Ye Xuan was almost scared to tears.

Mr. Shen... Uncle?

He was only away for a few days, and when he came back, everything had changed.

The husband became the uncle, and the aunt became the teacher's wife. When did this world become so crazy?

Thinking it over, Ye Xuan suddenly ran out the door and quickly arrived at Ye Caiping's house.

Ye Caiping was about to leave when she saw Ye Xuan and smiled, "Oh, Xuan'er, you're finally back?"

Ye Xuan stared at her, stunned.

Ye Caiping was puzzled by his gaze. She touched her face, wondering if there was something on it.

Ye Xuan's eyes reddened: "Aunt, I promise I will study with all my might and achieve top marks in the imperial examinations. If I fail, I will atone with my death!"

“Uh…” Ye Caiping’s lips twitched. Had her nephew suffered some kind of shock? “You can do your best. There’s no need to atone with your death.”

"No, I want it!" After saying that, he resolutely wiped away his tears, turned around and walked back.

A perfectly good road was transformed into a path paved with a sense of righteous indignation and a willingness to die.

He must study hard to pass the exam and not let his aunt down. After all, his aunt had even sacrificed herself to find him a teacher.

Ye Caiping stared at his retreating figure, utterly bewildered.

At this moment, a maidservant came up and asked, "Madam, shall we go out?"

Ye Caiping nodded: "Let's go."

The maidservant quickly draped a cloak over Ye Caiping's shoulders, and the mistress and servant left one after the other.

Ye Caiping wanted to check on the progress of the bridge construction as they were about to set off.

......

Ever since Li Zhiyuan and his mother returned from Qinghe Village that day, they have been making a ruckus every single day.

Granny Li was either crying and shouting or beating Zhang Shui Niang until she screamed, cursing, "It's all your fault for ruining my Zhiyuan, otherwise we would already be living the high life."

Li Zhiyuan would drink all day long, and whenever he got drunk, he would shout in the direction of Qinghe Village: "I, Li Zhiyuan, have no regrets! Not a single regret!"

"The one I love is Zhang Shuiniang! Shuiniang is a young lady of the Zhang family, what are you, Ye Caiping, compared to her..."

I'm unusually sober today and want to drink, but there's not a drop of alcohol in the flask.

Just then, the sounds of Granny Li beating and cursing Zhang Shuiniang came from outside again.

Disturbed and confused, Li Zhiyuan stumbled out of the door and wandered aimlessly through the village.

I don't know how long I walked, or where I ended up.

A commotion gradually came from ahead, with people banging on things and laughing loudly.

"Madam Ye, you've arrived!" a voice suddenly rang out.

Li Zhiyuan suddenly looked up.

Unbeknownst to him, he had walked to the riverside village, which was the construction site of the bridge, where a group of strong laborers were working.

In the crowd, a red figure stood out.

From afar, one could see her wearing a bright red cloak with dark cloud patterns and white fur trim, her black hair loosely tied up, and the ruby ​​and gold tassel hairpin on her head reflecting a luxurious light in the sunlight.

She was talking to an old man, speaking softly and smiling gently.

A thin blush appeared on her fair face as the cloak draped her cheeks, adding to her already beautiful and radiant appearance.

Under the warm sun of early winter, she was beautiful and elegant, like a hibiscus slowly blooming.

Upon seeing her, Li Zhiyuan was stunned. This was... Ye Caiping!

This was the first time he had seen her since they met on the mountain in May or June.

In just a few months, she had become someone he could no longer recognize.

At this moment, a maidservant stepped forward and handed her a hand warmer: "It's getting cold, madam, don't let your hands get cold."

Ye Caiping took it: "It's getting late, let's go back."

"yes."

Ye Caiping turned and walked away, her little maid following closely behind.

Li Zhiyuan stared at her retreating figure, completely stunned.

For some reason, he suddenly remembered what Zhang Shuiniang looked like when he first met her.

He remembered that scene very clearly before.

But at this moment, he couldn't recall how amazing it had been back then.

Before my eyes, only Ye Caiping's receding figure in bright red remained, her graceful steps and indescribable elegance and poise stunning the entire early winter.

It also amazed his eyes and his heart.

Just like back then, it was a figure he could never reach, like a dream, something he could never grasp or touch.

Li Zhiyuan stared blankly until the figure completely disappeared.

He remained in a daze for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, he screamed "Ah!" and squatted down on the ground, burying his face in his hands and crying.

He regretted it!

I really regret it!

The self-deception and suppressed remorse that had been building up over this period came crashing down on him, causing him immense distress.

He shouldn't have married Zhang Shuiniang!

Ye Caiping was prettier than Zhang Shuiniang, so why did he divorce Ye Caiping for Zhang Shuiniang?

He didn't understand why he had done that back then.

But what's the use of regretting it now? It's all too late.

Li Zhiyuan didn't know how he got home.

Upon entering, one sees Zhang Shuiniang chopping firewood.

Her face was withered and sallow, her body so thin it was practically skin and bones, and her tattered clothes could barely hold them up. Where was the haughty air of the once high-and-mighty young lady?

Hearing the voice, she turned around blankly and looked at him.

Her gaze was empty and devoid of life, like that of a dead person.

Li Zhiyuan stood at the door, not going in, staring blankly into Zhang Shuiniang's lifeless eyes.

Then, a surge of anger welled up inside him, and he rushed over and began punching and kicking Zhang Shuiniang.

"What else can you do besides washing clothes and chopping wood! You're useless!"

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