The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 60 I Will Guard My Husband for a Lifetime
Linxi Village was enveloped in the festive atmosphere of Lunar New Year's Eve, with the continuous sound of firecrackers and the faint laughter of children in the distance.

But the Wei family was shrouded in gloom, their situation bleak.

Wei Zhao fainted.

But his consciousness seemed to linger, and the girl's sobbing continued in his ears.

Is Yu Tingwan really that reluctant to let him die?

Perhaps, once the girl believes he isn't Wei Shen, she won't cry so bitterly.

Wei Zhao's body felt light and airy, as if his soul was being detached.

The bizarre and fantastical scenes played back before his eyes frame by frame, all of them his past.

His grandfather led him into the palace.

"Guizhi, the Empress Dowager bestowed many treasures upon you on your birthday. You must express your gratitude after you go to Cining Palace."

He was only five years old at the time. Yet the sons of noble families already understood the immense power of the emperor and the ways of the world.

When the Duke of Shun went to the Imperial Academy to fetch him from the hall, he saw that he was tired and sleepy, so he reached under his arm and picked him up.

Children of this age all have a deep affection for their fathers.

He was clearly happy, but he still said in a childish voice, "I'll walk by myself. If Mother finds out, she'll argue with Father again."

Lady Shunguo was extremely strict with Wei Zhao. Even if she saw him fall, she would never allow the servants around her to help him up. She even declared that the eldest son of the Duke's mansion should not be raised like a delicate little girl.

But Wei Zhao was already very sensible at that time, and he was the most outstanding among the group of young men.

Lady Shunguo, however, felt this was far from enough. Therefore, she believed her husband doted on Wei Zhao too much, and they often argued.

Duke Shun patted Wei Zhao on the head.

"Go to sleep. Your father will call you when you get home. Your mother won't know."

Xiao Huaiyan, the heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong, approached him with a grin.

"Wei Zhao, you were studying so well, why did you decide to learn martial arts? Don't you want to take the imperial examinations anymore?"

"If you didn't want to take the exam, why did you even come to the Imperial Academy! You beast, you always came out on top in the annual assessments. My dad even compared me to you, and after that, he couldn't stand the sight of me and wanted to beat me up."

"Haven't I taken enough beatings for you all these years?!"

"I've been waiting for you to leave!"

But not long after, Xiao Huaiyan was bruised and swollen and could no longer smile.

"I'm truly speechless. The moment you left, He Xuran, that perennial runner-up, snatched the position and became arrogant and smug. My dad's even comparing me to him now."

"Who does He Xuran even think he is!"

He was furious and blurted out, "I'm only willing to get hurt for you!"

ill.

However, Wei Zhao felt quite sorry for him.

Xiao Huaiyan studied very hard and was full of confidence before entering the examination hall, but his brain just couldn't keep up. He always ranked last year. The only way to avoid being punished was for everyone in the Imperial Academy to leave.

The scene changes.

The Duke of Shunguo lay on his couch, emaciated and barely breathing. He was dying; he had been plagued by illness for years and could no longer endure it.

He dismissed everyone except his eldest son, Wei Zhao. His cloudy eyes stared at Wei Zhao, as if he couldn't get enough of looking at him.

"My cause of death must not be thoroughly investigated."

Wei Zhao did not respond. His eyes were bloodshot, his fists were clenched tightly, and his veins bulged.

People outside are saying that the Duke of Shunguo had a serious illness that weakened his body and caused him to succumb to it.

But he knew that his father had clearly been poisoned.

Wei Zhao's lips were pale: ["It's that one from the palace, isn't it?"]

Even without evidence, Wei Zhao couldn't find anyone more suspicious.

The Wei family's ancestors were founding heroes, and their descendants were all outstanding individuals. Some became highly respected civil officials in the court, while others became meritorious military generals.

After Emperor Taizu of Jin passed away, the Wei family followed the emperor's last edict to assist the new emperor in ascending the throne. Generation after generation remained loyal, which is why their influence has endured for over a thousand years.

No one in the world would fear the overwhelming power of the Duke of Shun's mansion more than the emperor of a country.

Unfortunately, by the time of the Duke of Shun, the Wei family had become small in number.

The Duke of Shun's own brother died in battle without leaving any children.

He only had one son, Wei Zhao.

The Duke of Shun, seemingly using all his strength, propped himself up on one side and tightly grasped Wei Zhao's hand. [“You won’t listen to your father anymore!”]

He rarely showed such sternness: "You're trying to make me die with my eyes wide open! If I persist in my course, it will inevitably lead to my death. After I'm gone, if something happens to you, what will become of your mother? What will become of the entire Shunguo Duke's mansion?"

"The Wei family's reputation rests on your shoulders."

"Child, just be foolish this once."

The Duke of Shun's face was pale with a bluish tinge, his whole body was trembling, and his breathing was rapid and shallow, like a withered leaf swaying in the wind.

The surrounding scenery began to blur, and there was resentment in his eyes as he tried to see Wei Zhao one last time, but his body slid down.

In its final breath, it quietly extinguished like a flickering candle.

Wei Zhao's ears were ringing.

He closed his eyes tightly.

Under imperial power, all are but ants.

His words and actions affected the lives of everyone in the Wei family.

Wei Zhao took a few steps back and knelt down heavily.

The few words seemed weak, as if squeezed out from between his teeth.

His voice was terribly hoarse.

"Return...and obey orders."

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.

Yu Tingwan changed Wei Zhao's clothes to clean ones and then changed the blood-stained sheets and blankets, her eyes still filled with sorrow.

Old Man Qian has come to see it.

But he shook his head at them, indicating that he could not help.

"Even if his internal organs are fine, who can save someone who doesn't want to live?"

"He's too weak. His pulse is even weaker than it looked a few days ago, and he's deteriorating faster than I thought."

"I will vomit blood more frequently in the future, and the situation will become more critical."

"You need to be prepared."

Hui Niang's face turned deathly pale. Unable to accept this blow, she swayed and nearly fainted.

Perhaps feeling sorry for him, Old Man Qian comforted him.

“I heard that Shouzhong went into the mountains. If we can find some precious herbs and stew them for him, maybe we can prolong his life for a few more days.”

That's what they say, but where can you find it?
Even if he could be dragged to the county town, would the doctors there be able to save him?
Yu Tingwan saw Old Man Qian out and took out a few coins from her pocket as payment for the consultation.

Old Man Qian slung his medicine box over his shoulder and slowly walked away.

The New Year's Eve dinner that the Wei family had set on the table had gone cold, and no one had touched it.

Yu Tingwan stayed by the bedside for a long time.

I don't know when my husband will wake up.

What just happened really frightened her.

She wiped Wei Zhao's face and then his hands.

"When Dr. Qian left, he told me that people should strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill. He told me not to do anything foolish."

The girl's voice was low.

“He said I’m still young and stubborn, and that I should start thinking about finding someone else.”

Yu Tingwan lowered her eyes: "What he said makes some sense."

"But I won't leave."

She leaned down and pressed her face against Wei Zhao's, trying to feel his body temperature.

If only we could leave her with a child.

She was very disappointed.

But there was nothing that could be done; Wei Zhao's lower body was damaged.

If Wei Zhao really goes...

Yu Tingwan: "I will stay by my husband's side for the rest of my life."

(End of this chapter)