It was a pity that no one paid attention to her emotions anymore, all deeming her wicked and a ruthless killer.
Hong Lingxiang was sentenced to execution in the autumn, and the Hong family also fell. Her parents, who had abetted her wickedness, were imprisoned for five years.
Although the prefect did not have much affection for his illegitimate son, he was, after all, his son. It could be imagined that even if the Hong couple were released from prison after five years, they would not have an easy life.
Old Madam Zhou's health was already poor, and the grief of a white-haired person sending off a black-haired one took its toll. Within days, she fell ill and passed away. It so happened that both funerals could be held together. Wu Caiwei never allowed her children to be criticized in such matters, so she immediately had the two children return to mourn and wear the hemp.
After the funeral arrangements were complete, she directly liquidated the remaining properties of the Zhou mansion, converting them into silver.
At this time, the sisters Zhou Wanqiu and Zhou Wanyue resurfaced, clamoring for a share of the spoils. However, Wu Caiwei did not let them have their way.
The businesses of the two sisters' husbands' families were heavily reliant on the Zhou family. With the Zhou family gone, their businesses naturally plummeted. Wu Caiwei then offered some suggestions to their competitors, leading to their swift closure.
With no easy gains to be had, they naturally separated. The two sisters, already possessing unpleasant tempers and being fond of idleness, often acted like pampered young ladies. Rumor had it that their husbands' attitudes towards them grew increasingly harsh, sometimes even resulting in physical abuse at home.
As long as they were not living well, Wu Caiwei would be happy. She believed that the original owner would also wish to see such a scenario.
While they rejoiced, Situ Yao found no joy. He couldn't figure out what drug that woman had given him. At one moment, his body felt as if it were burning, and at another, he felt as if he were in an ice cellar, a true dichotomy of ice and fire. Thus, he issued a decree: anyone who could find Situ Wen would be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold.
Wu Caiwei felt that this could not continue. On a dark and windy night, she crept into Situ Yao's residence and directly dealt with him while he was in the throes of his illness.
The reason she succeeded so easily was thanks to Situ Yao himself. After being poisoned, he endured unbearable pain, and his temper became increasingly erratic. The disciples of Medicine King Valley unconsciously distanced themselves. To find Situ Wen, he had lingered in the prefectural city, which made Wu Caiwei's actions convenient.
In fact, Situ Wen had discovered her departure. He knew she was doing it for his own good. He had spared Situ Yao's life back then out of gratitude for the old valley master taking him in, but Situ Yao had pushed too hard. For their future peaceful life, he had to send him to hell.
Not long after, they heard the news of Medicine King Valley's dissolution. Situ Wen sighed and pretended to be ignorant.
Although the two had gone through so many lifetimes, they still cherished their time together. They studied medicine and martial arts together, stopped to admire the scenery along the way, and did not hesitate to help those in need of medical treatment or rescue.
Of course, during this period, she had not stopped searching for the original owner's sisters.
The original owner's eldest sister had been sold to a brothel years ago. By the time they received the news and rushed there, she had already been dead for five years.
The original owner's second sister had served as a maid to a merchant and later became a concubine. Unfortunately, the merchant was quite old and passed away within a few years. She raised her son in the backyard, living a difficult life, worse off than even a servant. When Wu Caiwei found her, she followed them without a second thought.
Wu Caiwei bought her a courtyard and two small shops. While they couldn't get rich, the rent from the shops was enough for them to live on.
The third sister was luckier. Although she also served a wealthy family as a maid, at a certain age, she was married off by her master.
Her husband's family treated her well, and her life was harmonious and happy.
Her husband was shrewd. When Wu Caiwei explained her intentions, he immediately requested her to redeem them. They started a small business with Wu Ziyuan, and their lives improved. They couldn't achieve great wealth, but they were better off than most people.
Children eventually grow up and get married. Wu Ziyuan met a girl and fell in love at first sight. Wu Caiwei personally vetted the girl, confirming she was virtuous and kind before agreeing. By then, the Wu family was already one of the foremost families in the prefectural city. The other party was overjoyed that their daughter could marry into the Wu family.
Wu Xinyu's situation was more complicated. Girls were different from boys; they had to marry into other families. At the very least, the groom's family had to be simple and harmonious, and the family members easy to get along with. In the end, Wu Ziyuan introduced his business partner to her. Of course, Wu Caiwei also personally vetted the young man, confirming he was a good person, before marrying her off with a lavish dowry.
Decades passed, and the two remained as devoted to each other as ever, a sight that inspired envy.
Leaving this world, she seamlessly entered the next.
"A hen that doesn't lay eggs, and you still have the nerve to eat and drink? How utterly disgraceful." The moment Wu Caiwei regained consciousness, she heard a harsh scolding.
She followed the sound and saw an elder woman glaring at her furiously, clearly speaking about her.
Wu Caiwei had just arrived and did not understand the situation, unsure how to respond. The man beside her quickly intervened, "Mother, please calm down. We are eating now; don't spoil your appetite."
"The sight of her saps my appetite. Tell me, dear, how can you not live without her? Women like her who can't bear children should be divorced and sent home, and you should remarry." Mother Chen's heart ached whenever she thought about it. At her age, others were already grandmothers, yet her grandchildren were nowhere to be seen.
"Mother is confused again. How can you say such things? Xue'er is very good, diligent, and virtuous," Chen Yan said gently, glancing at her, then addressing his mother.
Although Wu Caiwei had not yet grasped the situation, she felt that the man beside her, who appeared to be her husband, was undoubtedly fanning the flames. It was clear at a glance that he did not truly cherish her.
As expected, Mother Chen slammed the table, her face flushed with anger. "There are plenty of gentle and virtuous girls in the world. Few have been unable to bear children for over a decade like her." Saying this, Mother Chen began to cry. "We only have you, my son, as a male heir. You cannot be foolish; we are all counting on you to continue the family line."
Father Chen looked at his son's conflicted expression and shook his head, sighing, "Let's eat first. We can discuss these matters later, but Yan'er, you need to think carefully."
Chen Yan nodded silently. For a moment, no one spoke, and the meal was unusually quiet.
Upon returning to their room, Chen Yan comforted Ouyang Xue as usual. "Xue'er, don't take your mother's words to heart. In my eyes, you will always be the best, and I will never give you up."
Wu Caiwei, still clueless about the situation, could only feign dejection and say softly, "I want to be alone for a while."
"Alright, you rest for a bit. But don't rest for too long, or Mother will start scolding again." Chen Yan looked at her worriedly for a moment before turning to leave, carefully closing the door behind him.
Finally having the time, Wu Caiwei quickly lay down on the bed and closed her eyes to accept the memories.
A moment later, having absorbed the original owner's memories, she thought to herself, *What a scumbag this man is.*