TSWRLM -Chapter 189 I Think He’er’s Happiness Is the Most Important

On the second day after returning to the capital, Yun Wantang took the two children to the Wei family.

Madam Yun specially instructed the kitchen to prepare many dishes that children like and also bought lots of little toys for them. Xiao Qinghe and Wei Lingze had also arrived early at the main courtyard to accompany them.

Yun Wantang had been away from the capital for nearly ten years. Back then, Xiao Qinghe was still very young and had little contact with her, but she could recite many of her deeds by heart. After all, for a few years, people often compared them, and she had even once regarded Yun Wantang as an imagined rival.

Even now, people would still say that if she had been born a few years earlier, or Yun Wantang a few years later, Yun Wantang would undoubtedly have been the most prestigious lady in Hanjing.

However, after Wei Lingze’s accident, Xiao Qinghe paid little attention to such gossip. Now, seeing Yun Wantang again, her mood was calm.

“Auntie, Brother Ze, Sister-in-law He’er, we’re here~”

Just like yesterday, the first things to catch everyone’s eyes were the two incredibly adorable children.

They were wearing matching colorful outfits—one boy and one girl.

They weren’t shy at all and bounced into the room energetically.

Zhen’er jumped into Madam Yun’s arms, while Yuejie jumped into Xiao Qinghe’s.

Both were soft and fragrant; Madam Yun’s heart melted, and even Xiao Qinghe felt a pang in her heart.

If not for that accident, she would almost have her own child by now.

“Zhen’er, Yue’er, don’t be wild. Behave yourselves.”

Yun Wantang entered the room behind the children and just gave a calm reminder. The two children obediently returned to her side, extremely well-behaved.

“Children this age just love excitement. You and I were so close as sisters, but now, are you going to become distant from me?”

Madam Yun scolded playfully, and Yun Wantang smiled: “I know you love the children, sister, but they can’t be too unruly. This isn’t Wengzhou, so it’s better to pay more attention to their behavior.”

Yun Wantang then looked at Xiao Qinghe: “He’er, you’ve grown up so much. I always thought you were a beauty in the making, and now you’re even more beautiful. Luckily Ze acted quickly back then, or someone else might have taken you away.”

As she spoke, Yun Wantang took out a red jade bracelet and placed it on Xiao Qinghe’s wrist: “I didn’t get to attend your wedding, but I’ve long prepared a wedding gift. I hope you and Ze will be loving as husband and wife and soon have a precious child.”

“Yue’er also wishes Brother Ze and Sister-in-law He’er to have a child soon. Sister-in-law He’er is so beautiful; the child will surely be even more beautiful.”

Yun Wantang spoke earnestly, and Yue’er was just too adorable. Xiao Qinghe couldn’t bring herself to refuse, so she could only smile silently. Fortunately, Madam Yun quickly shifted the topic and asked Yun Wantang about her life in Wengzhou over the past years.

Yun Wantang spoke gently, recounting Wengzhou’s customs and scenery in detail, making everyone listen with longing. The meal was very enjoyable.

After a while, the two children began to get sleepy. Madam Yun asked Wei Lingze to take them for a nap while Xiao Qinghe accompanied Yun Wantang to the guest house to rest.

Without Madam Yun and Wei Lingze around, Yun Wantang became even closer to Xiao Qinghe. She recounted many amusing stories from Wei Lingze’s childhood and then suddenly asked: “He’er, are you unhappy now?”

Caught off guard, Xiao Qinghe didn’t know how to answer. Yun Wantang continued: “Actually, my sister has written to me about you and Ze. Recently she’s been so worried that she can’t eat or sleep well. I originally intended to advise you to reconcile, but seeing you now, I’ve changed my mind. If you’re unhappy, then don’t force yourself.”

Yun Wantang’s voice was very gentle, with none of the authority of an elder, instead like an old confidante.

Xiao Qinghe looked at her in surprise. Yun Wantang’s gaze was kind: “Life is like drinking water—you feel its warmth or cold yourself. Others speak without feeling the pain. Your own happiness is the most important. If Yuejie later becomes unhappy in marriage, I wouldn’t want her to spend the rest of her life on someone unworthy.”

When Yun Wantang gave the bracelet earlier, it implied a wish for children. Xiao Qinghe had braced herself for a lecture but instead heard these words, and her eyes grew misty.

Though Yun Wantang didn’t firmly support her leaving Wei Lingze like Chun Xi did, the fact that she could empathize so deeply as Wei Lingze’s relative was touching.

Seeing Xiao Qinghe’s reaction, Yun Wantang quickly took a handkerchief to wipe her tears: “Good child, I didn’t say much, why are your eyes red? You must have suffered a lot recently.”

Xiao Qinghe shook her head, not speaking ill of Madam Yun or Wei Lingze. Yun Wantang sighed: “My sister is wonderful in many ways, but she is a bit biased and protective. She’s always proud of Ze. After he was injured, she surely favors him, forgetting that at home, you were also a cherished young lady. Don’t worry, your aunt will make sure things are fair.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Xiao Qinghe couldn’t fully open her heart to Yun Wantang yet, but she felt herself growing closer to her.

At the guest house, after chatting a bit more, Xiao Qinghe left. Shortly after, Madam Yun arrived in the courtyard.

Before Madam Yun could speak, Yun Wantang said seriously: “Sister, you’re so careless. He’er is such a gentle and generous daughter-in-law, and so many would fight to have her. How can you favor Ze and wrong her? If I hadn’t come back, she might have even considered leaving him.”

Madam Yun’s eyelids twitched. “He’er told you she wants a divorce?”

“He’er isn’t foolish. She wouldn’t say such a thing outright,” Yun Wantang rolled her eyes and said softly, “I could see from her expression sitting with Ze, there wasn’t the slightest change in emotion. Clearly, her heart is dead inside.”

Madam Yun’s heart sank. She asked, “Then what should we do? Of course, I want them to be loving, but that Chun Xi keeps trying to sow discord in He’er’s ears. She’s already under her spell.”

Madam Yun hid Wei Lingze’s faults and blamed Chun Xi entirely.

Yun Wantang, having learned about Chun Xi through letters, didn’t get angry like Madam Yun. Instead, she admired her: “That little girl, though born lowly, is clever. I didn’t expect her to have such cunning.”

Who could have predicted this?

Madam Yun agreed quietly and asked in a low voice: “Then what should we do now? We need to find a way for He’er and Ze to reconcile, right?”

Yun Wantang shook her head, inscrutable: “Matters of the heart are hard to mend once fractured. Sister, don’t worry. Let me first deal with that Chun Xi.”