The Husband I Snatched Is Not Right!

Chapter 124: He Alone Competes in Secret

Returning home, it was evening.

The wind was still cold as it blew in.

These days, she had been smearing black soot on her face whenever she went out, and after a while, it felt a bit itchy. As soon as Yu Tingwan entered the room, she washed her face.

Wei Zhao was bent over reading a book.

It was given by the neighbors, something he read to pass the time.

Hearing the sound, Wei Zhao looked up.

Unlike the ill-fitting cotton clothes she wore before, this one was the perfect size.

But navy blue...

To Wei Zhao, it appeared mature, a color for older people to wear. Even his birth mother, Duchess Shun, didn’t have clothes in this color.

"Do you know how to play chess?"

Yu Tingwan closed her eyes, washing her face carefully, her rosy lips opening and closing.

There were just the two of them in the room, so it was clear she was speaking to Wei Zhao.

"I’m okay."

Yu Tingwan: "That’s not right. I’ve bragged about you outside; you should at least show some decent chess skills."

Wei Zhao spoke honestly: "There are probably very few opponents for me under the heavens."

Yu Tingwan was very pleased.

"... Do you know how to play the flute?"

Wei Zhao: "Also okay."

"That’s not right either."

Wei Zhao said lightly: "Not exactly proficient, but I have studied under a master for three years."

Yu Tingwan: "Yes, yes, yes!"

"Next time, if someone asks, just say that."

Wei Zhao: ...

Outside, Hui Niang was talking with Wei Shouzhong.

The girl listened, pursed her lips: "These days, though Mother doesn’t mention it, she’s also concerned about her family. When we got married, my uncles came, but my cousin didn’t show up, so I sensed something was amiss."

"I’m just worried something really happened."

Yet Zhao Yong and Yu Family’s couple haven’t mentioned a word.

But with Wei Shen’s health as it is, Yu Tingwan really couldn’t spare the effort.

Now things are improving, but the distance between the county and the countryside is too far to offer any help conveniently.

Wei Zhao: "If you want to inquire, it wouldn’t be difficult. The Zhao Family kid is studying at the town academy."

After the Spring Festival, all the students returned to the academy.

"I was thinking the same. We have an ox cart at home; I’ll ask Father to go and take a look later."

To know if Zhao Yu is in trouble, wouldn’t it be enough to go directly to the town to check?

"What Zhao Family kid? That’s your cousin."

Wei Zhao: "I do indeed have a cousin."

His tone was light: "But he’s an infamous louse, ruined by being spoiled at home."

In the past, Yu Tingwan would have refuted this for sure.

Isn’t Zhao Yu good?

Others study to gain fame; he studies hard to clear Lady Xiao’s grievances.

But now, she paused and continued washing her face.

She didn’t utter a single word.

The room suddenly fell quiet.

A silence that was somewhat eerie.

Wei Zhao never intended to hide anything from Yu Tingwan.

Whenever she asked, Wei Zhao never held back.

But she didn’t ask.

Wei Zhao suppressed his emotions: "There’s no need to go to the town. Later, you can ask the neighbors to inquire."

Yu Tingwan was stunned: "Neighbors?"

She suddenly thought of something: "Was there a master visiting the neighbors today, could it be the town’s master?"

She thought of something, her tone couldn’t hide her disdain.

"There are only two masters in town. One is named Chi, who was seriously ill years ago. Although he still struggles to teach, all the academy matters, big and small, are managed by another master."

"You must mean Mr. Chu. Hu Yaozu is considered his favored student."

Yu Tingwan: "From what I know, this person is very good at currying favor."

The girl was evidently very smart.

Wei Zhao closed his eyes. Yet, there were times even he couldn’t guess what Yu Tingwan was thinking.

She should be suspicious.

Perhaps, she had begun to believe he was Wei Zhao.

But she had no reaction.

Though Yu Tingwan often wore her emotions on her face, that was only when she was willing to be completely open. When she wanted to hide, who could see through her?

Wei Zhao: "It’s Mr. Chu."

Yu Tingwan: "I wonder what schemes he’s plotting. If I knew, I’d certainly ruin them."

Between the couple, it seemed there was a quiet competition. Yu Tingwan didn’t want to bring it up or ask more. Wei Zhao just went along with her.

It seemed neither wanted to disrupt this balance.

But only Wei Zhao knew.

The one silently competing was only him.

And Yu Tingwan, she simply didn’t care.

Yu Tingwan washed her face clean and dried it with a hanging cotton cloth: "I also bought rouge, but I don’t know how to use it."

Yu Tingwan: "I was thinking of trying it on my face at home and gradually figuring it out, but I forgot to buy a copper mirror."

"But fortunately, I have my husband."

Wei Zhao frowned.

Wielding weapons, killing, prying open traitor’s mouths, and outsmarting the people of Shangjing were his strengths.

But he had never dealt with ladies’ trinkets.

"I don’t know how either."

Yu Tingwan: "It’s okay."

Wei Zhao said lightly: "I won’t learn either."

Yu Tingwan regretfully found another way: "Then I can practice by applying it on my husband’s face."

When a man draws a woman’s brows, it’s called raising the eyebrows together.

What they’re doing isn’t much different.

Wei Zhao: ???

His gaze became complicated.

There’s nothing you’re afraid to do, right?

Wei Zhao: "... It’s also something worth learning."

Yu Tingwan: "I also bought scented balm."

She knew how to use scented balm.

The girl opened the box, scooped out some with her index finger, spread it evenly in her hands, and applied it to her face.

Yu Tingwan: "By the way, I bought clothes for the elders."

She turned around and walked towards the bed.

Wei Zhao was slightly stunned.

He initially thought, at this young age, cotton clothes wouldn’t suit her, but she had such a good complexion, her skin translucent, that it didn’t seem out of place.

It’s just...

It’s just that she should be more suited to silk and satin.

"Mother said she didn’t need it, but she was happy in her heart."

"Father’s clothes fit perfectly when he tried them on just now."

Yu Tingwan wanted to say something more.

Wei Zhao: "What about mine?"

Yu Tingwan’s steps halted, a slight unnaturalness flashing across her face. But quickly, the emotion was hidden.

"Husband, bedridden with illness, with the brazier heating the room, there’s no need."

She sat by the bed, her voice gentle and reasonable: "Moreover, don’t you already have one? It’s just gathering dust now."

Wei Zhao: "Oh."

His tone flat, deep in his eyes swirled an indiscernible emotion.

"You forgot."

A caught-out Yu Tingwan: ...

"Buying it would have been a waste anyway. I thought I could buy it once you’re better."

Wei Zhao didn’t listen.

He spoke slowly: "You forgot."

Yu Tingwan: "I’ve looked at those clothes. They’re not really suitable for you..."

Wei Zhao sighed: "You simply forgot."

The girl was silent for a long time.

She pursed her lips in frustration, her voice very small, soft: "Can’t you give your wife a way out?"

A rarity of admitting defeat.

But soon.

Yu Tingwan tempted: "A man should be more magnanimous, not always holding onto such trivial matters."

As soon as she finished speaking, Hui Niang’s voice came from outside.

"Wan Niang, Aunt Zhao from next door is looking for you."

Look, the way out has come.

Yu Tingwan slipped away faster than anyone.

Watching her silhouette disappear from sight, her steps marked with obvious urgency, Wei Zhao’s expression softened, and he picked up his book again.

After some time, a stifled laugh escaped his throat.