Yu Tingwan suddenly snapped back from the image, completely awake.
She dared not recall it again.
The feeling of suffocation surged.
Her heartbeat was like a drum, the helpless sorrow from the past life was like an airtight cage, drowning her with an unstoppable momentum.
The little girl clutched the collar at her heart, struggling to breathe.
She urgently wanted to leave the Hu Family, not wanting to wait another moment.
Meanwhile, in Ze County.
Various stalls lined both sides of the street.
Apart from the thronging crowds, numerous soldiers could be seen patrolling.
"Your sister-in-law insisted on some facial cream, but doesn't she think that her face is worth spending money on?"
No matter what she uses, she's ugly.
Beside him, Hu Dalang was complaining, while Hu Yaozu's attention was on the fine craftsmanship of a wooden hairpin at a stall.
He took out a copper coin to pay for it.
Hu Dalang squinted his eyes, "For your cousin?"
Hu Yaozu was dressed in a scholar's robe, looking refined, in stark contrast to the rough, laboring Hu Dalang.
He pressed the wooden hairpin to his chest, his ears reddening, neither confirming nor denying, just burying his head and walking forward.
The two returned to town from Ze County, heading in the direction of the inn.
Midway, an old man joyfully called out to Hu Yaozu.
After a moment, Hu Dalang entered from outside with a flushed face, loudly announcing, "Dad, on our way back we ran into Mr. Chu. Seeing Yaozu still in town, he intends to invite him to spend the New Year at his place."
It shows how much Mr. Chu values Yaozu, how can I, as the big brother, not be excited!
Hu Yaozu was also happy but equally troubled, "It's just that if I go, I can't spend New Year with dad and big brother."
"I have your big brother with me, do I need to be concerned with you?"
Hu Dazhu was also excited but usually more composed than Hu Dalang, "This is a good thing, something many people can't even ask for. Mr. Chu usually takes care of you, you should not go empty-handed. See what to bring. The family relies on you to bring success."
Hu Yaozu quickly agreed.
Hu Dalang then revealed some news he had heard to Hu Dazhu, "As we near the end of the year, many people come to town to buy New Year supplies. The road is blocked, and there are many like us who can't go back. There are also merchant caravans buying medicinal materials and Spear Masters escorting goods; the inns are all full. Luckily we booked early."
"There are even more soldiers patrolling nearby. I heard that in a few days, the coffin of General Wei from the border will also pass through Ze County. It's not far from here. Several places in the street have hung white lanterns. Many officials from the Capital have been sent over as well."
"The war was won, so why did someone die?"
He was about to say more but saw that Hu Dazhu hadn't listened to a word, instead frowning deeply.
He fell silent and asked Hu Yaozu quietly at his side, "Dad was happy just now, what's happened now?"
Hu Yaozu whispered, "He might be concerned about Wan."
Hu Dalang gave a sidelong glance, "Aren't you concerned?"
The former's face suddenly flushed.
Hu Dazhu didn't hear their conversation, sighed heavily with worry, "I'm worried that your mother will mistreat her."
Hu Dalang choked, thinking of something, rubbed his nose sheepishly, "Someone unaware would think she's dad's own daughter."
"Your aunt passed early, is it wrong for me to dote on her more?"
"And! Your wife has many schemes, once she gives birth, you should watch over her!"
The conversation between father and son was unknown to Yu Tingwan.
She was leaning by the window watching a spectacle.
Mrs. Wang picked up a rattan and chased Xu Family's boy around the yard.
"Sneaking into my room and rummaging around. So young and already stealing!"
"Is that something you can eat?!"
The Xu Family's boy was pinned to the ground by her, with crumbs of cakes still in his mouth. He grimaced in pain but was unusually arrogant.
"I want to eat it, I want to eat it!"
"If I see it, it's mine!"
Last time he stole rice from a neighbor, and his parents and grandparents praised him for being capable.
Before Mrs. Wang could explode, the Xu Family's daughter-in-law rushed forward.
"Aunt, it's because the child is ignorant, and his gluttony wasted food, but he is still young. Aunt cannot blame the child."
Mrs. Wang's face was dark, "If you can't raise him, don't give birth! This is not your place to speak!"
"That egg cake was brought back from town by Erlang, I have always been reluctant to eat it!"
"Stealing food today, will it be stealing money tomorrow."
"Do I dare let you stay in my house?"
Mrs. Xu laughed awkwardly, protecting her grandson, "Oh dear, the food is eaten, he can't spit it out. Calm down, my dear in-law."
She pressed her grandson to apologize to Mrs. Wang, "Quickly say you dare not do it again!"
Yu Tingwan witnessed the Xu Family's boy roll his eyes, not showing a bit of repentance.
She calmly closed the window, no longer paying attention to the commotion outside.
This Hu Family is bustling indeed.
——
At night.
Next door, Little Daughter-in-law Wu tossed and turned restlessly, nudging the man sleeping beside her, "I feel unsettled."
Soon, whispers between the couple filled the room.
Little Daughter-in-law Wu said, "Before it got dark, there was a commotion next door, Xu Family's boy slipped into Aunt Wang's room and ate the egg cake."
As she spoke, she swallowed.
It must be so delicious.
"Such a big matter, and that Xu Family's boy shows no remorse, just running around outside with joy afterwards."
"I have been pondering what Wan Niang said, it feels odd."
"Why mention the closeness between the two families…"
Shortly after, Little Daughter-in-law Wu, holding a candle, knocked on Aunt Wu's door.
She was somewhat afraid of this mother-in-law, "Mom, would you send me back to my maternal home tomorrow?"
Shall I carry you?
Which daughter-in-law orders her mother-in-law like this!
Aunt Wu had a stern face and was about to scold when she heard the voice of her son from the opposite room.
"Mom, normally I would accompany her back, but now my health forbids me from going out. It's snowing outside, and I truly can't be at ease."
The night was filled with unrest.
In the neighboring Hu Family, Yu Tingwan couldn't sleep, sitting by the fire, occasionally poking it with a stick.
Under the flickering firelight, her brows were calm yet filled with sorrow.
She didn't know if, in her past life, she was captured by the Dong Family's helpers.
At this moment, the sound of footsteps whispered outside, causing Yu Tingwan to look warily.
Someone was stealthily approaching her side and finally stopped in front of his door.
It was Xu Fen.
In the moonlight, Xu Fen was sneakily trying to open the door, having entirely forgotten Mrs. Xiao's daytime warning.
With Yu Tingwan right in the room opposite, could he remain unmoved?
This was an opportune time and place.
If he just covered Yu Tingwan's mouth, preventing her from calling for help, he could still act willfully!
The girls he took advantage of, how they hated him deeply, and yet for the sake of their reputation, dared not reveal a word outside.
Xu Fen's eyes revealed his greed unobscured.
Thinking of Yu Tingwan's face, he was flushed with heat.
Clack!
The latch on the locked door inside was pried open by him.
Xu Fen's eyes lit up, and he pushed the door open.
And at that moment, the firewood burning inside flew straight toward his face.
He instinctively reached out to block.
Sparks scattered everywhere.
His hair, his cotton clothes, all caught fire.
The burning sensation pierced his heart, and his scream shattered the night's silence.