The thick envelope was opened. There was actually a stack of banknotes and a thin piece of paper inside.
She unfolded the letter and was greeted by familiar handwriting.
Greetings, my sister, who sees words like me.
I’ve already received your letter. Regarding this matter, I’ll tell you with absolute certainty that you’ve done the right thing. That woman can’t be left behind. Remember, you have to resolve it after giving birth. Don’t bury disasters in the future.
If it’s a girl, casually raise her and marry her off when she grew up.
If it’s a boy, then he’ll be your son. Raise him well and he’ll be your support in the future.
I can’t come to see you. Sister, please take care. These one thousand taels of silver are from me. I hope you will be safe.
In the envelope were one thousand silver notes.
Madam Yin was in tears. She put away the letter and the banknotes.
She knew that this was her brother’s way of caring for her. He understood her many concerns. She made her choices, and he gave her his support.
1
After putting away her things, Madam Yin wiped her tears and went back to bed to rest. She still had a lot of time, so of course, she had to recuperate.
—-
Wang Huilan returned to the courtyard. Liu Zijin was reading a book. He sat quietly in front of the window with only a pot of tea beside him. The maidservant was only waiting outside for orders. He never let the maidservant serve him.
When she returned, he put down his book.
“You’re back.”
Liu Zijin looked at Wang Huilan. He reached out to her and pointed to the seat beside him.
He turned sideways and poured a cup of warm tea for Wang Huilan.
He handed it to her. “Drink some water first.”
Wang Huilan looked at Liu Zijin’s slender fingers in a daze. She took the teacup and drank the tea. Then, she held the teacup in front of her chest with both hands and lowered her gaze.
“Huilan, don’t you have something you want to say to me?”
Liu Zijin looked at Wang Huilan and asked. He asked bluntly. Wang Huilan was emotional. If he did not ask directly, she would probably not tell him.
Wang Huilan tightened her grip on the cup, not knowing what to say.
She pursed her lips but still didn’t say anything.
Liu Zijin took the cup from Wang Huilan’s hand and placed it back on the table. He then held her hand and squeezed it. “You have nothing to say to me, but I have something to say to you.”
“I want you to lose weight, Whelan. Three or five years. Think of it as giving me a chance to get to know you and strengthen my heart, okay?”
1
Liu Zijin’s voice was gentle as he asked softly.
He looked at Wang Huilan and saw her face gradually turn red. He asked, “Okay?”
Without waiting for Wang Huilan to answer, Liu Zijin continued, “Huilan, when we started, we didn’t have any feelings for each other. We didn’t understand each other at all. I didn’t have any feelings for you either. However, we became husband and wife. We spent time together. We developed feelings for each other over time. We will have a long-term relationship, and we will be together every day. This is what I hope for. Can you promise me?”
Wang Huilan felt her face burning and her heart pounding.
Not long ago, she had already decided that she would choose to lose weight, but now, hearing Liu Zijin’s words, her heart felt like it was filled with flowers in spring.
Every word he said was seared into her memory.
We spent time together. We developed feelings for each other over time. We will have a long-term relationship, and we will be together every day.
Wang Huilan’s heart melted. She nodded and said in a voice quieter than a mosquito, “Yes.”
She agreed.
Liu Zijin laughed. “I didn’t hear what you said clearly. Please speak louder.”
The gloominess in Wang Huilan’s heart was swept away. She blushed and wanted to stay away.
However, Liu Zijin grabbed her hand and leaned it against his chest. He said in a low and gentle voice, “I want to spend every day with you. I wonder if you’re willing.”
Wang Huilan felt as if her heart was about to explode. Her heavy body seemed to become lighter. If she wanted to, she would definitely be able to push him away easily. But now, she was willing to be imprisoned.
Whatever he did.
Her face was so hot, so close to his, their breath mingling. She thought he could hear her heart beating.
“Why don’t you answer me, my wife?”
Liu Zijin chuckled and asked her with a smile.
“Do you agree?”
When she didn’t answer, he pressed on.
Wang Huilan blushed and whispered a few words into his low smile. “I do.”
Liu Zijin circled her and laughed out loud.
“You—you should read. I’m going to talk to my cousin.”
Wang Huilan stuttered. At this moment, there were no dark clouds in her heart, only blooming flowers.
Liu Zijin released her and said softly, “Go ahead then. Come back early. I’ll read for a while.”
Wang Huilan nodded and fled under his smiling eyes.
Liu Zijin smiled as she watched her leave.
As long as he knew if she was well or not.
If she didn’t change, he’d only like her more and more, and she’d one day know that good looks were the same, interesting souls were one in a million, and good looks didn’t matter to him at all.
Sincerity was the most precious. If he obtained one, he would definitely cherish it.
1
—-
When Su Xiaolu and Old Wu returned to the courtyard, Su Xiaolu practiced her sword technique. She took a piece of wood as a sword and let Old Wu observe her sword technique.
“Master, do you think I’ve improved?”
After practicing a whole set of sword techniques, Su Xiaolu’s hair was wet.
Old Wu smiled with admiration. “Not bad, not bad. That kid Gui You didn’t hide anything.”
Su Xiaolu was also happy to be praised. She smiled and said, “Master, I can shoot needles. Wait for me. I’ll go get the needles.”
She was also familiar with flying needles. She just couldn’t do it quietly and into a person’s body.
But as a hidden weapon, surprise attacks were enough.
Su Xiaolu found an apple and placed it in the distance. Then, she held the silver needle between her fingers and shot it out.
She touched the belt around her waist and raised her hand for another shot.
Soon an apple was stuck up like a hedgehog.
She stopped, took the apple and showed it to him.
Old Wu’s eyes lit up. “That’s impressive.”
Old Wu looked at Su Xiaolu with envy in his eyes.
Why didn’t he learn it? Tsk!
Su Xiaolu’s proud tail was already raised to the sky. She was happy.
“Ahem, girl, there’s always someone better. Don’t be spoiled. Continue to practice, understand?”
Old Wu was overjoyed. Recalling that he should be a strict teacher, he coughed lightly and solemnly added.
Su Xiaolu nodded with a smile. “I will follow your instructions. I know that I have remembered everything you said.”
Looking at the energetic little girl, Old Wu instructed, “Don’t forget that you also know poison techniques. You can soak these silver needles in poison and use them when necessary.”