In the countryside villa.

Yu Tingwan had spent two more days learning on the mountain and finally stopped swimming in circles, but it was quite exhausting.

Despite her best efforts, she could only move forward slightly.

She might actually not be suited for swimming.

Recognizing this fact left Yu Tingwan feeling deflated, like a half-bloomed but already withering begonia.

At dusk, with the setting sun reddening the sky like blood and casting a glow over the distant mountains, she followed Wei Zhao down the mountain, looking dejected like a wronged little wife.

Really.

In this way.

Normally she wouldn’t even blink if the sky fell, always handling things with quick efficiency yet a calm demeanor, making Wei Zhao quite flustered.

Wei Zhao walked slowly to allow her to keep up.

His tone was deliberate and slow.

"Actually, you did make some progress."

Wei Zhao: "You float well in the water."

Yu Tingwan hung her head low.

Wei Zhao: "Even with Tan Jiang by your side, if she weren’t there and you fell into the water, at least you could float on the surface and wait for rescue at ease."

Yu Tingwan: ??

Listen to that, what kind of words are those?

Wei Zhao: "Also..."

He turned around and glanced at the girl.

"You always carry a pouch with you, filled with all kinds of peanuts, sunflower seeds, and walnuts, and the pouch is lined with waterproof leather. If you have nothing better to do while waiting, you could take them out to eat."

Wei Zhao commented: "Quite leisurely."

He really is! So infuriating!

Just like every time something goes wrong in Xilin Village!

But would Yu Tingwan think she’s not cut out for the water?

Never one to dwell on it, she thought, it’s not her problem!

"I think."

She finally spoke.

"You aren’t teaching well."

Yu Tingwan tried to convince herself: "After all, you’ve never been a teacher, so it’s understandably difficult for you. You’re a military general. If I were learning horseback archery or something like that, I’m sure my husband would find it easy, and any casual guidance from you would be golden advice. But the swimming stuff..."

Yu Tingwan: "It’s really hard for you."

Wei Zhao: ...

Silent the whole way, it turns out she was trying to push the blame by being reasonable and emotional.

Wei Zhao, at a loss for words: "You..."

Yu Tingwan: "Hm, I don’t blame you."

Wei Zhao: ... "As long as you’re happy."

Maybe it was because he didn’t argue back, agreeing too quickly.

Yu Tingwan felt much better but still a bit unwilling.

Keeping this state, she returned to the villa.

Fish soup was stewing in the pot, simmering slowly and needing another half-hour. The fragrance of the fish soup permeated everywhere.

They had eaten it for several days but Yu Tingwan seemed never to tire of it.

Granny Ma sat in the courtyard, peeling fresh bamboo shoots dug up by the villa’s servants from the mountain.

She looked up at the sound.

"Miss Shen is back?"

Seeing her, the smile on her lips faded slightly.

"What’s wrong, deary?"

She stood up, wiped her hands on her skirt, and supported herself with her cane to come over.

She looked at Wei Zhao and then at the droopy-eyed Yu Tingwan.

"Did the General upset you?"

She gave Wei Zhao a scolding glance.

"You, child, worked so hard to win her over, how could you make her unhappy?"

Wei Zhao: ...

He felt very innocent.

Granny Ma pulled the listless Yu Tingwan up.

Without asking anything, she said.

"It must be the General’s fault, please don’t hold it against him."

"He plays with knives and swords, and isn’t as thoughtful as the eldest young master, who is a civil servant and knows the proper way to talk and handle things. He hasn’t been around women, don’t laugh at him, the Wei Family’s residence is tidy, without any concubines to cause annoyance. His daily companions are just crude soldiers. If there’s anything that’s not considerate, feel free to mention it."

"If you don’t point it out, how would he know and improve?"

Saying this, she turned to Wei Zhao.

"You should learn more from your eldest brother."

But at this point, she paused, seemingly having thought of something.

"Forget it."

"The eldest young madam is good in every way, but she’s too rule-bound and doesn’t live like a real person. I’ve never seen her get mad at your eldest brother. Your brother probably even envies you. As long as it doesn’t harm the relationship, even a little quarrel can be taken as a chance to spice things up."

Wei Zhao’s eyes darkened slightly.

His father was considerate.

But his mother was too old-fashioned.

Father was gentle and elegant, fearing mother’s displeasure, so he spoke softly in front of her too.

Though they did the most intimate of things and had children, their relationship didn’t seem like that of a normal married couple.

Instead, it was the free-spirited Yu Tingwan, who talks back, who could sweet-talk someone, and never did things by the book.

When she first returned home, Ning Suxuan hadn’t even drunk Yu Tingwan’s tea as a daughter-in-law. There was no sign of acceptance or approval at all.

Now though...

— "Gui Zhi, has your wife sneaked out to be lazy again?"

— "Don’t bother looking for her, let her be. I’ll take a rest too. Tell her not to come tomorrow. Seeing her gives me a headache."

— "Oh and, you should control her, don’t let her always impolitely move things from my room. Even though she takes them, she should at least choose the expensive ones. Can I not allow it?"

It’s really...

Things that father didn’t accomplish, she did.

If... if father were still around, he would surely be very happy.

Granny Ma then smilingly adjusted the hairpin on Yu Tingwan’s head.

"I heard from the General that you’re returning tomorrow?"

Yu Tingwan still felt a bit reluctant: "Yes."

She hooked her finger around Granny Ma’s hand and said softly: "Next time if I crave fish soup, I’ll shamelessly come to see you, Granny."

"Good!"

"This old lady would love for you to come and see me often."

Yu Tingwan crouched down to help process the bamboo shoots, doing this kind of work with ease,

Granny Ma intentionally decided to make a few more dishes in the evening and quickly headed to the kitchen to get busy.

Yu Tingwan planned to run over to help out.

In the past, she often ran over to help Hui Niang start the fire.

She had just taken a few steps when she suddenly stopped.

She missed Hui Niang.

Just then, Rong Di came in from outside, holding a large bundle in his arms, speaking in a booming voice.

"Madam. Something has been sent over from Ze County again." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

It’s quite heavy.

Yu Tingwan turned her steps and ran toward Rong Di without hesitation.

Rong Di chuckled, but the next moment, the bundle in his hand was snatched halfway.

Wei Zhao gave a sidelong glance: "You can go now."

In the way.

Rong Di: "Yes!"

Wei Zhao lightly shook his arm, waiting for Yu Tingwan to run to him.

Unlike the gloomy mood coming down the mountain, Yu Tingwan’s smile was now radiant.

"Dad and Mom have sent delicious food again!"

Wei Zhao: "Go inside and see."

"Alright, alright."

How could Yu Tingwan not agree?

She thought, there must be the pickled radish she had been yearning for!

Returning to the wooden house they lived in, she impatiently unwrapped the bundle.

Wei Zhao leaned against the side, looking fatigued and lazy.

In addition to the bits and pieces of food, there was a bag tightly wrapped in black cloth at the bottom.

Yu Tingwan couldn’t care about eating, she continued to unpack it.

Inside were two neatly folded new dresses.

Freshly made by Hui Niang.

They certainly couldn’t compare to what Yu Tingwan wears nowadays.

But the material was soft and the stitches delicate, evidently a lot of effort had gone into it.

It’s the best that can be offered from a small county like theirs.

The sentiment behind it was clear.

Just right for the current season.

Afraid that she, alone outside, wasn’t being treated well by Wei Zhao.

Being aware that Wei Zhao wasn’t of ordinary birth, worried that the clothes she made might not be stylish enough and Wan Niang might be laughed at by outsiders, Hui Niang had specially gone to the Li Family’s clothing shop to learn the latest styles.

Yu Tingwan treasured them in her arms, turning her head, proudly saying to Wei Zhao.

"Only mine, not yours, husband."

Wei Zhao: "Yes."

He murmured: "She cherishes you the most."