Chapter 255 - 238: Top Three
Chapter 255: Chapter 238: Top Three
A carriage passes by Taoyao Square, and the person inside lifts the curtain, looking in the direction of Taoyao Square.
"Do you know this family, sir?" a noblewoman wearing a veil softly asks.
The handsome man in a silver brocade quietly replies, "I heard Hui Yuan came from here, I’m just curious."
"You have profound knowledge, far from inferior to Hui Yuan. His passing the exam doesn’t mean much." The noblewoman gently says, "Let me take you to see my father now. Your writing is excellent. If not for your injury during the exam affecting your performance, you would have excelled as Hui Yuan in normal circumstances."
"Miss Wang, you overpraise me. I am not as great as you say. The world is vast, with numerous talents greater than me."
"You are just too modest." Wang Ruyan looks shyly at Xiao Yanci, her eyes full of admiration. "When I rescued you, you were gravely injured, everyone said you wouldn’t survive, but you didn’t give up and held on. During your recovery, I read your writings; they were outstanding."
"Cough, cough..." Xiao Yanci coughs a few times. "Miss, you saved my life and also spent money to treat my injuries. I must repay your kindness."
"Mr. Xiao, there’s no need to be so polite. I couldn’t leave an injured person to die."
"Miss is too kind. Consider carefully before saving someone; it could be dangerous to save a bad person."
"Looking as handsome as you are, how could you be a bad person?" Wang Ruyan remarks while gazing at Xiao Yanci’s beautiful features.
Xiao Yanci glances outside the carriage, watching Su Yaoguang in the crowd, her smile as bright and radiant as the sun.
He has returned.
Seeing her smile so beautifully, he must tear it apart, make her as obedient and faithful as in the past life, loyal only to him, not running off with other men.
The party lasted long into the evening. Everyone drank a bit too much, particularly Zhang Zhaodi, who was praised for her virtuous son-in-law and adopted son, with remarks about her good fortune. The flattering words thrilled Zhang Zhaodi, releasing decades of pent-up emotions until she lost control.
Staggering out the door, Zhang Zhaodi grabs a passing man’s arm.
"You, don’t leave."
Su Rende just returned from the military camp, dismounts from his horse near Taoyao Square, and encounters the drunken Zhang Zhaodi.
He glances at the open door and then at the wobbling Zhang Zhaodi in the street, frowning. "Doesn’t your family care for you?"
Zhang Zhaodi pinches Su Rende’s face disdainfully. "I misspoke. You’re nothing like him, not even close. You’re old and ugly."
Su Rende: "..."
Despite her disjointed words, he understands.
Zhang Zhaodi clutches Su Rende’s clothes, patting his back. "Carry me, carry me..."
Su Rende squats down.
Zhang Zhaodi collapses onto his back, pressing against his shoulder, feeling his warmth. "Yes, that’s the feeling."
Su Rende carries Zhang Zhaodi back to Taoyao Square: "Where’s your room?"
Zhang Zhaodi points to the third room across.
Su Rende carries her inside.
As Su Rende sets Zhang Zhaodi down, she clings to his arm, crying like someone bullied.
"You heartless scoundrel, thoughtless coward, gone forever after leaving. I bore you a daughter, such a lovely child, yet you haven’t glanced at her. Do you know how our mother and daughter endured these years? I had no man, birthed a daughter, your family shunned me, bullying our orphaned mother and child. The village people bully us too, lacking support. How can your heart be so ruthless? Did you fake your death to escape, hating my peasant status and looks?"
Su Rende watches Zhang Zhaodi wiping tears and snot onto his clothes, feeling somewhat helpless and powerless.
He removes his clothes, allowing Zhang Zhaodi to continue smearing him.
Zhang Zhaodi clings to his waist, "Why haven’t you come to see me, even in dreams? You should at least visit! Even in the underworld, you’re a heartless ghost."
Seeing Zhang Zhaodi crying bitterly and hearing her hardships over the years, Su Rende touches her hair. "Alright, from now on, I’ll be your support."
Last time she saved him, preventing a grave mistake. He owes her a debt of gratitude. Now, he uses this to become her support, protecting the widow and orphan, considering it caring for the families of fallen heroes.
As for him resembling her husband, he remains skeptical without other evidence.
Su Rende prepares to leave, but Zhang Zhaodi clings so tightly that he cannot extricate himself.
He bends down, looks into Zhang Zhaodi’s eyes, touches her hair, "I’ve come back to see you. Will you let go now?"
Zhang Zhaodi gazes at Su Rende with misty eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.
Su Rende quickly pushes her away.
Zhang Zhaodi cries out loud.
Su Rende: "..."
Though he wanted to run, seeing her cry like a helpless child, he can’t bring himself to leave, staying instead.
He covers her mouth, gesturing silence, "Stop crying, I’ll stay with you."
Su Yaoguang just lay down when she heard Zhang Zhaodi’s sobbing, immediately getting out of bed.
Zhou Wangshu stumbles in, throwing himself at Su Yaoguang, hanging onto her.
"My head is spinning, Yaoguang."
"Then go back to sleep! You were given so much wine today, why not rest properly instead of running to me?"
Zhou Wangshu moves closer, kissing her lips. "I missed you. Can’t sleep without you."
Su Yaoguang gently nudges him. "I need to check on mother... mmm..."
"Mother’s fine, perfectly fine, already asleep." Zhou Wangshu says, opening the window so Su Yaoguang can see Zhang Zhaodi’s room.
Indeed, Zhang Zhaodi’s room is dark.
Seeing Zhang Zhaodi has settled for the night, Su Yaoguang refrains from disturbing her and focuses on coaxing the drunken Zhou Wangshu back to rest.
Zhou Wangshu lies down, his head resting on Su Yaoguang’s lap, murmuring. "Wife, so dizzy, give me some medicine!"
"Then I need to prepare it for you." Su Yaoguang tries to get up, but Zhou Wangshu pushes her back down.
Zhou Wangshu holds her neck, tilting his head to kiss her. "Yaoguang’s little mouth is the best hangover cure."