Ren Hanzhong let out a cold laugh, his tone full of sarcasm, "Save her? The one who truly saved her was my cousin. I just happened to be passing by that year, and while my cousin went to get help, I took the credit for saving her life."
The mistress wrapped her arms around his waist, still dissatisfied, "Then why did you marry her?"
"Ha, you don't understand," Ren Hanzhong scoffed. "Don't let Wan Ning's stupidity fool you; my cousin is head over heels for her. That year, to save her, he jumped into the moat and almost lost his life."
He paused, as if recalling something, "The place where they fell into the water was remote. By the time my cousin called them back, Wan Ning had already been taken away by me."
He thought something bad had happened to Wan Ning, and was so angry that he fainted on the spot. Later, when he learned that I had taken credit for his work, he was both furious and ill, and couldn't get out of bed for a whole month.
"Once he recovered, seeing that Wan Ning and I were getting close, he sent my aunt to propose marriage. At that time, the Ren Household hadn't divided their property yet, so naturally, this couldn't be kept from my mother... I threatened to kill myself and forcibly took the marriage away from her."
His tone grew increasingly harsh, "That fool Wan Ning still thinks I love her, that I'd be willing to die for her, that I'd break with my parents. So after marrying into the family, she desperately tries to please my mother, swallowing all the grievances she suffers, not daring to utter a single word."
The mistress, annoyed, lightly punched his chest with her fist and said coquettishly, "You men are really no good!"
Ren Hanzhong lowered his head and leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her head away.
The woman in the outer room asked softly, "Do you hate your cousin that much?"
"My cousin is naturally annoying, but the elders always favor him, giving him the best of everything first. I just want him to experience what it's like to long for something but not be able to have it."
Ren Hanzhong's tone was full of malice, "I'm just sticking to this. As long as he's still at home, I'll treat Wan Ning even better... so well that the second wife can't stay there anymore, so well that he can only go to another place to be an official, and he can forget about ever coming back to take anything from me again."
Standing outside the door, Madam Ren felt her blood run cold and her whole body turn ice-cold.
It turns out that all his attentiveness to her before the family split was just an act;
It turns out that her unforgettable "life-risking rescue" was an elaborate deception;
It turns out that what she thought was "her mother-in-law's punishment and insistence on marrying no one but her" was nothing more than a bargaining chip for the man to use in a fit of pique.
Her lifelong devotion and sacrifices were seen as a joke by others.
The voices inside continued, but she no longer had the courage to listen. Madam Ren walked back to the courtyard, looking lost and dejected.
Suyue came out of the house and asked in surprise, "Madam, why are you crying?"
She cried?? She didn't cry?? Madam Ren subconsciously touched her cheek; it was wet... A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. " Suyue, you should go and rest first. I want to be alone."
After speaking, she went back to the house alone. She subconsciously looked at the desk, which was empty... Madam Ren walked over and sat down in the chair, tracing the marks on the desk with her fingers.
This bottle is really a good thing... It works without needing contraceptives, it's just a pity the little devil inside was caught, and she stared blankly at the mark.
Thinking about all the foolish things she had done for Ren Hanzhong over the years, a dense, persistent pain welled up in her chest. It was all a lie... all a lie.
Madam Ren sat alone in the chair, and remained there all night.
The next day, Wan Ning changed into a plain dress. Actually, she didn't like wearing bright red or purple, finding it ostentatious. She only wore it because Ren Hanzhong liked it.
Now that I know the truth, the love I once shared has receded like the tide, leaving only desolation.
Suyue set out the bowls and chopsticks. "Madam, as you instructed yesterday, today's dishes are prepared according to Master's taste. I'll go and invite him now."
Wan Ning called out to her, "Master is busy with official duties, so don't go looking for him." After saying that, she got up and went to the dining table, picked up her chopsticks and started eating by herself.
Suyue was puzzled but didn't think much of it.
After the meal, Wan Ning wanted to go to the Anzhi Hall. Just as she stepped into the carriage, Ren Hanzhong came out of the mansion, assuming that she was going back to her parents' home to complain.
He frowned and said, "My parents-in-law are getting old; let's not let them know about this."
Wan Ning didn't say anything, but simply lifted the curtain and got into the carriage.
This was the first time Ren Hanzhong had been so neglected. He stood there stunned until the carriage had driven far away before he came to his senses.
His face instantly turned ashen... That ignorant woman! He'd only said a few words to her last night, and she dared to give him the cold shoulder! She'd better never set foot near him again!
The carriage finally stopped in front of the Anzhi Hall.
Suyue lifted the curtain and helped Wan Ning down from the carriage.
Anzhi Hall had already opened its doors, and the shopkeeper and doctor were sitting in their respective seats. When they saw her arrive, they all looked over.
Su Mu subconsciously stood up, but then remembered that the Jin Shanyao told him to straighten his back, so he sat back down.
Wan Ning walked up to Meng Anzhi and tapped on the table. "Where's your aunt?"
Meng Anzhi shifted her gaze from the book to Wan Ning and smiled, " Madam Ren has arrived."
A flash of disgust crossed Wan Ning's eyes as she said coldly, " Doctor Meng, just call me Lady Wan..."
Meng Anzhi smiled gently, "Please sit for a moment, Lady Wan, I'll go and call my aunt over." With that, she got up and went to the backyard.
Upon Madam Ren had arrived, Jin Shanyao picked up the small winnowing basket from the kang table and went outside.
He was thinking to himself that he should plant more walnut trees this year. With the shrewdness of the people in the capital, walnuts would definitely sell faster than medicinal herbs.
Once inside the shop, she sat down behind the counter and casually pushed the winnowing basket towards Wan Ning.
"Want some? I cooked it all night."
Yesterday, Wan Ning would have just taken it as her being naive and approachable. But today, every word sounded like a veiled insult.
Yes... she's so stupid that even someone she's only met once can see the problem, but she can't.
Seeing that she remained silent, Jin Shanyao picked up a walnut, cracked it open, peeled out the kernel, and placed it on the table in front of her. She said earnestly, "The walnuts from Hat Mountain are the best you can find in the entire Sheng Dynasty."
Wan Ning stared at the few walnut kernels, gave a wry smile, and said, " Shopkeeper Jin... are you making fun of me?"
"No?" Jin Shanyao just wanted to give her a little pointers; she didn't mean to make fun of her.
Wan Ning didn't believe it. "Yesterday you said I bumped my head, and today you gave me walnuts... and you still say you're not making fun of me?"
Jin Shanyao a deep breath and glanced around... Sure enough, everyone was listening intently, looking on with anticipation for a good show.
She's not a potted plant, look away! One glare from her and everyone lowered their heads in fear...
Jin Shanyao closer to Wan Ning and lowered her voice, "Come with me to the backyard; it's not convenient to talk here."
After speaking, she stood up and gestured for Wan Ning to follow. As she walked, Jin Shanyao clapped her hands in her heart. "I'm truly a kind and understanding tree."
The two entered the guest room.
Jin Shanyao to Wan Ning, inviting him to sit down. Qing He then brought over a small clay stove. A grill was placed on the stove, with a teapot simmering on top, surrounded by red dates and walnuts—it looked very cozy.