Chapter 495: Chapter 492: Exhausting Every Means to Care About Me

He indeed knows.

Wei Zhao said, "It was nothing more than the late Emperor’s order, to test the prowess of my uncle’s martial skills, with an aim to suppress and demonstrate dragon might as the primary goal."

Although not severely injured, there was blood on his body.

Wei Zhao continued in a cool tone, "The Black Shadow was left by Emperor Kai Zu, loyal to the emperor, but it seldom appears, only to ensure safety, and doesn’t help with vile and wicked deeds."

"Yet they did accomplish something for the late Emperor."

Wei Zhao was well aware of the late Emperor’s abilities.

"I want to know if any of the Black Shadow has defected, becoming completely used by the emperor?"

After Lu Huaizhang placed another piece, he turned around to get a bundle.

Gu Fuju watched helplessly as he shamelessly placed three more pieces.

The chessboard changed rapidly, and Lu Huaizhang was about to win.

Lu Huaizhang: "What you want to know is all here."

Inside the bundle were pages of evidence.

They had some age, the paper covers were slightly yellow, but it was evident that Lu Huaizhang had preserved them very well.

It was indeed thick.

The late Emperor and Emperor Ying were even more unscrupulous than he thought.

Lu Huaizhang: "Before resigning and leaving the Capital, I relocated the entire Lu Family line to Jiangnan. Though no longer in power, it still has roots. As long as we are honest and dutiful, there is nothing to worry about for a lifetime. This is my explanation to my father."

"That bundle is meant for you."

It contained too much aimed at the Wei Family.

"I’ve been in contact with Fu Ju for years, but perhaps you didn’t know, most often we talked about you."

"I’ve always been waiting for the day I could hand these to you personally."

He couldn’t accomplish it but always waited for the corrupt Dynasty to be overthrown by these young people.

Wei Zhao expressed his gratitude, bowed deeply, and accepted it.

He had no intention of staying long, eager to leave and read it, wishing to say farewell and depart.

Gu Fuju: "Leaving already?"

Wei Zhao: "What, does the master wish to keep me for a meal?"

Gu Fuju: ...

Wei Zhao: "Or does the master have any instructions?"

"None."

Wei Zhao replied lightly, "Still quite indifferent."

Gu Fuju: ...

Not kicking you out is already good enough.

Lu Huaizhang couldn’t help but laugh softly.

He urged Gu Fuju to play chess: "It’s your turn."

What play?

Gu Fuju was not in the mood: "I concede."

Wei Zhao looked over.

He did nothing.

He just picked up Gu Fuju’s black piece, the cold smooth texture pressing against his fingertip, with a casual flick, the chess piece left his hand like an arrow, landing firmly on the board, momentarily making Lu Huaizhang’s pupils constrict.

The world reversed.

The chess game changed dramatically.

Clearly, the white pieces had pushed the black pieces to a dead end, the outcome decided.

The black piece advanced with unstoppable momentum, its counterattack sharp as a blade, cutting off the life vein of the white dragon.

Wei Zhao said to Gu Fuju, "See? The student is still on your side."

"..."

After Wei Zhao left, not long after.

"Master."

The steward ran into the courtyard, gasping for breath.

The Grand Tutor Mansion was always strict with rules, especially with Gu Fuju entertaining guests; the steward’s loss of decorum was unusual.

Gu Fuju thought something major had occurred.

He frowned: "What’s the matter?"

Steward: "The young lady has returned!"

Gu Fuju paid it no attention, his demeanor composed, commanding without apparent anger, his features calm and distant as far mountains, merely giving a slight glance.

"Ah Wu goes out, she comes back when she returns."

"No, it’s not."

The steward was excited: "It’s the eldest young lady."

Gu Fuju abruptly stood up.

"Where is she?"

————

Yu Tingwan just hopped down from the carriage.

In front, a vendor roamed the streets selling tea eggs.

The rich fragrance mixed with brine wafted through the air, like an invisible hand luring Yu Tingwan to follow.

She couldn’t resist braised dishes.

In the past, Hui Niang’s braised intestines made her crave desperately.

A charcoal fire burned under the clay pot, bubbling and steaming.

The vendor was an elderly woman, her temples white yet immaculately combed, her eyes clear. She wore a faded indigo cloth garment that had been washed so clean it was almost white.

The cart was made of camphor wood, the clay pot on the stove polished so smoothly it reflected an image, not a speck of dust on the lid.

Clearly, the food was clean.

Seeing Yu Tingwan’s attire, the elderly woman realized her noble status, unsure how to proceed.

She lifted the pot lid, lightly stirring the clay pot with a long-handled copper ladle, creating ripples in the brown broth, revealing heavy eggs beneath, testing, "Madam, would you like to buy braised eggs?"

Yu Tingwan stared fixedly.

The pale eggshells had been stewed until webbed with crack lines.

They looked delicious.

She swallowed hard.

"I’ll buy them."

Yu Tingwan: "Give me two."

The old woman smiled: "Alright."

But before Tan Jiang could pay, Jiasan came over and settled the bill.

Jiasan: "Are two enough?"

Yu Tingwan saw her paying, said nothing, just gently nodded: "Enough."

Jiasan still felt it wasn’t enough.

She thought buying just two eggs seemed too meager.

It was her first time buying something for Yaoyao, after all.

Jiasan considered: "Let’s buy the whole pot."

Yu Tingwan indicated: "I can’t finish it."

"No matter. Later you can take it back, share it with those in your courtyard, and also with the servants in your mother-in-law’s courtyard."

"You’re now managing the household, and with Gui Zhi and your mother present, people naturally recognize you, but inevitably some may not be convinced."

Jiasan advised her: "Even though it’s just a bite to eat, it is intentionally given by the master. It won’t make them greedy, but often small gestures and favors make them more dedicated."

This is the way of managing a household.

Yu Tingwan took note.

These days, Jiasan often sent her snacks. Yu Tingwan never let herself come empty-handed.

"I brought some pickles for the madam, and some specialties from Ze County."

They were sent by Hui Niang.

Yu Tingwan was usually reluctant to eat them.

She brought a full dish of pickles over, quite generously.

Yu Tingwan asked Tan Jiang to hand over the food box.

"I’m not good at cooking."

"The delicacies by the mansion’s cook, I’m sure if you want to eat them, the servants can make them too."

"These pickles are excellent with porridge. They are sent by my mother-in-law from Ze County, the specialty is local fare, if you don’t mind..."

Tears glimmered in Jiasan’s eyes.

"You brought this for your mother, and your mother couldn’t be happier."

It was at this time that Wei Zhao and his group came out.

"Sister-in-law!"

Xiao Huaian: "Why are you here?"

Yu Tingwan: "Sending some food, and also here to bring my husband home."

Xiao Huaian: ???

What is this?

Xiao Huaian looked around.

"Where’s my wife? Didn’t she come with you?"

Yu Tingwan went to push the wheelchair with Wei Zhao in it.

"She returned to the residence." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Xiao Huaian: "What, she doesn’t know you came to pick up Wei Zhao?"

"She knows."

Xiao Huaian found it hard to comprehend and unbalanced: "Then why didn’t she come with you to pick me up?"

"Doesn’t she care about me?"

Yu Tingwan: "She said you have long legs."

"And Wei Zhao doesn’t?"

Wei Zhao wondered: "Why do you bring this on yourself?"

Xiao Huaian was still brooding over it.

"Sister-in-law, he’s not three, is he? Can he not find his way back?"

"Why did you come to pick him up?"

Yu Tingwan softly said, "Because I want to."

"I just felt like making the trip."

"Later it might thunder again. What if he’s scared?"

Yu Tingwan worried aloud: "Just thinking about it, I can’t be at ease."

Xiao Huaian: ??!

He looked at Wei Zhao, who remained silent.

But clearly, flattered by the sweet words, his eyebrows and mouth carried a smile.

It was unbearable to watch.

Xiao Huaian questioned Wei Zhao: "You’re afraid of thunder? How come I didn’t know?"

Wei Zhao: "Perhaps it’s actually the thunder that’s afraid of me."

He was in a good mood, speaking lazily: "What can be done? My wife tries every way possible to show she cares about me."