The moon is bright with few stars, and the night is thick with darkness.

Ying Zhi wiped off the blood on his body, and in the end, he got nothing.

He even had to pay several silver notes to settle the matter.

Yu Tingwan feigned a polite refusal, then took the money and treated herself to a lavish meal at the most famous Zhai Building.

After all, it wasn’t her money, so she spent it without a care.

He Xuran also joined, but he barely touched his food.

"You look quite well these days,"

He turned his head to speak to Yu Tingwan.

Yu Tingwan ladled some soup, poised and gracious: "Mr. He looks a bit thinner."

It was true.

His chin looked sharper, and there were dark circles under his eyes.

Xiao Huaian, who was listening with keen ears, said, "How could he not lose weight? He has several cases to handle. Even though the Zhou Family case is closed, he hasn’t had a moment to breathe."

Many cases tend to offend people.

The Ministry of Justice didn’t dare to take them, and the Capital Mansion had concerns, so all of them landed on He Xuran’s shoulders.

"What’s the result of the Cao family matter? Did Elder Cao really seduce his sister-in-law?"

Yu Tingwan: ???

He Xuran’s face darkened: "This isn’t something for you to inquire about..."

Especially since a young lady was present.

"The specifics are still under investigation."

Xiao Huaian added, "You need to be careful. The Second Madam Cao is the legitimate second daughter of the Imperial College master. In earlier years, when she delivered meals to her father, she would bring some for us students. She was wronged, ignored her reputation, and came to you for help."

"The Cao family tried to cover up the scandal. If it weren’t for the master visiting his daughter and finding her locked up..."

Even without Xiao Huaian’s words, He Xuran would uphold justice and make sure the wicked were punished.

However, he clearly didn’t want to speak to Xiao Huaian.

He Xuran, who wasn’t much older than Yu Tingwan, had known her since their time in Ze County and was keen on making small talk.

"Several matters on hand are quite troublesome, otherwise I would have visited you sooner."

Yu Tingwan slightly frowned.

He Xuran continued, "Yang Weiweng even wanted me to deliver a wedding invitation to you."

A wedding invitation?

Yu Tingwan was surprised: "His marriage is settled?"

She still remembered that Yang Weiweng’s fiancée had eloped with someone else.

"Yes. An old Imperial Censor is interested in him."

Yu Tingwan: ???

She knew Yang Weiweng was handsome. Otherwise, the Ninth Princess wouldn’t have chosen him as a possible Prince Consort back then.

She was astonished: "What?"

It seemed Yang Weiweng’s fate was pitiable! He just wanted to be a good official.

The Princess wouldn’t leave him, and now the old man wouldn’t either.

He Xuran: "Interested in him as a son-in-law."

Yu Tingwan: ...

Couldn’t he just say it all in one go?

Seeing that she was listening, He Xuran said more: "The old Imperial Censor is an honest official, though he has a son who committed a crime involving death. The Censor, being just and upright, sentenced him accordingly to death; his wife hanged herself out of grief. He lost both his son and wife and turned gray overnight. Now, he only has this daughter, whom he treasures greatly."

The Censor, being stubborn, was not favored by other officials.

"He has offended many over the years and wishes to choose an upright and virtuous son-in-law. He has taken a liking to Yang Weiweng."

"Yang Weiweng has also met the young lady and is interested. The wedding is set for next year. I didn’t expect to meet you, so I didn’t bring the invitation with me; I’ll deliver it to you next time."

Yu Tingwan: "This is a good thing."

But soon, she felt something was amiss.

Why wouldn’t Yang Weiweng give it to her himself but ask He Xuran to pass it along?

There were two answers.

One, He Xuran volunteered to play the messenger.

Two, now that her and Wei Zhao’s statuses were different, Yang Weiweng was more cautious. He feared they wouldn’t come, and personally delivering it might seem like exploiting their past association in Ze County to curry favor. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Yu Tingwan leaned toward the second reason.

After all, Yang Weiweng had never claimed his acquaintance with Yu Tingwan and Wei Zhao to gain any advantage in officialdom.

"We must go; if it weren’t for him making it convenient, the journey from Xilin Village to Ze County would have been fraught with difficulties."

"After settling in Ze County, he was often short on funds and would still bring gifts occasionally to visit."

"I have always remembered this kindness."

"He is orphaned and alone, working at the Imperial Censorate. I’m afraid, aside from some officials there, no one will come to congratulate him."

And for congratulations, those officials would likely go to the old Imperial Censor’s house.

Who knows how cold Yang Weiweng’s new home might be.

"My husband and I must go to share in the joy."

Yu Tingwan: "I must trouble Mr. He to pass him a message."

"If he wants to send a wedding invitation, he should come himself. It’s not like he doesn’t have legs. Is the gate of Duke Shun Mansion impossible for him to enter?"

————

By the time they were full and returned to the mansion, it was already late.

Yu Tingwan returned to Lan Garden but didn’t see Wei Zhao. After asking around, she found out that he was still in the ancestral hall and hadn’t returned.

She was taken aback.

If Wei Zhao went to the ancestral hall, it was likely...

Could something bad have happened?

Or perhaps...

Yu Tingwan dared not dwell on it and hurriedly had Tan Jiang lead the way.

The ancestral hall was solemn and severe, and the path was a bit long. Yu Tingwan encountered a few scattered servants bowing as she started, but as she walked further along the path, it became more desolate. The night wind seeped quietly into her collar, carrying a hint of chill.

The place usually had no outsiders; unlike elsewhere, it wasn’t brightly lit. On both sides, there was only one dim light at intervals.

The leaves of tall trees rustled as they were blown by the wind.

If Tan Jiang hadn’t been leading the way, Yu Tingwan might have felt apprehensive walking alone.

"Madam, we’re almost there,"

Yu Tingwan quickened her pace, but then ran into Nanny Ru, and her unease reached its peak.

The next instant, Nanny Ru greeted her: "Why has the Heir’s wife come? Are you perhaps worried that the Heir hasn’t had dinner?"

Yu Tingwan nonchalantly asked, "Where is my mother-in-law?"

Nanny Ru answered: "The mistress returned early; she always sleeps early, so she’s probably resting now."

She raised the food box in her hand.

"The Heir skipped both lunch and dinner. I secretly brought some food for him."

"Since I’ve run into you, I’ll leave it to you."

Seeing her smile, Yu Tingwan felt a weight lift off her heart.

The ancestral hall was filled with swirling incense smoke, with the air smelling of wood mixed with incense ash. The ancestral tablets were neatly arranged, the golden lacquered characters on them glowing faintly.

The sound of footsteps approached from afar.

Yu Tingwan walked in.

The girl’s hands were clasped behind her back, and the dim light in the ancestral hall seemed to cast a layer of soft light on her.

Wei Zhao heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

Yu Tingwan: "I heard my husband was punished to kneel."

Yu Tingwan spoke slowly: "All night, huh?"

"Thankfully, mother-in-law didn’t know how you got those earlier injuries, or it wouldn’t be just one night."

Yu Tingwan came to his side: "Punishing yourself harshly over a misunderstanding, I’m sorry for you."

Saying this, she felt a surge of annoyance.

Although she could understand from Wei Zhao’s standpoint and perspective.

At that time, Wei Zhao was afraid to ask.

Often, when a person is on the verge of collapse, there’s a lack of rationality and only a wish to escape.

"It’s not in vain."

Wei Zhao kneeled perfectly, calmly saying: "I left a backup plan."

"Before heading to the battlefield, I left a letter with Chi Yu, instructing him to send it to the border once the coffin arrived in Shangjing."

Meaning the one in the coffin wasn’t him, and the plan was aborted.

Wei Zhao added: "For the enemy state."