The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

On the day the Duke of Shunguo's mansion held a banquet, guests flocked to the Wei family's gate.

Yao Yao followed closely behind Jia Shan.

"Sister."

Gu Wu's voice came through.

"Sister, you're going to stay at the Yu family's house for a while tomorrow. Can I visit you often?"

Since Yaoyao came back, she's been clinging to me like glue.

The thought of her going to stay at the Yu family for half a month made her reluctant to leave.

Yao Yao readily agreed.

"It's done."

She walked briskly: "If you want, you can stay for a few nights."

Gu Wu was happy.

The Wei family was a distinguished family, and every stone step in front of the mansion gate gleamed with a warm luster, the patina worn away by generations of footsteps.

Once inside, every detail is meticulously arranged.

"Madam Grand Tutor, this way please."

The maid leading the way was at the front.

Jiashan: "How has your second wife been lately?"

She and Shen Jin were close friends before they got married.

Just as the maid was about to report, a woman's voice came from the front.

"You might as well ask me directly."

Shen Jin's makeup was impeccable, and her eyes and brows were gentle. Her skirt was embroidered with intertwined peonies, and the subtle patterns appeared and disappeared as she moved, like ripples on water.

Jiashan: "What's this?"

"I miss you, I welcome you."

Jiashan smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes and said sarcastically, "That would be too much for me, I can't accept it."

Shen Jin was helpless.

She knew that Jiashan was blaming her for not showing up during those years in the palace.

But if there's nothing on your mind, why would it be strange?
On the day she married Wei Fengyuan, Jiashan was also busy with preparations.

I'll be busy, and I'll continue to be strange.

Shen Jin: ...

They are very difficult to coax.

"Why hasn't the Grand Tutor come?"

Jiashan: "His Majesty summons me. I'll come as soon as I'm done with my work."

Shen Jin dismissed the maid and walked with Jia Shan toward the reception hall, but her gaze fell on the Gu sisters beside her: "The flower appreciation banquet is for eligible unmarried men and women to get to know each other."

"Although Yao Yao and A Wu are young, there are quite a few girls around their age who are already engaged. Aristocratic scions who are good in every way are in high demand. Why don't you take this opportunity to choose one? Otherwise, someone else might beat you to it."

It is true that many people get engaged at a young age.

It is commendable that she is reluctant to part with him, especially Yaoyao.

She didn't have that idea.

Not to mention her, Gu Fujiu didn't have it either.

However, she also had her own ulterior motives for coming; she wanted to see if there was any girl who was a good match for He Xuran.

"From what you're saying, you're thinking of finding someone for your niece?"

Shen Jin didn't hide it from her.

"Who doesn't know... that the Shen family is full of fools?"

"The Lady of Zhongyong Marquis had already revealed her thoughts to me."

Yes, they looked for her, but couldn't reach the Shen family.

"Although I didn't agree outright, I didn't refuse either. I wanted to secretly see what the heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong was like, but I also thought that this was a lifelong matter, so I dared not be ambiguous. Even if he was the best, it still depended on Miss Deyu's approval."

Jiashan nodded: "That makes sense."

Jiashan thought of something.

"Since this banquet is being held at the Wei family's residence, has your sister-in-law considered introducing Guizhi to someone?"

Wei Zhao called her "Master's Wife".

The gifts given during festivals are always thoughtfully chosen and truly touch the hearts of Jiashan people.

She naturally cares.

"Return to it?"

Shen Jin: "Neither my sister-in-law nor my brother-in-law had this idea; neither of them wanted to interfere in his marriage."

“Feng Yuan mentioned to me privately that Gui Zhi had been too restricted since childhood and had always been pushed forward. There were few things that suited his taste, and he would have to choose his future bride himself.”

However, Shen Jin observed that Wei Zhao was extremely busy, focusing entirely on his studies and military strategy. Judging from his appearance...

I'm afraid that even after a few more years, they still won't get it.

Before she could say anything more, Jia Shan stopped and looked at her.

"What's wrong?" Jiashan: "You look a bit rounder than the last time I saw you?"

Her complexion was also exceptionally good.

Shen Jin was slightly taken aback.

She glanced around to make sure no one was there, and her face flushed slightly.

His voice was very low.

"She's been pregnant for two months."

My appetite has been excellent lately.

It wasn't even three months into the pregnancy, and the pregnancy wasn't stable yet, so we didn't mention it to anyone.

Jiashan was delighted.

"No wonder you had time to come and greet me; you didn't even bother to organize the banquet at home."

So much free time.

Shen Jin smiled and said, "It's because my sister-in-law loves me."

The flower hall was bustling with activity, with many young men and women playing riddles, pitch-pot, painting, and writing poetry.

Gu Wu also went.

Winning first place comes with a prize.

She wanted to win one to give to her older sister.

If we can't win, we'll see if we can steal it.

It's shameless.

But she was willing to do it for her older sister!
Yao Yao lay on the table eating snacks, listening to the ladies of the various families making polite remarks.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of white flashing by over the flowerbed.

She looked over.

Saw nothing.

Just as Yao Yao was about to look away, a gust of wind blew, and the layers of flower shadows swayed gracefully. Amidst the vibrant colors, a fluffy tail with its tip slightly upturned was swaying contentedly.

cat?
She walked over, but hadn't yet squatted down to take a closer look.

But the 'cat' was startled and suddenly darted out of the flower bushes, its four paws landing as lightly as cotton.

Fu Meng turned to look at her, his amber eyes wide open, seemingly both panicked and bewildered. He then turned and ran. But because of his young age, his steps were still clumsy, and he stumbled and fell, like a rolling snowball.

Yao Yao felt it didn't seem like a cat.

It's a size bigger than a cat.

She lifted her skirt and chased after him without hesitation.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Although Wei Zhao didn't think much of him, he still had to show his face.

After showing his face, he made an excuse to leave.

He walked to the pavilion to wait for others.

When Wei Zhao was reading, he would always stroll to the pavilion shaded by bamboo shadows when his eyes felt tired. He would let his eyes drink in the leisurely air of heaven and earth, so that the soreness in his eyes could turn into clear dew.

This secluded spot was where he often stayed.

The servants in the manor would avoid him and take a detour, so as not to appear nearby and disturb him.

Wei Zhao didn't want to see Yao Yao.

He frowned, wondering what she was doing there.

But he remembered how this girl turned her back on him after he rejected her outright at the Grand Tutor's residence last time.

The Grand Tutor had just finished his work and came in, only to see Yao Yao walking out looking very hurt.

"What... happened?"

Since she was the Grand Tutor's daughter, Wei Zhao couldn't say anything. He was about to say that it was alright and nothing to worry about.

But Yao Yao, who had just left the study, stopped in her tracks.

She has always been bold and responsible!
--"nothing!"

"—I'm the one who offended him!"

Wei Zhao felt a headache coming on at the thought of this. Just as he was about to leave, he caught a glimpse of Fu Meng, who looked utterly hopeless, in Yao Yao's arms.

Fu Meng was a gift from his uncle a while ago.

Wei Zhao turned and entered the pavilion.

When Fu Meng saw him, his tiger eyes lit up, and he roared.

The sound of milk is milky.

Yao Yao also turned her head to look over, her hand still petting the 'cat'.

Unlike the last time we met, she wasn't friendly at all; she didn't say a word, let alone talk to her brother.

On the stone table of the pavilion is a gilded porcelain box with a lotus scroll pattern, and the lid bears a vermilion seal that reads "Made by the Imperial Medical Academy".

Wei Zhao's gaze fell over and paused slightly. He reached out to take it, and with a flick of his finger, he lifted the lid of the box. Inside was a familiar honey-brown pill, similar to the calming pill that Ying Fuyan had taken a few days ago after falling ill from being caught in the rain.

(End of this chapter)