The courtyard did not feel the same after they entered.

The lanterns still gave off a warm light, but the atmosphere had changed. It was quieter and heavier.

Grandfather Fu and Grandmother Fu walked slowly across the courtyard. Their clothes were still wet, and water dripped from the edges of their sleeves. Their steps were careful, as if they did not know how far they were allowed to go.

No one moved to help them.

No one stopped them either.

They were simply there.

Madame Fu watched them for a moment before speaking.

"Fu Fei," she said, "take them inside and bring them dry clothes."

Fu Fei nodded at once.

"Yes, Mother."

She stepped forward and stopped in front of the two elders.

"Come with me," she said.

Her tone was calm and respectful, but there was distance in it.

Grandmother Fu lowered her head slightly.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Grandfather Fu also nodded.

Fu Fei turned and led them inside.

They disappeared into the house.

The courtyard became quiet again.

Fu Li let out a breath.

"I do not like this," she said.

She did not hide her thoughts.

Madame Fu did not respond.

Master Fu remained silent as well.

Fu Tong stood there for a moment, then spoke.

"They looked very weak," he said. "If they stayed outside any longer, they might have collapsed."

Fu Li turned to him.

"That does not change anything," she replied.

Fu Tong did not argue.

He knew she was right.

But he also knew that things were not so simple.

Nearby, Fu Jun stood quietly beside Fu Sheng. He held onto his sleeve and stayed close, but he did not ask any questions. He only watched.

...

Inside the house, Fu Fei led them into a side room.

She stopped and turned to them.

"You should change quickly," she said. "I will bring dry clothes."

Grandmother Fu nodded again.

"Thank you," she said.

Her voice sounded weaker now.

The cold had affected her.

Fu Fei did not stay.

She turned and left the room.

The moment she stepped out, the two elders remained standing in silence.

Grandmother Fu’s hands trembled slightly.

Grandfather Fu looked at her.

"We have come," he said quietly.

She nodded.

"Yes, we have come."

Neither of them looked relieved.

Because they both understood that coming inside was only the beginning.

The real problem had not been solved.

...

Back in the courtyard, Master Fu finally spoke.

"When Fu Teng returns, no one should provoke him," he said.

His voice was calm, but firm.

Fu Li frowned.

"He will not stay quiet," she said.

"I know," Master Fu replied.

"But this matter will be handled properly."

Fu Tong shifted slightly but did not say anything this time. He simply stood there, his expression thoughtful.

Master Fu looked ahead for a moment before speaking again.

"That depends on why they came," he said.

....

By the time I finished changing my clothes, the damp feeling from the rain was gone.

I adjusted my sleeves and stepped out.

The room was quiet.

Fu Sheng was already inside. He had also changed and was fastening his outer robe. His movements were steady and focused.

He spoke without looking at me.

"I am going out," he said. "I need to prepare everything for Fu Tong and Fu Teng."

I walked further into the room and stopped near the table.

"What is left to prepare?" I asked.

"The carriages are ready," he said. "I still need to confirm the route and make sure nothing delays them."

I nodded once.

"That is fine," I said.

He paused for a moment and then looked at me.

"I will not be long," he added.

I met his gaze briefly.

"You do not need to explain," I replied.

My voice remained calm.

He did not respond.

He picked up what he needed and turned toward the door.

Before he stepped out, he paused for a moment, as if he wanted to say something.

In the end, he said nothing.

He left.

The door closed behind him.

The room became quiet again.

I stood there for a moment and then let out a slow breath.

There was still a lot to do.

I turned and walked out.

....

Fu Teng stepped into the courtyard and immediately noticed that the atmosphere had changed.

They had come in.

He slowed his steps slightly, his gaze shifting toward the inner part of the house as if confirming what he already knew.

Fu Tong saw him and spoke first.

"You are back," he said.

Fu Teng gave a small nod and did not waste time.

"They are here, right?" he asked.

Fu Tong did not look surprised by the question.

"Yes," he replied.

Fu Teng’s expression remained steady.

"When did they arrive?" he asked.

Fu Tong let out a quiet breath before answering.

"They came earlier today and stood outside the gate for a long time, even when the rain was heavy," he said. "Father allowed them to come inside after that."

Fu Teng listened without interrupting.

His gaze shifted slightly, and his jaw tightened just a little, though his face remained controlled.

"So he let them in after that," he said.

His tone was calm, but there was a clear edge beneath it.

Fu Tong looked at him carefully.

"They were in bad condition," he said. "They could not remain outside any longer."

Fu Teng remained silent for a moment. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

He stood there, looking toward the house, as if weighing everything that had just been said.

Then he spoke again.

"That was his decision," he said.

Fu Tong frowned slightly.

"You do not look surprised," he said.

Fu Teng glanced at him briefly.

"I am not," he replied.

His voice was quiet but firm.

Fu Tong did not say anything else.

He understood enough.

Fu Teng turned and began walking toward the inner room.

His steps were steady and controlled, but the tension in his posture was clear.

When he reached the doorway, he stopped for a brief moment.

Inside, Grandfather Fu and Grandmother Fu were seated. They had changed into dry clothes, but their faces still showed signs of exhaustion, and their movements were slow.

The moment he stepped inside, they both looked up.

Grandmother Fu reacted first.

"Teng’er..." she called softly.

Fu Teng did not move closer.

He remained where he stood, looking at them without any change in his expression.

"You came early," he said.

His voice was calm, but firm.

"And Father allowed you to come inside after you stood in the rain."

He paused for a brief moment.

Then he continued.

"Why are you here?"p

Fu Teng stood at the doorway, his eyes fixed on the two elders.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then his expression hardened, and when he spoke, his voice was no longer controlled.

"When we needed you in exile," he said, "you chose to support your other son and abandon Father and the rest of us."

The words were sharp.

Direct.

They struck without hesitation.

Grandmother Fu’s face turned pale.

Fu Teng did not stop.

"You treated us badly," he continued, his voice rising. "You pushed us aside as if we did not matter."

His gaze shifted.

He raised his hand and pointed directly at her.

"Especially you," he said.

Grandmother Fu trembled under his gaze.

Fu Teng’s hand lowered, and then he turned to Grandfather Fu.

"And you," he said.

His tone did not soften.

"You stood there and watched everything happen."

Grandfather Fu’s expression changed.

"You said nothing," Fu Teng continued. "You did nothing. You did not stop her, and you did not speak for us."

His voice filled the room.

"You let it happen."

The sound carried outside.

Footsteps approached quickly.

Fu Tong entered first, followed by Fu Li and Fu Fei. Bai Ming came in after them, her expression serious.

Master Fu and Madame Fu arrived soon after.

Even Fu Fong came down from upstairs, drawn by the raised voice.

No one interrupted.

They all watched.

Fu Teng did not lower his voice.

"When we were sent away, you did not come," he said. "When we struggled, you did not ask."

His gaze remained fixed on them.

"But now you come here and expect to be accepted?"

Grandmother Fu’s hands shook.

"We did not come to—"

Fu Teng cut her off.

"Do not say you came for us," he said. "You had your chance."

Grandfather Fu lowered his head.

"We know we were wrong," he said quietly.

Fu Teng’s expression did not change.

"Knowing is not enough," he replied.

The room fell silent.

No one spoke.

Fu Li stood with her arms crossed, her face tight.

Fu Fei remained quiet, her eyes lowered.

Fu Tong watched without saying a word.

Bai Ming stood still, observing.

Madame Fu did not move.

Master Fu remained calm, but his gaze was firm.

Fu Teng took a step forward.

"If you came here expecting everything to return to how it was," he said, "then you should not have come at all."

His voice was steady again.

But the weight of his words remained.

"And standing in the rain does not change what you did."

.....

After everything, time for the boys to leave came.

The courtyard was no longer quiet.

Fu Tong and Fu Teng were already outside.

Both of them had changed into clean clothes.

Fu Tong was pacing, unable to stay still.

Fu Teng stood calmly, but his attention was focused.

They both looked up when they saw me.

"Sister-in-law," Fu Tong said.

"Is everything ready?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied, though there was uncertainty in his voice.

Fu Teng nodded.

"We are waiting for your instructions," he said.

I stepped closer to them.

"Listen carefully," I said.

They both straightened.

"When you get there, speak clearly and respectfully," I continued. "Do not hesitate. This matter must be settled tonight."

Fu Tong nodded quickly.

"Yes," he said.

Fu Teng remained steady.

"We understand," he replied.

I looked at both of them.

"This is not only about marriage," I added. "Do not forget that."

They both fell silent.

Fu Tong spoke again, his voice quieter this time.

"We know."

That was enough.

At least he understood.

Just then, footsteps approached.

Fu Sheng returned.

He walked into the courtyard and stopped beside us.

"It is ready," he said.

His gaze moved to Fu Tong and Fu Teng.

"You can leave now."

Fu Tong let out a breath.

"Finally," he said quietly.

Fu Teng did not speak.

He only nodded.

I stepped aside.

"Go," I said.

"Do not waste time."

They both nodded.

Then they turned and walked toward the gate where their carriage awaited them.