food, tomorrow will it be stealing money?"

"Do I dare let you stay in this house?"

Mother Xu stepped forward with a forced smile, shielding her grandson. "Oh, he already ate it; you can't make him spit it out. Sister-in-law, please calm down."

She forced her grandson to apologize to Lady Wang. "Quick, say it! Say you'll never do it again!"

Yu Tingwan saw with her own eyes that the Xu boy rolled his eyes, showing no sign of remorse.

She calmly closed the window, no longer paying attention to the commotion outside.

The Hu family was about to get quite lively.

***

Night fell.

Next door, Little Mrs. Wu tossed and turned in the middle of the night, nudging the sleeping man beside her. "I feel uneasy."

Soon, whispers between husband and wife rose from the room.

Little Mrs. Wu said, "Before it even got dark, there was a commotion next door. That Xu boy snuck into Auntie Wang's room and ate the sponge cakes."

As she spoke, she swallowed hard.

They must have been delicious.

"In such a big matter, that Xu boy showed no remorse at all; he just ran outside to play."

"I've been thinking carefully about what Wan-niang said, and it feels strange."

"Why would she suddenly say the two families live close to each other..."

A short while later, Little Mrs. Wu held a candle and knocked on Mother Wu's door.

She was somewhat afraid of this mother-in-law. "Mother, could you take me back to my parental home tomorrow?"

*Do you want me to carry you on my back?*

*What kind of daughter-in-law treats her mother-in-law like this!*

Mother Wu's face darkened, and just as she was about to scold, she heard her son's voice from the opposite room.

"Mother, logically I should go back with her, but my body cannot leave the bed right now, and it's snowing outside. I truly cannot rest easy."

Dark currents surged in the night.

In the neighboring Hu house, Yu Tingwan could not sleep. She sat by the fire, occasionally poking it with a wooden stick.

Under the dancing flames, her features looked pale and sorrowful.

She did not know if she had been captured by the Dong family's servants in her past life.

Just then, the sound of rustling footsteps came from outside. Being highly vigilant, Yu Tingwan suddenly looked over.

Someone was tiptoeing toward her room and finally stopped in front of her door.

It was Xu Fen.

Under the moonlight, Xu Fen was sneakily trying to pick the lock, having long forgotten the warning from Little Mrs. Xu during the day.

Yu Tingwan was in the room right across from him; how could he remain indifferent?

This was a perfect opportunity of time and place.

As long as he covered Yu Tingwan's mouth to prevent her from calling for help, he could still do as he pleased!

Even if those girls he had taken advantage of hated him to the bone, what of it? They still wouldn't dare reveal a word for the sake of their reputations.

The greed in Xu Fen's eyes was unmistakable.

Thinking of Yu Tingwan's face, his whole body grew hot.

*Click.*

The door bolt inside was pried open.

With a glint in his eyes, Xu Fen pushed the door open and entered.

It was at that exact moment that the burning firewood inside flew straight toward his face.

He instinctively reached out to block it.

Sparks flew everywhere.

His hair and cotton clothes were instantly ignited.

A piercing sensation of burning struck his heart, and his scream pierced the silent night.

(End of Chapter)