"No, you've misunderstood, it's not what you think." Zhou Zhengxun explained frantically, "It's Mother who changed, it's not me manipulating them..."
Yan Liangyu shook her head. "Zhou Zhengxun, before today, although I had already decided to break off our engagement, I still harbored one last shred of hope—hope that the fearless and brave young man I once loved wasn't so terrible, that his heart wasn't so dirty. But you've disappointed me beyond words. You truly never considered the Zhou family or your parents even a little. My mother proposed that your father distribute the family estate early—so outrageous a request that you should have refused. You really should have refused.
But because it benefited you, you stayed silent. You tacitly allowed us to hurt your parents to seize more benefits for yourself, just as you tacitly allowed, encouraged, and hinted for your parents to pressure the Yan family for more benefits. How foolish I was, only seeing through you today. You don't care at all about your mother's illness, nor about the interests of the entire Zhou clan. All you care about is yourself. You truly are even more despicable than I ever imagined—far, far more."
Yan Liangyu then said firmly once more, "Zhou Zhengxun, I'm telling you very seriously now: I am breaking off our engagement. Whether you agree or not, I am breaking it off. I also hope you will return the betrothal certificate as soon as possible, and not completely ruin what Little Liangyu and Little Zhou Zhengxun once shared."
With that, Yan Liangyu turned and left, tears falling to the ground.
Zhou Zhengxun was silent for a moment, then suddenly demanded coldly, "Have you fallen for Pei Jin'an? Yan Liangyu, ask yourself honestly—isn't it really because Pei Jin'an, grandson of the Right Vice Minister of Rites, is a Sixth-Rank Censor, and you think he has a better future than me, so you're finding excuses to break off the engagement?"
Yan Liangyu wiped away her tears. Indeed, the memories of Little Yan Liangyu and Little Zhou Zhengxun had been tainted after all.
Yan Liangyu returned to the reception hall. Lady Yan beckoned her over, and when Yan Liangyu reached her side, asked, "Have you made your decision?"
Yan Liangyu nodded. "I'm sorry, Mother."
She then looked at Chen Meirong. "I'm sorry, Mother. I was too selfish and wrong before, putting you through all that humiliation."
Looking back now, she felt she must have been out of her mind, letting her loving mother, her birth mother, her sister, and her brother endure so much disgrace for the sake of her selfish love.
She had called Zhou Zhengxun selfish, but wasn't she just the same?
In the future, she would never make the same mistake twice.
Lady Zhou and Lord Zhou exchanged a glance—Yan Liangyu's attitude was off.
Just then, Zhou Zhengxun walked in with a gloomy expression.
Lady Zhou tugged at him. "What's going on? Did you and Liangyu quarrel? Didn't I tell you to try to please Liangyu before the wedding?"
Zhou Zhengxun remained silent like a wooden gourd, seemingly believing that his silence would, as it always had before, force everything to turn out the way he wanted.
Lady Yan clasped Yan Liangyu's hand and looked toward the Zhou family. "Lord Zhou, yesterday I had someone re-calculate the Eight Characters of Zhengxun and Liangyu. That master said the two's charts appear compatible on the surface, but are in fact in conflict. If forced together, the marriage would not be harmonious. As such, let us call off the engagement between our two families."
Lady Zhou's face immediately fell. If the compatibility was unsuitable, why had they been discussing wedding dates just yesterday? Wasn't the Yan family just toying with them?
She was about to flare up when Lord Zhou shot her a look, and she promptly backed down.
The Yan family in its current state—she couldn't afford to offend them.
Lord Zhou forced a smile. "Lady Yan, talk of the Eight Characters is too abstract. What matters most is the feelings between the two children. How about this—let both children go home and calm down for a while. Years of affection can't just be thrown away overnight."
The Yan family was no longer what it used to be; they were at the height of their power. Lord Zhou was secretly furious at being played with, but he still didn't want to give up such an excellent marriage alliance.
The Zhou family wanted to stall, but Lady Yan was not about to indulge them this time. She smiled gracefully and gently: "Lord Zhou, all things change, and people change with them. When one stumbles before and after, what good does a new year bring? People's hearts cannot withstand being tested; test them too often, and they grow cold. Lord Zhou, our two families have been pulling at each other long enough—we're all tired. For the sake of past affections, let us not make things too ugly."
"Lady Yan, do not forget past kindnesses, nor dwell on past grievances." Lord Zhou waved dismissively. "What's past is past. We have years of friendship between us, and both children have feelings for each other. It would be a shame to ruin a good marriage over a trifling grudge."
Lady Zhou also began to plead: "Lady Yan, I know I did many improper things in the past, causing you and Liangyu pain. But now the Zhou family truly wishes to marry Liangyu. Look at our Zhengxun—his feelings for Liangyu are genuine. If you still harbor anger, I will pick a day and formally come to your door to apologize to you and Lord Yan."
The Zhou family lowered their posture, but they refused to budge. In plain terms, they still wouldn't agree to break off the engagement.
Since kindness wasn't working, there was no need for further courtesy. Lady Yan's voice turned cold: "Lord Zhou, in that case, let me be blunt. Liangyu turns seventeen after the New Year—this engagement cannot be dragged on any longer. If the Zhou family truly refuses to dissolve it today, then tomorrow, Tongshu will lead a formal delegation to your doorstep, with drums and gongs, to officially break off the engagement. If it truly comes to that, given the prestige the Yan family holds in the capital today, it certainly won't be the Yan family that suffers."
Lord Zhou and Lady Zhou's faces changed dramatically.
Yan Tongshu was at the peak of his glory; even if Yan Liangyu broke off the engagement, no one would dare look down on her.
As the saying goes, one rises while another falls; one grows strong while another weakens. If things were completely shattered, the Yan family would not be blamed—only the Zhou family would bear the gossip.
In the past, a broken engagement would have people saying Yan Liangyu had no ability to keep a promising eldest son like Zhou Zhengxun.
But now, people would only say that the Zhou family had overreached, failed to know their place, and kept delaying the marriage until they lost such a powerful ally.
Lord Zhou glared at Zhou Zhengxun in anger. Useless fool—couldn't even soothe a young girl.
After glaring at Zhou Zhengxun, he turned his reproachful gaze to Lady Zhou.
Delay, delay, delay—and now they had nothing but an empty basket.
Lord Zhou was resentful inside but dared not show it to Lady Yan. He forced a smile. "Since Lady Yan and Liangyu have already made up their minds, the Zhou family is willing to oblige. Our two families have had over a decade of friendship. Even if we can't be in-laws, there's no need to be enemies. We can always remain friends."
Chen Meirong rolled her eyes dramatically. Friends with the Zhou family? As if.
She didn't want to pretend, but Lady Yan didn't wish for an outright rupture at this moment. After more back-and-forth, she said amiably, "Lord Zhou and my Tongshu serve the same court; surely they should look out for each other."
Lord Zhou rose. "As agreed, I will send someone to return the betrothal certificate tomorrow."
Matters settled, Lord Zhou and Lady Zhou took their leave.
Zhou Zhengxun trailed behind them, reluctant, turning back repeatedly to look at Yan Liangyu.
Yan Liangyu kept her back to him, refusing to look.
As soon as the Zhou family had left, Chen Meirong perked right up: “Good riddance, good riddance, finally sent those pests packing. Liangyu, let me tell you, there are plenty of good men in this world—Zhou Zhengxun doesn’t even make the cut.”
Having just ended a relationship, Yan Liangyu simply didn’t have the energy to start a new one.
Having been busy for so long, Lady Yan was also worn out. Yan Liangyu took Chen Meirong’s arm and led her away to talk privately in her room, letting Lady Yan get some proper rest.
In the third watch of the night, the winter night was dark and brooding, with snow falling and rain drizzling in the gloom.
The entire Yan household had already fallen asleep when suddenly someone holding an umbrella hurriedly knocked on the Yan residence’s front door.
“Who is it?”
The gatekeeper, startled out of his drowsiness, answered through the door. The other party replied anxiously: “I’m a servant of the Zheng household, Wang Chi. Madam knows me. Please, brother, go announce me—tell Madam that Master Zheng is badly wounded and running a fever. Since morning, he’s taken his medicine several times, but the fever won’t break. He’s now in critical danger, and he keeps calling for Madam in his delirium. The young master is also crying without stopping, begging only to see his mother… Please, I beg you, ask Madam to come back with me!”
Hearing how urgent the situation was, the gatekeeper immediately opened the door and let the man in, then reported to the steward.
The steward didn’t dare delay and quickly sought out the maid in Yan Liangrong’s courtyard, sending her to wake Yan Liangrong.
After waking, Yan Liangrong washed up briefly, threw on a fur-lined cloak, pulled up her hood, ordered her maid to hold an umbrella, and hurried back to the Zheng residence.
At the Zheng residence, Zheng Chun’s room was bright with lamplight.
Zheng’s mother sat at the edge of the bed, clutching Zheng Chun’s scorching hand, tears streaming down her face without cease.
Zheng’s father stood nearby with lips pressed tightly together, his face as dark as iron.
It turned out that after Zheng’s father had learned of Zheng Chun and Yan Liangrong’s affair, he had administered a family punishment on Zheng Chun, leaving his entire body lashed and raw.
It was clear that Zheng’s mother was deeply displeased with her husband’s act of beating their son, and a rift had formed between the two of them. So although both stayed by their son’s side, they kept their distance from each other.
Zheng Ke stood by the bed, eyes red and swollen, sobbing in endless sniffles.
Zheng Chun lay in bed, burning all over. His face was flushed crimson, almost a liver-red, and his lips were cracked and peeling.
The moment he saw Yan Liangrong arrive, Zheng Ke’s tears burst forth. He staggered two steps and threw himself into her arms: “Mother.”
Zheng Ke hugged her, crying so hard he could barely breathe: “Mother, please don’t leave Ke’er. Ke’er has missed you so much. Ke’er knows he was wrong. From now on, Ke’er will study hard and do his best to be a child who makes his mother proud.”
Yan Liangrong crouched down and held him tightly.
She was a mother—how could she not miss her own son?
But she couldn’t come back during this time.
She held back the fierce longing surging within her, forcing herself to stay at the Yan residence, forcing herself not to see him.
She told herself she absolutely could not soften her heart.
No matter where things led between her and Zheng Chun, she had to leave Zheng Ke enough time and space to be separated from his mother—to figure out, once and for all, what it was he truly cared about, and to understand whether his fear of her came from her strictness or from actual dislike.
She wanted Zheng Ke to understand the bond of blood, the connection between mother and child.
“Wife, wife…”
As if sensing that Yan Liangrong had returned, Zheng Chun shouted for his wife over and over from the sickbed.
Zheng’s mother grabbed his hand in hers, her voice choked with tears: “She’s here, she’s here. Liangrong is here.”
She waved Yan Liangrong over. Yan Liangrong wiped the tears from Zheng Ke’s face, then walked to Zheng Chun’s bedside. “Zheng Chun.”
She called his name, and a flood of emotions surged through her chest. Tears slipped down her cheeks without warning.
Yan Liangrong said softly: “Zheng Chun, I’m here.”
She took his broad, thick hand into hers, and the burning heat shocked her instantly.
How could he be this hot?
Zheng’s mother wept: “He’s already taken the medicine three times, but the fever won’t go down at all. It’s all your father-in-law’s fault—the moment his temper got the better of him, he insisted on family punishment. That’s just how he is. He only ever loses his temper with his own son. You don’t see him getting this tough with outsiders, do you?”
Zheng’s father said in a low, defensive voice: “Our son’s illness is what matters. What’s the point of bringing this up now?”
Zheng’s mother turned to Yan Liangrong, tears in her eyes, and complained: “He only shows his viciousness to family.”
“Enough, Mother,” said Yan Liangrong, tightening her grip on Zheng Chun’s hand. He was too hot. His arms were covered in bloody welts from the whipping—a ghastly sight.
The situation was truly dire. This was no time for mutual blame or passing the buck.
Yan Liangrong forced herself to stay calm and asked: “Mother, what did the doctor say?”
Zheng’s mother sobbed: “The doctor said it’s a high fever caused by the injuries. We have to break the fever first, but the medicine just won’t work.”
Yan Liangrong: “Which doctor did you call?”
Zheng’s mother: “Dr. Ran from Huitang Hall.”
The physicians at Huitang Hall were well known in the capital; they were genuinely skilled.
Yan Liangrong asked again: “Where is he now?”
“He came once during the day, examined him, and prescribed the medicine. We’ve been giving it to him continuously.” Zheng’s mother wiped her tears as she spoke: “We did want to call Dr. Ran back, but it started snowing, and the snow kept getting heavier. Dr. Ran is old, and the roads are hard to travel at night…”
Yan Liangrong raised her voice: “So while Zheng Chun’s condition worsened, you just kept giving him the same medicine?”
How could they be so muddled at a time like this?
Yan Liangrong swallowed the anger rising in her chest and summoned a servant: “Go quickly to Huitang Hall and fetch Dr. Ran again. When you ask him to come, be sure to describe the master’s current condition clearly, and have him bring the medicine with him.”
Fearing that the servant might also lose his head in a critical moment, she cautioned: “The curfew is already in effect now. Patrol soldiers are out on watch. If you’re caught without a token, you’ll be arrested on the spot. So remember: when you go out, be sure to carry the household’s official token.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The servant replied and jogged off to get the token.
Two incense sticks’ time later, Dr. Ran arrived through wind and snow with his medicine case on his back.
Yan Liangrong immediately made room for him to take Zheng Chun’s pulse.
After feeling his pulse, Dr. Ran’s expression turned grave: “How did it get this severe so suddenly? The two of you—it seems the evil qi has penetrated the lungs. I’ll need to adjust the prescription.”
Zheng’s mother said in a panic: “Then adjust it quickly! We’ll have someone start boiling the medicine right away.”
Dr. Ran swiftly wrote out a new prescription and measured out the herbs. The kitchen servants had kept the fire burning, so they could pour the herbs into the pot and brew it right away.
While the medicine was brewing, Dr. Ran brought out silver needles. He had Yan Liangrong untie the clothes from Zheng Chun’s upper body and, matching one acupoint to the next, pierced them one by one.
After the needling was done, Dr. Ran instructed them to keep wiping Zheng Chun down with a cloth to bring his temperature down.
Yan Liangrong nodded repeatedly. “Dr. Ran, the wind is biting and the snow makes the roads treacherous. Please do us the kindness of staying the night here at the residence. At dawn, once my husband wakes, the Zheng household will thank you handsomely and send you back home in person. What do you say?”
Dr. Ran nodded.
The snowy road was indeed too difficult to travel. On the way over, the carriage had nearly sunk into the snow and gotten stuck.
So he was inclined to stay anyway.
Yan Liangrong arranged for someone to escort Dr. Ran to the guest room, then made Zheng Ke—who refused to leave—go back to his room to sleep. With Zheng’s father and mother, she kept watch by Zheng Chun’s side all along, taking turns wiping down his body and giving him medicine every hour and a half.
The three of them didn’t close an eye all night, holding on grimly until past mid-morning. Only then did the heat finally leave Zheng Chun’s body.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Zheng's parents were elderly, and Yan Liangrong, afraid they would not hold up, urged them to retire to their rooms and rest.
The two were stubborn and refused to leave, so they waited with Yan Liangrong.
By late morning, Zheng Chun's fever had completely broken, and he gradually regained full consciousness.
As he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Yan Liangrong sitting beside the bed, propping her head in her hand, dozing. Tears seeped from the corners of his eyes. He stirred, and Yan Liangrong woke with a start. Their eyes met, and for a long moment, neither spoke.
Zheng's mother heard the noise and woke as well. She clasped her hands over her heart in surprise and gratitude, thanking the heavens.
Zheng's father was not good with words, but he pressed his lips together, his face full of relief.
Zheng Chun's cracked lips moved: "Wife."
Yan Liangrong avoided his gaze and smoothed the blanket over him. "You're still ill. Whatever you need to say, say it once you're better."
"Wife." Zheng Chun grabbed Yan Liangrong's hand. He had been sweating the whole time, his palm clammy. He looked at her with pleading eyes: "Don't leave, alright?"
Hearing this, Zheng's mother and father also turned instinctively to look at Yan Liangrong.
Yan Liangrong pressed her lips together. "Your condition last night was critical, and Ke'er was terrified. I sent him off to rest, but I'm afraid he won't be able to sleep tonight. Now that you're awake, I'll go get him."
Yan Liangrong rose to leave. Zheng Chun reached out to grab her and only caught a smooth fold of her sleeve.
Zheng's father looked at him with reproach in his eyes and said sternly: "Serves you right."
Zheng Chun was dejected.
Zheng's mother sighed. "Son, I'm not taking sides, and don't you go making excuses to wriggle out of this. This was your mistake. If it hadn't been for Liangrong's tireless work holding this family together all these years, the three of us wouldn't be living as well as we are now."
But she still felt for him, so she came to his side, replaced the wet cloth on his forehead with a fresh one, and softened her voice: "Since you know you're wrong, talk to Liangrong properly. From what I've observed, she still has feelings for you. And besides, there's Ke'er between you."
Once a man and woman have a child, they're tangled together forever, that's how it is.
Zheng's mother said: "Give Liangrong your word, behave yourself, prove to her that you'll change. I believe time reveals a person's heart—she'll forgive you."
Zheng Chun nodded, his voice hoarse: "But Mother, I'm afraid she won't give me the chance."
Zheng's mother comforted him: "She will."
But even as she said it, she knew in her heart that she wasn't confident at all.
After living with her for ten years, as a mother-in-law, she knew Yan Liangrong, her daughter-in-law, all too well.
Her daughter-in-law was too independent-minded, too strong-willed, not easily swayed by others.
On many matters, as long as they didn't cross certain lines, Yan Liangrong seemed stern but was mostly tolerant.
But once those lines were crossed...
Zheng's mother asked gently: "Are you hungry? There's congee warming in the kitchen. I'll have someone bring some over."
Zheng Chun nodded.
In Zheng Ke's room, he hadn't slept all night.
When he saw Yan Liangrong come in, Zheng Ke threw himself into her arms: "Mother."
Yan Liangrong gently stroked his head: "There now, your father's fever has broken. He'll get better soon, and he can play with our Ke'er again."
Zheng Ke shook his head desperately: "No more playing, Ke'er won't play anymore. Mother, don't go, don't leave Ke'er..."
Yan Liangrong crouched down: "Don't be afraid, Mother isn't going anywhere. Actually, I always knew your father loved to play with you. You didn't think you and your father could hide those toys and snacks from me every time, did you?
Ke'er, back then I thought, your father's temper is kind and soft, so if he played the kindly father, then I would be the strict mother, to push you in your studies, to keep you from slacking off. But I didn't realize that doing so would make you so afraid of me. That was my mistake."
Zheng Ke shook his head with reddened eyes: "No, that's not it, Mother."
He choked on his words: "I didn't really hate you. What I said was just angry talk. When I'm angry with Ye Shao from school, I say I hate him too, but I still play with him. Mother, I was afraid of you, but I didn't hate you. Really, I didn't. Father already scolded me, and I know I was wrong. I won't say careless things ever again. Mother, don't leave Ke'er, don't go..."
Zheng Ke clung tightly to Yan Liangrong's clothes: "Mother, I was wrong. I won't say you're like a scary old tiger ever again. Mother, I truly know I was wrong."
Yan Liangrong gently wiped the tears from Zheng Ke's face: "Alright, Mother understands. You're still little. How could I blame you? It's just that there are some problems between your father and me that we haven't sorted out."
Zheng Ke sobbed: "R-really?"
Yan Liangrong nodded: "But Ke'er, no matter what happens between your father and me, you must remember: you are the child I carried for ten months, and you are the treasure I love most."
Once Zheng Ke had calmed down, Yan Liangrong took him to see Zheng Chun. Zheng Ke was truly frightened—he clung to Yan Liangrong's hand with one hand and Zheng Chun's with the other.
One in each hand, and he refused to let go for anything.
Yan Liangrong had no choice but to stay and keep watch by Zheng Chun along with him.
The three of them talked for a while, and since Zheng Ke hadn't slept all night, he was exhausted and ended up falling asleep sprawled on the bed.
Zheng Chun took Yan Liangrong's cold hand in his: "Wife, I was wrong. Your husband was wrong."
Yan Liangrong pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Zheng Chun said in a hoarse voice: "Wife, I'm sorry. In the past, I was too muddle-headed, too awful. Tongshu was right—if I don't even have the courage to admit my mistakes, what right do I have to beg for your forgiveness? Wife, these past days I've done a lot of thinking. It wasn't your problem. It was mine. It's because I was too weak. In these ten years of our marriage, I watched the years slip by, saw no hope for promotion, while you still held such expectations for me, worrying yourself sick on my behalf, running around everywhere for me.
Day after day, facing you, remembering the vows I made to you when we married, I couldn't bring myself to admit my own inadequacy, couldn't face my own embarrassment. So I told myself it was because you were too strict, too overbearing, and I pushed all the blame onto you, looking for every excuse to flee this household. But in truth, what I wanted to flee wasn't the family—it was the trap of middle age and having accomplished nothing. It was my own impotence. It was me shirking responsibility. It was me trying to diminish you in order to escape myself.
I saved Ying Li. She was only thirteen then. In the beginning, I truly saw her as just a child, like a daughter, pouring out to her all my frustrations, all the blame I'd laid on you. Later, as she grew up, I felt that being with her was easy and relaxing, and I began to drift, to indulge. Now I understand—it wasn't that I felt relaxed with her. It was that I felt the pleasure of escaping by being with someone who worshipped me wholly, who saw me as a god, who knew nothing, who didn't understand my cowardice, didn't understand my desperation.
Wife, I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. I've already arranged a match for Ying Li—she's found a scholar from a neighboring village, and they're to be married soon. I beg you, give me a chance, one last chance. Can we start over?"
Zheng Chun gently rubbed his cheek against Yan Liangrong's palm. "My lady, look at me, look at Ke'er. I can't live without you, and neither can Ke'er. My lady, I promise, from now on, the moment I finish my duties, I'll come straight home. I'll stay home with you and Ke'er, and I won't go anywhere else. I'll keep a strict eye on Ke'er's studies and be a firm father, alright?"
Yan Liangrong looked at Zheng Chun, watching him quietly.
She knew Zheng Chun too well. She knew exactly what was going through his mind.
That was why, no matter how much he pleaded earlier, she hadn't budged.
Because he hadn't been honest, hadn't admitted his fault, thinking he could just talk his way around it.
But now, Zheng Chun seemed to have truly recognized his mistake. Really recognized it.
The sincerity he showed began to shake her resolve, made her start to believe that he really would change.
But she didn't face only this one dilemma.
Most importantly, Ying Li's words, which had pierced her to the bone, made her doubt herself, made her lose confidence for the first time.
She couldn't seem to find back that old composure in the face of fate, nor the self she once was.
After lunch, Zheng's mother sat alone with Yan Liangrong to talk.
Zheng's mother cut straight to the point: "This was Chun'er's fault."
Yan Liangrong's delicate lashes trembled.
Zheng's mother let out a sigh. "Liangrong, let me be honest with you. All these years, everything you've done for this family, I've kept it all in my heart. I know this was Chun'er's fault too, and I resent him for it—having such a good daughter-in-law and not knowing how to cherish her. But he's my son after all. And seeing him like this now..."
Zheng's mother tears up again as she speaks.
Zheng's mother: "...It breaks my heart. Liangrong, as your mother-in-law, I want to urge you to forgive Chun'er, but I've also been through this kind of betrayal myself, and I know how cruel those words would be to you. I can't say them. All I can say is this—if you still have even a sliver of feeling for Chun'er, I beg you to give him a chance, a chance to turn over a new leaf.
If you've truly made up your mind to leave Chun'er, then I beg you too—bring Ke'er to visit me often. No matter what, you will always be my good daughter-in-law."
What this meant was that the Zheng family agreed not to fight her for Ke'er.
Yan Liangrong's tears fell like rain, her voice choked: "Mother..."
Actually, aside from Zheng Chun himself, the Zheng family had always treated her well. She ran everything from top to bottom. Even when she and Zheng Chun had conflicts, Zheng's father and mother always deferred to her opinion.
Yan Liangrong felt as though heaven had set her a perfect trap.
And at this very moment, she stood right at its edge.
A husband, weeping and swearing to change his ways.
In-laws who stood by her side whether she stayed or left, understanding and kind, never once trying to take Ke'er from her.
A son who loved her, missed her, couldn't bear to part with her, crying that he would study hard.
She seemed to hear heaven, looking down from the nine skies, casting down upon her—and upon all mankind—its question: Child, if it were you, what would you choose?
Would you choose to forget a few "minor" unpleasant things?
To embrace the most perfect, happiest life waiting ahead?
And then, with a husband who earnestly reforms himself, live out the rest of your days?
Or would you choose an unknown, uncertain future?
Child, are you really sure that the next man you meet will never have problems?
Are you sure the next one will treat you better than this reformed man now before you?
Are you sure the next family's in-laws will be more considerate of you than these?
Are you sure your next child will be more sensible, more filial, more loving toward you?
Child, if it were you, what would you choose?
At this moment, interwoven before Yan Liangrong's eyes were her in-laws, her son, her husband...
And Chen Sizhen... Lady Qing...
Would they? Would it really be that perfect?
Yan Liangrong hesitated.
She stayed at the Zheng residence for two days. On the day she packed her things to leave, Zheng Chun saw her to the door and suddenly pulled her into his arms. "Don't move. Let me hold you."
He buried his face in the curve of her neck. His body, still recovering, ran slightly warm. In a hoarse voice, he said, "My lady... you're not coming back anymore, are you?"
Yan Liangrong was silent.
Zheng Chun wept. "Ke'er can't live without me, but he needs you even more."
And you can't live without Ke'er either.
"Let me have Ke'er for a few more days. I'll send him back to you. But..." Zheng Chun's tears soaked into her clothes. "In the future, can I still see Ke'er from time to time? I'm Ke'er's father too..."
And let me see you too.
Yan Liangrong raised her hands, freezing mid-air.
Look ahead.
Just take one step...
Just walk into it.
Just forgive others and forgive yourself.
Ahead lies a bright, warm future—harmony between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, harmony between husband and wife, an obedient child.
Really?
Does such a future truly exist?
Yan Liangrong's hands, suspended in the air, moved slightly. She pressed them against Zheng Chun's waist. "Then let's give it a try."
What?
Zheng Chun's body stiffened, then he immediately released her, carefully searching her eyes, wanting to confirm whether her words meant what he hoped they meant, yet afraid to ask.
Afraid that the soft words he'd just heard were only an illusion.
Yan Liangrong nodded. "Zheng Chun, let's go home. Back to the Zheng residence."
Overjoyed.
Zheng Chun's hands, clutching Yan Liangrong's, trembled so hard he could barely contain them.
"Good, good." He nodded desperately. "We're going home. We'll start over. From now on, aside from going to work, I won't go anywhere. I'll be home with you, with Ke'er. We'll tutor Ke'er together, and wherever we go, the three of us go together."
Yan Liangrong softly hummed in assent, letting Zheng Chun lead her home.
Back to that more complete, happier home, filled with warmth.
Rumble—a great sound tore through the sky.
Once more, heaven posed its question.
Yan Tongshu walked out of the study, looked up at the cold sky. The sunlight was dim.
What's this?
Thunder at this time of year?
Yan Tongshu asked Zhenzhu, "Did you hear that?"
Zhenzhu looked confused. "Hear what?"
Yan Tongshu said, "Didn't you hear the thunder?"
Zhenzhu looked at the sky in puzzlement. "No, there's nothing there."
Yan Tongshu tilted her head.
She misheard?
Was it an ill omen?
Yes.
A sudden clap of thunder, the earth trembling—this was a bad sign.
It meant the emperor was about to die!
Hahaha.
The little figure inside Yan Tongshu's heart was bent over double, laughing like mad.
Just as Yan Tongshu was thinking this, Xu Qiu stepped through the snow toward her. "Officer Yan, something's happened."
Huh?
Did Qin Yizhen just drop dead?
Yan Tongshu's body went slightly stiff.
She was just making a passing joke in her head, no different from an oppressed worker cursing their boss's death. It couldn't be that effective, could it?
Yan Tongshu cleared her throat, making an effort to stay calm. "What happened? Something at the palace?"
"No, not that," Xu Qiu shook his head. "It's the Huihua Pavilion."
The Huihua Pavilion?
Yan Tongshu put on a serious expression. "What happened at the Huihua Pavilion?"
Xu Qiu lowered his voice. "A female musician from the Huihua Pavilion was found dead on one of the flower boats, the scene covered in blood. Vice-Prefect Zhang has already rushed over."
Yan Tongshu said, "How did she die?"
Xu Qiu: "He was killed by a knife wound. The most critical part is, all the dancing girls on the flower boat had been sent away at the time. Only the musician and... and..."
Yan Tongshu: "Why are you stammering?"
Xu Qiu steadied his nerves: "...and General Meng Yi, the Commander of the Divine Guard. The boatman said that after General Meng left, there was no more sound from the boat. When he went in to check, the female musician was already dead. At the time, the flower boat was docked by the river, with no other vessels nearby, and no one witnessed the incident."
That meant Meng Yi had killed the female musician and then left openly and boldly.
Yan Tongshu pressed further: "Has the time of death for the female musician been determined?"
Xu Qiu shook his head: "Not yet."
"Let's go." Yan Tongshu straightened his official robes. "To the crime scene."
...
