Chapter Twenty: This Is Fair Enough

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“I never really thought about marrying again. What’s the use? It’s just jumping from one pit into another. Besides, I can’t bear to leave Brother He…”
“I promised not to marry again. Father-in-law was very pleased and secretly gave me some silver. The family was happy too and sent over a generous amount of silver.”
“Great-Grandmother said that from now on, all expenses for Brother He’s schooling would be covered by them…”

Yang Yin spoke slowly, seemingly not yet fully recovered from Zhou Shi’s departure. She poured out everything that had happened at home to Lin Menghua in one breath.

“Sister Hua, I actually feel like I’m not so sad anymore.”

Lin Menghua looked at her steadily. Yang Yin’s expression was calm, but she knew that beneath the surface, Yang Yin’s heart was anything but peaceful.

“Cousin, congratulations on moving forward,” Lin Menghua whispered.

Outside the window, osmanthus blossoms bloomed fervently in the sunlight, and the autumn breeze carried the drifting flowers, layering them gently on the ground.

Hu Xinniang’s heart was filled with dread. She had been locked up for three days and had barely escaped, only to hear the news that Zhou Shi was dead.

How could that be?

Just days ago, Zhou Shi had returned to the Zhou household to demand recognition and justice for her.

He even promised to come back early…

How could this be…

Was someone trying to harm them? Who?

Yang family? No, even if she hated me, she wouldn’t kill her husband!

Or the second branch? Brother Zhou always said the second branch was unruly, stirring trouble like flies—annoying but harmless.

They wouldn’t do something as extreme as murder.

Then who was it?

Stumbling along, Hu Xinniang headed toward the Zhou residence, grabbing anyone she met to ask, “How did Zhou Shi die?”

“He died suddenly from overexertion studying.”

What? Hu Xinniang suddenly felt weak all over and collapsed to the ground.

She knew Zhou Shi studied diligently. He had said he wanted to pass the imperial exams to gain his father’s approval and marry her.

He had said so…

So… after arguing with his father that day, he threw himself into studying… and suddenly died?

The bustling street was crowded with people.

Hu Xinniang had never liked to show herself in public, fearing whispers and judgment.

But now she no longer cared and covered her face to weep bitterly.

“What’s going on?”

Passersby deliberately avoided Hu Xinniang but whispered among themselves nearby.

She cried, tears blurring her vision, while the voices around her grew clearer.

But she no longer cared. She had to find Zhou Shi.

She got up and kept moving forward.

Just one alley away from the Zhou residence, a horse carriage blocked her path.

The carriage was heavily covered, the driver even wearing a hood.

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“What does the honored guest want?” Hu Xinniang trembled as she asked.

“To the charity morgue at Ten Mile Alley, south of the city.” A low male voice came from inside the carriage.

Hu Xinniang was stunned. Charity morgue?

Then a bundle was thrown out from the carriage.

She quickly realized the carriage blocking her way was leaving.

With trembling hands, she opened the bundle. Inside were her clothes, jewelry, and travel documents.

Was someone kindly helping her?

The charity morgue at Ten Mile Alley, south of the city.

Hu Xinniang hurried out of the alley and happened upon an ox cart.

“To Ten Mile Alley, south of the city,” she said.

Ten Mile Alley was especially desolate, filled only with coffin shops and paper offerings stores.

Such a place Hu Xinniang had never dared to set foot in.

But for Zhou Shi… she braved each step toward that grim and lonely place.

There were few bodies at the morgue, and she soon spotted a half-open coffin.

“Brother Zhou…”

Zhou Shi lay quietly inside. His lips were a little chapped, his complexion faintly pale.

But his chest was rising and falling.

Hu Xinniang held her breath and cautiously reached out her hand.

“Brother Zhou…”

Feeling a faint warmth, she quickly withdrew her hand and looked around more clearly.

“Brother Zhou… you’re still alive!”

She examined his body again and found a stack of silver notes hidden inside his clothing.

Her expression shifted slightly, a faint smile touching her lips.

She reached out and gently stroked Zhou Shi’s face, her expression tender beyond measure.

“So they didn’t want you after all.”

“It’s alright. I want you, Brother Zhou. From now on, you belong only to me.”

When Lin Quan returned to report, Lin Menghua had just left the Zhou household.

The carriage stopped in a secluded spot, and Lin Quan reported outside.

“That Hu Xinniang hired an ox cart and carried Zhou Shi onto it herself. The ox cart headed west, out of the city.”

“Good.” Lin Menghua’s eyes flickered slightly as she lowered her gaze.

A gray book automatically opened in her mind.

Blood-red characters stood out starkly against the gray paper.

The first page boldly read Yang Yin; the second page was Hu Xinniang.

The blood-red letters gradually faded, turning into normal black ink that gleamed softly.

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This meant the grievances surrounding these two had dissipated.

According to the original fate, Yang Yin died of anger, and Hu Xinniang suffered greatly.

Because of her status, she never became Zhou Shi’s lawful wife before her death. Yang Yin’s death also left her bearing the blame.

Everyone said Zhou Shi favored his concubines and destroyed his wife; that Yang Yin was killed by her and Zhou Shi’s ill treatment!

The Imperial Censor Zhou disapproved of her and entrusted an elderly lady in a separate branch to find Zhou Shi several concubines of reputable family.

Zhou Shi married the women he wanted and was elated. After passing the imperial exams, he entered officialdom and paid her less and less attention.

She was trapped in the rear quarters, growing thinner by the day, and eventually passed away.

She harbored resentment. The world always showed more leniency to men. Clearly, Zhou Shi bore much responsibility for Yang Yin’s death, but because he succeeded in the exams, he was seen as a reformed man, pure and innocent!

Only she!

Sly, shameful, shameless… all the malice surrounded her for most of her life.

Meanwhile, Zhou Shi was merely a charming young gentleman.

Why? It’s unfair!

She hated it! She hated Zhou Shi’s broken promises, taking many concubines, betraying his vow to love only her.

She hated Zhou Shi’s weakness, always appeasing the elders’ bullying of her.

She hated Zhou Shi’s self-preservation, letting her reputation rot and decay…

She was unwilling, and on her deathbed, her resentment clung to her.

She didn’t want to enter the Zhou family’s rear quarters.

A lifetime devoted to just two people was laughable, but she wanted Zhou Shi to be hers alone!

She wanted to drag Zhou Shi down with her into ruin.

Lin Menghua opened her eyes. Her clear gaze flickered. Setting aside Hu Xinniang’s meddling in others’ fates, she quite liked Hu Xinniang’s spirit!

Sigh…

“Go buy some Jade Dew Dumplings from the Delicacy Pavilion,” Lin Menghua instructed outside.

When Zhou Shi woke, the ox cart had already traveled far from the capital.

He opened his eyes, looking around in confusion.

A slender, warm hand gently touched his face.

“Brother Zhou…”

The woman’s voice was soft.

“Xinniang?” Zhou Shi felt some relief but was soon puzzled. “What happened? Wasn’t I at home? How come…”

“Brother Zhou, from now on, I have only you, and you… have only me.”

This was fair!