"I really like that rabbit lantern, sell it to me quickly! Otherwise, I'll follow you home!"
Lingxi was being difficult. Who could blame her when this rabbit lantern was made so much like the one Wen Tang Gege had given her before? Even the little bell around its neck was the same.
The plainclothes guards following her didn't care if their princess was being unreasonable; their job was simply to follow and protect her.
In any case, the palace gates would be open late today, with the commander on duty!
The palace maid Ling'er naturally understood the princess's intentions and was truly tired of walking. "Young sir, please sell it to us. Can you do it for fifteen taels of silver? We really can't offer more."
The princess didn't know how much money it was, but she did. Fifteen taels was enough for a family to eat for three months in the capital.
Looking at this young sir, he didn't seem to be from a wealthy family. Why wouldn't he sell this lantern? Could it be that he wanted to ask an exorbitant price?
Wealthy families in the capital were often quite arrogant. He had encountered many of them lately, and this one today had been quite polite.
He had originally intended to bring it back for Yu Ruo, as she was born in the Year of the Rabbit. However, this item couldn't be eaten or worn. Perhaps he should forget about it and buy her a pair of earrings instead.
The rent for the small courtyard was finally paid off. Today, he had won ten taels of silver from guessing riddles. Coupled with the money from selling the rabbit lantern, it would be enough to live in the capital for some time, and his mother and Yu Ruo wouldn't have to work so hard anymore.
"Then ten taels it is," Liu Donghuai handed the rabbit lantern over.
Ling'er looked at him with surprise.
Lingxi was very happy. "Thank you so much! Are you a scholar preparing for the imperial examinations? I hope to see you again."
So many people hadn't been able to guess the riddle, but this young sir had. He must be very learned and have good character. The Jing Kingdom needed such talent!
Liu Donghuai didn't think much of Lingxi's words. He bid farewell politely and took the silver from Ling'er to look for a jewelry stall.
He had been busy copying books lately and had neglected Yu Ruo. She hadn't seemed in very good spirits recently. Coming to the capital with him had truly been a hardship.
Liu Donghuai returned home excitedly, carrying a pile of things.
The dim kerosene lamp cast a faint light, but faint sobs could be heard from inside the room.
Could it be that his mother was scolding Yu Ruo again?
"Mother, Yu Ruo, I'm back—"
Liu Donghuai opened the door with a smile, but upon seeing the scene inside, everything he was holding dropped to the ground.
...
Wang Cuilan was dead. Because of her frail health, she had fallen and hit her head on the corner of a table, causing a bloody gash.
Liu Donghuai couldn't accept it. The most difficult times had clearly passed. Why did it have to be this one day?
"Son shouldn't have let you come to the capital..."
She hadn't seen him succeed in the imperial examinations, hadn't lived a good life, and hadn't seen his father released from prison.
How could she be gone?
"Husband, it's all my fault. If I hadn't gone out to sell sachets that day... Mother wouldn't have..."
Su Yu Ruo wept softly, her body trembling uncontrollably. "I'm sorry, husband, I'm so sorry..."
Liu Donghuai clutched his head, swaying precariously. His body was also very weak from days of staying up late, but he knew he couldn't collapse.
"It's not your fault. It's my fault for being useless as a son."
He placed a hand on Su Yu Ruo's shoulder, trying to comfort her with forced spirits, but she trembled violently and showed a look of terror.
"You scared me."
"No, it's not that. Husband, your eyes are so red. Please rest for a while. We can handle mother-in-law's funeral tomorrow."
Liu Donghuai collapsed onto the ground.
"Husband!"
In the capital, with no relatives, Liu Donghuai could only hastily bury Wang Cuilan the next day.
"Mother, one day, your son will ensure you are moved back to Donglin with great honor, Mother..."
Liu Donghuai knelt before the grave for a long time. But he knew, what was the point of posthumous glory if she hadn't enjoyed any happiness before her death?
She had endured hardships for twenty years, placing all her hopes and energy on him. Her greatest wish was for him to pass the imperial examinations and achieve success.
But she hadn't lived to see it.
It was too soon. Mother had died too soon!
He would never have his mother again.
From morning till dusk, as the sky gradually darkened, he remained kneeling. Su Yu Ruo almost thought he had frozen into an ice sculpture.
But she didn't dare to approach.
His figure finally moved.
Liu Donghuai turned around and looked at Su Yu Ruo, who was watching him with concern. He forced a smile. "I'm fine. Let's go back!"
Upon returning home, he saw the landlord squatting casually on a seat.
"This house has had a death, it's unlucky! Move out quickly, I'm not renting to you anymore!"
Ever since arriving in the capital, he had seen enough of the coldness of human relationships and the indifference of the world. But at this moment, Liu Donghuai was still chilled by the indifference between people.
"Landlord brother, please allow us to stay for two more days. Once we find a new place, we will move out immediately." Liu Donghuai also disliked this landlord.
This person didn't seem like a good sort; there was a wicked glint in his eyes.
Su Yu Ruo had already hidden behind Liu Donghuai. His not-so-strong body shielded her, just as it always had.
Regret almost drowned her.
She loved her husband. From the moment he saved her in Donglin, her heart had been set on him. He wasn't strong or powerful, but when he protected someone, he would give his all.
For this, she had quarreled with her parents and ruined her reputation, only then managing to marry him.
But how had it come to this?
How could she have betrayed him?
"Donghuai Gege..." she couldn't help but murmur.
Liu Donghuai turned back, his gaze offering comfort. "Don't be afraid."
"Ha! You can stay, but you have to give me five taels of silver!" The man in front of them squinted at the loving couple.
"Otherwise, you can let your woman sleep with me for a night."
Damn it, this woman still wanted to break ties with him. It wasn't like the time she came to appease him for a bite of food. Who did she think she was, wanting to seduce him when she pleased and break up when she pleased?
Hadn't she inquired about his reputation as Xie Lao Er!
Still dreaming of becoming an official's wife?
What a fantasy. For these penniless wretches, he could easily find someone to replace them with a little effort. Wanting to be an official? Perhaps in the next life!
Xie Lao Er didn't expect the man who looked like a lamb to suddenly go mad and punch him in the jaw!
Liu Donghuai put all his strength into this punch, directly dislocating Xie Lao Er's jaw.
He was also a ruthless man. With a "crack," he reset his own jaw.
He wouldn't let Liu Donghuai off easily and immediately lunged at him fiercely.
"You're looking for death, country bumpkin!"
"Stop fighting, stop fighting..." Su Yu Ruo's lips trembled. She didn't dare to step forward or break up the fight.
She was afraid her husband would get hurt, but even more afraid of that man's wild talk.
"Damn your mother! Liu! If I don't kill you today, I'm not Xie Lao Er!"
"Damn it! Still protecting and hiding her, I've already done her countless times!"
"How did your mother die? Wasn't she angered to death by her!"
"A scholar! Studying for what? To be a cuckolded official!"
"Truly useless, can't even satisfy a woman. This wench's moans are so slutty, saying you're no good!"
...
Su Yu Ruo felt like the world was spinning.
She didn't dare to look into Liu Donghuai's eyes.
It's over! She was finished!